In 1983, after working on my own for several years, I started Buck Brothers Construction (BBC) with my brother, Joe. We built the company slowly: At first we did all the work ourselves; then we started subbing out the mechanicals; then we hired carpenters; and finally we developed an office staff. My plan was to stay in the construction business for another 10 years or so and then go on to something else. But with the economic boom of the '90s, the company grew and I found plenty of reasons to remain; we were making money and I was getting to do things that interested me.

Eventually, though, I became aware that I was ready to move on. But how would I sell my half of the company? For most remodelers, getting out of the business means shutting it down or turning it over to their offspring. In my case, turning my share over to Joe was an option, but he was accustomed to a partnership business, and someday he too...

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