Running a contracting business isn’t easy. Not only are you judged by the finesse of your work but also by the quality of your equipment. Clients actively avoid hiring contractors who use outdated equipment even if they are the best around. Outdated equipment is an indication you no longer care about your trade. Image is everything in business regardless of industry and contracting is no exception to that rule. If you are passionate about your business and want to make an effort to improve profits and future successes, here are the tools you need:

Orbital Sander

An orbital sander is one of the best pieces of equipment you can invest in. Bear in mind you will need sanding discs for your next project as you would if you were using a sheet sander. One of the advantages of orbital sanders is that they move in an abrasive circular pattern providing a cleaner and more effective sanding. At the same time orbital sanders and the sanding discs used in them are significantly more expensive than average sanding equipment is; using an orbital sander will allow you to set yourself out from your competition and provide a high-quality service.

Chainsaw

A chainsaw is another useful tool that is handy to have in the back of your van. You never know when you are going to need to use one so investing in a chainsaw will help you to avoid being stuck or unable to proceed with a job due to a heavy piece of wood or metal that needs to be cut through. Most experts recommend buying a portable chainsaw if you are not confident you will need to use one often; other types are more challenging to carry around and use.

Cordless Drill

Cordless drills like portable chainsaws are highly useful pieces of equipment that can come in handy when you are somewhere where there isn’t an extension lead or plug socket. Drills are the tools that contractors use most of all. You can pick up cordless drills that are just as powerful as wired ones. If you plan on investing in a cordless drill then it is important to take time to read reviews. A tool’s reviews will tell you a lot about it and help you to determine whether or not it is for you; this post will explore reviews in more detail later on.

Toolkit

A basic toolkit is of course an essential piece of equipment. The average contractor will have two or three toolkits, all with tools of different sizes. Your toolkit should be a mix of hammers, utility knives, screwdrivers and other important pieces of equipment. If you are new to contracting and have no idea what should be in your toolkit then buy one that’s pre-prepared. Alternatively, you can conduct extensive research online and find out the names of the individual tools that comprise a contractor’s toolkit; there are an endless number of guides and articles authored on the subject of toolkits online.

Buying Tools

While this post’s main focus is important equipment, tips on buying tools and equipment are equally as relevant. If you are new to contracting then you must ensure the equipment you buy is always made to a high standard, for reasons mentioned earlier; unless you are a savvy online shopper however, you won’t get the best deals and will end up purchasing subpar equipment. Here are some tips you can use to get the best deals:

Reading Reviews

A specific piece of equipment’s reviews can tell you a lot about it. Marketers say that reading reviews is an important part of the buying process. The average online shopper won’t buy something until they have satisfied themselves and ensured other people have found it useful before them. As reviews are such an important part of the buying process, companies sometimes buy fake positives. Fake reviews are easily avoided, fortunately. All you have to do to spot them is look for reviews that were posted on the same day or that have similar sentence structures; avoid reading on-site testimonials as in most cases they are heavily biased.

Trade Discounts

As a contractor you should be entitled to receive trade discounts on your tool purchases. When you find an equipment supplier you’re happy working with reach out to them and ask if they offer a trade discount. Generally, trade discounts are between 5% and 10%. You can sometimes save more depending on the volume of tools that you are buying.

Companies offering trade discounts sometimes give other exclusive benefits and advantages to their shoppers, like vouchers when they spend more than a certain amount. To access a supplier’s trade discounts and advantages scheme you will have to apply. Part of the application process involves supplying evidence that you are indeed a tradesperson. As you are likely self-employed you will have to provide proof of self-employment. Some suppliers ask that tradespeople applying for their discounts prove that they are active tradespersons too, by asking for evidence of recent commissions or completed jobs.

Getting Referrals

If you are new to contracting then you will likely have no idea what any of the tools listed here so far are nor will you know what you need to pick up. As mentioned earlier there are an almost endless number of guides and online tutorials that can be used to figure out what’s needed. Other than reading them you can ask friends or other contractors for equipment recommendations; if there are any tools that you are desperately going to need, another contractor will be able to tell you what they are and what you are missing.

If you are recommended tools made by specific companies, make sure you conduct your own research into them before picking them up. In other words, do not blindly make purchases just because people you know have talked highly about specific products. A product’s reviews should be the first place you go when you are interested in making a new purchase.

High-quality machinery and equipment are essential if you want to achieve success as a contractor. Clients have certain expectations and standards. Unless you live up to them your business will achieve little to no success. You can use the guidance given here to ensure your tools are right. Always read a tool’s reviews before buying it so you can make sure it is of a good enough quality to complete jobs satisfactorily.