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Following up on Eric’s idea After installing the new countertops i use a 12×12 inch section of the sink cutout and wrap the edges to match countertop facer to be used as a hotpad. I’ve scored points with the homeowners everytime I leave one.
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A nice bottle of Champagne always makes for a nice gift that can be used to celebrate any event.
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Roy, not to burst the champagne bubble, but sometimes alcohol is not the best gift. How about a gift certificate to a Trader Joe's-type place?
*the key is after the job. Presentys to homeowners during the job can backfire, Example we were restoring an old farmhouse for a family. Opened up one wall wher no window was to find it had had a large octogon window at one time.the homeowern was thrilled , but could not afford it, We said, you buy the window and we will put it in and trim it for free (145k restoration, so this was a small gift)later as time went on she kept wanting to add other "free" gifts.Small town did a job for one person, gave them a gift. They were friends of a previous customer whom I ran into a store one day and they asked "where was there gift? like jeff had gotten.Had one person say it was a nice gift but was it something that was in the bid and they actually paid for ?But we will continue to give gifts, often small to large depending on job. Dinner certificates, plants,flowers etc.As far as subs I treat them to gifts as well fi the job goes right and they did good work. The sub who put mud on the vinyl floor has some work to do though.
*Secret compartments. Added one of these as a surprise under a bed post finial for a couple of loyal clients because they'd been willing to put up with some unexpected delays in delivery. Told them it had one, wouldn't say where. It was fun to get the call...
*S-girl...and what's the client hiding in there?!!near the stream I'm thinking...aj
*They're so well-off, i think the only thing that would fit is the key to the vault, aj...nice folks, though, always uncork better wine than i expect...
*I was thinking there favorite massage oil...or...forget it...near the wrong stream,aj
*These are married folk...even the finials themselves are safe!
*Andi, In the past I've given clocks which I make from kits as a hobby(2-3hrs labour and a $15 clock mechanism) or wine stoppers turned on the lathe made from exotic woods(cheaper for smaller jobs).Anything you can make is going to go over well and is always a surprise.Larry S
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We've been tossing around ideas for some end of the job gifts for remodels. We're wondering what if any all of you have done or thought of doing. We wanted something that would be around longer than some wine or dinner out. I know of one person that used to give one of those address signs with the house # and street.
Any imput would be good. Thanks
*Are you the owner or the contractor?Plants last a long time. As a contractor I have given lots of plants. Many times I have put potted flowers in the house when it comes time for interior finishes. Set 'em right there on a countertop right about eyelevel and out of the way. Believe it or not, folks like them. It's a token and I guess it shows the house is nearing completion.Once, after the landscaper left I thought it didn't look quite right near the front door. I planted a small palm to finish it out.Other things have been stepping stones from the inevitable left over concrete, window boxes made from cutoffs, dressed-up mailboxes, and of course the saw horses no one wanted to cart.
*Is this for the remodellers or from them? I gave the framing crew on my house (I was generaling) $100 gift certificates to the local tool shop and $200 to the foreman. That went over really well. For the homeowner, an address sign sounds like a good idea, especially if the style matches the house. Another idea is a mailbox in the style and colors of the house, if you like doing that sort of thing. But something like a new porch light or carriage light out front is both tricky for reasons of taste and just seems like part of the larger job. I'd bring the sign or mailbox by 2 weeks after the job is done so it is more separated from the job tasks. Plus, you'll know if the check cleared :-) -David
*I approached a few log home builders in my area about buying my exotic wood lazy susans as gifts for the owners of the houses they sent out. One bought quite a few, came back and bought a couple dozen more more for their bankers and such for Christmas presents. Let me know where to send the first dozen!
*I sometimes pick up those "credit card" style gift certificates from sporting goods stores or home improvement places. They come in various denominations, and the guys really like them. I've also gotten "dinner" certificates to a local steakhouse for their whole family. They seem to go over very well.
*I think an AUDI is kinda nice to get after a job well done.Gabe
*Those all sound like great ideas (except maybe the Audi - unless it's for me!!!) We are the contractors for the job. Most of them are remodels, so they usually have a mailbox, but some planting boxes would be good. We were trying to be creative with someTHING to give them, as dinners are a one time thing. good ideas though, keep them coming!!
*Check out local artists who can do a reasonable water colour of the house. Another idea is to get an architectural artist to make up a composite of the new design elements as a poster.
*Andi,I give pottery that a friend makes. On some total guts we give before and after pics in a nice photo album. I love going back and seeing it out on the coffee table.KK
*Andi-on time on budget-I give stuff to the people that keep me there...
*Can't go wrong with a nice plant. Bigger jobs get a bigger pot! Waiting for the next good size job where there's a little kid or two.....they're gonna get the little toy tool belt and hard hats I just saw!....after I'm done! Just the other day, my wife ran into a customer of mine, who had refered a good job to me monthes ago. She was still raving about the flowers I had sent to her office as a thanks. And the refered customers got a nice green leafy thing in a brass pot. Single woman loved the roses, and the married couple loved the potted plant. Remember to target your market! Jeff
*Andi:This goes under the category of crass commercialism, but you could give them one of my lamps. teehee http://niemiecstudios.com If you are really busy, I will give volume discounts! Actually anything hand crafted (pots, watercolors et al) is a real nice touch. It is the thought that matters -- I would bet you would get a few referals from that nice little touch!
*I have given a couple of CC radios now, they are high quality AM radios sold by a Ca. company and are the type of radio you might not go buy for yourself but have been very well received by my customers. They have the best reception of any AM radio made.rh
*Have somebody collect some of the waste material and construct a birdhouse or birdfeeder. Dang if even the ugly ones don't get put up by the homeowner. Another idea is to pay a window washing company to arrive the following spring and get those windows sparkling. The elderly really appreciate this!
*I've given customers Adirondack chairs made from cedarwhich are usually left on the front porches of the houses and are nice to see. Also, I heard of a guy who gave a gift certificate to have the windows cleaned again before the holidays.
*Closed Caption radio ???Howzat work ???
*I like the watercolor idea. Another possibility is a line drawing - ask a realtor, they use them because they xerox so well. When we were in Seattle, we got WPA photographs from the 1930's of our house for about $20 from the city archivist. Most people don't know about that. A nice frame and they'll love it.
*Luka,It's a brand name:http://www.ccrane.com/ccradio.aspSupposed to be the best. I don't know. Rich.
*When my grading contactor, an old friend, came out to do my finish grade, I happened to mention that we were planning to buy 3 liquid amber trees to plant up on the slope behind the house. so about a week later up drive he and his wife with three 5 gal. liquid ambers in the pickup. Granted these folks are lifelong friends, and you might not want to pop for a tree or two for everyone, but I will think of them every time I look at those trees.
*I'm GC'ing my new house right now. I know that my framer is making plenty and his crew is probably getting not much. I really feel that I should do something for his crew, but that HE should be getting something for ME. If I get them something, but not him, would that be OK? I typically don't give business gifts to the people who hire or pay me, but rather to the guys who actually work with and help me.
*Left over floor tiles (12"x12")framed in oak or another hardwood used in the house are an easy and useful gift. They are great to put hot pots or pans on the counter tops or dining table.Eric
*That's a great tip, Eric :) Thanks!
*Following up on Eric's idea After installing the new countertops i use a 12x12 inch section of the sink cutout and wrap the edges to match countertop facer to be used as a hotpad. I've scored points with the homeowners everytime I leave one.