First you need to have contacts and relationships with engineers, OSP managers, plant owners, board members, etc. Many times projects are bid but if you have a good reputation, many plant managers will just ask you for a quote. If you consistently do good work, do what you say you will, don’t cut corners, then you are worth a lot to a plant manager. He is busy enough without having to check on your work.
To get started you will need :
Money and lots of it, you won’t see any money until 3 months after you start this venture,
employees,
a good foreman, (since you will now be too busy to physically work because you will now be looking for the next 2-3 jobs ahead)
a BUSINESS insurance agent for W/C & GL, (I would not recommend a home and auto agent or on line insurance)
bookkeeping services, (this can be you)
a CPA
an attorney
a banker
and incorporated or LLC.
Good luck!