Are potential clients and customers surprised when you tell them you do most of the hammer-swinging on your jobs. I mean, I am by far not any office-looking guy or model quality. I’m uglier than hell, and I LOOK blue collar all the way.
But when I tell folks I will be doing the framing, drywall and trim they just kind of look.
Maybe its a bad thing for the owner of the company to say that? I know we would look alot bigger and higher-end if I could say “my crew” but my crew is just the subs and if we subbed out every part of our jobs (framing, drywall, trim) the cost would be so high that we might not get the jobs.
I don’t mind surprising folks with that as when the project is done I think they are very satisified with my work. Its just I know we may lose a job or two as some folks seem to want to hire someone who is the BIG BOSS and doesn’t get their hands dirty.
Mike
Replies
In remodeling and additions it isn't all that often that you see the same guy look at the job and show up to do it. That's a plus for those of us that do. New construction, even less plentiful. Don't know the implication of that.
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Oak
I dont think that would sway many people.
I called an irrigation man yesturday to come look at my system and over the phone we determained that I needed a new control box, the first words out of his mouth when I asked when the work could be done was, "I do all the work, I dont send Pedro out with a hacksaw and a pair of pliers after I get your commitment."
He must of felt that him prefacing that he does the actual work was of some benifit.
Doug
I do all the work, I dont send Pedro out with a hacksaw and a pair of pliers after I get your commitment."
My son had his roof re-done last year.
The owner of the company, the guy who was recommended as the best around came and bid the job.
The guys who showed up to do the job were all illegals.
White guy contractor showed up once in awhile to look things over & left.
I was pizzed when I saw what was going on, but it was too late then.
They finished it up nicely by face nailing the ridge & hips.
He must of felt that him prefacing that he does the actual work was of some benefit.
It would sway me, knowing the guy I was talking to was the guy I was getting. Not somebody he'd picked up in the parking lot at HD.
Joe H
The guys who showed up to do the job were all illegals.
Thats the Texas way too. I was doing a kitchen remodel earlier this year in an area that got hit hard from hail last fall. The guys doing the roof where I was working were the sub to the sub to the contractor!
Gotta wonder if that job had any insurance covering the workers!
Doug
Yeah, I agree guys as I always like talking to the person who might actually be doing the work. Even if its just a foreman of subs or supervisor, I like knowing they have more of a connection than driving by making sure folks are working by way of a windshield inspection.
Mike
And the other good part of doing it your self is that there is seldom anyone standing around trying to figure out what to do next. HO's hate to see idlers on there jobs.
Thanks guys. I like those replies.
Mike
I, and probably most of the folks on this site would prefer to have the guy who looks at the job be the one who actually swings the hammer, and i could care less what he looks like. I think there's less chance for miscommunication that way.
However, there probably are lots of high-income yuppie-types out there that would much prefer to see a clean, well-dressed, professional-looking type guy (or gal) drive up in a nice car or truck with a shiny clipboard and sharp pencil.
Maybe this doesn't have to be an either-or situation. It doesn't take much to put on a clean pair of pants and shirt and slip on a pair of shoes instead of the muddy work boots before meeting a prospective client. Some may see this suggestion as selling out or trying to be something you're not but, unless you're in a small town where everyone has known you and your work for the past twenty-five years, I think it's just a professional way to do business.
It doesn't take much to put on a clean pair of pants and shirt and slip on a pair of shoes
Exactly, I dont think anybody expects us to show up in suit and tie just clean cloths, but sometimes thats asking a lot!
Doug
thanks for reminding me. maybe i should take off my beard,cut the threads hanging on my carhartt shorts,cover up the holes in my comfy t and wash my truck before my next estimate.....neah
I do it all. Doesn't get done any faster or slower I don't think, but it puts me behind on other projects. I think the customer prefers it. Never got "the look" of question or skepticism. I'm a stickler/perfectionist so I'm referred word of mouth and the work speaks for itself.
http://grungefm.com
Mike,
That is the primary selling point for my customers. I am there everyday with my crew. Not subs of subs. In our area (Austin, TX), particularly on the remodel side, clients with any past experience love that point.
They see the same crew and same subs as they saw on the job they preview when qualifying our company and when they spoke to the person that referred us to them.
In my opinion, it is a great selling point, and a valid business model. Use it to your advantage.
Bruce
dude i think you are looking at this backwards... You are like the old guy they can trust their car to at the corner garage... you are the local butcher that knows the cuts of meat they like... You are and should be their go to guy for all things about their house...
I think you should play up that... "I just wouldn't feel right not be'n here working and watch'n to make sure everything gets done like i promised" being there when you say you will be, returning phone calls, and doing what you say beats the hell out of drive'n up in a new truck and talk'n on a cell phone with slicked back hair...
not a negative at all... nor should you ever think it is...
cheers
p
I told a current client (porch project) today that I would ONLY bid her 1400 sq.ft. spec "Green" house if I did the work myself (exceot for the mechanical, DW, and insulation subs.
She smiled and said she thought so and had told her partner that would be my answer, and that I would do it right. I see she just e-mailed me the plans, so I guess my bid will be considered!
I don't want a crew - I quit my engineering career BECAUSE I didn't want to be a babysitter - I wanted to build pretty things.
We're the masters of our fate.
Forrest
Keep it up! I think the people are pleased to know you do all or most of the work. That is how I operate and I usually have a substantial waiting list!
