Angie’s list for contractors…

So I found this post the other day on a forum called John Bridge Forums – TileYourWorld.com  

 Here’s what it said:

Thread Title: Angie’s List for contractors

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I think I recall someone wishing this existed. Don’t know how it works, haven’t registered.

http://www.businessbeware.biz/index.php

________________
Matt

 

I don’t know that it would be very helpful to rant about “problem” clients? My issues with someone are likely to be different than the experience someone else might have; usually very specific to the project in question. Ragging on personality flaws makes, what should be a professional relationship, into a personal one. Doesn’t make sense to me.
Shaughnn
________________
Capua Custom Tile & Stone; Seattle, Washington
Member of National Tile Contractors Association
Member of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local #1, WA
Certified WEDI Board installer

 

I agree, Shaugnn, that wouldn’t be too helpful. Over the years I’ve been called in for estimates to complete jobs started by other installers. Usually just stay away from these. Most of the time it’s obvious why the installer was canned, but sometimes everything looks fine. Since you can’t ask who did the work and why they were fired, with this maybe you could get the installer’s story.

Or for subs to report slow paying g.c.s!

_________________
Matt

 

Most of the GCs I’ve known would see that an installer’s posts to a site like that as a threat to themselves and they would just write you off of their list. If you are willing to complain publicly about one GC, you’ll rat them all out.
Shaughnn
________________
Capua Custom Tile & Stone; Seattle, Washington
Member of National Tile Contractors Association
Member of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local #1, WA
Certified WEDI Board installer

Good point.

__________________
Matt

They are all rats, don’t need a site to post that.

__________________
Scott

 

http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=73751 (check it out here, i did not alter a thing)

I just had to point this thread out to others, I could not stop laughing at it.  It’s amazing what some people think and voice about ideas or things.  Everyone is entitled to their opinion but I can’t help but think ‘what is he thinking?” about the guy that said “If you are willing to complain publicly about one GC, you’ll rat them all out.”  Who is ratting out the contractors?  The site is geared towards contractors warning fellow contractors about deadbeat clients, and 85% of contractors do have a few stories to share with someone about how they were scammed by consumers….

Anyways, I’m sure these people had no idea this would be posted somewhere else like here, especially the site they were talking about, but don’t write things you don’t want others to see

Everyone have a awesome 4th of July!!

http://businessbeware.biz

101 Ways a Contractor can cut on their costs

I was taking a look at ContractorMag.com and came across this article this morning that was pretty good and thought I would share with you.  Check it out at http://contractormag.com/features/contractors_searching_ways_to_cut_costs/

 

www.businessbeware.biz

 

Licensed Businesses and Unlicensed Ones

I had an email the other day stating that we should not discriminate against unlicensed contractors.  On our site, Business Beware, we have it where we allow “licensed contractors” ….  The person stated that you should not have to give money to the government if you do a good job with the work you do.  As much as I believe anyone is worthy of doing a good job and a hard worker without the license, that is just not how it works.  I agree that the government makes you pay too much for anything and everything you want to do in life, but it will cause you  a lot  less problems if you go ahead and become licensed. 

Many people look at unlicensed contractors and think they are scammers, maybe most are but you definitely have that going against you if you screw up the work you’re doing or something happens.  There are alot of people out there that scam you, including customers.  No matter who you are, you have to be on your guard all the time.   

Many places are different in what they require a business or contractor to do with having a license.  Many require you to take tests to further your knowledge of what type of work you’re doing, it produces financial advice for you and also give you tips on if you’re starting up your business.  This is for the most part help you as a business, yes you have to pay for the license but everything you do, always has a catch. 

We have owned and run businesses for over 25 years and always hated the fact you have to pay dues, permit fees, license fees but that’s just what you have to do if you want to have a business or be a contractor.

www.businessbeware.biz

Contractor Licensing

If you are looking for information about what you need to do to become a licensed contractor, this site lets you search by your state and gives you information on what you need to do.  Each state is different on what they need/want you to do to become licensed. 

http://www.contractors-license.org/

Take a look at it.  I will update more sites as well that can give you more information on licensing.  And yes customers, you can check to see if  a contractor is licensed on this site.

www.businessbeware.biz

Contractors becoming Lowe’s Installers

If you have not thought about it just yet, and you are out of work as a contractor you should check out becoming a Lowe’s Installer.  They have a process that you have to go through to become one of their contractors but if you have a great system and great background you should take a chance at it because who knows. 

They have the following installation needs:
Doors, Windows & Openers
Doors, Exterior Doors, Patio Doors, Storm Doors, Interior Doors, Garage Doors, Garage Door Openers, Replacement Windows, Window Treatments
Flooring
Carpet, Vinyl, Ceramic, Wood, Laminate
Plumbing
Garbage Disposers, Water Heaters, Water Softeners, Faucets, Sinks, Toilets, Vanities & Tops, Shower Doors, Tub Doors
Kitchen Cabinets, Countertops & Appliances Cabinets, Countertops, Cooktops, Built-In Ranges, Over-the-Range Microwaves, Air Conditioners, Dishwashers, Compactors, Range Hoods
Lumber and Building Materials
Roofing, Siding, Fencing, Storage Buildings, Decks, Playsets
Electrical
Interior Lighting, Exterior Lighting, Ceiling Fans

