Tim Cross

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Slow steady growth for Merrick Construction

Tim Cross went into business for himself right out of high school. This was back in 1989, when a recession was wiping out construction firms like a plague in Rumson, N.J., and nationwide. Not an ideal time for a beginner to start his own company, but Cross made it happen. More

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Beating competitors with consumer and contractor education

A few years ago, Tricia Sinn bid on a room addition and master bath project designed by an architect. The president of Sinn Design Build in St. Louis usually does not bid, but made an exception for a strong referral from a previous client. The prospect chose to hire a contractor they had previously worked with whose bid was $50,000 less than Sinn's bid. On the past project, not only had this same contractor gone way over the contracted price, but one of the crew had stolen the homeowner's pool furniture. More

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Keep eye on insurance requirements

The insurance/risk management industry, like nature, abhors a void. If someone's not insured, the industry will find a way to fill that hole. More

Interview: Shore Success

New Jersey builder Tim Cross balances remodeling projects and new homes as a... More

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Handling the larger remodel job

For any remodeler, going after that first big job is frightening and exciting. “As an entrepreneur you are seduced by a sense of possibility,” says Paul Winans, owner of Winans construction in Berkeley, Calif., and NARI president-elect. “When it comes walking toward you, you're scared and attracted at the same time. ëShould we go for it and will we get it and if we do how do we do it?'” More

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Using Videos to Avoid Insurance Fraud

Remodeler Tim Cross used to videotape at the beginning of his remodeling jobs. Though he no longer has time for this marketing tactic, he liked the results. More

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Strategies to keep cash flowing

Few remodelers take the trouble to align client payments with their own need to pay suppliers and subs within a week to 10 days. Payments are updated on a schedule of values that includes an early-pay line item for general conditions. More

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Small jobs can bring big profits

The overhead structure of Brady's full-service design/build firm positions him perfectly to handle jobs in the $75,000 to $200,000 range but leaves projects of this size outside of his core competency. For this reason, Brady only accepts small jobs, which he defines as $10,000 and under, from past clients and solid referrals. More

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Using the right presentation tools

For remodelers not blessed with a silver tongue, using the right presentation tools can make all the difference. Tech-savvy remodelers have begun using CAD presentations at sales calls to give clients a sense of exactly what they're agreeing to pay for. More

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