5 Common Contractor Myths

People who ask for something are much more likely to get it. Contractors who are proactive and ask for business and who are on constant lookout to capitalize on opportunities are on their way to creating a continual stream of work.  Some contractors stay a lot busier than others. This has to do with what they are doing WITH their business as opposed to what they doing IN their business.  You don't have to be a Marketing Wiz, but it does help to know the basics of how to market yourself and your company so you have a constant stream of work. Make a commitment to learn this.  Their are many resources available to you to learn this,  many of them free.
 

One way to solve this is to ask your existing customers to give you referrals or ask that they tell others about you. Of course before you do, make sure they had a positive experience with you. Customer loyalty is determined by customers who bring you new projects and refer you to others. Other ways; We know of one contractor who was continually busy.  He went from project to project and had jobs lined up for months in advance.   We asked him what they were doing to get that busy?  The reply: A simple, "we answered the phone".  They went from having a voice mail system to having their phone answered all day during business hours to handle questions and new inquiries. That strategy alone took this contractor from having a lot of down time to "always busy" immediately.
 

Don't be afraid to turn down jobs that are too small or where you have little chance to make a profit. It's a good idea to help people by referring them to someone who can–and is willing to do what they need at that price. The right thing to do is to set up networks with other contractors who in turn, refer business to you.  For example, if you do Kitchen and Bath remodeling, network with Pool and Landscape specialists and trade off referrals.  Some of your best source of new fresh business can be from other contractors who referred you to homeowners that were happy with their work.
 

When the job is over, what do customers say about you? Surely they're talking about you to at least; their spouses, their friends, their neighbors…and a growing number of them will post reviews about your service online. If you do not have a website by now, ensure you get one.  The way you greet your customers, the way you show up on time, the way you make sure the customer has all of their needs and wants addressed before you pack the truck up, even the way you clean up behind you; all of these things have impact on you and your company's image. Ask your customers what is important TO THEM.  If you ask, they will tell you.  And in some instances, you will be surprised to hear their answers.   Having these answers will give you a business advantage.
 

This isn't necessarily true. Good service, really, is defined by your customers. Listen to find out what their "hot" buttons are. What they really want may surprise you and it may have nothing at all to do with price -  BUT YOU HAVE TO ASK!  They have a problem. You have a solution. Focus on solving the problems they tell you about, and listen for subtleties that hint of other problems they need solving.