Hi all,
I am self-employed these past two weeks and it came prematurely to my plans for it. We are rehabbing and renting low income properties. I am planning to get a trailer and want to put our name on it. I am not sure the future direction after the next 6 months of booked projects comes to an end, the rental properties will pay our bills if all works out.
My background is a number of years in commercial HVAC, and then the past four years in underground utility / sitework contracting. I did a two-year carpentry and masonry trade school (34 y.o. now). I have rehabbed houses for a number of years doing the tax-deferred thing. I have done a lot of plumbing, electrical, drywall, carpentry, brick and block, etc. over the years. I hated commercial and love residential construction. I have a full cabinet shop at the house.
So anyway I guess this is my note also telling someone else what I am doing. It’s been kind of a lonely ride these past few weeks due to stress and losing my work contacts. I have good subs for roofing, drywall finishing, glass repair, and backhoe work. We did set stuff up – we have a decent health policy blue cross blue shield $350/month, finances will be square but unpleasant through the finishing of the rentals, I have a commercial insurance policy and will shortly start making premium payments on the gc liability umbrella so I can get a gc license in my own name here. I held one under my last employer’s name previous to two weeks ago. I have an electrician I can work under his supervision and pay for inspections and his time with the elec utility. Plumbing I’m a little on a limb on, I don’t have a plumbing license and will find out what difficulty this brings. I need to research it as I know I can do certain things, not others.
Here’s the idea for the wording of the logo, given that my future direction is unfocused, what’s your suggestions / opinions:
KEROB PROPERTIES
* SUBCONTRACT WORK
* SKILLED TRADES – ALL PHASES
* REMODELING AND NEW CONSTRUCTION
* GENERAL CONTRACTOR
* PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
* INVESTMENT PROPERTY
thanks in advance,
remodeler
Replies
Just plain The Kerob Company
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
KEROB PROPERTIES
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
REMODELING AND NEW CONSTRUCTION
This is better but, what are you , residential or commercial?
KEROB PROPERTIES
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT PROPERTIES
PURCHASED, SOLD AND MANAGED
This should be a separate bussiness, I would not letter the vehicles with this but have card and advertise regulalry.
From posts of yours I have read, and posts of mine you have responded to, I'd say that you are really heading in a GOOD direction.
You are knowledgable, intelligent and confident. Keep at those investment properties would be my suggestion. That will be your big payoff in the long run.
Staying in the remodeling should give you plenty of investment leads and things to do when the remo is slow.
What happened to your job?
Eric
That much listing makes it look like you are a jack of all trades, and so spread out that you could be a con game.
I know that you are not so don't take insult to that comment and bear with me.
You want to make that first impression with a narrow focus on your strong points.
Drop the subcontract talk first. Even if you wanted to list it, it should be at the bottom and in smaler print. Make the rest of it more brief and singular.
"BRINGING THE SKILLS OF THE TRADES TO CONSTRUCTION, PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, AND INVETSING"
Seeing that phrasdeology would make me curious enough to ask more, which would lead o a discussion.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
You forgot dogwasher and dishwalker.
; )
You don't need your whole resume' on your logo. By the time people have read half of it, they have lost you in traffic, had to flip the card over, or simply given up and looked back at the telly.
K.I.S.S.
"Criticism without instruction is little more than abuse." D.Sweet
Remodeler,
I would seperate my two businesses especially on my signage. It is unfortunate but most people align landlords with cheap quick work and feel if they hire you you will do so to their property.
We have two businesses. Our rentals are owned by my wife and I and then our handyman/light remodeling business is an S-corp. Keeps one from effecting the other in terms of liability. Also keeps folks from thinking of us a a low ball "fixit" company.
You mentioned being lonely. That is one of the things no one talks about when being on your own, especially if you don't have any employees. Not everyone is cut out to work by themselves. And as I mentioned in past posts when working for yourself one of the most difficult things about self employment is you make all decisions. From a pay problem to advertising to what type of product to buy etc. Really can be involved and stessful in the respect that there is no one to bounce it off of that has the same interest in it as you. Good luck. I am sure it will work out. DanT
remodeler.. as you and Dan mention.... it's a big world out there. and it's you and your family standing against it..
look for local associations like your Builders group.. or Remodeling group..
or come to a Fest and meet a bunch of people with interests and concerns like yours..
nothing like your peers to help give you a sense of realityMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Hi, I'm a marketing person, not a builder and here's what I suggest...
"Kerob Properties" is the only thing that needs to be a 'logo'. The rest is a list of your services, not who you are as a company.
Your potential customers will be more interested if you can come up with a short sentence that describes how you will help them with their project/life/construction delimna. Especially if the wording describes how you are different from any other contractor in the yellow pages. Describe the benefit they will experience by hiring you, whether it is experience, high level of service reliability, expertise in a specific area (re-read your original posting for ideas). Example:
Kerob Properties
Providing a personal touch to construction and remodeling.
Kerob Properties
Your full-service general contractor.
Kerob Properties
Building each home with a heart.
Kerob Properties
Our experience and reputation says it all.
You get the idea. The list of services would then be included in your brochure or ads.
Good luck!
~CabinGal
Excelent !!!!
"Criticism without instruction is little more than abuse." D.Sweet
"properties" to me implies you either rent out apartment complexes or strip malls ...
why would I hire that guy to remodel my bathroom?
Jeff
Buck Construction, llc Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
You have a really good point! "Properties" implies some involvement in real estate. Hmmm... have you considered a company name that is more specific to the services you're offering?
Actually, a company name that has a good ring to it is just as effective. Say the name out loud and if it's easy to say, it's easy to remember.
~CabinGal
p.s. thanks Luka!
Or how about...
Kerob carpentry
Full-service careful carpentry
"Criticism without instruction is little more than abuse." D.Sweet
I agree.
How about Kerob Builders ?
(Kinsem Builders works for Ed Hilton. I like it.)
Kerob Homes may carry the expectation of building new homes only.
Kerob Construction... I think most start to think of big projects, and someone who would not have time for a lowly remodel.
Kerob Properties makes the association you mention.
Kerob Builders leaves the option open to remodeling, etc.
Kerob Carpentry ?
Rhymes with Careful Carpentry....
Kerob Carpentry
Careful carpentry for any work on your home
"Criticism without instruction is little more than abuse." D.Sweet