Canvassing - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

wpc07834 · 12-12-2007, 04:16 PM

I would like to start a discussion about canvassing right now. If you run a crew, lets see if we can share some ideas. I currently have a group of 4 full time and 2 part time. I just hired my 5th full time person. I am expecting them to bring back 5 leads a day each. I am hoping for a 50% issue ratio to the salesmen. keeping these guys motivated right now seems to be easy, but I imagine it will get a little harder as time goes on. Has anyone hired a salesman from there canvassing dept. I would like to hear some ideas.

MattCoops · 12-12-2007, 07:19 PM

It's good exercise but brings in little return, about 2-3% if you're lucky.

vinylguy · 12-12-2007, 07:41 PM

everyone runs this sort of marketing down on here but i for one believe in it!
this is what you should expect, one lead per hour per person on average. it may come none the first hr but 2 the 2nd hr but you should get 1 per hr. also if they are moving they should be able to hit 30-50 doors per hr. expect to supervise them or have someone super them to keep things rolling! set goals that are attainable but tough to reach and reward the one or ones who reach them. train train train them always consantly! train them to look for things that the h o might have issues with so they can piont it out if they say they have no interest now. i love to canvass i think it works here is a good way to make it work better for you. have your super or canvassers carry cell phones and when someone is interested have them call the office or you to set the appt. then you will have instant results ans know exactley whats happening out there when youer not around. at the end of the night have your super or yourself call all appts to confirm them and make sure they all meet your criteria. such as both h o home ( all decesion makers) correct address directions project interested in. THIS WILL GET RID OF THE ONES THAT JUST SAID YES FOR NO REASON! then call and confirm and let them know you will be doing this 24 hrs before then 2 hrs before . everything should be scripted so the h o hears the same thing over and over this shows professionalism and reaffirms the prospect then when you do the presentation don't forget to ask for the job! and one more thing best times are 4 pm -8 pm mon-thurs. 10 am-3 pm sat. make it fun for your canvassers with company meeting and awards for the best and such hope this helps! now i leave room for all the naysayers on here that are bound to chime in

Patrick · 12-12-2007, 11:39 PM

I personally find people coming to my door to be annoying and obnoxious, I am curious now that you think so highly of it, how responsive are people to this? What is an example script used when approaching a homeowner?

SPCarpentry · 12-13-2007, 09:00 AM

I believe that it's illegal here in MA to solicit with out proper Id's and permits. There are a few guy's that I know of that do it any ways and I wish they would get fined or at least be forced to stop doing it. If they sell a job now for next spring or summer their already placing the job signs. They will even nail them to a tree or tel .Ph. pole, both are again illegal in MA. The sad thing is the work that they do is so bad that if they needed to generate work based on past work they would be out of business. They sub out everything and make the guy's put large magnet signs on their vehicles. One of the companies uses a window/vinyl/roofing crew that uses a beat up mini van for their work vehicle. Seeing them is "priceless"

Patrick · 12-13-2007, 12:58 PM

Sp where abouts in MA are you?

wpc07834 · 12-14-2007, 03:03 PM

I think that you have to be creative in marketing. Internet leads are not the best. If you do not like canvassing, then its probably not for you. I think this is the best lead out there today. Those of you that are using it please email me so we can chat a little more on this topic. wpchere2day@yahoo.com I am only canvassing during the day. I don't think it is a good idea. Is anyone doing this?

wpc07834 · 12-14-2007, 03:06 PM

A sample pitch... Hi my name is...... I work for.... Have you heard of us before?..... I noticed you have the older style of windows.. have you thoght about replacing them now or sometime in the future?.. We will be giving some of you neighbors free estimates.. would you like one?......

Dave Mac · 12-14-2007, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wpc07834

A sample pitch... Hi my name is...... I work for.... Have you heard of us before?..... I noticed you have the older style of windows.. have you thoght about replacing them now or sometime in the future?.. We will be giving some of you neighbors free estimates.. would you like one?......

I for one wont do it myself, but would love to hire some people to do it for me. I think its a great idea. To me it all a numbers game, and I do have huge amounts of flyers handed out for me, and the numbers are good, but it sounds like the dood to door may be even better. I would be interstead in hearing a fair pay plan for the canvasser. I guess a hourly wage, plus something per lead, then something per sale?????? whear do you get these people. I know it seems like mostly highschool people do it around here.

