Getting Work: What's Working For Me

strathd

My stepfather is a licensed service plumber, 72 years old still going strong. He does mainly service work, leaky faucets, new furnace installs ect. He's been in business for years, has a great reputation and a huge client base. Very well known and trusted man. I've been in new construction 28 years in bussiness for 15. Now i'm going for remodeling.

Three months ago he asked for a stack of business cards and said i'll get you some work. Three weeks later I was doing a 40k kitchen remodel. When he's doing his service calls, before he leaves it's usually like this. Need any home improvements done ? Well as a matter of fact I do. I've got the guy you need.

Just got the ok today on a replacement window job (big house) and they're talking about a kitchen remodel. All from a trusted plumber and his recommendations.

Yeah he's family and helping me out, but i'm going to be contacting other service type trades with good reputations and offering kickbacks for they're sales help.

Warren

Networking is the best way to secure future work. Your stepfather sounds like one of those great old guys who is easy to talk to. People like that are priceless. Of course in the long run we are all remembered by the work we do. I.m sure he only refers people who are top notch like yourself. Makes you want to have a dozen or so stepdads,uncles,cousins in the service industry. He probably has a great reputation and by doing small jobs, he gets to meet many people.

davinci

consider yourself blessed...stand up guy...

IHI

Sounds about right. When i started out years ago i had zero client base, zero feild contacts, i went from subbing to 100% on my own and had many a lean year working towards the past couple years. I've based my ethics on what my grandfather who was in the trades taught me, be fair, dont try to rob anybody, do what you say you will and you will be busy, even in the lean times. 99% of my work is word of mouth through customers and i prefer it that way, work coming through ethics vs big a large scale shop with high pressure sales pukes lieing to push a sales and stripping ever penny folks have for the job.

Even right now with current "economic conditions" and many a fellow tradesman around me nervious for lack of work, we're sitting back logged and better going into this season that last season which was a decent yr sales wise too.

So you do what you can to make his word gospil, he's worked long and hard to built this kind of repour, and it would'nt take but a few screw up's on your behalf to ruin everything he's attained respect wise..so you have big shoes to fill, so do him right

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mdshunk

I have people ask me all the time if I know someone who does this or that. I'm pretty darned hesitant sometimes. Nothing like someone else's screwup to sully my reputation. I do recommend people, but it's always a tense thing for me. Heck, even I screwup sometimes. I'm not sure I'd recommend me.

strathd

I have a very good rep myself. I refuse to lower my quality, even when gc's beat me down. Wont sell out. I'm in it it for the long haul.




PS. Thats a pretty cool car. (I'm sure you remember)

carolinahandyma

I'd say about 80% of our business comes from either customers needing additional work or referrals from customers. Do good work and if you mess up, correct your mess up and people will keep calling you back and referring you to others.