Category
Marketing & Sales
Renovantage’s Mike Draper on turning leads into customers
by Steve Payne“Never email a quotation,” Draper counsels. “Always visit with the client to go over the details so that you can make adjustments to include or exclude changes the customer wants to see.
Getting a website? Forget .COM. How about .BUILD, specifically created for the construction industry
by Brynna LeslieIf you don’t have a website yet – or even if you do – you may want to consider taking advantage of the latest domain name. Forget .com and .org and .ca. An industry entrepreneur from Los Angeles has created…
What women want, and why you should care
by Brynna LeslieYou may be negotiating with the man of the house, but here’s something to keep in mind: According to Nielsen marketing, women influence 80 per cent of consumer purchasing decisions – everything from groceries to tires to, you guessed it,…
The value-add: Help clients understand ways to finance home renovations
by Brynna LeslieI’m sure you’ve all been there. A client asks about a renovation, you meet to discuss the options and he backs out. Have you ever considered it’s the cost that gets people down? A lot of people are intimidated by…
How to sell, sell, sell your renovations expertise year round
by Brynna LeslieWinter’s coming and you may be up to your eyeballs in work right now. Great, right? But what are you doing to prepare for that inevitable slowdown in January? “Market when you’re busy and you won’t have a not-busy time,”…
Protecting cash flow
by Brynna LeslieLearning to manage cash flow is one of the most important things you’ll ever learn as a business owner. Cash flow mismanagement can very likely sink you. And it’s not just a problem for small companies — almost every major…
Is your crew undermining your reputation as a contractor?
by Brynna Leslie“I watched as a crew showed up the day after Canada Day to spend four hours sitting on the front porch, drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes.”
Promoting your contracting business via Facebook
by Brynna LeslieHave you been avoiding Facebook because you think it’s just for kids? Think again. There are more users over the age of 40, including men, on Facebook than there are teenagers. It’s an excellent medium to promote your reno services.
VIDEO: Flip School's Ian Szabo talks about keeping a positive mindset when renovating
by Steve PayneKeeping your cool under pressure in this crazy business of renovating houses is a matter of learning to “hit the reset button” in your own head, Ian Szabo advises.
Boost your reno sales without sounding like a car salesman
by Robert KociIt’s important to understand that people only do renovations because they have pain. While your client is explaining to you what they want done, your job is to find the real “pain point.” Is your prospective client embarrassed by the poor condition of their residence? Have they promised an upgrade in living space to their spouse?
Coaches' Corner VIDEO: Solving problems with the homeowner, Part 1
by Robert KociIn our latest Coaches Corner video (here), Mike Draper of Renovantage.com chats with Rob Koci, associate publisher of Canadian Contractor. This week’s topic: How to get to the REAL root of any problems you may be having with homeowners during…
Managing your online reputation: VIDEO interview Part 2 with Brian Sharwood, HomeStars
by Robert KociYou are online whether you want to be or not. You need to manage what is being said about you and your company.
How to manage your online reputation: Interview with Brian Sharwood, HomeStars
by Robert KociIt’s a listing you never asked for and don’t want and there are bad reviews from angry customers attached. What can you do? HomeStars president Brian Sharwood tells us why the listing is there and how to protect your reputation.
E-newsletters for renovators: Five keys to success
by Steve PayneNewsletter marketing is a great way for renovation contractors to add new customers.
Can ClubLocal become the "Amazon of home repair"?
by Steve PayneClub Local is funded by wealthy publicly-traded owners, and the website promises homeowners needing repairs that they can track the whereabouts of their tradespeople “in real time.” And that the trades hired online will do their work for “below market” prices. Good luck with that.
Why most renovations start in the kitchen… and what homeowners might be missing
by Steve PayneWhat web search data tells us about how Canadian homeowners go about finding a contractor online
VIDEO: What contractors earn – Outrank Salary Survey
by Steve PayneAlmost a quarter of all renovation contractors who responded to our survey are making six figures.
Home inspection: a new revenue stream for you?
by Robert KociHome Inspection is a growing industry for which renovators are well suited