More Reader Panels . . .

  • Either the remodeler sells or hands off the responsibility

    Most know that to make a sale, you need to reiterate what you hear, empathize with clients, and establish trust.

     
  • Remodeling Ethics

    Remodeling has progressed in its long march toward professionalism, but unethical and unqualified contractors still plague the industry. Most readers agree that to continue its advancement, the industry needs to establish standards for quality and ethical behavior.

     
  • Reader Panel: Joining Up

    Most remodelers nix ties to remodeling organizations in favor of devoting time to groups more in tune with their needs and that directly help their business.Membership in the two national remodeling associations, at about 9,200 contractors, is a fraction of the 171,500 general and specialty firms...

     
  • Commercial Remodeling

    About 86% of respondents remodel commercial projects, with the top three projects being offices, retail, and health care locations. What is the biggest difference between the commercial and residential work that your company performs?

     
  • Company's culture and core values effect on business

    Many companies include questions in their job interviews about how an employee will fit into their culture, and nearly everyone communicates their guiding principles to employees. As a gut feeling, how does reinforcing core values affect profit margins?"

     
  • Generating leads: source of leads

    Remodelers have lots of ways of generating leads. Most remodeling companies we surveyed get the largest percentage of their leads the old-fashioned way: from previous customers. In addition to lead sheet screening information, gut instinct -- which comes with a trip to the house and a conversation...

     
  • Plan ahead for retirement: make succession planning a priority

    Without an exit strategy, remodelers may find retiring as difficult as staying in business. Remodeler Robbie Robinson is learning that if you expect your business to help pay for your retirement, you'd better plan ahead. Before deciding to pass it on, Robinson had planned to close down the company.

     
  • Salary and Benefits Survey

    Average hourly pay for a lead carpenter nationwide is $24.63, according to our sampling of 646 remodelers with payrolls. Average production manager pay is $27.81 an hour.

     
  • Reader Panel: Profit Slippage

    Typical profit slippage -- the difference between estimated and produced gross profit--is 5% or more according to our survey.

     
  • Reader Panel: How Fast Should You Grow?

    Most remodelers say they have been surprised by growth, and the group is split on whether growth is necessary to remain healthy and vital. Has your business growth ever been unmanageable? Why? What suffers most?