Dealing with subs often results in a lot of negative energy for me, so I just wanted to pass on an exceptional experience I had yesterday and today.
We are ready to install the sheet vinyl kitchen/bath flooring in a house we’re remodelling. I contacted a couple installers, one even gave me a price. But neither of them called me back when they said they would and have been hard to get ahold of. It got to the point where I had almost made up my mind to install the vinyl myself to avoid dealing with yet another sub contractor in the future.
But yesterday morning I called a contractor buddy of mine and ask him if he knows of a competant, reliable installer. He goes through his rolodex and gives me a few names, one of which was the name of a guy recommended to me when I bought the flooring.
So I call the guy. He answers his phone (that’s a plus). Says he’s interested in looking at the job but won’t be sure when until he attends a meeting later in the day, but should know by afternoon and will leave me a message.
I get home last night and sure enough, he’s left a message that he can meet me today, suggests a place to meet and time, and asks me to call him back (called me back when he said he would – that’s a big plus) (has taken some initiative in suggesting where and when we meet – that’s a plus).
I’ll be gotohell but he shows up at the place we agree to meet, WHEN he says he will (I’m impressed).
While looking at the job, he asks lots of questions, feels me out, takes a few minutes alone to think things over and gives me a price. I ask when he thinks he’d be able to do it and he says “just a second” and pulls out a pocket calender and looks through it before telling me when he could do it.
By now the guy could have given me a bid twice as high as he did and I would have hired him on the spot. I can’t think of one thing about how he conducted himself that wasn’t 100% professional. Seemed like his word mattered to him, as well as his good name.
What a treat to meet someone like that. I sure hope (and fully expect) his work will make as good an impression.
TIPI,TIPI,TIPI!
Replies
"By now the guy could have given me a bid twice as high as he did and I would have hired him on the spot. "
If he comes through for you on the rest of the project (shows up for the install when he says he will, does a great job with the install, cleans up after himself, etc), throw him some of that extra that you would have paid him if his price was twice as high- he'll love you for it.
Sounds like you found a winner.
Bob
throw him some of that extra that you would have paid him if his price was twice as high- he'll love you for it. Plus he'll be there for you next time too. Interesting to see if that level of keen lasts more than 2, 3 jobs.
Sounds like one in a million to me.
Greg
This absolutely amazes me. Is finding good vendors and establishing win/win relationships really this hard in this business?
I could make a killing in the trades. Make good on your promises, do quality work...make a killing. How hard can that be?
"Is finding good vendors and establishing win/win relationships really this hard in this business?"
It's not just "in this business". It's rampant in our society. I have told my three kids time and again "Just keep your word, in big things and small. You can't imagine how rare that is".
Pitiful, isn't it? TIPI,TIPI,TIPI!
Hey Jim,Thanks for this thread. It can be tough sometimes out there but we need to remember that the good guys are still out there.
Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
"...we need to remember that the good guys are still out there."
Yeah. It can sure be a challenge to find them sometimes, huh?
I had one guy I used for the past 15 years for vinyl, carpet, tile, plam...really an excellent mechanic. Had some personality quirks, but that was okay with me, I never even got prices from other subs. Then, about two years ago he went completely off the deep end and it's been an adventure ever since.
It's been discouraging to say the least.
But I have a really good plumber and now, hopefully, a hard goods installer. I'm gonna do my best to hold up my end of the relationship, I'll tell you that.
And Bob - (I think it was you) I fully intend to tip him if his abilities match his first impression. Good suggestion. TIPI,TIPI,TIPI!
MCF,What line of work are you in?I agree that you probably could make a killing in a market, but getting to the position where you can charge what you need to can sometimes be an endurance race.The sub that Jim found may be able to charge twice what his competition is charging and still do just okay. There are so many our there who charge incredibly less than what it takes to run a legitimate company.
Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
"I could make a killing in the trades. Make good on your promises, do quality work...make a killing. How hard can that be?"
Aah ha ha ha ha haaaaa. Whew, boy, that's a good one!
I could make a killing in the trades. Make good on your promises, do quality work...make a killing. How hard can that be
Hahahahahahahahaha!
Hahahahahahahaha!
HahahahahahahahahA
Stop, yer hurting my stomach!
