How to start a Sunroom and patio shop business

By: bill henthorn


Depending on where you live, a sunroom may be common or rarely seen. In warmer climates a sunroom is a very popular addition to a home. Many new homes come with a bare patio and a professional contractor can change this patio area into a sunroom. The cost of a sunroom depends on whether it is to be used year round or only in the warm months. The difference in expense is the direct result of having an enclosed heated area and a screened in area. If the walls are enclosed with windows and the sunroom is heated and or air-conditioned this room will cost more that one that it is just screened in with no heating or air conditioning.

The homeowner will get bids to add the sunroom based on the decision for year round use or warm month use. The contractor will be able to build either addition. If the home owner only wants a patio added to the home then this is a different construction problem and the expense will depend on how many features the homeowner wants in the patio. A patio with awning can be built for less than a sunroom, but it still will be a big purchase.

The bottom line to this creative business is the homeowner will be willing to spend a significant amount of money to get what they want. This type of construction comes with a nice profit built into the project. Working in the business for a couple of years can be a stepping-stone into getting started in the business and learning from hands on experience. Once you have the knowledge you are going to need to acquire a contractors license in most states. You can get started in two ways, buy a business or start one from scratch. The more difficult way to get started is to start one from scratch. On the other hand it may take less money to do it his way.


Where and how to find a sunroom business for sale


One-way to get started looking for a business to buy is to go to a site like www.acquireo.com and look up a business broker near you. While there you can see if there are any businesses listed for sale. Search on the Internet for businesses that are for sale by searching home construction firms for sale. Tighten the search to patios and sunrooms.

The business brokers will also be a good source to speak with and see what they have to offer in this business area. You may do better searching in larger cities as this business is going to need a larger population to find customers.

Finding a business that is for sale is only the start of the search. You need to find one you can afford to buy and that may take more time to find. Mean while you can try to find some small jobs to do that you can handle by yourself or with one or two other workers. You can find work for a small company by advertising and canvassing a neighborhood. You may be able to get some work from a general contractor. One area that you will need to have taken care of is the licensing and insurance that covers you and your work. This step stops many who want to own their own company. It is a necessity to have these in place or it will cost you work.

Once you have a few jobs under your belt, use the photos taken at those jobs to show how your work looks and steps needed to complete the work. Hire a website builder to make a site that you can post these images on so that a person you are talking to on the phone can understand the work through links and images.


Money needed to buy or get started in the business


Money will be needed to get started whether you buy a business or start one from the ground up. You will need less to start one from scratch in most cases than you would to buy a company. The current owner of the business you are trying to buy may be willing to work with you and take some of the purchase price in a loan. If this is the way the deal is made, be prepared to pay more for the company.

Business lenders to people buying a business are easily found on the Internet. These lenders are in the business of helping a buyer come up with the purchase price. In many cases they are easy to talk with than your banker. You are buying goodwill when you buy an existing company. Do not over pay for this part of the business. If they have some contracts with general contractors make sure these are transferable to you. These contracts can be valuable if they can be assumed. Repair work with real estate management companies is also a valuable group of clients to get.

Conclusions


Sunrooms and patios can be a very creative type of work and also be very profitable to the contractor. The work must be dug out by a new company and may be easier to get by an established company. Bidding jobs for general contractors is a way to get some cash flow. Make sure you check out any GC you are going to work with. Some of these GCs are very slow pay.

Homeowners will usually give a deposit and then pay the balance on completion of the job. Take pictures of your completed jobs and build up a portfolio so you can show new potential clients. Put these same images on a website that can be seen by potential customers. Make sure to include your web address in all printed materials. This is very important on business cards and ads that you run.

Employees are important to the growth of a company. Treat them with respect and compliment good work. People like to know they are appreciated as well as being paid for the work they do.



Bill Henthorn formerly was principal broker and owner of a resort / commercial real estate brokerage in Honolulu which specialized in representing sellers in transactions up to $50MM.He currently serves as the marketing director of www.acquireo.com