Tips for scheduling home repairs, services

May is National Home Improvement Month. And when service and repairs are needed, the woman of the house is the primary customer to let the “experts” in the front door. How does she feel safe? How does she know she’s getting a fair deal?

Mary Thompson is one woman who has experienced these concerns first-hand. As Chief Operating Officer of Dwyer Group, she counts more than 2,500+ franchise owners across her organization (Mr. Rooter, Mr. Electric, Aire Serv Heating and Air Conditioning, and more….) that do more than 3 million service calls a year.

Here are some tips she has for when you schedule a service call:

- Confirm that a branded vehicle will make the house call because your home and your neighborhood are safer when a professional vehicle with a logo and phone number are clearly visible to everyone.

- Ask for the name/names of the service technicians who will be coming to your home

- Know if those repairmen will be in branded uniforms and wearing name tags that match the names the company gives you.

- Confirm up front if there is a charge to make a service call and diagnose your problems. This is a flat fee associated with time and travel to diagnose, inspect and provide expert recommendations on needed service/repairs.

- Confirm that an estimate will be provided in writing after diagnosing your service/repair needs, and will require your approval before work begins.

- Understand that you can decline service after the diagnosis and estimate for service repairs. Making a service call appointment does not obligate you for the cost of repairs.