Under the Radar

As a professional residential remodeler, I feel that it is my job to ensure that all of the other remodelers are playing by the same set of rules. So when I see a project that requires proper permits to accomplish, naturally I get nosy. It is not that I am the only one that is qualified to do the work, but there are folks that have no business doing intricate structural projects, or those jobs in the historic district, without the proper approvals.

That being said, I noticed a fairly involved remodeling project occurring in the neighborhood without a sign indicating that it might be another remodeler attempting to do a project “under the radar” so to speak. Of course, I checked to make sure that a permit was taken out. I noticed several trucks with out of county license plates, so I figured it was just a couple of friends doing the work. To my surprise, there was a permit. The project involved bearing walls and a rather substantial addition on a pre 1978 home. When I asked which contractor was doing the work, it became obvious what was happening.

Boise City

The home owner had taken out the permit. Stunned, I got to thinking: in whose best interest is it to have the home owner take out the permit?

This is not the typical situation That we have seen over the years, where a “trunk slammer” handyman that gets the work for cheap and never even gets a permit. This is a new twist and a seriously disturbing case. First off, it minimizes the importance of the remodeling profession. It also opens up the home owner to a boatload of potential problems that I am sure are underappreciated by all parties.

Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

• Can you represent yourself in a court of law? Yup. Is it a wise move? Who knows? If you win, you might say so.

• Can you read about how to surgically remove an appendix? Are you prohibited from taking your own out? Nope, Is it a wise move? I suppose if you survive without complications you would save a bunch of money.

• Take home birth, however. What could go wrong? It is a game of odds, I suppose. I have delivered lots of healthy babies, and there were minor complications, that I dealt with. Despite that fact, I chose to not take a chance on my own children.

So why not remodel your own home?

BENEFIT

1. 

   Building Permit

   You get to save a few bucks, because there is no markup on materials or labor.

2. You are ultimately responsibility or the quality of the project yourself.
3. You have no one else to blame if something goes wrong.
4. Everyone is an hourly laborer, so you can yell at them when they go to the bathroom for too long or are taking excessive cigarette breaks.
5. You can fire the lazy ones and just hire other people when you want.
6. The permit cost is the same whether you are a contractor or home owner
7. It may have taken longer, but getting an architect to draw the the plans will be comparable.
8. Your time getting the permit is free. Or is it?
9. You as a home owner are not responsible for doing LSWP (lead safe work practices) and can easily con some guys into taking the risk.

PITFALLS

Framing

In a recent case, I took over for an owner that had hired a masonry contractor who was working beyond his capabilities and was about to do something that made no sense to the owner. He was fired and I was hired to complete the work. There was additional cost involved and a wasted several weeks not to mention the confrontation and the anxiety.

• The home owner most likely had no lead testing done. Odds are that the home that is leaded will be remodeled the old fashioned way and poisoning the family and workers will be a crap shoot.
• This does not exempt the workers from being responsible for taking all the same lead safe work practices that I have to take. If there is any compensation, you must be a lead safe firm and have at least one lead safe certified worker as well as document the lead safe work practices and do clean verification.
• There is no general contractor, so they most likely just hired some guys that build homes to come do the work for an hourly wage.
• One of my clients had a heart attack doing this (fortunately it was a small one)
• There is no contract so if anything goes wrong there is a enormous liability to the owner.
• There is no schedule, so it is anyone’s guess as to what is happening. There is  a fairly steep learning curve as to when required inspections are due, but with some help it can be done. The inspectors are reasonably helpful in this area. It is the ones that don’t have inspections that are at a greater risk.
• Ordering time sensitive materials can be a problem, but with some planning ahead it can be done.
• Once the place is framed in and sheeted anything on the inside can be done be a handful of other subcontractors out of the phone book. And before you know it, you have completed your first remodeling project.

Here is my take on why this is happening: money is tight, so why pay someone like me to do anything? If cost was not an issue, sure, have the work done by a professional.

RISK

How Much Risk Do You Want?

