Diasfora
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: smokester on April 27, 2014, 09:17:42 AM
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This year I may well roll out my business to make it a company beyond the sole trader that I am at present. I am a carpenter by trade and I specialise in traditional, timber sash (double hung) windows, but recently I have done everything from roofing to garden slab work so I am more a general builder to my clients.
I have been stressing over what to call the company as I would want the name to include "construction" (or a synonym) and suggest the quality of strength. I've tried the old chestnut of 2 word alliteration but nothing has seemed quite right.
I would appreciate any and all ideas offered by the members here, and as I wouldn't really consider rolling it out until the end of the year, there is no rush.
I hope some of you need something to chew on.
Thanks in advance.
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Handy Manny
I really hate the term handyman. It's generally used for those who've learned their skills from YouTube.
Thanks for keeping to the brief, christ...
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Maybe you could combine the names of your children or you can name it after your wife or you could name it like dynasty construction or kingdom construction . Gold construction or everything construction. Grade A construction
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The Grade A construction is the sort of thing I've thought about as there is a kind of brute force suggestion that goes along with calling your company something like "1st Class" this or "Premium" that, and I'm not ruling it out altogether.
I was hoping to come up with something clever and memorable that would also lend itself to branding, but the best I have come up with so far is "Crackerjack Construction" and that, apparently, is far too dated.
Thanks Mish, I'll add it to the list of possibles.
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Smokester BBQ/Mortuary. "You kill 'em, we grill em!"
That's how I answer telemarketing calls. I just use my last name.
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I was thinking something like A+ Construction (A for your name of course and + for...whatever). I don't know if A+ means the same over the pond as it does here though.
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looking through a construction glossary I came across this :
Above Grade Construction
It is a nice ring to it and it easy remember.
I know you said clever but maybe you could consider to using your name. you have spent years buliding your reputation. Most large construction companies are usually the name of the individual or a combo. of the partners names that own the company.
maybe also think about what you would want your logo to look it.Somtimes starting with a visual concept can help inspire a name as well. maybe you could make a list of various words that mean or imply quality and strength.
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Artisan Constructor/Fabrication .
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Smokester BBQ/Mortuary. "You kill 'em, we grill em!"
That's how I answer telemarketing calls. I just use my last name.
That might be a tad too far away from what I'm looking for.
I was thinking something like A+ Construction (A for your name of course and + for...whatever). I don't know if A+ means the same over the pond as it does here though.
It does mean the same here and, in the old days when you had to rely on a bible size directory to find companies and their numbers, having a name starting with A would list you at the beginning. I'm not opposed to using simple, self praising names like that, it's just that you can be pretty sure there is another company that has already used them which opens a whole other set of problems. Like these people:
http://www.aplusconstructionltd.com
looking through a construction glossary I came across this :
Above Grade Construction
It is a nice ring to it and it easy remember.
I know you said clever but maybe you could consider to using your name. you have spent years building your reputation. Most large construction companies are usually the name of the individual or a combo. of the partners names that own the company.
maybe also think about what you would want your logo to look it.Somtimes starting with a visual concept can help inspire a name as well. maybe you could make a list of various words that mean or imply quality and strength.
The issue with using your name is that unless you are called something like Alan Brightstar, branding can prove difficult. Actually.... I quite like the name Brightstar now I think of it, but I digress.
It doesn't have to stay with the word "construction"; "builders" is equally acceptable. I've gone off the idea of Brightstar Builders now.
My DJ/Club promotion business contained the name Tuff and I had thought of Tuffer Trades as a name, but then thought people would think that was my surname like you are suggesting, mish.
Artisan Constructor/Fabrication .
Those are the sort of names that would go down a hit round where I live (pretentious? moi?), but the tattoos and earrings might confuse folk.
Thanks for all this input, people. It is definitely helping.
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Off the top of my head I thought of Ace Construction/Builders and Qualitas Construction/Builders but they might sound pretentious.
You can go with "The place you live in" Quality Construction. But that's definitely not original. And of course you'll have to leave out the "Common" part. :D
(BTW, I know where you live but since this isn't the "members only" section I didn't type that)
Let's see if I can come up with something else.
