Hiring Contractors - Part One

Employing a remodeler may appear as though it's a difficult chore. A book could be filled about the better details of employing home improvement remodelers.
Starting with the basics here so you are able to feel more positive in your pursuit of getting construction jobs done correctly. Most people do not even recognize where to start out.
Not only can it be difficult to discover a adequate contracting professional, the legalities of employing one could be unclear.

If and when you find a great remodeling contractor that comes highly commended, there's zero guarantee everything will work out swimmingly on your job. So how do you cover yourself?
Researching and reference is your best defense. Whenever something feels funny, it most likely is. Believe in your instincts, Only since you're unaccustomed to employing a contractor does not make you a mark. Begine to watch for red flags, those little indications there perhaps is something amiss.

Alot of folks review upon a sorry situation and remember those little bad signs, but do not follow up on their gut instincts until the damage is done.
A contractor that attempts to make you look unintelligent or meddling only because you ask queries should be passed on and not hired. Many questions need to be answered when someone is going to be working on your most valuable asset and are encouraged by reputable businesses. Questions and answers will prevent miscommunication's, and this will be advantageous to everyone concerned.

Many customers do not even recognize what questions to ask. In a following blog I will go over in detail what points to go over with contractors when getting general home improvement projects completed.

How To Impress A Home Improvement Contractor

I have been pondering how in the lead generation business you can "impress" a contractor. We try many things at our company, as contractors are our business. It seems a difficult and ever changing task though. Some contractors seem to like our program and enjoy getting more business through their subscription with us. Others are less than "impressed" and when approached with what will make them happier with the service don't seem to really have a handle on that. Some say to make the service less expensive. while others say that if we could secure the deal of the home improvement project for them that's what would satisfy them. While others still seem just down right unable to please. We honestly do everything we can to make their experience with our service a pleasurable one. After all without "them" there would be no "us." I am always interested in ways we can improve our overall customer rating. So if you have any ideas certainly share them with me. If you are currently on our service let me know what you appreciate or what you think could be changed for the better. We are in the business of servicing our contractors and that's what we'd like to perfect. We do everything in our power to provide our clients with relevant information at a reasonable price. I'd love to hear from contractors out there if you are with another lead generation service that really meets your needs, what is it that makes them special to you? Perhaps you've had a less than favorable experience with a lead gen company, I'd like to hear about that too so we don't make the same mistakes they did for you. If you would like more information on our home improvement lead generation service Click Here. Or if you are a homeowner looking for a Qualified Contractor to perform your home improvement project Click Here.

Northwest Window Company Is a True Hero-West Coast Vinyl

Every now and again you hear a tragic story of someone with a much needed home improvement gone wrong. Well here's one of a local in Renton, WA. A few weeks ago a Renton Washington woman hired a local company to replace eight windows in her home. The contractor quoted her about $5000.00 for the job. She paid upfront and sadly never heard from the contractor again. When she called the numbers he left for contact they all went to local malls food courts. A tragedy indeed she had fallen victim of a home improvement scam. Too often is the home improvement industry given a bad name due to criminals like this contractor taking advantage of this woman's trust. Well, there is a happy ending to this story. West Coast Vinyl a northwest favorite in windows for over 35 years comes to the rescue. Owner Jamie Keirstead saw this story on the local news and just knew something had to be done to rectify this poor woman's situation. He immediatley contacted the newsroom that ran the story and offered his family's company West Coast Vinyl's services offering to replace the widowed woman's eight windows free of charge. Wow! What a great community offering, it surely shows that companies still have heart no matter how large and successful when run by great people great things can happen.

Home Improvement Contractor

If you are looking for a qualified home improvement contractor, look no further. You have found a well established company that's on your side. We pre-screen all of our contractors to make sure they are not just the goofballs that work out of their truck. We want to make sure that you are happy with the contractor as well as the work they perform on your home. We also want to make sure that if you are not satisfied we take care of that on our end as much as possible. If you ever have a less than superior experience from one of our qualified contractors we want to hear about it. Now, we can't guarantee that we can fix the issue but we are not afraid to get involved as somewhat of a moderator at best. If you do have a great experience with our companies, let your friends and neighbors know, if they are planning a home improvement project we'd love to help get them connected as well. The best part of our service is that it is all FREE!! No cost to you from us or from the contractor for the free estimate. So check us out and let us know what you think!
Give us your opinions

Post Your Link Here

I am noticing that there is a big issue with getting viewed on the internet... Duh! So I propose an offer, If you respond with your link I will go to your page and verify that it is related to home improvement. If that's the case, I will keep your link on my page for as long as you keep mine on yours. As long as we are speaking the same language, it should work out great. Now mind you this will be moderated, no post will be accepted until moderated and verified that you are not trying to spam my site. If you are legitimate, I will keep up my end of the bargain. Besides, I'd love to hear what the general public has to say about my blog anyway. If this catches your attention let me know.

Is it the Economy?

