How to Start Fencing as Business
If you are the kind of person who is tired of the 9-5 rat-race, you may have considered starting up your own business. If you have handyman skills and love working outside, you may do well as a fencing contractor. As long as there are people purchasing homes, suburban blocks will need fencing. In rural districts where larger properties are being subdivided there are also plenty of fences to construct.
So how can you start up such a business? First of all, register for an Australian Business Number (ABN) and make sure you know how to keep records and accounts. You may need the following equipment, depending on the kind of fences you are building.
- A ditch digger for digging out a trench for footings
- A vehicle suitable for carrying such equipment, plus the materials for the fence
- A license to drive it
- A concrete mixer
- Small fencing tools such a hammers, crow-bars, shovels and wire strainers
- A wheelbarrow
- A tractor and posthole digger or post driver if you are in a rural area
- Sturdy boots, work clothes, gloves and a hat
- Business cards/brochures. These can easily be done by anyone with a few computer skills.
You will need to think of a name for your business and you could even have a logo designed for it. However, the latter is an extra cost that is not essential at the beginning, especially if you are starting on a slim budget.
So long as you have a few tools, you could simply advertise in the local paper for such work. If you see a new build going up, pop your business card in the box to let them know there is a professional fencer available. You can even leave your card with builders.
Once you have completed your first job, ask for a reference or erect your own signage in a visible place while you are working there. It won’t be long before you become known in the district and may get jobs out of the area. It is up to you to decide how far you are going to travel to a job. Travel costs extra, so you’ll have to add that on to your usual charges.
It’s a good idea to estimate just how much the material and other costs such as fuel and hourly work will cost for each job. While it’s important not to be too expensive, you also need to cover your costs and pay yourself a decent wage if you are going to succeed.
It’s important to be available all the time so you’ll need a mobile phone – which most people have anyway. Make a point of checking it for messages throughout the day so you can get back to people quickly should they want someone to erect a fence for them.