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How Hiring a Contractor and Dating Are Similar
Thu 10 Sep 2009 - 08:21
How Hiring a Contractor and Dating Are Similar
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Nick_May]Nick May
So it has been a while since I have been on the dating scene, but one thing I can remember, is spending a lot of time in the mirror getting ready. I would style my hair three different ways. I would make sure I had no facial imperfections, I would try on about 4 or 5 different shirts. All because I wanted to look my best. Now when I got there, and I was always a little early, I would be a perfect gentleman. Open doors, ask her opinion, and listen to what she said.
So when you are trying to hire, you should be receiving this kind of attention from your contractor. He/she should look good, speak well, and listen to your opinions. So how will this look?
First impressions really do matter, are they on time? I hear two thing the homeowner say about other contractors, they are either 20 to 30 minutes late, or they will show up an hour early with no regard to the homeowners time. I will be the first one to acknowledge that things happen, and you can not always get to where you want in time, but bad traffic is not a good excuse...traffic is always bad. If someone is going to be even 5 min. late, they should call you.
And to show up an hour early and say, "I was in the neighborhood, and just thought I'd come over." is a crock. Who doesn't have a cell phone? Both of these scenarios tell you they have NO regard for your time. They should be putting their best foot forward and if they can't do it before you sign the contract, they won't do it after the contract is signed either.
So when they come to provide you with an estimate, do they put their best foot forward? I am not saying that a painter needs to come to your home in a shirt and tie, but it would be nice if they didn't wear the paint clothes they just painted in all day. Do they care about their appearance? Again, they don't have to step out of GQ magazine, but if they don't give a rip about their appearance, do you think they will give a rip about your home, your stuff, or your walls? Not likely.
So let's say they showed up and looked a mess. I would have to say he did not make the cut. Doesn't matter how slick talking or good the price is. If your date showed up a mess, you may not even go out at all with them once. This should be your 2nd criteria: Must look presentable. So let's say they passed the first 2 checkpoints: he was on time, and presentable. Next is how well does he communicate? If there are communication issues now, how will you know when the project is complete?
I can not tell you how many times I've asked a customer about another bid, and they don't know what is included. How many coats to be applied. Is the trim included. What kink of paint will be applied. How will the paint be applied. These are all basic essentials that the contractor must be able to communicate CLEARLY and in writing. If you were on a date, and he or she couldn't really hold a conversation with you, even if they were the best looking thing on the planet, you probably wouldn't return for a round two. Especially if your opinion was ignored all night.
What does the contract look like? This tells you a lot about a contractor. Is it neat? Is it complete? Is it hand written or typed on a computer? How long did it take to come back to you? I have heard so many stories of contractors that take a week or longer to give a bid on a project. What takes so long? The reality is that it does not take that long. Even if he has to calculate everything by hand, it would take the average painter on the average project an hour to create a bid. And it is always better to receive the bid or go over the bid together, so you understand. It should mean what it says, but if you have to read between the lines, it is easier to determine this with him in front of you. When things are promised verbally...IT WILL BE FORGOTTEN. It must be in writing.
The truth is, when a contractor shows up late, communicates poorly, is disorganized in their bid presentation, or takes weeks to return a bid, but is the lowest price out of three contractors, there is a reason. The homeowners should realize that the service they receive will be equivalent to the initial experience, or worse. If you went on a date for the first time and had a bad experience, would you then move want to repeat that experience? No, and neither should you expect anything different with a poorly presented contractor.
Nick May
One Coat Painting
303-791-4554 http://www.onecoatpainting.com
One Coat Painting provides customers with an easy, online estimator to price out projects, and specialize in painting walls and ceilings. We serve the Denver Metro area, including: Castle Rock, Evergreen, Highlands Ranch, Lakewood, Denver, Arvada, and adjacent cities.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_May http://EzineArticles.com/?How-Hiring-a-Contractor-and-Dating-Are-Similar&id=2806978
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