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"

It's so hard to find good people to do a simple job around here!" This is a complaint I often hear, but I much more often hear stories about so-and- so who is worth his weight in gold and has been looking after the country home for years. It takes more than a capable handyman to develop that kind of loyalty. It takes developing a relationship and respect for his skills on the part of the country homeowner.

The local tradesman works in a seasonal economy. The winter is normally a very quiet time where little can be done either at home or for a client and everything seems to go along in a holding pattern. As winter winds down, opportunities for work begin and those long, quiet days fill up with chores and plans. By the time the grass is starting to grow, tradesmen and caretakers begin to see that they had better set their priorities or they will take on too much work. Every morning begins earlier. Helpers from the previous year often couldn't wait through the winter and have gone off elsewhere or into something new so recruiting and training have to begin again. In the meantime, work begins to pile up. If they have committed to five tasks, and have time for only three, something has to be neglected.

Some workers try to keep everybody happy and end up functioning at a 60% rate across the board. Chances are, next year they will be looking for new clients as well as everything else. Most workers in our seasonal economy have a much simpler and more logical way of dealing with the overload: They look over their records and memory to see who pays fast and is appreciative. These clients get full priority. The others will get looked after if there is any extra time. Many of these workers develop a serious relationship with a small number of country homeowners and learn to tell anyone else that they simply don't have the time to take on any more work.

If you have a relationship like this, it is a credit to you as well as to your caretaker. If you want such a relationship, make sure you ask your caretaker what you owe him, pay it on the spot and show your appreciation with a little praise. Most people working locally live pretty frugally and what may be a small sum of money for you could be an important sum for them, and everyone wants to be appreciated.

This simple rule will work for every supplier who services your country property, be it oil, plumbing repairs or housecleaning. Most suppliers are completely honest and will value your patronage because a huge amount of their time, at some point in their careers, has been spent or is being spent collecting unpaid bills. Workers get so much flak in the course of our busy season that no-one wants to alienate a client who pays promptly and includes with payment a few words of gratitude.

On the other hand, when someone doesn't pay, or is unfair, he might learn that it is a small community and word gets around fast.

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