Expert: Mike Fortunato - 10/7/2010

Question
I had previous worked for a very successful Developer/Contractor as a Project Manager on large utility contracts. On other occasions the owner would have me travel to different states to locate properties for his clients. One might be a 65,000 SF office building, property with a rail spur, a $35M service center, etc.Some of these we would do design build projects for the client. I was very good at this and enjoyed it so much I didn't know if I was working or playing. My question is how do I start a Commercial Site Locator business, what fees do I charge, how do I find multiple clients to service and is this even a viable business in this economy?

Answer
As you might imagine, developers aren't nearly as active as they once were, and of course that varies by region. My only suggestion would be to start contacting large development companies and either send them your resume (if you intend to work as an employee for them), or develop some marketing materials if you intend to start your own business. Starting that type of business is not unlike starting any business (too involved to go into via a short email). At the very least, you will need marketing materials to send out to active developers, which you can do yourself or hire a marketing consultant. There's no standard fee (that I know of) for that sort of service as a third party provider -- most developers I've worked with have in-house personnel as site locators.