General FYI’s about contractors from our perspective
-We would rather not work with your people
it’s ok to make the introduction, but don’t be offended if the we chooses not to use “your guy”. we typically have a pool or list of tried and true tradespeople we've developed over the years. we trust them, know their work and they fit into our way of doing things.
-We don’t necessarily like reusing your old stuff
it can compromise the quality of the project, frustrate installers and often looks bad when compared to all the “new stuff”. installing you old cabinets in your basement or garage, Ok, we'll do that. Mixing you 20 year old vanity into a new bathroom to save a few hundred dollars, please don't make that mistake!
-We’re not trying to make extra work
we really want to get in, do the work and move on to the next job. when we point out something we uncovered that needs attention we're not trying to create more work. we make our money by finishing your project as quickly as possible without cutting corners and getting on to the next project. finding a repair or code issue that needs addressed that will add a few hundred dollars to the project is not how we make a living.
-We can help with permits and inspections but can’t work magic
inspectors have codes and laws they must follow and asking us to “fight city hall” is something we simply can’t do. arguing with a code official on your project will negatively impact our relationship with that official for years in the future.
-We want you to shop contractors, just don’t over-shop
generally three contractors is fine. don't confuse yourself by shopping so many contractors that you become overwhelmed.
-The markup fee isn’t negotiable
it’s better to modify the scope to fit the budget than to play hardball on the price. “markup” is not “cream” or “pure profit” it’s how overhead and the cost of doing business is paid. insurance (auto, general liability, workers comp, umbrella, builders risk,) fed, state and local taxes, employee taxes, payroll, advertising & marketing, savings, training & continuing education requirements, gas, vehicle maintenance, tools, and more....
-We like perfectionist clients more than legal opponents
challenge us and communicate clearly and often, nobody wins when things move into the legal arena except for the legal system and attorneys!
-We want you out of the way
we love our clients, but its hard to work when we’re being observed and talked to during the work day not to mention the safety factor. I heard a painter tell a story about when he was painting (spraying) a large room and the homeowner walked through the plastic sheet barricade that was installed and turned a corner just as the painter swept the sprayer in that area. the homeowner was coated head to toe in white primer!
-We want to do business
we’re entrepreneurs! we want to work and do business, we need our clients as much as our clients need us!
-We want you to communicate your frustrations as they happen “in real time” and not wait till the end of the project
let us know if you're frustrated! talk to us, ask questions - if your project manager or salesperson doesn’t sufficiently answer your questions, call the office - the answer may not be what you want to hear, but you deserve to be heard