Im really wanting to add another crew next year, and just dont see it happening, with flyers, repeat, referall, yard sighns, and truck sighn, I need something else, this just might be the ticket.

thanks
dave mac

wpc07834 · 12-15-2007, 10:23 AM

I pay my canvas people $10.00 per hour and a lead bonus of $10.00 If I have a motivated person, they will make $20.00 per hour. I am a firm believer that if you want to hire a good crew, you need to always be recruiting. Monster.com, craigs list, career biulder.com, I think the internet is the best for recruiting. I don't think the leads from places like service magic are any good. I am a firm believer in the fact that there are 4 types of people out there in this world. Those that Watch things happen, those that Wait for things happen, those that wonder whats happening, and those that Make things happen.

wpc07834 · 12-15-2007, 10:25 AM

If you have a good company, good product or service, what is wrong with paying people to go out and tell Everybody.

rancov · 12-16-2007, 07:54 AM

Will cost more that they are worth.

Vinny · 12-16-2007, 02:09 PM

W.P.C., Can canvassing work for me? I have a young man that may work out for this and always wanted to do it. How would I compinsate him if he wee doing part time, almost on the side of his exiistng occupation?

BTW, where in NJ are you?

vinylguy · 12-16-2007, 02:42 PM

this is not illegal in any state as ruled by the supreme court. however you may be required to get permits in some communities. as far as scripts go hello my name is so&so and i'm with such &such company. were in your neighborhood and just wanted to let you know about us. here is a flyer with our info on it you can check us out on the web @ or stop by a visit our showrooom @ or check out our work @ then you want to ask them what home improvement project are you considering this year? ( not a y/n ? ) requires an answer! nothing! pause A MOMENT oh i see you know ive been knocking on doors around here today and you are the only home owner to tell me they don't have anything on there wish list for this year! (wait for a response) i see noticed how nice your lawn was as i was coming up the walks do you do the yard work yourself or do you hire it out? you do it well you do a great job on it. we to take great pride in what we offer so please keep us in mind for any upcoming projects you may have and while i'm here let me tell you about our refferal program we have ! who do you know that might be thinking of doing some home improvements? great, and thank you for your time and don't forget to check us out.

THINKPAINTING · 12-16-2007, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick

Sp where abouts in MA are you?

I am in Taunton Ma, no probelm here or surrounding towns either.

MattCoops · 12-17-2007, 02:12 PM

Our canvassing involves a door hanger or flyer.
No knocking on doors.

wpc07834 · 12-18-2007, 10:39 PM

I pay my guys $10.00 per hour and a demo bonus of $25.00. Today my team wrote 22 leads, and we also had a sale for 22k.. I know canvasing works if you want it to. This can work for anybody. Some people think that canvas people should be paid only on the jobs that sale, I dissagree. They should be focused only on bringing in the leads. The sale will be there. I am pacing a 100 leads a week with just 5 guys.

Dave Mac · 12-19-2007, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wpc07834

I pay my guys $10.00 per hour and a demo bonus of $25.00. Today my team wrote 22 leads, and we also had a sale for 22k.. I know canvasing works if you want it to. This can work for anybody. Some people think that canvas people should be paid only on the jobs that sale, I dissagree. They should be focused only on bringing in the leads. The sale will be there. I am pacing a 100 leads a week with just 5 guys.

wow that is awesome, thanks for sharing, this sounds like the best source of leads, from a advertising standpoint I have ever herd of. How is your closing ratio with these type of leads compared to a Referrall lead.

thanks
dave mac

Grumpy · 12-19-2007, 09:10 AM

Are these numbers after a hail storm, or just a regular ol' day?

vinylguy · 12-19-2007, 08:33 PM

guys i am now in the middle of building a $80,000.00 addition that is a direct result of canvassing! why do i tell you this well because it struck me funny when my canvasser called me with lead and said and i qooute " this guy says if someone will just show up they can build my addition i've been callig companies and they will come and measure and never get back to me" so i called booked the appointment and sent my salesmen over he got the details and a commitment we did the plans he sold the job plus windows and siding on his home and to boot sold windows to his son who also needed them. so heres 2 jobs a total of now almost done of somewhere around $100,000.00 so ask again does canvassing work i say absolutley! here is someone who we would of never knew got or heard of us but now are our customers for life.