Results from Professional Remodeler's 2008 Green Survey Green building and remodeling practices are no longer just a fad, they're here to stay. Our 2008 Green Survey reflects the attitudes of remodelers across the country.
The road to work-life balance Two remodelers discuss how to get a balance between your work and your life without giving up your business.
This List Will Blow Your Mind Change. There’s a whole generation of remodelers (and doctors and lawyers ... and, yes, editors too) who fight it at every turn. I’m going to share something with you that has helped me adjust my thinking over many years of rapid change in the journalism profession.
Trade Secrets Trade secrets from the remodeling industry
Iris Harrell Stepping Back Many remodelers don’t have a succession plan in place. Iris Harrell was no different. What happens to your remodeling company if something happens to you?
Historic Remodel Allegro Builders restores a once-grand 1910 home that had been seemingly ruined by years of neglect and abuse as it went from owner to owner before ending up as a halfway house for the homeless.
Creating a Work-Life Balance Trying to find a balance between your remodeling work and your real life can be a challenge.
3 Strategies for Positioning Your Remodeling Firm Professional Remodeler Columnist Doug Dwyer gives insight to three strategic areas of focus that create value for your customers. And remodelers know that satisfied customers often lead to their next job. These are the strategies.
Making the Tough Decisions on Layoffs It's a position no remodeler wants to be in, but with a slipping economy and work dropping off, many owners are having to make the tough decision to lay off employees.
Constructive Communication To achieve excellence within our remodeling companies' cultures, leaders must work hard at keeping healthy relationships. Our communication skills must be a strength, not a weakness.
Choose Profit Over Volume Next year looks like it could be one of the most difficult the remodeling industry has endured in more than a quarter of a century. Nearly everyone we've talked to — even the company owners who are not struggling to reach their 2008 volume goal — have confirmed that converting leads to sales has becoming exceedingly difficult, and it's eating away at profit margin.
Trade Secrets Information for building a better remodeling Web site with SEO; marketing with financing; and going green by reducing, reusing and recycling.
Why SWOT is Important for Your Business Giving everyone who works in and with your remodeling business a clear sense of what the enterprise is about is one of the over-arching purposes of preparing a business plan. That is why the business' vision, mission and core values are so important. With this foundation in place it is easier to look forward, trying to see what the future holds for the company.
Managing Customer Expectations Do your customers always get what they want? Are they delighted with the finished project? Are they happy to recommend you? If they're not, this is a must read that will help you manage those expectations.
Brand Pickell Orren Pickell is a remodeler. He's a custom builder. He's a businessman. But perhaps most importantly, he's a brand. Talk to high-end homeowners in Illinois, Michigan or southern Wisconsin and they'll know the name Orren Pickell. Whether it's remodeling or custom homes, the name Orren Pickell carries a meaning beyond what most contractors ever achieve.