What's your recommendation rate with your customers?
Whether it feels like it or not, spring is officially here, which means homeowners have begun searching for contractors to complete the remodeling projects they’ve been saving up for all winter long.
Your job now is to convince these homeowners that you are the best choice for their project. Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can do this.
1. A reputation more solid than steel
In order to make your services more attractive to customers, you’re going to have to establish a solid reputation. Homeowners often seek out advice from several trusted resources before they make a decision on a contractor. They’re going to ask friends and family, do research online, and check in with local resources to find the best contractor for their project.
One way to ensure that customers’ positive reviews are easy to find is by collecting feedback about the quality of your service. Display this feedback on your website to provide customers with a direct link to positive reviews of your previous work.
2. Superiority over the competition
Your competitors have reviews out there too, and potential customers are just as likely to be reading their reviews as they are yours – so how can you make sure yours stand out? Every bit of advice on the internet tells people to check multiple bids, so you can bet that is what they will do.
Are your competitors’ reviews as good and as easily accessible as yours? Take the time to research what your competition offers to customers, and then offer them more.
3. Easy payment methods
Payment schedules should be easy as pie for customers to navigate. People often aren’t willing to pay more than a certain amount upfront, and they’re going to seek a flexible payment schedule.
A contractor who is willing to offer an easy payment schedule displays to the customer that he or she is on financially solid ground and has a respectable work ethic. Depending on your line of business and the cost of your raw materials, it’s ideal to ask for about 10% at contract signing, a few payments of 25% over the span of the project, and then the rest upon completion. The key is keep it affordable for the homeowner and reasonable for your business.
