Know-How Exchange : Taglines/Names

As a homeowner who contracts out many jobs on our home, all I see is another party that I have to pay a fee. Your services might very well have a benefit, but when it comes to contractors, homeowners already FEEL like they're going to get screwed. That's why we turn to the no/low cost alternatives like Yelp, Angie's List, our neighbors, crowdsourcing, and so on. There's an inherent trust in these channels that is already earned - that's a HUGE advantage over you and I haven't even looked at your website.

Here's a thought - work with contractors and embed your fee in their proposal. Sure, that's pretty much the same thing since the homeowner is still paying your fee, but they don't feel like they are. By working with contractors, you can assemble a portfolio of qualified and reliable contractors - essentially, you become a broker. Now, why would a contractor NEED you? Because you're a sales point, and one they don't have to pay taxes on.

You still have to exhibit your trustworthiness and expertise to attract and build a customer base, but at least you have already eliminated the first kneejerk objection: How much is this going to cost me?

Re-reading your business model: If you are going to be working in an area with a high concentration of retired folks, perhaps you should come up with a service that groups jobs together - customers like participating in group buys because it can bring costs down, and contractors like group jobs because they don't burn excessive subcon time on travel and supplies. There are a lot of moving parts to this one, but if my community is anything to go by, hitting up HOA's should be one of your first courses of action.

Very good points! Thank you! I was thinking my fee would be about $300 and I would justify it by creating competition between contractors resulting in a big savings in their price beyond the $300. I was also thinking I am providing a peace of mind for the homeowner so they know they are not getting screwed with a shoddy installation or buying something they don't need.
But I see your point That there are sites like Angie's list etc.. But they don't provide an on site inspector during installation. I don't have a web site yet as this is just in the idea stage. I also did think of your point as sort of a free lance comfort advisor/sales rep.
Thanks so much for the feedback and great point of view. That's what I am looking for!

Why not work in concert with the HVAC companies? If your company performs the inspection and you send the inspection report to the HVAC companies to bid for the job (assuming that you have the credentials to do this), you save the companies inspection time, which reduces the cost of the job. The cost difference is what you earn/split with the homeowner. Best price may not be what you're trying to optimize - it may be availability, specialty, etc. The trick is to put the job out for bid, and let the homeowner sign the contract directly with them. The problem arises if the HVAC company goofs, you don't want to have any liability for their mistake.

Yes that is kind of what I am thinking. I have been in HVAC field for 20 years. I was thinking that I could find the customers. Basically do the interview and find out what they want. Then I would seek the bid, form an opinion as to the best two, go over it with the homeowner and they would sign directly with the contractor. I would then be there on installation day to make sure they are doing what they are supposed to do as far as industry installation standards. The deal would be between them and the contractor . I am just doing the leg work and supervising installation. Thanks so much for your feedback!

Thanks Mgoodman! I appreciate all the responses and think I agree with you. It's a toss up whether it will go or not. The one thing that may help is Sun City a absolutely huge retirement community. They have a reputation that if you do a good service for one the news travels like wildfire and you can't keep up. So I think I will begin to market there and see how it goes. Thanks again!

Randall,
I really appreciate your feedback and you make very valid points. I guess my thoughts were to be more of an advisor to the homeowner. Sort of like a buyers agent as a realtor would be. My goal is not to put down any companies or say they are not trustworthy. It is more of a guidance roll. After being in the HVAC industry for almost 20 years as a service tech, an operations and service manager and estimator/sales rep I found out that most sales reps just confuse the customer. They don't take the time to explain the complex choices that must be made. Like what is SEER rating? What does a variable speed motor do for you? Etc... Most just start off telling them they need the $15,000 20 seer system because it will save them the most on electric (allot of heat pumps here) what they don't go over is they are in a 2000 sq foot house and it's well insulated and their bill is only $150 normally in summer? See what I'm saying? So my thought was just to go in, evaluate their situation, explain and educate them about the systems and HELP them make a choice on what they need and a price point to work with. I already know who the quality companies are so I would bid it out for them and get them the best price possible. Follow up on installation day and make sure all the hidden things a homeowner doesn't see or even know about get done.
So, your right I am now really sure how to market this or if it would be of value? But I think maybe there are enough confused homeowners that they may like a "buyers agent"