Poll Results: How Employees Act In A Customer’s Home
When remodeling crews enter a client’s home, they’re stepping into someone’s personal space. Will their behavior get you rave reviews and multiple referrals—or will it cause major headaches and costly problems?
We launched a poll to find out your thoughts on employee and subcontractor conduct in a client’s home, and nearly 300 of you weighed in.
Scroll down for results (and look for a comprehensive article in the March/April 2026 issue).
The poll is still open, so it’s not too late to voice your opinion!
Most remodelers stress the importance of professionalism before employees even step inside a client’s home. Nearly half (44%) say they always address expectations for conduct, with another 27% saying they do so often. That means more than 7 in 10 are consistently reinforcing behavior standards upfront.
Still, there’s a noticeable drop-off beyond that: 16% only cover conduct sometimes, while 8% rarely mention it — and 5% admit they never do. This suggests that while professionalism is top-of-mind for many, there’s still room for improvement.
The feedback that remodelers most often received from homeowners about their interactions with employees in their home focused on job site cleanliness—with an equal number of positive and negative comments.
While many remodelers (33%) provide formal written policies or guidelines to employees, a slightly higher number (39%) do not and instead handle the issues on a case-by-case basis. Informal guidelines are offered by 22% of respondents.
The feedback that remodelers most often received from their employees regarding their treatment in a customer’s home focused on them either being treated well or being hounded by homeowners who questioned everything and didn’t respect boundaries.
On which of the following do you provide training or guidance to employees/subs working in a client's home?
When it comes to working inside a client’s home, guidance mainly focuses on the basics, with 27% of respondents addressing cleanliness and housekeeping. Nearly one in six (16%) emphasize respect for client privacy, underscoring the importance of boundaries around personal spaces and belongings.
Other areas — such as dress and appearance (5%), language and tone (4%), phone or music use (4%), and interactions with pets or children (just 1%) — receive far less formal attention.
More than half of remodelers (59%) say they’ve had to discipline or remove an employee or subcontractor for unprofessional behavior in a client’s home — a reminder that professionalism on the jobsite can directly impact trust and reputation. Still, 41% report they’ve never encountered this issue, suggesting that many teams maintain strong standards in customers’ homes.
The most important things that remodelers want their clients to understand: 1) remodeling is messy, loud, and disruptive; 2) schedules shift, processes takes time, and unexpected issues pop up; 3) respect, trust, and clear communication are essential; and 4) worksite safety and boundaries matter.
Remodelers say that cleanliness and dust control is the biggest issue by far—at 55%—that homeowners have had with jobsite crews. Other issues, such as crew language/attitude, subcontractor behavior, respect for personal items/spaces, and noise levels are all smaller concerns.
About the Author
Jay Schneider
Senior Editor
Jay Schneider is the Senior Editor for Pro Remodeler. He can be reached at [email protected].