The Electric Connection offers videos for do-it-yourself homeowners and contractors. Please choose a video below or watch our Contracting Tips videos at our YouTube Channel, TheHappyContractor.
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The Contractor Ten Commandments
The Contractor Ten Commandments is a 10 part series whitch highlights the importance of 10 key aspects of running a successful contracting business. Learn tips from a 30-year contracting veteran that will help separate your business from the rest.
Contractor Commandment #1 – Know Your Trade
What’s the big difference between figuring it out yourself or learning how from a Pro? How can trade school or working under a skilled journeyman change your profit margin?
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Contractor Commandment #2 – Be A Good Communicator
What is the single biggest mistake that many contractors make when new customers call? What should you always talk with your customer about before starting work? How should you handle it with the customer if something unexpected comes up during a job?
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Contractor Commandment #3 – Always Provide Good Value
Does it pay off to cut corners so that you can lower the price? Will it create better value for the customer if you run three jobs at once or do them sequentially one-at-a-time? What’s a simple step that you can take at the end of a job to increase your value and win your customer’s heart?
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Contractor Commandment #4 – Keep Agreements
If you say that you’ll arrive at 8 a.m., but arrive at 7:45 instead, will this be good for customer relations? What’s the downside to telling yourself that you’ll take some time off to play on the weekend and then you don’t?
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Contractor Commandment #5 – Be Honest
What will it hurt to give your customer $50 off if he pays in cash? How can being honest with yourself help you become one of the best contractors around?
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Contractor Commandment #6 – Be Legal
Can operating legally save you from blackmail and extortion? What good does it do you to operate with a legal contractor’s license and all the other rigmarole that operating legally means?
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Contractor Commandment #7 – Understand Other People’s Viewpoints
When should you treat a non-paying customer gently and when should you say, “Listen, Buddy, if I don’t have that check here by tomorrow….”? Understanding the customer’s viewpoint can help you with collections and other contracting challenges.
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Contractor Commandment #8 – Do the Hardest Things First
Why the heck would anyone do the hardest thing first?
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Contractor Commandment #9 – Trust Your Instincts
Isn’t contracting for hard men and hard numbers? What does making money have to do with intuition and trusting your instincts?
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Contractor Commandment #10 – Learn Something New Every Day
What simple step can you take each day to become a more successful contractor?