Chris J
05-16-2007, 08:42 PM
I wanted to share this with you because I think it is important to contractors as well as homeowners:
I did a job for a wealthy man several years ago, he moved further south to a multi million dollar home in Palm Coast and then let the builders "landscaper" install the lighting system. Two weeks after he moved in, he called me and told me to come re-do the lighting system because it was all screwed up. It was a Unique system of mostly well lights, some of which were already melted. Original landscapers cost was $4000; My cost to re-do the system was around $10K using brass.
The other day, this gentleman called stating that he had his back yard landscaped and wanted some more lighting in the rear yard. When I arrived, I saw the most beautiful back yard! Paver walkways to the waterway, arbors throughout, dozens of beautiful palms elegantly placed throughout the property, tiered stone walls surrounding gathering areas, beautiful raised planter beds...... This yard was the SH$%! After speaking with him for an hour, however, all he wanted was 10 more lights. I could have crapped my pants! I tried my best to explain that he had one of the most extrodinary properties in the state, but he was comfortable with just a few more lights. We did the add-on today, and I was absoulutely sick the entire time just thinking about what this property could be. This guy loves our designs, and hopefully (in this case) we didn't do such a great job because I want him to know what it means to live in his very own tropical resort. I know he is going to love the little bit that we did, but unless he gives us the go-ahead, he will never know what this could truly be.
Maybe I didn't do my job as a salesman on this one; maybe he was just too confident in our abilities. But I can guarantee you that today I installed a $20k job for $3000.
I did a job for a wealthy man several years ago, he moved further south to a multi million dollar home in Palm Coast and then let the builders "landscaper" install the lighting system. Two weeks after he moved in, he called me and told me to come re-do the lighting system because it was all screwed up. It was a Unique system of mostly well lights, some of which were already melted. Original landscapers cost was $4000; My cost to re-do the system was around $10K using brass.
The other day, this gentleman called stating that he had his back yard landscaped and wanted some more lighting in the rear yard. When I arrived, I saw the most beautiful back yard! Paver walkways to the waterway, arbors throughout, dozens of beautiful palms elegantly placed throughout the property, tiered stone walls surrounding gathering areas, beautiful raised planter beds...... This yard was the SH$%! After speaking with him for an hour, however, all he wanted was 10 more lights. I could have crapped my pants! I tried my best to explain that he had one of the most extrodinary properties in the state, but he was comfortable with just a few more lights. We did the add-on today, and I was absoulutely sick the entire time just thinking about what this property could be. This guy loves our designs, and hopefully (in this case) we didn't do such a great job because I want him to know what it means to live in his very own tropical resort. I know he is going to love the little bit that we did, but unless he gives us the go-ahead, he will never know what this could truly be.
Maybe I didn't do my job as a salesman on this one; maybe he was just too confident in our abilities. But I can guarantee you that today I installed a $20k job for $3000.