Category
Marketing & Sales
Renovation Sales 101: Don’t get to price too early – especially when asked to ‘ballpark’
by Steve PayneIt’s probably the most important aspect of selling anything to anyone: Do NOT get to PRICE until you have established your VALUE.
Why don’t more contractors ask their customers to rate their services?
by John BleasbyOf three dozen subtrades and installers that John Bleasby dealt with on his recent new home build, not one asked him – as the general contractor – how satisfied he was with their work. There is money to be made – serious money – in asking that question.
Tips on running a one-man handyman operation
by Steve PayneJohn Bleasby interviews a consummate handyman professional: Wayne Jackson, Wayne Jackson Handyman Services, Amherstburg, Ontario.
Should you sign up with a contractor referral service?
by Steve PayneBen Kuypers compares the leads he is getting from three contractor referral sites: HomeStars, Trusted Pros and Baeumler Approved. He says HomeStars provides “more consistent and better quality” leads than the other two sites.
Should you do Freebies for customers? Part 2.
by Steve PayneYes, you can do a few favours for free – in the context of a much bigger reno. But don’t just blurt those offers out. Do them only after careful consideration.
Mike Draper, Renovantage, on calculating the correct deposit amount
by Steve PayneMike Draper, our resident contractor coach, tells you how to figure out a reasonable and fair deposit when you win a new project
Survey: 75 per cent of homeowners did NOT check online reviews before hiring contractors
by Steve PayneOnly FOUR per cent of the survey respondents say they “always” check contractors’ reviews online
A good deposit policy has allowed us to only get stung three times in 38 years
by Steve PayneYvette Aube’s chimney service company asks for deposits in the range of 25 to 33 per cent of the project total.
Calgary’s Albi Homes wins Deloitte Best Managed Company award
by Steve PayneYou have to know what business you are in – and what type of work you want to do. Albi Homes’ president Allan Klassen attributed his company’s success to “direction” and “focus.”
Our survey says: Your biggest headache is… marketing
by Steve PayneOur 7th annual Salary Survey, at the printer now (check here tomorrow for the digital edition), asked almost 40 questions. One of them was “What’s Giving You the Most Grief?” It’s marketing.
Is business slow? Maybe it’s your marketing?
by Alec CaldwellMarketing yourself as a contractor in the centre of a city may require a different approach than the type of marketing that will work in outlying areas.
Let’s talk cash economy
by Robert KociI recently hired a contractor to do some work that I couldn’t get to. His price was fair, but leaves me reeling at what the legitimate costs of a reno has become.
How’s your SEO?
by Robert KociEver punch in a search you expected would find your website on the first page? You might be surprised at what you don’t find.
Will Ontario introduce their version of the Home Renovation Tax Credit?
by Alec CaldwellOttawa’s Home Renovation Tax Credit, in 2009, pumped $4.3-billion of extra work into our industry. Now, a similar idea for Ontario has at least reached the conversation stage.
From tools to trucks: Home Hardware Pro Contractor trade shows pump up the prizes
by Steve PayneThere were prizes being announced almost every 5 minutes last night at the Home Hardware Contractor Pro Show in London, Ont.
Got a bad review on HomeStars? Read this interview with their CEO on what NOT to do about it
by Steve PayneHomeStars won’t help you out with getting bad reviews taken down, simply because you advertise with them.
(VIDEO) How to Stop Wasting Time on Bad Leads
by Steve PayneAs a professional renovator or custom home builder, you don’t have a second to waste on prospective customers who are really just tire-kickers. Watch this video to learn how to “qualify” all sales leads before you drive out to see them.
Goodbye Holmes Referred, hello Baeumler Approved
by Steve PayneThere are 300 contractors and other firms associated with the Baeumler Approved contractor referral program, Bryan Baeumler’s folks tell us