C.J. Dorman

Dorman Builders, Mount Airy, MD

Award category: Market Wise
Speciality: Full-service remodeling
24 years in business
2008 volume: $1.5 million
Staff: 3 office, 4 field
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Credit: Christine Meraklis - Barefoot Images

C.J. Dorman started out as a deck builder in the 1980s. As loyal customers asked him to tackle different types of projects, Dorman obliged. Now a design/build firm, the company repertoire includes whole-house, additions, basements, and kitchen and bath projects. And, says, marketing director Donna Dorman, “we recently became green certified. As responsible citizens, we’re looking forward to doing more of [those types of projects].”

“Our marketing is customer service and outreach,” Donna says. One segment ofDorman Builders’ market is 30- and 40-somethings. The best way they have found to communicate with that demographic is through “social media and technology.” Donna uses Constant Contact, BuilderTrend, and MarketSharp, among other programs, to create processes that make the business stand out as being consistently professional and customer-centric “from the initial phone call through the end result of the final walk-through.” The company even has a Facebook page. “I like having the ability to put everything into an electronic process,” Donna says, and so do clients.

An open-book company, Dorman Builders is committed to education for its employees and is active in its National Association of the Remodeling Industry chapter. Company goals for this year include delving more into green marketing and converting the office into a design center so that customers can see choices locally without having to travel to a larger town.

 - Stacey Freed