PRIME: Beginning again

Our advisory panel includes some of the remodeling industry’s best remodelers. This month we asked: If you had a chance to do it over, would you enter the home improvement business again? And, if so, what advice would you give someone starting out today?

Have passion for the business

Absolutely. In any business, as in life, there are good times and bad. The key is to find something that you truly love to do and to do it. If you enjoy helping people make their dreams come true, transforming their house into their vision of what a home should be, it doesn’t really matter whether it’s a tough market or not. At the end of the day, you will go home feeling satisfied. As far as advice for starting now, make sure you have a passion for the business. This will keep you going through tough times. Then, afford yourself every opportunity to be successful by surrounding yourself with a supportive peer group and a network of professionals in law, finance, accounting, and marketing. Remodeling is no longer a “one-man show.”

Bill Simone, President
Custom Design & Construction

Quickly learn the do’s and don’ts

There is no question I would begin again in the home improvement business. I have spent a career learning the do’s and the don’ts and by now I have narrowed out most of the don’ts. I believe that in fact this is a great time to be in the business. We still have a lot of boomers who will need remodeling done over the next 20 years. Remodeling continues to be a very attractive alternative to building new. What makes it even more fun is that we can apply all that we have learned about energy efficiency and sustainable products. It is truly exciting to be in a business where we can make a living and make a difference every day.

Tom Kelly, Owner
Neil Kelly

Have a good marketing plan

Yes, I would. I enjoy the business and the opportunities it brings. Every day is a new day. My best advice would be to focus on a particular product, have a good website, and a good marketing plan. Profitability can be reached only if you keep your overhead down.

Rob Levin, President
Statewide Remodeling

Understand the costs of doing business

If I had the opportunity to start again I would definitely start a home improvement company. Remodeling is now such an integral part of my life it is like walking and talking. Regardless of the economy or other factors this still is a fun business that has its trials and triumphs almost daily. And, if you do it right, you can make a living as well. My advice: to truly understand your costs of doing business. You need to know your numbers intimately so that you can properly charge for the value you provide. Just like any other business out there—big or small—you deserve to make some money for what you provide in service.

Andy Wells, Vice President and General Manager
Normandy Design Build Remodeling