Like a lot of other remodelers, Strong Construction in Fremont, Calif., can't afford to waste time with clients who want to push $50,000 where $100,000 should go, or who get fixated on some magic number for a project's cost. But co-owners Steve and Sandy Strong also can't afford to turn away good business, so they bring up the big, bad B word ó budget ó as part of the typical first phone conversation. More
High-end jobs mean costly materials and sophisticated designs, and finding and keeping “golden” subs is critical. The other end of the spectrum means job delays, warranty work, and strained customer relations. “A careless plumber can cause a lot of expensive destruction in very little time,” says Alex Dahlgren, partner at Acheron Construction in Garland, Texas. “One wrong turn of the wrench can ruin a $700 faucet.” More
This holiday season, your prospects and clients are more likely to be thinking about gift buying and get-togethers than about remodeling projects. A friendly holiday greeting can pre-empt seasonal slumps by generating inside work and handyman jobs. It can also help build your backlog for the warmer, longer days ahead. More
The best of the best: That is what the REMODELING editors set out to find each year for the incoming Big50 class. Recipients of this coveted award can't just be good. They must be excellent -- and excellent when measured against their highest-quality competitors. They lead the industry in business acumen and customer service, running exciting and dynamic companies that stand as models for the industry. Read on to meet them. More