Give it a try because you never know until you try!  Here is the link for contractors on Lowe’ s home site if you are interested…. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=pg&p=InstServ/fineprint.html&ln=inst

www.businessbeware.biz

Tough times for Contractors…Start Networking

Okay it is no surprise that our economy is down in the dumps right now.  Personally I think alot of that has to do with the media overexaggerating it all.  It’s like they take the bad news and focus on that leaving us with no hope, except for the segment they showed about a squirrel that has a new trick… (no lie)

Business is tough for all contractors right now because things are in a stand still and building has come to somehwat of a hault with things.  If you are sitting there scratching your head about what to do and where to start, start with NETWORKING.  This is so important whether you do it day to day or just as you casually are out and about.  Think about all those you come in contact with day in and day out or those you have met along the way.  Everyone that you have met in the past has a network as well where one links to another or two more.  Always carry business cards with you so wherever you go you can exchange them with someone or leave them for others to see.  A great place is at restaraunts on bulletin boards, etc.  You don’t know if they will use your service but at least you are getting your name and business into other hands and you just never know what could turn up. 

Don’t think about what they can do for you but what you might be able to do for them!  So many times we get caught up in the fact of what can others do for me and where can they get me??  Yes it is true many times that it is all in who you know with things, but you also just can’t sit on your butt waiting for something to come around.   So get out there and make some contacts and make things happen, and NEVER GIVE UP!!

www.businessbeware.biz

Contractor permit costs too high?

How many of  you think that the permits you have to getting way out of hand?  Yeah I can see you nodding your head right now…. I don’t know how it is in every state BUT here in Florida, we have so many things we have to go through just to get a simple permit.

The other day I had to go get a permit for a fence that was being done around a dumpster in the county, and let me say it was a small job.  When I went into the building, first I had to sign in then I sat for almost an hour while the people (county workers/government) just took their precious time and talked amongst themselves.  When I finally got to the counter, I had my recorded notice of commencement and everything seemed to go smooth until they decided to tell me that they did not have our license and work comp on file.  I had it with me and it showed it was sent over to them however many months ago.   They told me I had to get it sent over again and they could not issue to permit to me at that time.  So I was not able to walk out of there with it.  I spent half my day there and called the financial service to fax over the work comp to the county office.  They sent it over that same afternoon and I tried calling the county office to let them know it was there, I called three times and nobody answered.  I went back the next day and still had to wait for a while just to talk to somone, when I said it was faxed over they said they never received it.  It was faxed three times, I had the copies of it saying it was sent.  I called our office and asked if they could email it over, done deal and they finally got it.  After all that, I finally got the permit for the small dumpster enclosure that was a total of $300.  Now tell me, how crazy is it for a $150 plan review fee???? 

I just think that it is pretty ridiculous how the permit fees are for contractors and the crazy process they have to go through just to get one and waste however many days it takes to do it.  Out of all the permits I have had to get there have been only a few times that I have actually had some decent people to deal with in the county offices, most are rude. 

Hope you don’t have to go through this all the time!  If you do I feel for you!

www.businessbeware.biz

licensed and unlicensed contractors

I know as a customer you get frustrated and fed up with contractors that scam you and turn out to be not licensed but you should also realize that it gives us contractors a bad name too.  We hate the fact that so many contractors are unlicensed as well because people tend to focus on the bad rather than the good.  There are many good contractors out there that love their job and do a very good job with it and are licensed. 

One big problem we face with our companies, is the competition of unlicensed contractors.  So many companies are trying to make a living, especially with the economy we are in right now, to get the job done but at least make enough to cover your materials and payroll for the week.  I can’t tell you how many times i have talked to customers saying they have another company they are getting bids from and if I can come down on my price to be competitive, of course we are competitive but you can only do so much if you dont make anything and can’t cover your materials.  When I do a little investigation on who they went with, it usually turns out to be an unlicensed fence company that low-balled the price to get the job because they don’t have all the insurance and things to pay for with being a licensed company. 

Yes, it does suck that there are unlicensed contractors and businesses out there because it not only affects the customers but other businesses as well, so remember that when you jump to the conclusion about contractors and how horrible they are, it’s not all of us. 

With Business Beware, we support the licensed businesses and contractors out there, not the ones that are cheating at the game without a license.

www.businessbeware.biz

Contractors and Homeowners

I came across this site today for Contractors and Homeowners, http://www.renovateyourmarketing.com/ 

It has alot of good information for Contractors and where you can post your stuff for others to see.  I recommend to look at it and get some good tips from them.

Why the slogan ‘the customer is always right’ is not true anymore

It is crazy to think that this slogan has seen better days.  We all know and see the commercials, movies, etc. with the pin on their shirt and smiling through their teeth as they deal with customers because the slogan states “the customer is ALWAYS right” 

I have come across more and more articles of people so frustrated with these customers that put them through hell and back.  Right now in our society, most people are just trying to make it with what they have and what they can do, but it seems you still have those that make your life miserable with you just trying to do your job.  We can’t afford as business owners to lose money on jobs we are currently working on when it is no skin off some customers back if we lose money. 

We have had alot of people tell us how much Business Beware has helped them with decisions on different jobs to take and what to watch out for with certain customers.  Who not better to trust than licensed contractors and businesses in your own industry? 

Let us know if Business Beware, has helped you in the past. We love hearing from you!