Right now, there is a huge demand for quality contractors. The Association of Builders and Contractors says companies need to hire 430,000 more contractors in 2021 than they did in 2020. A shortage of skilled workers is also leading to wage increases, especially for the skilled labor that is in high demand.
In short, it’s a good time to be a contractor.
Let’s walk through the different types of contractors, where to find contractor jobs, and ways you can streamline your business to take on more work.
What Are the Types of Contractors?
The term contractor can apply to a broad range of industries and skills. In most industries, such as the construction trades, there are three basic types of contractors.
- Independent Contractors
- General Contractors
- Subcontractors
Independent Contractors
When you’re providing services as an independent contractor, you are working for yourself. You will be paid directly by the people employing you for the job, but may not be considered an employee. As an independent contractor, you typically set your own rates and schedule, and are paid by the job rather than the hour.
As an independent contractor, you may do the work yourself, hire subcontractors to fulfill a contract, or a combination of both.
General Contractors
A general contractor coordinates and oversees every aspect of a building or construction project. This includes activities like hiring, permitting, scheduling, ordering supplies, securing job sites, and overseeing the work of subcontractors or independent contractors to complete a job.
Subcontractors
Subcontractors are employed by independent contractors or general contractors. Subcontractors usually specialize in one aspect of a job, such as drywall, roofing, electric work, or plumbing.
How To Find Work as a Contractor
Whether you’re searching for independent contractor jobs near me, you can do a Google search or take a look at the job sites like Indeed, Monster, or Zip Recruiter. You might have more success on sites created specifically for contractors to find work, such as your local union’s website, contractor job boards, or contractor job sites. Here are a few examples:
Contractor networking groups are also a good place to look for work. Many local Association of Builders and Contractors chapters operate an independent contractor website or job board. The Association of General Contractors and most Builder’s Associations also host networking events.
You can also utilize online construction networking sections of websites such as MeetUp, which is designed to help connect professionals with network events in their local area.
Many general contractors will also list jobs they need to fill either for full-time employment or as subcontractors or independent contractors. A Google search for “general contractors near me” is a simple way to find these sites.
Marketing Yourself
Nowadays, finding contractor jobs means that you have to be able to market yourself. Even if you’re a one-man operation, you should absolutely invest your time into creating your own website. Listing your independent contractor services online allows those who are searching for services like yours find you more easily. Here are a few examples of sites you can list your services on to help bring in more business.
Make sure your business is also listed with directories, such as Google My Business and FindContractors.com through Associated Builders and Contractors.
Advertising and marketing your services can create new leads, but one of the most tried and true methods for getting new customers is through word of mouth. The method is simple: produce high quality work — on time and on budget — be transparent and open with your customers, and always ask for referrals.
For more information about lead generation sites like HomeAdvisor and Angi, check out our full article here.
Manage Your Workload and Business
Regardless of what type of contractor you are and the type of work you do, you’ll need an easy, efficient way to manage your workload and business from wherever your day may take you.
FieldPulse enables you to manage your entire workflow digitally. This eliminates the need for paperwork, which can easily get lost in the shuffle. With FieldPulse by your side, you’ll have all the information you need to take care of your customers, no matter where you are. With FieldPulse’s Quickbooks integration, you can avoid that scramble to pull all the necessary documents together as tax season approaches.
If you have subcontractors or employees, FieldPulse also helps you keep track of employee hours and location with GPS tracking. Your employees will be able to use their smartphones to enter time cards in the secure app.
At FieldPulse, we focus on giving you the tools you need to conduct business, so that you can spend less time on managing your business and more time growing your business. Want to learn more? Visit us at FieldPulse.com and schedule a free product walkthrough. Let us show you how we can simplify your life and save you time, money, and headaches.
