Any advice on becoming a licensed contractor?

[NJbird_dog]

My neighbors are 3 brothers who are VERY skilled in all aspects of home improvement.

But they don't speak English very well, don't have good presentation/writing skills, and also don't know how to market themselves.

They used to do go great financially during the past few years, but now things have slowed down, and they're struggling.


I've been talking to them about teaming up, where I would market for them, get leads, set up appointments, handle the contracts/payments, create a website, all negotiations, and presentations for home improvement jobs. I love sales and marketing and I know I'd be great at it, but I have ZERO experience when it comes to contracting/home improvements. I'll have a lot of learning to do, but I think there's great potential in teaming up with these guys.


I just wanted to get some feedback from you guys on this idea. What are some thoughts on being their marketing agent/contractor and getting paid a fixed percentage on every project. These guys have done it all, building homes, rooftops in NYC, additions, plumbing, electrical, etc. And I'm sure that if I market aggressively, I'll be able to beat the competition based on our price, presentations, and customer service.

Any thoughts?

[jfpen]

My neighbors are 3 brothers who are VERY skilled in all aspects of home improvement.

But they don't speak English very well, don't have good presentation/writing skills, and also don't know how to market themselves.

They used to do go great financially during the past few years, but now things have slowed down, and they're struggling.


I've been talking to them about teaming up, where I would market for them, get leads, set up appointments, handle the contracts/payments, create a website, all negotiations, and presentations for home improvement jobs. I love sales and marketing and I know I'd be great at it, but I have ZERO experience when it comes to contracting/home improvements. I'll have a lot of learning to do, but I think there's great potential in teaming up with these guys.


I just wanted to get some feedback from you guys on this idea. What are some thoughts on being their marketing agent/contractor and getting paid a fixed percentage on every project. These guys have done it all, building homes, rooftops in NYC, additions, plumbing, electrical, etc. And I'm sure that if I market aggressively, I'll be able to beat the competition based on our price, presentations, and customer service.

Any thoughts?

You need experience to be able to price jobs correctly. In my state almost anyone can be a GC. You must get the license and insurance. Electricians and Plumbers have to go through an apprenticeship before they can work on their own or for you. That would limit the scope of the work you could do legally.

[NJbird_dog]

Good point, I would bring one of the guys with me on every appointment and he would take care of pricing the jobs, and we can subcontract the work as we need to, such as electricians or plumbers.

I looked on the NJ state website, and they even have a license for "Home Repair Salesman", which is what I'm referring to -

"A home repair salesperson license is required if a salesperson secures a financed home repair contract from a New Jersey homeowner on behalf of a licensed home repair contractor.  A home repair salesperson may be affiliated with only one licensed home repair contractor at one time."

So I need to decide which would be best, being the sales rep or a GC.