How to grow your carpentry business

How to get more customers

First things first, the key to growing a carpentry business is boosting your customer base.

Customers are a vital component of any business, therefore it’s important to retain customers and constantly seek new ones.

So, here are two tried and tested ways to help you grow your client base:

Research your customer base

Getting to know your customers and their needs is perhaps the most important thing to consider when growing a business.

Customer requirements are constantly evolving, and if you don’t keep up, you could quickly fall behind. You should make sure you’re aware of any new industry trends you might be required to adapt to.

To meet customers evolving needs, you might need to diversify or expand your offerings. This process is mutually beneficial, as it may also help you appeal to a broader, previously unreached audience.

You could also carve out a specific niche to make yourself stand out from the crowd. For instance, are you an expert in bathrooms or kitchens? And are you more proficient in smaller or larger jobs?

Develop your marketing strategy

Developing an efficient marketing strategy will significantly contribute to the growth of your business. It will enhance brand awareness and allow you to reach more customers.

If you have an existing website, make sure it’s up to scratch and represents you and your specific offerings. Alternatively, perhaps you’re a smaller business who’s yet to build one? If so, it’s a good idea to look into creating a small business website.

An efficient website should include:

• Details about your services: include images of past work, an in-depth guide on your offerings, and your expertise
• Updated contact information: up-to-date information is vital if you’re hoping to attract new customers. You’ll have to be easily reachable to establish early trust
• Testimonials from clients: You should ask customers to post about positive experiences. This will attract new customers and instil confidence regarding your skills
• SEO-optimised content: It’s important to optimise your website for SEO. This will allow customers to find you, and ensure you appear near the top of search engines

Equipping yourself with knowledge about digital marketing for carpenters is a guaranteed way to grow your business.

Should I build a social media presence?

You certainly shouldn’t underestimate the power of social media when it comes to growing your carpentry business. In this day and age, customers will be browsing through apps for recommendations, reviews, and images of work.

• Facebook is a great place to build up some great engagement
• Instagram is the place to be showcasing your work
• LinkedIn is useful for networking with others in your industry

Once you’ve completed a job, with the customer’s permission, simply snap a picture and upload it to your account.

Stay consistent with your social media posting, and create engaging, unique content. You’ll be able to generate a following, attract new customers, and subsequently build your business.

How can I establish myself as a reputable carpenter?

Carpentry is a competitive trade, therefore reputation is vital when it comes to growth and long-term success. For example, you might want to rebrand with a new carpentry business name to stand out from the crowd.

Here are some ways in which you can cement your reputation as a competent, trustworthy carpenter.

Opt for branded workwear

First, you’ll want to level up your branding. A good brand is easily identifiable and memorable. So, if your branding doesn’t stand out, think about revamping it to reflect your ethos and offerings.

• Branded workwear enhances professionalism, and it can make you appear trustworthy and experienced to customers
• Equally, branded vehicles will help increase your visibility whilst out on the road

Your logo doesn’t have to be limited to workwear. Why not create branded business cards printed with your offerings and contact information?

You never know when you’re going to meet a potential customer, so having a card to hand is vital.

Invest in quality equipment

You can’t do your job without your tools. Therefore investing in the best carpenter tools will allow you to improve the overall quality of your work.

High-quality tools, machinery, and equipment will allow you to deliver outstanding results for your customers.

Reach out to past customers

Reaching out to satisfied customers, and asking them for a simple review, is a guaranteed way to consolidate your reputation.

Responding to reviews can further help business growth, fostering a sense of connection and loyalty with customers.

You should embrace feedback as a valuable learning tool to constantly improve.

Develop new skills

There’s always room for improvement, no matter what trade you’re in. So, even if you’re an established carpenter, why not get a couple of new certifications under your belt?

There are many professional carpenter courses out there, and these are great for developing new skills. Take a specialised course and surprise yourself with how much you can learn.

Should I hire new employees?

If you have the means to do so, hiring new employees can help you redistribute your time.

Having a specific employee trained in handling office duties will mean you’ll be able to turn your attention towards customers.

If you’re hoping to build your business, an extra pair of hands can go a long way. An office manager or an assistant might be a helpful addition to your business.

Checkatrade is here to help carpenters

You can grow your carpentry business with Checkatrade today!

By joining an online directory, you can increase your business visibility, and help customers find you.

On your profile, you’ll be able to highlight your best reviews and showcase your work.

Not only that but with the Checkatrade tick, customers will see that you’re a qualified, reliable tradesperson.

Member benefits to suit you

Our members get access to various benefits and exclusive savings. So, why not get in touch to learn more about the signup process and start growing your business with Checkatrade?

Carpentry business FAQ’S

Hopefully, we’ve shown you that it’s more than possible to grow your carpentry business.

Building a business requires strategic planning, hard work, and persistence. So, whether you’re a solo carpenter or a team leader, follow these tips and build your carpentry business today.

How long will it take me to grow my business?

The length of time it will take you to see results depends on the amount of effort you put in. If you’re committed to growth, and you take action now, you may well see significant change within six months.

Sometimes short-term results are more instant. For instance, if you complete a great job, you might be recommended for another one the following week!