Commercial Flooring Contracts

[flare]

Hello

I was wanting to setup a new flooring company, from my experience so far working on commercial sites, the subies were never allowed to fit it. The main contactor always took in a flooring company to supply and fit. I think it was becasue the flooring company gives a guarantee on the flooring, something which the main contactor wouldnt want to do.

So i have done alot of hardwood, laminate , engineered floors for residental customers and i do enjoy the work, i mean its immediate impact and totally tansforms the look of the room. I think i would like to run a floring comapny and hopefully be able to at least tender for commercial contracts.

I'm in the middle of setting up a website.... got a portfolio pics / videos and stuff, online quote form ( you know you love it! ) and its really coming on! I know perhaps because its a recession and there is a major lack of commercial sites just now, so im not too sure about starting it at this moment in time, altough it gives me time to setup everything....

I was thinking about just going for it, meet the main guys at the large construction firms, introduce myself and see if i can get the oportunity to work with them, just grab the bull by the horns and go for it!

I'd like to hear anyone else story on how they got into the commercial side of things... any tips and advice, its all appreciated! Thanks guys

Andrew

 

[CKG]

Getting into the commercial side of things can be tough. It's all about admin to start with.

It's totally different to domestic work. In my experience the main thing to have squared away is all your health & safety. Things like.

Method statements
Risk assessments
Asbestos awareness ticket ( I was told this may be soon mandatory in most local authorities).

Memberships of relevent trade associations they seem to like too.

Public sector and LA bods could also want to check your financial history and see company accounts. So you can't big time it and bluff your way into it.

Though a little bending of the truth may be needed sometimes. Some call it bullshiser, I prefer to call it the fresh smell of country air - use your noggin and play the system if you have to.

Getting registered with CHAS and Construction Line do pre qualify you for some tender opportunities though so it may do you well to look at joining these.

Tenders do appear to be written in a different language - lots of jargon. Get in touch with your local Business Link or similar organisation and see if they run introduction to tendering courses - these help you understand the vocab and terminology used and how to complete a tender bid. I went on one and can now figure out what the hell the tender docs are on about and fill them in.

And think about finance. One tender win could tripple the size of your business over night. You need to know that you have the cash available in some form to gear up for the contracts. Be it loans, overdraft or some kind of factoring facility.

Tendering is a complete ball ache to get into if your not used to it, but, once you have the basics squared away and your first contract under your belt it become a whole lot easier.

Just keep your eyes open for relevent tenders and crack on with bidding when you have your admin squared away.

 

[flare]

Oki great thanks for the info CKG, while im learning the admin side of things, i can still do the domestic work to keep me going. Looking into tender courses now and ive registed with business link.

 

[jmendez25]

You can also try Silikal America. Commercial & Industrial Flooring Manufacturer. We Install Our Products To Ensure A Quality Floor
At Silikal we feel that not only is quality of product of the utmost importance but so is the installation of that product. That being said we do not allow just any contractor to install or flooring systems. Silikal as a quality commercial and industrial flooring manufacturer requires a quality licensed applicator to be used on the installation of our flooring products. Silikal- Expect more from your floor. for more info visit my profile and see the homepage.

 

[LicensedToTrade]

Getting in contact with the right person is the key to success here. If you like I can send you the entire contact database for Morgan Sindall's procurement and tendering teams nationally. Naturally this will be free of charge. If you are interested then PM me your email address.

 

[Estimator]

I was thinking about just going for it, meet the main guys at the large construction firms, introduce myself and see if i can get the oportunity to work with them

Good luck with that one! Seriously do you expect a company like the one mentioned, Morgan Sindall, to give a subcontract to an unknown company for flooring a new school block for example? Sorry to pour cold water, but they are looking for established companies who have a track record, who can put plenty of labour on to get the job done, who have a relationship with the manufacturers and can get the material ££ cheap, who aren't going to hit cash flow problems - it's not like doing a domestic job where you get paid the same day. And someone with insurance cover, and guarantees in place if something goes wrong in 6 months, and you have to go back and fix it or get sued to buggery. Seriously, are you able to say yes to any of those points? If you start small and grow over the years you may be able to, but now?