Cleaning Up After a Low Bid Contractor
By Michael StoneThis potential client had a house built using the “lowest bid” contractor. The builder cut corners, leaving out little details like collar ties on the roof rafters.
Design Agreements and the Budget
By Michael StoneThe purpose of a design agreement is to get a commitment from your client to design the project so you don’t have to do the design for free. How do you keep the design within the budget?
Contract Cancellations
By Michael StoneCancellations happen, even with the best of salespeople. Clients have all kinds of reasons to cancel an agreement, and you need to be prepared.
Handling Customer Complaints
By Michael StoneNo matter how careful you are, you, your crew, or one of your subcontractors will upset a client. How you handle customer complaints says a lot about your business and your character.
Close Out Package
By Michael StoneAs you’re walking out the door on a finished project, you want your clients to remember you as the company that went the extra step for them.
In Construction, Communicate the Details
By Michael StoneAre you giving your clients the information they need to be confident you’re building the job they want?
When Clients Do an End Run
By Michael StoneStay ahead of your clients. Write a detailed contract that protects you from as many unpleasant scenarios as possible, and work from written agreements with both your subcontractors and your employees.
Renegotiating the Price
By Michael StoneHow should you respond when a client wants to change the price AFTER the job has started?
When Your Client Sets the Price
By Michael StoneWhen your client wants a lower price, something has to change. It shouldn’t be just your price.
Failing Expectations
By Michael StoneMichael shares a note from a contractor dealing with multiple mistakes he’s made in his business.
Client Causing Job Delays
By Michael StoneIf you want to lose money on a job, agree to let your client do part of the job or provide their own materials without setting clear boundaries.
Don’t Negotiate Your Price
By Michael StoneDon’t let your clients dictate or negotiate the price of your work.
Generational Differences
By Michael StoneI’ve been reading advice in a few construction magazines on how to sell to millennials, and I don’t understand the fuss.
Clients Changing the Contract
By Michael StoneI’ve written before about clients who decide to make changes to a contract. Last week I heard from two different contractors who had to deal with this, and I want to share their stories.
Collecting Payment from a Dishonest Homeowner – Updated
By Michael StoneNot all of your clients are honest. There are even a few who have no intention of paying you for the work you do.
Clients Working on Their Job
By Michael StoneShould you let a client work on the job they’ve hired you and your company to build?
Practicing What We Preach
By Michael StoneOne of our goals is to improve the image …
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Protect Your Business – Get Paid
By Michael StoneAvoid losing money by recognizing some of the games that building owners play to avoid paying.
Is a Contractor’s License Important?
By Michael StoneWhy would you choose someone that has chosen to work without a business license for 30 years?
Clear Sales Communication; It’s Your Responsibility
By Michael StoneI want to share a recent phone conversation with a contractor concerning a problem they were having with a client.
Do Construction Jobs Have a Life Expectancy?
By Michael StoneDoes a job have a “life expectancy”? I believe it does and you should be aware of the warning signs.
Protect Your Time
By Michael StoneSome people are used to snapping their fingers and having others jump. It’s irritating, but you have to remember that they’re writing the checks.
Be Fair to your Customers – and Yourself
By Michael StoneI talked with a young guy the other day who called about our coaching service. His company was upside down and I could tell he was hurting.
Clients and Your Job Schedule
By Michael StoneOne of the concerns a homeowner has when they’ve hired a contractor is whether they’ll do what they said they’ll do. It is a legitimate concern. They don’t know what’s going on in your head, only what’s happening with their job.
Why You Need a Well-Written Contract
By Michael StoneA client decided to change the rules of their contract. She decided not to pay the full amount or on time as the contract specified.
Why Do You Need a Written Construction Contract?
By Michael StoneAlmost all conflicts contractors face could be avoided or quickly resolved if there is a clear, detailed construction contract between the parties.
Who Pays Your Salary?
By Michael StoneThe next time anyone, including yourself, wants to complain about how much money you make, think about this quote from Henry Ford.
Wrapping Up a Difficult Project
By Michael StoneIt can a challenge to finish a project, especially when it was priced too low for a difficult client and with a weak contract.