Your best lead for new design/construction is obviously through the architect.  Find a few small architects and develop a relationship.  The more you stay in front of them, the more likely you'll get work from them.

Check with local AC contractors.  Very few have engineers on staff, so if they run into a project that needs MEP services, maybe they'll refer you.

Nibble at anything you can find first, developing a project/client list as you go.  Use your past experience as well.  There's nothing wrong with stating that you designed a project while you worked for someone else.

Good luck.

What is "MEP"?

Mechanical-Electrical-Plumbing...as applied to buildings.

Thank you.

David

Adding to Ron's- I was in your shoes 3 years ago.  This has worked for me:

1-got a professional website
2-started advertizing on Google Adwords
3-kept prices 15% below what my last employer would have charged
4-gave fast service  
5-returned missed calls and emails in 2 hours and
6-sent proposal the same day it was requested

items 1 and 2 are a must.  Do not be bashful about taking on residential work.  Business environment is much better now than even 6 months ago. Best wishes.

FixedEarth

I have found that your 4, 5 and 6 REALLY help! You do that and you will be able to keep the 15% - SOON ENOUGH.

I like most of the list, but I have a problem with #3.  I don't do any work for individuals (so maybe my experience is from a different population).  I found that when I recently raised my hourly rate 50% my work load increased.  When I started the business my rate was the highest around.  Over the last 8 years inflation has caught up and now companies are charging out 5-year engineers at a higher rate than I'm charging.  I went up a bit and I have the highest hourly rate in this area again.  I definitely don't get lost in the crowd.

David

Mike;

There is to price to pay to get established.  I would rather loose 15% to get an established firm in 2 more years than scratch my head and blame economy and politicians.  The client's mentality has changed.  There are clients switching from consultants they used for 20 years just because of 10% fee difference.

ssn61;

You need to read lots of marketing books.  You can also look up SCORE. They are retired business owners who give free advice to start up companies like yours.

zdas04;

When I started out of school in the early nineties, I worked for a consulting firm that was 10 years old back then.  So one day I chatted with one of the owners about how they got started with double digit inflation and interest rate of 20% ?  They said that was the price they paid to establish their firm.  It is all about long term goals.  Anyhow, once we are established we plan to charge 10% higher and only target certain industries.  For now, I am happy to be self employed and working all 5 days a week.

 

Fixed Earth -

To get started you may need to charge less - I did.  My point was you will quickly make that up if you follow 4,5,6.  Your good reputation will finally allow you to charge more!! I do.... and people really appreciate the "quick" service - esp on small jobs.

And if they have carpenters, plumbers, HVAC guys standing around for a decision - you WILL definitely make it worth their while to pay more!!

I see your point-Thanks.  Mike, Did it take you 5 years to charge the same as the larger more established firms?

ssn61- I forgot to mention- try not to have one client be a large percentage of your total billing.

I kind of use a "floating" rate - new customers got the better rate and the old ones got up-charged - but they stayed because of service.

does anybody have an example of what "self-lauditory" means exactly and does it apply to advertising your new practice?

are postcard type advertisements considered bad practice? if so, how do you get the word out that your on your own?

 

Thank you everyone for the great suggestions, specially Ron and FixedEarth.  I would appreciate even more if I could get information and advice more into "HOW TO's" rather than "WHAT TO DO's".  I mean, what is the best way to find and approach small architects or local contractors.  I know it seems simple, but believe me, when I tried, I found most doors shut.  I know there are all kinds of ways, but what is the most practical way?