Big50 Articles

  • 0908b_rm_B50Profile_1.jpg(90)

    Big50 CloseUp: Jon Vogel

    During its first 24 years in business, New Outlooks Construction (NOC), in Robbinsville, N.J., never did much in the way of marketing, relying almost entirely on the strength of its reputation to generate leads.

     
  • Rising Construction Costs; Thrifty Consumers. How Is This Affecting Your Business?

    Some of the Big50 discuss how rising costs are affecting their customers and their business.

     
  • 0708bB502BillMedina_1.jpg(90)

    Big50 SecondLook: Bill Medina

    After Bill Medina was named Big50 in 1994, his company experienced record growth, nearly tripling in size after acquiring roofing, framing, hardwood flooring, and distribution companies.

     
  • 0708b_rm_B50Profile_1.jpg(90)

    Big50 Profile: Debbie and Dan Mackey

    When the Mackeys (Big50 2007) were looking for space outside of their cramped San Jose, Calif., office to display products, they gazed across the street at their outdated 1964 house and realized that they could remodel it to highlight not just products but the company’s craftsmanship and green...

     
  • Tips for deconstructing

    According to the National Association of Home Builders Research Center, residential demolition and remodeling account for over 50 million tons of debris going to landfills every year. Landfills are a limited resource, as is the fuel required to transport materials to them. Anything saved from a job...

     
  • RM080401057bL1.jpg(90)

    Big50 discusses selling his business

    Omaha seems like a really small town when Gary Grobeck, as a building inspector for Nebraska's capital city, finds himself inspecting work done on houses that he had bid on as owner of Grobeck Construction.

     
  • RM080401057aL1.jpg(90)

    Close Up:Chancey Walker III and Chris Ettel

    From the day it was founded in 1988, VB Contractors (Big50 2006) was a 50-50 partnership between Chancey Walker III (far right) and his son-in-law, Chris Ettel (second from right) — until a couple of years ago, when they saw the opportunity to bring on two new owners.

     
  • How to Handle a Slow Market

    A few remodelers discuss taking clients in a slow season.

     
  • Second Look: David Johnston

    David Johnston (Big50 1989) spread the word about solar power to the construction industry as a consultant to the Department of Energy.

     
  • Profile: Don Strobel

    Though Don Strobel's company focuses on historic and high-end renovations, he uses 21st-century marketing tactics, in particular a sleek Web site.