So the home improvement lead generation business came to a screeching halt during the past couple of days to about the last week or so. It's like everyone in the home improvement world has died or something. It has thankfully recently picked up. I guess there could be a lot reasons for it, could be the sulking economy, the time of year and some have even noted the election as being part of the problem. I guess there could be some distraction with McCain's running mate. Most of the men I have spoken to think she's pretty hot. For an older lady with several children I guess she is. All I know is that Republican is the way to go. Before I was versed in the ways of the world and by listening to my grand parents I would have voted Democrat all the way. However, a little bit of growing up and seeing what the world was all about, I have completely changed to and will never stray from Republican. It is the way things should be done, it may not be the nice way all the time or best for the minority but it's really the strong and smart that keep this country going anyway. I know there are so many other proponents of the Democrats such as my sister who is a public school teacher, or other good old fashioned honest people. the truth is folks, there is no longer any decency in this world and if you do find it, it will surely be few and far between all the rest of the crap that's so easily available. So the answer is run the country like a business and you can't go wrong. If you can't survive in business, you shouldn't be there. Same with the country, if you can't go out and with all of the opportunities of this great land can not find your niche, then I guess you aren't trying hard enough. No one said it was going to be easy. The bottom line is those who want "it" will strive for it and get it and the rest of you will wait for the government to take care of your needs. We'll see who comes out on top. www.homeimprovementcorner.com

This Contractor Lead Biz is a Tough One!

It seems everything going out these days is trying to come back for a credit. The only problem is (for the contractors anyway) we call all of our credit requests to verify the contractor's story. We tend to get a lot of contractors that claim they are not able to get in contact with our leads. Funny thing is we call every single lead before we sell it to them so they have been contacted by us and for the contractors not to be able to get them seems kinda sketchy. Now mind you I am generalizing here, not all of our clients try to turn everything back for credit but there are enough that do so I thought it would make a good article.
Most recently, a contractor submitted a lead back to us saying they called the prospect 3 times and each time were told to call after 5pm. They stated when they called after 5pm they were not able to reach anyone. We called that lead to verify as we always do and we talked to the Mrs. who confirmed that not only were they still looking for estimates on their , her husband was handling it all and would be available after 5pm. We advised this contractor to try the customer again. It's actually quite a bargain to get leads from us because we do try to go the extra mile in that we call all leads prior to sending them over and we try to assist the contractor in his/her credit requests by speaking to the homeowners ourselves.
Often times we find that the budget of the homeowner didn't meet the contractor's needs. The laborer didn't feel it was justified to even go out and perform an estimate based on the customer's base price. Now bottom line everyone wants to get something for nothing or as inexpensive as possible. Homeowners included, the trick isn't working within their numbers but more so working with their numbers. If the homeowner says they only want to spend $1200.00 to replace a couple of kitchen cabinets, it's really the contractor's job to take advantage of that opportunity to go out, meet and greet the customer and up sell them on why their kitchen would look much nicer and increase the value of their home if all cabinets matched and were upgraded equally. It's not about selling someone something they don't want, I think that's where the contractor goes wrong...they hear a price and get discouraged when really what the customer is saying is, "here's an opportunity, now show me what you're willing to do with it for me." If the contractors would be willing to enter into an agreement with consumers based on their initial price or request it would instill trust with that consumer who would then be more likely to trust the contractor when upgrades are suggested.
Another common return reason is that contractors say that the consumer decided to complete the project themselves. This is true to a point, when initially called the consumer confirms they are looking for estimates for their home improvement project, the contractor will then turn that back to us SCREAMING (literally) "THIS IS A DO IT YOURSELFER!!!" Upon calling the consumer back we are often told that the contractor was not even willing to come out and take a look, instead they basically laughed in the consumer's face and told them they should just do the job themselves for that price. It like the contractor gets offended that the homeowner is not a professional and doesn't realize how much they need to spend to get what they are looking for. Come on, these are consumers not professional builders and remodelers, they may need some guidance. Instead of utilizing this opportunity the contractor throws it away. The consumer has already determined they want the work done, now they will continue to look for someone who will take the job for the asking price or at least give them some direction as to why what they need may cost a bit more. If I want to buy something and have a budget I am more than willing to spend more if I am convinced that it is necessary. I guess what I am trying to say is "Get a sales team guys!" Or at least buy a book on selling if you are your only line of defense when it comes to persuading people to buy from you.
We get a lot of clients that say that they don't need any more business, I never got that one personally. So let me get this straight you do this as a living and you don't need to increase your profit? Nonsense! If my boss offered me a raise no matter how much I made I would never spit in his face saying, "No thanks, I make enough money!" What a stupid statement. Money makes the world go round people. These contractors I imagine will not be in business for long as that's not a very good long term attitude to have. So bottom line, contractors need to give the consumer reasons to trust their professional determinations none of which can ever happen if you don't even take the time to get to know your client and their limitations. You have to drive out to the job and "Take a Look!" Good luck in your endeavors.....~Home Improvement Guru