We are currently in our 1st year open for business. I want to build a recommended contractor list for my clients. I plan to add the list to Spectora software. Since I am new, I am just starting to build my network. I want to go out and talk to businesses in the next couple of weeks.
My questions are:
Do I need to gather paperwork from the businesses that I add as recommended contractors?
If so, what paperwork would I need from them?
What businesses would you recommend that I focus on 1st?
Thank you for your help,
Jennifer
Lantern & Shield Property Inspections
I provide a list with this disclaimer at the top:
Below are contractors and services RLM & Associates, LLC is providing as a resource to aid you in narrowing your search when looking for trades, and not as a warranted referral service. Always do your own research and ask for references before you hire a contractor, even if they are found he
Are you going to personally interview every employee that may show to your clients home to be sure they fit your criteria of quality work to deserve your recommendation?
You know there is typically a high turnover rate, and a certain worker that was awesome today may be gone tomorrow.
Hiring a Business Name is one thing for warranties, etc. but doesn’t do squat for work quality referrals.
My recommendation is to just add a contractor list on your website. I would shy away from saying “recommended” and instead make it very clear that it is just a list of local service providers for convenience.
I get asked many times a week for contractor recommendations. I simply refer them to my website and state to call a few of them and get some quotes. This is beneficial in three ways.
It draws traffic to your website, which is good for Google rankings.
It gives you a chance to back-link to (hopefully) other trusted websites.
It’s an easy answer to give to your clients that is helpful, but does not involve any real liability if done right.
Very risky, you will be overstepping the realtors, if the client is unhappy with the work, price, timeline or any other tiny thing, it will fall back on you, for that risk you gain nothing
I’m with the reluctance to recommend contractors. I still know a few good contractors from when I was in the trades, but there are a number of new ones around now who I don’t know. I refer my clients to the lumber yard contractor desk for recommendations. My clients trust me for their inspection, and they are asking for contractor recommendations with that same level of trust. I don’t want to break that trust and good will.
Here’s my disclaimer on my list:
I am frequently asked for a referral for services. This list comprises some service providers for your convenience. The individuals and companies on this list comprise people whom I have dealt with or have been given a strong referral from other people. I believe they will do a good job but I do not endorse, warrant, or guarantee their work. If any do not deliver good service for you, please call me so I can remove their name from my list.
Thank you for the advice. What is kind of strange is it is the Realtors who are requesting it. I think there is another inspector in my area (small town) who has been doing this for them so they are accustomed to it. It is good to know that this is NOT the norm. I won’t be as concerned.
Mark, This is actually the best scenario and what I practice as well. First of all, Most realtors want to be the sole source for all information that the client gets. I don’t have a “list” of trades referrals however I know who I’d refer and who I wouldn’t. When asked, I reply that their realtor probably has a resource but I also have someone in mind and I’ll share it with their realtor. That way, I’m being helpful to the client, respectful of the realtor-client relationship and hopefully introducing this realtor to some one that I know does a good job. But I’m off the hook if something goes sideways with the client-trades person transaction. (I often get realtor feedback that my referrals are pretty expensive. Realtors are always looking for the cheapest choice)
Realtors will try to work you by making claims on behalf of their client, supposedly. Common Realtor scams include trying to beat you down in price or asserting that other inspectors do it (whatever it is, to make you feel obligated to do it also).
First rule of Home Inspection: You DON’t work for the Realtor! (unless you do and then you’re already screwed)
hey Mark – That’s a good question. I think recommendations on contractors is a great value add to clients. The experienced realtors that I work with have all those connections, but the new ones don’t. I have never had a bad outcome giving my clients one or more of my contractor contacts after doing it for 10 years. I think the key is setting expectations with a disclaimer. I also don’t try to force a recommendation that I don’t have. For instance, I am still looking for specialty contractors in a few areas. When these come up, I just say I don’t know of anyone in this area. I just recommend people that I naturally come in contact with over time.
I tried it and it’s kind of a nightmare… contractors come/go so fast, do crappy work at times, don’t show up, get into criminal/legal trouble or just go out of business (or on an extended fishing trip). You have to check the list and update it pretty much weekly. And by updated I mean call each one and see if there is still a live body on the other end of the phone (as in, not in jail) and they are willing to come do some work (as in, not too busy). .
And I know what you’re thinking… you’ll find the good ones. Well, the “good ones” know they’re good and they charge a fortune. Then you’re putting out a list of the most expensive contractors in your area and your clients get pissed because they called around and found someone cheaper. It’s a nice idea but tough to pull off and keep everyone happy