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Off the top of my head I thought of Ace Construction/Builders and Qualitas Construction/Builders but they might sound pretentious.
You can go with "The place you live in" Quality Construction. But that's definitely not original. And of course you'll have to leave out the "Common" part. :D
(BTW, I know where you live but since this isn't the "members only" section I didn't type that)
Let's see if I can come up with something else.
I have no issue with the world at large knowing that I live in South West London. It's the nuns I have chained up in the attic I worry about.
Great ideas, XT. I really like the Qualitas angle.
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"Eric's Erections"
Too nordic.
Off the top of my head I thought of....Qualitas Construction/Builders
Damn and double damn!! (http://www.qualitasconstruction.com/)
^ They're South West London too.
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Since you liked the Latin word I'll try others. If you don't like them maybe they could trigger your imagination for something entirely different.
Superus, Supremus, Summus, Supra (Superior) or maybe Excellence, Excellentia (that sounds like medical insurance to me, IDKW).
You said you wanted to suggest the quality of strength (Forte, Fortis, Robus don't sound good, do they?)
Aaaaaaaand I'm done with Latin. :D
Another approach could be a name that has something to do with problem solving. People want their construction problems solved by the less possible people. Something to do with integral solutions or something. Oh, well, I'm just babbling.
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Guaranteed Craftsman
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"Frankie's Fenestration"
If "fenestration" means to build fenestre (windows) (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/fenestre) then you nailed it. :D
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Since you liked the Latin word I'll try others. If you don't like them maybe they could trigger your imagination for something entirely different.
Superus, Supremus, Summus, Supra (Superior) or maybe Excellence, Excellentia (that sounds like medical insurance to me, IDKW).
You said you wanted to suggest the quality of strength (Forte, Fortis, Robus don't sound good, do they?)
Aaaaaaaand I'm done with Latin. :D
Another approach could be a name that has something to do with problem solving. People want their construction problems solved by the less possible people. Something to do with integral solutions or something. Oh, well, I'm just babbling.
I do like the latin - as apparently do those other, rather glossy, builders. Probably couldn't use "Robus" though, as most folk would probably think I misspelled "robust". Could be a good way to get people to remember you.
Guaranteed Craftsman
If I used the word "guarantee" I might have to draw up a contract and have it registered with the insurers, rather than just telling clients to give me a call if there are any problems. Thanks for the input, brick.
"Frankie's Fenestration"
If "fenestration" means to build fenestre (windows) (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/fenestre) then you nailed it. :D
"Faultless Fenêtres" might be a good idea if I made it a window specialist company. I actually really like that.
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Don't talk to me about nails.
Oooh, I repent!
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Don't talk to me about nails.
I feel your pain.
Damn stigmata!!
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Damn stigmata!!
Maybe a death metal band but a construction company by that name...?! :D
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Smoke's the builder
Can we fix it
Smoke's the builder
Just phone me
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I think I may make windows the primary business and name it accordingly. I had thought of something like Trusted Tradesmen as it ticks a lot of boxes, but for some reason it seems weak to me.
I'm not completely off the Faultless Fenêtres idea as about 80% of my client list are French, and they recommend me more than most. Is it too pretentious though?
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Both are good names imo. Faultless Fenêtres is more original and the fact that you can attract French clients is no small thing. I don't think it sounds pretentious but since neither English nor French are my 1st languages you might need input from other members.
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I think pretension and confidence can be easily misconstrued. I like FF.
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Faultless Fenêtres
I like it not pretentious at all.
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Both are good names imo. Faultless Fenêtres is more original and the fact that you can attract French clients is no small thing. I don't think it sounds pretentious but since neither English nor French are my 1st languages you might need input from other members.
The circumflex could also be useful in the company logo.
I think pretension and confidence can be easily misconstrued. I like FF.
Could I abbreviate the web address, I wonder?
I like it not pretentious at all.
It may be a weeny bit pretentious but this is London after all: the ground zero of all things pretentious
I vote for "fenestration". Moves away from frog and borders humour, whilst still meaning the same.
