7 Steps to Secure Large Exterior Design Contracts

1 - Picking The Right Market

It is essential to pick a good market when trying to find your next big project.

You want clients that will need to have you come out for multiple projects, and not just one off things.

Some good markets where you can continually get new projects are in new construction neighborhoods.

Builders or construction management companies that focus in new neighborhoods in growing areas is a good way to ensure you have consistent work.

Take a look at Moderno Construction Management - their based out of the South Metro in Minnesota.

They focus on building in new neighborhoods and contract that work out to specific architects or landscaping contractors they know.

Places like luxury residential estates, hotels, resorts, & golf courses will all need beautiful landscapes, and they will have some big budgets to achieve that look.

2 - Building Relationships With Remodelers & Builders

If you build quality, lasting relationships with builders, you can get a chance at doing more consistent work.

Because, if they know someone that is a landscaping contractor, they'll give them a look over before trying to sub it out.

Once you have done some work for them, they can provide a great testimonial for your website which we'll get into in a few steps.

Heck, they may even refer you to someone they know who needs a landscaping contractor.

3 - Have a Design-First Sales Process

When you have a design-first sales process, you can weed out the projects that might be worth while or not worth it.

You will also be able to fully diagnose what the client wants for their project.

They allow you to get into the nitty gritty and get every detail that they want.

Even if they want the most premium upgrades for their project.

4 - Utilize Your Website to Highlight Your Work

Most businesses don't have a good website that works for their business

As a landscaping contractor, you're going to need to show off your work.

Take lots of pictures!

Before, during, & after.

Either design your website or hire an outside firm to design and build a website for you.

Our website is built by Feedbackwrench, and they have done a great job in design, copywriting, SEO, & optimization for mobile & desktop.

They have done work for accountants, home builders, construction management companies, dentistries, and many more.

5 - Create Idea Based Content

Whether this is blog posts or videos (we'll get into that more later).

People who are looking for ideas on what to do with their patio, walkways, driveways, driveway aprons, even fireplaces, are in probably in the market.

You can highlight some pictures you find on Instagram, or even projects you have done.

Then, add in a little blurb about yourself and what you guys do and how you help clients.

If you don't want to take the time or effort to do this, you could also outsource it (Feedbackwrench does this too).

6 - Advertise!

Take your reviews, testimonials, and projects & feature them in your ads!

Show your face too!

People want to see the possibilities for their home or outdoor space, so show off your most appealing projects.

If you can nail down the right keywords that people are searching for when they need a landscaping contractor, you can dominate.

7 - Create Videos

I'll reference back to Moderno, as well as businesses like Gerl Construction, Country Creek Builders and Bettencourt Construction.

They each post their most recent builds and do a walkthrough of what they are doing for their clients.

If you can show your potential clients your process in a video by walking them through, is extremely valuable.

These videos will also build backlinks back to your website, which will allow show search engines like Google you are trustworthy.

Heck, you can even just make informational videos that would help potential clients, and its not just showing off your projects.