If you are looking for some business tips to help you find the best clients, we have just what you need.
Let’s face it. All clients are not created equal. What’s good for your business goes beyond just bidding and winning jobs. The customer needs to be a good fit too. A critical skill in business is learning to go after customers and jobs that make your time and energy worth it. Learn to look for jobs that aren’t a drain, emotionally or financially. The truth is that there is more work than contractors right now. For you, that’s excellent news. And, these four top tips will help you find the best jobs and clients.
Will You Enjoy Working With Them
It’s okay to ask yourself if a potential client will be easy to work with and make the job enjoyable or if there are red flags that signal a nightmare scenario. If you suspect that you’re bidding on a job for demanding clients, it’s okay to walk away politely. Remember, find people who value the work you provide and are willing to work with you to get the job done. You have a helpful service to offer. Save your energy for the clients who value you.
Understand Who YOU Are Looking For
If you don’t know who your ideal target customer is, defining that is your top priority. How will you know when you find the best clients if you don’t know who you’re looking for? Take a moment to picture the perfect client and job. What’s it look like?
Ask yourself:
Who are the clients?
What do they do?
What are their pain points, and can I help solve them?
Where do they spend their money?
How do they speak to you?
Having a clear strategy helps you reach your ideal client. You want to be a big fish in a small pond. Understanding your target market helps you get the potential customers you desire. Ultimately, building a business is about more than sales. Your goal should be to create something you enjoy and attract clients you want to work with.
Set Boundaries
Calling you at 7 a.m. on Sunday. Nope.
Texting you with a list of issues at 9 p.m. Nope.
Running out to “chat” as you climb into your truck to go home. Nope.
Changing 7-million items at the last minute. Nope.
Your clients want you to be in charge (even if they don’t know it). They hired you because they have confidence in your competence. It’s beneficial for you and them to set healthy boundaries for what’s acceptable and not while you work together.
Consider the Risk/Reward
It’s not uncommon for clients to look for contractors who offer ridiculously low prices. As a professional who provides products and services, that can be seriously frustrating. You provide good work and should be paid for the value you offer. The issue may be that you’re looking for business in the wrong places. Your goal should be to reach potential customers that understand your value. The internet is a blessing and a curse. Thanks to the old world-wide-web, everybody thinks they know everything, and they think they can get it done for pennies. This is not your ideal client. If a potential client’s first question is, “How much will it cost?” they are not your ideal client. Be picky about where you expend your time and expertise.
Industry expert, Matt Risinger demonstrates how to use Mor-Flexx to seal mortar for a perfect match on his own home.
Nate discussing the importance of using high-performance products with Fine Homebuilding at IBS 2023.
What do six months in the field working as a warranty manager teach you? Two things, callbacks are common and costly! That was the eye-opening experience that taught Matt Risinger why high-performance products truly matter. Matt and his team have been building architecturally driven homes that meet the highest standards of craftsmanship, durability, efficiency, and comfort. As host of the “Build Show,” he has become a nationally recognized expert in building science and high-performance construction. Through education and practice, Matt is driven to elevate the standards of the building industry.
Benefit from Matt’s experience with some of his top tips for avoiding the pain of callbacks.
Material selection is VERY important!
It’s one thing to filter callback backs as the warranty manager for a prominent builder. It’s a very different beast when the company is your own. Customers aren’t calling a warranty manager. They’re calling you! After making many costly mistakes, Matt realized that not all products are created equal. Especially when it comes to caulk and sealants, Matt’s top tip is to draw a hard line for durability and reliability. Matt explains that “When it comes to selecting a sealant, I’m always asking myself, ‘Is this going to be better than what I’ve used? And will it be lasting and durable.” You feel a well-built home when you walk in. So does your customer. A high-performance sealant matters big time.
Think long-term.
You know the scenario. You’re standing in the caulking aisle. There are countless choices. Do you choose the tube that runs you a couple of bucks, or do you opt for a high-performance sealant that will last? Even if it means paying two or three times more? According to Matt, a high-performance caulk like Big Stretch pays dividends well worth a few extra dollars. “I started using Big Stretch because it created very few callbacks. I love Big Stretch. It’s a little more than a commodity product that will look great the day you install them. But one month, one year, five years later, it’s going to look very different. A high-performance product has to adhere well, bend, and stay flexible and elastic. Low-cost products may have one quality. Big Stretch is the one that has all three. Easy choice.,” explains Matt.