Those of you that are risk adverse should not consider this. Here are some of the real life concerns that I have:

1. None of the carpenters have workman’s compensation insurance. If one falls from the roof of cuts a hand off. Who are they going to go after?
2. Say one of the subcontractors who you pay decides not to pay their concrete bill for instance. Who is going to get the bill?
3. Say they cut into a water line and flood your home? Who is responsible for that?
4. Say the roof is done, you’ve saved some money, and the guy seemed really nice, but the roof leaks into your nice new room. So you call the roofer and they say it is the framers fault, who is responsible for that?
5. Say that a year from now, the addition starts to sink into the earth and the doors don’t fit right anymore.

The point is that I can go on and on. Is the up side of flying under the radar really worth it?

Disclaimer: Some of these images came from the WEB. If they are yours, and you object to them being used, please claim them and I will gladly remove and replace them at once.

Objects May be Closer Than They Look

Through my association with Boise Schools’ Adult Education program called Community Education, I have had the honor of speaking with a group I call the “Veterans of Remodeling Projects” The VRP, much like the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars), gather regularly to reflect on what they have been through together. The VRP needed a support group. I listened and they vented.

Threads of complaints articulated a colorful montage of trials and tribulations that illustrated many of the most common pitfalls of the remodeling process. As if on cue, they all agreed that they eventually got their projects completed, though not necessarily with the original contractor. It was that the process was marred by unforeseen problems. Oh, if only for hindsight.

It reminds me of having a pair of state of the art night vision goggles to use when flying at night. Now and then I flip them up and wonder what the hell I was doing for all those years without them.

Oy

The good news is that you don’t have to be a VRP to get some accumulated wisdom from those who have gone before you. There is help, and it is all around you for the asking. I have written a wonderful booklet on selecting a remodeler that is free for anyone who requests a copy. The booklet covers many of the common positive traits a great contractor will have, and applies all over the country. (It has yet to be translated into foreign languages). You may request one on the Levco Contact Us page.

I have also created a vibrant social network dedicated to sharing my wisdom, which encourages folks to ask questions and share insights into the process of remodeling. It also provides some third party suggestions about resolving issues that arise during the heat of a project.

So, in hindsight, we all wish that we had the ability to anticipate problems that crop up. Here are some of the key points I have gleaned that will help you avoid most of the biggies.

Several Tips to Avoid Pitfalls

1. Have a clear and concise DOW along with a thorough remodeling agreement that spells out the responsibilities of each party.
2. Having a clear and unambiguous Change Order procedure is super important.
3. Nowadays, there are many ways to communicate regularly pick the one or two that works best.
4. Make sure that both you can and your contractor can be reached in the manner that each of you prefer for the appropriate urgency.
5. Have a payment plan that uses milestones rather than percentage of completion.
6. Make sure you have a good set of plans that covers all areas that are to be addressed.
7. Make sure you have a schedule to look at and discuss, ensure it stays updated regularly.
8. If you are doing a Cost Plus Contract ( which I do not recommend), keep on top of your costs or they will run amuck.

In closing, be a savvy shopper, and choose your contractor wisely. Realize that even the best remodeling contractor can wind up in a disagreement with you. It is how you resolve it together and move on that punctuates the project. My belief is that the highest level of client satisfaction can only be reached through having a conflict resolved satisfactorily.

Your comments are welcome. To ask questions or get more information about remodeling email me directly or visit our contact page.

Disclaimer: Some of these images came from the WEB. If they are yours, and you object to them being used, please claim them and I will gladly remove and replace them at once

Happy in Sign

At a recent client visit, I was sharing a glass of wine and rehashing the project when I was asked a direct question that had my clients wondering: why I do like to remodel? The implication was that it is extremely difficult and challenging. They figured that there were plenty of other things a talented guy like me could be doing with my life.

The question was born out of the not so faded memories of the hardships and the tumultuous journey in remodeling their home.

I was sitting in the kitchen that we had just finished and was beaming with pride. Their home had turned out just how they had envisioned it.

We stuck it out and finished the project. We dealt with challenges, adversity, surprises and delays. We communicated pretty darn well, but there is always room for improvement.

We made some mistakes and had to fix them, we had our share of unexpectedly bad subcontractor behavior, yet in spite of it all, we completed a complicated  project with my dignity intact and a fabulously finished space.

