Taking on New Projects During the Holidays

While work slows for some contractors during the winter months, others are taking calls from homeowners hoping to fit in a last minute project ahead of the holidays. 

With extra time off work, some clients might be looking to knock out an overdue upgrade. In other cases, they may have holiday get-togethers planned, and want to give their home a little boost. This could be anything from installing new cabinets or shelves, a last minute paint touchup, or even a full bathroom reno. 

As a contractor, it can be a challenge to balance last minute projects with your own holiday schedule, so we’ve put together some tips for taking on new projects during the holidays!‍

Setting expectations

You can prevent headaches by setting expectations up front. Be sure to get context about your client’s project details and timeline early on, and manage their expectations from the get-go. 

Discuss any potential work disruptions or conflicts due to weather, holiday planning or staffing concerns. Prioritize consultations with the homeowner and get as much detail about their project as possible. This will make it easier to leave them with a realistic project timeline.

Clear Estimates can take the pressure off by saving you countless hours on the estimating side, with over 200 easy to use project templates!

You’ll find templates for common winter projects like painting, cabinet replacement, kitchen & bath remodels and more.

Communication & agreement

According to The Journal of Light Construction, it’s important to document all of your interactions with clients and commit any agreements to writing.

Once you’ve discussed project details, selections and payment terms, add this info to a formal contract your client can sign. Be sure to include details about potential disruptions due to weather or availability. This way both you and the homeowner are on the same page. 

According to JCL,

“The more that [is] figured out and documented at this stage, the easier the project [will be] to build.”

Read the full article from JLC here.‍

Once you’ve made a plan with your client, Clear Estimates makes it easy to add those details to a professional contract. Click here to see how!

Planning ahead

You can maximize efficiency by planning ahead. For example, if your client plans to be traveling during their renovation, schedule the noisiest or most disruptive work while they're away.

Depending on your region, winter may be mild or dry, making outdoor projects more feasible during these months. Even in milder climates, keep tabs on weather conditions and adjust your schedule accordingly. For example, make sure to protect construction materials when kept outdoors, or prepare for slowdowns due to road conditions or delivery delays. 

Weather can impact travel time to the jobsite, and cold conditions can reduce fuel efficiency. Be sure to account for extras like this in your estimate. Clear Estimates makes it easy to add miscellaneous costs like this to your project! See how it works here.
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Use these strategies to manage your last minute holiday sales, so your client can walk away with a great home upgrade this season! 

P.S. Looking to market to new clients during the holidays? Clear Estimates makes it easy. This guide shows how!