How can I be the best contractor ever?

[Ree Somes]

As a young contractor I am confident. My customers are happy. My financial house is in order and my eyes are on the prize. I want to grow into a top tier contractor.  As I search for and onboard employees I need a clear vision to convey to the new staff. Part of this will include client expectations. 

I want to hear what are the best contractor interactions you have had? What are the worst? What does every contractor need to do better?  Thanks BP community for your answers. I will use these comments to help finish my vivid vision.  

[Zack Thiesen]

@Ree Somes I've had plenty of crazy experiences with hiring other contractors myself. Same as anyone else, I find lack of communication to be the top problem. If you maintain ordered and timely communication between all involved parties, have excellent interpersonal skills, are business-minded and un-stubborn with eternal patience for customer interaction and able to remain calm and professional in any discussion environment, then you're a cut above most of the field.

As far as growing into top-tier, decide what demographic that means in your community and break into it. 98% of my work is client referral and over the years I've moved past the "hungry" phase of doing anything for anyone, having my hourly be sliding scale, etc. and into being busy with work that I actually like doing and what I want to be doing. Like REI, you find your niche, and there is no shortcut to the networking that will get you there.

In the end, there's no use preemptively investing in systems, multiples of tools, employees, workers comp and all the overhead to take your business to people who will low-ball you or haggle or just want a guy who has a license who picked up a day laborer/helper to get it done quickly and satisfactorily. There are plenty of other people who do that and it sounds like you want something different. Not saying it won't be landlords. It might be, there are tons of investment property owners who want nice finishes in their buildings and are willing to pay a premium price for premium work. I have several great working relationships with landlords and work on their primary homes as well, and actually got into REI after talking about it with them.

But before you pour your heart and soul (and $$) int building a business up to where you dream it can be, identify that client base and make sure they're really there to support it. 

@Ree Somes