Contractors

mikea23

I have decided to increase the service side of my business But when you deal with home owners you have to dot all the I's and cross all the T's. What kind of forms do you guys use to protect yourself.

Mike A

Darrell

In general, I find the Homeowners to be at least as honest and forthright as the contractors that I have worked for. You should never work for a GC without having all the paper lined up.

I developed a checklist, much like you'd get at an autoshop, and I use it on every service call that is more than a quickie. It keeps me focused, and shows them what I did down in the basement. It also makes it easy to explain any bigger issues that need to be addressed on another call. I keep a copy in my records for a couple of reasons. 1). If there is any kind of claim, insurance or legal, the checklist demonstrates that I did do what any competent service man would do, and what the industry standard dictates. 2). It gives me a reference when they call me to come back and address the bigger issues. 3). It gives me a year to year running commentary on their equipment...and them. Yes, my copy has more notes on it than theirs does!

I don't think there is anyway to insulate yourself from lowlife's and no paper or signature is going to help much. Try to do honest work for honest people. Almost 100 percent of the complaint's that I get are at the instigation of a competitor or other self-appointed expert with an axe to grind. The checklist, a rough time card, the ability to explain your findings and actions on paper, and a reputation for honest work that is more concerned with the homeowners safety, security, and economy, than with your bottom line is the best defense against stupid claims by stupid people.

I'm not at the level whre I don't take new customer's...yet...but I am at the point that I may not take the call if it isn't a referral from a trusted source. And I walk away from any call, even after I'm on site, that I don't believe that both parties will win at.

Mostly, I'm happier working for Home Owners than Contractors...alot less stress, slower time frame, more appreciation, some of the neatest people on Earth. No more, "I like your work but you're 5% high...can you fix the numbers? We'll bump the budget on the next one for you."



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