Monthly Archives: March 2011

How To Make The Right Evaluation

March 24, 2011
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Thinking of convincing the homeowner that you are the right contractor for the window replacement project? Make sure that you are prepared to demonstrate that you have the knowledge to evaluate the problem correctly. The customer wants and expects to perceive this quickly or you will not be selected for the follow-up. So, to ensure your business is the one selected for that coveted follow-up session, it is critical to showcase your knowledge and experience, the two fundamental factors that say you will make the right evaluation.

Knowledge
As a home improvement contractor, showcasing your knowledge must be a systematic process; your information must be out there in front of your targets telling your stories. It “pays” to be bold, it must be why you are contacted in the first place. The introduction of search engines and social media into the marketing mix has made it easier to achieve this at cost effective levels compared to traditional media. Indeed, a home improvement client knows that selecting the best-fit contractor could worth thousands of dollars in making that right choice the first time. Is the home drafty and uncomfortable because of the 7-year old replacement windows or is it because of air leaks and insufficient insulation through the building? The homeowner wants to believe that you understand the problem therefore you must convince her by being believable and credible. In truth, your face to face presentation with the client must validation you and your service for doing so you will be perceived as having the expertise to make the right evaluation.

Experience
Likewise with poise and confidence communicate your passion for what you offer by vividly highlighting relevant experiences that match your story. This is your chance to propose solutions and stress benefits. You must demonstrate through work samples and referrals that she is not the only one with this problem and that you have solved it before. I recommend, be bold in presenting your credentials particularly evidence of professional training, length of time in the field and prestigious clients with whom you have done business, this will serve to prove your commitment and validate your experience. Again, making the right evaluation is the credibility you create in the mind of the homeowner.

The correct evaluation will help you convince the home improvement client that you are the right contractor for the job, However, to create this perception you must confidently showcase your knowledge and experience, be bold for there is no way around this.

Retrofit Boston is produced by Caledonia Construction Company, Inc.

Top 12 Considerations for Choosing a Home Improvement Contractor

March 2, 2011
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Through a nine-year experience of working with homeowners and various building owners, I have observed that there are 12 considerations that are most important to a potential customer when she seeks (notice the choice of the feminine gender throughout, the usual contact in my experience) to hire a contractor. It is her expectation that these considerations are largely satisfied (often through time-consuming due diligence) before making a selection. In today’s fast-pace society the time commitment required to do due diligence is becoming less desirable therefore, customers are seeing brand recognition with its built-in credibility as an efficient way to decide on a home improvement company. The following are the 12 considerations.

1. The Right Evaluation – The customer wants and expects the contractor to have the skills and the experience to assess the job and arrive at the right evaluation. For example, is the water mark on the wall below the window the result of a poorly flashed window or is it from a leak in the roof?

2. The Belief That the Job will be Done Right the First Time – The analogy of the car repair shop is appropriate here because it embodied the classic example of repeatedly returning to address the same problem.

3. No Unexpected Repairs (Ghost Repairs) – The customer expect that no additional work is done without authorization; consider the situation where a client was presented with added cost for removal of plumbing pipes that the contractor deemed too old for the newly remodeled kitchen.

4. The Quote is the Final Charge – The customer expects to be charge the quoted price (or be offered a discount) and not more.

5. Wants to be Educated – Whenever possible and feasible educate the customer on specifics of the problem and its solutions. It is expected.

6. The Job will be Finished on Time – The customer expects the job to be completed on time, if this is not possible she must know this well in advance.

7. Be Professional – The customer expects a professional experience through out the process.

8. Be Friendly – The customer expects a friendly experience. The crew working in her home must be approachable.

9. Proper Communication – The customer expects beneficial communication during service, someone on site must speak her language to answer immediate concerns.

10. Wants warranty/Guarantee – The customer expects written warranty and guarantee for the service provided.

11. Post Job Follow up – The customer expects after-job follow-up both verbally and physically.

12. Price – The customer expects fair price for the service provided; contrary to popular belief price is often not a primary consideration but it must always perceived to be fair.

In conclusion, my interactions with home improvement customers (at times through specific survey questions) have taught me that the above 12 considerations are perceived as credibility attributes inherent in a professional home improvement company. It further highlights that brand recognition will be an important determining factor in selecting a home improvement company in the future.

Retrofit Boston is produced by Caledonia Construction Company, Inc.