How Going the Extra Mile Wins Clients and Contracts

The difference between a contractor who gets by and one who thrives isn’t just about skill—it’s about effort. It’s about going the extra mile, especially when things get tough.

We had a project on a tight schedule with strict loan conversion deadlines. Everything was on track until we hit a massive roadblock: a missing water yoke. Without it, the house couldn’t get water, inspections couldn’t happen, and the clients faced steep financial penalties.

Our seasoned excavator, with 40 years of experience, couldn’t find one. Major suppliers were out. The “official” answer was: “It’s not available anywhere.”

But that’s where most contractors stop.
We didn’t.

I made one more call—a long shot to a guy I hadn’t spoken to in years. He worked in a different division at Ferguson, nowhere near residential plumbing. But he found one. The last one. It wasn’t luck. It was persistence. It was refusing to settle for no.

This is the key:

• When suppliers say it’s backordered, call the manufacturer directly.

• When local contacts hit a dead end, search nationwide—or even globally.

• When a problem seems unsolvable, ask one more question. Make one more call.

Clients don’t remember the projects that go smoothly. They remember when you saved the day. They remember when you pulled off the impossible. That’s what builds trust—and that trust turns into referrals, repeat business, and long-term success.

In entrepreneurship, the edge isn’t just knowledge. It’s the grit to outwork the competition.
In construction, the edge isn’t just skill. It’s the determination to solve problems others can’t.
In business, the edge isn’t just talent. It’s tenacity.

When you show clients that you’ll do whatever it takes, you’re not just building houses—you’re building a reputation. And that’s priceless.