Poland's Home Improvement Market?

Hi

I've been doing research into the current state of the Polish construction industry (mainly plumbing as this is my field of expertise) and considering starting a business in the near future.

I've also come across two articles here in the UK the most recent Jan 2007 which state there is a current boom in home improvements market and not enough skilled workers to do the work.

Is this true at the moment in Poland? any other advise appreciated

Rightm, they all went to London.

I know they all moved over here! Due in part to the VERY POOR wages they are paid in Poland another thing I've looked at

All I need to Know are the chances of establishing a business in this sector viable?

I know I'll never make mega bucks thats not my reasons for trying to establish a business in the first place

so any sensable advise please

Hi. I have recently got a new apartment done up. From what the designer was telling me the cost of getting workmen is on the way up all the time. Also, in poland it is just not home improvments that you can look at. When you buy a new apartment over here, you generally get it as a shell i.e. only the walls inside and you have to finish it off i.ei put in a kitchen, bathroom, floors etc. So there is a huge market there as well.

well, so what is your reason for starting up a business, just to have something to do?

You will have to compete with those who understand and to a certain extent control the market. Your biggest problem would be employees. The Polish working day finishes at 14:00 for some so it it is easy for them to make money with a ''homer''. With bigger jobs teams of workers will move from their regular work to ''cash in hand jobs''.
You might be better off running some sort of management team in conjunction with a trusted local.
Whatever you do, make sure that you are familiar with Polish building regulations. And you must have an understanding of how people work here.
Like anywhere else most work is based on your reputation. If you start out on your own and are good you will make money but of course after some time.

Big tip: With new builds the client almost always wants the bathroom done in one. So if you can do the tiling and plumbing you've got it made. Specializing will keep other people out of your way.

In my opinion, home improvement businesses in Poland aren't going to thrive. The reason is that every second Pole considers himself as a home imporvement expert and most families will do home improvement jobs on their own.

I strongly disagree.

Well, come to Chicago or NY and you'll notice every second Polish male is a contractor or builder.

Its like that everywhere. We're just good at building things. Nothing wrong with that

Unlike these Macedonian people who live a neighborhood down. Theres a few families of them. Everything they build is leaning slightly

This thread concerns the Polish construction industry. In Poland.

Since Poles can build in Chicago or NY, they can build and make home imporvements in Poland too.

Then why do I have so much work in this sector? The whole point is that because so many Poles are abroad the ones that remained behind control the market.
Owners of new builds are so busy paying off the loan that they don't have time to do the work on their new home.
On big jobs people can't afford the range of tools required to do the task. And how many people do you know who can lay their own floor and fit out bathrooms and kitchens. Quickly and to a high standard.
Please read post 4 to understand what I'm talking about.

Thanks for your advise James sounds like you know alot about this sector

The one thing I've not researched is the Building regs yet

My Idea was to start up on on my own but as my Polish is very limited I knew I would have to employ a Native Polish/English speaker to talk with the customers
the good thing is that I'm still young so willing to take a hands on-role.
Sounds like I should up-skill myself before I start anything least then if I do employ someone else my only skill will not be just Plumbing

To be honest I want to Challange myself more the current job I'm in just has no satisifaction, no sence of achivement even if i manage to sort a very time consuming Plumbing problem (do I get any thanks... do I F**K just more moans )

I Know it would be easier to start something here in the UK but i don't want to follow the crowd I want to do something different