by Homerun Nievera, Negosentro.com |
As in many other service industries, foundation repair businesses are a dime a dozen. Virtually every home will need foundation repair or maintenance eventually, so if you can make your mark in this sector, you should never go hungry for work.
The trouble is getting your first jobs and establishing a reputation. Word of mouth can carry you far, but when you’re just starting out, you need a strategy to stand out from the crowd. And once your business is well-established, you’ll find that it’s a highly competitive arena, requiring you to put your best foot forward to attract new clients. Here are some tips that will prove useful at any stage.
Invest in Advertising
First and foremost, you must advertise your business. A website is essential in this day and age, but for service industries especially, many people still thumb through the phone book to call for a quote. Make sure you give a great first impression no matter how your clients find you.
- Websites should be easy to navigate and should answer the client’s questions without a lot of extra fluff
- Splurge on the upgraded phone book advertisements so that your company is not overlooked
- Put your logo and contact information on all company vehicles
- As your budget grows and you become more competitive with the top foundation repair companies, consider radio or TV advertisements.
Get Accredited
Many localities have no licensing requirements for foundation repair professionals. This means anyone can offer up a foundation repair service, even if they have no formal background.
Savvy clients know how to research credentials before hiring. The National Foundation Repair Association is just one example of accreditation.
According to Houston Foundation Repair, home leveling or foundation repair contractors should also have their methods “evaluated by the ICC-ES, which is the International Code Council Evaluation Services. This is a nonprofit organization that ensures the building products meet the various code compliances.”
Over time, you might receive awards from the Better Business Bureau. Display those with pride on your website to build trust among potential clients.
Demonstrate Your Knowledge
Use your website to demonstrate your skill and knowledge. Blogs, videos and images will all display your aptitude and professionalism. Answer frequently asked questions in-depth to tell potential clients about your methods and how you evaluate the best solution for each job.
Clients often worry about having to call in a second contractor if the first contractor does a poor job. Let them know that you’re the right choice straight out of the gate by freely sharing your expertise. You can say you’re the best until you’re blue in the face, but you’ll make more sales by showing your skills in action.
Ask for Reviews and Testimonials
Once you land some jobs, don’t be shy about approaching your clients to ask for a review that you can share on your website. Encourage them to review your work on platforms like Google Businesses, the Yellow Pages or even Facebook. People are more likely to write a review if they are asked to do so. Incorporate the request into the final receipt or reach out to clients personally for a testimonial.
Don’t forget to ask if you can take before and after photos to share on your website too!
Standing out from the crowd means convincing clients you’re the right company for the job before they even pick up the phone to call you. From then on, it’s your professionalism and courtesy will assure them they’ve made the right choice.
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Homerun Nievera is the publisher of Negosentro.com and WorldExecutivesDigest.com. He has interests in several tech and digital businesses as director and chief strategist.
Homerun is a digital evangelist, content marketer and lifelong learning advocate. Homerun is the “He Said” in the popular Facebook Page He Said, She Said. Email at ask@homernievera.com.
