The carpet installation business has been running strong for more than 50 years. Everyone needs a home, and every home needs flooring. While hardwood and vinyl flooring have made a comeback, a large percentage of homes still have carpeting. Many people still prefer carpet for its comfort and look.
If you have industry experience and you want to be your own boss, launching your own carpet installation business may be a good option for you. Here are eight tips to help you get started.
1. Know the Market and Your Startup Costs
Before you even start your business, you need to learn more about the local market. You’ll also need to figure out how much money you’ll need to start the business.
According to Entrepreneur, the startup costs for a carpet installation business is between $2,000 and $10,000.
To get a feel for the market, scout out the competition. How many other companies are operating in your area? If the market is saturated, you may want to consider operating in another location.
Find out what your potential competitors are doing, and assess their strengths and weaknesses. Also, look at their marketing strategies to see what you’re up against.
2. Create a Business Plan
To succeed with your business, you need to create a solid business plan. That plan should include verifiable industry data.
Include as many details as you can in your plan. A well-written business plan can help you get financing in the future and give you some direction when getting your company off the ground.
3. Talk to Others in the Business
Every business faces challenges and obstacles, especially when just getting started. A little advice from someone who knows the business can go a long way in helping you avoid costly mistakes.
Get in touch with people who started their own carpet installation companies and ask about the challenges they faced. Contact people outside of your target area if you’re looking for genuine advice.
Experienced entrepreneurs enjoy offering advice to newcomers.
4. Franchising is an Option
If you’re facing stiff competition or you’re worried about your ability to launch a brand new company, franchising may be an option.
Franchises come with the advantage of having an established brand and ample resources to help you succeed. Many will help guide you through the beginning stages of opening your business and may even offer help with marketing.
5. Build a Professional Website
Every business needs a website, and that website needs to look professional. In 2016, 53% of people searched for a local business at least one time per month. If you don’t have a website, you’re missing out on a lot of potential customers.
Your website should:
- Load quickly
- Be optimized for mobile devices
- Be search engine-friendly
- Look professional
More people are searching for businesses on their mobile devices. If your website is not optimized for smartphones and tablets, you’ll lose customers and may even harm your rankings in the search results. Mobile-friendliness is a factor Google considers when ranking websites.
Double J’s, carpet installers in Flagstaff, is a great example of a website that fits all of the above requirements.
6. Build Relationships with Carpet Wholesalers
Once your business is up and running, start establishing relationships with carpet wholesalers in your area.
Having a large network of wholesalers will allow you to give your customers more options when choosing carpeting. Some wholesalers may also refer potential customers to your business if you have a solid, established relationship.
7. Find Your Niche
Who do you want to target with your services? Do you want to install carpeting in residential homes, or commercial buildings? Maybe you want to target retail stores or a particular type of business.
Find a niche that needs filling and run with it.
8. Mobile or Conventional Business Space?
As a carpet installer, you have two options when looking for a place to run your business: van or showroom.
A showroom comes with the advantage of being able to show off your carpeting in a more realistic environment. But a mobile van comes with the advantage of keeping your overhead and operational costs low.
Determine which route is the best option for you, and start looking for a suitable place for your business operations.
