Adding Value to a Home

A house with a newer and larger bathroom is automatically going to be more valuable in many cases compared to a house with an older and smaller bathroom. People who are trying to sell their houses in a market that still has not recovered should really try for the most efficient upgrades. Houston home improvement services can really help people with their bathroom renovations if necessary. It’s going to be too expensive for most people to upgrade their entire homes. However, they still might be able to afford a few renovations, and it makes sense to make them the most purposeful.

Bathroom Home Improvement Suggestions

Obviously, a bathroom that has faulty plumbing needs to be repaired right away. Problems with plumbing can quickly become major problems that are going to have a huge effect on an entire house. However, even a bathroom that appears to be in proper working order can still work well when it comes to home improvement. The bathroom is an area that is going to be more difficult to keep clean that any other room in the house, and that is going to make it even more important for people to be able to give it the attention that it deserves. HVH Remodeling of Houston is one of the main sources for most bathroom renovation ideas.

Many people are now trying to make their bathrooms more environmentally friendly. Installing low-flow toilets and shower heads can really make a difference when it comes to the quality of a bathroom and the amount of water that it uses. Lots of people are going to save on their water bills automatically as a result of making the appropriate switch in this way, and that is gong to give people the opportunity to make a change to the bathroom in a cost-effective manner.

New Bathroom Additions

Some bathrooms don’t have bathtubs. They have showers only, and that’s going to limit the options of users. Installing a tub instead of a shower, assuming the bathroom is large enough, is sometimes going to be the best solution for the people involved when it comes to adding value to a bathroom. Bathrooms that give people more options may be perceived as better.

Other upgrades to a bathroom can be more decorative. Automatic soap dispensers and towel dispensers might look better than the manual items that they replaced. These items can actually make a bathroom more hygienic in some cases as well, but more importantly, they are going to improve the look of a bathroom.

Expanding a bathroom in terms of size is going to be difficult in most cases. However, some houses are built to accommodate larger bathrooms. People are going to have to look at the layout of their homes in order to see what home improvement projects are feasible and which ones are not.

Have you learned anything in the last couple of years? Let’s take a look around the country because I have some raving fans that like to bust my balls when some of my buddy contractors think I’m pulling a fast one when I here someone say man I’m not making the money I once was. Huh?

I guess I’m a sucker for this type of talk because anyone that knows me sees me about to explode. I have seen more then once I might add and heard this before.

But before I go off here let’s talk about the way to fix the no money problem. First I can fix it real quick. It depends if they want a slow death or just shoot me in the head and get it over with?

Find the Money!

The core problem mainly is because they won’t or don’t niche down into their market and find the real product or service that pulls in the most profit. Contractors and business in general like to sell everything they can get there hands on just to try to satisfy there client.

But more then most are really not good at all things. Right? Some things they excel at and make a great profit  and some things they sell just to keep the client happy even if it cost them money.

This is where the main problem lies. Because while they are doing a job for next to nothing  plus they really don’t like it anyway they are leaving the more profitable jobs sit and wait.

So how do you learn to say I’m sorry Mrs. Jones but we don’t do this type of work, but let me recommend someone for this project. See how easy that was. Now your further ahead of the game and you still have a happy client.

Priceless!

Contractors and businesses need to look at there company and do there do diligence and make sure they are making the money to prosper and live a nice balanced life.

You can also niche down your marketing to match your overall goals.

Without an excellent service department or a way to back up everything you sell then you are wasting your good efforts.

Customer Service Matters

You cannot build a contracting business that will last without customer service.

First, think about this.

Do you understand the difference between a customer and a client? A customer is someone you sell to one time! You could care less to ever see or here from them again ever. One time sell you have there money and thank you and good bye.

But, a client is someone that you care about. You take them under your wing and guide them throughout the total buying experience and you follow them all the way threw there project with only one thing on your mind. Make sure your client is 100% satisfied at all cost to you.

When you take this path or approach you will learn everything about your client in the process. Your client will be able to feel and see that you truly are putting them above all others and that they are what is important to you .

Longer Term Benefits

So right from the start choose to have only clients in your business and make sure that every person or employee or subcontractors clearly understand the difference. Educate them why you feel this way and show them why this will help build a better contracting business for the long haul.

This will also make your service department run more efficient because your client feels at ease knowing you will be there to service all there needs now and in the future.