The Art of Remodeling

Remodeling to me is an opportunity to improve someone’s living space together.

Remodeling takes many shapes, and a wide variety of sizes. The concept is all the same, it is a basic human trait that emanates from the need to improve what is around us.

1. I realized long ago that I had a special talent to extract from others what they want their home to be like, and then to create what we envisioned through communicating with the client and the trades people that do the work.
2. I discovered that people find this talent valuable and eagerly invite me and my team into their homes and trust me implicitly, which I treasure.
3. I derive tremendous pride and have a passion to do it right. I liken it to a writer that finishes a manuscript. What once was blank paper and an idea, comes to life in a story for all to read, and gets fabulous reviews for years to come.

The Wild Yeast

I feel my life is being lived in a rich and fulfilling way. I am able to make a living doing both of the things that I love in life. I surround myself with others that enjoy doing the same thing and, before you know it, work becomes fun. Problems, rather than becoming obstacles, turn into opportunities to teach us and learn from.

The Batards are Ready

I expect that every project I do will lead to referrals.

• Each new project is like a request to bring out my well cared for sourdough starter.
• What started as wild yeast flour and water when used properly, gives a little to each loaf and takes something to be used in the next.
• Each project we complete is like creating a new loaf with the overtones of the last: chock full of the richness and earthy crust, a moist crumb, healthy tough tear, and a fragrance that takes me back to my childhood.

With persistence, I expect it will keep me busy being creative for years to come.

Your comments are welcome. To ask questions or get more information about remodeling, email me directly or visit our contact page.

Disclaimer: Some of these images came from the WEB. If they are yours, and you object to them being used, please claim them and I will gladly remove and replace them at once.

If you only knew what could go “Rong” (I think wrong should be spelled r o n g, don’t you?)  in a remodeling project. Anyone who says this sort of thing doesn’t happen on their projects is either lying, hasn’t been remodeling long enough, or has been fired by a client and never got the chance to fix their mistake.

Oh No!

This is a tale of  dismal results that spiraled sideways nearly impacting the ground before we finally pull it out at the last second.

I recently had the misfortune of dealing with the fallout of a very bad paint job.

We were this close to finishing our project and the painting was basic stuff, it was only going to take an afternoon to complete.

The next thing I get is a 5:50PM phone call from my client reporting that the painter had just left but “the paint job didn’t look very good”. I suggested we wait till morning and look at it together.

Next morning I showed up bright and early expecting to see a single fixable flaw.  It turns out that “not looking good” was the understatement of the year. There were runs, streaks and rough spots throughout the project.

The New Mantra

My gut reaction was to have the painter return and fix it immediately. My client was willing and I showed the painter the deficiencies. ” No problem he said” ” I’ll fix it up right now” That triggered  my second visit to check up on how the fix went, still shabby. The pattern continued. The painter was not happy with his results either but I’ll be darned if he could fix it.

This next time he assured me, it is under control, “Joe don’t worry I will come back and make it great, I’m not happy until you’re happy”.

The third time out, I brought my new Project Manager, Josh with me. “Rip it out, we need to start over” he whispered to me.

Being one to give the benefit of the doubt to the professional painter, I allowed him one last time to fix his problem. That is when the client called and said she had had it with the painter. She went as far as to prohibit him from returning.

This could have easily been the end of the project for me. Thankfully, our client gave me one last chance to take care of the problem.

Bottom line is, Levco decided to rip it out and replaced the finish work. We employed a different painter to do the job and it all looks great now. Turns out, there were some valuable pearls of wisdom to be learned.

Let's Start Over

1. Even professionals make mistakes they can’t fix.
2. I could have saved time, and money, had my tolerance been lower.
3. We eventually found a great painter.
4. I got to see what kind of finish carpenter Josh is. (great and fast!)
5. Josh has the personality trait I lack and is not bashful about telling it like it is and getting results.

I have always said, “the highest level of customer service can not be achieved unless there is a problem”.  I am especially proud that we eventually turned this catastrophic failure into a happy ending. In other words, “we always win”  We also got to “show that we care” to our client who is very happy with the results of our problem resolution.

Your comments are welcome. To ask questions or get more information about remodeling, email me directly or visit our contact page.

