Monday, May 9, 2011

WHAT IS A REMODELING COACH? WHY DOES A CONTRACTOR NEED ONE?

A remodel coach isn't just good for the client. Here's how a coach can help contractors. I worked with a coach on a large project in January and it was an awesome experience. I absolutely loved working with her and as a contractor who's been around a long time I'm really good at communicating with the homeowner but it was way easier working with a "liaison" as it were. I also love being the coach/liaison between homeowner and contractor. I'm up for anything that makes the process of remodeling easier and a "relationship that works for all".

A coach teaches contractors how to interview prospective clients so that they only take the very best rather than continually taking clients that they have red flags about or, out of desperation they may feel about having to get a job. A coach helps negotiate a clear contract that lays out, in total clarity, the details that pertain to their particular job and discuss the change order possibilities with homeowners so the job runs smoothly and according to schedule. The biggest area a coach helps contractors in is preventing disputes with the homeowner by being honest and open about the money and mess of home improvement.


One of the worst nightmares for a contractor is a customer who continually asks for work to be changed or redone and has no concept why that would cost extra money. Some of the main concerns for contractors include homeowners who:
• Don’t pay on time or continue to haggle about what is due
• Look over their shoulder and hang around constantly
• Asking a series of questions without allowing work to proceed in a timely manner
• Request work to be done without permits
• Try to get contractors to do more work and not want to pay for it
• Try to renegotiate the price after the job has been completed
• Change their minds, followed by constant complaints and nit-picking

If you feel like a potential customer is a “red flagger”, don’t try to get out of the job by overpricing it. Simply say “Thanks, but no thanks.” It’s OK to say no to a potential nightmare. It’s really about choosing a homeowner that’s the right client for you and bidding jobs properly so that the cycle of under earning and, therefore, not making a profit stops. I encourage you to show up for yourself and earn the money you deserve and the respect you are worthy of.

There is much to be improved around this topic of remodeling nightmares and being part of the solution is the only thing that will contribute to the healing of this industry. Remodeling on purpose is a two way street. When contractors are running a profitable company and paying both themselves and their employees, they are running a business-on-purpose. When homeowners are open and honest about what they desire and come clean about their expectations they are initiating a relationship-on-purpose.

No comments:

Post a Comment