Has your business gone quiet lately?

[pentos]

Hi,

I have been in the business, painting and decorating, since 2018. Starting any business is normally quiet and last year was our busiest year yet to the point that we had to turned down a lot of customers. January til March this year we were still buzzing with queries but as soon as April hits, the queries have dropped dramatically. Normally, we would have a booking for 4 months.

It's a bit concerning that all of a sudden everything has gone quiet. Is anyone experiencing this?

What do you do when it's quiet? How did you survive this phase? I know it's not always busy and this is bound to happen.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[tony84]

Quite similar to you this year, Jan to mid March was very busy. Mid March to mid April was dead, then the last 2 weeks have been manic. Although it looks like there may be another lull coming - but that could just be because it is the school holidays.

I started up in 2013, I used to stress when it was busy and then stress when it was quiet. In the end I got to the point where I looked through my previous years spreadsheets and I could more or less work out when the quieter periods would be - this year has been the exception, January is usually quiet but it was busy, May despite only being busy for 2 weeks is either my busiest May or close to ever...

Thankfully I am in a position where I have put savings aside and so I can ride out a quiet year if needed (so not that you can do that now, but during the good times you need to put money aside to cover you for the quiet times)... I would say enough for 6 months wages as a minimum. Injury, ill health, the end of the world, you know you can pay your bills for a little while and take the pressure off.

But if you are really that quiet, you need to start marketing - past customers, do they need anything doing, spring/summer is here - do they want any painting for friends coming round for the BBQs, do they need fences painting maybe?

Can you get any offers out on facebook/twitter/your website? Are there any local groups you can join on facebook? Have you got cards up in the local shops/churches etc?

But every job you do, start putting maybe 5% into a pot. It becomes really easy to do once you get into the habit of it.

 

[fisicx]

Have you changed your marketing?

Is your GBP still showing? Are you getting the same visitor numbers to your website?

 

[pentos]

Have you changed your marketing?

Is your GBP still showing? Are you getting the same visitor numbers to your website?

To be honest, during the busy times we stopped the online advertisement because we were overwhelmed by the number of queries. But since I have noticed the decline, I have upped the marketing (esp on Instagram) and it reached out alot of people. That's about it, really.

 

[Bob Morgan]

Exceptionally healthy workload, 2 new staff since January. Books for the last year best yet. Projects in E&W continue to fall - As predicted. Scotland and Overseas work more than compensated.

 

[fisicx]

To be honest, during the busy times we stopped the online advertisement because we were overwhelmed by the number of queries. But since I have noticed the decline, I have upped the marketing (esp on Instagram) and it reached out alot of people. That's about it, really.

Get your GBP updated. Post pictures of your work with geotagging. Get lots of reviews. You will start getting inquiries again.

 

[ctrlbrk]

Get your GBP updated.

What's GBP?

 

[Shopclicks]

To be honest, during the busy times we stopped the online advertisement because we were overwhelmed by the number of queries. But since I have noticed the decline, I have upped the marketing (esp on Instagram) and it reached out alot of people. That's about it, really.

Nearly all businesses go through waves of busy - not so busy. You need a way to capture and follow up with those enquiries you were getting when you were busy. Did they get the work done already? Are they still looking for a price? Do they need a different job done? Do you have someone to sub the extra work out to?

Advertise when you don't need to ... because that's when people are looking.

As @fisicx said get onto your GBP. Are you in the local pack for the right search terms?

 

[Mark T Jones]

My business has been tough and patchy - though the reasons for that are unlikely to affect you (unless your customers are in the hospitality sector)

Do you have any particular niche / specialism? Obviously a stagnant property market will impact ion new homes and pre-sales spruce-ups, though should create an opportunity for non-movers to refresh.

Rentals are still buoyant - so landlords could be a good bet. I have a friend who does painting and decorating largely in the rental sector & he is always booked well ahead,

 

[Annoying Donkey]

What's GBP?

Google Business Profile?

 

[Bob Morgan]

What's GBP?

USD must mean 'Uther Side of Darlington!'

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

I run this well below capacity so it is always busy but demand is always up and down in this industry hence my hesitation to react to any upturn in business.
You could end up with a fleet that is too big with no work!

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

To be honest, during the busy times we stopped the online advertisement because we were overwhelmed by the number of queries.

Never stop advertising that works. Streamline it, change your ads to better match the sort of jobs you could take on, eg., bigger more profitable one's that don't need doing straight away but don't disappear.

