What do you look for in a tradesman?

saving123

My husband is in the process of starting self employed as a builder and tiler. I am hoping to get information from people on what makes a tradesman stand out to them? Obviously word of mouth is important and being on time/clean and tidy/high quality work and reasonable prices but is there anything else?

I am also helping him to set up a website and wondered what people would want to see on a website if they were looking for a tradesman? I have the following sections at the moment - about us, why choose us?, gallery of photos of previous work/references and a contact form.

Thanks in advance

creased-leach

A nice a*se helps...




sorry, I'll get me coat

mikeouk

saving123 wrote: »

My husband is in the process of starting self employed as a builder and tiler. I am hoping to get information from people on what makes a tradesman stand out to them? Obviously word of mouth is important and being on time/clean and tidy/high quality work and reasonable prices but is there anything else?

I am also helping him to set up a website and wondered what people would want to see on a website if they were looking for a tradesman? I have the following sections at the moment - about us, why choose us?, gallery of photos of previous work/references and a contact form.

Thanks in advance

i have quite a few friends who are self employed builders and joiners. non of them advertise and non have a web site, they get all their work through word of mouth. i understand if you husband is just starting out, then its going to be a case of getting some work to start with. I would advise you to get some good quality fliers made with your website address on it and phone number ,and just spend a day locally stuffing them through doors. He also needs a presentable vehicle with some simple info on the side. Once he gets the ball rolling he needs to make sure he gets a reputation for good quality work at a reasonable price, turn up when he says hes going to and the rest will follow.
good luck

barnaby-bear

saving123 wrote: »

My husband is in the process of starting self employed as a builder and tiler. I am hoping to get information from people on what makes a tradesman stand out to them? Obviously word of mouth is important and being on time/clean and tidy/high quality work and reasonable prices but is there anything else?

I am also helping him to set up a website and wondered what people would want to see on a website if they were looking for a tradesman? I have the following sections at the moment - about us, why choose us?, gallery of photos of previous work/references and a contact form.

Thanks in advance

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Adventures-Plumbers-Mate-Christopher-Neil/dp/B00004CI0Z
seems to be a market for the above.

Seriously:
CRB checked.
Trade associations / memberships. Considerate contractors schemes/local council/age concern vetted.

Blackpool_Saver

Insurance?

ailuro2

Avoid calling him a tradesman in the literature - As a tradesperson who is female that would put me right off using him.:rolleyes:

Word of mouth is the biggest factor, so be prepared to undercut competitors to begin with in order to get good recommendations passed on, and of course you need to budget accordingly for this.

Giving a good quote or estimate, clearly laid out and providing what the customer asked for in the first place will go a long way to winning jobs - it's unbelievable the people we've had quote jobs who send a nice quote with the wrong job on it, or just give a rough price - that's very offputting.

Good Luck in his new venture.

belfastgirl23

I always always go for personal recommendation and would never consider using anyone from yellow pages etc. My main focus is not normally cost (as long as it seems reasonable for the job in hand) but more so is this a person I would feel comfortable with in my home. I like having a home phone no preferably with a family memer answering the phone - I like to feel that the person is settled IYKWIM. Only a mobile number on the card/site would turn me off immediately since they would feel untraceable. It's also good to have a sense of them as a decent person who is committed to their family. If you are doing a website I would suggest a pic of both of you as 'the business' assuming you are doing books/secretarial etc. And if he is doing quotes he should have headed paper with your address on it.

I know this all sounds a bit strange in a way since it's about personal qualities. But I like to employ people who I feel confident leaving with keys or being in the house alone with. That's far more important than anything else.

Also of course cleaning up after themselves, being clear about costs etc is important

Good luck with the business.

Oh and PS someone who will throw in a little something for free/goodwill makes a big difference. The last guy I had around doing work noticed on his way out the door that the hinge was a bit odd and fixed it there and then. It only took a few seconds but it did make me think he was interested in what he did and was a worker. When my painter was around and I was on hols he painted the rooms I'd asked but also touched up where there had been a leak in the bedroom ceiling without being asked or expecting anything. This sort of thing is a lovely good will gesture.

ali-t

I agree with the others who say word of mouth - I only use yellow pages etc as a last resort.

The main thing for me is to exceed expectations e.g. if you think a job will take 4 days if there are no complications then say it will take 5 days and you will make the customers day if you are packed up and away a day early.

Advertising or informing potential clients that you will clean up and leave the place spotless is another great selling point. It sounds petty but coming into mess spoils the effect of any work carried out.

Emmzi

I do use web and yellow pages.What i hate is pricing being a mystic art. I fsomeone says 'a typical bathroom refurb with white suite, bacis white tiles and all labour is usually aorund £x', I'll be much happier to talk to them.

A list of services
The call out cost stated clearly upfront/ whatever charges for quotations
Pictures of work they've done
Their qualifications
Length of service

I also like it when the phone is answered professionally. Hate people who answer with 'yup?' as opposed to the business name, don't return calls, don't change answering machine message when on holiday, etc.

beverleyhills

Being able to say that a particular job is beyond his competence.

Calling back in response to answerphone messages and mobile phone messaging services asp.

Making sure that that messages can be left on mobile phones.

Keeping appointments on time. Contacting the customer if running late or unable to attend.

Gavin83

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

I know this all sounds a bit strange in a way since it's about personal qualities. But I like to employ people who I feel confident leaving with keys or being in the house alone with. That's far more important than anything else.

Thats completely reasonable, I wouldn't want someone in my house I couldn't trust. What difference does their marital status make to that though? Why can't a single or divorced builder be as good as a married one?

Or is it more a thought that you like to think your money is going towards family life?