The construction industry remains one of the most foundational sectors of the American economy. Despite the ups and downs of the last decade, construction companies continue to provide an invaluable service to both residential home buyers and commercial real estate investors.

If you have a knack for building and would like to turn your passion into a career, below are five tips for starting a successful construction company:

1. Have Access To Supplies

Before you can begin to generate business, you need to make sure you have access to the right supplies. This means either having a local source for your construction materials or turning to the Internet. The type of construction your company will engage in can make a big difference at this stage. If you’re going to be working on large-scale steel construction, sourcing TC bolts from websites like https://www.bacoent.com could help you get the tension control bolts your company needs quickly. If you plan to service your town’s residential market, forming relationships with your local hardware supplier might be a wise idea as well.

2. Know The Markets You Serve

Much like the real estate market, the construction industry tends to be hyper-local. What this means is that one area of town could be booming while another down the street could be stagnant. Take the time to learn the factors that make up your local market’s economy in order to take advantage of opportunities and position your construction company for success.

3. Create A Flexible Business Plan

As a construction professional, you already know the value of planning, so make sure to incorporate the principles of planning into starting your business. Create a business plan that is solid in its foundation but that can be changed as new developments come along. As stated above, the construction industry is known to go through changes, so your business plan should have enough flexibility to change with market forces without losing its overall direction and trajectory.

4. Obtain The Proper Licenses And Permits

Just like with starting any business, you’ll need to look into your local and state licensing and permitting regulations. Construction companies may need special licenses in some areas, and certain types of construction often require specific types of permits. Business insurance regulations can also differ from state to state, and the amount and types of employees you hire can also make a difference in the licenses and permits your construction company will require. Having all of these regulatory requirements satisfied before you open your doors for business can save you from dealing with a lot of headaches down the road.

5. Think About Funding

Setting up any business requires funding of some sort, but going into construction often requires a lot of starting capital. With all of the equipment and tools that need to be purchased along with the money required to obtain the aforementioned licenses and permits plus advertising costs and overhead, you could be looking at a substantial sum needed to get your business off the ground. When thinking about how you will get the money needed to start your construction company, investigate multiple options and consider diversifying your strategy. A bank loan can be a good start, but seeking outside investors in addition to traditional lending could be a better idea. Depending on whether or not your business meets the criteria, investment from a company such as Energy Innovation Capital could certainly be worth looking into. 

Your Path Is Unique

Finally, remember that every professional’s journey in business is different, so your path will be unique to you and the clients you serve. With a lot of hard work combined with attention to detail, you’ll be better prepared to take your construction company as far as you’d like to go.