Many contractors find that, during specific months, the work simply dries up. For builders, that might happen in the middle of winter when most people are not thinking about expansions. Then, there might be periods when things get really busy again, such as in the spring when the weather warms up – during this time, people want fast projects to be ready in time for the summer.
So, how do you manage all of this? As a contractor, you don’t have a regular working schedule like many others, but instead have to fill your own workload in a manageable way. So, here’s how to manage seasonal spikes and falls.
Adjust the Type of Work You Advertise Month-by-Month
It is no secret that certain types of contractor work are more common in certain seasons than others. For example, not many clients will want you to lay bricks or build a garden room in the middle of November!
It helps to know what you can do during each part of the year – as well as what potential clients will be looking for. That way, you can advertise your skills accordingly. Remember that contractor advertising should be all-encompassing to target a wide range of your audience. It’s best to use genuine marketing professionals who can tailor services precisely to what you offer, whether that’s HVAC maintenance or plumbing services.
Book Ahead When You’re In-Demand
It can feel really good to have multiple potential clients wanting your services. However, this can easily overflow, leaving you unable to fit everyone in. This can be especially disheartening when you know that, five months down the line, there will be much less interest in your work.
So, take the initiative to book ahead, especially with work that doesn’t require a specific season/type of weather. To help with that, offer discounted services for the winter seasons, as this will give clients an incentive to use your services when it’s not peak season.
Offer Emergency Services
One of the biggest ways that contractors earn money is by helping people when they are experiencing an emergency. That might be when:
- A pipe bursts
- There’s an electrical fault
- A fence/wall falls down
In these types of situations, there’s no waiting for peak season to sort things out – the client needs help instantly. By offering emergency services, you ensure you’ve got work to do all year round, no matter whether it is rainy, sunny, windy, or stormy.
Build a Buffer Fund to Keep Your Finances Afloat
Seasonal spikes and fluctuations may mean that you are out of pocket during some months but not others. As such, it’s important to learn how to handle your money properly. To do this, create a buffer fund when you are at your busiest – instead of seeing that money as pure profit you can spend instantly, instead put it away for the times when you are not getting as much work. That way, the down periods will be much easier to handle.
