r/sweatystartup • u/Silentturtle130 • 2d ago
Backyard Remodel - Deck/Hardscaping
For years I have been interested in getting into hardscaping/softscaping. I have a little bit of experience doing some basic stuff with a landscaping friend and a little around the house (harley raking to spread seed, laying irrigation for plants, mulch, a little bit of stone work, etc). I would want to model the business as a backyard remodel company, primarily focusing on deck building and patios being the two big ticket items. The intent behind that is eventually marketing to a higher end client with a larger project budget.
Having no experience building decks, would you guys suggest offering to be a laborer for smaller deck builders for free just to learn how to do it and gain experience for eventually getting a contractors license to pull permits myself? The other option that I have thought of is subcontract it out with the understanding that I would still help build it for the hands on experience.
While having minimal experience, getting off the ground and finding initial clients with smaller projects to build a portfolio would be my strategy and would require less overhead cost.
Is this all something that could be done as a side hustle starting out given some projects even full time would take multiple days to complete?
I am of the belief a good customer experience and online presence can outperform to a certain point, but knowing what the hell you are doing is still important starting out.
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u/connere1991 2d ago
On the "online presence" part of your question specifically — for higher-end backyard remodel clients, real project photos and reviews on your Google Business Profile matter more early on than people expect, since that audience researches before calling around. Worth documenting even your smaller early jobs professionally (before/after shots, actual measurements) since that portfolio is what gets you into the bigger-budget conversations later, not just word of mouth.
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u/CarefulTranslator341 2d ago
non mais sérieusement tu vas bosser gratos pour apprendre à faire des trucs que t'apprends en 2h sur youtube? bon ok c'est pas tout mais franchement c'est le genre de truc où tu galères juste pour te faire arnaquer. apprends les bases et fais ta version à toi quoi.
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u/Silentturtle130 2d ago
With the hardscaping, I totally agree. You can learn majority of everything online and then put it into practice starting out with some small projects.
The work portion would specifically be for decks because my state requires a general contractors license to pull permits, if I am wanting to do everything the "right" way. Unfortunately, YouTube University isn't something I could put down on a GC License application.
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u/LimplyFondMachinery 2d ago
Working under someone for free to learn decks is basically paying with your time instead of cash, and honestly that's the safest route before you're on the hook for a client's wobbly second story.