Hi, friends! Last post, we talked about human behaviors affecting business, and this week, we’re diving into house behaviors and how they affect our work! If you’re in the trades, you probably know exactly what I mean. You open up the wall of a remodel project to find… well, a crazy mess—maybe some terrible wiring. You know it’s not right, you’re not an electrician, and you’re pretty sure your customer won’t want to hear, “Hey, we need to get another pro on this job, and it’s probably going to push you over budget.” So, what can be done to keep everyone happy, on schedule, and on budget?

Well, depending on the wiring mess, you might not be able to do much. Sometimes, you just have to bite the bullet, have that hard conversation with the homeowner, and help them find a reputable electrician. This is a perfect example of why networking with other trades is so important. Luyk has always kept tabs on his favorite tradespeople so that we have trusted names to share with our customers. These favorites are favorites for a reason: they’re GREAT at their craft, and they have a professional demeanor. It’s important to align yourself with the same qualities you hold for yourself.

Now, maybe the issue isn’t quite so drastic. Maybe it’s a framing error, a rotten piece of OSB board, a pile of junk that needs to be cleaned out, or even… a beehive! Over the years, we’ve encountered all kinds of surprises that some contractors might gloss over. They might spray over the rotten OSB, leave the pile of junk, or even spray a beehive. But we’ve always made it a point to handle these situations the “Boy Scout” way. If something should be cleaned up, we clean it up. If it should be repaired, we repair it. Luyk has built and remodeled quite a few homes, so fixing framing or replacing OSB is second nature for him and a priority for ensuring the quality of your home. Your home is treated as if it were our own. Most of the time, customers never even know these small fixes happened—it’s just magically not going to be an issue down the road.

Another scenario we’ve encountered is accidental damage while working. While rare—because Luyk takes great care—it has happened. One instance involved a team member tossing a 2x4 in an attic. They didn’t realize the board could break through the ceiling below, but, sure enough, it did. Luyk immediately went to the store to grab the materials needed to fix it, ensuring the ceiling looked as good as new. The homeowners—one of our favorite couples—were aware of the mishap but stayed happy with the job because of how efficiently and expertly the situation was handled. Like the Boy Scouts say, “Leave a place the same or better than you found it.”

Next Blog’s Topic

Continuing the discussion of House Behaviors, let’s explore how two identical homes, located right next to each other, can function completely differently—and why that might be. Plus, I’ll share some thoughts on whether understanding these house behaviors is important and how you can get ‘in the know’!

Your Turn to Share

What is your self-employment or small business story? Have you faced similar challenges? What surprises have you come across on job sites? Share your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you!