Priorities of Trust

I’m in the middle of two renovation projects. You’ll see the results of one project in the next few weeks, as I life the curtain on some significant changes to the face of my business.

The messier renovation by far is taking place in my home and my home office. It’s been loud, with lots of dust and people dashing through the house, often needing answers to questions I hadn’t even thought to contemplate.  My mantra has become, It will be worth it when it’s done!

My contractor is terrific. He’s creative, thoughtful, thrifty, and careful, and I’ve recommended him to several friends.  When I told him yesterday that I’d passed on his name again, he looked somber for a moment and then said, “Tell them that I’ll be with you until the job is done.  If they’re in a hurry, they’ll need to call someone else.  I won’t shortchange you just to get another job, and they have to understand that.”

I’m not his only customer, but really?  I feel as if I am. He’s doing a few other small jobs along with mine, and he’s renovating other houses he owns and plans to sell.  He always has time for me, he answers all of my questions (annoying though they must be, since I know nothing about renovations), and he’s always thinking about what would make my job come out the best it can possibly be.  He’s even made some suggestions that are not related to the renovation, and they’ve been right on point.  I am absolutely thrilled to be working with him.

I feel as if my job is the most important job he’s handling. No matter what comes up (and in a house built in the mid-1920s, there’s lots that does come up), I know he’s on top of it and he has it handled.  He’s on the job, so I can breathe easy.

Can you inspire that kind of trust?  Can you treat all of your clients as if they’re your only client? It’s a challenge I’ve assigned myself.  Not easy, but certainly worthwhile.