Tradespeople meet new customers regularly; some they love, others don’t. Not every customer can be ‘the perfect customer’ because what that means varies.
However, although everyone has different preferences, there are a few things that most tradespeople appreciate. So, what do they say makes the perfect customer?
1. Being Left Alone To Work
While some people prefer a bit of conversation throughout their working day, in one of our recent Twitter polls, 26.7% of those asked said that being left alone to work is most important to them.
No matter what industry you’re in, no one wants to work with someone hovering over their shoulder and talking so much they can’t concentrate. That said, there’s nothing wrong with a conversation over a tea break.
2. Plenty Of Tea & Snacks
Speaking of tea breaks, few of us go through the day without a few cups of tea and biscuits to go along with them, but if you’re working in someone else’s home, you can’t exactly help yourself. That’s why 8.6% of tradespeople said that customers offering them plenty of snacks and drinks while working makes a massive difference to their day.
Offering snacks – particularly sweet snacks – is not only a nice gesture but shows a level of respect and care.
While many tradespeople will bring their own food and drinks along with them, having a cup of tea and a selection of snacks ready for tradespeople working in your home wouldn’t go amiss.
When we asked recently what makes perfect customers, quite a few people mentioned they appreciated drinks and snacks while working, but what kind of snacks (or meals) do you appreciate the most?
— Options Skills (@OptionsSkills) January 21, 2021
Though if you’re making yourself something for lunch, offering them a plate won’t do any harm.
3. Be Friendly
It will be no surprise that things run smoother when people are on good terms.
Payment on this list – but friendly and reasonable and understanding if there are any issues – relationship has to be good and both parties need to be fair and accommodating
— AC plumbing&heating (@plumbing_ac) January 18, 2021
It’s important to remember that you’re both on the same team and want to get the project finished to a high standard. Should there be a problem that needs resolving, it’s much easier to find a solution when both customers and tradespeople are on friendly terms.
4. Don’t Argue About The Price/Prompt Payment
It’s not unusual to hear stories of tradespeople still waiting for payment months after finishing a job. You wouldn’t leave a supermarket without paying for your groceries, so why wouldn’t you pay the tradesperson you’ve hired?
Not only do tradespeople deal with people not paying, but some of those who do pay also don’t always want to pay the total price.
We all love a bargain, but haggling with a tradesperson rarely ends well. Tradespeople will provide a quote at the beginning of a job, and by accepting it, you accept the price they state. Haggling suggests you don’t think their time and effort are worth as much, so trying to bring down the cost can come across as quite insulting.
5. Respect The Professional
Tradespeople spend years learning their trade, perfecting their skills and updating their qualifications. To put it simply, they know what they’re doing. Despite this, every professional will have a story or two of a customer telling them how to do their job.
Most people take tremendous pride in their work, and those in the trades are no different. Every job they do represents their skills. It would make no sense for them not to do their very best. Remember why you hired them in the first place and trust them.
What Makes The Perfect Customer?
So, how can you be the perfect customer?
No one size fits, but being friendly and respectful generally goes a long way. And a few chocolate biscuits always helps.
