As a professional contractor, your tools are just as important as any other part of your business. Without them, you wouldn’t be able to complete jobs and you would quickly lose clients. However, there is an important distinction between having tools and having the right tools. The difference between a tool that can simply get the job done and a tool that can get the job done well is often the difference between a profitable business and a stale one.
While some contractors seem to be able to get by while spending the bare minimum on equipment, these aren’t the contractors that are going to have long successful careers. For the sake of your company and your clients, it’s important to make the necessary investments to complete jobs in a timely and professional manner. Whether you’re working on a small apartment or on a large corporate site, the quality of your tools will make or break your ability to complete jobs efficiently.
Adjustable Wrench
By investing in a high-quality adjustable wrench, you eliminate the need to carry around wrenches of various sizes around with you. One of the biggest problems encountered by contractors is the bulky materials that they lug around with them from site to site. As a general rule of thumb, you should invest in tools—like adjustable wrenches—that minimise this physical burden.
Circular Saw
If a job site requires a lot of wood cutting, there are few tools handier than a circular saw. They work efficiently and precisely, and many come with safety cutoffs that can detect the difference between wood and skin. This technological development has been extremely useful for contractors. Many circular saws are also cordless, which makes them ideal for contractors who have to work in remote locations.
Electronic Resources
Physical tools are perhaps the most important investment that a contractor will make, but if you really want your business to thrive, it’s going to take a few extra steps. Electronic resources will help you manage all aspects of your business and can help you find subcontractors when you need them on specific job sites. Electrician scheduling software, time management programs, payment resources—all of these can make sure that your business is running smoothly, and will allow you to focus all of your attention on your clients and their needs.
Tape Measure
Few tools are more useful for a contractor than a tape measure. When your job is about precision—making sure that you have the correct size lumber, that you can fit a certain appliance or piece of furniture through a doorway—having a tool that allows you to accurately measure your surroundings is truly invaluable. If you’re unsure about a measurement, don’t try to eyeball it. Rely on measurement tools, like a tape measure, that will provide a precise reading. Imprecise measurements can result in wasted resources and will end up costing you and your client more money in the long run.
Electric Sander
Before you can apply paint and primer to a surface, you need to make sure that it’s as smooth as possible. If you don’t, the primer won’t apply correctly, and the resulting surface will be bumpy. Electric sanders are the solution to this problem, and contractors have found that they are useful in more ways than advertised. For anything from roof work to bathroom building, a sander can be a game-changer on any project.
Level
Again, eyeballing measurements can only end badly. If you attempt to guess the height that a certain object should be placed within the construction site—and that guess turns out to be wrong—the consequences can trickle through the rest of the project and throw the whole thing off. By purchasing a level, you’ll be able to act with confidence when trying to even out objects.
Being a contractor can be a very lucrative job. In many cases, it can yield six figures if your business is operated smoothly. However, success is dependent on your tools, your management resources, and your ability to follow through on assigned projects. Put in the work and spend the extra money investing in your business and you’ll see your profits skyrocket.
