Featured tradesman: Steven Richardson

Tell me about yourself

I’ve been in the business about 25 years. I ran a few of my own businesses with a couple of partners before I branched out on my own. For the last five years I’ve been working for a couple of billionaires. They had a lot of large buildings that I worked on, but because of the recession they had to shut up shop. That’s when I came across MyBuilder.

How difficult was it to get started with the site?

For the first three months I struggled to win any work. I gave it one more shot and started to progress. After I won a few jobs and received good feedback, things started to improve.

How import is your profile in attracting new customers?

It’s very important. People say to me “I’ve seen your MyBuilder, profile. There are the keys - just get on with the job”.

Do you think qualifications and professional memberships help you win work?

They might in some cases but I don’t have any as I’m timed served and self-taught. That’s where the feedback comes in, because my reputation speaks for itself.

Do you think specialising in one or a few trades helps you more than being a jack of all?

Oh yes, I’d rather just specialise in one trade. I’ve had customers turn round to me and ask how can someone be good at everything. I tell them they can’t - it’s impossible to be good at all trades.

What approach do you use to attract customers?

I introduce myself properly, then I’ll request a visit so I can give them an accurate quote. I’m always flexible and try to work around the customer.

Has using MyBuilder changed the way you market yourself?

Put it this way, I haven’t needed to advertise anywhere else since I joined MyBuilder.

How important do you think feedback is to customers?

Feedback is 100% important to customers and that’s what gets me the work. I’ve got 40 positive feedback and I win about 75% of the jobs I go for. Customers tell me that they feel sorry for guys who have no feedback. I say to them, well actually I was one of those guys, we’ve all started at the bottom. Feedback is an amazing thing.

How important is feedback to you?

Feedback is a major part of my business. I’ve been on the site 12 months now and worked hard to build up my feedback reputation. I’ll continue to work hard because I don’t want any negative feedback.

Do customers ever ask you to work outside the site?

There have been a couple of small jobs but I’ve asked the customer to put them through the site because I like to get all the feedback I can, small jobs and big jobs.

What difference do you think MyBuilder has made to your business?

MyBuilder has kept me in work. It’s been a hard year and the site has really helped me out. If it wasn’t for MyBuilder I would've had to work on-site and I don’t want to do that. MyBuilder has contributed a lot.