This is the negativism we face

John R. Hall

The construction trades have such low esteem in the public's eye and here is a perfect example. I read this in my local newspaper this weekend which is a question/answer column from a syndicated national columnist (AsktheBuilder.com):

"I am pregnant with my third child. My husband and I know we need more room. We are thinking about adding two rooms to our 1,100-square-foot-home, but don't have a clue where to start the process. WE ARE AFRAID OF GETTING RIPPED OFF BY CONTRACTORS and have no clue how much this might cost. What should we do?" -- Judith S., Boise, Idaho

I put my own caps in there. I intend to ask this "Tim" if she really asked that and why he included it in his question. Seems it only fans the flames.

Dave Yates (PAH)

Daily tasks

John,

We face such opposition on an almost daily basis. Can't say as I blame the HO's based upon their tales of woe and I use that as a springboard to promote our performance and warranties. All I need is the chance to get past the GC's and deal directly with the HO's so we can turn the tide on dumbing down the pricing to its lowest common denominator.

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John R. Hall

Shoot the messenger

I don't blame the HO for showing her dirstrust, Dave. I blame the guy who wields an influential stick and allegedly serves the construction trades for perpetuating this distrust. It's one thing to point out our flaws in the trade press, it's another to point them out in a general media publication. Sorry, but it's one of the pet peeves between this journalist and another.

Dave Yates (PAH)

Oops

I missed the point John, I'm with you.

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Jackchips

I doubt

it's a prevalent problem at all. It can't be just my area but the odds of getting a good contractor are huge. All of those who have been in business for any length of time have been successful by being reputable. I fault the HO more than contractors. Most of those who have problems do so because they are after the lowest price in all areas. They then either end up with someone from out of the area, someone known for his shady dealings or they hound their good GC so much for a low ball sub that the GC has to bail somewhere down the line. There are a dozen contractors in my area who I have either worked for or know by there reputation and I would recommend any one of them.
Maybe what we need more of are HO's who understand the value they receive for the money spent and less of those who are always looking for the "deal".

John R. Hall

The sad truth

The author sent me his reply, of which a portion is below:

"I was by no means fanning any flames. I was reporting the truth. I can't tell you the last time I got an email from a person saying, "Dear Tim, I just had a pro work on my house. What a pleasure!" Instead, I get over 100 emails a
day from people all across the USA who are in trouble because of poor workmanship."

I know that shoddy, unlicensed workmanship plagues every trade. It just irks me that we perpetuate the stereotype without offering solutuons on how to change it. Maybe there are no solutions but that doesn't mean that we throw in the towel, either.

Sorry, just ranting on a Sunday night. Time for my medicine.

DanHolohan

Tim Carter

I know him, John, and he's a straight-shooter. I first met him at the Construction Writers Association convention in D.C. when he was getting the award for the best website. He gave me a lot of guidance when we were putting together HeatingHelp.com. Smart fella and I'll bet he printed that letter from the homeowner exactly as written, warts and all. He's blunt and very independent. I think you'll enjoy your chat with him. Please give him my regards.

James_2

Reputation

Much of the negativism is self inflicted in this industry. Most times the licensed professional contractor is working in the office, or out selling. He hires and send inexperienced or untrained young men and women into the customers home for on the job training. I see a lot of training on the job site. I get call after call asking for help. Most contractors will not spend the time or the money for training. I put a sign up in my office out of frustration. Education is a daily requirement with all the new technology on the way. I struggle to keep up and most don't even try!
"Education is never as expensive as ignorance!"

John R. Hall

Training

is the second most important issue to contractors (behind finding qualified techs) and I think it may eventually become the number one issue. But believe me, it is not for lack of resources. If you push the right buttons, you can get top-notch training for your people. You gotta want it.

Unknown

Homeowner Complaints

John I would hate to tell you how many complaints I get from HO's about poor service or call backs on service calls. Parts put in and equipment still not working. I find that most of the time the contractor just did not know what to do. Keep in mind most of my calls are not related to installations although that does happen once in a while. They are mostly calls concerning equipment not working. I have discussed this often with the service people involved and advised them they need to get training. They agree and say let me know when the next class is running. I mail them a schedule and they do not respond. And the cycle goes on. It sometime comes down to inadequate training that does not equip the tech with all the tools he needs to be able to handle the difficult and complex problems especially on gas equipment today. Many of these people are liscensed by the state and the HO relys on that being enough to guarantee good service. Some have even been recently certified by a national agency. When I go out on these calls the HO is certainly reflecting the same feeling that your article brings forth. What also concerns me is that many times the solution to the problem is related to knowing basic fundamentals, pressures, air for combustion, venting, and combustion related problems.

eleft(retired)

From the field side

This not meant to be negative.

I have watched General Contractors & Reputable Builders give a price, on a given project after all the Subs bids are in and using their quotes, and getting the job. Then go to the subs and asking them to cut their bid price, and some walk.Those that stay don't get paid for 90 to 120 days after billing out.

Honor and ethics.....betrayed?

They got what they want!

BUT what keeps the good craftsman in business?

