Letter that's helped to build success

Despite 22 years' experience and a middle-management post with a large construction firm, within a month he was unemployed.

Aware he still had a young family to support and a mortgage to pay, he sat down at his laptop and, more in desperation than hope, typed a simple letter explaining his predicament and offering his experience to neighbours up and down the street.

That was in April 2009 – and he's never looked back; eighteen months on, he's at the helm of his own construction company with order books full until the end of this year.

"I'll admit I had no idea what would happen when I wrote that letter and, when I've shown it to friends, they've had a bit of a laugh because it was so simple – but it worked.

"I think I've been lucky as I've stumbled on a trend in the building trade which may be a side-effect of the recession: with property prices so high and lenders drawing in their horns, more people seem to be extending their homes rather than moving.

"I had responses to my letter within days and it's been a steady stream since then. I haven't even had to travel that far; the majority of the work I've done has been within a radius of about a mile from my home."

The value of each project has varied from 53,000 to as little as 1,000 but, as well as covering his own living costs, Oldfield Construction has been putting something back into the building trade, offering short-term contracts to joiners, carpenters, bricklayers, electricians and plumbers.

"With the bigger companies slowing their building programmes, I've not found it hard to find professional, qualified and experienced trades people to help me," said Mr Oldfield.

"Most are from Harrogate or Leeds and happy to take on a few days' work on smaller projects. I've developed a pretty strong team of people I use regularly, which has helped with word-of-mouth.

"Everyone has to network to develop their business but happy customers are your best advertisement and we've been able to develop a reputation for reliability and sound workmanship."

So far, there are no liveried vans and no frills; after starting so simply, Oldfield Construction is keeping its feet on the ground.

However, there are plans to develop with the company now ready to take on larger contracts.

"I don't want to move away from smaller building jobs as, with little change anticipated in the property market in 2010, it's likely to remain a lucrative area.

"However, until 2009, I was a project manager for a big company and looked after some pretty large schemes; it would be nice to really test myself again – and, this time, at the head of my own building firm.

"I think we're ready to take that step up which, looking back, is something I never thought I'd be saying 18 months ago."