FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
My pricing varies by materials used and the type of project requested. My advice would be to include pictures and measurements whenever possible. This is the best way I can at least give a ballpark estimate and avoid unpleasant surprises for all parties involved.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I prefer to get a good understanding of the customer's expectations before starting. I will usually request pictures, or at least ask some discovery questions before giving a quote because without the proper info, I could ruin my credibility with a quote that is too high or too low. The challenge with a tool that allows customers to get bids sight unseen is that they can often be misled by companies that will put a number out there, just to get their foot in the door. I will only give a dollar amount if I can at least see a picture and understand the size and complexity of the job, and even then I make it clear that it's only an estimate.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have some community college, but the training and education that made the difference in this business was from the International Union of Brick Layers and Allied Craft Workers. And of course my dad, who was a brick layer and started teaching me the trade at 8 years old.