5 Porkies Clients Tell Builders

Sadly, when clients first meet you, they often keep their cards close to their chest. They’re feeling anxious and want to protect themselves from a bad experience. Here’s what to do…

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After saving for years for their project, most clients will work really hard to protect themselves from a bad building experience.

The only problem is most don’t know how. They’ve probably never gone through this process with a professional builder and fear the worst.

So, amongst other things, they lie.

They lie about their budget.

They lie about the grand ‘process’ they’re going through.

They lie about the number of builders they’re speaking to

And more..

As a professional builder you know they do this simply because they’re afraid.

Afraid that they’ll ‘do’ their money.

Afraid they’ll become that A Current Affair Story

Afraid they’ll make a mistake of some kind.

So, this article looks at 5 porkies clients tell and how you can help them move forward.

Porky 1 – Their Actual Budget

The hundreds of builders we’ve interviewed, tell us this one’s a biggie.

The client has $500k to spend but wanting to avoid a blowout, they tell you $400k.

You then look at their plans and wonder how you could ever make it work.

The truth is, what they think the project is worth is almost as irrelevant as it is uninformed.

They’ve got no idea.

But you do because you’re the expert.

So, tell them using industry rates to help them understand the budget their project demands.

Put it on the table and they’ll respect you for your forthright approach.

To ballpark their project in 15 minutes, book a ProCalc free trial

Porky 2 – We’ll Stick to Selections Budgets

Their selections allow for a mid-range fit out but they’ve just told you they love those Italian designer tiles & taps that they simply can’t afford.

If a client strays form their nominated selections budget, flag it to them.

Naturally, its their choice but they need to understand that increased fit-out costs means increased build costs.

Porky 3 – We’re Getting Other Quotes

Maybe they are.

But it’s up to you to become their preferred builder rather than the ‘price checker’.

To do that, you need to become their trusted expert.

See how to charge for early engagement and build trust to become their only genuine choice.

Porky 4 – Another Builder Said…..

Every. Single. Time. I hear a client say this, it’s doesn’t stack up to scrutiny.

NEVER EVER take this claim seriously.

For example, ‘another builder said the job is worth $450,000.’

You then cost it at $650,000.

Then after you spent days costing it they sheepishly clarify that the other builder didn’t include bathroom renovations, the alfresco area and the swimming pool.

The art to this conversation is to cost their project quickly. Use a ProCalc free trial to smash out a number in 15 minutes.

Porky 5 – We Can Live in While You Renovate

If you can physically separate them with secure barriers, maybe it’s not a problem.

If not, you’re making a rod for your own back.

Safety issues, unapproved site visits, loads and loads of questions…the list just goes on.

Living in a house while it’s being renovated can sometimes increase the build cost.

That is, if you need to pack up and pack down each day – plus cleaning – you will need to add $100-$200 for each day you’re on the job.

How does that compare to the client’s costs to rent elsewhere?

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• Take a Free Trial of ProCalc
• Stop All Free Client Meetings – Charge Upfront
• Want more tips like these? Attend the Webinar: Work Smarter, Not Harder