Construction Questions

By Menno Dueck

If you think choosing a contractor or renovator should be based solely on a quote, you might want to rethink your strategy.

Janice and Eddy want a bathroom and two bedrooms in their basement and Janice sketches a layout of what they think would work for their family, along with notes on fixtures and finishes. Eddy calls five different companies to get three responses; confirming the notion that some Kootenay companies have yet to buy into the concept of calling back potential customers!

Handy Handyman arrives 20 minutes late, takes a brief look at the sketch, notes and basement, and when Janice (who thrives on details) starts to explain to Handy what she envisions, Handy tells her to stop worrying, this isn’t his first reno. He gives them a verbal quote and says he can start tomorrow.

Rob Reno pulls up just on time and while Janice and Eddy take a look at Rob’s portfolio, Rob walks the basement adding accurate measurements to Janice’s layout. When Janice asks Rob his opinion on the layout and choice of fixtures and finishes, he is quick to agree that her sketch and choices were fine and he can have a quote to them in a few days.

Carl Carpenter arrives 10 minutes early and patiently waits in his truck for the appointed time. It is immediately clear to Carl that Janice is not totally confident with her layout. He starts asking questions and as the discussion continues, Janice relaxes and asks him what he thinks of her ideas. Carl points out a more efficient use of space, explains the options for insulating and heating basement living space, and gives them ideas on ways to save money on fixtures and finishing without compromising quality. An hour later Janice and Eddy have a revised sketch. A “to scale” drawing will be ready for them in a few days and once insulation, heating, fixtures and finishing is finalized a quote will follow in a week.

Handy’s quote was never considered; in fact Janice and Eddy can’t believe anyone would ever hire him. Rob, while having an extensive portfolio, asked few questions and didn’t seem to be interested in whether the finished product would truly meet their needs. In the end, Janice and Eddy chose to hire someone they felt had their best interests at heart; they wanted a relationship and a finished basement, not just a quote. Janice made the call to Carl.

(Based on a true story, names changed)

Submitted by:  Menno Dueck, Ask Menno Consulting, Dueck Enterprises Inc.

250-426-5460 – www.dueckenterprises.com

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