flexiblefullpage - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
Currently Reading

Special Section: Shelter your profits from the storm

Advertisement
billboard -
Leadership

Special Section: Shelter your profits from the storm

In a recent poll conducted by Professional Remodeler, more than half of the remodelers who responded said they have dealt with large volumes of storm-related repairs and remodeling.


September 4, 2013
Storm damage accounted for more than $110 billion in 2012 alone.
This article first appeared in the PR September 2013 issue of Pro Remodeler.

Hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and countless other destructive weather events cost billions of dollars in damage in North America every year. Specifically, storm damage accounted for more than $110 billion in 2012 alone. These storms leave devastating footprints that take communities years to recover.

In the aftermath of a damaging storm, you might be one of the first responders providing homeowners? services such as tarping roofs and boarding windows and doors in order to prevent further damage to a home. Why? Maybe this is part of your business plan, then again, maybe it?s not. Perhaps, it?s because you have a connection to the community. You want to help your neighbor, past client, or someone you?ve never seen before who desperately needs your professional help in an emergency.

In a recent poll conducted by Professional Remodeler, more than half of the remodelers who responded said they have dealt with large volumes of storm-related repairs and remodeling.

However, 54 percent of survey respondents view storm-related repair and remodeling work as carrying an enhanced risk of profit slippage.

Then why do remodelers take on these jobs?

Professional Remodeler asked Sal Ferro, president and CEO, Alure Home Improvements, Plainview, N.Y., this question when we visited his offices this summer to discuss how his company responded to Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

Ferro told Professional Remodeler, ?Perhaps the most important aspect of our storm-related work was helping Long Island recover [from Hurricane Sandy] as opposed to profiting from a big business boom. I don?t want to make a living on the back of other people?s disasters.?

Of course, there are remodelers who do respond to storm-related work because it makes up part of their business model. They offer a professional service and they must be able cover their expenses and more.

Greater than 80 percent of remodelers who responded to our survey indicated they increase their gross margin by as much as 15 percent or more to hit their target net-profit for storm-related work. As you know, storm-related work can present a sizeable risk to your business; however, the flip side is that it can also present an excellent opportunity for longer-term growth.

Professional Remodeler designed this special issue with an editorial package dedicated to storm response to help you prepare your remodeling business for the next big storm.

We tapped into the industry?s leading professionals to profile how they manage storm response; we offer exclusive tips for dealing with insurance companies; and we examine how to differentiate your company from the quick-buck crews that take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners. We also include a profile on Ferro and his company detailing how they managed emergency-response efforts to Hurricane Sandy while ensuring their own employees remained safe during and after the storm.

Also, be sure to visit our website for additional exclusive editorial content as well as a series of videos from remodelers who responded to Hurricane Sandy.

If your company wants to pursue storm-related work, you must first perfect your business plan before helping out clients and the community. This issue is step one of that business plan. PR

In a recent poll conducted by Professional Remodeler, more than half of the remodelers who responded said they have dealt with large volumes of storm-related repairs and remodeling.


Add new comment

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
leaderboard2 - default

Related Stories

How to Create a World-Class Remodeling Team

Great remodeling companies position themselves for the future with the right players

Get the Most Out of Your Teams with This Leadership Style

The transformational leadership style focuses on inspiring and motivating team members to achieve their full potential and exceed their expectations

How to Revamp Your Pre-Construction Process 

Experiencing too much slippage and delays? See how Bridget Bacon of Red House Design Build solved these issues by improving the remodeler's pre-construction process

Building A Small Projects Division from the Ground Up

Through hard work and careful strategy, Harth Home Services has seen big growth

A Mindset of Serving Others

A research study shows surprising results about what makes us take ownership of our work.

3 Keys to Successful Team Management

On this episode of Women at WIRC, hear Laura Burnes delve into her approach to leadership and project management, in addition to sharing insights into Adams + Beasley Associates' winning culture. 

Preparing for an Uncertain 2024

Here's how remodelers can prepare for unpredictable market

4 Steps to Prep Your Business for Contraction

How a remodeling company plans ahead for the worst of times (and the best of times)
 

Helping Remodelers 'Get Their House In Order'

From remodeler to NARI executive to industry consultant, Diane Welhouse uses her expertise to help business owners 

One Problem in Remodeling, Many Causes

A single experience with poor workmanship shines a light on a deeper problem

Advertisement
boombox2 -
Advertisement
halfpage2 -
Advertisement
native1 -

More in Category




Advertisement
native2 -
Advertisement
halfpage1 -
Advertisement
leaderboard1 -