Expanding client base sparks further growth for Fife-based electrician

A Fife-based electrician has seen his company’s turnover rise by 60% to £1m over the past 12 months.
Daniel Gardner, of Daniel Gardner Electrical Contractor, based in Cupar, has also increased his workforce to 17 having created 10 jobs from April 2016 to April 2017.
The 31-year-old, who has recently accessed support from Business Gateway Fife, believes this year’s success is a combination of consistently high standards of work, investment in the business and securing a number of high-value contracts including work with Balcaskie Estate worth £150k.
Attracting new property management companies and estate agents to the books has also provided the business, which is an NICEIC Approved Electrical Contractor and Domestic Installer and finalist in the Scottish Home Improvement Awards 2017 ‘Scotland’s Best Electrical Contractor’ category, with a guaranteed regular workload throughout the year.
Following the launch of a new website in February, the company will shortly go-live with an operational management system designed to improve customer service, streamline job management processes, and free up the time of both Daniel and Operations & Systems Manager, Kieran Hunter, allowing them to focus their efforts on growing the business even further.
Kieran said: “It’s been an outstanding 12 months. The vast majority of our work is secured through word-of-mouth referrals from happy customers who appreciate our professionalism and reliability. The contracts secured last year have allowed us to take on staff who have the professional and personal skills needed to work with our clients, while the refreshed website provides us with an up-to-date ‘shop window’ which has already generated leads. Our focus now is to launch our operational management system and continue the process of obtaining ISO 9001 with the help of Business Gateway Fife.
“Having worked for Fife Council for six years I knew all about our local Business Gateway and the help the team could give us. Because we’re striving to be as efficient as possible so that we can grow the business further, our adviser has already helped us access Expert Help, which is funded through the European Regional Development Fund. This allowed us to work with a consultant to gain a better understanding of Bill of Quantities and fine tune our project estimating tools which will help us secure more work moving forward.”
Lynne Baillie, Business Gateway, said: “Providing advice and support to Daniel’s business highlights how our expertise isn’t just limited to helping companies get started, we can help established businesses flourish. By working with a specialist the company, whose staff have over 150 years’ combined experience in the sector, has gained a clearer understanding of what processes need to be put in place to help them grow further.”
Having completed his apprenticeship with a local heavy engineering business, Daniel decided to become his own boss and set up his venture in 2009. Starting with no clients, his business now works across the domestic, commercial, industrial and agricultural sectors undertaking everything from rewiring commercial and residential properties to appliance testing.
Daniel said: “Setting up on my own was a natural progression. I started out doing small domestic jobs at night and weekends and word spread about the quality of my work and things grew from there. Starting the business right at the start of the economic downturn, when other business were struggling, may have given others pause for thought, but the reputation I’ve built up meant the business has continued to secure work and grow, even during tough economic times.”

The Latest Stories

Edinburgh favourite Kilted Donut bring their US-inspired treats to Bonnie & Wild for Easter holiday extravaganza
Almost 80% of Scottish tech sector optimistic for 2024
Perthshire butchery clinches four gold awards in prestigious craft butchery honours
Scottish Tourism Alliance Announces New Chair