You got me with the first line!
blue
>>>>>>>>>>>I could make a killing in the trades. Make good on your promises, do quality work...make a killing. How hard can that beIt's just like playing the flute..........Blow in one end and move your fingers up and down the outside. What else do you need to know?Birth, school, work, death.....................
http://grantlogan.net/
ROAR!
be a Jethro Tull
'Nemo me impune lacesset'No one will provoke me with impunity
>>>>>>>>>>>I could make a killing in the trades. Make good on your promises, do quality work...make a killing. How hard can that be
It's just like playing the flute..........Blow in one end and move your fingers up and down the outside. What else do you need to know
I guess I need to know what "making a killing" means.
Definitions please...
blue
>>>>>>>>>>I guess I need to know what "making a killing" means.I assume he meant making lots of money. I was taking a poke at the "how hard can that be?" question.Haven't seen the Pistons on TV for a couple of weeks. They still looking good?Birth, school, work, death.....................
http://grantlogan.net/
With the win last night they are 35-5
Rasheed Wallace has to be my all time favorite player.--------------------------
It's only satisfying if you eat it.
kewlBirth, school, work, death.....................
http://grantlogan.net/
making a killing meant being successful. I didn't mean I would start up a business in the trades, rub my noise, shake my ####, and suddenly run all my competition over. But if people's primary difficulty is finding reliable help I would have 90% of the challenge out of the way before I started. the rest would be internal details but nothing to break a sweat over
the attitude i am projecting is based on reliability being your biggest issue...that is such an elementary function of what I do that I would have most people largest hurdle knocked down before we even shook hands.
But if people's primary difficulty is finding reliable help ...
That's exactly it. This post was started by someone who had trouble finding a contractor who would call him back. And he's in the business!
90% of success is showing up. (Woody Allen?)
and that is what precipitated my comment about making a killing. it is the little, easy details that people ignore but carry so much weight with the customer, whether it be the HO or a GC...i am really beside myself with this. a little professionalism goes along way.
Best of luck on the install Jim.
I may have been lucky. I have and use nothing but reliable subs. Oftentimes I have thought I should tell them and maybe I have at one time or another, that they are as much a part of my good name as I am. You know the nickname, and we've met so you know its not from my stature. It was given to me because I make things happen. The only way I could do that is with the group of on time all the time tradespeople I have assembled. I keep up my end of the bargain by being ready when I say I will and paying in a timely manner. Luckily they haven't grown old yet and retired.
Spring training, just around the corner.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
That story is what I really expected to come from Jim as well.
I was a sub for years. I know the drill. You get to the work from guys that pay on time and arent an a-hole. The The a-holes and people you have to run down for payment you treat however you want . They dont deserve any better. The nice ones are always taken care of promptly.
I never figgured the rules were different any where else. But then there is those HVAC guys. Im a big account in their lifes with the rentals , house and the construction needs. Mebbe theres not enough of them.
Tim
Just slim pickings for you in that dept Tim. Keep looking, there's bound to be one come along and you want to be there when they do.
Best of luck,
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
This absolutely amazes me. Is finding good vendors and establishing win/win relationships really this hard in this business?
I could make a killing in the trades. Make good on your promises, do quality work...make a killing. How hard can that be?
Yes it is hard to find good subs. No different than your professsion, whatever that is. There is only one profession that is full of only good people: pilots. The bad ones sooner or later have a fatal...
DG/Builder
I am in the distribution business for fasteners and related hardware. Most of what I do is JIT vendor managed inventory control systems. You typically only get 1 chance with a customer in this business. Honesty, punctuality, effeciency, and top service are not optional in what I do...its required.
It is such a natural part of what makes this business successful. Whats laughable is that it doesn't take much effort to adhere to some very basic principles of customer service.
Good luck with the deadbeats
I dont normally hire subs either except HVAC contractors and I have always had trouble with them. DW has called the stump grinder guy three times and still hasnt showed .
Ill have to say though Im a little surprized that a man of your caliber doesnt have subs hanging on ya . So I guess to say I think its odd . But all Ive ever done to a HVAC man is pay him promptly, on the job site if I can manage it.
Tim
"...a man of your caliber..."
I think you mifght have me confused with someone else, Tim. I'm just a self (un)employed carpenter. I do small time contracting, but seldom anything over 50k.
I think part of the problem I have getting good service from subs is the low volume(sp) I do. I will sometimes go a year and not need an electrician, or taper, or excavator or whatever, so when I do need someone, no one feels like they have to take care of me because I'm such a small fry.
Anyway, that's my take on it.
TIPI,TIPI,TIPI!
I was speaking of the caliber of person.
You may do so little with them they dont know you .
Tim