Q1 2021

8 | Q1 2021 Jan21106 Promise Of Quality Without Compromise Based in the North West, GMC Home Solutions is a home renovation firm that stands head and shoulders above its competitors, not only due to the excellent standard of work that it produces, but also for its work ethics and attitude where clients are concerned. We speak to founder and managing director, Mike Thomas, about how he ensures that standards are always set high and maintained. GMC Home Solutions Ltd (GMC) is a leading Stockport-based home solutions specialist. Offering a wide range of building, home improvement and repair services, GMC is certified by CERTASS and Insured Window Guarantees Ltd for complete customer confidence. With a base of 45-50 highly skilled tradesmen and project managers who are dedicated to taking on any projects small or large, GMC is able to offer services ranging from general home repairs to full house renovations. It is also committed to supporting the local area and will use local trades and suppliers wherever possible, thus putting investment back into the local community. “We are a very friendly local company and we pride ourselves on being customer focused and providing a professional, efficient service with a promise of quality without compromise,” explains the firm’s owner/director, Mike Thomas. “All of our tradesmen are fully approved, experienced and then vetted by our project managers prior to coming on board at GMC, so customers know they are in safe hands.” It is all about client satisfaction with Mike and the team at GMC. Mike tells us how the firm completely looks after its clients from start to finish, with all projects being fully managed, and all options being discussed with clients during an initial consultation to ensure their budget and design expectations are met. “We have clients from all backgrounds,” enthuses Mike. “Including professional footballers, Lords and Ladies, NHS workers, carers, teachers and entertainers, but the most important factor is that 75 percent of our jobs now come through word-of-mouth recommendations.” It is this stellar reputation that has, in part, seen the business enjoy 60% growth year-on- year for the past three years. Mike believes this increase is also due to the fact that GMC is nimble enough to be able to improve and change processes on a weekly basis should it need to, and it also does not become aloof and disinterested where its clients wants and desires are concerned. “We continue to strive to ensure our clients can trust us and know they are in the safe hands of GMC Home Solutions taking care of any projects, whether large or small.” Of course, Covid-19 had a huge impact on the building trade during 2020 and Mike and the team at GMC were not immune to these effects. Not only did the firm has to be incredibly careful regarding safety and PPE in order to protect its clients and its staff, but it also faced other challenges like an increase in emergency repairs for people who had been let by companies who had gone out of business, or even simply abandoned the job due to spiralling costs. “We have mutual trust with our clients and would never let them down,” says Mike. “We have strength in depth with many quality tradespeople meaning that clients only had to wait weeks rather than months for projects to start and finish.” The pandemic, however, did bring with it an influx of business for the team, with Mike experiencing a higher demand for more outdoor projects as people sought to improve their homes and have additions such as home offices. The internal culture at GMC is one of friendliness and professionalism, with Mike enthusing that “nothing is too much trouble for clients.” The team seeks to solve problems to people’s household issues and will always provide honest advice. “Attitude is more important than anything in our company,” says Mike, speaking of his recruitment strategy. “We do look at their past work, of course we do, but it needs to have been completed well, with a friendly and approachable attitude too.” What really sets the firm aside from its competitors, is its position within the market sector. The firm is not a small outfit, with too few people to take on larger jobs simultaneously. Neither it is so large a company, with many complicated management tiers, that customers get lost in the system. Instead, it occupies an enviable middle ground position. “When a client, or potential client, contacts us they will usually speak to somebody within a few rings who will understand what they want and then arrange to meet up within a few days. “We visit, we put together an itemised estimate, we survey and carry out the work within 4 or 5 weeks and, if there are any problems, we deal with them straight away. Our clients don’t have to wait because we don’t procrastinate. “All of our tradesmen are fully approved, experienced and then vetted by our project managers prior to coming on board at GMC, so customers know they are in safe hands.”