Coach, salesman extraordinaire, industry statesman, And to knowing how to manage large, high-quality jobs -- his 45-employee company does about 50 remodels a year, worth $4 million.Klein shares his hard-won business mettle through a lifetime of service to the Remodelors Council, the NAHB, and its educational arm, the Home Builders Institute. It's a testament to Klein, and to the company he's built.With a college degree in accounting but an affinity for sales and marketing, Klein entered IBM's training school. Read more
For every 10 parties who are interested in purchasing our handyman franchise, we find that only one or two are appropriate," Mark Richardson says. "You have to have the staying power to let the baby get out of its diapers," Richardson says. Read more
If life goes according to business plan, an Owens Corning basement finishing system franchise will be Gary Eichhorst's ticket to future retirement. "Once I get it developed the way I want, it will give me an exit strategy because it will have proven revenues year after year." Read more
In 1990, Don Strong started Brothers Strong, a house painting company, with his son Michael, in Houston. For Dennis Gehman of the $2.5 million design/build firm Gehman Custom Builder in Harleysville, Pa., the ideal annual growth rate is 20%. Read more
Brenneman & Pagenstecher has an open book estimating policy. Peter Pagenstecher says some refer to this method as time and materials with a fixed fee.According to the partners, there are several advantages to this system. Read more
When architect Dean Brenneman and remodeler Peter Pagenstecher merged their individual companies to create what they refer to as an "architect/build" firm, they envisioned working on exactly the type of project and with exactly the type of client they found at this house in Bethesda, Md. These clients participated as part of the remodeling team. They listened and pushed for product and design choices that, even though they cost a little more, helped create a dramatic and inviting house. Read more
Most remodelers say they have been surprised by growth, and the group is split on whether growth is necessary to remain healthy and vital. Has your business growth ever been unmanageable? Why? What suffers most? Read more