This year, my business made just over $36k. It’s been just me, and I offset my work schedule with my wife (she works 4 days a week, and I watch our daughter while she works, and then I run the business on days she has off). On a normal week, I have 2 days where I can schedule jobs.
I’m hoping to increase my business by at least 40% this next season, and add on pressure washing to help expand.
With the way my wife’s and my schedules work, the only way for me to expand and scale much further is if I hire someone who can work at least part-time and take jobs on their own for days I don’t work.
I’m not planning on seriously considering hiring someone until this next Fall (depending on how my business grows this next year), which will give me time to train them during the slower winter months part-time and be ready to go when the 2024 season picks up. Throughout this year, I’m planning on developing some systems in preparation for bringing someone else on.
My questions are: 1) is this plan reasonable? 2) has anyone else done something like this? 3) Where could I look to help me figure out if my business can financially handle hiring someone?
I can take honest criticism if this is a horrible idea. I’ve never hired someone before, and I know I’m very ignorant in this area.
I’m in a similar place on deciding how best to hire and maybe hiring someone part time / full time as the season gets busier.
I would just suggest to be available on the days your tech has work. I don’t entirely know your schedule, do you also have a job and run the business? If so it might be tricky since you might have to go in the field and help him out here and there or if any issues arise.
I was working a work-from-home job until this past Spring (my position was effectively dissolved), so I’ve been mostly a stay-at-home dad during the week and running this business when I can.
If I’m not doing estimates or working jobs, I’m at home watching my kids.
At 36k revenue I wasn’t even thinking about hiring anyone.
This year I just crossed the 200k mark and I’m going to be taking on someone part time starting in the spring (training as early as I find a solid candidate even if it’s Feb or March)
Maybe consider taking a college kid on during summer break. I feel like a helper of sorts can be valuable even if you are first starting up. You can have them take out screens, clean screens, and teach them how to clean a little glass. Foot the ladder for you, double-check the work, etc…
It’s helpful if you are serious about growing because you can end up getting twice as much work done in a day and not have to split the job 50/50 with someone.
You would have to be confident you can line extra jobs up, though.
