Mike’s story for starting and growing an award-winning construction business

We recently caught up with Mike Humphries, one of the founders of Green Hawk Construction. Having joined Checkatrade in 2023, we think that Mike is a good person to share advice to anyone just starting out as a tradesperson.

Recognised at the 2023 On The Tools Awards as both Tradesperson of the Year and Electrician of the Year, Mike’s attitude to his skill and his customers are to be praised.

With stacks of insight gained during his career, this is a must read for anyone looking to start an electrical business or construction company. There’s also some good tips from Mike about how to grow a business too.

Keep reading to hear his story and learn some of the lessons that could also benefit you.

What’s your name and where do you come from?

My name is Mike. I’m the co-founder of Green Hawk Construction and carry out most of the electrical jobs we get.

However, within the team we do joke that I’m the “SAS of the business” as I’m good at coming in to help with any other work too!

How long have you been working as an electrician?

Originally, I went into the motor trade and then retrained at 21.

My early years were pretty tough, and so I didn’t “see out” school properly. I went from there into vehicles, where I started off learning electrical diagnostics.

When I retrained as an electrician, it went from a very technical way of doing things to a very technical way of doing things.

The transition from motor trade to electrician isn’t something I’d wish on anyone, though!

What’s the best piece of advice for someone thinking about becoming an electrician?

I know it seems cliché, but just ask questions. Seem interested in the work. There is no such thing as a stupid question.

As Greek Hawk Construction cover a lot of trade skills, I’d say that the whole construction industry is fantastic. So whether you train as an electrician or another trade, be aware that is not a job, it’s a career.

I’d say that anyone looking to learn, if there is opportunity, it’s really good to be an apprentice. But be willing to learn new skills and take everything from it you can.

When did you start your business?

We started the company about 17/18 years ago, when my 1^st business partner Steve and I started working together. Having known each other about 10 years, it seemed a natural fit.

Since then, we’ve had a family element, when we brought on Shaun. Already pretty close, we’ve since brought on apprentices and some have stayed with us.

With skills covering electrical, carpentry, building and bricklaying, Green Hawk Construction are now able to carry out a variety of trade jobs. It gives added variety for us too!

What advice would you give other trades thinking about bringing on apprentices?

Quite simply – find the right one!

Don’t worry too much about their initial qualifications (such as from school or college). The person’s personality wins hands down.

As an apprentice, having willingness to learn is more important than anything else. So if your business is considering taking on an apprentice, find someone with the right personality and desire to learn new skills.

By the 3^rd month, they’ll really show if they’ll cut the mustard to continue or not.

How does a cross-trade business work for you?

At Green Hawk Construction, we have an equal partnership. It’s the key element to make sure everyone stays happy.

As our name implies, first and foremost we are a construction business. But within that, due to our different skills, we can provide a variety of skills for a number of jobs.

Although we have our own areas of expertise – everyone does pitch in together. So although I’m an electrician, on any given day, I could be helping out with building frames, laying bricks… or fitting cabling!

We always tend to have one big job on the go, but have the flexibility to pick up smaller and emergency jobs as needed. All the jobs we do are for private clients – we don’t do commercial jobs.

What do you find are the main pain points about being a trade business?

Not much really, but we do find that people are often unrealistic on costs.

Mainly that is customers who don’t realise how much it will cost to have work done in their homes.

Once you have a detailed conversation outlining timescales and materials, people are generally understanding. But it does show a level of ignorance about the work that tradespeople do.

Why is it so important for your business to help restore faith in tradespeople?

Helping out a particular elderly couple has honestly been one of my career highs.

We were contacted through our Instagram account by a lady looking for help on behalf of her neighbour. There were some OAPs that had been completely ripped off. Some other electrician had charged them a fortune to do really shoddy work and they couldn’t afford to get it fixed.

I have no idea why it resonated with me, but it did. So I went round and had a chat about the work needed and what it might cost.

There are good people out there. Some good lads who will charge a fair price for their work. But unfortunately this couple had met one of the worst.

I sought sponsorship to help them, and I found people who were willing to donate and finance the work being done. When I told the couple the final cost was nothing, seeing their reaction was one of the best feelings ever. And I’ll never forget it.

Its so important to remind people that there are really good tradespeople out there. So when we get the opportunity, we try and help remind people of that fact. To undo some of the hurt that bad trades have done.

You’ve talked previously about mental health in construction – why do you think this is such an important topic?

For me, I’m fairly new to a diagnosis with ADHD. And I’ve found that I almost need to learn to use a different skillset that comes from that diagnosis.

I’ve also found that there are lots of people with dyslexia in the construction industry. But that diversity is good. It means that there are different ways of problem-solving processes. So someone with dyslexia might have a much more visual way of sorting an issue. Such as solving some tricky wiring and circuit board for example!

It can be really hard working on your own so much. So even if you aren’t going through a mental health crisis, it’s good to get a support network around you.

As well as running the business, I’m also a rugby coach and go to the gym. I’ve been very open about the struggles that I’ve been through in recent years – and also what I have found that works.

Sometimes it is just a case of being a bit more open and starting conversations around tradespeople and mental health – everything feels that little bit better when you know you’re not alone.

Why did you decide to go with Checkatrade?

We became members of Checkatrade in 2023 as we specifically wanted to bump up the electrical side of the business.

Alongside our other marketing, like the website and our social media, I’ve found that it is another great tool for selling the business to potential customers.

We’ve got the skills and the content, and Checkatrade has helped provide some of the work. We’ve had a fair few leads coming through, and many of them have turned into jobs. But you do almost have to answer immediately!

Checkatrade have helped us a lot with jobs over the past year, and some of those customers have become almost like friends now.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Just a couple more things that I’ve learnt over my career so far.

Firstly, it’s important to have good sponsors that will support you and your business. And secondly, because of being so honest, it’s easy to be taken advantage of. So its also important to have people that you can trust with anything.

And most important of all, without my wife I wouldn’t be here at all. Let alone where I am today!

That’s great. Thanks so much for your time, and for speaking with us today, Mike. Some fantastic things to take on board for fellow tradespeople.

Do go and check out the profile page for Mike’s business Green Hawk Construction.

Have you been inspired to start your business?

If you’re looking to start your own trade business and want some support, make sure you check out the ‘Become the Boss‘ series.

You’ll get a free series of videos and emails sent to your pocket. It includes a free strategy call at the end of it all, and you as the founder of your shiny new trade business!