Whether you already have your own construction company or you have aspirations for the future, good business practices are universal to all companies and trades. While you may know everything there is to know about your trade, you can always learn new techniques for dealing with customers.
You never get to have a bad day
When you are a small business owner, you can’t let your moods and stress levels influence your interaction with clients and trades or employees. Word of mouth is, statistically speaking, the most common way in which contractors get new business, so it’s imperative that you have a good rapport with your clients.
Under promise, over deliver
It’s sometimes tough to make accurate estimates of just how long a job will take as there are so many unknown factors. Try to make your estimates of time and cost as accurate as possible by carefully inspecting the building or plans so that there are no hidden surprises, by contacting suppliers beforehand to ensure that they have everything you need and by factoring in some additional time for unforeseen emergencies. Clients are always happy when you finish on time or earlier than expected.
Anticipate questions and answer them first. Think about the things that people haven’t asked for and try to always go beyond what they expect. It’s the small things that make a routine job memorable and turn your loyal customers into raving fans who will talk about their experiences to friends and family members.
Be your own marketing campaign
When you start on a new job, take some time to go around the neighborhood to speak with the neighbors about possible noise or dust that could be caused by construction. It’s a great opportunity to meet potential clients and to get your name out there.
The same goes for your vehicles. Placing your company name on your vehicle while it’s placed in the drive or on the street will introduce you to the neighborhood and help with branding. You can give your clients a small discount for putting a sign on their front lawn with your company name and logo.
The success of your business depends as much on your workmanship as it does on the relationship you have with your clients. Always try to go above and beyond expectations while maintaining a friendly atmosphere and open communication channels.