Posted by Mark Paskell on Mon, Jun 29, 2009 @ 10:07 PM
Have you noticed the huge influx of wannabe contractors now claiming that they offer design build services to homeowners? This isn't anything new, but it seems that since we've been hit with the recent economic downturn any carpenter, roofer, plumber or handyman who can swing a hammer is claiming that they are a design/build company. Homeowners faced with less equity and looking for deals are taking chances hiring tradesman with little or no understanding of what it means to be a professional design/build company. This spells big trouble for consumers and contractors alike. Many design/build impostors are pawning themselves off as a true design build professional. These contractors bid incomplete plans and leave questions unanswered until they have the homeowner over a barrel. Once the job has started then the change orders are submitted for incomplete plans and scope of work. With little leverage the homeowner has no choice but to pay up or risk an incomplete job. This hurts the perception the homeowner has of our industry. The ensuing finger pointing between designer, contractor and homeowner leaves no winners.
The Professional Design/Build Contractor, who is truly committed to design/build, educates the homeowner on what the process means and does for them. Combining the world of architecture with construction and participation from the consumer usually yields a successful project. These contractors tend to use a contractor coaching service, are members of organizations like NARI and are constantly improving their systems and products to deliver outstanding results for homeowners.
The effort and training needed to become a professional design build company is well worth the effort producing happy customers who give great referrals. If you educate and show the consumer that you are the expert, using a real design/build approach, you will likely beat out the design/build wannabe every time.
In this downturn, now is a perfect time to look at your existing company and remodel any systems that you haven't had the time to fix when you were busy. You may have noticed consumers are harder to pin down now than a few years ago. Many approaches that work then aren't working now. Some new approaches that are working are, suggesting down sizing, looking for maintenance items on the home that need attention, letting the homeowner do some of the safe work, and working with special homeowner requests.
If you are a contractor who claims to be a design build company but you really aren't, it will be hard to win jobs in this economy from a savvy and educated consumer. The true Professional Design/Build Contractor is what the new consumer is looking for.
Any thoughts on challenges posed by design/build wannabes?
mark the coach
Posted by Mark Paskell on Tue, Jun 23, 2009 @ 08:37 PM
Imagine you finished a large kitchen addition remodel project last year and the client has a party with several high income friends over, oohing and awing about the project. Several hours into the night, after a few martinis, one couple says to the client, we need to talk to company who did this. The client replies no problem just call Smith Remodeling at 1-617-456-7891. Of course the couple says thank you, write it down on a napkin and lose it the next day. Then they get busy and forget your name and number and never call, or worse call someone else.
Now imagine if your number is so easy to remember that even a few martinis won't prevent someone from remembering it. What if your number was as simple as
1-888-REMODEL.
Imagine this number plastered all over your job signs, on your moving billboards (vans and trucks), on your posters, on your website, at the home show trade booth. Do you think it would be easy to remember?
In this new environment we all need the edge over our competition. This vanity number is one of the best available in the industry today. It is easy to remember and if you are in the remodeling or home improvement business could you think of an easier number to have for your company. The number is available all over the country and can be programmed for specific areas by zip code! It can be rented by town or county for a small monthly investment. For more information on exclusive areas and availability, please use the contact form and we can let you know if the number is available for your geographic area.
mark the coach
Posted by Mark Paskell on Thu, Jun 11, 2009 @ 06:45 AM
A contractor coaching client recently asked me to assist with an employee who was not meeting expectations. The employee was not performing in a satisfactory manner that has lead to a serious customer complaint and loss of profit.
I asked the contractor if the carpenter was following the company procedures and he answered no we never took the time to write them down.
Next, I asked does the employee have a job description, the same answer no. The employee was hired and placed in the field with no company orientation or training.
This is a common challenge for many contractors and entrepreneurs. Often times, employees are hired quickly and thrown into the field using the baptism by fire method. Owners assume that through osmosis the new hire will inherently know what is expected. Then when performance doesn't meet expectations, the contractor or entrepreneur becomes upset with the employee.
Every business owner should consider developing an employee handbook and job description for any new hire. Expecting our employees to be mind readers and meet our expectations without clear expectations is setting each party up for failure.
As an owner of a business, it is your responsibility to clearly describe what you expect from all your employees as well as your subs and vendors. A simple job description will prevent many misunderstandings and may prevent an employee from filing a complaint with the state board. Contractor training and education will benefit you, your employee and your customer.
Below is a link to the national forestry website employee handbook template. This simple template is free and will allow you develop a basic handbook for your employees.
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/wihispanic/employee_handbook/default.htm
There are many other free sites that will help you create a handbook for your company. Search "employee handbook" and several free sites will be listed.
The time invested in your company manual and job descriptions is well worth the effort.
Do your employees perform up to your expectations?