Ecmweb 17849 Service Secrets Talbot Pr
Ecmweb 17849 Service Secrets Talbot Pr
Ecmweb 17849 Service Secrets Talbot Pr
Ecmweb 17849 Service Secrets Talbot Pr
Ecmweb 17849 Service Secrets Talbot Pr

The Right Materials for Success

Aug. 23, 2019
Consistent quality and craftsmanship are key to profitability and repeat business.

Just like you can’t tighten a bolt with a screwdriver, you can’t do your job without the right materials. Any good electrician knows that installing high-quality materials can reduce warranty calls and possibly save your business reputation. Consistency in good materials is a foundation for success. 

Just like other foundations to success, like consistent bookkeeping or database maintenance, picking materials for a job can sometimes be a mundane aspect of the project. Take panels, for instance. There are companies that offer a lifetime warranty on their premium load centers, so the question is:

Why are you, as a business owner, not using the best panel on the market? I find that customers are generally willing to pay a little more to get the better panel.

While it’s easy to lose sight of, particularly when focusing on the bottom line, the safety of your techs and customers is the most important factor when considering consistent quality. You don’t want to be responsible for an accident because you were trying to save a few bucks. 

Here’s a real-world example: Say you enjoy good food and are excited to eat your favorite dish from a restaurant you love — only to find out ownership changed hands, the chef quit, and your favorite dish no longer tastes the same. Next, think about how frustrated you are when this restaurant, known for its good service, keeps you waiting on the check for 20 minutes. That restaurant would lose your business because now you don’t know what to expect. The same goes for residential electrical businesses. You must ensure the same quality of craftsmanship and materials every single time, or customers will lose confidence in your ability to consistently reproduce a masterpiece. Your clients should know what to expect every time you arrive at their house. Take a moment to read the following tips on how to safeguard the reputation of your company when it comes to installations.

1. Make a list of all the parts you use on a daily basis. Then, use that list to make sure the parts you’re installing are only the best and from a long-standing, reputable manufacturer. If you are keeping up with your materials, you can provide yearly amounts to negotiate better deals on premium products. Remember, you and your business’ reputation are only as good as the materials you are installing.

2. Write out expectations of what a job should look like from a quality perspective. Include pictures and demonstrations, and use these items to train all your techs to perform the same quality of work.

3. Make sure you have written procedures regarding the way you want your techs to interact with the client. If you don’t proactively address this by talking about it and developing training for it, then you will not have consistent customer service.

4. To sell the value of what you are installing, offer longer warranties that prove to the client you are willing to back-up your products and installation.    

Talbot is a licensed, master electrician in Georgia, where he was born and raised. He has been in the industry for 18 years and is currently the operations manager for Mister Sparky Atlanta, where he manages a team of technicians. In his spare time, he plays with his kids, volunteers, and enjoys flipping houses. He can be reached at [email protected].

About the Author

Gerald Talbot | Operations Manager

Gerald is a licensed, master electrician in Georgia, where he was born and raised. He has been in the industry for 17 years and is currently the operations manager for Mister Sparky Atlanta, where he manages a team of technicians.

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