How and Why to Say No to Offered Construction Projects
At Grove Hardware, we have all the construction and job site supplies you need to get virtually any job done. That said, this doesn’t mean that you should simply accept any and all work that come to you. While we understand that it can be hard to say no to paid work, the reality is that there are very good reasons to do so. Read on to learn more about why you may want to turn down work – and how you can do it tactfully.
It’s no longer necessary to say yes to every job
A few years ago, it wasn’t unreasonable to say yes to every job that came along. These days, the construction market is much stronger and it’s a lot more common for homeowners to remodel or for companies to begin new construction. This doesn’t mean that you can necessarily be completely picky when it comes to taking jobs, but it does mean that there are a few things you can look for to avoid.
The three things to look for
As you consider any job that comes your way, there are three things that are most important to keep an eye out for. First, watching for potential clients who ask a lot of questions. Note that this doesn’t apply to any question. If they’re genuinely interested in the process and you’re happy to help them, then that’s one thing. Another thing entirely is when what should be a ten minute phone call routinely takes an hour. This is only going to get worse as time goes on.
Next, you want to watch out for individuals who are always questioning your experience. Once again, this doesn’t meant that they shouldn’t have questions about your experience – it’s reasonable for them to. But once you explain your background, share references, or otherwise provide evidence of your experience, then that should be the end of it. If they’re always second guessing you or implying that you don’t know what you’re talking about, then they very well may end up being more of a pain than they’re worth.
Finally, beware of potential clients who are only concerned with budget. Yes, of course they will have a budget and they will have to stick within it. That said, if they are much more concerned with budget than quality, then you know they’re likely to never be pleased. They are likely to insist on the cheapest possible materials and then turn around and complain about quality. In short, they’re likely not worth the effort.
The key to avoiding bad customers may be simple
Some who’ve been in the construction industry for many years say that there’s a simple thing you can do to weed out almost all bad customers: Charge a fee for your initial consultation. This will ensure that they’re serious about your services and understand that quality services cost money.
How to turn down a construction job
Once you’ve decided that the job isn’t right for you, then it’s time for the sometimes difficult part: Turning the client down. At Grove Hardware, we recommend avoiding lies like, “We don’t have time in our schedule” because you never know how they could find out that it’s not true. Instead, be honest but tactful. A simple, “I don’t think our company is the right fit for the job,” should be enough.
But remember – for those jobs you do take on, Grove Hardware is here to provide all the construction hardware and equipment you need.
