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Help your clients be good neighbors by advising them to give their immediate neighbors advance notification of the upcoming work. Let them know they should inform their neighbors:
- Of your upcoming presence
- The scope of the work
- How long the project will take
- When you will start and stop work during the day
- How long you expect the dumpster to be in the neighborhood
Common Courtesy Can Be a Great Marketing Tool, Too
Helping your clients make nice with their neighbors is also a great marketing opportunity for you and your company if you do a little legwork yourself. Simply stop by the neighbors or send them a letter to personally introduce yourself and your company to them.
Bob Peterson, CGR, CAPS, president of ABD, Ltd, in Ft. Collins, CO, sends a letter prior to starting work to all immediate neighbors introducing ABD, stating that his company intends to improve the neighborhood, that he and his employees intend to be seen and not heard, and inviting anyone who has questions to contact him directly.
“We also follow up mid-project to give an update and then send a letter out at the end of the project thanking the neighbors for letting us disturb the neighborhood and, of course, invite them to contact us if they need some work done,” says Peterson.
Michael Strong, CGR, CAPS, vice president of Brothers Strong in Houston, also sends a detailed letter to his clients' surrounding neighbors. In his company’s letter, Strong gives his company’s telephone number in case anyone is upset about the construction. He also includes a detailed list about how to keep the neighborhood’s children safe during the construction process.
In the letter, Strong asks the neighbors to enforce a few safety rules with their children concerning the construction site, such as:
- Stay clear of the work area.
- Never touch any power tools.
- Do not climb on piles of lumber.
- Do not climb on insulation or equipment.
- Do not play near, or in, dumpsters.
- Do not play around trash piles.
Instead of sending a letter, Rick Montelongo, president of Montelongo Homes and Remodeling in San Antonio, sends representatives to visit each immediate neighbor at the outset of the project and explain to them what is going on and how to get in touch with the company should they have any questions or concerns.
Also, during the job, Montelongo puts a “take one” information box with the company’s brochure next to the company sign in the front yard.
Don’t Forget to Have Your Crews Do Their Part
While alerting the neighbors to an upcoming project is a great courtesy, it is also important that work crews be courteous when working.
Bill Asdal, CGR, president of Asdal Builders, LLC in Chester, NJ, established some neighborhood courtesy rules for his construction team. Asdal instructs his team:
- Do not block driveways when parking or ease wheels onto the client’s or neighbors' lawns.
- Abide by municipal ordinances such as those pertaining to noise, lighting or truck idling during work hours.
- Do not blow debris around yards — all debris should be placed in a container and covered.
- Do not play radios loud and only use loud tools during normal, acceptable work hours.
Asdal also recommends conducting informal walk-throughs for those curious neighbors who want to know what’s happening inside the house — with the client's permission, of course.
By everyone playing their part and using common courtesy before and during a remodeling project, not only can your clients keep peace in their neighborhoods, you may also pick up a few new clients and jobs.
Nominate the Best of the Best for Remodelor™ of the Year
Applications for the Remodelors™ Council’s most prestigious awards program, the Remodelor™ of the Year Award, are now available online at www.nahb.org/remodelors under the Awards section.
The Remodelor™ of the Year Award recognizes exemplary NAHB involvement at any level, superior business management and an outstanding contribution to the remodeling industry. Councils should nominate individual remodelers, but the nominee must write his or her own entry essay.
The winner will be announced at the Remodelors™ Council Gala during the 2004 Remodeling Show in Chicago (Oct. 8).
Local Councils Honored With CADRE Awards
The Council Awards for Demonstrating Remodeling Excellence (CADRE) is awarded to local Remodelors™ Councils for superior member service in the categories of:
- Membership Recruitment & Retention
- Community Service Project
- Public Relations & Promotion
- Outstanding Associate Member
- Member Service/Education
- Government Affairs/Legislation
- Outstanding Council Chair
- Outstanding Executive Officer/Council Coordinator
For information, e-mail the Remodelors™ Council or call 800-368-5242 x8216.
The NAHB University of Housing Offers Courses and Designation Programs
The NAHB University of Housing offers a variety of business management courses and professional designation programs that set builders and remodelers apart from the competition. For a complete list of current offerings, click here.
Attend the 2005 Custom Builder Symposium
Expand your knowledge “Beyond the Tool Belt” at this year’s Custom Builder Symposium. This is the one event where custom builders can go for world-class education and exceptional networking opportunities. For more information, click here.
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