Reader Feedback, March 2013

Lessons learned and shared

Yesterday was one the best days I have had in my 23 years of owning a remodeling company. I want to say thank you to Craig Durosko for making it happen.

Yesterday was a busy day, but during the afternoon I was able to read Craig’s article in Professional Remodeler (“25 years later, if I’d had only known then…,” January 2013)

First of all it was a fantastic article; Craig does have a gift for writing.

Next, Craig hit so many points that I teach and share on a regular basis that he helped me to verify my thoughts. Sun Design has 50 employees and my company, Progressive Builders, has six but I believe we share some of the same core values. The fact is, I am proud of Craig. He’s established a vision and never let up. He developed that culture, planted the seed of vision, watered with respect and fertilized with trust, and now he is harvesting.

We recently had a meeting and my employees were required to read your article before the meeting. During the meeting, I rewarded those who could quote some of the “lessons learned.”

I have always respected Craig and now more than ever. Great job and thanks for the years of sharing. Some of the things that I have learned in my 23 years are the power of friendship and the emotional blessing of relationships. It is a great privilege to know Craig, and it’s awesome to see how great he’s done in life.

— Michael R. Spreckelmeier, CGC

Progressive Builders, Inc.

Staying focused on business

Being in the remodeling industry for over 30 years now, I have always enjoyed your publication and look forward to getting the magazine.

As I read the January 2013 issue, I think I may have a story that would be very beneficial to your readers.

In the 1990s my company grew from $1 million to over $12 million in just a few years. Sunrooms, widows, and siding were our main focus.

My staff consisted of over 65 employees. The boom was great. Then the crash hit and things of course changed.

Business is back to being very good, and the reason is we went back to the fundamentals of the remodeling industry; and that is taking care of the customer and doing great work.

Either my sons, or myself, visits every installation to ensure customer satisfaction. We presently have no customer complaints with the BBB. The reason I am so proud of that fact is when you are a large company, you can lose control and lose happy customers and referrals.

It’s fun to go see an installation and see the customers’ faces. Because we returned to fundamental business practices, we have landed a 1,100-window project, a 900-window project, and a 600-window project in the last two years. Most of our work is residential, but now the word is spreading about the company. I can call or take clients to these projects, and my customers will give them a better presentation then I can.

Looking back, I didn’t need to be the biggest or the best. This can be a great business if you are in control at all times and focus on two things:

Taking care of the customer.

Profit, profit. profit.

—Joe Storione

Earth Smart Remodeling

Wisdom in words

I wish to congratulate Craig Durosko on a nice bit of writing in the January issue of Professional Remodeler (“25 years later, if I’d had only known then…,” January 2013). I recognize inspiration and hear it in Craig’s words. There is wisdom in this one page—straight to the point and really excellent. Thanks for the challenge to rise to this article. I intend to share this article in our internal training sessions.

— Scott Mosby

Mosby Building Arts

Comments from the web

I have always incorporated some of Mark Richardson’s ideas and beliefs in my business (“Are you fit to grow?”, January 2013).

I always believed that people are my greatest asset. Together we can cross any bridge out there. I also never forget that real people sign my checks and that it’s all about them and not about me. I will always try to deliver more than I promise and more than what they expect.

— Posted on HousingZone.com by user Mrccim

Mark Richardson’s article (“Are you fit to grow?”, January 2013) is a great reminder of the customer relationship—it is easy to forget that you are building relationships not buildings.

— Posted on HousingZone.com by user Todd Stratton

Great read, Mark. I like the idea of shifting out of the survival mindset and preparing to grow (“Fit to grow,” December 2012).

— Posted on HousingZone.com by user Andrew Wells

Being aggressive in a depressed market is very good for our business (“Fit to grow,” December 2012).

— Posted on HousingZone.com by user Gary Scott

How can the EPA take any action on the commercial side of this issue when they have, so far, been unable to apply an enforcement strategy to residential RRP requirements? (“EPA delays commercial lead paint rule proposal rule until 2015,” December 2012). No one is paying any attention, folks.

— Posted on HousingZone.com by user Burt R. Russell

Letters, emails, and comments from the readers of Professional Remodeler.