[zackkcaz]

I was just wodnering what you guys thought about doing construction during the winters. We are thinking of getting into the water and fire restoration business, Its very profitable, and it will provide work for the boys during the whole year...any body have any other experience similar to this or anything else besides pushing snow?

[Stonehenge]

One of our local competitors does home remodels in the winter. Seems to work for them. I'd love to be able to do house flipping during the winter months, but the market here is terrible (same by you, I think).

[Mac]

I plan to offer interior house painting during the winter - not under the business name, but likely under my own name. I did the interior of my house this year and realized how enjoyable it is. I Plan to bid it T&M and fit it in whenever I dont have salting of plowing to do.

[Lumas976]

Interior Stone work is popular right now with a lot of people. If you have good stone guys on your crew you can keep them busy doing fireplaces...columns..... walls... interior flagstone. etc.

[kinnanscaping]

I know nothing about the restoration thing. I think if you can find a winter niche, then run with it. You mentioned that it is lucrative in your area for those that do it. What makes you think that you can jump right into a lucrative market? Have you done this sort of thing in the past? Do you have connections to help you get started, ie insurance companies, appraisers, etc? What areas of restoration are you talking about? All areas, or will you focus on drywall, carpet, etc? Will you advertise this service as actively as you would your landscaping company to ensure maximum exposure? These are the types of questions that I would be asking myself, that is why I am asking them to you.

I am advertising interior painting. It is listed on my "seasonal services" on my website. I also have the ability to have my advertising headings changed to different areas dependent on the time of year. I was listed under snow removal and interior painting all winter. Now I am listed under landscape contractor, etc.

I am interested to know why MAC will not paint under his company name? Painting doesn't hold any more liability than landscaping. Why not take full advantage of name recognition.

This leads me to my next question. How many of you try to work in the winter because you absolutely have to do so? How many of you do it just to stay busy? How many do it just to keep the help busy? How many do it part-time because a little extra money is nice and you might go stir-crazy otherwise?

[Mac]

My company focus is strictly landscape management - I dont want to be confused with anything else. I think doing multiple lines of trade under one business name will only distort your message to prospects.

If I do anything in the winter, including plowing, is certainly not for the money. In fact, nearly all the revenue from winter services funds my retirement accounts.