They are tons of blogs or information regarding how to give good services to clients, or how to train you employee for excellent costumer services.
Here’s two of them just to name a few…
https://www.helpscout.com/blog/good-customer-service/
https://brittanyhodak.com/the-3-important-qualities-of-customer-service/
What is not mentioned, is that It work both ways!
When hiring any type of trade services to your renovations, you trust them to do a good job. You don’t want them to leave half way through the job, leaving you high and dry.
Here are 6 tips on how to be a good client to the trades you hire, have good services, develop good relationships and hopefully get them to come back on your next projects.
Be clear about the your plans and expectations.
The first thing the Trade service will want to know when you meet with them is, what are your plans?
Do you have a physical plan to show them? A sketch? a doodle on a napkin? Are you just gonna walk him through the area you want work done?
Trade people can’t give you much service if they don’t know what you want or expect from them.
Be clear.
Don’t use “We want” in your explanation. It make it sound like you will not accept any minor changes, and a little too bossy.
Say things like, “We would like”, or “We were thinking of”. It doesn’t sound as demanding, and leave the Trade service with a feeling of trust on your side. If they feel the need to indicating a problem , they know you will open minded on a few minor changes.
Be open minded and expect some changes.
At the end of your request, ask the trade services if it is something they are interested in doing, if it’s even possible or if they have better advises or recommendations.
If your plan does not work for one reason or another, simply ask them why. They will be more than happy to explain it to you.
What we’d like to have done, may not pass the Building Code in the area.
A good trade person knows these building codes (at least they should) and must respect them in order to keep their red seal/license to continue working in their trade.
These hard workers can refuse working in an area if they feel it is not safe, like openings in floors.
I invited an Electrician today. During the walk through my project, I had a rotten corner of my floor I needed to be replace, I had it open to replace it with new floor.
“To do this job, You will have to cover that opening please.” He replied.
Respectfully I will make sure it will be closed for him on he’s next visit.
In our conversation, the electrician mentioned he sometimes refuse some projects:
“I don’t do crawlspace that I can’t move on my knees and hands. If I have to crawl on my stomach, it’s too low and I’m out.”
Luckily for me, my crawlspace is ok.
Talk budgeting and payments
When requesting service, expect to pay a fee. No one works for free.
Estimates are sometimes provided, or Sometimes they charge per hours fees.
Sometimes they want 50% pay upfront for material and an insurance that they will get paid. Others trade services don’t.
Let them know you have a budget for their work.
I personally like to tell them exactly my expectation and how much I am willing to pay to get the job done.
When being honest, people will be honest back with you and charge you what it is truly worth.
This upfront discussion insures them that they will get paid for their work once it is completed
Provide the requirements they need.
Trade services do not do miracles.
They will need some sort of assistance before stepping into your project.
You might be asked to open a wall in order to pass some piping or wiring in them.
Trade services would most likely appreciate a clean area to work with. Pieces of lumber might be in there way.
Having full access to the area you requested them to work in and not have furniture to move.
They might also ask you to cover a hole in your floor ;).
Respecting the schedule.
Each trades services has tasks to do and to do them they need certain things to be done before they show up.
Of course I’m referring to having a schedule and respecting it.
Showing up at a work site where it isn’t ready for them, is a waste of their time an can be frustrating.
Without walls being built, the electrical or plumber cannot do their work until they are up and finished. The framing must be complete before these trades comes in.
If your building is an existing building, and new wiring or piping needs to go through walls, sheetrock will need to be removed and holes might need to be drilled in the stud frame.
Know their work load and make sure site is ready and on schedule.
Respecting Trade services
Remember, you are not THEIR client. They are yours!
That’s right. If you’re going to need them again in the near future, either its another project or something they need to finish up later in the project, you need them to come back! Therefor they are your client.
A plumber might need to come back in order to fix your sink once the cabinets are in. He might need to install your toilette once the floor is completed.
In a nutshell, work with them and it will only be the beginning of a good business partner for your project.
Work against them, and they will not provide you with good services or simply want come back to finish the job.
For more inspiring tips on your business, check out these links
05 – 6 ways to keep a good attitude in your business
07 – 5 things to avoid to be successful in your small business
09- How to deal with unexpected challenges in your project.