Disclaimer: Some of these images came from the WEB. If they are yours, and you object to them being used, please claim them and I will gladly remove and replace them at once.

My Enthusiasm

During a recent visit with a potential client they were clearly interviewing me when they asked this excellent question. They appreciated my attitude and eagerness to get the work.

“How do you pass your enthusiasm on to your staff?”

Wow, I had to stop and think.

“Well, I said, I meet with my employees regularly, I have lunch with them occasionally. I celebrate our success stories and share my BLOG.” That was my off the cuff answer. Realizing that I had just been given a pearl of wisdom, I later took the opportunity to explore the question further.

The Emperor has no Clothes

The way I took the question, my perspective clients were wondering if the emperor had any clothes.  A keen observer of business often finds a charismatic leader without an enthusiastic or knowledgeable crew. This common mismatch is an accident looking for a place to happen.

That is when I realized that I had a bunch of additional ways of ensuring that I am being a good example to my people. For one thing, I seem to attract positive people to surround myself with. The Eeyore type folks just don’t fit. So, like Good to Great, I hire the right people and put them in the right places on the bus.

In many cases the companies leaders are so far removed from the front line that the culture is set by edict, decree, and a heavy handed top down way.  I also have had the misfortune of working for companies that practiced this behavior, Thankfully, I had the means to move on.

My Style of Culture

All this thinking got me to explore the root of my enthusiasm.

As Eckhart Tolle says in his book “A new earth” my enthusiasm is deeply rooted in who I am and how I approach my life. I am alert and conscious about what I do. I find myself full of creative juices and in an effortless way, find abundant energy to do what I enjoy. I like to think I am a bit contagious in that way.

A story I like to relay is about three workers each doing the same mind numbing job of moving bricks. An observer asks each one separately “What are you doing?” The first who is struggling says “I am moving bricks” the second who is distracted and exhausted says “I am working until lunch” the third is happily working away and jovial says “I am helping to build a cathedral” I am that guy.

In the case of my company, Levco Builders all we do is remodel. It may seem menial and routine to some, but I can’t get enough of the stuff. I believe that my corporate culture is set by example. In my vision of a just culture everyone pulls together to create a product or service that is the result of cooperation and everyone’s best effort and talents.

For starters, I interview my staff and only chose the ones that I feel get it.

I realize that what makes an employee great for Levco is not something that can be taught.

What I want comes from the heart. The level of attention to detail, the way we show that we care, the way that we speak respectfully and treat others with kindness, the love for how we transform confused spaces into functional dwellings is amazing.

The fact that we work as a volunteer occasionally to remember how much helping others fills you up.

The willingness to grow and learn about new materials and techniques.

The fact that they realize that there are hundreds of ways to do the same thing. The Levco way is what we do, because until a better best practice shows up, is the standard that everyone is held accountable for.

1. 

   Levco

   That being wasteful hurts everyone.

2. That successes are celebrated no matter what the scale.
3. That communicating clearly is not something to be taken for granted.
4. That an ounce of planning ahead can prevent a gallon of confusion and wasted time.
5. That sharp tools makes for easier work.
6. That everyone brings a unique perspective to the table.
7. Staying organized saves time and aggravation.
8. That a simple apology goes a long way to earning trust.
9. That trust in others is something that I start with.
10. We look out for each other and our clients, knowing full well that what is good for our clients is good for us.
11. They understand that the better idea always wins no matter who it comes from.
12. The fact that honesty and being up front is the how we roll.
13. That it is in no one’s best interest to allow substandard work or bad behavior.

Your comments are welcome. To ask questions or get more information about remodeling, email me directly or visit our contact page.

Disclaimer: Some of these images came from the WEB. If they are yours, and you object to them being used, please claim them and I will gladly remove and replace them at once.

Zen Garden

My brother, Maurice just told me a story of a park ranger that had retired but before he did he mentored his replacement. All in all the new ranger was doing the same thing the previous one did but there was something missing.

The park goers were not as happy, and missed the last ranger, they just couldn’t figure out why till someone noticed the lack of rake marks.

Sure the park was clean and neat, it just wasn’t the same, until the lack of rake marks was realized.

