How do you handle customer call-backs without losing your shirt?

Managing customer expectations ks one lf the hardest things I've had to learn to do. Before and after photos are a great way to cover your butt. My best suggestion to avoid the call backs or at least minimize them is to do a thorough walk around after the jobs is complete with the customer. This way if you accidentally missed a spot it can be taken care of right then. Its a fine line to walk for sure

Great responses already here on the quality/payment side. One thing that hasn't come up yet though: the tracking side of batching call-backs.

travisshepherd​  You mentioned batching non-urgent ones for a specific day, that's a solid approach, but the part that usually breaks down is remembering which ones are waiting and when that batch day actually comes around. If it's living in a notebook or your memory, it's easy for one or two to slip past the batch day entirely, and that's usually when a "minor touch-up" turns into an annoyed client who feels forgotten.

What's worked well for others I've talked to: tagging call-backs as their own job type the moment they come in, so they show up in a dedicated view instead of blending into the regular schedule. That way "batch day" actually means pulling up one list instead of trying to remember who called last week.

Are you're doing something similar, or handling the tracking piece a different way?.

Both of those are great strategies, you know running your businesses you're not doing it for free and both of your methods are getting you paid one way or another ultimately that's what it's all about. Making sure the quality of work scope is completely covered and is warranted but at the end of the day getting paid is the ultimate goal, on top of the quality of work that's why I like both ways you guys are handling things. They both achieve your bottom line and get you paid at the end, great responses guys!!!

Not in every instance, but in most, I can find something else to do when I am there. So I will tell the client that our previous work is guaranteed and I don't mind coming back, but I will always look for another service I can offer to at least make a few bucks when I am there.

We do longer projects so we have a few steps. First thing is more of a mindset. What you don't want to do is be that contractor that has all hands on deck to finish a project, everyone is loading out trash at 6pm then expect the customer is going to pay right there. You need to slow that process down. 

• When you have an idea what day would be the last day, arrange a pre final walk through for them to look at everything and make a punch list or they can ask questions
• Then arrange a final walkthrough the day after you wrap up work. Give them the space to inspect everything without you there. 
• At that point it would be appropriate to get a check. 

I think the pre final walk through is the best one. That way everyone is still planning to be there at least one more day to address everything. Frequent check ins throughout the process are important too. Mid week, end of week etc.