| p>Most people have no time to vet contractors | | | | service department that responds. Quality |
| and just want to get the job done right the first | | | | contractors report that half their work comes |
| time. Gone are the days when everyone knew | | | | from fixing low bidder disasters. Sure, that other |
| the best plumber and builder by name. For many | | | | guy is cheaper, but only in the short run. Service |
| people, finding a good local business quickly is part | | | | happens before during and after the job is |
| of everyday life. Consider that your best friend's | | | | complete. |
| cousin's ex-wife and that online recommendation | | | | Right, the first time... |
| from a person you don't know may have great | | | | The cost of shoddy work is often not the |
| intentions, but may not really know details, here's | | | | contract price, it's the time investment. Time and |
| why: | | | | aggravation chasing down the low bidder can |
| The devil is in the details... | | | | waste hours/days; and then you need to pay |
| SuperPages SUPERGUARANTEE SM PROGRAM | | | | someone to fix it. With reputable businesses, |
| Terms and Conditions - Excerpt Effective | | | | products are delivered, installed, tested warranted |
| February 17, 2009 Parent company filed chapter | | | | and serviced. Permits are issued, services are |
| 11: 3/31/09 ... "No Pre-Screening or Endorsement | | | | completed, and inspections are passed. It's a |
| of SuperGuarantee Service Providers. We have | | | | beautiful thing. |
| not checked, prescreened or otherwise selected, | | | | Get educated... |
| and we do not endorse or recommend the | | | | A 'best in class' small business owner is on top of |
| services of, any SuperGuarantee Service | | | | market trends and innovations so customers |
| Provider..." | | | | benefit from new, state-of-the-art products, |
| Sites to protect consumers are out of sync... | | | | technologies and concepts. Discuss options with an |
| It's no one's job to make sure the licensing board, | | | | expert. Listen. He may suggest better, faster, |
| the BBB, the attorney general, consumer affairs | | | | cheaper options that never dawned on you. |
| etc are all in sync and up to date. You may miss | | | | Green data is overwhelming and expensive... |
| an exposing article in the newspaper and not | | | | People want to be environmentally conscientious, |
| realize that the company has had legal issues. | | | | but are inundated with data on green options. |
| Newspapers writers don't have time to reflect | | | | "Greening" your home is expensive. Know who to |
| their stories on sites consumers review - they | | | | trust as an expert. |
| are on to the next story. Next post: the Scary | | | | Code, permits and licenses... |
| Truth. | | | | Some contractors exceed code 100% of the |
| Be Safe... | | | | time because it makes technical sense and |
| You need to have the utmost confidence that the | | | | ensures a successful outcome and a satisfied |
| contractor coming into your home or on your | | | | client. Permitting requirements change and your |
| property, i.e., seeing how and where you live is | | | | contractor needs to be up to speed on the |
| professional, licensed, insured, and competent with | | | | impact. |
| an excellent track record of installation and | | | | Quality adds value to your home... |
| service. Your best friend's cousin's ex-wife and | | | | If you are like most Americans, your home is |
| that online recommendation from a person you | | | | your largest asset. Half-completed or poorly |
| don't know may have great intentions, but may | | | | executed do-it-yourself projects will turn off |
| not really know details. BE SURE. | | | | buyers and diminish your home's appeal and value. |
| Honey do? Or No, honey please don't! It's not as | | | | Get it done right; enjoy your castle with your |
| easy as it looks. | | | | family. |
| Today's simplest repairs often lead to more | | | | No license, no recourse. P.S. There's no advertising |
| complicated projects. Be honest. Is your honey | | | | police... |
| going to fix this problem right the first time? The | | | | If you invite someone onto your property to |
| home repair and improvement industry has | | | | work for you and they are unlicensed and cause |
| absolutely boomed with options and every watcha | | | | damage, you have no recourse, a.k.a., buyer |
| macallit has a different connector, installation | | | | beware. Newspapers, radio, direct mail yellow |
| instruction and maintenance plan. Evaluate the | | | | pages do not vet their advertisers Advertising |
| complexity, time and expense of a do-it-yourself | | | | and signage provide brand awareness, but even |
| project before heading for the tool box. | | | | Harvard and Stanford report advertising is not a |
| You get what you pay for... | | | | statement of quality. See next article on the |
| The best in class contractors hire, train and retain | | | | Scary Truth. |
| the top talent. You are paying for a competent, | | | | "As with all legal issues, you may or may not get |
| service-oriented, technically qualified workforce, | | | | your initial money back and the amount of |
| including a drug free environment, continuing | | | | additional money, time and heartache is |
| education, licensing, insurance, reliability and a | | | | immeasurable. |