10 Things Bryan Baeumler Wishes He Knew Before Starting His Career

This has become my motto. I would have saved so much money and time on past projects had I always double-checked measurements. A millimetre here and a quarter-inch there makes all the difference. I feel so passionate about this concept that I even wrote a book about it, so trust me… measure twice.

Get Bryan’s tips on renovating older homes.

Early in my career I’d try to get a job done quickly so I could move onto the next task. Starting out is difficult, and it’s easy to focus on the cheque at the end of the project, but if you’re serious about your work, it pays to be conscientious by getting the task done to the best of your ability. This is how you’ll earn a well-respected reputation, and get hired for more jobs down the road.

If you’re not sure how to go about a specific job, then ask someone who does. When starting out, it can feel like you need to have all the answers, but it’s impossible to be an expert in every element of your industry. Trying to solve an issue that you’re not yet knowledgeable about will only lead to added costs and could jeopardize your reputation.

Bryan tells you the best time of the year to tackle renovation project.

If I’d known how hard I’d have to work to get to where I am now, I would have chosen a different career path. I’m kidding! I was always meant to do this job. But the amount of work required is no joke. Starting your own business is tough, and keeping it moving requires a great deal of time and effort – so don’t think you can just sit back and count the money.

When starting a new construction project, we always talk about contingency plans. I’d often hear that a project should have a 10% contingency budget for unforeseen costs, but in my experience, 25% is more realistic. Reno budgets are often ballpark figures due to the nature of the work, so I quickly learned that customers should consider a larger contingency when tackling a renovation.

The people who represent your company are paramount to the success of your business. The individuals you hire will be the ones wearing the company uniform and are the faces of the organization. Don’t skip the interview process and ensure you hire the right people for the job.

Before you begin, put a plan in place. I went into the industry as an expert in my field, but without experience in starting a business. I may have written down some ideas, but I didn’t create a concrete plan. If I was starting again, I’d devote more time to developing a detailed strategy, which would have helped me save time in the long run.

It’s important to know what makes you tick. If you’re passionate about a project, you’ll complete it to the highest standard possible. Have a clear plan of what your business will focus on and keep to it. The same goes when working with clients: When quoting a job, be upfront about pricing and the costs involved. Customers respect honesty.

By no means is the customer always right, but that doesn’t mean you should disregard his or her opinion. We hire professionals to do jobs we can’t, so reassure customers that you know best, but listen to their ideas, concerns and desires. This will give you a better understanding of the customer’s overall vision for the project. Sometimes the moans and groans can be easily remedied if you take the time to listen.

No one told me how much fun this whole process would be. I’ve been able to meet some of the most inspiring people, and have experienced so many amazing things. I never thought working for yourself could be so rewarding. If you’re starting out, don’t forget to have fun, after all – that’s what it’s all about!

On a related note: Working in construction is never the same, as the technological advances and varying trends make every day a learning one. Embrace this and you will be successful.