I have found this is an easy way to receive referrals and ask for client testimonials for future marketing campaigns.

Always put your clients first and your business will excel with less effort and marketing cost. In Houston, TX, and other fine southern cities like it, reputation means a lot. So guard your reputation as a quality contractor with care.

Customer Service Concerns

See there is always some bad but then we have the good to look at too. Let’s ponder this for a second. Yes it may be a while before homes start selling again. But maybe not. When the government begins buying these homes, they will have fire sales to dump them as quickly as they can.

I know what your thinking: Who is going to buy them? You and me because now they will be priced to where we can afford to buy them and rent them. See before they were priced too high and the payments were too high to be able to use them as investments.

I can remember the days when my father preached to buy real estate as your investments. You can never go wrong with real estate. Well this was because it was priced where you could make a return on your investments.

So now those days are back again. Just keep in open mind and look into some real estate when it comes available.

The next thing to keep in mind is that people will stay in there existing homes longer and decide to remodel or fix up their homes. So don’t sit on the sidelines waiting this out because there is a ton of work out there.

Now is the time to go after more work because a lot of contractors are sitting on the sidelines waiting to see what happens. There is a ton of money to be made in this market right now. Just take ACTION and get out there and take advantage of lower home prices.

Make sure you sign up for contractorblab.com soon to go live with a great series to keep you motivated and looking and moving forward to growing your company.

Wow, I had to think about that one for a minute. What would that be like to not have the big three around? After all, I have driven Ford pickup trucks for the past 25 years. My last F150 had 300,000 miles on it and still run like a top, as they say in the business.

My father owned a Chrysler dealership in Ohio back in the 50-60’s when I was growing up. I still have some of his original literature from back then. It would be a sad day to see such a great tradition go away.

When you look at the big picture and all the people they employ, along with all the parts suppliers and their employees, losing these companies would have a major snowball effect.

I am a huge Hot Rod fan and I go to a lot of shows, and I have several buddies of mine that make their living in the car business.

I think America needs to wake up here and think about what could happen if we do not go out soon and buy a new car or truck.

Contractors all around this country can make a difference. You can go out this week and buy that new truck you have been looking at. Prices will never be lower and you are able to write it off as a business expense.

So step back and think what could happen, and let’s do the right thing and buy a new truck this month. We can all band together as contractors and do our part and show the rest of America that we love the big three and we are here to give back and make sure they stay right here to serve us.

My How Things Have Changed.

During normal business times and without any storms or hurricanes or now the economy suppliers are hurting for business.

I believe right now is the best time to get on board with your suppliers of choice. Yes, now is the time to shop around for pricing also.

But try to look at your supplier as your business partner. Lets face it you do a lot of business with your suppliers and you need them as much as they need you.

So it’s a two way street on getting material on time and I have found that if you pay within 15 days you can always receive a much better price. Now, I know a lot of times this is impossible pending on what kind of contractor you are and how you get paid on your work.

But, let me also say that waiting times for your money has been getting shorter from builders and commercial contractors. Gone are the days of 60-90 days of waiting to get paid. At least I hope you do not fall into that trap.

To me 30 days or less when working with these type of contractors should be the way to be paid.

So, working with your supplier  and keeping them informed on the business you have in your pipeline can help you with not only great prices but shorter lead times and good service if needed.

I have talked to a lot of contractors that do not even ask for better pricing. Do not be afraid to ask for better pricing, because almost always you can get better pricing.

Just remember to think of your suppliers as business partners and treat them the with the same respect that you would ask for.

Wow! I bet this got your attention? Man with all the media hype on pay I thought I should bring it up so we can all talk about this topic.

I mean everybody knows contractors live in the fast lane and we all make the “big bucks” and according to the big dogs in Washington if we make over $200,000 a year now then we will be put in a class along with the Washington head bangers and taxed to death.

I don’t no about you but where in the hell is this country headed. Man I lose enough sleep over my jobs, now I got all this other crap to worry about.

I am kind of glad dear old dad has past on because just the news that Fiat and the union own Chrysler would be enough to knock him over for good since he was a dealer back in the 50’s and 60’s.

Mom and dad drove Chrysler’s to the day they both passed on. Plus he was as tight as they come and all this bailout crap would have drove him nuts. My poor mother would have had hell to pay with the old man going off the deep end after watching all the bad news.

I sure can see why the tea parties have gained momentum and I would say when the next election rolls around I believe the independent voter will be in the guided seat.

