Remodeling: Articles by Les Cunninghamhttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/expert-opinion/q-and-a/les-cunningham.aspx?view=rss&id=Query_tcm1785307<url /><link /></image><description>The Information Source for the Home Building Industry</description><language>en-us</language><pubDate /><webMaster /><item><title>Meet Your New Competitors — and Bid Like Themhttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/job-costing/your-new-competitors.aspx?rssLink=Your+New+CompetitorsHow to bid against production and custom builders who have entered the remodeling market.Re-Hiring Employees Laid Off During the Recessionhttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/hiring/dont-rush-to-re-hire.aspx?rssLink=Don%e2%80%99t+Rush+to+Re-HireConsider these eight steps before re-hiring employees laid off during the recession.Don't Rush the Recoveryhttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/administration/dont-rush-the-recovery.aspx?rssLink=Cunningham5%3aDon't+Rush+the+RecoveryWait for a reversal of several of your downturn indicators before you decide that the recession is over.Take Action Early to Survive the Downturnhttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/economic-conditions/take-action-early-to-survive-the-downturn.aspx?rssLink=Take+Action+Early+to+Survive+the+DownturnBe prepared to make tough decisions to survive challenging economic conditions.Hiring a Production Managerhttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/production-manager/hiring-a-production-manager.aspx?rssLink=Cunningham4%3a+Hiring+a+Production+ManagerTips on organizing field crew for optimal production.Reach Out to Past Clientshttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/sales-leads/reaching-out.aspx?rssLink=Reaching+OutMining your most reliable source — your past clients — for potential leads.Remodeling employee bonuseshttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/bonus-system-and-incentives/bonus-system.aspx?rssLink=Cunningham3%3a+Employee+BonusesCreating a bonus system that rewards all employees for their involvment in a project.Handling Disgruntled Clientshttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/customer-satisfaction/handling-disgruntled-clients.aspx?rssLink=Cunningham2%3aHandling+Disgruntled+ClientsSteps a remodeler can take to appease a disgruntled client during the remodeling project.Back to Basics in a Tough Economyhttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/economic-conditions/renewed-dedication.aspx?rssLink=Renewed+DedicationGetting back to basics — doing many of the things in your business that you did when you were just starting out — could help you survive in today’s tough market.Tips on Motivating Employeeshttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/bonus-system-and-incentives/qa-motivating-employees.aspx?rssLink=Cunningham1%3a+Motivating+EmployeesHow do you get employees to commit to a time-frame for completion without extra money or a negative approach?Generating Sales Leads in a Tough Markethttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/sales-leads/steady-marketing.aspx?rssLink=Steady+MarketingIf — as is currently the case for remodelers in most areas of the country — you’re finding business slower than usual, you may be asking: What can I, as the owner of my company, do about it? Improving your business systemhttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/owner-issues/survival-tips.aspx?rssLink=Survival+TipsAn uncertain economy is an excellent time to improve business systems. If you can't answer the following questions with “yes,” here are ideas for improvement.Product Selection Schedules Prevent Costly Delayshttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/selection-smarts.aspx?rssLink=Selection+SmartsThe best way to handle project selections — and the price you charge for them — is to have all the products chosen prior to the start of the job.Be sure that your price meets the client's idea of valuehttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/defining-value.aspx?rssLink=Defining+ValuePotential clients are always looking for the highest cost-versus-value ratio on their remodeling projects. You need to be sure that your price meets their idea of value. Include questions on your lead sheet that will help you evaluate a potential client's definition of value.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/accounting/warning-signs.aspx?rssLink=Warning+SignsReview financial statements to prevent embezzlement.Tracking expenses with job cost reporthttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/construction/job-cost-reports.aspx?rssLink=Job+Cost+ReportsJob cost reports provide information that can be used both during construction and after the project is completed.Time Sheetshttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/carpentry/time-sheets.aspx?rssLink=Time+SheetsAn estimator anticipates the cost to produce a job, and a carpenter tries to complete that job within the estimate. If owners ask carpenters to turn in timecards on a daily basis, the hours associated with doing specific tasks will be more accurate. Pay Yourself What You're Worthhttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/business/pay-daze.aspx?rssLink=Pay+DazeHow much money can a company owner expect to earn from a remodeling business? And how many hours should an owner have to work to earn that amount of money?