Get a bunch of property developers together, and a favourite topic of discussion is tradies. Some people will wax lyrical about the wonderful tradies they have working on their projects, while others will groan and tear out their hair (too late for me!) about the difficulties of even getting a tradie to call them back, let alone do a quote or any work without a massive wait.
Let's face it - tradies are in short supply in a lot of places nowadays. Good tradies are rare as hen's teeth, with availability to match.
If you've been developing for a while, hopefully you've found your A team. But if you're still a bit green around the edges in this space, what can you do to get tradies calling you back?
To start, let's look at this from the tradie's point of view. They don't know you, they've never spoken to you before, they have no idea if this is a small one-off job or something that could lead to massive amounts of work for them over time.
In the meantime, they already have customers with jobs that need to be done. Chances are they're spending far too much time on the phone sorting stuff out for those jobs, let alone picking up the tools and getting jobs done.
Bottom line - you're not a priority. And look, I get it - I think we all have a tendency to deal with the urgent stuff first. And while you might end up being important for their business, at this point in time you're an unknown quantity. So inevitably they're going to continue leaving it until later to return your call. And then later becomes tomorrow, which becomes next week... We've all been there.
Your priority is to at least get on their "important" list, so you move up their to-do list. First up, chances are you'll need to leave one, if not multiple, messages. So start by getting those right.
Be Clear And Concise
In your message, clearly state what work you need done. Provide details such as the type of job, the scope, and any specific requirements or preferences. This helps them understand the job's complexity and whether they have the capacity to take it on.
In the message, include your name, phone number, site location, and the best time to reach you. Mention any specific timelines or deadlines you have in mind. If you have a flexible timeline, let them know. If it’s an emergency, make that clear too, but avoid sounding desperate.
Providing all the details up front means the tradies doesn't need to spend time on the phone finding all that out. If the tradie thinks it's going to be a fairly quick call, there's a higher chance that call will get slotted into a small gap. Making time for a longer call takes more effort.
Following up your call with a text or email can also be effective. Tradies might be busy on-site and unable to answer calls, but they can read a message during short breaks. Or even send a text to let them know you've sent an email, if you want to send more information like photos or documents.
Timing
As already stated, tradies are busy. But like most of us, there are times when they're more busy and times when they're a little quieter. For example, tradies are typically busiest in the early morning and late afternoon. So the time you call them is really important. Try calling during non-peak times, such as late morning or early afternoon, to increase the chance of reaching them directly.
Left a message and still waiting for a call? Regularly follow up if you don't get a response, but space out your attempts to avoid being seen as a nuisance. Good tradies are in demand, and if you come across as pushy or annoying, they have plenty of other work on offer.
Remember, too, that many tradies have websites which you can use to contact them. Some might even have an online booking system to streamline the process. Take advantage of any option you have to get through to them.
First Impressions Last
As a property developer, it's likely you don't just need the tradie for one job, but potentially many of them. So it's really important to build a positive and mutually beneficial relationship with them right from the start.
Always communicate in a polite and professional manner. Tradies are more likely to respond to clients who respect their time and expertise. So acknowledge their busy schedules and express gratitude for their time. A simple thank you can go a long way in building a positive relationship.
Remember, too, that your goal is to become a priority. Don't be shy about mentioning you're a developer, and that you potentially will have more work for them down the track. Use that to your advantage. It always helps to position yourself as a fellow professional in the construction game, rather than someone ringing with a random one-off request.
And when you have connected and they've done the work required, be generous with praise and quick with payment. That's the best way to make sure you're higher up the list when you need them again. Being great to deal with is definitely a big tick in your favour.
Bottom line - always maintain a polite and professional demeanour, and be flexible and understanding of their schedules. By keeping these points in mind, you’ll be well-equipped to get tradies calling you back and can ensure your project gets the attention it deserves.
Let's face it - tradies are in short supply in a lot of places nowadays. Good tradies are rare as hen's teeth, with availability to match.
If you've been developing for a while, hopefully you've found your A team. But if you're still a bit green around the edges in this space, what can you do to get tradies calling you back?
To start, let's look at this from the tradie's point of view. They don't know you, they've never spoken to you before, they have no idea if this is a small one-off job or something that could lead to massive amounts of work for them over time.
In the meantime, they already have customers with jobs that need to be done. Chances are they're spending far too much time on the phone sorting stuff out for those jobs, let alone picking up the tools and getting jobs done.
Bottom line - you're not a priority. And look, I get it - I think we all have a tendency to deal with the urgent stuff first. And while you might end up being important for their business, at this point in time you're an unknown quantity. So inevitably they're going to continue leaving it until later to return your call. And then later becomes tomorrow, which becomes next week... We've all been there.
Your priority is to at least get on their "important" list, so you move up their to-do list. First up, chances are you'll need to leave one, if not multiple, messages. So start by getting those right.
Be Clear And ConciseIn your message, clearly state what work you need done. Provide details such as the type of job, the scope, and any specific requirements or preferences. This helps them understand the job's complexity and whether they have the capacity to take it on.
In the message, include your name, phone number, site location, and the best time to reach you. Mention any specific timelines or deadlines you have in mind. If you have a flexible timeline, let them know. If it’s an emergency, make that clear too, but avoid sounding desperate.
Providing all the details up front means the tradies doesn't need to spend time on the phone finding all that out. If the tradie thinks it's going to be a fairly quick call, there's a higher chance that call will get slotted into a small gap. Making time for a longer call takes more effort.
Following up your call with a text or email can also be effective. Tradies might be busy on-site and unable to answer calls, but they can read a message during short breaks. Or even send a text to let them know you've sent an email, if you want to send more information like photos or documents.
Timing
As already stated, tradies are busy. But like most of us, there are times when they're more busy and times when they're a little quieter. For example, tradies are typically busiest in the early morning and late afternoon. So the time you call them is really important. Try calling during non-peak times, such as late morning or early afternoon, to increase the chance of reaching them directly.
Left a message and still waiting for a call? Regularly follow up if you don't get a response, but space out your attempts to avoid being seen as a nuisance. Good tradies are in demand, and if you come across as pushy or annoying, they have plenty of other work on offer.
Remember, too, that many tradies have websites which you can use to contact them. Some might even have an online booking system to streamline the process. Take advantage of any option you have to get through to them.
First Impressions Last
As a property developer, it's likely you don't just need the tradie for one job, but potentially many of them. So it's really important to build a positive and mutually beneficial relationship with them right from the start.
Always communicate in a polite and professional manner. Tradies are more likely to respond to clients who respect their time and expertise. So acknowledge their busy schedules and express gratitude for their time. A simple thank you can go a long way in building a positive relationship.
Remember, too, that your goal is to become a priority. Don't be shy about mentioning you're a developer, and that you potentially will have more work for them down the track. Use that to your advantage. It always helps to position yourself as a fellow professional in the construction game, rather than someone ringing with a random one-off request.
And when you have connected and they've done the work required, be generous with praise and quick with payment. That's the best way to make sure you're higher up the list when you need them again. Being great to deal with is definitely a big tick in your favour.
Bottom line - always maintain a polite and professional demeanour, and be flexible and understanding of their schedules. By keeping these points in mind, you’ll be well-equipped to get tradies calling you back and can ensure your project gets the attention it deserves.
