How Do You Set Yourself Apart From Your Competition?

lawndart

I was having a conversation the other day, with one of the GC's I work for. He's always looking to give me advice since he knows that, I just started my company.

This guy is a well known, smart, wealthy man, therefore when he speaks I listen. He told me the single most important thing any new company can do, in it's startup stages, is to find a niche market, and offer a type of installation, product, or both that no one is doing.

With that being said, I'd like to know what some of you did, to seperate yourself from the competition in your area. I'm all ears.

Glasshousebltr

I clinch my teeth ......and tried to stay clear of their wives and daughters.

Bob

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Bob

BrickTricks

I see your in the same racket / trade; Finish - Trim carpentry. I do as little just built construction as possible. Stay a little close to a couple builders for filler if I get slow. It's hard to create a niche when your selling a commodity. So, I like to focus hard on make-overs. What I mean by that is the homeowner that has been in a house for a couple of years, didn't buy all the trim upgrades when they bought the house, and are ready for some dazzeling cosmetic upgrades!

One thing that I find, and has created my niche is that as much as I hate it, I learned it, and became very good at it was PAINTING! So many times I walked into a house to design a trim package, and they wanted to do some painting. I don't know any other trim guys that do painting - meaning complete rooms & Cielings.

Although most that will read this, are probably saying - that is so stupid. But, unless you have incorporated it, and tried it, you'll never get it. There are always issues in used construction, bad drywall, saging doors, floor creaks whatever. You can build such raport with a customer, and get paid for it, and get the next door neighbors house, once they see the "TRIX" that their neighbor installed! And you keep the work flowing; not waiting for a painter, drywall guy etc.

Also, getting to the mathematics of pricing - if you have all the painting & trim, it's pretty simple - you have set-up, and travel charges, whether buried in your quote, or whereever, they have to be recovered. If your already there at the job, I find on a job under 3K, I probably squeek 12 - 18% additional margin out of it, and if you added the trim #, and painting # from an outside contractor together the customer comes out ahead, and so do you! win / win!

scottstef

i answer my phone, return messages if i can't answer the phone, and most importantly do what i tell my customer i am going to, for the price i tell them, and complete it on time (under promise/over deliver).

that sets me apart from 90% of my competition.

QWIKWHIP

Wow, I was gonna say pretty much the same thing!

It amazes me how by simply returning the customers call in a timely fashion, almost always gaurantees the sale for me.

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JCW Residential Services
Heating - Cooling - Plumbing

Mike Finley

That is exactly what I did.

Mr. Wms

I try to make sure when I started my business every phone call
made to me or my office was answered directly. No customer
wants to talk to a recorder. I believe that's how I get new and
repeat business. This is easier said than done but I put forth
great effort to get it accomplished.

Bone Saw

BINGO

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Custom Decks & Carpentry LLC.
Chester County Custom Decks
Custom Deckbuilder Mainline
Philadelphia Deck Builder
Custom Decks & Carpentry on Facebook

Cole

I am the same way.

And one big thing, always have a smile on your face.

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Tulsa's Leader in Outdoor Living Construction | Facebook | Tulsa Pergola Builder | Tulsa Outdoor Kitchens

ButlerDesigns

I have a Secretary answer my main phone line and answer most questions. If it's something she can't answer then she will let me know and I will call back within 4 hours. I have new business and it's already taken off. Not sure if it's because of this.

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John Butler
Butler Designs, LLC

Stone Mountain

1] I pay the rent
2] I listen to the customer. I don't tell them what they need, I let them tell me
3] I do the work, honestly
4] I don't hit them up for more money at the end of the job
5] Good workers
6] My trucks are late model and properly lettered
7] My web site
8] My smiling face

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Residential Deck Specialist: Vist our Website
www.fenceanddeck.ca

Grumpy

The first thing I did was to create a professional image for my company. "We are not just roofers, we are roofing professionals." is the message I want to convey with everything we do, say or show.

I'm always trying to be a step ahead of the curve. I am not trying to set any trends, but as I see my competitors catching up I fid another way to set myself apart. It came in the form of a very well designed website with lots of information, after more comopetitors sites popped up, I setup more sites of my own. Now I am developing websites for the mobile audience (cell phones and pda's).

My contracts are specific and detailed with a scope of work. I ask my customers to see my competitors contracts and sometimes I see they are catching up, so I dress mine up more.

I don't really have a niche. Well I should say we have multiple niches. Most people say find one thing and stick with it, but I prefer to diversify. It's all just a matter of how we approach each of our target audiences. When we do a commercial mailing, we only speak of commercial roofing, not residential siding or windows. When we go after GC's we speak or roofing and siding and how it saves them time and money to hire only one contractor instead of two or three. It's all just a matter of addressing what each of our audiences want and delivering it.

dirt diggler

funny thing

I've always had a problem fitting in


Now I gotta problem trying to "fit-out"