Have a good day
Cliffy
I would agree to a point that having the guy to bid the job be the guy to do the work is a good thing. However, There comes a point when the owner of the company has to perform duty's to keep the business rolling (looking at other jobs, researching meterials, meetings, paperwork, etc). It's important to establish that there are competent crew members behind you as well to maintain momentum during those times and even perhaps when the boss is sick or has a personal thing to attend to. I just went to a funeral today as a matter of fact and felt perfectly competent with my crew (who I work alongside almost very day) covering for me. I think homeowners like insurance. A person with a crew shows that he is responsible to manage people and will most likely keep things rolling. A single person might be viewed as a liability to the job getting done on time or perhaps even at all. So I've learned to use the word "we" as in my crew and I when pitching a job. I think it puts people at ease.
I agree that a man with a good reliable crew will rcv. the proper accolades, but don't cut the one man operation short if he performs up to that level. It can't be done by everyone but there are those of us that consistantly make things happen. Consistantly.
But then again, what the #### do I know.
Just a dumb carpenter.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
calvin,
I'm not implying that there aren't great solo acts out there. I know a few myself. Wish I could live up to the same level. I was just trying to give an answer to whay a customer might be taken aback by one of us saying that we would be doing the work as well. Thanks ,Jason
jason,
Here's to those that still knock 'em dead.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
I'll sing along with all of ya.
It's so common anymore for the sub to hire subs who hire subs that there may be different faces each day for as long as the project lasts unless the work usually done by subs is produced in house, so to speak.
We just had over a dozen guys working on tape & texture of a 1,000 sqft addition. They all pass the buck to someone else as to why a corner is set wrong, or this or that.
The owner of the company asked what I thought of the job and to be honest with him I said I could appreciate the problems that are common with his subs, but that he isn't really isn't competing in our niche since the quality is so low. It's just too hard to keep quality high without someone with experience and authority working on site to monitor how things are going on a constant basis.
For me it's a strong selling point to be doing the work since most aspects of a job can be done better than if subed out. Luckily, most aspects of building seem interesting, there have been fantastic top-notch carps to learn from over the years, and I've been in a building niche for the entirety of my career that is served well by best practices.
At first I tried to approach upper-incomers (new word) with Dockers and a button up shirt, but it's just not me. I've settled on a newish but well washed pair of Carharts and a brand new T-shirt for meetings with clients. They know I'm ready for work, but look cleaner than most carpenters. As a pleasant surprise this "uniform" has served me well with everyone from other contractors to CEOs of fortune 500 companies. I'm clean, but not too clean to get dirty.
One aspect of working with well to do clients is that they do look for people that act confident and professional, even if done in a casual down to earth manner. Many a good carpenter/contractor has been given the cold shoulder because they haven't figured out yet that roach clips hanging off a mullet are not quite in style. Of course the same could be said for any personal quirk.
I've become so set in my ways that not having complete control of a project would be painful at this point.
Oh yeah, the other nice thing about doing the work personally, is that it's possible to hang a larger price tag on jobs when the client develops trust in your craftsmanship.
:-)
I think that the difference is the way that you present it.
Instead of "I am the peon" that will be driving the nails and puting up the DW" make it "I am a the craftsman that will be insuring a quality job by builting the walls and installing the DW".
Good point Bill.
I've been a G/C in Oregon for about 12 years or so.....did remodels, additions, and repairs early on, then got into the custom home thing.
Now I've come back to the remodels/additions and repairs thing.
In all those scenarios, I was swinging a hammer, though the more work I took on, the more crew I took on, along with subs and all the additional administrative aspects.
But I have always been the "go to" guy. No signs, no logos on my truck....just my rep...which has worked fine and there has been no shortage of work.
BUT....one thing to keep in mind....while the independence and all the pleasure of building and being your own boss and such is great, operating like I have been doing is little more than being an employee of your customers.
Thjough I have a retirement acct. from a previous long-time employer and I've been able to put some money aside from my self-employment, by being a sole-proprieter whose customers hire ME because of whatever skills and rep I bring to the table, in the end, I do not have a business to sell when I retire.
I've got about $50K worth of tools and machinery I can unload (and recover, at best, maybe 25 to 30% of appraised value), but mu "business" is worth nothing without me.
BUT....one thing to keep in mind....while the independence and all the pleasure of building and being your own boss and such is great, operating like I have been doing is little more than being an employee of your customers.
A very good point. As you've described, it's very hard to leverage a personal reputation into something with a larger or more long-term payback.
I must admit I'm a little jealous of the few contractors who have found good lead carpenters and have developed a system that lets them take long breakfasts to read the paper, midday breaks entertaining friends and truely spend less than 40 hours a week on the business.
The high level of stress is the most limiting factor for me going into more lucrative construction managment positions or expanding with employees.
"I've got about $50K worth of tools and machinery I can unload (and recover, at best, maybe 25 to 30% of appraised value), but mu "business" is worth nothing without me."
And that sir is one of the sad stories but true in construction.
Your story to me is very impressive of your ability and should stand as a credit to your character.
However not a good business point its probably healither .
A business that will run with out you is the kind of business that can be sold or passed on. Retirement or semi retirements can be easier met with a business that can run by its self.
As the farmer said , you need a business that grows while you are sleeping .
And the cattleman says yea or gets fat while you are watching the foot ball games.
Tim
As a side note ,
Ive been watching TV and when new driveways and flower boxes are built out of stone what ever Mexicans are shown doing the work.
I get a paper every morning and often I get to see construction pictures . More often than not Mexicans are shown doing the work.
I was going to start a thread on it but didnt because I didnt want the exposure to the site of the real subject behind it . However when the interior finish is being done white guys are doing it and I often wonder where the black guys are . Black guys do a lot of construction here .
Tim