2012 Top 500 Remodelers Respond
3. We present our design/build story on the first sales call, even for basic kitchen and bathroom projects We no longer do estimates on design oriented projects without a design agreement. We target clients that see the value in professional design assistance coupled with a strong remodeling company. We sell our in-house design staff and bundle our design costs into the overall project cost.
#3
Todd Woods
Director, Marketing & Market Development
Window World Corporate
North Wilkesboro, NC
2. Window World has been fortunate to continue our growth over the past few years in what has been challenging times for many remodelers. We have aggressively marketed the brand, promoted financing and expanded product offerings in 2011 to promote sales growth.
3. Window World has focused on and grown our ancillary products significantly during the last few years while remaining steady in our core category, windows.
6. The uncertainty of our economy has slowed our rapid growth. However, referrals from our large customer base have helped keep our business relatively strong.
#175
John Bach
Universal Group Inc.
Tarzana, Calif.
1. I believe that we have been spoiled in the last decade with the extensive boom in the economy which has begun with a creative banking system We will probably never see again. The fact that the banks were handing unqualified individuals with free money obviously lead construction to uncharacteristic highs. I believe neither the banks nor the government will allow this mistake to happen again. If interest rates remain relatively low house values should stay consistent and construction should remain moderate.
2. Given the fact that there was a rapid drop in the economy, many fly by night construction companies went out of business and the strong survived. The simple reason is that there was / is less competition and prospect clients take it into consideration nowadays to acknowledge a company that is still around after the drop is more creditable than a new inexperienced competitor and would rather pay more than pay less and inherit a nightmare.
3. Design, we make options more visual through virtual cad programs. By allowing a prospect customer to visualize a job it is more helpful to sell additional options rather than trying to sell options as the job progresses and it being too late
4. Huge drop in pricing and extreme diversifying; we extended our in-house abilities by over 2 times allowing us to offer more for less
5. By diversifying we opened new doors to more prospective clients and therefore created more revenue
6. Not as lucrative, i feel that the work load is similar but the profit margin is staggering much less
#270
Jeff Happe
Happe & Sons Construction Inc.
Evansville, Ind.
1. Our company has been in business going on 26 years. This is unlike anything that I have ever experienced. I think there will be continued pressure on pricing.
2. I can’t count the number of articles I’ve read and seminars that I’ve attended over the years that have always preached to not sell based upon price. In this environment there are a lot of good contractors competing for projects. We have experienced some very successful years the last couple of years but we have had to completely shakeup the way we have always done business. In order to win work you have to always put the absolutely best, most cost effective, team together. You can no longer put whatever crew you have available out on a job. If you don’t have the best people available for that job you have to use efficient, quality subcontractors.
3.We used to walk away from customers when they were getting multiple quotes and focused on price too much. We now figure out ways to be very efficient and put much more effort into closing the deal.
5. In 2009-2010 we completely overhauled our company. If it wasn’t bringing enough dollars in the door it was gone-both equipment and personnel. We are a lean, mean efficient machine.
#495
Trent A. Ketchum, CGR CGP
Fulford Home Remodeling
Swansea, Ill.
1 The remodeling industry has changed dramatically over the past several years. With government regulations rising and oversight over those regulations lacking, we have seen a significant increase in fly-by-night contractors. Thusly the price gap between reputable contractors following the new regulations and contractors that are ignorant or indifferent to the new regulations has increased significantly. Beyond the government squeezing small business, consumers are more leery, and leads have been harder to come by as more “players” have entered the game (unfortunately unprofessional players).
