Fired Up in Denver!

       Okay, I am about to my limit today.  I am fed up with people who are out to take advantage of me, my company, or my clients.  Why can’t we have good communication, work out details and be transparent with each other?  Our clients don’t expect us to work for free - and I don’t expect anyone who works for our company to give away their services. I simply want quality work at a fair price. I want honesty, I want integrity, and I want responsibility.  We've all been there right?  From siding companies to home builders, we've probably all had to deal with ugly situations during home improvement projects.  Yes, unexpected things arise, especially in remodeling, that require either more time or more money, but do we as contractors need to salivate every time they arise?  I say no!  I say it’s a perfect opportunity to come along side our clients, and strengthen the relationship with them by working through the situation with cordial, but honest communication on how to resolve the situation the right way - at minimal cost to the homeowner.

 

        We as consumers don’t have the time nor the energy to deal with companies that woo us with low prices and then pirate our pocketbooks with change orders, or mark up a product at least 50% because they know we aren’t going to switch contractors or fire them mid project.  There are countless contractors, from landscapers to painters, who model their business this way.  It’s ridiculous, and it needs to stop.  We must eliminate the stereotype that says all contractors are out to get whoever they weasel into signing a contract with them.  Don’t they realize they are shooting themselves in the foot?  Don’t they know that it only takes one piece of negative publicity to take them down……permanently?  I don’t get it, I really don’t get it.  It’s like the old adage, “Fool me once, shame on you - fool me twice, shame on me”, or “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  Companies are only as good as the people within their network of employees, subcontractors, or vendors.  Nobody is asking them to work for free.  Nobody is trying to rip them off.  All I’m asking is that businesses be straight with me, our company, and our clients.

 

      So where do we go from here?  Well, check out my next blog for ways to hire and work with your next contractor and find out how we as a company have created the model for proper interaction with clients.
JJ