In today’s ever-fluctuating job market, more and more people are looking into starting their own businesses. Finding a niche that you can call your own that will help you turn a profit is not easy and everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. It is important to find something that you can call your own that will be successful for you. For most people, that means starting a business that has something to do with a hobby, an experience or some knowledge that they have that is directly related to an industry.
If there is a need for the products or services that you can provide, you have a good chance at making a go of it. Whatever you decide to do, it is important to do some research before you invest too much time or money into it when getting started.
One way to make extra money or launch your own business, is to get into the market of creating and installing traditional aluminum frames for doors and windows. When you look at how these products are made, it is easy to see why so many manufacturers rely on custom and standard aluminum extrusions to create their materials. There are many benefits of aluminum products, such as strength, durability and cost-effectiveness, making them a great choice for extrusion and fabrication of doors and windows.
Getting Started: Building a Business
The good thing to know about starting a business that focuses on using traditional aluminum frames to create quality doors and windows, is that it is a simple type of job that could be done from a garage or basement workshop. This advantage makes it easy to do this type of work on a part-time basis while you build up your customer base and establish a reputation in the local industry, while still maintaining your full-time regular job. This type of start-up is great for an individual who is a self-starter and that has some experience with basic construction and assembly.
Designing the custom and standard aluminum extrusions for your doors and windows will be the biggest investment of time and money. Determining the “standard” sizes for windows in your area and figuring out what sizes of traditional aluminum frames you will need to have on hand for regular and custom orders will likely be your first challenge. While you can’t compete with the big boys, it is a good idea to sell your services based upon what you can offer, such as discounted rates for multiple windows, the appeal of custom made products with a shorter lead time than big box stores or home supply centers, as well as touting the benefits of aluminum products.
Creating Your Stock: What to Sell
Working with a quality manufacturer of standard and custom extrusion and fabrication, such as Silver City Aluminum, can help you to create a great-looking and performing product. In the first few months and years of launching your business, you will rely heavily on word of mouth advertising between homeowners to help you gain new business. Creating a quality product that fits perfectly in the window and door space, performs well year-round and provides the homeowners with multiple benefits will help you to carve a place for yourself in the industry.
Making doors and windows is actually quite simple work. It requires four framing rails cut to a specific length that are made from custom or standard aluminum extrusions. The glass is wrapped in a rubber gasket and the rails are fastened in the corners with screws. This same procedure is used to create storm windows, standard windows, custom windows and doors. You will either need to work with a glass cutter or, to save even more money on overhead costs, know how to cut glass and have the tools required for cutting glass for yourself. Once you have made a few doors and windows with the traditional aluminum frames, it will get easier and you will be able to complete orders on a faster time table.
Different parts of the country have different requirements with regard to doors and windows. For example, in the southwestern states, you wouldn’t have a need for storm windows and in the northeastern states, they would be in demand. Knowing what your customers will want from your services will help you start placing orders for standard aluminum extrusions that you can use to create your traditional aluminum frames. Working closely with the extrusion and fabrication facility at Silver City Aluminum can help you meet the needs of your customers and create custom solutions for hard to find doors and windows.
Contact Silver City Aluminum Direct
If you are considering starting up your own custom windows and doors design and installation business, contact Silver City Aluminum in Taunton, MA to learn more about the benefits of aluminum products, as well as details about how all of our custom and standard aluminum extrusions are made. Our team of experienced and knowledgeable designers and technicians all have a lot of experience working with the windows and doors manufacturing industry and can help you get a strong start. Give us a call today at 508-824-8631 or use our online contact form to request more information.