Said by a Londoner, that word takes on a distinctly Carry On feel. I do accept it is more accurate, and English which in turn makes it less pretentious.
I'm not convinced that "faultless" is better then "Frankie's", but I'm prepared to give on that point.
There are many superlatives/positive words beginning with F, so there is room to negotiate.
Thanks to everyone as I am getting somewhere now.
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Faultless Fenêtres
I think that's your winner. Easy to remember and it rolls off the tongue
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There are some words beginning with F that you may wish to avoid.
At my age that's quite true.
I think that's your winner. Easy to remember and it rolls off the tongue
Another positive. Thanks Maud'.
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So far the few of my french friends I have spoken to aren't keen on the hybrid use of French and English. Taking that on board, I had considered using fenestras instead as it's Latin which is seemingly more acceptable - odd as that is.
Expanding on that idea a bit I wonder if it could be possible to go all out and down an "artifex" route instead?
Maybe the french friends I spoke to are just too snobby.
Hmmm....
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So far the few of my french friends I have spoken to aren't keen on the hybrid use of French and English. Taking that on board, I had considered using fenestras instead as it's Latin which is seemingly more acceptable - odd as that is.
I don't know about "fenestras". Probably only Italian speaking people will know the meaning. Do English speaking people know the meaning at all?
Expanding on that idea a bit I wonder if it could be possible to go all out and down an "artifex" route instead?
I love it. Love it! Love the meaning. Love the sound. Maybe it's just me that relates it to the Spanish word artífice: someone that creates, produces or does something well.
How would it go? Artifex something or just that word?
I confess I thought of "dexteritas" the other day but since I promised no more Latin I didn't dare say it. :D
So far the few of my french friends I have spoken to aren't keen on the hybrid use of French and English.
Maybe the french friends I spoke to are just too snobby.
If the name was adressed (partly) to French speaking people you may have to take their opinion in consideration. :-\
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The french folk I ran it passed are solid and reliable friends/clients, so I value and respect that input.
I had thought about Artifexade (ending pronounced 'sade') but I thought it would just making a mouthful out of the name for vanity's sake, so I think Artifex Construction would do just fine. No one else in this country seems to have used the word for their business outside the "art" meaning of the word, so it's still original to draw on the "craftsman" sense it holds.
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How about ""I Buld Stuff Gud!" Windows and Things".
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How about ""I Buld Stuff Gud!" Windows and Things".
That's only for when I turn global.
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Ah, good plan.
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Silvam Framing (or Silvis Framing)
There's something about the word fenestration that sounds dirty. ;D
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I always think of defenestrate, which to me has a negative connotation. but the root of the word does mean "Window" so is apropos.
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Silvam Framing (or Silvis Framing)
There's something about the word fenestration that sounds dirty. ;D
The silvam name in interesting but it sounds a bit eastern European. Not that there is anything particularly bad about that per se, but it can be associated with cheap labour here in London.
I always think of defenestrate, which to me has a negative connotation. but the root of the word does mean "Window" so is apropos.
Posh kids defenestrate windows with their footballs; they also use the word 'apropos'.
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mashed Windows is out of the question, isn't it? ;)
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mashed Windows is out of the question, isn't it? ;)
It would go down well with UKIP voters.
You can see that I'm a bit slow with the word censoring poo today. That's on account of me still being bent from last night.
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(http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo51/dw33z/AniGIFs/grrr.gif)
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The silvam name in interesting but it sounds a bit eastern European. Not that there is anything particularly bad about that per se, but it can be associated with cheap labour here in London.
Understood, man. Latin for "the woods." Lignum = wood. :)
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We've got a new "Latin lover"! Google that at your own risk. :D
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Perfect Panes
Leading Lights
What a shame that the perfect panes name has already been taken by a window company up the road in Carshalton. I was sold immediately.
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What about:
Pane Attention
payin' attention to your panes
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How about "Joy and Pane"?
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Pane Attention
It's very cool!! It's completely different from your premise though. Not a bad thing. Just saying.
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How about "Joy and Pane"?
Might be adaptable to Joyful Panes, but it's a little too near the name of that club I used to frequent.
