Most conflicts between a service business and its customers can be avoided with... More
When it comes to meeting new owners of old homes, who better to introduce you than their real estate agent? Having guided the homeowners through the purchasing process, their agent should have a strong sense of their remodeling dreams and budget. More
Though most remodelers do not own construction-related franchises, 33% of our respondents have considered purchasing one. Of the owners that purchased a franchise, 70% still own their original company and 67% manage both companies themselves. Those who invested in a franchise cite the desire to diversify for a more steady income as the No. 1 reason for purchase. Other reasons include increasing profitability and volume of work. More
The good news is there are a thousand options. The bad news is there are a thousand options,” is what Tricia Sinn tells her clients in regard to product selection. That bit of news, from the customers' perspective, might be enough to send them over the edge. Luckily, for Sinn Construction and Development clients, Sinn can handle the fallout. As a “selection specialist,” she helps clients find what they're looking for while working within budget parameters. More
Design/build and full-service remodelers are hiring interior designers, in-house or as partners, to work with existing selection systems, or to have those partners incorporate new technologies with the process.The interior designer can visit Web sites and display images of products or project photos that are saved on the hard drive. More
As Andy Wright's company grew, he needed a way to keep track of his projects to help him make decisions about marketing, selling, and purchasing. Two years ago, the owner of WrightBuilt in Grass Valley, Calif., created a monthly "Flash Report," which not only covers the status of ongoing projects but factors in the effect on revenue and schedule of jobs that are not yet signed. More
When owner George Thomas was named Big50 in 1996, his company had an insurance restoration niche that netted $2.5 million in sales per year. He grew GTC to a $7-million-a-year company by making existing divisions into separate companies and purchasing new companies. Five years ago, Thomas took time off to attend seminars and reassess company goals. 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. More
To help your clients feel less stressed, control the selection process like you control the selling process. Set an agenda. More
A second-generation electrical firm owner has teamed with a business strategy consultant and Internet adviser to form a company offering contractors Web-based selection books. As the middleman, TrulyCustom earns from 2% to 10% sourcing, purchasing, and invoicing products and making sure they're delivered. "We're a buyer and an information company that uses this fabulous Internet tool." More
