The Power of Acknowledgement

During home improvement projects, many homeowners are typically in the mode of picking things apart with criticism, and there is an inherent problem that can come from this approach. A home improvement project is a process, and as such is different from going to a restaurant where you might have a bad meal, or working with a dry-cleaner who doesn't perform to your standards. After a bad meal, or picking up a fouled dry-cleaning order, you can make a mental note not to go back to that establishment again. In home remodeling, the tradespeople involved with your project may be coming back to your home for several days in a row, or in larger projects, for weeks at a time. Do you really want to upset the people working in your home at the beginning of your project? There is another way to establish a good working relationship with your contractor.

The Golden Rule
Acknowledgment is a powerful tool that is rarely used. Tradespeople working in your home like making things. They like creating something. They usually take great pride in having done something well, and if they don't you can easily instill that pride of workmanship in them by some simple, yet specific pats on the back for a job well done. Think about it. There is so little encouragement in this world today. Everyone feels under-appreciated. Almost everyone is starved for a pat on the back. Almost no one can get too much of that. Try it out today. If it's a plumber, if it's an electrician, if it's a good carpenter, it's worth thousands of dollars if you just acknowledge everything that is done well. If good work is appreciated on your job site, suddenly you'll see everyone putting out good work. Compliment the people who are on-site. Compliment the suppliers too. Acknowledgement is a very powerful tool.

A Specific Example
I once completed a whole-house renovation for a homeowner who regularly put out a pot of coffee and doughnuts or sweet rolls for the crew. Occasionally, on Friday, she would show up with a pizza for lunch. In no time she had a team that was definitely looking out for her. A pot of coffee and rolls can inspire in small but wonderful ways. It's surprising how little it can take on your part to make your job stand out in the minds of your tradespeople. A few well-directed compliments along with a surprise pizza will give you a vastly superior product in the end.