It's very cool!! It's completely different from your premise though. Not a bad thing. Just saying.
I think it's just about witty enough to be memorable, which is half the battle.
Mullions & Oriels.
Sash Passion.
The mullionaire.
The middle idea is a big hit with my daughter. No prizes for guessing her name.
Thanks as always folks. The list of options is getting healthier by the minute.
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... Who wants to be a millionaire?
I do.
Passionnella?
One would have thought "guessing" wasn't in your vocabulary.
It's nothing like "Spearmint Rhino".
Perhaps not in English.
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I'm really keen on the Artifex name but virtually all the tlds have gone. I could have something like artifexcontruction.whatever but I don't like domain names that are too long. The alternative is I pay the wonga and try and secure the new .london domain that I could qualify for anyway.
Is there an attractive way of shortening "construction" or a substitute word that's shorter, or should I bite the bullet and buy the .london that I wouldn't be able to use until late this year anyhow?
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You could always contract it to "contruction". Heh.
"artifexthegaul"
"artiFX"
"artifex-built"
"sash-artifex.com"
Great eyesight you have there.
I'm not a fan of dashes either as they confuse people when trying to remember a web address. I was thinking of the original idea of artifexade. Is that any good or does it kinda kill it?
artifexbuild or built would be okay.
I keep falling down the snakes...
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I was thinking of the original idea of artifexade. Is that any good or does it kinda kill it?
It kinda kills it but artifexbuild/built/construction kinda kills it too. :-\
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It kinda kills it but artifexbuild/built/construction kinda kills it too. :-\
I'd have to have the type of business on the company's printed material anyhow, so construction would appear in one form or another. I think I might just bite the bullet and register Artifex Construction and be done with it, but brand it just with the word Artifex.
I still have time as it won't be until very late this year or early next year when I roll it out.
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I'm still not entirely happy with anything yet and I'm still thinking of new names to add to my choices.
A couple of new ideas:
MusTrust
Artifix (or Artifixed)
I can get the country TLDs for those names too.
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I do like Artifix.
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I vote Artifix. I like it even better than Artifex.
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Artifix looks like a very strong contender, but for me I don't quite get the "eureka!" sensation from it.
Slash the Sash.
Where've you been, boss?
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Busy - sorry.
Just as long as you're still kicking..
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Sassy Sash
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Sassy Sash
That's really clever. I actually quite like that. Thanks.
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;D
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Here in London the construction industry is in overdrive. It affects both the domestic market and the commercial, but along with the boom in trade, it's accompanied by the boom in shoddy workmanship. In fact, in the last 6 months I have been asked to correct 3 property extensions where the client has been left high and dry by the contractor.
It is one of the most bizarre cases of British law (or absence of it) where you can rip some off for everything they have in the name of construction, and they cannot call it a criminal act and can only try and retrieve what they've paid by a civil action. By that time the contractor has filed for bankruptcy to avoid paying you, and then they open another business in a relative's name and carry on where they left off.
Anywho, the reason I mention this is that I feel I will miss a trick if I don't get the word 'trust' (or a synonym of that) into the business name. It is all people want hear right now and is why I get so much work (word of mouth and recommendations etc). I'd like to examine the possibilities along that line.
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Trusty Sasher (I don't think thats a word) ?
you could always use Trust or similar word in your companies tagline if it doesn't work with the name of your company.
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"Trust me I'm a Builder™"
"Honest Smokes"
I wish you'd play this game properly.
I have to do something right now as I have a stack of people to invoice and I want to trade under this new company. I might just stick to Artifex Construction although I quite like the Artifix twist.
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I rarely if ever play games properly (check with cheapie if you need a second opinion).
Excluding Tennis, I presume.
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There is a difference between a sport and a game.
And then there's darts..
Anywho, I think I know what I'll go for now (provisionally at least) so many thanks for all that contributed and helped me with the decision.
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have you chosen Artifex Construction ? what font will you use?
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::) Times New Roman is more of a classic.
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have you chosen Artifex Construction ? what font will you use?
Comic Sans. Doesn't everyone?
Electromagnetic Lungs as a base, but then manipulated when vectorised.
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cool