How To Be a Good General Contractor

Good, skilled contractors can always find work. But widening your skillset and services increases demand even further. Customers want a good, trustworthy contractor for every job — and this repeat business will shape your success. Learn how to become a good general contractor and you'll be capable of anything.

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Looking for trade-specific advice?

• How to be a good electrician
• How to be a good plumber
• How to be a good landscaper
• How to be a good HVAC technician
• How to be a good carpenter or builder
• How to be a good commercial painter

Short on time? Jump ahead:

1. Getting qualified as a good general contractor
2. Prioritise integrity in your customer service
3. Become a lifelong learner
4. Watch your wallet
5. Don’t shy away from technology
6. Keep up to date with health and safety
7. Your career as a good general contractor

1. Getting qualified as a good general contractor

If you’re just starting out as a contractor, then you'll need to get your qualifications in order. The qualifications or certificates you need will depend on where you're working and who you'll be working for. Research local legislation and ask potential employers what you'll need to get started.

Starting as an apprentice

If you're starting from scratch, apprenticeships are a great way to enter a trade at any age.

🇺🇸 Apprenticeships in the USA

Depending on the trade you’re interested in, you’ll probably need to be 18 years old to start an apprenticeship. A high school diploma will really help. As well as math and English, woodwork and the sciences are good subjects to support your future in the trades.

You can find available apprenticeships via the Federal Government’s Apprenticeship Job Finder.

🇬🇧 Apprenticeships in the UK

Apprenticeships are widely available to those aged 16 and over. Some GCSEs, particularly in maths and English, will help you get your foot on the first rung of the apprenticeship ladder. You can start as a labourer or something similar and ask your employer to support you through an apprenticeship. Alternatively, the Government's Find an Apprenticeship site lists numerous apprenticeship vacancies across all trades and areas of the UK.

Once you’re qualified, you’ll be ready to move straight into paid work, and you’ll be pleased to know that good contractors get paid well for their skills. While the average hourly rate can differ depending on the trade, if you put the hard work in, you’ll be rewarded.

Learn more about the highest-paying trades.

🇦🇺 Apprenticeships in Australia

Once you’ve finished Year 10 at high school, you’ll be ready to jump into your chosen trade apprenticeship. Australian Apprenticeships Pathways is a great source of information for would-be trade apprentices.

🇳🇿 Apprenticeships in New Zealand

There are no specific qualifications for many trades in New Zealand, but a lot of employers will expect you to hold a qualification or be working towards one. An apprenticeship is a great way to show that you're committed to gaining a qualification in the trades, and prove that you're capable of learning the skills necessary to become a good tradie.If you’re doing trade training for the first time, you may be eligible for the equivalent of one year’s study or two years’ training paid through the Fees Free initiative, so you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain from starting your career with an apprenticeship.

Learn more about how to get an apprenticeship in the trades.

2. Prioritise integrity in your customer service

Sometimes, contractors get a bad rap — mainly because so many people have been burned. One survey, for example, found that half of Brits considered plumbers to be unprofessional. Customers can be wary to part with their money, so it pays to build a trusting relationship.

Reliability, integrity, admitting when things go wrong and putting them right are the hallmarks of great customer service. Nail your customer service and it’ll go a long way towards building and maintaining your reputation in the trade, particularly when you're running your own trade business.

Read these tips for how to build a strong client-contractor relationship.

3. Become a lifelong learner

Learning doesn't end after completing your apprenticeship. Ongoing technological advancements can supercharge your contracting — you have to stay at the top of your game. Taking short courses is an excellent way to enhance your skills and incorporate new services into your business.

Take a look at our podcast for great industry insights from leading contractors, or check out our blog for more articles like this one.

4. Watch your wallet

Managing a trade business involves many moving parts, but it's crucial to monitor all your spending. Whether it's the bag of nails you grab on your way to a job or investing in a new work van, expenses can accumulate swiftly and silently erode your profits without you noticing.

Track margins on every job with our Free Profit Margin Calculator!

Once you've been tracking your cash flow for a while, you'll be able to forecast your profits in advance. This is where things get really interesting for your business. Your ability to purchase tools and supplies, pay staff, and keep your vehicles running, relies on having cash in the bank.

If more money is coming into your business than going out, you have positive cash flow — enough to pay all your bills. If your cash flow is negative, you’ll eventually become overdrawn and will need to source extra money to cover the difference.

To make things easy, we’ve created a Cash Flow Forecast Template that you can download and fill out yourself.

5. Don’t shy away from technology

From social media advertising to all-in-one business tools like Tradify, technology is your ally for excelling as a good general contractor. You need automated systems to cut down on paperwork, letting you focus on your running the jobs. Once you've got this nailed, you can decide if you want to grow your buisiness.

If you're looking to grow, establishing a brand becomes crucial. Take time to craft a unique identity for your business. Since many customers explore and learn about businesses online, a level of digital marketing is required.

Tradify makes marketing a trade business easy!

6. Keep up to date with health and safety

A general contractor will often be onsite and therefore exposed to health and safety hazards. It’s all part of the job. A good contractor will minimise these risks to keep their colleagues and customers safe.

Be sure to stay on top of your health and safety obligations:

• 🇺🇸 Health and safety requirements for trade businesses in the USA

• 🇬🇧 Health and safety requirements for trade businesses in the UK

• 🇦🇺 Health and safety requirements for trade businesses in Australia

• 🇳🇿 Health and safety requirements for trade businesses in New Zealand

7. Your career as a good general contractor

With a high demand for skilled contractors, a career in the trades offers limitless opportunities. After completing an apprenticeship, many contractors gain experience in established businesses. But when you're ready, there's nothing to stop you from starting your own trade business. Armed with the right qualifications, mindset, and tools, success is yours for the taking.

Good general contractors use Tradify to run their day-to-day operations. Sign up for a free 14-day trial, or jump into one of our weekly live walkthroughs.