A Growing Trend

[Kyle]

Lately I have been running into insured’s wanting to re-build their homes, cancel us after signed work authorizations or complaining about how much we charge. Is this stemming from the economy? I know we will be running into this from time to time but is this due to not enuf upfront work before the signed contract or is this a sign of the times?

No one likes to lose jobs…especially the good ones. I don’t think there is any reason to lose a job after you have your equipment there and are working. This must be something I am not doing right or could be doing better.

Thanks!!

[Sentry]

So who ends up doing the work?

[Kyle]

The homeowner does for the most part.

[Sentry]

Kyle,
If the homeowner is taking over the job after you start, then it sounds like one of a few reasons:
1. Greedy Insureds. They use you & your estimate to get a better settlement than they could get on their own, then cast you off after they get the check. It takes an "insurance wise" insured to do this usually, someone with some experience with insurance claims. Hard to fight. I believe we all lose some work to these guys. It's best to spot them right away if you can and move on.

2. Incomplete salesmanship. These insureds may view you as a commodity, something that is at best equal in value to other alternatives. It takes some salesmanship to show your clients that you are the best choice.

3. Incomplete paperwork. We only rely on the work auth to get us paid for emergency work. Anything else ( and I mean anything) we use a construction agreement. Amazing thing is that the construction agreement seems to seal the deal, set us apart from others who want to use a wink & a handshake. In this climate of bailouts, greed, and corporate fraud, insureds are distrusful and afraid of getting taken advantage of. A written agreement helps them understand that you are interested in the job getting done right, you getting paid, and them being happy.