You’ve decided to launch your own backyard business — what’s next?
Before you can get started you have to answer a number of questions. What’s your budget? Are you renovating a shed or building from scratch?
That’s just the tip of the iceberg.
It can feel a little overwhelming and that’s why many Backyardpreneurs struggle to get out of the starting block.
If you’re going to invest time and effort into your new enterprise you’ll want to start off on the right foot.
In this article we’re going to walk you through the process step-by-step of how to find the best contractor for your new backyard office.
Let’s get started.
How to Find The Best Contractor For Your New Backyard Office
You may be thinking you can build your new backyard shed office yourself and that’s fine if you already have an existing structure you just want to renovate.
It might be as simple as clearing out your shed, slapping on a coat of paint and moving in the office furniture.
If that’s the case, great — it will save you a ton of money.
For many potential backyard business entrepreneurs it’s not that simple.
I use my patio gazebo, garden shed or sometimes my garage as my base of operations depending on the weather and time of year.
It’s always a good idea to use what you already have if you want to save your budget for other areas of your new business.
If you don’t have something similar to work with you’re going to have to start from scratch and that means hiring a contractor if you’re not confident in your own DIY skills.
Here’s how to do it.
Start By Determining Your Business Needs
Not all contractors are created equal. Some will be happy to work on small projects like your back garden office, others prefer to work on larger projects.
Here are 3 things to think about to start with:
- How much space you need for your home business operations
- The type of business and office style
- The functionality and structure required
Office Space Needed
When thinking about how much space you need, consider what you plan on using it for and what the inside will look like. Do you need lots of storage space for products and files or are you fine with four walls, a roof, desk and chair?
Do you need a bathroom in your office? Are you concerned about natural light from windows? Do you need a meeting area for clients?
Good contractors will ask you the same type of questions, but there’s still more to consider.
Business Type and Office Style
Is your business a service or are you selling actual products? Do you need a workbench and a tool cabinet?
The answers to all of these questions depend on the type of business you’re building. Answering them will also help you figure out what style of office or workshop you need in your backyard.
Let’s dive into functionality.
Functionality and Structure
As we’ve already hinted at, the needs of an online based business will be a lot different from those of a hands on business such as a woodworking shop.
A workbench can take up a lot of room, if you need an office desk to work from as well your space needs will be substantial.
That will affect your budget and the contractors that can handle your project.
Establish A Realistic Budget and Timeline for Your New Backyard Office
Before you can choose a contractor for your new home business setup, you’ll have to decide on a budget and timeline for your project.
If potential contractors can’t meet either, you can eliminate them from the running right away.
Now that you’ve narrowed your focus down to the ones that can meet your needs, it’s time to take a closer look at them on an individual basis.
Research Your Potential Contractors
One of the great things about starting a business in 2023, is that you have tons of access to online resources to help you.
That includes helping your research potential local contractors to build your new backyard business empire.
You can scour the search engines, scroll through your social media feeds and check out hundreds of online directories to find the best options in your area.
Once you have your list in hand, you can check out their credentials by looking up online reviews, reaching out to past clients through those reviews and checking out each contractor’s own social media pages for clues.
After that, you should have a much shorter list of candidates ready for your next step.
Reach Out to Contractors On Your List
Just because a contractor has 5 star reviews on Google, it doesn’t mean they’ll be a good fit for your needs.
You need to look deeper before you make any kind of commitment.
It’s time to start dialing numbers and talking to contractors yourself. A first impression can mean a lot. If they rub you the wrong way on the first phone call, do you really want them building your backyard office?
When you’re talking to your list of prospects make sure to ask a lot of questions. Ask them if they’ve built backyard offices before, ask for a portfolio of their work, even ask if they can take you to some physical examples so you can see their work first hand.
A business is a big investment, if they’re not willing to let you see some of their work up close and personal, that should be a big red flag.
By now you should have the answers to a number of questions. Namely can they work within your budget, can they accommodate your timeline, are they up to the job skillswise, can you see yourself working with them and do they come highly recommended?
If the answer to these questions is yes for one or more candidates, it’s time to seek bids from all that qualify.
Evaluate Contract Quotes For Your New Garden Business
It’s tempting to just hire the lowest bidder, but that’s not always the best idea.
If a contractor is coming in at a price way lower than the others on your list, that should at least cause you to take a closer look at them. Why is their bid so much lower?
It could be because they’re a relative newcomer and they’re discounting their rates while they establish their credibility. If you can be sure that they do great work, then you may just have a legit bargain on your hands.
On the other hand, their price may be cheap because they’re desperate for work. Online reviews aren’t always accurate.
Dive deeper.
Talk to previous clients if you can. If you can’t find any to talk to it may be best to walk away — great price or not.
You want to choose a contractor that strikes the right balance between competitive price, ability to work within your timeline and one that has a great reputation.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask For References
Another great way to streamline your list is to ask for references.
Good contractors should be more than willing to accommodate your request. Anyone that isn’t, should be another one that you add to the rejected pile.
Make sure the references you receive are from former clients that had similar projects to yours. A contractor may be great at building a simple office, but that doesn’t mean they can tackle a large woodworking shop.
One more thing, don’t just ask for references, actually check them. If these former clients are willing to talk to you, try to ask lots of questions about how their experience was. If all of the feedback you receive is positive, you may just have a winner on your hands.
Always Ask For A Written Contract
Unless the contractor you’re hiring is your Uncle Bob you should always ask for everything that’s agreed upon in writing.
Heck, even if you are hiring Uncle Bob, ask for a contract anyway. It helps to avoid any misunderstandings. That way you’ll still feel comfortable inviting him to the next family BBQ once the job is done.
Be sure to insist on as much detail as possible in your contract.
Create an agreement on payment — how much will be paid upfront, how much for each project milestone and how much will be held back until completion.
In your contract make sure the scope of the work to be completed is clear as well as the timeline for completion.
Don’t forget to include a section on how to deal with any unexpected expenses or delays caused by bad weather or ill health.
Things won’t always go as smoothly as you want, but that doesn’t mean you can’t plan for them.
Now that you know how to find the best contractor for your new backyard office, it’s time to get started on your Backyardpreneur journey!