There is not a business that I don’t talk to that’s not worried on what’s going to happen to them. I don’t no about you but it really makes me hot under the collar when I see people in there 50 and 60’s losing everything they have to all the mess around them.

I mean who do you really trust nowadays? If you can’t trust your local banker who can you trust?

I have always made the most money in the down turn years, but not this time. I have never seen it so soft in my business.

All  3 American made car dealers closed yesterday in our town, leaving Toyota and Nissan the only dealers left. They all had new buildings and had been in business over 20 years plus.

I would say they let go over 150 employees total. The owners got nothing for there business. How in the hell does this country call this fair business practice.

Plus you look at all the bondholders and shareholders who thought they were protected and now wiped out with a law that has been an effect over 236 years and you wonder what the government is thinking. How can this happen in our country?

How can we sit back and let this happen? Again and again!!

OK I will get down off my box and thank you all for listening.

I guess all I can say is I’m sorry mom and dad and may you continue to rest in peace.

My vacation time starts this week and boy I need it bad. Hey, it’s been a rough year but a great one so far also.

Most contractors I hope take some time off and clear the old noggin once in a while.

When I say it’s been rough year I must say that with laughter because I have never lived a year like this one in my lifetime.

Never have I had to work so hard to make the phone ring with leads plus work so hard to close sales.

I’m just not used to having clients get 6 estimates and then try to beat you up along the way. I have used the “sorry I’ll pass” on doing the work for nothing!

I just feel if I got to go threw all the motions I will make some moo la  along the way. Right?

Hell anyone can work for wages as long as it’s not me!

No, for me it’s time to stay with it and grind out some market share along the way because my competition seems to be on vacation all year.

I must say it has been a challenge this year because my normal competitors that I butt heads with normally have been missing in my market. So I have had to deal with out of the area “contractors” and this comes with learning there sales skills and pricing models.

I just can’t wait to get back to some normalcy in our local market. But then again maybe it won’t come back?

Anyway the Smokey Mountains are calling my name again and the drive there will be a riot as usual and to stop at my favorite fried chicken dinner place in Madison Ga.

Shades of the past hot rod show will be a blast to. Sitting along the blvd. watching all the cool cars and the mix of people driving by at night. This alone is worth the trip.

It”s quite simple!

You need to do an internal marketing audit and inventory of your marketing activities and processes and then start looking at the best performing ways to improve upon it.

Take a look within your company, do you have 1 salesperson that stands above the rest each and every month? I mean this person meets or always exceeds your expectations every day and every month.

Now what does he or she do different that lets them sell above everyone else? So why not replicate there process or model and then have everyone in your company apply it also?

Go outside your company!

Take a look at contractors outside your area or even within your market. Do they have better ways of marketing,selling,lead generation,conversion or up selling? Then borrow there ideas or process and use it for yourself.

Now, I am not saying to do anything unethical but if you find someone outside your area call the contractor and do an interview and explain what your up against and ask for some advise.

Go outside your industry!

Try to find related businesses that stand out and then adapt,adopt there processes into your business. Make sure that you can measure,monitor,and analyze the performance of each action you take and do not be afraid to drop the under-performing  ones that are not working.

There will be the ones that increase your sales,revenue,profits and your performance and also increase your business and your client base.

Marketing without a doubt is the most important up side leverage any contractor can do to increase there sales and business.

So take a look at how you manage your marketing for your contracting business because upside leverage is the fast way to exponential growth.

Yes, something so easy but this is the kind of stuff that keeps you awake at night. Right!

So how do you make sure your client clearly understands how important this is to you. Sure we ask to make sure were apples to oranges and pending what kind of contractor work you perform most of the time just ask.

When were dealing with other contractors it’s easy to ask them. But if your dealing in the retail market your client holds onto this information.

I must say, I have gotten bolder on making sure that all bidders are on the same page and at times I have demanded to see all estimates.

After 25 years in the business I have seen everything out there when it comes to bidding. So if I am bidding with builders or commercial work I detail my contracts to where they clearly understand my bid.

I try to make sure that all the retail sales staff do the same also. I believe this truly sets you apart from other contractors. Plus if you do need to raise that ugly wild hair once in a while to see other bids then you will have nothing to be ashamed of with your bid.

So, again work hard to be on the same page with your clients and communicate with them and never be afraid to ask to see the compared bids.