How to finalise your service scope and project criteria

Establishing a clear service scope means knowing exactly which jobs to bid for and, more importantly, which ones to turn down. By setting firm boundaries on your work type, price point, and travel distance, you protect your profit margins, reduce wasted time on "tyre-kicker" enquiries, and ensure your business stays within its operational comfort zone.

Define your core service list

Start by listing the specific tasks you will perform. In the construction industry, it is tempting to say "yes" to everything to keep the diary full, but being a "jack of all trades" can lead to inefficiency. Be specific about your offering:

• Primary Services: These are your bread-and-butter jobs (e.g., kitchen installations, loft conversions, or garden landscaping).
• Secondary Services: Smaller tasks you'll do if they are part of a larger project (e.g., basic tiling or painting).
• Exclusions: Clearly state what you won't do. For example, you might decide not to touch gas or electrical work, or avoid high-risk tasks like structural roofing or basement excavations.

Set your "Minimum Project Value"

Every job carries an "administrative cost"—the time spent quoting, invoicing, and travelling. If a job is too small, these costs can wipe out your profit. Determine a minimum project value that makes a site visit worthwhile. For instance, you might decide that any job under £500 is not viable unless it's for a repeat client or within five minutes of your base.

Determine your "Maximum Project Value"

While big projects are exciting, they carry higher risks. A project that is too large can overstretch your cash flow and tie up your entire team for months. Assess your current capacity and set a ceiling. If you are just starting out, a £50,000 extension might be your limit before the complexity and material costs become too high to manage safely.

Map your geographical area

Fuel costs and time spent in traffic are silent profit-killers. Define a "working zone" using a map or a list of postcodes. A common approach is to set two tiers:

Zone	Criteria
Primary Zone	Within a 30-minute drive. No additional travel fees applied.
Secondary Zone	30–60 minutes away. Only for projects above a certain value, with a travel surcharge.
No-Go Zone	Anywhere over 60 minutes. Politely decline these leads.

Pro-Tip: Use your project criteria as a script when answering the phone. For example: "We specialise in residential renovations between £10k and £50k within the Bristol area." This instantly filters out unsuitable leads and makes you look professional.

Identify project "Red Flags"

Finally, establish "Red Flag" criteria. These are signs that a project might be more trouble than it's worth. This could include projects with no architectural drawings, clients who demand an immediate start without a contract, or sites with extremely restricted access that will make material deliveries difficult.