September 26th, 2009
As Fix It Atlanta continues to grow, we keep our options open. Since we have a number of different Sandy Springs Handyman teams in the field we will be using twitter to simplify our operations. We upgraded to the blackberry earlier in the year and now will continue our enhancements by using web technology for our daily operations. We will be the first to admit, a number of our Sandy Springs Handyman employees were not technically proficient with the Internet and/or email. However, we have been patient and spend a lot of time training. More importantly, we make certain that each of our employees understand why the technological additions are being made so they do not resist the changes that we make to improve daily communications.
The process goes like this, instead of having to send text messages to each separate crew, we will be configuring each crew to follow the home office. Then we will announce key information during the day and our employees will be updated through the twitter process, a.k.a. by following Fix It Atlanta home office. This may seem like a simple change and to be honest, it is. However, using twitter is an example of how we are willing to look at the big picture and make operational adjustments if we see an opportunity to make our process more efficient. By being able to look at the big picture, we are able to better serve our employees and customers alike.
Another improvement that twitter and the addition of blackberry technology to our staff has added is more rapid customer response. We are now able to check emails in the field without having to wait to get back to the office. This means we can answer questions or even view photos of prospective jobs emailed in from our customers. By making key information more readily available to our Sandy Springs Handyman professionals, jobs are being completed quicker. In addition, we can provide quotes for prospective projects faster as well. Yet another benefit is we can transfer photos and information back and forth to all of our professionals while they are in the field. Instead of having to get everyone together to discuss, which could take days, we transfer emails, text messages, photos and even twitter postings to enhance our communication effectiveness. In the end, we are willing to do whatever is necessary to get the job done as long as our safety policies and procedures are followed. The remainder of this blog is to ask our customers, do they have any additional suggestions on how we can communicate better with them? Do you like your current way of doing business by asking you to take photographs and email them to us?
Tags: Sandy Springs Handyman
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September 26th, 2009
We admit, we signed up for facebook to. Even though we are not exactly computer savy, a number of our Kennesaw Handyman employees are members of facebook as well. We would be foolish to pass up valuable networking opportunities that is available through that website. We even keep close relationships with our competitors if you can believe it. Instead of making enemies and burning bridges, we have learned the diplomacy is always a good practice. Instead of being afraid, we openly embarrass the plethora of knowledge that is available through popular networking sites.
The longer we have been in the Kennesaw Handyman business, we have learned the single best form of advertising is word of mouth. To date, we still get over 75% of all new business from referrals. By doing it right the first time, word spreads like wild fire. With the addition of facebook we are able to help our recruitment of Fix It Atlanta employees. We will be the first to admit, our recruitment process is extremely competitive. Only one out of ten potential applicants is eventually hired. We look for the right temperament, willingness to learn and talent before we invest our time into developing them. The upside is any new Fix It Atlanta employee is groomed for more than just a general contractor position. They will become solar power certified and become highly marketable professionals for many decades to come.
In addition to using facebook for recruitment, we also use it for our referral network. Recently we were indoctrinated into Elite Home Services of Atlanta. Only the top 1% of all Atlanta based home service companies are invited to participate in this referral network. We link to each other’s face book pages to keep tabs on each other. It took a while to develop the necessary trust to refer a different business to our valued Kennesaw Handyman customers. The reason for this is one false move by a different company and it would reflect poorly on our judgement. For that reason the Elite Home Services of Atlanta has a one strike and you are out policy. To date, Elite Home Services has referred over 300 jobs without a single complaint.
In conclusion, we would like to hear your opinions on how you hear about Home Services providers. Do you hear about them from your friends? What percent of the business that you hire comes from referrals? We always welcome your thoughts so we can learn how to be serve our customers.
Tags: Kennesaw Handyman
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September 24th, 2009
Lately it has been raining cats and dogs on a daily basis. Our Atlanta Handyman Service has been ringing of the hook with requests for help. If there is one thing we are, it is fair. Even though some folks are down and out, we will continue to offer an honest days work for an honest days pay. A prospective customer need look no further than our posted references on the web to check on our fairness. Since we are in it for the long run, you can count on fair and up front ethical pricing.
At Fix It Atlanta, we are team players. For that reason we have a number of recommended service providers we can send your way if you need them. We would rather see people get assistance than turn a deaf ear. The Atlanta Home Service community is a small one, we have been around for over 25 years so we know who we can trust. Because of this, we have earned a reputation of a trustworthy Atlanta Handyman Service. Whether it’s window cleaning or electrical, we can handle it or refer you to the company that will get it done right for you the first time. We even have a pest control guy if you need that too. The bottom line is we are networked in Atlanta. We require impeccable service credentials along with a very reliable track record of service. Having said that, we operate on a one strike and you are out policy. If one of our recommended service providers gets a complaint, they are required to make the customer happy, whatever it takes, period. There simply is not room in our business or any other business allow for a customer to not be fully satisfied with the service they pay for. We are cognisant that people work hard for their money and they deserve exceptional value for what they spend.
