Choosing a contractor answering service is not a one-size-fits-all approach. In the same way that not all contractors are the same, contractor answering service providers are not the same either. Nor should they be. After all, different contractors supply a range of different solutions and assistance for their customers, and these services require different methods of communication and on-site services.
For instance, a landscaping contractor organization performs different services than an electrical contractor, and the same can be said for plumbers and construction workers, who all have their own areas of expertise, and focus on different aspects. Similarly, while all of these different types of contractors can cater to emergencies that arise, it is no question that the term “emergency” means something different for a landscaping crew than it might for a plumbing crew.
When it comes to sifting through contractor answering service choices, a contractor needs to understand that it is important to find a contractor answering service provider that works with their style of business, and meets their particular needs.
It’s Still Your Business
What to look for in a contractor answering service is sort of like looking at what gaps need to be filled in your business. After all, hiring a contractor answering service is like adding an extension to your business, not bringing a new business in. This means that whatever types of communications solutions you need, the right contractor answering service provider will be able to provide these seamlessly into your current workflow.
For example, if your current contracting business receives text message alerts for emergencies, then why change it? If that operational workflow is working for your style and business, then you should find a contractor answering service provider that can maintain this type of communication process.
On the other hand, maybe you want to adjust some things to improve the operational workflow and make it more effective. For example, there are many calls that come through that while might seem urgent to the caller, might not be classified as an emergency compared to the other items on your plate.
Instead of having to hash this out with a customer on the phone in real-time (when you could be focusing on the actual emergencies or more pressing projects on your plate), you can have a dedicated contractor answering service provider filter and organize these calls and requests for you.
This means more time focusing on your business, and tackling the tasks that need to be tackled, without having to decipher the requests as they come in. This also means more time getting things done, and less time talking with customers who mostly feel that they are experiencing an emergency.
The Same Level of Care
The contractor answering service considerations should be your considerations, meaning they should care about the same things that you care about, and handle customer calls in the same way you would. Since the contractor answering service provider you choose is going to be an extension of your business, it is important that they align with these values from the get go.
Some contractor answering service providers will limit themselves to a particular workflow or request that you adapt to their ways of doing business, whether that means incorporating particular softwares or setting scheduled times to go through messages, etc. This shouldn’t be the case. It is still your business, and the way you provide care to your customers should still be the way that your contracting business operates after you have brought a contractor answering service provider into the fold.
Therefore, your job should be easier, with fewer steps that need to be addressed, as opposed to more. You shouldn’t have to spend hours on end going through various training sessions, for instance. Your contractor answering service provider should be well-versed in what it means to address and speak to customers related to your specialty.
Whether you provide plumbing services, HVAC services, or any other type of contract-based services, your dedicated contractor answering service provider should be well-versed in your approach and be able to navigate and facilitate your customers’ calls with the same level of expertise that you would provide if you yourself had answered the phone.
Don’t Leave Any Customers Out
While it should go without saying, one of the biggest attributes that you should look for in a contractor answering service is the ability to have a bi-lingual team of phone operators. Having a bi-lingual contractor answering service provider means that your customers will be able to communicate their questions or concerns in a clear and understandable manner, and in a way that is best for them. This is important for several reasons.
For one thing, a contractor needs to know exactly what is going on with a particular customer issue. When it comes to repairs or new builds, there can be no room for miscommunication, since this is a waste of everyone’s time and money.
On the other hand, having a bi-lingual contractor answering service provider will put your customers at ease, knowing they are being heard and that your contracting business is taking the time and effort to make sure all concerns are addressed. This leads to future business and healthy customer relationships because they know that your contracting business has their best interests in mind.
Choose a Contactor Answering Service That Works for You
There are many contractor answering service providers to choose from, and while they all boast pride in their services, Answering Service Care has the customer reviews to back our claims. We can make sure you can give your callers the 24/7 support they need with our dedicated contractor answering service team.
