Work along side and save!

[Leatherneck]

I have given this some thought for years now, but never really implemented it before. Over the years I have had customers offer too help some just because they want, and others too try and save money. For the most part I prefer they don't help because some times they can get in the way especially if they don't catch on quick too what is going on.

What has made me start thinking about it more is a coupe of weeks ago I did a fence at the home of one of our pastors at my church. He offered too work with me so I said why not we could fellowship together, plus iI was alone anyway so another hand would be a big help.

Anyway he caught on so quick and helped so much that I finished the job in good time plus I didn't have too work as hard. He really surprised me on how he worked and never got in the way. I ended up taking some money off the invoice for the 2 days because he was such a great help too me.

I was wondering what you people would think if you came across a company as myself that would be willing too have you work along side them to save money, and have a feeling of accomplishment at the same time.

I have always thought it might work with the right approuch too working out the details and and using the right advertising technics.

Any thoughts or ideas.

[KristineS]

It's an interesting idea, and I bet there would be people who would jump at the idea.

My question would be about liability. If someone works with you and is hurt for some reason, what would your risk be. I suppose you could have them sign a waiver that releases you from liability, but I would certainly investigate that before you implemented the plan.

[Steve B]

I've let people help a couple times and I've taken money off the invoice. It can help you get a sale if price is an objection - so it can be a win win.

On the consumer side, I would love it.

[Leatherneck]

Thanks Kristine, good thought that will have too be investigated. I think if you advertise something like that it could become more of a liability issue compared too a home owner asking if they could help.

I had a feeling you would get in on this one Steve seeing we both have similar businesses.

I built a custom house for a friend back in the early 90's and him and his dad helped me, along with a few weekend warriors I saved my friend a ton of money doing it that way. I also got paid well myself.

[KristineS]

I think you'd also have to assess how helpful the person could be. Take me for instance. I might offer to help, but I'm not that mechanically inclined so I might be more of a hindrance than a help. People might focus on the saving money aspect and not consider that they really have to be able to do the work. So that could be an issue as well.

[orion_joel]

I think that Kristine makes a valid point in if they actually do help or not, and it could be a good or bad outcome. If they are asking to help just because they feel inclined, then it could be to both of you a benefit in so much that they are more likely going to be able to catch on quickly, and they may not be thinking about money.

However if they are asking to help because of a financial objection, you may often find that they won't really catch on quickly and may end up costing you more time, then expected, and needing to discount still. I think this could end up working both ways some cases may be good as the one you mentioned initially, however there is the chance it will go the complete opposite way.

[Leatherneck]

Great thoughts and comments. I'm sure we could put our heads together and come up with idea's that could make this work. I agree with you guys, I think alot to do with it would be up to me as I would designate the work to be the most efficient. Lets say the husband and wife or nieghbor would be doing the help. I know not everyone would work equal, but there would be some things a person of lesser know how could possibly do I would think.

I hired people over the years and I have had too train some peope different then others. Some don't catch on to this type of work as easily as others would, so i just try too give them things they can handle. While installing a fence there are a lot of things extra hands make the job go much faster and smoother.

I think it could work if we could iron out some of the details. Take for instance some of those home repair shows on the tv. that have home owners doing the work along side professional tradesman.

I know there are a lot of other issues to iron out also, so I'm sure you guys will have some great ideas.

Thanks

[Steve B]

In my case, all I'm looking for is a gopher to get stuff for me - so it wouldn't be an issue that they wouldn't be able to catch on. I'm guessing in Mak's case the work would be a little more involved.

I've used it as a way to lower the price in order to close the sale. I never lower the price just to get the job - so this gives me an option to close a few sales without becoming a used car salesman with the price.

[Leatherneck]

Exactly Steve. I always try and bring down my price by negotiating with the customer by offering other options to bring down the price instead, so we don't look like used car sales people.

[the goat]

I have done this a few times. The first two were great, and then I had three in a row where I could not stand the client on a personal level and they were also absolutely terrible helpers. Needless to say I put an end to that experiment quickly.

Funny story though: When I was in the custom home construction business there was a subcontractor doing a deck on a home I was doing the finish work inside of. The homeowner had a deal with this guy to help him just like we are discussing here.

When the deck contractor gave the homeowner the final bill, he charged the homeowner for his own time plus a helper, the homeowner being the helper. The contractor billed the homeowner for the hours the homeowner worked! I thought that was hilarious.

But I digress