A startup roadmap
A practical checklist for defining your services, organizing your setup, and researching local business requirements.
For the person behind the tools
You know your trade.
Now build your business.
Turn “I could do this on my own” into a practical plan. The Burns Trade Business Starter Kit is being developed to help hands-on people tackle the business side, one step at a time.
In development · Not yet available to purchase
A practical resource from Kyle Burns, a third-generation builder.
Coming soon / Digital toolkit
THE TRADE
BUSINESS
STARTER KIT.
BUSINESS
STARTER KIT.
A practical starting point for the business behind your craft.
BURNS CONSTRUCTION SOLUTIONSPLAN THE BUSINESS.PRICE THE WORK.FIND YOUR FIRST CUSTOMERS.
Made for a practical start
Good with your hands.
Ready for what’s next.
You don’t need more vague advice about being your own boss. You need a place to start, a way to organize the details, and tools you can put to work.
- You work in a trade and want to take on your own customers.
- You’re doing side jobs and want a more organized approach.
- You need help with pricing, estimates, follow-up, and the paperwork.
- You want a simple toolkit you can work through at your own pace.
What’s being developed
The business basics.
In one place.
The planned kit combines step-by-step guidance with editable tools. Contents and pricing will be confirmed before launch.
Pricing worksheets
Tools to think through labor, materials, overhead, and profit before putting a number on a job.
Estimates & invoices
Editable starting points for describing the work, presenting an estimate, and tracking what customers owe.
Customer message scripts
Sample wording for responding to inquiries, following up on estimates, and communicating project updates.
A first-customer action plan
Practical steps for explaining your offer, asking for referrals, and following up with potential customers.
Job & customer trackers
Simple ways to keep inquiries, next steps, project details, and payment follow-ups from slipping through the cracks.
Try a free sample
A clearer job starts
with better questions.
Use this project intake worksheet to organize a customer conversation before you prepare an estimate.
This is a free example of the practical approach planned for the toolkit. Fill it in and print it, or save it as a PDF through your browser’s print dialog.
Ask what “finished” looks like to the customer. Clarifying the result early can help you identify scope questions before quoting.
Burns / Free worksheet
Before you quote the job
Your entries stay in this page and are not submitted or saved. Print or save before leaving.From a working builder
Built around
real-world work.
Kyle Burns leads Burns Construction Solutions in Athens, Georgia. As a third-generation builder, he brings a tradesperson’s perspective to the everyday work of running a business.
The aim is straightforward: make the business tasks easier to understand and give you practical starting points you can adapt to your own trade.
Meet Kyle and the construction business ↗A few useful details
Before you get started.
Can I buy the toolkit now?
Not yet. The toolkit is in development, and pricing has not been announced. There is no checkout or paid download on this page. You can use the free worksheet now or text Kyle with questions about the planned kit.
Is this a franchise or a ready-made company?
No. The planned product is an educational digital toolkit. It does not include a registered business, franchise rights, customers, licensing, or a promise of income.
Will this cover licensing and legal requirements?
The planned roadmap will help you organize the questions to research. Requirements vary by trade and location. You will still need to verify your licensing, permits, insurance, taxes, and any contract documents with the appropriate local agencies or qualified professionals.
Do I need to be in Georgia?
The planned worksheets and business organization tools are intended to be adaptable. Any Georgia-specific examples will need to be checked against the rules where you work.
Can I hire Burns for a home project instead?
Absolutely. Visit our construction services page or call 706-410-6388 to discuss a remodel, renovation, or repair.
Coming soon
Build your craft.
Build the business behind it.
Have a question about the planned toolkit, or an idea for something it should cover? Start a conversation with Kyle.
Opens your messaging app. Review and send your message there.
Prefer to call? 706-410-6388