paul1966 Posted November 10, 2017 Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 Long and short of it is that i have been doing autocad as a sideline for the past 5 years for a HVAC (air conditioning) consultant who has recently retired so i now need to find extra work, he was a family member so i had no problem finding the work initially but now i have to actively go out and search for potential clients, i want to preferably stick with HVAC layouts as i have all the templates and blocks already and that's what i know but at the end of the day work is work so am open to alternatives. I know i can search in google and get a list of potential clients but whats the best way of approach, i am thinking emails will probably either be deleted and not read, or read by the office clerk or whatever and deleted. Is a letter of inquiry on company headed paper now outdated? I know there are plenty of business owners on here, any advice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vampire Posted November 10, 2017 Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 Have you thought of sending an email to your surrounding college/uni etc,you may be able to get part time work and build up more contacts from students Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellow Bear Posted November 10, 2017 Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 (edited) Start with the local HVAC consultants and smaller contractors.. Edited November 10, 2017 by Yellow Bear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul1966 Posted November 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 1 minute ago, Yellow Bear said: Start with the local HVAC consultants and smaller contractors.. that's what i was thinking but any ideas as the best way of approach? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellow Bear Posted November 10, 2017 Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 Just mail saying who you have been doing the work for - it is not that large an industry and locally they will know or know of him especially if he was involved with the local CIBSE group. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evolution380 Posted November 10, 2017 Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 (edited) I'd just send E-Mails mate and hopefully you will land one on the right companies desk at the right time. As a company we always acknowledge E-Mails at least and spend a couple mins scanning or reading them whereas letters don't usually make it past the receptionist. We have had dozens of E-Mails that have been ignored over the last few months as we didn't need anyone. A guy E-Mailed last week and it was the right time and he had a lot of BIM / ArchiCAD experience that stood him in good stead so he go an interview. Do you use Revit at all or any other 3D software? Most HVAC / Mechanical / Refrig companies we use nowadays have adopted BIM and going that route but that's mainly on Industrial / Commercial projects. What sort of work do you normally do Domestic, Commercial or Retail etc? I don't think you'd struggle to get some freelance work if you tap up a company busy enough! It Give them flexibility during busy periods without the permanent overhead.. Edited November 10, 2017 by evolution380 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul1966 Posted November 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 i did layouts for mainly large retail shops, the consultant was London based and mainly did layouts for tenders for large high street stores, there are other consultants that do work for the retail company and my details have been passed on but they probably already have there own people . I did start to learn Revit a couple of years ago as the main client was thinking of moving from 2d to 3d but it never came off so i didn't pursue it at the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted November 10, 2017 Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 How about agency work? I get loads of emails because my cv mentions auto-cad, just about do the basics, or could but the amount of design stuff I get sent is unreal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul1966 Posted November 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2017 18 minutes ago, Mice! said: How about agency work? I get loads of emails because my cv mentions auto-cad, just about do the basics, or could but the amount of design stuff I get sent is unreal. hadn't thought about agencies to be honest, will certainly look into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loki Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 Hi If not limiting it to construction projects the local Architects/Planning Consultants usually need drawings/plans drwn up to meet the needs of the Planning/Highway Authority. The detail required is usually straight forward but.many are done poorly requiring redoing and annotating correctly. Can only be worth investigating/calling in with your details. L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul1966 Posted November 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 12 minutes ago, Loki said: Hi If not limiting it to construction projects the local Architects/Planning Consultants usually need drawings/plans drwn up to meet the needs of the Planning/Highway Authority. The detail required is usually straight forward but.many are done poorly requiring redoing and annotating correctly. Can only be worth investigating/calling in with your details. L good idea thanks mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7daysinaweek Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 Put your profile on Linkedln atb 7diaw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.