Feeling strangely fine

A good feeling is overcoming me at the moment. Work has picked up so much that I am now booked up a couple of months ahead, something as a new business I am overwhelmed with. Getting a lot of enquiries from Checkatrade, some I am having to turn down due to speed they would like the work doing and I never like turning work away! On the flip side of that I have quoted for a lot of jobs this year, some I have been seriously undercut on others I just never hear back from. That's one thing I don't like, spend a lot of time going out to look at jobs, sourcing materials and writing out quotes to not hear anything back. I won't be offended if they said no, perfectly ok, just like to know so I can sort my diary out! 

Taking of not knowing, someone I have worked with on and off for years recently mentioned a job he'd won. Turned out we both had quoted for it and he won, mine being the dearer quote due to the addition of materials, but labour wise it was an identical price. Now I would've been left in limbo not knowing if I hadn't of helped him out that day, we both laughed about it and I hold no grudges whatsoever about him winning the job. What tickled us is that the customer obviously saw the difference and went for the lower price, but when they come to buy the materials they will find I was cheaper overall due to my own discounts! Found out on Facebook about another job I hadn't won when somebody posted a picture of them working on the job! So there is that side of things and the flip side is the ones I am winning. End of May I was stressing about having nothing booked in for June then in four days I was filled up! Still a part of me that will always stress about whats coming in, something if you have a family to provide for that will never change. 

One exciting change is my new website. I have had one built for me by the guys at Expert Trades and I couldn't be happier with it. If you are reading this on the website you can see what a good job they have done on it. Hopefully over the next year or so I can build up the content on there, along with my social media pages, Expert Trades and Checkatrade pages(most reviews will be on there). A good online presence is essential these days I believe, with many choosing who to hire and use by looking on their tablets or phones. 

Joining Dulux Select I believe has been extremely beneficial for my business. The backing and business advice I have got has pushed me further than I imagined and I know a number of my customers have been impressed with the guarantee I can offer. Myself I am starting to take advantage of some of the courses the Dulux Academy have to offer, beginning with a wallpaper tips and tricks course in September. So many different types of wallpaper out there the ways to hang them differ greatly, same with the best way to set out patterned paper. I've done more wallpapering jobs this past 4 months than I had in the previous 10 years so obviously it is an area that is worth investing my time in improving! I do enjoy doing it, I've found my speed is slowing increasing as is my standard. Never been one who believes he is the bees knees at everything, every job there is room for improvement and I always strive for that. These things will only serve to help me improve. There are another four or five courses I want to take over the next couple of years as well, all to help me better myself and to offer a more complete service to my customers. 

All in all it's a happy time, I'm writing this in the short three day break I'm having in-between jobs before the next rush begins, giving me chance to catch up with paperwork and update certain things. I have just made the switch to full water based on woodwork on all my jobs, next blog I hope to be bringing the results of this.