Establishing Trust as a Home Improvement Contractor

Your customers come home to relax and unwind after a long day at work. Home is where they entertain friends, make memories as a family, and celebrate life’s simple pleasures. So, when they need a contractor for their home, they’re going to take their time finding the right business for the job.

How do you make sure it’s your company that gets hired? Establishing trust as a contractor is a key component in building up your business. Check out our tips for how to build trust with your potential customers.

1. Offer In-Person Interviews

People want to get to know who they’re trusting to renovate their home. Start out the process by eagerly offering in-person interviews, no strings attached. While many contractors offer free consultations, offering interviews will set you apart because it will give customers a chance to get to know your business before the shop talk even starts. This is a great way to start establishing trust as a contractor from the word go.

2. Create a Portfolio

Do you have a distinctive style or signature flair? Or do you consider yourself a chameleon who can match any customer’s personal preferences? Either way, your customers will want to see what you can do. Build a professional portfolio of your work to assure your customers that you’re the right match for their needs. Make sure to provide high-quality literature to showcase your best projects. Customers will be impressed with your preparation and reassured when they see the quality workmanship you’ve done on other homes.

3. Build Your References

Did you know that 93% of consumers say online reviews impacted their purchasing decision? This means if you’re not highlighting your customers’ experiences, you may be leaving business on the table. You’ll really wow homeowners if you offer them testimonials and online reviews from your raving customers before they even ask for it. Build this reference list by using an automated system to ask every happy customer for a review.

4. Be on Time

As with any job, being on time is an important way to show you’re a serious professional worthy of trust. No one wants to be waiting hours for their contractor to show up, so start the relationship off on the right foot by always being on time to appointments, consultations, demo days, etc. Better yet — impress your customers and arrive a few minutes early.

5. Stay Updated on Licensing and Permits

Smart customers will know to ask for your licenses and permits. Stay one step ahead of them by knowing which permits you might need for the project and making these available before they even ask. Make note of when your licenses and permits expire, and be sure to renew them well in advance. Customers will be skeptical of a contractor who is in between licenses, and you might lose out on important work opportunities.

6. Use a Trusted Lending Partner

Along with buying a house and car, home improvements are one of the biggest investments the average person will make in their lifetime. Naturally, they’re wary about putting such a large chunk of money on the line. Ease their worries by using a trusted lending partner. Banks like Regions | EnerBank USA offer flexible payment options, allowing you to build trust, close more sales, and increase average job size.

7. Build a Detailed Contract

Contracts are an important part of any business. They’ll ensure you and your customers are on the same page as far as expectations, timelines, and payments. Make sure the contract is easy for your customer to understand. A contract can also keep you out of hot water if you were to get involved in a lawsuit or other legal trouble. Make sure you always build a detailed contract before you start any renovation project, and consult an attorney as needed.

Establishing Trust as a Contractor

By following these tips, you’ll be able to build a trusting relationship with each customer. Then, maintain that trust by following through until the end of the project. Do what you say you’ll do, show up on time, and hold up your end of the project. Doing so will help you build a flourishing business with a steady flow of repeat customers and referrals.