Rake marks left in the sand had a deeper meaning for my brother. We had a great discussion about how we can apply the story and principal into our daily lives, and add it to the culture of our companies.

Leaving rake marks is another way to express a mantra that I hold in high esteem “show that you care”. Perhaps this is easier to understand than  do, we will see.

Rake marks are simply a visible sign that you were there and that you care.

Another Zen Garden

At Levco we have employed this little tactic into our everyday conversations. It is one more way we differentiate ourselves from the pack.

Rake marks can mean a multitude of things;

• Keeping the job site safe and organized.
• Going out of your way to be helpful.
• Doing a favor without being asked.
• Anticipating needs of others.
• Being patient, respectful, and cooperative.
• Straightening out and organizing stuff.
• Making sure everyone working on the project cleans their area nightly, and the place is locked up securely.
• Fixing something that wasn’t on the list.
• Leaving notes.

Basically it boils down to leaving everything you touch better than when you found it. There I go letting my inner Eagle Scout come out again.

A client recently told me this pearl of wisdom. “When You Clean, You Find” He told me of several examples that include all sorts of things to look out for that made perfect sense. I suppose this could be used whenever cleaning is done.

So essentially cleaning is not necessarily a job to be relegated to the lowest man on the totem pole.

Things that are of special interest that have been caught since all we started paying more attention.

Gap In Floor

Framing:

• Level
• Plumb
• Gaps
• Square
• Nails not sunk all the way in
• Fire blocking & drywall backing
• Bracing and backing for grab bars and towel bars

Prior to Insulation & Covering walls:

• Disconnected duct work
• Plumbing pressure test caps still on.
• gaps in insulation.

Final Cleaning

Finish work:

• Gaps in grout, trim connections, under threshold
• Caulking
• Filled nail holes
• Toe kicks & Vents

Final Cleaning:

• Rough surfaces
• Spaces
• Appliances in place solidly
• Painting holiday (thin spot)
• Proper drawer operation
• Clogged aerators
• Light bulbs out
• Over spray
• Scratched windows

The list of examples are endless, the good news is that it even applies to cleaning up the kitchen when you are the last one to use it. Give it a try I am sure you will be impressed with how you feel about your work, never mind about how others view your work.

Your comments are welcome. To ask questions or get more information about remodeling email me directly or visit our contact page.

 Disclaimer: Some of these images came from the WEB. If they are yours, and you object to them being used, please claim them and I will gladly remove and replace them at once.

Neener Neener

Occasionally I get the pleasure of telling folks “I told you so”. Rarely does it cause a stir.

Here is a short story that worked out for all parties in the end.

This case involved an exhausted client and a tile setter that had real life issues.

I should have seen the warning signs, but I am/was too forgiving. The work, when actually accomplished on time, was wonderful. I was given ample warning and had several opportunities to resolve the problem or fire the tile setter, but my fault was that I was willing to overlook the mess, the missed promises, the incomplete work, as well as the crazy scheduling, and leaving several times in the middle of the day.

I “got it” eventually, and now have a real Masonry Contractor, who I love. Oops, I’m jumping ahead.

So, Levco was ending the project, turning into the home stretch of the addition, and the guest bathroom was the final part. That is when the homeowner baulked at having us do the tile work. He essentially fired the subcontractor for me and hired anther “Tile Guy” from out in front of Home Depot. The home owner proudly told me it saved him $300.00 Ah, if only all tile guys were the same, I warned him.

Ya, Sure...I Do Tile Work

I had not heard a word and assumed that everything was fine, until I was asked to return to remodel the dining room. I noticed that the pluming fixtures had not been installed in the guest bath. Confused, I asked why. As it turns out, the owners were so concerned about the shoddy workmanship that they never even put water into the shower pan for fear of it leaking into their new addition.

That was is when they contacted me again, 3 years later. Enough time had passed, I suppose, allowing him to get past the anger of making a mistake. One day, he just tore out all of the shower tile. He was calling to have us return to replace the shower completely.

The project was a huge success and we laugh about it now, but I wish it had never happened. In reality, I gave the owner no option at the time.

As I get more experienced, or the “older” I get, the more I see the big picture. This theme repeats itself with painters and all of the subcontractors, I suppose.

