In the many years that I have been doing construction and remodeling work, the most common question that people ask me is, “What do you think we should do?” It doesn’t seem like a very odd question when you consider that I have many years of experience. However, when you consider the context in which the question is asked, it seems incredibly odd.
The way this works is that, somehow, a customer will get my number and call me to give them an estimate. When I show up, I am a complete stranger that they have only spoke with on the phone. Yet, in the process of trying to determine what it is that they would like done, I get asked for my opinion. I can’t help but to think, “Considering you have only known me for five minutes my opinion should not matter”.
Now, I fully understand that the average person doesn’t see a bathroom or kitchen get remodeled every day like I do. So, I do understand the thought process behind asking someone with experience what they think or even what other people are doing. What I don’t understand is the uncertainty that the question shows as well as the level of trust in a total stranger.
Now, the most valuable asset that you have is your home. So, if you would ask for advice on how you want that to be built, what about your life? I think it’s fair to assume that there are many people who aren’t exactly sure what they want. Not just in a home but in a partner, in a job, in child rearing. There is a lot of uncertainty in life and I think that throws many people off. I don’t think that it’s even a matter of keeping up with the Joneses, I think it’s a matter of not knowing what you want until you see what the Joneses have.
