Choosing a shop fitter for your business can be daunting. Let’s face it, you don’t want to spend money on something and have them do a bad job. You also don’t want to work with someone who just wants your money but doesn’t care about the end result of their work. But how do you find out who is right for you? Well, here are my top tips:
Research the Companies That You’re Interested in Hiring
Before you sign on the dotted line, take a few minutes to do some research on your potential shop fitting company. Check out their website and social media presence, like Instagram or Facebook (if they have one).
See what people are saying about them online, especially by searching for reviews with the company name in it. Look through their portfolio carefully—if they’re able to show you examples of what they have done in the past, this is an important indicator of how well-established they are as a company. For instance, a shop fitting company like 3:Rock may be ideal for your retail business as their portfolio showcases collaborations with prominent retailers.
Ask your friends and family if they have used a shop fitter before: not only will this give you feedback from people who know what good service looks like, but also it may help narrow down your options without having to make unnecessary calls or emails!
Another way to find out about local companies is by checking out their locations; if there are several shops nearby then chances are good that there will be plenty of competition around too.
This could affect pricing so make sure that’s something worth considering when comparing prices against other companies’ quotes.
Finally just ask straight up questions such as “How long has this business been operating?” If someone tells me 20 years then I know right off the bat that my job should be safe because no one puts up with bad service for too long.
Check Out Their Work and Talk to Previous Clients
When you’re looking for the right shop fitter, ask for examples of their work. You can also talk to previous clients and ask if they have any references you can contact.
Ask if they are able to provide references, and what the client is most satisfied with and least satisfied with.
Make Sure You Agree on the End Result
The first thing you need to do is agree on what the shop fitter will deliver. This includes the following:
- What work they are going to complete and how long it will take them
- How much you will pay for their services
Once these things have been agreed upon, then you can make sure that your shop fitter has all the necessary paperwork done and in order.
Find Out If They’ve Done Similar Projects
When choosing a shop fitter, look for one who has experience working with businesses in your industry. You don’t want a shop fitter to tell you that they have done this kind of work before when they haven’t—that can be dangerous.
Shop fitters who have worked on similar projects will be able to share valuable information and even offer advice on how best to proceed with your business needs. They can also help you avoid mistakes that they made when working with similar businesses, which saves time and money!
Make Sure They Can Work Around You
It’s important to remember that shop fitters have a day job, so you should make sure they can work around your schedule. To do this, make sure they understand the hours you need them to be there and when you need them to finish up. You don’t want them lingering after hours or turning up late on the first day of installation because it wasn’t cleared up before hand that this would be an issue.
Also, if possible, try to accommodate their location too. If they’re based in London but your store is in Leeds, then it might not be possible for them to travel every day between jobs—especially if they live far away. They may even struggle with getting equipment into some locations due to size restrictions (for example: narrow staircases).
Lastly, consider how much disruption there will be while everything is being done. If it’s disruptive enough, then customers won’t feel comfortable shopping there until everything has been set up correctly. Make sure everyone involved understands how much time will pass between each stage of the process (and ask if they could give any advice on ways around these problems).
Ask About Their “After-sales Care” Policy
When you hire a shop fitter, you want to be sure they will help you if anything goes wrong. Shop fitters need to be able to provide an after-sales service that is quick and efficient. It’s important that they answer your queries promptly and if there are problems with the work, they should come back to fix them.
- What happens if we change our minds?
- How long will it take for them to respond?
- If any part of the job isn’t up to scratch, will they come and sort it out straight away or am I going to have to wait until someone is available at some point in the future? If so, when?
- How long does their warranty last?
A Good Shop Fitter Will Be Able to Quickly Understand Your Needs and Help You Achieve Your Goals
When choosing a shop fitter, it’s important that they can understand your requirements and help you achieve your goals.
They will be able to help you get the most out of your shop by:
- Saving money on labour costs
- Improving workflow and productivity
- Reducing errors
See our post on picking the right van for your business as well.
Conclusion
In summary, the most important thing to remember when hiring a shop fitter is that you need a company who can work with you, listen to your needs and concerns and deliver on their promises. It’s easy to get caught up in all the choices out there but don’t forget that sometimes simple is best!
Leave a Reply