So, if you are an inexperienced general contractor, take my advice.

• Don’t allow a substandard subcontractor to sour your projects.
• Maintain a low tolerance for anything but perfection.

Your clients will appreciate it and your reputation will flourish. After all, the reason they hired you was to avoid gambling with their hard earned money.

Disclaimer: Some of these images came from the WEB. If they are yours, and you object to them being used, please claim them and I will gladly remove and replace them at once.

Mirror Mirror on The Wall

Here is what I see when I look in the mirror. What I needed to know is what others see in me and my company Levco Builders.

To figure out the problem, I  had to interview some of my thoughtful, articulate clients and ask them an open ended question that they could answer.

There is no post project questionnaire that could produce the results that I needed.

A favorite song of mine written by Shel Silverstein The Winner came to me while writing this post.

Not all projects are worth bidding. Occasionally I realize too late that I have won a project that I would have been better off not winning, regardless, we maintain our dignity and plow through. There are things to learn from every project and client interaction so a little older and a lot wiser we regroup and start over.

Let's Go Fishing

The key is to think like an avid fisherman. When fishing for a certain type of fish in a lake, you must use the right bait and tackle for the fish you want to catch.

Once you ask the fifty thousand dollar question, you must be an active listener. Listen carefully my friends! you never know what you might hear.

The most interesting thing I discovered was that I had used a secret weapon in my arsenal that I didn’t realize that I had.

Initially, I was cautious, I struggled with whether I should even talk about what I learned.

My secret weapon comes naturally and is just who I am. “No one is going to out Joe Levitch, Joe Levitch”.  I realized that by defining who I am and what I stand for, that I am differentiating myself from the heard. I am my strongest suit.

On the projects I enjoyed the most, what my clients were buying was unique and not a commodity. In other words, who I am and how and I present my self and ideas is what they are buying. Remodeling is just a vision and the vehicle I use.

Here are some of the things I learned about myself.

The Envelope Please

• I was excited about the project. I could see what the clients vision was of their home and couldn’t wait to make it happen. That excitement made the client feel good and that was the chemistry that got the relationship going.

• Several clients were explaining that they were frustrated by contractors who wanted to do much more work than necessary. They were pleased that I was able to identify a clever solution to a complex problem before we started.

• Occasionally price is the only deciding factor. Those clients are shopping for a transaction not an interaction. They are frequently not a good fit.

• Another client had seen my work at a neighbors house and wanted to get that level of satisfaction. The trust was created by someone else going first.

• One client had had a heart attack remodeling a home in the past and didn’t want to have another one. They found me and although I was just starting out at the time, they realized that I was willing to work closely and together to get through the growing pains of a new company.

Simple Toy

Recently lots of leads are coming from our website. There is a tremendous amount of great content, so I am told. I feel like the more information I can put up on this site, the more I am able to help folks get to know me, and see my work, without having to leave the privacy of their own home so to speak.

• One client liked how I was able to explain my process. They could tell that I had put a lot of thought into helping explain what you get for your investment. They really liked how I was able to break bathrooms and kitchens into bite size pieces.

The premise is that if you can’t explain the “it” (a remodeling project in this case), then you don’t understand the it well enough to do the it. An example is using a toy to show the Bernoulli Principal of Aerodynamics in action, rather than showing the mathematical equation and loosing 99% of the folks.

My suspicion is that to the extent that I define who I am well and differentiate myself from the heard, I will attract a certain type of project and client. If that is working for you then refine it. If not, reinvent yourself and go fishing again until you catch what you are fishing for.

Disclaimer: Some of these images came from the WEB. If they are yours, and you object to them being used, please claim them and I will gladly remove and replace them at once.

Drain Cleaner

I was doing a free plumbing repair for a friend who happened to be a Tennis Pro. I had always been impressed with his athletic prowess and chiseled body. Not having grown up in a competitive sport, I was never coached or had to develop a killer instinct to always win. I had little understanding or respect for what he did for a living.

