Unfold the love.
One thing I’ve been pondering lots about currently is the consumer home-owner/normal contractor relationship. Truly, it’s been on my coronary heart for some time. For essentially the most half, our shoppers are fairly nice. They’re respectful, type, communicative, and really a pleasure to work with. However the tales I hear from colleagues within the trades, and a pair which have virtually taken us beneath? They have been/are brutal. Horrific, even.
I’ve had one too many conversations with mates on this trade who’re able to give up altogether. And a pair (two too many) who’ve misplaced hope completely. Tales of virtually taking their very own lives, some have even have tried. It’s heavy. It’s actual. And it’s not talked about sufficient.
So I made a decision to write down a love letter to the home-owner from a normal contractor. To the nice shoppers, the arduous ones, the longer term ones. That is the way it actually feels on our aspect. It’s not a rant – it’s an actual, sincere reminder that relationships matter. Respect issues. And kindness goes a great distance for all events concerned.
Expensive Shopper,
You employed us to assist convey your dream to life. To show a Pinterest board into one thing you possibly can truly stay in. And we love what we do. Really. There’s nothing extra rewarding than seeing you stroll into your completed house with tears in your eyes as a result of it lastly seems like dwelling.
Hiring a contractor is a giant deal. It’s not only a transaction – it’s a relationship. It’s a partnership. Truthfully? It’s a wedding. We’re in your house, in your funds, in your life. And like all marriage, when it really works, it’s stunning. However when it doesn’t? It entails stress, heartache, and generally, sadly, legal professionals. And nobody needs that. We positive don’t.
Most of you might be superb. You welcome us into your properties. You belief us together with your greatest funding. You cheer us on. You say thanks. You ask considerate questions and provide water bottles and snacks to the crew on a sizzling day. You get it—that it is a collaboration. That we’re a workforce.
To you, we are saying thanks. Deeply.
However we additionally want to talk for the occasions when it will get arduous. When someplace alongside the best way, we cease feeling like a companion and begin feeling just like the enemy.
We’re not simply swinging hammers and laying tile. We’re coordinating dozens of shifting components, chasing down trades, navigating delays, provide chain points, allow setbacks, and climate. We’re making an attempt to maintain our crews motivated, paid, and protected. We’re juggling youngsters and household life, working payroll, reviewing bids at midnight, and sending updates earlier than our espresso even hits the cup.
We present up day-after-day making an attempt to make magic for you. And but, it usually seems like we’re not allowed to be human. One misstep, one misunderstood textual content, one delay we didn’t create, and all of it comes crashing down on us. The frustration. The blame. The feedback that hit deeper than you realize.
However right here’s what we would like you to essentially perceive: we’re in your workforce.
We wish to get out and in of your own home quicker than you do. We don’t profit from delays – they value us way more, too. Our aim isn’t just to construct you one thing stunning, however to do it effectively, thoughtfully, and respectfully. When feedback are available in questioning our timeline, our work ethic, or our integrity, it wears on us. As a result of we all know how arduous we’re working behind the scenes.
Do you know that your challenge may contain 30+ licensed and insured tradespeople—all of whom are small enterprise homeowners themselves? They’re dad and mom. They’re neighbors. They’re waking up early, exhibiting up rain or shine, and giving their greatest. Coordinating that many schedules, that many people, and that many lives is a fragile dance. One which we take critically.
We all know this is perhaps one of many greatest investments you’ll ever make presumably second solely to purchasing your own home. We honor that. We don’t take it evenly. We all know it comes with feelings, expectations, and generally concern. And when issues go sideways, as they inevitably will in a development challenge, we really feel that strain too.
Please keep in mind: we’re not your therapist. We care deeply, however we can not carry the burden of your private stress, your marriage stress, or your monetary anxiousness. We’re not right here to be your emotional outlet. We’re right here to construct. And we have now hearts, too.
We’re not making an attempt to rob you. We’re not making an attempt to take shortcuts. We’re not ignoring you once we don’t reply to a late-night electronic mail. We’re merely making an attempt to steadiness all of it – our crews, your own home, our enterprise, and our households.
Whenever you ship a sort message as a substitute of a harsh one? It means greater than you realize. Whenever you deal with us like people, not simply laborers? It modifications every thing. Whenever you provide a espresso, a smile, or a easy thanks? It carries us via the chaos.
This trade is difficult. It’s exhausting. It may be thankless. However we hold doing it as a result of we care. As a result of we consider within the energy of a house. As a result of we wish to make one thing lasting for you.
So that is us, being uncooked and actual: We’d like your grace. We’d like your partnership. We’d like your respect. We’d like you to recollect we’re individuals too.
To the shoppers who see us, admire us, and deal with us with kindness from day one, you’re the motive we hold exhibiting up.
To those who might not notice the burden of their phrases, that is your reminder.
We’re not good, however we’re doing our very best. And we promise, we’re on this with you. Not in opposition to you.
Love, Your Common Contractor
