construction

What Do Clients Expect from a Contractor? How to Fulfill Your Clients’ Expectations

Angela Manning Business , , , ,
What Do Clients Expect from a Contractor? How to Fulfill Your Clients’ Expectations

Many tradespeople have a dream of starting their own business, whether they are a plumber, an electrician, a bricklayer, or other. And whilst many of these tradespeople do start their own small business, not many succeed; and some fail dramatically because of not having adequate general liability insurance for independent contractors. If you have a particular skill and have decided to begin a business as a contractor, you need to know what your clients expect in order to succeed – and what you can do to fulfill those expectations.

Clients expect you to understand – and mitigate – the risks in your industry

The problem with the contractor industry is that it is laden with risks. Risks are there at every turn, whether it’s not finishing the job on time, making major (or even minor) mistakes, natural disasters or extreme weather disturbances, or the acquisition of resources, etc. Your clients know this, and you should know this as well. The key is finding ways to mitigate these risks and continuing to perform to the best of your ability. One surefire way of reducing risk which your clients will appreciate is by having general liability insurance. This is not just about protecting your business – it’s also about satisfying your clients’ expectations that you are a serious and legitimate contractor.

Clients expect you to have good communication

Managing a project involves a keen eye for detail and good organizational skills, but it’s also about making sure that you communicate well – not just with other workers, but also with your clients. Clients expect you to have effective communication skills, and they expect you to be able to explain a project or task in detail, especially if it’s a complicated or time-consuming endeavor. By effectively communicating and being open with your clients, you ensure the building of trust as well.

Clients expect you to have good planning skills

Planning is not just about creating or developing a good schedule for a task or project – it also involves making decisions on what methods you can and should use, what resources you can organize, and what materials you need and when. Making a good plan starts even before a task or project begins, and it continues throughout the task, on a weekly or a daily basis. Additionally, things will not always go according to plan, as your clients may already know – but it’s how you tackle changes in your planning that will make you stand out as a good contractor.

Being a good contractor is also about being financially responsible – you need to invoice your customers properly, and you need to keep accurate and updated financial records, particularly when it comes to your cash flow. Understand your contract and all its details from top to bottom – this isn’t just for your clients’ protection, but for your protection as well.

Necessary Materials for Your Next Roofing Project

Angela Manning DIY , , , , , , ,
Necessary Materials for Your Next Roofing Project

Usually, it is quite easy to complete a residential roofing product, so long as you have everything properly prepared. If, for instance, you want to complete roofing projects with copper nails, you need to have your nails, your hammer or nail gun, and all your other materials ready, as well as your plan of action. Let’s take a closer look.

Your Materials

First of all, not any material will do. The right one for your needs depends on where you house is located. Of course, your own personal preference is also an important factor, but it should not overrule the recommendations of official contractors and certainly not those of your local building codes. Make sure you check those out before you get started, in other words. Usually, you will be able to use ceramic, concrete, asphalt, wood ,or metal sheeting.

Metal sheeting is almost always permitted, not in the least because it is so versatile. Plus, thanks to modern technology, it can mimic the look of various other materials, including tiles and shingles. Communities the world over have used this to create their roofs because it is also very durable. So long as you choose high quality metal sheets, they can last for as much as 70 years with little maintenance. Even the lower quality ones can last about four decades if looked after properly. Thanks to modern tools and technology, the chance of enlargement through nail holes and because of the environment has been all but eliminated. Plus, the metal sheeting is usually already painted for you as well.

An alternative would be wood, which is commonly found in residential roofing. While beautiful, you do have to invest heavily in maintenance, as it is very easy for wood to rot. Furthermore, there are other things to consider as well. Wood is susceptible to insects and other animals. Some wood is more rain and sun resistant than other types of wood, and some kind can even resist certain animals and insects. This is obviously very important for homeowners.

Then, there is asphalt, which is popular because it is often locally manufactured. Furthermore, it is versatile and can be customized to your specific needs. Asphalt, for instance, can be made to look like wood or slate, or any other material that you like. It is quick to put up asphalt and it is very easy to maintain it, particularly when compared to an organic roof. They also last a lot longer.

Last but not least, there are ceramic materials and concrete, which have been popular roofing materials for a long time. These are somewhat heavier materials compared to other roof products, and this weight is something that you need to think about, since your foundations and load-bearing walls do have to be able to hold them. Concrete and ceramic is also a very good insulator and will last even when exposed to the elements. However, they can’t be too heavy or bulky for obvious reasons.

What to Consider Before Opting For a House Extension

Angela Manning Uncategorized , , , ,
What to Consider Before Opting For a House Extension

With the property market in a regular state of flux in many parts of the world, more and more people who have found themselves in need of more space in the home are opting to extend the home that they are in rather than buy somewhere new. This is a great option for many who don’t wish to uproot their lives and move somewhere else and for people who simply want exactly what they have, with just a dash more space.

If you are thinking about getting an extension then here are the things which you need to consider.

Money

Housing extensions are not cheap and you need to understand that even if you have been given a quote from a particular building firm, they very rarely come in at budget. For this reason you need to ensure that you not only have sufficient money to pay for the extension itself but also that you have enough money to cover any additional charges which will be added on to the cost of the project. On top of this, you need to ensure that you have enough money to furnish, decorate and kit out the new space which you have created.

Permission

Before making changes and alterations to your property you will need to seek planning permission from your local authorities. This is not always a given and there are many laws in place for the protection of others which could prevent your from making changes to your home. Aside from speaking with the authorities, you should also make the effort to speak with your neighbors to inform them of what will be taking place. It is not just the change to you home which may affect the neighbors but also the amount of noise and construction vehicles which may be coming in and out during the project.

Stay or Go

The ideal situation is that you and your family are able to move out for the duration of the extension. This will allow the builders to get on with their job to the best of their ability, it will ensure that the job is finished as quickly as possible and it will mean that you do not put yourself in any danger whilst the work is completed. Not everyone has the means or money to move out for such a long time however and you should understand the consequences if you are not able to move out of your home during the project.

These are the three key things to consider when deciding on whether a housing extension is a good idea for you. Regarding the planning of the extension it is important that you work closely with the architect to talk about exactly what you need from the additional space and find the best way to do it. Whilst this will be an expense operation, you should bear in mind that you will be adding value on to your home and most extensions actually end up paying for themselves when the home is eventually sold.