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The Home Improvement Contractors' View
Today I would like to discuss what an honest
contractor has to consider in running his business. When I first
started out, I was gung ho like any contractor all full of spit and
vinegar. I would put on my polo shirt with my company name proudly
displayed. I would make sure the boots were clean and the jeans were
wrinkle free. Another day of going out and conquering the world.
Well one day I landed the “big one”, I was elated! I just got my
foot in the door of a sizable job and all I had to do was close. I
mean c’mon I was going to be rich! The job was like 20 grand! (Step
out of the way Howard Hughes).
Well I scheduled the meeting and promptly showed. I do not think my
feet even touched the ground as I walked into the homeowner’s house.
I had all my figures on me and was loaded for bear. That is when the
clouds started accumulating and the vultures were ready to pick my
bones. I had made a presentation that would have made my mom proud.
However, reality came in the voice of the homeowner as if it was in
slow motion. “I called you here,” he said. “To ask you if you could
beat this price”. Wait a minute! I thought. There is another price?
He hands the quote to me and my legs go weak. “This isn’t a quote
for this job,” I thought to myself. “This is the tab for picking up
the dinner!
‘How can a contractor give such a price? I asked the person “Is this
quote for the project that I looked at? “ Yes” he said. “And not
only that he will do this extra” Well there I was young and naïve he
got the drop on me. So what did I do? Before I could think I said
“Sure I can do this job” Heck and I can even do the extra that
someone out of his mind promised!”
Well I got the job and yeah I paid the price. A lesson learned in
all of this is if you are an honest contractor and want to survive
in this field, you had better be ready to lose some jobs or lose
your business. Because there are contractors and customers out there
that don’t care about your overhead and in the end most of the under
priced jobs cost both the contractor and homeowner alike. That is
where all of the horror stories come from. In addition, I know that
the most “seasoned” contractors will not consider taking these jobs.
However, realize this. These contractors are your competition and
customers need to know this. An honest price for the job will make
the contractor and homeowner’s project a positive experience. The
overhead for contractors on the level is very high and there is a
reason for their pricing.
About the Author: D. Benjamin is the owner of
iapsales.com LLC - a family business specializing in HVAC products. We
are distributors of
Qmark Heaters,
electric tankless water heaters,
bathroom heaters,
patio heaters, electric heaters,
portable air
conditioners & electric towel warmers. Shop on line at
www.heateroutlet.com for these great home improvement products.
Iapsales.com LLC was established in 2003 and is the sister company to
Innovative Air Products located in historical Exeter, NH. We are a 2nd
generation manufacturers’ rep firm dedicated to providing residential &
commercial heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment. We offer
a great selection online at the lowest prices anywhere. We can also be
found on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube