Dett Otterbeck (front, second from right) knows the importance of customer satisfaction, and ensuring it means nurturing his team. He does so through regular jobsite safety training and attending association and supplier banquets with crew members. Generous benefits boost average employee tenure to about four years. "We pride ourselves on our professionalism," says Otterbeck. His uniformed crews, each outfitted with cleaning equipment, keep jobsites spotless.
The team doubled when Otterbeck absorbed Butch Grignon's firm. Sales doubled, too. Grignon and Otterbeck split leads, running both sales and production for the 37 jobs they did last year, averaging $30,000 per job. Julie (front, far right) handles billings and contracts. Her brother, Rick Wood, designs half of the jobs; outside architects design the rest.
Because of the team approach, few jobs sour. Almost all customers are repeats or referrals. In a tight economy, Otterbeck has customers lining up to wait four months for projects. "It's rewarding to know people will wait," he says.