A Contractor is a Reflection of You

This post is for those starting out in Kitchen & Bath Designing, Rookies.

There has to be a special bond or relationship with your installer or your contractor. The Contractor is your Ambassador to a project, your voice on the site. If he or she upsets your customer then you could get stuck with a cancelled project. So this post is for those who have the control to choose their team. NOTE: If you work for a “Big Box” store, your company should have sifted through and established a network of contractors that THEY trust. But for you, the one who is freelance designer, or works for a small distributor, these are some pointers in building your team.

Being a kitchen and bathroom designer; (with experience) it would still be difficult to find a new contractor to partner and trust for myself. It takes time to build that relationship you can trust. Every customer wants their kitchen or bathroom to be designed or remodeled with an experience designer and installed by a seasoned contractor, rather than being done by a rookie (in either position). So if you are in the search for a contractor; here are a few amazing things that you can consider while hiring your team.

Research

To hire a contractor (as a designer) is much like hiring an employee but with less control. You can be quick to fire them, but do you really want or need too? Do their talents highlight your talents? How is the communication? Can you imagine a problem spot, with a description over the phone? You never want the Chemistry, to be a hostel relationship in front of your customer. Remember you need each other but you don’t have to be together. Both parties can move on but you just do not want a divorce in the middle of a project. So once the project starts, the teamwork should click.

Style

A customer who spends extra money on kitchen and bathroom designer, instead of going straight to a Contractor may have a different set of expectations that you may have to live up too. They may need your work to be unique and innovative with a flair of your style, leave your mark. Does your contractor know you and your style. Are you keeping him or her busy. Are you both booked for the season or do you leave your Contractor hungry for work? Your livelihood depends on each other like an ecosystem. A symbiotic relationship. You are the Captain, can they trust you? In reverse are they sending customers to you? In return, you become their Ambassador of Design or are they taking it upon themselves to handle the project design, does that work for you? Your uniqueness and style should bleed through the relationship. Do you feel comfortable with them representing you? Keep this in mind in your pursuits.

Unity

Always try to get your contractor on board with your rates or estimates. Be clear on how the process works. Preferably you should work out an arrangement as to who will do the final quote. If there is an issue (at the site), who will give the bad news? What happens if he under OR over quotes your price? How do you handle it? That decision comes easier and more defined the more you work together. Your contractor should know you as well as you knowing them. Each should trust each ones judgment. Do you make it a point to visit the site after the job is done, as a courtesy? Invite your contractor to lunch. Twenty minutes can give you a clearer insight on some difficulties that caused the issue, so that you can adjust in the future. A small get together will work wonders bridging any judgment gaps. Everyone enjoys a free meal. Remember you just put someone's dream together.

Referral Discount

You maybe able to work out a "Referral Program" for your customer or your Contractor. For your Contractor you may take off charges on your end of the Design and give the Contractor the ability to pick the difference on their end for the work.

You can try to give your consumer a referral discount during the current work (if it is still in progress). Then get with your team and work out the refund. Whether it be joint or a breakdown in percentage to "mark-up" it will be beneficial for both parties. Remember that that customer is a vocal billboard and is pleased with their choice in you and your team and if your honest with yourself deserves a "Thank You".

How can you do it if the project is complete? For example, if they get their work done by you and your team, and they suggest your work to their relatives who need a remodel, then give them a discount on their next project, in exchange for their assistance in your new lead. This will assist you in referrals by word of mouth. That person already loved your work and their friends and family are looking forward to what you and your team can do for them. Award them, even if you just stop-by their home with a gift card. It's the sentiment that counts.

Transparency

The work that you & your team do for your customer(s) should be transparent. So should the actions and intent delivered by your Contractor. Also, be honest with the quality of the product that you use for designing their kitchens and bathroom. This helps to develop a healthy relationship with your customer and your new contractor. Also, make sure you and your team can complete the work in the stipulated time. This shows your punctuality and dedication towards a person’s time, helps your contractor to plan for more projects for himself in case you have nothing for him afterwards. Always obey the "Golden Rule", you and your team's integrity is at hand.

Remember these are just suggestions. Being a designer is a labor of love, for me. You make dreams possible, you and your team. If you have been following my posts, I cannot say it enough, “Relationships are everything.” So have fun building them.

#contractor #kitchen #sales #Designers #relationships #customer