22/08/2024
A quick word to residential contractors:
We had a cabinet installation company come to give us a bid on a new kitchen. The guy took all the measurements and then showed us door samples so we could pick the colors and style we wanted. So far, so good.
Then we asked about pricing. The guy launched into a 30–40-minute rant about how unprofessional his competition was, the poor quality of their materials, how most of their technicians were "not US citizens" and on and on. Nothing positive about his company, just how bad the competition was.
Rather than using the time to inform me of his company's quality, workmanship, and customer satisfaction ratings, he chose to waste time degrading his competition.
At the end of his rant, he handed me his quote. I tore it in half and handed it back, without looking at the final price. I showed him the door.
I told him that if the only way he could make his company look good was to put down his competition, it told me that he had very little good to say about his company, so I had no confidence in them either and would not hire them, regardless of price or guarantee.
The lesson here: Stop slamming and bad-mouthing your competition to your customers. It doesn't make you look better in your customer's eyes. It makes you look petty and immature. Instead, take the time to explain why your company is the right choice. Quality, labor, materials, pricing, etc. Even if your prices are a little higher than the competition, the customer will appreciate your honesty and integrity.