One of your biggest testimonials is to be able to say to a customer you are busy and can't fit them in but could start on xyz date, even if it is several months down the line.

 

[WaveJumper]

Never stop advertising that works. Streamline it, change your ads to better match the sort of jobs you could take on, eg., bigger more profitable one's that don't need doing straight away but don't disappear.

One of your biggest testimonials is to be able to say to a customer you are busy and can't fit them in but could start on xyz date, even if it is several months down the line.

Agree never turn work away just open up the 2024 diary and book them in, if your good they will wait.

 

[fisicx]

The builder who does things for us is booked up for months. He never turns down work.

 

[ctrlbrk]

Definitely not my expertise, but couldn't you just hire some people on a short-term basis when you're busier?

 

[Bob Morgan]

Definitely not my expertise, but couldn't you just hire some people on a short-term basis when you're busier?

Particularly with Construction, it doesn't work that way - It's not like recruiting an extra 'Burger-Flipper' for the 'Lunchtime Rush!' Certain Construction Trades are highly sought-after. Trade and Sub-Contractor Activities have to be programmed quite tightly, and MUST follow a 'Sequence of Work' - You cannot paint a wall until it had been plastered! Once the 'Construction Sequence' begins to slip, it becomes impossible to recover. Hence, 'Builders' are able to dictate terms.

 

[m4hmo]

Middle of the year and December are tricky months for finding tenants. That's about it.

 

[MBE2017]

Middle of the year and December are tricky months for finding tenants. That's about it.

Agreed, the property market is still doing well on the whole. I don’t have tenants personally but I have plenty of guests. The biggest problem is finding quality builders, might have to start one.

 

[m4hmo]

Agreed, the property market is still doing well on the whole. I don’t have tenants personally but I have plenty of guests. The biggest problem is finding quality builders, might have to start one.

Where abouts are you?

 

[Bob Morgan]

Agreed, the property market is still doing well on the whole.

Really? Financial Completions on Sales are down substantially. Figures have just been released by HMRC. March 22 to March 23 -29% April 22 to April 23 -32%

 

[MBE2017]

Where abouts are you?

Northamptonshire, but work nationwide.

 

[m4hmo]

Really? Financial Completions on Sales are down substantially. Figures have just been released by HMRC. March 22 to March 23 -29% April 22 to April 23 -32%

Doesn't matter, in times like these you add value to existing properties. You only buy if it's a good deal. But the requirement to add value to get a good return has increased dramatically now that we are at over 5% interest rates. First time buyers will keep trying to get on the ladder and quite frankly, end up over paying. In london there is a shitload of works happening everywhere, domestic included. So many usual loft conversions, single storey rear, double storey side extensions happening. So actually, it's a good time

 

[Mark T Jones]

Doesn't matter, in times like these you add value to existing properties. You only buy if it's a good deal. But the requirement to add value to get a good return has increased dramatically now that we are at over 5% interest rates. First time buyers will keep trying to get on the ladder and quite frankly, end up over paying. In london there is a shitload of works happening everywhere, domestic included. So many usual loft conversions, single storey rear, double storey side extensions happening. So actually, it's a good time

Your point is valid - and applies to pretty much any business

In weak economies first to fall always include the 'me toos' or those that rely on undercutting.

(Plus of course, those with excessive/inappropriate debt)

 

[DazRave]

Hi,

I have been in the business, painting and decorating, since 2018. Starting any business is normally quiet and last year was our busiest year yet to the point that we had to turned down a lot of customers. January til March this year we were still buzzing with queries but as soon as April hits, the queries have dropped dramatically. Normally, we would have a booking for 4 months.

It's a bit concerning that all of a sudden everything has gone quiet. Is anyone experiencing this?

What do you do when it's quiet? How did you survive this phase? I know it's not always busy and this is bound to happen.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Where are you based and do you do residential mainly/only or commercial?

The misses runs a painting and decorating business with about 25 or so painters and she's absolutely swamped. Based in and around the entire North West.

 

[Joseph K]

Hi, my advice is try to go back to your old satisfied customers and ask for referrals. They may be able to get you new customers. Next time you get busy again, try not to turn down new customers.

 

[Lukejohn]

Keep pushing and do a sales week, purely focusing on new sales! It will come, just needs a reset focus and new ways of reaching customers (get creative). Go where your customers hang out, leave some business cards around local places, and ask others to promote you that are complimentary businesses!

 

[Lisa Thomas]

Have you tried marketing and networking?