[Brian]

My company offers an On Time Guarantee. Many companies in Houston offer something similar, but they always have a window-- such as within 30 minutes. Our On Time Guarantee means on time.

Customers absolutely love it. I explain that their time is valuable and we respect it. And we put our money where our mouth is. If we are late (and don't call prior to the appointment time) we take $100 off their bill. This also applies to the crew each and every day of the job.

To date we've had to pay one time, and that was because we told the crew the wrong time to arrive.

I won a $10K job today in part because of this. The customer has had a hard time getting a flooring company to show up-- the guy missed 3 appointments and the customer concluded it would only get worse if he hired the contractor. I was responsive to all phone calls and emails, and the customer said that that plus our emphasis on puntuality won him over.

It's such a simple thing to be on time.

Brian Phillips

 

[vermontpainter]

Brian

Is this for appointments and daily start times only, or does it also apply to the finish date for the job?

 

[MAK-Deco]

Brian,

I try and pride myself on this also. I do not offer a guarantee but have had several clients over the years stress how important it was that I responded to calls in a timely manner and always was on time or early.

 

[MAK-Deco]

I always felt too that a professional proposal packet went hand in hand with the being on time thing.

 

[Dave Mac]

Yeap on time seems simple, but most are not.I however always give myself and my crews a half hour window. Traffic in this town is out of controll, so I always tell the client we will be their between 8 and 830. Works very good. Thats why I love the painting buisness, just doing what you say makes you ahead of most of your competition!!!

 

[MAK-Deco]

Thats why I love the painting buisness, just doing what you say makes you ahead of most of your competition!!!

Isn't that nice! :thumbsup:

 

[Brian]

Brian

Is this for appointments and daily start times only, or does it also apply to the finish date for the job?

Appointments and daily start times. There are factors out of our control regarding finish date, such as weather and add ons. I only guarantee things I can control.

Brian Phillips

 

[Brian]

Thats why I love the painting buisness, just doing what you say makes you ahead of most of your competition!!!

I agree, except I don't really regard people who don't do what they say they will do as competition.

Brian Phillips

 

[GMack]

Yeap on time seems simple, but most are not.I however always give myself and my crews a half hour window. Traffic in this town is out of controll, so I always tell the client we will be their between 8 and 830. Works very good. Thats why I love the painting buisness, just doing what you say makes you ahead of most of your competition!!!

Dave,

Do you afford your employees the same half-hour window each day?

 

[NEPS.US]

This makes a good case on why "word of mouth" advertising is the best form of advertising. Be a responsible contractor, keep your word and provide a quality product and the phone will ring. So many miss the small stuff.

 

[Dave Mac]

Dave,

Do you afford your employees the same half-hour window each day?

You bet, thats why I have the window. I have the best people in the buisness working for me, and consider myself very lucky, i do not micro manage. :thumbup:, We stay on the same page.

 

[Dave Mac]

This makes a good case on why "word of mouth" advertising is the best form of advertising. Be a responsible contractor, keep your word and provide a quality product and the phone will ring. So many miss the small stuff.

I couldnt agree more!!!!!!!!!!!! When you roll in for a estimate that you already have a refs from it it so much easier to sell. maybe thats why my closing rate for referall or repeat customers is almost double of advertising leads!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[vermontpainter]

I have the best people in the buisness working for me, and consider myself very lucky,

When did my people leave and go to work for you without me noticing?

 

[Dave Mac]

When did my people leave and go to work for you without me noticing?

I always thought their was enough good work for everyone!!! as their is always good people to do it!!!!!! plenty out their. seems like you feel the same way:thumbsup:

 

[GMack]

You bet, thats why I have the window. I have the best people in the buisness working for me, and consider myself very lucky, i do not micro manage. :thumbup:, We stay on the same page.

Wow, I was kidding . . . Couldn't imagine telling my guys, "between 7 and 7:30," but sounds like it's working well for you. Nice job, Dave.

 

[vermontpainter]

I always thought their was enough good work for everyone!!! as their is always good people to do it!!!!!! plenty out their. seems like you feel the same way:thumbsup:

Dave

There is plenty of good work. Not enough good people to do it. The more I advertise for employees, the more I find that "good" is a relative term.

 

[[email protected]]

In regards to responsiveness, I answer my phone at every ring. When I end up doing the bid I find out that I was the only one that responded... This is good when the folks don't want to persevere for 3 bids (making more than 3 calls to contractors and getting 3 responses our of 8 calls), they only make 3 calls and deal with who ever responds. 9x's out of 10 the one responding gets the job in this case. Always answer the phone and most likely you'll be that much closer to landing the job.

We are always on time, well.... My partner is...haha.. He usually shows up a half hour earlier and I am typically a half hour later because I am at the store getting product and he is onsite starting the job. I certainly like the accountability of $100 deduction. This will keep the schedule ontime and your clients comforted in their experience of a recommended or well known QUALITY contractor.

One of the primary issues we have as contractors is keeping the client confident and stress free of our ability to perform and give what they have payed for.

 

[Housepainter]

I use a tag-line, "Workmanship you will be proud to showoff!" I keep this in mind as I prep-and-paint. I also do a walk through with the customer on the completed work before handing them the statement for the completed job. Those along with keeping my schedule and keeping the customer informed are vital to building a referral based business.

 

[Housepainter]

In regards to responsiveness, I answer my phone at every ring. When I end up doing the bid I find out that I was the only one that responded... This is good when the folks don't want to persevere for 3 bids (making more than 3 calls to contractors and getting 3 responses our of 8 calls), they only make 3 calls and deal with who ever responds. 9x's out of 10 the one responding gets the job in this case. Always answer the phone and most likely you'll be that much closer to landing the job.

I have found this true also, I just bid and received a job where 5 other painters had been "called and voice massages" left, without a one return call. I advertise my cell phone and answer it unless talking with someone, or both hands are being used like a brush in one hand and holding to the ladder with the other. Even then i will return the call within a minute or two.