In 1975, Mark Fulford, educated in architecture, started a successful construction business with his father. Twelve years later he formed a separate remodeling division that has found success in its own right.

Now Fulford’s role is behind the scenes; John Snapat and Trent Ketchum work on day-to-day sales and management. The trio has capitalized on the Fulford name, building a large repeat-and-referral business.

Their sweet spot is basement finishing, and they’ve differentiated themselves with tight scheduling, a two-year warranty, and the use of 3D-CAD on a 50-inch TV monitor to help clients visualize a project. Fulford keeps close tabs on budget, and job autopsies show that slippage is minimal. “If we’re losing money,” Fulford says, “we know it right away.”