Most women love to shop, or at least the shopping you do at your favorite mall. You're comfortable navigating your way around a mall. In fact you already know what you like, what stores you like stopping by and each of us loves to collect something whether it's shoes, scarves, jewelry … you know what I mean.
Now pretend you're going shopping for a new door, maybe you just need some screening to repair a screen door or you're planning to remodel a bathroom and you need to find a remodeler, handyman or ??? You're shopping but it probably doesn't feel like fun anymore. Why not?
What Do You Want in a Home Professional?
The real question is what do you want in a home professional? The problem is most homeowners haven't got a clue as you're used to buying products that you touch and feel, smell and taste. If you've worked with a few contractors, you might know them but have given little thought to what you like about them.
Let's step back a bit and look at how you select a doctor or attorney as they deliver services in a way, like real estate professionals, contractors and other home professionals. What criteria do you use to pick your doctor, as almost everyone has a general practitioner, someone you call or visit when sick and don't forget your annual physical.
- Technical qualifications? A bit easier as doctors have extensive schooling, their degrees are hanging on their office wall and they generally are certified to practice a given specialty.
- Communication skills? We might accept that we can't read a doctors writing but you certainly want a doctor who listens to you and answers your questions. It's easier when they explain things up front and invite questions. It takes time to build a relationship and earn your trust.
- Customer service? You expect someone to answer when you call day or night. It's easier to plan your visits when you know how they run their office, from scheduling appointments, blood tests, follow up conversations and more.
- Pricing and flexibility? We rarely check what a doctor or lawyer charges, focusing on their ability to deliver the services, really the problem solving and support we need. When cost is an issue, we expect some flexibility like getting sample medications to save on prescription costs.
Now let's look at how this same criteria applies to a home professional. You likely will be surprised at how similar they are and where home professionals often provide more service than most doctors.
Click to read part 2, Are Home Professionals Like Doctors? …
We'll start by explaining how home professionals satisfy the criteria above … but far more interesting is our table comparing doctors to homeowners with respect to insurance, any type of guarantee for their work, documentation and project management. You'll be surprised at what you learn and if you have questions, by leaving a comment, we'll answer each and every question.
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