Starting Your Career as a Contractor by Claudiu Fatu

Author:Claudiu Fatu
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Allworth
Published: 2014-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

The Client

Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.

—Theodore Roosevelt

I love building things. I always have. I get a high out of seeing projects flourish. It is in my nature. If I have free time, I am always building or fixing something around the house. As a kid, I would constantly be fixing clocks and radios around the house, none of which ever needed fixing. I would actually take apart anything I could get my hands on. Little did anyone know that it was practice for what I would ultimately turn into a business. A passion for constructing is wonderful, but how far would it get me if I had no customers to build for? DIY projects around my house certainly do not pay the bills. I take my client relationships very seriously in order to keep my passion for construction flourishing. Customers are the ones who keep me in the business of building things. My clients afford me the privilege of continuing to be a kid. The synergy between my passion and my clients is artfully summarized by Ayn Rand in her novel about an architect, The Fountainhead: “I don’t build in order to have clients. I have clients in order to build.”

BOOKING THE JOB

Historically, the bar has been set fairly low for customer service in the construction industry. People are used to contractors being tradesmen and not much else. With a little care and attention to the client, you should stand out above most other contractors. Homeowners care about being attended to and want to ensure their goals are met. Catering to their needs is particularly important when in the bidding phase. You want your prospect clients to trust you in their home.

First impressions are lasting. When meeting someone for the first time, it doesn’t take you long to judge whether they are responsible or to see if you want to learn more about them. Would you want to be their friend? How about working with them? You can generally tell in the first few minutes of a conversation if you would be able to get along. As a freshly minted contractor, how would you want a client to judge you? Here are a few considerations that will set you up for success and on a path to signing your next contract:

Look presentable on paper

A client’s first exposure to you is most likely virtual. If you get your leads online, your website will be their first foray into your dealings. Maybe they were a referral and you first introduce yourself through email. Step back and consider how you would want to be approached by a contractor. Maybe ask a friend to review your website or an initial introductory email that you send out to leads. Before meeting the client in person you will have to speak on the phone for an introduction, an overview of the work needed, and to set up the meeting. You should sound enthusiastic about the project and you should be available to meet as soon as they can.

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