If you’re a fence installer or general contractor, you’ve undoubtedly learned how important your reputation is. But, even if you prioritize your own work quality, your customer’s experience depends on more than you. Here’s why your supplier relationship is also critical to building a strong contractor reputation and growing your business.
Where Trust Starts
If you ask customers in any industry what matters most to them in a vendor, trust would usually be high on their list. After all, customers need to be able to trust that they’re getting something of quality at a fair price. But in an industry like general contracting, where you’re installing fences and hurricane shutters, this matters even more. Your customers are trusting that your products are going to protect them, their family and their home in the event of extreme weather. That’s a big honor – and responsibility.
So, at what point of the supply chain do you start building this trust? It goes further back than you. If your supplier gives you products that are inconsistent in quality or don’t hold up to expectations, your customer is going to ultimately lose trust in you. It’s not enough to do excellent work and a flawless install; you have to know without a doubt that the products you’re working with are top of the line and worthy of trust.
Strengthening The Relationship
When you’re building your reputation on quality, you must have a strong relationship with your supplier. Take the time to find the right one, and plan to be involved with them for the long-term. Here are a few ways to make sure the partnership is as healthy as it can be:
- Start with open communication from the first conversation. If you have concerns about a product or delivery date, tell your supplier. If you’ve had a bad experience with a different vendor in the past, let them know. Your supplier can only give you their full support if they have a true understanding of your worries, priorities and needs.
- Talk with other customers. When you’re in the decision-making phase of finding a supplier, ask if there are current customers you can contact. The goal here is to find out what it’s really like to work with this company on an ongoing basis, how the quality of their materials and products have been throughout the relationship and identify if there are any red flags that come out in conversation. Any supplier worth their salt will welcome the idea of you chatting with other customers.
- Ask upfront about training. The most trustworthy suppliers are those who are invested in your success. As such, they should offer easy-to-understand information about their technical products and give you plenty of guidance when it comes to installation. You’re a team, so make sure they’re giving you ample tools to win.
When it comes to building a contractor reputation and work quality you’re proud of, you need a supplier you can trust and rely upon. At AMD, we’re dedicated to safety, hold an unwavering commitment to excellence and have solidified our own reputation as a reliable supplier over the years. Let’s talk!
