CHOOSING A SERVICE PROVIDER

Steps to consider when making decisions for your home

Homeowners are confronted daily with decisions that need to be made regarding their home. Many times these decisions involve hiring a company or individual to repair something or to make enhancements to their home. These decisions can be challenging. Who do we choose? Are they reputable? Will they follow through? Is their pricing fair? Will they be around after the work is done in case there are concerns ?

All of these are great questions because in the end, every homeowner deserves to be given world-class service.

Laney’s, a local plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical company has been providing services in the Fargo-Moorhead and surrounding areas for more than 50 years. During those years, Laney’s has made their customer the focus when called to deliver.

“Our technicians are invited in to countless homes on a daily basis to repair many different problems,” says Kevin Wolf, president of Laney’s. “They have given us this wonderful opportunity and it is our duty to treat our customers with respect and to meet or exceed their expectations. If we are not successful doing this, we have let our customer down.”

When choosing a service provider, homeowners should do their homework. One of the best resources can be friends and neighbors. They will relate their experiences very openly and will want to share their experiences – good and bad. The advice you receive will be unfiltered and straightforward. Word of mouth is a priceless form of advertising that must be earned.

Traditionally, homeowners have used the yellow pages as a source of reference. While this might be a great place to get a number or an address, it doesn’t always tell the whole story. An alternative source for finding out more about a company or individual offering services is the Internet. “I highly recommend customers to check out a company’s website and other on-line sources. While the Internet can be full of a lot of misinformation, there are reputable sites such as the Better Business Bureau that can give you some great insight into who you are considering,” Wolf said.

If you’re not making an emergency decision, it is recommended that you ask a service provider for references. While they might only refer customers that have had positive experiences, it will at

BY CURT KASPER TAYLOR MADE PHOTOGRAPHY

least give you an indication that they have built some good relationships.

When you are making decisions in an emergency situation, make sure the company that you are dealing with has the resources to meet your need at a time that is convenient for you. Wolf explains, “We are in the ‘peace of mind’ business. Many times our customers’ problems happen after hours or on the weekend and they are distressed and anxious about getting their problem solved. It is our job to respond promptly, to educate our customer about the options that will fix their situation and to provide those services with a professional and friendly attitude at a great value. It is also very important for us to leave the customer’s home as clean as or cleaner than we when we were invited in.”

So as a homeowner, the next time your need to hire someone to help you in your home, make sure you take the steps necessary to increase the chances of a positive experience, because after all – you do deserve great customer service! [AWM]