whar deCk builders wanr from their suppliers How to earn contractors' repeat busrness

fiUALITY of materials is the most important considera\ftion for decking contractors in choosing a supplier, acdrding to a Building Products Digest survey of 100 decking professionals.

Approximately 457o of decking contractors most desire quality materials, followed by service and price. "The quality of material is most important," said Ed Strange, Property Services, Dover, N.H. "I am a small contractor, so the work I do represents me as a person. The final product is my signature for good or bad. It is important how happy the customer is with his dream project."

"As anyone in the craft can tell you, the bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten," added Doug Morgan, Dixie Decks, Brandon, Ms. "I would much rather lose a job on price than to lose my reputation on quality. Having said that, this is a competitive trade, and you do have to shop for the best prices. What I find myself doing is finding two or three local lumberyards that I know from experience have good quality quality and service over price, deck builders overwhelmingly said they buy their materials from local lumberyards. lumber, and then shopping amongst them for the best price on different components."

Tom Kaden, JLC Builders, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., agreed: "When shopping for lumber the most important thing I look for is quality of materials. Your project will look only as good as the materials you use. Local lumberyards are the only place I'll go. I keep their pricing honest by using more than one lumberyard."

Service came in second, with 2lVo of the vote. "Service is everything," insisted Bob Fogarty, Artistic Decks & Arbors, Duncanville, Tx. "It guarantees the price is fair, the material is high quality, defective boards will be replaced, with a smile, and they offer delivery coordinated with the project manager."

Kevin Evans, Decks Colorado, Littleton, Co., said, "I want to have my supplier genuinely care about my needs and prove it by being able to deliver good looking, straight lumber. Loaded by people who have a clue and care. Delivered by people who have a clue and care. Billing policies that keep accounts straight forjob-type accounting. To be willing to pick up and take back materials that are not worthy of installation and to take them them back with a smile. As far as price. you get what you pay for. Of course, I will cry for the best price. They will sell at what they believe they are worth. I will buy at what I believe they are worth."

Yet more than 16%o of deck builders said price was of

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