After a quick glance at the high-rise office buildings and road projects, the prevailing wage and bonding requirements, the copious codes, and the penalty clauses common to commercial building, the prospect of applying anything useful from the non-residential sector to a residential remodeling business seems remote. More
It was a wonderful dinner party by and for remodelers. The hosts, a couple who own a remodeling company, started to banter about their differing styles of leadership. She, along with the office manager, wanted to lay down the law to the field staff regarding timely and accurate submission of time cards. The two were tired of having to cajole, beg, and nag for that important information. He, in mock despair, pleaded for patience: “We need these guys.” If the company got too stringent about enforcing procedures, he feared, valued field personnel would walk. More
Overworking in the remodeling industry is a familiar story. Although there are no statistics on remodeler burnout and family trouble specifically, Clay Nelson, who has been a business and life coach in the remodeling industry for the past 25 years, says that compared with other industries, remodelers seem to “consume themselves the quickest.” More
The Big50 is a remodeling business excellence award for best practices. Every May, REMODELING inducts 50 new companies who have set the standard for professionalism and integrity through smart marketing, exemplary business practices, unique design, and extraordinary impact on their community or the industry at large. More
Back when he had 16 people working for him, David Merrick would “watch them make the same mistake again and again,” says the owner of Merrick Design & Build, Kensington, Md. He's happier and more successful running a “practice” with just four employees. More
So what if you can't recite your vows after all these years. You remember the gist. “For better or worse. In sickness and in health. In accounts payable and receivable.” Wait. What was that last one? Doesn't sound familiar? Well, if you and your spouse share ownership and management of your company, it should. So says the current thinking about the newest and fastest-growing segment of small business óentrepreneurial couples or “copreneurs,” if you want to sound in the know. More
Milestones as goals can be tangible, like moving from being an employee to being self-employed or hiring your first office person or first lead carpenter. But they can also be less tangible, like spending more time with your family, working only 50 hours a week, or taking a two-week vacation without your cell phone. More
I'm a one-man design operation now, and because my business is so personal, it's important that my clients hear my voice when they call. Some people have the person who answers the phone screen callers as possible leads. More
My office looks out on a park, and there is a pond right next to me with a fountain and goldfish. More
