A ringing phone that remains unanswered can cost a company a big project and its future to a competitor. Contractors often find it hard to answer phone calls between jobs during busy business hours. Construction works are drawn out on narrow timelines alongside the need for immediate answers, so that communication timing can make or break a project.
An answering service from signpost.com can fill that gap to ensure your calls are answered in a professional manner 24/7. With this solution, contractors can get back to the work they do best while still providing the level of service customers expect.
Advantages of Having an Answering Service For Contractors
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Never Miss Important Business Opportunities
Many construction projects get contracts that require an immediate response. Contractors often find themselves missing calls from potential customers looking for quotes or emergency services while out on jobs. By having an answering service on hand to take every call, leads that may have been lost to your competitors can instead be taken and answered professionally.
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Professional Image and Customer Service
As with all things in life, first impressions are paramount in the construction industry. Quality customer interactions keep your business looking professional. Instead of your calls going straight to voicemail or being answered quickly by someone using a machine, your clients get the attention of certified representatives who are well aware of your services and can effectively schedule appointments.
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24/7 Emergency Response Capability
Construction emergencies do not operate on business hours. They also need immediate attention, such as water damage, electrical, or structural problems. It turns out that an answering service can take emergency calls and prioritize them before they reach you, if at all, depending upon the criteria you set. This also gives clients access to quick responses for urgent work-related incidents, which in turn establishes some trust and could lead to potential high-ticket emergency work contracts.
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Cost-Effective Alternative to Full-Time Staff
Bringing on a full-time receptionist means payroll costs, benefits, training costs, and office space. The annual pay is about $31,110, which is the median wage for receptionists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. An answering service offers similar call management benefits for much less than this, which is especially appealing to a small to medium-sized contracting business that operates on razor-thin margins.
Disadvantages of Having an Answering Service For Contractors
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Less Direct Control Over Customer Interactions
Unlike a virtual receptionist, with an answering service, contractors no longer have direct control over the customer experience. Reps may not grasp the nuances of a given construction project or what differentiates your company from its competitors. Such distance, however, can also lead to misunderstandings and lost chances to better integrate with client relations and solve issues on the spot.
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Potential for Miscommunication
Construction is a technical field with specific terminology and details, which a more generalized answering service may not wholly understand. Critical project specs, material needs, or dates may be misinterpreted or poorly conveyed. This work can sometimes cause miscommunication between a contractor and their client, which could lead to unnecessary frustration, missed deadlines, or potentially even lost work that direct contractor involvement could have prevented.
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Why Getting an Answering Service Is a Smart Choice!
The pros generally outweigh the cons for most general contractors. As the construction industry is very competitive, providing impeccable service and fast turnaround times is a must. Missing a call means losing a potential sales opportunity because research has found that 80% of callers will hang up when they reach voicemail.
Sign Post provides answering services that are customized to contractors and construction companies. They know the specific challenges of the industry and supply trained operators who understand construction language and scheduling requirements. This includes emergency call protocols, appointment scheduling, and comprehensive message taking that helps contractors maintain a professional business setting while concentrating on the work they do best.