We have been glued to The Weather Channel for weeks now. There still seems to be no relief in sight. Additional services that are getting lots of calls are Carpet Force and Amazon Cleaning since they both specialize in cleanups as well. The Weather Channel is pretty good coverage so we can anticipate needs ahead of time and bulk up on supplies. The remainder of this blog is asking customers out there what kind of repair projects are you needing since the storms hit? Anything we should have plenty of before working for you?
Tags: Atlanta Handyman Service
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September 24th, 2009
If there is one thing we have learned over the past 25 years, it is that our Dunwoody Handyman service must always follow the customer is always right rule. This is a simple term that has been heard time and time again, yet, a lot of businesses out there get off of this standard and pay a high price for it. Nothing can be won by arguing with a customer, only bad things can happen. The most simplistic function of any business is to achieve the vision of it’s customers. By failing to meet this objective, a business is always in dissarray.
Every rule has an exception and in this instance it is sound operational policy and safety. If a customer ever attempts to break these rules, well, they are wrong. However, this seldom happens and if it does, all we have needed to do is politely explain it and the matter is solved. We are constantly amazed at how friendly and easy to work with our Dunwoody Handyman customers are. It is ridiciulous how many times we get offered something to drink, cookies, dinner etc. In fact, it’s hard to get around the fact that after a few visits, we have made numerous friends.
To be perfectly candid, there have been a few times when we felt very strongly that the customer was not right. However, a true professional has discipline. If this happens, we take a second and view the big picture, that being, we are there to achieve the customer’s vision, not ours. Even if we strongly believe in a different approach, in the end, we must follow the same rule, the customer is always right. Don’t get us wrong, we owe it to the customer to offer our expertise and ways to apply the most cost effective and solid solution. However, in the end, our customers are the boss and we stay out of the way. Any other startegy and thats your peril, we don’t play with fire. By taking a moment to read our reviews on yelp and kudzu, you will see that our dedication to this critical rule shines through.
This blog is about your experiences with other Dunwoody Handyman Services. Can you tell us about any experiences that went terribly wrong? How about a time when another business did not follow the customer is always right rule?
Tags: Dunwoody Handyman
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September 24th, 2009
Even though we are general contractors our Roswell customers usually hear about us by searching for the Roswell Handyman term. We don’t mind being identified in this manor but want to be perfectly clear that our skill set goes much deeper. Not only can we handle home repair but we specialize in home improvement and remodeling projects as well. Since the foundation of Fix It Atlanta has been in the making for over 25 years, we have a lot of experiences to draw from. If we had to state or biggest asset however, it is our stubborn determination to never give up.
We will be the first to admit, we were not always experts. Even today, as we branch into web technology, we had to start off at square one. Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel, we asked around and found out the best website to learn html was the Web Design Group. Like the old analogy of the turtle and the hair, we continued to learn on a consistent and patient manor. This was not an easy task as our owners are in the ‘middle aged’ generation. However, we are hoping our leap into web technology is a testament of our willingness to stay on the cutting edge of technology and willingness to embrace the unknown.
As our Roswell Handyman practice continues to expand, we apply ourselves in the same manor toward green technology. The seeds for expansion have been planted for many years. For us, it started in San Diego watching Arnold Schwarzenegger give a speech on solar power. We have been educated in this technology for years now but still have not released it to the general public. Instead, we are performing installations for friends and family. We continue to fine tune and make 100% certain we have the solar power sector mastered. We want to be the absolute authority in the Atlanta market on how to install and administer solar power. In order to offer that kind of claim, we have been working behind the scenes and making many contacts where all the brain power for solar lies, in California. It is no secret, solar power has not caught on yet in Atlanta. Look around, no one is using it yet, the culture just hasn’t embarrassed solar power yet.
This blog is about solar power and if you are in the market to try it out? Can we answer any questions like what is the return on investment? Perhaps, how much do beginning, intermediary and advanced systems to install?
Tags: Roswell Handyman
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September 22nd, 2009
Our founder, Rick Bennett, has been working as a general contractor for over 25 years. During that time, his Marietta Handyman Service has evolved over the years into what we know now as Fix It Atlanta. If there is one thing we have learned over the years its that we must be open to new ideas. The old saying there is more than one way to skin a cat is true in our business. The key is how to come up with a quality solution that is also economical and aesthetically pleasing. Since there are often multiple objectives to home improvement and repair, it is critical that we get on the same page with the customer. The purpose of this blog is to gather any suggestions or ideas from our customers or potential customers. We always welcome suggestions on how to organize our projects for success.