Answer: his skill, equipment & labor... all of which few GC's & Bldr's have.


al

ps. and most essential money!

Bill_14

Jackchips

I would say that your glass is "half full" and that's okay. This is much better than "half empty".

Bill

Online Sheriff \"Murph\"

HEY JOHN

Maybe the story should talk about all the hype that these folks put out about using contractors as information and pricing services, after a while it just gets a little old getting your brain picked on the premise of a "free" estimate when the people are looking for more ideas possibly to do it themselves. They always tell to get three estimates on jobs, sometimes they want more than that, you really never know till you get in front of the person if they are buying or price shopping. Lots of times it seems like a retail enviroment to where they look at bottom line , then complain when all thier expectations are not met, had a lady tell me how poorley her son's house was constructed "not built like they used to" I slipped and told her this was consumer driven, and that they get what they are willing to pay for !! Sound familiar I think we are all guilty of it, looking to get the biggest bang out of a buck, the insulting part is when they want to do it on the contractors back, so they can afford the cash for a round of golf or that lexus payment, then scream when the low bidder doesn't pull it off !!


bjmurphy (sos)

Mark Hunt

HEY MURPH!!!


BUD!! Settle down!!

A couple bad apples don't spoil the whole bunch.

How many cars will the average American purchase in a lifetime? Compare that to how many houses they will purchase.

Now compare that to the number of heating systems they will purchase.

How could they possibly know what a new heating system should cost? They see car commercials EVERYDAY punping the MSRP into their subconcious. Ever see a TV commercial from a boiler manufacturer?

It's part of our industry.

I asked a doctor friend of mine once if he did house calls.

NOPE.

Free estimates or exams?

NOPE.

Do you advertise in the news paper?

NOPE.

Would you honor another doctors lower price?

NOPE.

Do you ever have sales, or discount coupons?

NOPE.

Then I asked, "Why is it that I am expected to do all of the things you won't do, but I make less?"

He told me to figure it out for myself.

As I said, he and I are good friends and I will make him sorry for that statement. I see a catch of herring hidden in his truck in the future.

Folks will recognize the honest folks from the crooks!!

JMHO!!

Mark H



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chuck shaw

one thing

We would say in the Navy was, "one ooops, wipes out a million atta boys" You always hear the horror storys. You will rarely hear about a job that is on time, on budget, and done right, because that is the way it should be. We have all heard the stories about Doctors who have removed the wrong leg, or kidney, but have you ever seen a news report "Hospital does one million operations without a problem", NO, it is expected that perfomance will be there. We have to try to shift the focus from the negitives to the positives.

Chuck Shaw

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ScottMP

How many good new storys are in the paper !

Mostly bad news. And thats what this guy gets from his readers. This is'nt an column about how great contactors are. Its a column for people looking for advice because they have no good contractors to look to.

For the most part, the bad news is deserved. I know alot of GC and subs who don't know how to run a business. Some of these guys are great tradesmen. I 've meet some carpenters who could install a new room and make it look like it was allways there. They just could'nt figure out how to give a price, sell the customer on the price for the job they want, tell the customer when they change there mind that it will cost more, why, and how much. Most of these guys don't know how to run a job and THATs where the bad press comes in. Some contractors get into a bind on a job and WALK. Thats easier for them, than having to sit down and talk it out with the homeowner.

We can talk all day long about how tough the HO can be and how they have unrealistic expectations and where those come from. The bottom line is WE need to change how we deal with customers. NO one will do it for us. We need to inform them what the job will be, cost, get done, work.

I see what Dave is talking about alot. " We know how you contractors work, we've had jobs done before ". And I allways tell them " Thats the other guys, we don't work like that ".

GC's who ask for a price then want you to lower the price, only play that game once. Theres allway someone who work for nothing, let the GC find them. Do your work and find a GC who wants you to work for them. There will allways be low bidders, there will allway be HD,Sears and the like, there will allways be compediters. Buckle up for the ride or put the horse away and let somebody else have a turn.

As the baby boom generation gets older there will be more calls for service work and that includes new installs. There is going to be alot of call for people like us. We have to be as professional as any other business and raise the bar all by our selves.

Education. Dam right. Tough to find the time, yep!, Thats me. But I am learning. Its money well spent.

Carpe Diem

Scott





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John R. Hall

Unscientific poll

Contractors are looking for help, look how many sales/marketing seminars there are out there. And according to my recent "unscientific polls," they want training too:

http://www.achrnews.com/CDA/ArticleInformation/features/BNP__Features__Item/0,1338,87394,00.html

Online Sheriff \"Murph\"

HEY MARK HUNT.....

IF THAT is really your name !! There seems to be a trend with consumers to shop prices, I dont know what fairytale land you live in, but here there is a lot of shops that will undercut each other to "get the job" then find shortcuts to finish. most of my work comes from repeat and refferals, but the twenty percent that comes from "cold" leads, seems i have to look and price five times that many to recieve those calls, lots of wasted efforts and time there. The doctors you refer to probaly aren't cutting prices and slamming each other in the proccess !!

Floyd

Way to go Murph'...

kick some........