Asking Your Contractor Questions
At a Dead End
At first I balked at the idea. I thought that there wouldn't really be enough material and that the concept had been written about on numerous other occasions. A day later a light bulb went off. I remembered a conversation I had with a retired police officer at a holiday party four weeks earlier.
Asking the Right Questions
Donald Clark was the police officer. He had worked as a patrolman and detective in my village for many years. After retiring from full time police work, he decided to start his own business. Donald was smart. He used his many years of police experience to start a company that does pre-employment testing, polygraph work, psychological testing and scientific interviews. Some of the top companies in Cincinnati use his services before they hire anyone.
At the party, Donald told me some stories I couldn't believe. He mentioned that the key to obtaining information is in how you ask the question. "We all like to talk about ourselves," Donald said. How true that is!
Over the years, Donald has perfected the art of asking questions. For example, don't ask if a person has committed arson. You say, "Have you ever set fire to an object worth more than $10,000?" A person might respond, "No, but I once started a trash dumpster on fire." Answers spew out from people's mouths like that all day long!
I Became the Lab Rat
I decided to interview Donald for this column and bulletin. Donald agreed and asked me to come to his office. Once there, we chatted for a few moments. He felt that the best way for me to understand the effect was to conduct an actual interview with me. I agreed to be grilled.
The first few questions were routine. But then, he started throwing curve balls. When he asked me tough questions, I could feel my skin crawl. I told the truth throughout the entire interview. He wasn't pleased that I had driven down Section Road 25 miles over the posted speed limit! Well, I told him I wasn't going to lie!
If you want to hire the best employee or find out if a current one is still on the straight and narrow, call Donald Clark. He is simply superb! You can reach him in Cincinnati, Ohio at 513-891-8869.
See also 50 Contractor Interview Questions for questions to ask.
Related Articles: Find a Pro by Asking the Right Questions, Building & Remodeling Trade Magazines
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Comments:Welcome! I, Tim
Carter, don't answer questions
here. If you post a question here in the Comments Area,
perhaps another visitor will help you. You need to go to the Ask
Tim page if you want a question answered. Once there, look
closely at how many weeks behind we are. Please be patient as you use
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there is an option there for you.
Lynn Koepke 20 Apr 2008, 21:03
I had a garage built for a rental home and my son saw light through the
side this afternoon and we discovered he put up 2X4's for the frame but
only used foam between the siding and the 2X4's - isn't he required to put
plywood down first, then the foam and then the siding. I want to sue but I
want to know what industry standard is. Thanks.
Paul 15 May 2008, 16:28
I was wondering what the typical installation of blinds go for and how its
figured. I will buy my own blinds.
janice woods 20 May 2009, 18:55
When you are having a house built from the ground are the contractors
required to add appliances or furniture.
Pat 04 Jul 2009, 16:51
When hanging a gate, should the gate be more than 180 degrees in the closed
position (obtuse, in other words)?
steve 10 Apr 2011, 22:00
What is the average life of a heat pump with no woodburner that is being
used to heat pool in a cold climate like pennsyvania. Is there any
additional cost to replace a heat pump with a furnace?
thanks steve View all comments |
