When I was a little kid, my father, who was a union elevator constructor, always told me to use my brain instead of my body for work when I grew up. As a lot of kids do, I half listened and obtained a degree in mechanical engineering. I started my career in the supervision aspect of commercial construction, but my interest and talent rested in hands-on construction. Coupled with a desire for self-employment, I started my construction company over 20 years ago. I began by helping friends and family with simple everyday household repairs and installations. Word of mouth grew as did my client list. Hundreds of clients, over 2 decades of work later, and I am still at it.
My consistency and growth can be attributed to a few basic principles. The first is to be nice to the clients. Most new clients are coming from a point of uncertainty. They are unsure who to trust and how to proceed. I spend extra time and effort to alleviate those fears and explain the process. Simple, straightforward conversations, save both parties wasted time and energy.
The second principle is a fair price for the project. It takes time and effort to find customers, cultivate relationships, and earn each other’s trust. One of the pillars to establishing that mutual respect is a knowledge that the price being charged is fair and the project will be completed timely. Using this approach, we enjoy repeat clients. We still have active clients from our first year in business. It is easier to maintain an existing client than to find a new one.
Finally, we provide a solid product. I was told, repeatedly, from a young age by my father, “if you are going to do something, do it right.” That directive coupled with my engineering degree aids in delivering superior finished products, while finding solutions to difficult in-progress construction problems. My combination of formal education and hands-on experience provides a unique combination that is used in my day-to-day work. It is always cheaper and faster to do it right the first time.
Be nice to clients.
Offer a fair price.
Provide a superior product.