There have been advances in the concrete industry that have many concrete installers and repair experts making the switch from functional concrete to decorative. A career in the designer concrete arena can be not only rewarding, but very financially beneficial. In order to jump start your new career, make sure you start with the right tools: product knowledge and the proper decorative concrete training.
Product Knowledge Equals Higher Profits
To get the most out of your decorative concrete training, it is vital that you learn everything about the products and supplies you will be using. You need to know not only how concrete products will interact with each other, but also how to describe the products you use to potential clients. The better you can describe in detail, the more valuable you will be as a contractor. There are so many things you can do with concrete, such as cement stamping, acid-staining, or concrete polishing for example. When you can talk to a future client about how exciting these techniques are, the more excited they will be to hire you!
Decorative Concrete Training
The first question you are probably asking yourself is, “Can I afford decorative concrete training?” That depends on plenty of factors, such as location, time, and available funds. If you’re lucky, you will be able to find decorative concrete training courses in your area; otherwise, you might have to book a flight and make hotel arrangements in order to meet your needs. Without travel, count on spending $250 to $1,000 per weekend on decorative concrete training. Most courses will last 2 – 3 full days with a break for lunch in the afternoon. Classes will usually be held at a decorative concrete supply company, and will include hands-on demonstrations as well as discounts on concrete products and tools.
Start a Portfolio ASAP
Being able to talk about your craftsmanship is one thing. Showing a potential customer photos of your work is another. Take before and after photos of every single job you get. You can even start your portfolio during your initial training. A pre- and post-portfolio of your concrete work is especially important with it comes to decorative concrete repairs or resurfacing.
Make sure you don’t get a head of yourself when it comes to starting a decorative concrete career. Without the proper amount of training, you could jump into a job without knowing what you’re doing, screw it up, and then ruin your reputation. Do your research regarding training courses, take your time learning the concrete products and tools, and practice until you’re ready for your first job.
