Tuesday, March 28, 2006

What's in your Truck?

What is the one tool you can't do with out? An auger? pliers? cell phone? shovel?

just hit the comment section below.

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Customers Helping

I remember being in an auto repair garage once. On the wall they had a sign, stating their hourly rates. The sign had written on it:

  • $55/hour

  • $65/hour if you watch

  • $75/hour if you help


Installing fences on residential properties must be ripe for customer involvement. “How much if I dig the holes?” “What will it cost if I mix the concrete?” “What if I clear the brush?” etc.

There are endless opportunities for customers to either help, or get in the way.

So…

The question is. Do you have a policy for customer participation? What is it? Do you have any stories of customers trying to help, good or bad?

Just click on the comment tag below, let us know.

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Concrete Prices

There are various stories on how due to Katrina and the Chinese building boom are driving up the cost of building materials, particularly steel and concrete.

3 Questions:

  • How much are you paying for an 80 pound bag of concrete?

  • Where are you located?

  • Are you absorbing the increase costs or are you passing the costs on?


  • Post below in the comment section.

    - Thanks, Gene

    Saturday, March 04, 2006

    Customer Disputes

    Last week there was a story about a homeowner who told a contractor where the he wanted the fence. The only problem was that the fence was 20 feet off. The contractor and the customer agreed on a settlement before it got too nasty.

    It occurred to me, that this might be a good forum to discuss your opinion about the situation.

    So... the question of the week is: How do you handle disputes with customers? Do you have a policy in place? What are some examples of customers behaving badly?