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Our contractor is almost finished doing a terrific job on a gut rehab/construction project for our home. I’d like to find some way to show my appreciation for a job well done, but am short of inspiration. It seems to me that, short of paying him a bonus (which we can’t afford), the best I can do is offer to act as a reference in the future. This seems kind of lame, frankly, and sending over a box of homemade cookies just isn’t going to cut it, either. Does anybody have any suggestions?
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CJH
Short of a bonus, a thank you letter for his files would be my recommendation. If you have before and after pictures you send along with the letter would also be nice. Get some of his business cards and pass them out to those that may mention that they need some remodel/construction/etc done. I've been known to go up to a complete stranger (have overheard part of a conversation), introduce myself, appoligize for having overheard part of the conversation and give them my card.
Next to money, good word of mouth about how well I did a job is always appreciated.
Vince
*vince's message is very good, but in addition, i would appreciate the cookies too.
*Invite him over for dinner, or especially a dinner party. Money comes and goes, (so do cookies), and inviting him into your house in a non-business way shows that you respect him and appreciate his work. Plus if it's a dinner party or social gathering he'll get to brag to all your guests about the nice work he's done. Not to mention maybe pick up some new business. I've had people say they were going to have me or my crew over after the work is done, but no one has ever followed through. I think after the work is done most customers would be happy never to see their contractor's face again, even if everything went well.
*How about contacting your local newspaper, especially if they have a "Home" section. They can do a feature of the house and your contractor. Most newpapers are always looking for your types of projects. Great referral for him and what a SURPRISE it would be.
*Having a project completed party with your friends and family and giving out cute awards is really cool...A client did that years ago for us and I still have the rusted tape measure award for dropping my tape in the lake so many times...And the crew all got something too...And definitely write the reference letter...the absolute best.Near the stream,aj
*A little extra on the final payment with a note explaining the bonus. A letter of reference and letting him know you'll be a walk thru referal if he needs. An end of project party with friends and family and tell everyone he's the man to meet and hire. Ask for a box of his cards, promise to pass them all out, and follow thru! And a genuine thank you. I have a customer that to this day refers me to anyone within ear shot. That means more to me than she'll ever know, and I tell her so each time! Good for you to care! Enjoy the new(er) home! Jeff
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Our contractor is almost finished doing a terrific job on a gut rehab/construction project for our home. I'd like to find some way to show my appreciation for a job well done, but am short of inspiration. It seems to me that, short of paying him a bonus (which we can't afford), the best I can do is offer to act as a reference in the future. This seems kind of lame, frankly, and sending over a box of homemade cookies just isn't going to cut it, either. Does anybody have any suggestions?