Coach the customer!
You’re the pro! Your customer depends on you to help educate and guide them. They have input on the budget, yes. But what they want is excellent work. Help your client understand why product selection is essential and how the minimal cost of high-performance products ultimately gives them what they desire most, a well-built house to enjoy for years. Matt encourages you to translate his experience to your customers. He says, “I’ve experienced a lot of failures in my 25 plus years in business. Those mistakes have driven me to want to pick the right sealant for the application. Regardless of cost, because how much does it cost to come back and redo caulk that’s failed? Probably several hundred and a man’s day of work. Not to mention my reputation and the trust of my customers. It’s just not worth it.”
Are you a pro passionate about high-performance? Want more tips about how to sell that passion to your customers? Watch the entire episode of Les’s Corner!
How can you reduce callbacks for repair jobs?
We talked to high-performance builder, Matt Risinger of the Build Show to see what tips he had to share.
What do six months in the field working as a warranty manager teach you? Two things, callbacks are common and costly!
That was the eye-opening experience that taught Matt Risinger why high-performance products truly matter. Matt and his team have been building architecturally driven homes that meet the highest standards of craftsmanship, durability, efficiency, and comfort. As host of the “Build Show,” he has become a nationally recognized expert in building science and high-performance construction. Through education and practice, Matt is driven to elevate the standards of the building industry.
Benefit from Matt’s experience with some of his top tips for avoiding the pain of callbacks.
Material selection is VERY important!
It’s one thing to filter callbacks as the warranty manager for a prominent builder. It’s a very different beast when the company is your own. Customers aren’t calling a warranty manager. They’re calling you! After making many costly mistakes, Matt realized that not all products are created equal. Especially when it comes to caulk and sealants, Matt’s top tip is to draw a hard line for durability and reliability. Matt explains that “When it comes to selecting a sealant, I’m always asking myself, ‘Is this going to be better than what I’ve used? And will it be lasting and durable?” You feel a well-built home when you walk in. So does your customer. A high-performance sealant matters big time.
To learn more about high-performance sealants watch this Sashco & Build Show Webinar:
Think long-term.
You know the scenario. You’re standing in the caulking aisle. There are countless choices. Do you choose the tube that runs you a couple of bucks, or do you opt for a high-performance sealant that will last? Even if it means paying two or three times more? According to Matt, a high-performance caulk like Big Stretch pays dividends well worth a few extra dollars. “I started using Big Stretch because it created very few callbacks. I love Big Stretch. It’s a little more than a commodity product that will look great the day you install them. But one month, one year, five years later, it’s going to look very different. A high-performance product has to adhere well, bend, and stay flexible and elastic. Low-cost products may have one quality. Big Stretch is the one that has all three. Easy choice.,” explains Matt.
Coach the customer!
You’re the pro! Your customer depends on you to help educate and guide them. They have input on the budget, yes. But what they want is excellent work. Help your client understand why product selection is essential and how the minimal cost of high-performance products ultimately gives them what they desire most, a well-built house to enjoy for years. Matt encourages you to translate his experience to your customers. He says, “I’ve experienced a lot of failures in my 25-plus years in business. Those mistakes have driven me to want to pick the right sealant for the application. Regardless of cost, because how much does it cost to come back and redo caulk that’s failed? Probably several hundred and a man’s day of work. Not to mention my reputation and the trust of my customers. It’s just not worth it.”
Are you a pro passionate about high performance? Want more tips about how to sell that passion to your customers? Watch the entire episode of Les’s Corner!
Be sure to follow us on social to keep up with how Matt Risinger and other pros like to use our high-performance products.
Ah, summer. The moneymaker! You’re in the thick of the busy season. It’s easy to get caught up and put off planning for leaner times. Don’t make that mistake! One of the wisest ways to prepare for the slower season is to build value-added services into your business now. These four “all-season” money-making services keep your bottom-line consistent and strong all year long.
As a contractor, pricing your services is one of the most important keys to business survival…and one of the most difficult to master. Charge too little and your business won’t make it; charge too much and you risk losing business to competitors. We’ve all been there, and we feel your pain.
Do you want to grow your contractor business with great marketing, but don’t want to break the bank? We’ve got you covered with three of the best contractor marketing tips that won’t break the bank.
First, understand inbound marketing!
