For people in the business of home projects, a positive reputation can be one of their greatest tools when it comes to getting more work. Home contractors face many threats that could damage their reputation, however, so be sure to avoid these three things when it comes to preserving your own good reputation.
Poor Customer Service
Failing to be responsive, timely, and professional can be a death knell for a contractor’s reputation. Be proactive in trying to have stellar customer service. Try to anticipate potential problems and listen to customers’ requests and complaints. Try your best to be accommodating, even though some customers can make difficult demands as far as scheduling and other changes.
It’s important to be prompt. Return phone calls, emails, and other messages as quickly as you can and try to be flexible in order to make yourself available for meetings with your clients. Do your work on time and be sure to communicate any delays or issues to your client. Staying connected is essential. And as always, be respectful towards your clients. Unprofessional behavior can upset clients and lead to long-lasting grudges, which can easily leave your reputation damaged for a long period of time.
Negative Reviews
Bad publicity can be disastrous for your company. Negative reviews, including poor online reviews, are one way in which your business’s name can get out there in the wrong way. As many as 44 percent of consumers use online reviews before hiring home service professionals, so negative reviews are sure to reach a lot of people.
In order to avoid amassing poor reviews, put yourself in the shoes of your customer to see where you can improve. Listen to constructive feedback. In addition, encourage more of your customers to leave reviews in order to build a bank of good reviews and tip the scales in your favor.
Unreliable Equipment
Having old or otherwise unreliable equipment can cause problems—equipment that frequently breaks down or works slowly can slow down the project and give customers a bad impression of your professionalism. Make sure your equipment is kept in good repair and looks nice. A new coat of paint can work wonders, and you can include your company logo in order to slip in an advertisement for your business. Think carefully about old equipment and decide whether or not it is worth it to keep it as is, give it a makeover, fix it, or sell it.
A home contractor’s reputation is incredibly important. A good reputation will get you more business, while a poor reputation will deter people from coming to you. When it comes to maintaining a positive reputation, keep in mind your customer service, reviews, and equipment. Do your very best to represent your business well, and your efforts will pay off.
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