He had a clogged sink in a small bathroom of his 100 year old house. I had removed the P Trap made some progress with the drain cleaning tool when it got stopped by a T fitting deep within the wall. I had tried every trick I could think of. I was sweating and frustrated. I was cramped and uncomfortable and I decided that I wasn’t going to be successful. In fact I had other things to do.

I began to clean up and pack out when I told him that I had given it my best shot and that he was just going to have to call a plumbing company that specializes in this sort of thing.

What Motivates You?

He immediately told me “Thanks, I see that you have given it your all, no problem” He kept heaping on the praise and thanks.  He repeatedly assured me that he would take care of it. I was so relieved he let me off the hook for fixing his clog. Then he said something that I will never forget.

He slipped in a word that stopped me in my tracks and motivated me like nothing external had ever motivated me in my life.

He was helping me pack out my tools and said thanks one more time. Joe, he said, have a great afternoon “looser”. I was shocked! He had slipped in that word barely audible that instantly boiled my blood. How dare you I thought, It really pissed me off. “what did you say” I barked? He calmly said, no big deal man, we will get it taken care of Monday, you gave it your all. That Asshole! How dare he, I heard what he said and it got my goat…..” I thought you had game,” he said as he shrugged.

I promptly turned around and unpacked my stuff. I fixed the problem by using my head and approaching the clogged drain from the other direction (toilet side) going backwards up the pipe. I felt damn good doing it. I was fiercely determined and ultra focused. When I finally got it, I felt fantastic and proud that I had won. All the while he had this Cheshire Cat air about him. What a prick I thought. Then it hit me.

Holy cow, Pete Peterson had just gotten under my skin and had gotten results out of me that I didn’t think I could accomplish. He had just coached me.

My Coach Pete

A coach and a motivator of people all his life. He had figured out the magic word and deftly delivered it at the perfect moment to get me to accomplish a task he knew I could accomplish despite the fact that I had nearly given up. He used it to get what he wanted out of me. It took less than a second to say, he muttered softly and never repeated it. The power of that word said at that moment in time was all it took.

Who knows if it would ever work again, (I keep the experience with me in my mental toolbox should I ever need it again). It was a special moment that I will never forget. I thanked him and have a new respect for coaches and leaders who have the ability to motivate others throughout the world.

I often reflect upon that incident. I wonder if we all have a word and a moment that would get us to accomplish something amazing that we had within us but didn’t believe we could do.

What is your word? Can you find the word that works for others?

 Disclaimer: Some of these images came from the WEB. If they are yours, and you object to them being used, please claim them and I will gladly remove and replace them at once.

Al Davis

Although winning isn’t everything, it feels pretty good when you do.

I recall vividly as Al Davis, former owner of the Oakland Raiders said “Just Win Baby” It got me thinking about what Levco and the remodeling industry in general has in common with the game of football.

I also got caught up in the frenzy of college football this year and celebrate another fantastic BSU football season.

From my armchair, “Remodeling is much like a football game, except when it is done correctly, there are only winners, no losers”.

• Both teams develop a game plan based upon reviewing tapes and having faced similar challenges. Although we don’t use tapes we review previous projects to learn from them.
• We have owners that agree to play each other. In our case the opponent is in the form of a remodeling project.
• We both use lots of illustrations to plan out what we will do.
• Football uses a coach and we use a Project Manager who calls the plays.
• We both take a break at milestones to review the plan for the next phase.
• We both believe that we are the best despite there being other teams out there that do the same thing just a little differently.
• 

  Kellen Moore

  There is a set of rules that we are all supposed to play by, some teams do a better job of it.

• Occasionally we both drop the ball. We always pick it up and keep playing.
• When we take a break, we rehydrate for the next set of downs.
• Football has players that specialize in all areas of the game from running and passing, to kicking. We have employees with overall knowledge of the game and employ specialty subcontractors for those complicated tasks.
• We both plan ahead and use the best resources and are always on the lookout for the best talent available.
• A fumble isn’t always a bad thing.
• We make progress and have setbacks on a regular basis.
• We both keep track of statistics.
• Occasionally we punt.
• Extra points are scored on clever plays.
• We both celebrate small victories and have occasional setbacks.
• In the end we all celebrate the game and in our case the completion of the project.

