Why widespread mistrust of renovation and painting companies?

In recent years, customers have become increasingly distrustful of companies in the renovation and construction sector. This mistrust can be explained by several key factors:

1. More and more cases of poor workmanship and fraud :

High-profile cases of poor workmanship and blatant fraud have tarnished the industry's reputation. Some projects have been badly managed, abandoned or very late, leaving customers in a delicate situation and increasing their fear of entrusting their project to a professional.

2. Accessibility of online information :

With the internet, customers can compare prices, techniques and even get DIY (Do It Yourself) advice. While this can inform them, this abundance of data sometimes leads to misinformation, unrealistic expectations or confusion about the real costs and timescales of professional work.

3. Increased service and speed expectations :

The digital economy, with instant services like Amazon and Uber, has changed consumer expectations. Today's customers are looking for speed of execution and immediate communication. But in the renovation business, where quality takes precedence over speed, these expectations can lead to frustration.

4. Negative personal experiences :

 Many customers have already been confronted with situations where craftsmen or contractors have disappointed, whether through lack of transparency, budget overruns or missed deadlines. These bad experiences, however rare, reinforce a general mistrust of new projects.

5. Complexity of the work and unforeseen events :

Renovation work is often complex, and may reveal unforeseen problems once the work has begun (hidden defects, damaged materials, etc.). These adjustments, while normal for a professional, are often frowned upon by customers as signs of unpreparedness or incompetence.

6. Social networks and viral influence:

Social networks amplify the spread of stories of failed building sites or scams, fuelling a collective distrust of construction companies. Viral publications about a customer's bad experiences can reinforce negative prejudices, even if they only reflect a minority of cases.

7. Complex regulations and bureaucracy:

Renovation projects often involve a great deal of bureaucracy, from authorizations to compliance with current standards. These administrative requirements, often misunderstood by customers, can lead them to believe that professionals are using the complexity of the system to their advantage, adding to their costs.

How does an established company deal with this reality?

Aware of this widespread mistrust, Ateliers Thomquin, a renovation and painting company with over 30 years' experience handed down through four generations, has taken up these challenges and implemented concrete measures to meet its customers' new expectations and dispel their concerns.

1. Transparency and ongoing communication: Ateliers Thomquin adopts a policy of total transparency with regard to deadlines, costs and unforeseen events. Every customer is kept informed of progress, with clear explanations of decisions taken.
2. Expertise inherited and proven over four generations: With 30 years' experience, the company, heir to know-how handed down over four generations, masters the complexities of the business, anticipating the unexpected and offering immediate solutions.
3. Respecting commitments and deadlines, with clear estimates: Ateliers Thomquin has built its reputation on scrupulous respect for deadlines and budgets. Every project is accompanied by a clear and precise estimate, ensuring that the customer is protected against unpleasant surprises.
4. Use of modern means for regular follow-up: The company uses modern methods to provide regular, detailed feedback. By visiting worksites, if not daily, then every other day, Ateliers Thomquin teams ensure a physical presence and rigorous follow-up, keen to offer customers peace of mind.
5. Full administrative support: Ateliers Thomquin can also take care of, or guide their customers through, all the administrative procedures required to ensure that the work complies with current standards, freeing their customers from bureaucratic complexities.
6. Reassurance through social validation: Aware of the power of social networks, Ateliers Thomquin regularly publishes testimonials from satisfied customers, before-and-after photos and certified reviews on recognized platforms, reinforcing confidence in its work.

"Craftsmanship can't be machined: it combines tradition and expertise to offer what automation can't create."