As someone who is interested in working in a profession that is more physical than a typical desk job, you might consider getting into stone fabrication. Countertops are among the most widespread uses for stone, so you will probably create them for residential customers, though there are other fixtures both inside and outside of homes that you may make from stone as well. If this sounds appealing to you, you’ll need to take careful actions to get into the industry, though. Find out how to start a stone fabrication business with these steps.
Educate Yourself on the Field
You might be interested in stone fabrication but have no idea what it actually entails. Therefore, your initial actions should revolve around familiarizing yourself with the work. Through this process, you will be able to confirm whether pursuing this business is a wise decision. Seek out classes on stone fabrication that will introduce you to the tools and techniques you will use, as well as the different kinds of stone you might work with. Build up your skills so that you can provide future clients with high-quality service and finished products, which will form the backbone of your business.
Plan Your Management of Finances
Sit down and map out your finances to make sure you have enough funds to start your business in the first place, keep it running afterward, and make a profit. Think about the costs of buying or renting a workspace and procuring raw stone materials. You’ll also need to consider the price of getting the tools you need and how much you will pay any employees that you hire. Formulate strategies to solidify your income and offset these costs. For example, you should price your services according to the type of stone you are using for customers, since the cost of higher quality materials is greater for you.
Legitimize the Business
There are all kinds of actions you must take to legitimize your business before opening it up to the public. Start by choosing a business structure, such as an LLC, which separates your personal assets from those of the company you’re forming. Once this is done, you’ll need to register for taxes and apply for an EIN, or Tax ID, and set up a bank account for your business. Lastly, look up the permits and insurance that you must have by law and obtain them, so you can operate legally.
Buy the Specialized Equipment
With the legal side taken care of, you can invest in the specialized equipment that you’ll use as a stone fabricator. You can save money by choosing used stone machinery from a reputable seller, you can go with new tools, or you may acquire a combination of both. Make sure you cover every facet of the stone fabricating process with your equipment by getting machines like stone splitters for the initial stages, bridge saws for the middle phases, and polishers to give the stone a beautiful finish that customers will appreciate.