6 Tips to Help You Master Customer Service as a General Contractor

Without the clientele to hire you, it is impossible to operate a successful contracting business. The best way to keep your clients, and bring in new business, is by providing quality customer service. Contractors aren’t typically known for their charisma and interpersonal skills, so flaunting your prowess in customer service might even take your customers off guard, and it will make sure that you stick out in their minds years down the road, when they’re taking bids on their next project. Doing this is as simple as making sure that you meet your client’s needs through the entirety of their project, from start to finish.

At Contractors Reporting Services, we specialize in helping you get your general contractors license in Florida, but we are here for you far beyond that point too. Whether you need assistance in licensing and renewals, have questions about establishing your corporation or need some direction with other business services, we work hard to provide you with the tools you need to succeed. You can cultivate your company’s customer service in a multitude of ways, but we wanted to compile a list of six key points to highlight how to maximize your clientele’s happiness with the work you do for them. Implement these, and your customers should be beyond pleased enough to refer you to their peers.

  1. Cultivate Your Image

Psychological research has found that someone forms their first impression of you within three seconds of meeting you… and it takes as long as three years to change it. This makes first impressions critical in the business world—you don’t have three years to win a client. Thus, presenting yourself as professionally as possible is imperative when meeting with potential customers and convincing them to trust the quality of work you promise. Don’t be late to anything involving your client… ever. Maintain your professionalism when talking with them, too. As long as you remain courteous, you should stay in their good graces.

  1. Clearing the Lines of Communication

Be accessible! It should be easy for your clients to contact you on a regular basis. Return phone calls and emails promptly. Be clear and concise when speaking with clients—you want them to understand what you’re doing every step of the way (Happy customers know what they’re paying for). Give them regular updates on their job’s progress. Above everything: be accessible.

  1. Angry Customer Management

Whether you and your team made a mistake or your client is just a difficult person, occasionally customers get mad. Always remind yourself to stay calm. Don’t take their anger personally, they are mad about the situation 99% of the time. It is most important that you listen to their concerns before looking for a solution. Dealing with confrontation will make or break your General Contracting business. Client’s you resolve conflicts with can become lifelong clients, but if you fail to make things right with them, you may lose the job with that client, or worse, potential work for anyone they know.

  1. Making Mistakes

Remember Murphy’s Law? If something can go wrong, then it probably will. Mistakes happen. The best way to turn a mistake into a positive customer service experience is to address it promptly and responsibly. Don’t make excuses for your mistakes… nothing is worse in the eyes of a client who feels slighted. Instead, ask how you can make the situation better, and fix the mistake.

  1. Individualized Service

When handling a job, always make sure that you cater to every client’s needs individually. Don’t treat them generically.  More than anything else, your client wants you and your crew to know exactly what they want, so you should make an effort to assure them that you do. Get to know them, build rapport and make sure your whole team knows them by name. Always welcome feedback from your client when they are visiting the jobsite—and implement it.

  1. Cleaning Up Your Job Site

A big aspect of providing the best customer service is how you respect your client’s property while you are working on it. Clean up as you work. You have to remember that your customer likely works or lives on the jobsite, so it’s important that you clean up the area at the end of each work day.  This keeps the levels of mess to a minimum on a day-to-day basis and ensures that the end-of-job cleanup will be more thorough.  Don’t leave a bad taste in your client’s mouth after you complete a project by leaving them with a mess to clean up.

At Contractors Reporting Services, we take pride in our industry and want to see your business succeed. By exercising a little bit of common sense and courtesy, you can rise to the top of the Customer Service game and position yourself as a leader among your competition. If you need assistance with your Florida General Contractors license requirements, renewal or other industry licensing questions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are here to help.

Contractors Reporting Services ~ https://activatemylicense.com

13795 N Nebraska Ave,
Tampa, FL 33613 ~ (800) 487-2084

By Julia Bradley 27 Jul, 2023
The demand for licensed electricians is high in Florida and expected to continue growing as new construction and infrastructure projects are undertaken. If you are considering a career as a licensed electrician, you can expect to earn a competitive salary, and have steady employment and job security. Skilled electricians are needed in various industries, including residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. Electricians also have the flexibility to work independently, for an established company or start their own businesses which can give you more control over your work schedule, projects, and income potential. Although physical demands and challenging environments, such as cramped spaces, heights, or extreme weather conditions exist, those who enjoy hands-on work, problem-solving, and working with electrical systems will find this profession rewarding, and you can continually expand your knowledge and expertise through ongoing training and certifications. To be a licensed electrician in Florida, you must obtain a Certified Electrical Contractor license through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). This license requires that you pass the electrical licensing exam, provide proof of work experience, demonstrate financial responsibility, and pass a criminal background check. Interested in obtaining your electrician’s license? This guide will explain the process and answer some common questions about the documents and requirements that will need to be provided to the DBPR. 
By Ryan Bradley 25 Apr, 2023
6 Ways to Grow Your Construction Business
By Ryan Bradley 01 Mar, 2023
Get Organized in 2023: Three Construction Management Software Programs to Try
Real estate trends shows graphic of miniature house model on top of a blueprint
By crs-admin 15 Nov, 2022
Realtor.com has recently published its housing market predictions for 2020. In the forecast, analysts looked at four areas: supply, demand, home sales, and the move to affordability. 1) Supply Low affordability and higher interest rates caused growth in the housing inventory, while higher housing prices and higher interest rates raised barriers to entry. Houses satContinue reading
Approved stamp for a contractor applying for a state license
By Sandra Brown 17 Apr, 2022
Six steps Contractors Reporting Services can assist you in becoming a Florida contractor. #1 The Application. #2 Work Experience and State Examination: you must pass the Florida contractor license and provide educational and/or vocational experience. #3 Proof of financial stability and a high FICO score. #4 Fingerprinting and criminal background check. #5 Proof of Insurance. #6 Application fees. These steps can be difficult on your own. Call Contractors Reporting Services for more information.
IT management and cyber security for contractors
By crs-admin 10 Mar, 2020
IT management and cybersecurity are critically important for the general contractor. Project management for the general contractor encompasses schedules, materials, services, permits, and, most importantly, people. When a cyber-attack steals client, subcontractor, and vendor account information, it hurts people.
CRM tools for contractors
By crs-admin 10 Mar, 2020
One of the most important keys to success as a general contractor is leveraging technology to multiply efforts, increase efficiencies, and improve communication. The right tools can facilitate general contractor licensing, filing annual reports, keeping the workers’ compensation exemption renewed, following lien law, pulling permits, and filing a notice of commencement. The general contractor mustContinue reading
A mechanics lien provides for general contractors to collect payment
By crs-admin 24 Feb, 2020
Florida law offers strong lien rights for general contractors and suppliers. Providing that correct paperwork is in place if a contractor isn’t paid for a job, they are able to file a lien to receive payment as well as protecting themselves. In cases of non-payment, there are requirements that need to be fulfilled
Florida contractors need the right license to perform work
By crs-admin 15 Feb, 2020
If you’re interested in becoming a general contractor in Florida, you need to be licensed to perform construction work legally. There are two primary licenses to choose from which will allow you to perform general contracting work either throughout the whole state of Florida, or only in a specific local jurisdiction.
Enlisting the services of subcontractors on a large scale project
By crs-admin 01 Feb, 2020
As a general contractor in Florida, you may be overseeing a larger-scale construction project, a renovation or even a residential remodel, but it’s possible that there are tasks that you do not have the expertise or necessary skills to complete. If this is the case, your first thought should be to enlist the services ofContinue reading
More Posts
Share by: