Pro's & Cons of The Blue Book

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CBL

CBL

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Hi, I'm considring being listed in "The Blue Book" It's been around since 1913 so I'm hopeing this book is used or well known.http://www.thebluebook.com It looks like it could be a good thing for getting reconized and growing my buisiness, I'm curious of other contractors opinion on this before I go and sign a 2 year contract at $140 a mo which ends up being $3,360 to be listed in 2 different editions of "The Blue Book", one covering the LA/Ventura/Santa Barbara areas and one covering Orange County/Riverside areas. I'd get 1/4 page ad and alphabetical listing in two areas (lighting and electrical or ???) of each book. Any siggestions or pros and cons on this would be greatly apreciated...Thanks, Jerry
 
Thanks Mark, I was informed that I'd get a line listing for free but in doing so I wouldn't be able to get the ITB (invitations to bid) and when prospective customers use the on-line Blue Book it doesn't show the line listings??? Jerry
 
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Thanks again Mark...doesn't sound good, He was a good salesmen but I was afraid of something like that. I did get both editions for free but looks like I'll be sticking with the free line listing atleast for another year or??? Jerry
 
If yo are interested in growing your business in the commercial construction market be proactive...don't put an ad in any publication and wait for someone to call you. The first step is to call local general contractors that you have in interest in the type of projects that they work on, and ask to be put on their bidders list. You will then be suddenly flooded with faxes of ITB's. Don't try to bid them all. Pick the projects that suit you best, and could be the most profitable.

You could also try Dodge reports at: http://htsu70.cig.mcgraw-hill.com:9507/mcgw/FrameSetSSO.jsp

It is very inexpensive, and you limit you job searches to locations and types of projects that you prefer.

It sounds that you may be a relatively new in business. One thing to remember when bidding and accepting jobs: The GC will always act as if they are doing you a favor by awarding a job to you. Do not fall for this. Accept the project at your price, on your terms, and NEVER be coerced into accepting a project that you don't want to, don't have time for, or can't do.

Rich
 
Fixed the browser, but can't delete the post, since my <EDIT> permissions have expired.
 
Thanks for the insight on this and all the info received. The link for Contractor Talk opened my eyes up some and the price Blue Book was going to charge per month it could have been a very expensive lesson to learn... I haven't taken the time to go through the Dodge websight fully but it looks very interesting and would be worth trying and probably a better way to go... I'm just starting to try and get more into this type of work and bidding these type of projects. I've mainly been doing residential and been working with property maintence companies that consists of apartment complexes,storage units, etc. but alot of the work is just what it says "MAINTENANCE", so any tips and "do or don'ts" are appreciated... Thanks again to all and Rich your advice is well taken, Jerry
 
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