Do you guys feel that the majority of customers overlook how important it is to prepare substrates?

[Spare Tool]

Don't be soft with customers, be polite but firm, you need to come across like its you doing them the favour working for them, not the other way round. Give them an inch and they'll take the mile and If you can't do it your way just leave it, forget about it and move on to the next one..

 

[On one]

'Give in' this time and he will expect the same standard the next time.
Boils my pee sometimes when this happens.......the whole scenario could be avoided if the plumber had forewarned that there was prep worth to do.

 

[Waluigi]

I think I know what’s happening here......

The handyman/builder whatever is trying to belittle the amount of work that needs doing to prep it to make you feel like it’s very simple so you should just get on and do it. Give him a price to do it. I agree with Wrighty. Don’t give in. You’re the one who tells him what needs doing, not the other way round

 

[Dumbo]

Get used to hearing this and get used to ignoring it .
Tiler will get over that .
Now you need to understand you are a finish trade and a lot of other trades don't understand what is needed to get a good quality finish .

 

[Ajax123]

There are sadly still a good number of tiles who don't realise the importance of substrate preparation as well.

 

[One Day]

You call the shots. Remember that.
Act as if they need you far more than you need them (even if that's not 100% true - act that way - not arrogantly, just confidently)

A phrase I truthfuly use a lot and which works is something along the lines of "I want to be able to leave here and sleep at night knowing this job will last as long as your house does, so to do that I can't cut corners." Then explain (briefly and without boring them to death) why your way is the only way.

Your own confident attitude is what will win people over.

 

[Joe]

That’s good advice. I know I need to act more confident in these interactions about the job and focus on winning the customers over to gain their trust more in what I’m saying. I’ll crush it next time. I like your salesmanship Impish.