2012 Top 500 Remodelers Respond

5.  The silver lining is that there has never been a greater time to clearly separate your company from the other “players”.

6.  We are a leaner and more well-oiled machine than we ever have been in our 25 years in business.  The market has forced us to become more than one of the best; we are now the best in more areas than one!

#498

Jeremy Steinruck

Axis Construction

Wichita Falls, Texas

1. I feel that the remodeling business has changed.  It is always changing.  Even if one sector of industry is doing very well (oil, e.g.) there is still uncertainty in so many other areas that spending patterns have changed for everyone. In my opinion the cycles are more frequent AND severe.  I am reluctant to speculate about the future. 

3. I believe the average project size is decreasing in a significant way.  We are running a greater number of smaller sized projects concurrently.  We have 5 employees and all of us run projects.  In addition, we all perform the hands-on work of our own projects and assist others with their projects.  Communication and coordination of schedules seems to be our greatest challenge in this phase or our growth.

4. It is frightening to realize that I am willing to do almost anything for anyone to make a profit.  I don’t know whether this is good or bad.  We may discover some niche market or develop new skills that prove profitable; or we may end up wasting resources battling the learning curves.  Time will tell.

5. “Handyman” type work has become an option we would not have previously considered.  It fits within our core values (we are customer service driven problem solvers) and gives us an opportunity to sell based on our reputation.  But making decent money providing these services is challenging.

#414

David Martin

Remodeling Concepts LLC

Warminster, Pa.

1. We felled extremely optimistic about the future.  We have continued to increase volume year after year.  The main thing that we are seeing is that you have a work harder and continually service the customers more now than ever.  They want to feel like they are getting a total package for their money, whether it be $500 or $50,000.  We strive to constantly give the customers this experience and for that we have a high referral rate.

2. Giving the customer a full packaged experience and. It just an end product.  I feel you have to make them aware that they aren't just paying for a single guy and a tool belt.  This theory has lead to repeat customers and strong referrals for us

3. Have to work harder.  Most people arent Willing to just go with the first person.  You have to explain what makes your company different and give them the time to meet with others and make their own informed decision

#242

Leah Rattray

Marketing Administrator

Southwest Exteriors

San Antonio, TX  78217

3. In this technology and information era, the remodeling business in general comes under frequent scrutiny. No longer can remodelers count on clients who have randomly flipped through the yellow pages and just chosen the first name on the list for their project. People want to know detailed information about the companies they are considering, as well as what their previous clients have to say about their work, and the internet provides all of this information in abundance.  Companies are learning the value of being referable and transparent as part of their whole company culture in order to continue growing and thriving.

#404

Paul L. Sullivan CGR  CAPS CGP

President

The Sullivan Company, Inc.

Newton, Mass.

1. There is no question that our industry has dramatically changed in the past several years.  Of course there are cycles but we've never had one as long and drawn out as this one.  As a third generation remodeler, I've seen three of these cycles myself and this is a whole new ballgame.  Consumer cnfidence in real estate has dropped to unprecedented lows.  In years past when there was a recession, people still felt confident investing in their home if they had money.  Now, even if they have money, many people are believing that their home is not the safe haven it once was.  This is a complete paradign shift that has been overlooked by many.