Have the Details Decided Ahead of Time
This tip is relevant for larger projects during the initial meeting and estimate stage. Contractors and vendors are not there to advise on the scope and vision of the project and you should bring that to the table at your first meeting. If you’re having rooms painted, know the color and sheen ahead of time, because it impacts project costs. For tiling jobs, pick out the tile before meeting with the tiling pro.
Clear the Space Before They Arrive
To save time and money, consider what might be in the way and move it before pros arrive. “We truly appreciate when customers prepare the home by moving things accordingly to make it easier for us to navigate and install,” Uri Pearl of Nealon Insulation says. “This is especially true for valuables that they don’t want to get dusty.” For example, empty the cabinet underneath the sink before the plumber arrives to service the drain.
Greet at the Door
Meeting service pros at the door is a simple gesture that sets the tone for the workday. “It’s always nice when the homeowner is there to greet the contractor or team when they arrive. Even if the details of the project have already been ironed out ahead of time, this initial meeting is definitely helpful with clearing up any last minute questions, plus it’s just helpful for everyone to meet and touch base at the start,” Andre Kazimierski of HomeHero Roofing says.
Offer a Drink
It’s just good manners to offer a handyman something to drink while in your home. Coffee in the morning is nice, in case they were running late and couldn’t stop first, and cold water is nice on a warm day. However, don’t make it a constant gesture. “What I don’t need are offers of coffee and food all day long,” Tyler Hull of Modern Exterior Roofing says. “Each time we stop to politely decline and chat, we lose 10 to 15 minutes.”
Point Out the Bathroom
This one is often overlooked, but it’s nice to know where the bathroom is as a handyperson or vendor in a customers’ home. I’ve always found it awkward to ask, and sometimes customers want you to use a specific bathroom, so you don’t want to guess. Showing them the bathroom also helps show the layout of the house and makes service people feel welcome in your home.
Ask about temperature preferences
People work best when they’re comfortable, and sometimes air temperature can influence the job’s outcome. For example, for winter interior painting projects, I ask for the heat to be turned down to prevent the paint from drying too quickly. On a humid summer day, I request air conditioning, if available, to aid the paint drying process. Some people like to work in cooler or warmer temperatures, so it’s nice to ask their preference.
Don’t hover
This is a big one among home service pros. Show them the problem, then make yourself scarce, but available if needed. “Make sure we have access to everything we need and then let us do our thing in peace,” Scott Eyman of Eyman Plumbing, Heating and Air says. “If a job is three hours in duration, I like to hear from you every so often but please trust the process. Giving us space while we work generally leads to a more enjoyable process for all parties.” If you head out, let workers know you’re available by phone.
Don’t Change the Scope of the Job
Changing a job scope on the morning of or mid-project is a huge time and money loss for small-time operators and likely not possible with larger companies. “Asking the crew on-site for a modification in work or pricing is a common mistake done by inexperienced homeowners,” Daniel Cabrera of Roof Direct San Antonio says. “Changes have to be done through the office as change orders.”
About the Experts
- Daniel Cabrera is the owner of Roof Direct in San Antonio, Texas.
- Tyler Hull is the general manager for Modern Exterior Roofing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
- Scott Eyman is a project manager at Eyman Plumbing, Heating and Air, a family-based company servicing Nebraska and Iowa.
- Andre Kazimierski is co-owner and and president of HomeHero Roofing in Illinois.
- Uri Pearl is a certified insulation expert for Nealon Insulation, a home weatherization company based in the Northeast.
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