Presently, our process is very straightforward when issuing a price. We come out to the home and have a face to face discussion with our current or prospective client. During this phase, we make a point to gather all of the information before making any recommendations or suggestions. After evaluating the project and often times consulting additional professionals on staff, we come up with solution i.e. project plan. The critical part of executing a project plan is customer education and understanding. We want to execute our plan in an organized and open book fashion. For this reason, we do ask for our client to spend a few extra minutes communicating with us in verbal and most importantly, written format. This allows us to all agree on what will be performed and eliminate any un-expected surprises. Since we are in the Marietta Handyman Service business for the long term, it is no secret we are auditioning for the opportunity to service our customers on a long term basis. For that reason, it is critical that we deliver what was promised. In order to do that, we need 100% open and honest communication so we can always be on the same page.
Since we have a lot of variables that we are dealing with, we do have a very STRICT set of employee and customer guidelines. These guidelines are not negotiable, they exist for our employee safety and our customer safety and overall service level satisfaction. Over the years we have learned from our experiences and almost every single guidelines that we adhere to came from a situation that we learned from and quickly took steps to make certain we worked from a solid foundation moving forward.
With this in mind, we invite you to add any comments or suggestions on how we can communicate in the most efficient way possible. Do you prefer written estimates or perhaps photo presentations? Do you have any past experiences with other companies where things went wrong? What can we do to make certain we are on the cutting edge of project planning and management?
Tags: Marietta Handyman Service
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September 22nd, 2009
We have been Smyrna Handyman experts for over 25 years now and counting. In all practical sense of the saying, we are a one stop shop for all of your home improvement needs. We can handle anything interior or exterior, commercial or residential. Whether you need carpentry, deck repair or painting, we have the experience and resources to get the job done right. If you are wondering whether or not we can handle electrical work or hardwood floor installation, well, we do that too. In fact, this blog is designed to pose a challenge to the general public to come up with a project that we can’t handle.
The road to becoming a general contractor is not an easy one. Only through a vast array of experiences, can efficiency and expertise be gained. Now, we have decided to combine our experience with 21st century technology to form a new beginning. It doesn’t take an expert to realize the Rick Bennett knows what is doing. Take a peak at our Kudzu and Yelp reviews to see what our new customers are saying. So far we are 15 for 15 and counting for the past few weeks. We expect to see similar results as we follow our doctrine of an honest days work for an honest days pay.
We have been working in the Smyrna Handyman business before Smyrna boomed into the huge city that it is now. We have witnessed the majority of the houses built and even know the materials used in a lot of the houses in today’s neighborhoods. Because of this knowledge, we know who to call and where to go to gather equipment and supplies. We also know how to save a buck or two on the bottom line. Instead of price gouging, we charge up front and have nothing to hide. Because our honesty, we are able to earn our customers for the long haul. That is the only way we have ever run our shop and ever will. Any other way of business would be flirting with disaster, for a bad experience damages reputation and trust, the two foundations for long term business success.
So we throw out the challenge, are there any potential customers out there who have a project they are having trouble to get completed? Can you think of any projects or experiences that you have heard of from a friendly or family member? Tell us your experiences, we want to hear from you.
Tags: Smyrna Handyman
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August 25th, 2009
Have you ever wanted to hire a reliable Atlanta Handyman but could not find one? Well, you have come to the right place at Fix It Atlanta. By combining 21st century technology with good old fashioned experience, we continue to rise quickly to the top. By glancing over our website, you will notice that our track record is an open book. Since we are a smaller company, exceptional service is all that we have. We pride ourselves on having one of the most diverse product lines in the business. Since Rick Bennett has been in the general contracting business for more than 25 years, there is nothing he can’t handle. In addition, our network is strong so if your job request is something that we do not perform, chances are we will be able to direct you to the right place.
Since we are in this business for the long term, we make certain our valued customers are taken care of at all times. We follow the old adage that honesty is the best policy. For that reason, we like to take our projects step by step with clear lines of communication at all times. All of our estimates are written out before hand so there are no last minute surprises. Because we take the customer first approach, our Atlanta Handyman practice has a very customer following. By fostering healthy and honest relationships, we are able to earn long term business. However, we do not take our relationships for granted. Instead, we continue to place a lot of emphasis on research and development.
By continuing to develop our technical know how, we are always open to new and more efficient ways of doing business. We have begun to integrate new websites and GPS technology into our daily operations. If a new process reduces costs then we are interested in exploring that idea. The bottom line is we need to keep our quality as high and our costs as low as possible. That end goal is something that does not just occur by magic. Instead, it takes continual planning and vision on a day to day basis. In addition, it requires a certain amount of humility along the lines of being trainable. In order to advance, we must first admit that we do not always have all of the answers with new technology. Also, we have reputable resources that we depend upon to represent us in technology as we continue to expand in this critical dimension. Moving forward, you can always count on Fix It Atlanta to run an ethical business. As always, please state any comments on areas you feel we can improve upon!
Tags: Atlanta Handyman
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