Our company does a lot of remodeling work in established neighborhoods, and to make sure that we get off on the right foot with the people living in close proximity to a project, we introduce ourselves with a preprinted card left in their mailboxes. At the top of the card is my name and contractor’s license number, followed by our company’s name, address and telephone number. Then the card goes on to say, “We are working on a remodeling project for your neighbor at: (space for the address). Please call us or stop by if we inadvertently create any problem or inconvenience for you. You are also welcome to drop by and visit the project during regular working hours.”
The goodwill generated by this gesture helps to relieve tensions that a construction project can bring to a neighborhood. It has also led to a lot of other work for our company.
—Robert Malone, Berkeley, CA
Edited by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #49
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Very good and inexpensive marketing tip. Thanks
I agree 100%, great marketing tip! I’ve seen homeowners do something like this when they start a project, but never a contractor.
On the subject of a good neighbor policy, I might add that there are a number of things to do and not do after the job starts. At the top of my list is what to do when a street needs to be blocked (for example when concreting or for a big delivery). That’s the time to put notices in the mailboxes – at least a day ahead of time. If the job’s on a dead end street, this isn’t just good neighbor policy.
Then there’s good relations with the client. From the side of clients, two big pet peeves come to mind. One is the loud radio that some workers can’t seem to live without – even when they’re working in a house with the client at home. The other is the worker who’s constantly on the cell phone trying to straighten out his love life.
Come to think of it, Marketing for Home Improvement Contractors might be a good subject for an article in Fine Homebuilding.
It is easy to see the advantages of the tip above and the additional comments as well. However, it may be that one preliminary step has been overlooked. Privacy is at an all-time premium and nosiness at an all-time high! I can't tell you how many times a neighbor has expected me to grant access onto the client's property or into their home to see what I'm doing! If I'm going to preemptively, in writing, invite a neighbor to 'stop by' to 'air a grievance', I'm going to make sure the client is okay with this. I've gained respect and more work by being protective of my client's interests in this area. I simply explain that if I were working on their home instead, I would not let anyone come by and look around without the their permission. If the client doesn't want the traffic, limiting the invitation of communication to a call may be the course of wisdom!
It is a very good idea but yu might check with the post office as it is illegal to place anything in the mail box without going through the postal service.
By law, a mailbox is intended only for receipt of postage-paid U.S. Mail. ... Additionally, the Postal Service has received complaints of flyers without paid postage being placed in mailboxes. Though many may be unaware, it is important to know that this type of activity is illegal by federal law.
Inviting neighbours in to see the work... You've got to be kidding. I chatted with a contractor working on a large multi-room job at a neighbour's house. He invited me to to go in to see his work. The owners weren't home. I declined and immediately knew that I'd never use him.