Inbound marketing is more of a methodology than a list of strategies and campaigns. Inbound marketing aims to attract prospective clients to your business versus going out to find them with traditional marketing like email lists, cold-calling, advertisements, and direct mail. Inbound marketing entices your audience to “opt-in” to your marketing. The best news of all? Modern inbound marketing is much more affordable than traditional marketing, making it the best approach for small to mid-sized businesses. The following three inbound marketing techniques are realistic and effective.
Finding the right caulk that checks off every box can be challenging. Painting caulk gets even more complicated. Before you buy, ready these six important things to know about painting over caulk.
To do an excellent job for your customer on a kitchen or bath job, you need a sealant that will last, hold up to moisture, and don’t take away from the aesthetic. Contractors are often forced to sacrifice when using a caulking product. Perhaps it has the waterproofing properties required for a job but can’t be painted to match its surroundings. So, what’s the solution? Can a paintable, water-resistant caulk with superior elasticity meet all your needs?
Typically, you’ll have to choose between latex, which is paintable and easy to tool, and silicone, which has good adhesion and water resistance. Neither of these covers all the bases, but we have good news for you. There are new technologies that offer a better way.
Finding the right caulk that checks off every box can be challenging. Painting caulk gets even more complicated. Before you buy, ready these six important things to know about painting over caulk.
To do an excellent job for your customer on a kitchen or bath job, you need a sealant that will last, hold up to moisture, and don’t take away from the aesthetic. Contractors are often forced to sacrifice when using a caulking product. Perhaps it has the waterproofing properties required for a job but can’t be painted to match its surroundings. So, what’s the solution? Can a paintable, water-resistant caulk with superior elasticity meet all your needs?
Typically, you’ll have to choose between latex, which is paintable and easy to tool, and silicone, which has good adhesion and water resistance. Neither of these covers all the bases, but we have good news for you. There are new technologies that offer a better way.
Don’t compromise at the end of a long and arduous journey by using an inferior stain not designed for logs. Capture and Cascade deliver performance worthy of the journey that got you here.
Moves with your logs and timbers
Won't hide the wood grain
Easy clear coat maintenance with Cascade(R) exterior clear coat
Backer Materials that Seal Things Right the First Time Backer Rod, Grip Strip, and Log Gap Cap all help you create the ideal joint desing for a long-lasting, durable seal
Logs are in constant dynamic motion. That's why there's Log Builder®, the sealant made for log structures. Stretches up to 500% of original size, while still maintaining tenacious adhesion to the wood.
When other chinking pulls away, Log Jam holds its seal With Log Jam chinking, you can keep the cozy feel and rustic look of a log home without compromising comfort and performance.
Easy to Use - Hard to See Keep out weather, bugs, and moisture without seeing it. Conceal disappears into the woodwork so you don't know the wood starts and the caulk begins.
It's Music to the Eyes Symphony works in harmony with the unique character of your logs and wood to reflect an atmosphere or cozy warmth and elegance while creating and scuff-resistant and durable surface that's easy to dust.
Right Color. Right Quantity. Right Now. Never run out of stain at the jobsite again. Stock exactly what you need in your truck or trailer at the jobsite.
Easy to mix
The same color, durability, and application you've come to expect from Capture Log Stain and Transformation Log & Timber
Maintenance Made Easy Now that Capture® Log Stain is applied, it’s time for Cascade® Clear Topcoat to bring out the depth and character of your unique woodgrain while protecting it against moisture, mildew, and algae. Predictable and affordable routine maintenance with Cascade throughout the years means your home stays protected and beautiful. Easy!
Keep the Color the Color Colorfast delivers the ideal canvas for stain application and leaves behind the strong foundation necessary for long-lasting color. It’s color confidence for your log home.
Rot, weather, insects, fungi all pose a serious threat to your logs. Protect your investment—treat your logs first to make them last. Tim-bor® helps protect your home from the costly damage caused by rot and insect infestation.
Bugs don't stand a chance
Easy to mix and apply
Prevents decay fungi
Costs 5 times less than glycol-based borate products
Remove Wood Felting and Raised Grain Remove wood fuzz (called felting) after power washing or media blasting, and knock down excessive raised grain with Sashco's finish sanding tools
Clean and brighten bare logs and wood, remove surface dirt, pollen, and kill mold for maintenance, and keep your logs looking fresh with CPR Log Cleaner and Brightener
