Tradesman Insurance: What Customers want from their Tradesman

Regardless of your trade, you'll find it hard to get work if you don't have what customers are looking for. Put yourself in your customers' shoes for a moment. They need to get a job done and don't know who to ask or where to look. How do they know whether they're getting a craftsman or a rogue tradesman? You can help your business stand out from rogue traders by following some of the simple tips below.

Trustworthy

Customers are looking for tradesman who they know will treat them well, charge a fair price and can be left to get on with a job to the appropriate standard.

Reliable and reputable

Turn up when you say you're going to turn up and do what you say you're going to do. It's as simple as that if you want to keep your customers happy and get more work in.

Accredited

Customers prefer to use tradesmen who are accredited or belong to a trade association or body. Get your name down now.

Direct dealings

Most customers prefer to deal directly with the person who's going to be doing their work so make sure that you or one of your team has personal dealings with all customers from the outset.

Experienced

Skills, training and experience are what customers are looking for. Make sure you've got evidence of these to show your clients. Without it you could be missing out on new work.

Suggestions from friends and family

When looking for a tradesman customers tend to ask friends and family for suggestions. Whenever you finish a job, ask for feedback and act on it. Find out whether your customers would recommend you to others. If they wouldn't, find out why and do something about it. Don't forget to leave business cards as well.

Money handling

Let your customers know in advance how you will invoice them and how they can pay you for your work. Customers are wary of tradesmen who ask for cash up front.

Address, telephone numbers, email address

Make sure all of your contact details - including business and email addresses, land line and mobile phone numbers - are readily available. Customers are turned off by tradesmen who only provide mobile telephone numbers.

No cold calling

Potential customers don't want to be hassled on their doorsteps or over the phone so, no matter how tempted you are to give it a go, don't do it. If your marketing is up to scratch then customers will come to you.

By knowing what customers are looking for and following some of these straightforward suggestions you can distance yourself from the cowboys and watch the work come in.