[narrowhead]

How, where, and when do you bid on commercial customers? I have been doing residential and I want to take on some commercial clients. Where do I start?

[Lanelle]

What sort of service are you thinking about: maintenance or landscape install?

Both are very competitive and the buyers in this market sometimes make it their recreation to take advantage of inexperienced contractors.

This topic has been discussed before and the general advice is to proceed with caution until you have a solid handle on your numbers and your production systems.

[narrowhead]

Thanks for the advice. We would be doing more of the general maintenance.

[syzer]

There is lots of work to be had. The key to this is learn your numbers, find out what it costs you to run, then you bid by production hours. Your are selling hours not jobs, think of it that way. Sell the hours on a job you need to recover direct and overhead costs then add your profit.

The key is #'s! You have to get out there and bid bid bid, however ppl have to have a reason to chose you, as such you must get ppl to know who you are!

Good Luck! It will get tough!

[GLAN]

flip through the yellow pages for management companies...........or you see those For Rent / Lease signs at commercial properties.

Send them a letter that you would like to do business with them.....can call to....