Do You Advertise Your Address?

Tinstaafl

When I began working in construction for a GC, I noticed that none of his cards or handouts gave the address of his home office. Upon asking him about that, I received a snorted response, "Nobody in this business gives out their home address!"

While that immediately hit the Wrong-O-Meter for a couple of reasons, it did and still does make a certain amount of sense to me. Obviously, you don't want customers showing up and/or calling your home at awkward times, and you certainly don't want one of your kids answering a call on the business line.

By the same token, a PO box number is a relatively obvious attempt at anonymity, just one step above no address at all. Either alternative could cause a cautious potential customer to shy away a bit.

For those of you with home offices, what do you do, and how do you perceive the pros and cons of your approach?

480sparky

I don't advertise it, but not for anonimity purposes. It's just I rarely have need for someone to come to my home. Those who do are regualr customers who just need to drop off some prints or documents. Otherwise, business is conducted via the WorldWideWait, email, snail mail or at the job site.

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Site : the area or exact plot of ground on which anything is, has been, or is to be located.
Sight : The power or faculty of seeing; perception of objects by use of the eyes; vision.
Cite : To mention in support, proof, or confirmation; refer to as an example.

Tinstaafl

Gotcha. But one of the main reasons for my post was to try and get a feel for whether you think that anonymity (whether purposely sought or not) does any harm to your overall volume of business vs the potential gain of full disclosure.

Following the herd, I have just my town shown on my cards, but I can't help but think that I might be missing a client or three.

480sparky

I hardly think the customers I work with really, truly want my address. I have yet to have someone even ask. I generally meet them at the job site, use mail, email and internet for most day-to-day workings, and the only time they ever need my address is so they can send me their payment.

If you're in a position where you need a formal office, even if it's in your home, where you need to meet customers, go over details/palns/specs/etc., then having your address out there probably won't hurt. You may run afoul of local zoning ordinances, however.

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Site : the area or exact plot of ground on which anything is, has been, or is to be located.
Sight : The power or faculty of seeing; perception of objects by use of the eyes; vision.
Cite : To mention in support, proof, or confirmation; refer to as an example.

WisePainter

Work cell #, and e~mail addy.

There really is no reason to mix my personal life in with my 9~5 life any more than it already is...

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TileLady

In NY state, you have to put an address on your contracts. So, since I follow the law and use contracts for each job, obviously I put my address.

In my mind, if a contractor is reputable, they have nothing to hide and putting an address is more professional.

Just as an aside, it makes me ill how many 'professional' contractors in NY DO NOT use a NY state legal contract.

Winchester

My address is on my contracts, invoices and estimates.

I do not advertise my address in any way. I think most people would assume it's just a home office, anyway.

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Ryan

ChainsawCharlie

I use a PO Box and it is on all my correspondence, cards, etc...


When is the last time you sent a check for a bill to a street address?

ChainsawCharlie

That, or no address would make me suspicious.

PO Box? I wouldn't give it a second thought.

DavidC

Our office is in a seperate part of my home and I have the address on all documents. At the end of the day and on Sunday my cell phone stays locked in there, the office line is only in the office. Our private line is harder to look up.

Occassionaly a client will stop by on business and I think it helps reinforce the idea that we are professional remodelers and a legitimate business.

Rarely a client will come on Sunday with the mistaken impression that it's alright. One lady saw me working on my roof and climbed the ladder to ask me about her estimate. I didn't take that job, there are boundaries.

For those that care, our contract is lawyer written and conforms to state regs. One of a few I guess, but another tool that sets us apart.

Good Luck
Dave

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bwalley

My address is on my business cards as well as my contracts.

By law in Florida we have to have our license number on everything except our checks, a client can look up the license number or check by our name to see if we are licensed, and it will show your address.

Our trucks (trailers if they have any name or art on them) have to have the license number in 1" high numbers and letters on it, Pinellas county will slap a ruler on them and if they are not tall enough will cite you, yet for some reason they never bother with the unlicensed guys.

Seems to me if you don't have your address on your business cards it would send up a red flag.

Leo G

My shop/office is 2 miles from my home. I have my shop address on my website and my cards. I have my billing address on any invoices which is my home. I don't mind if they show up at my shop. I always advise them to call first so it isn't a wasted trip. I never know if I am going to be there or not. A quick trip to the hardware store and they may show up. It's happened dozens of times over the years. I had one guy show up whenever he felt, and talk about his upcoming project for up to an hour. After about the 5th time I told him to leave, that he needed to have an appointment to discuss his business if it was going to be more than 5 minutes. I needed to keep a work schedule and taking an hour out of my day really screws things up.


So I do understand if you do not show your address, if a prospective client asked, would you give it without hesitation?

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SLSTech

Quotes, Contracts, Yahoo Local & the like... yes its there

Main Web Site, Business Card, regular advertising - no, but I am also working out of my Home Office

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Grumpy

Yes we advertise our address. Why would we NOT? We have an office, I don't work out of my home.

threaderman

I checked yes.I have a home office on 2+ acres just outside of the city,and I have clients,suppliers and others here often.I pay my bills,do quality work,and try to be a good person,so I don't worry about anyone trying to find me.My property is gated/fenced which I keep closed to keep out sales people,surprise visits, and other undesirables.Other than that ,business is business.I think having the address on invoices and such helps with peoples perception that you won't disappear after the work.

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Muddauber

I don't like to sub from a GC who only gives me a cell# & PO box#.

fez-head

We have an office/warehouse and full time secretary so visits are encouraged. When we where working out of the basement the 8 years before that the address was on everything but no one ever stoped by anyway.

Advertising your address definitely gives you a more stable and trust worthy image.

bwalley

No address makes it hard to go kick his a$$ when he doesn't pay you.

Tinstaafl

Certainly. I'm not hard to find; my home number is in the phone book, and I do use my address on invoices and proposals. But my home office is basically just a desk and a computer, and a filing cabinet. I have no need or desire to meet clients here.

When working for that GC, I met a fellow he used regularly as a framing (and other stuff) sub, who I still work with regularly. One job the GC bid on, the lady asked who would be heading up the work on-site, and after getting his name, tracked him down and looked at his house before accepting the proposal.

That tripped my flags, and sure enough, she turned out to be one of the most impossible people to work with that either he or I have ever met.

Leo G

Stalker.

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