This Valentines Day – hug your contractor! There I said it. Show them a little love!
Without a doubt, there has been a great deal of paper space and text line devoted to the topic of how to find a good contractor and then how to trust them with your massive investment. So much so, that the topic has almost become mundane in nature, landing logically on a mix of gut reaction and common sense mixed in with a few background checks.
As well, TV show after TV show has shown viewers the tragic results of not researching contractor qualifications at best and morals at worst! I love the fact that some TV personalities helped highlight problems in our industry. I love what they have done for the industry and for homeowners. I even saw on Facebook someone suggest that one of the most famous of them should be up for the Order of Canada. What I have never been completely comfortable with is what shows like that did TO Contractors.
Here is what I have noticed. Typically “bad” contractors fall into three categories. All fairly simple for even the layman client to detect. These three groups are; well meaning people, who are just young, inexperienced in the “business of renovations” and in over their heads, a second group that have a complete detachment from what clients actually want ( so “anything” they produce is “awesome” and the clients are, by default “picky”) and a third small fraction that are crooks.
For the most part, the rest are qualified in all sorts of aspects of renovation. There are some that put the clients at the forefront of their focus and look after them as if they were Kings and Queens, there are others who are experts in their fields and have a wealth of knowledge in their specialty and then there are others that are the Clydesdales of work, getting tasks done well and thoroughly because they simply know no other way to work.
Wouldn’t it be great to have a TV show without any kind of commercial attachment to feature – even once a month, the “Make It…..Whatever” honor roll or something like that. Something that featured the above mentioned Clydesdales, the Clients are #1 crew and the Special Agents of Renovation. If nothing else, to expose the fact to the world that, good Renovation Teams are one of the most conscientious, detail minded, hard working group of people on the planet! Everyday, they dig, paint, frame, tile, floor, install, wire and clean out homes into the shape that lets us come home and enjoy ours, LONG before they go home to theirs. The fact is, however, that what motivates all three of the types of “great” contractors mentioned above, is not some sort of big box store sponsored fame, but simply, the praise and delight of a client who is moved by a job well done!
Thank you to all of our “huggers” our “note leavers” and our “facebook likers” – for the team at JWS Woodworking – your daily praise and enthusiasm ignites a driving force for our “Habits of Excellence” approach.
For the rest of you out there, if you get the chance, hug a contractor this Valentines Day….or any day for that matter!
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