After looking at the similarities between football and remodeling, I was left at the threshold of trying to describe what winning means to me.  I borrowed a phrase frequently that was created at Flying Pie Pizza,  “We Always Win”.  As I see it, the only way to have our interests aligned is to let everyone know how we measure our success. As I open the door here is what I see.

Winning for Levco is:

Our Team

1. Creating a team approach to each project and developing relationships that are solid.
2. Knowing that we did a great job and created what the client wanted.
3. Keeping in control of the schedule and the scope of work.
4. Having Change Orders signed before additional work is started.
5. Coming in on budget.
6. Tinkering with our systems to improve our process.
7. Showing that we care.
8. Finding a better idea no matter the source.
9. Listening very carefully to each other and allowing every voice be heard.
10. Adapting to existing conditions.
11. Finding clever solutions to complicated problems.
12. Anticipating problems and special needs before they arise and handling them in stride.
13. Keeping everyone and everything up to date.
14. Getting everyone paid on time.
15. Dealing with problems swiftly and decisively in an honest upfront way.
16. Celebrating our successes.
17. Learning from setbacks.
18. Creating a fabulous remodeling project that looks like it was always there.

In closing, winning for us does not come at anyone’s expense. The beauty of remodeling in Boise, Idaho is that I have created a working model for our continued success and prosperity. The fruits of our labor go way beyond a paycheck which is why we do what we do so darn well.

Rest in peace Al, you won a lot.

Love Joe

Disclaimer: Some of these images came from the WEB. If they are yours, and you object to them being used, please claim them and I will gladly remove and replace them at once.

I just added a module to the website. It is designed to keep everyone in the loop. The idea was not new; I just found a company that provides a needed service that I did not need to invent. I partnered with a company that has created an amazing tool. They also seem to be interested in getting new ideas so I will be a great partner in that respect. Now my clients have the ability to view everything about their projects anytime. They can keep up on daily logs and change orders, as well as photos and documents from the comfort of anywhere. Check out the video demo on the website.

Portal Screen Shot

It has already paid for itself in catching potential confusion and eliminating unnecessary phone calls. It is also the official site for all selections and communications as well as a hub for my subcontractors to get vital information.

The schedule is easily modified and  gives a real time look at what has happened, what will happen, and when appointments are scheduled.

I believe this has set me apart from my competitors just a little further. It also erases a frustrating component of remodeling that I never liked. It sets my clients apart too. If you are the kind of client that likes to know what is going on and where important documents are kept, then Levco is the contractor for you. See the entire web page at www.levcobuilders.com

the Cathedral

There is a classic fable that which simply and elegantly explains what I am doing, and why I am working so hard, or so much, depending upon your perspective.

It has to do with a man that observes others doing menial labor in the form of  moving rocks at a job site. He tries to figure out why, despite the fact that they are all doing the same thing, each one appears to be doing the job with different amounts of enthusiasm.

When asked, the first one replied with low enthusiasm,” I’m moving rocks from this pile here, to the next pile over there”. Obviously this person is focused on the task at hand. The second one when asked responded with a little more enthusiasm, “as soon as I finish moving this pile I can go fishing.”  This one was more interested in what he was going to do after work which helped him tolerate the work. The third one was full of enthusiasm when asked said ” I am helping to build a cathedral.” Although doing the same menial tasks, the third person understood that through his work that something great was being built that will last and become a place of great beauty and that he was creating something that had meaning beyond the structure.

No, I’m not judging others. I just happen to understand that I am a cathedral builder. No matter the menial task I enjoy working both with my hands and  my mind.

Often accused of being a work-a-holic, I prefer the monicker work-o-maniac. The difference I believe is in the way I approach the task at hand. Do I enjoy my work?  Am I being creative? Do people appreciate what I am doing? The simple answer is yes to all of them.

Sturdy rock wall

I get inspiration from the simplest things, I feel like I am figuring out a very difficult puzzle, or creating a sturdy rock wall. Right now my focus is upon creating a profitable well respected remodeling business one project at a time. Is there an end in sight …not that I can see from here. The metaphor however works for me.

Why remodeling in Boise Idaho you ask?  I suppose it could have been any line of work anywhere. I feel that the mirage of  owning and operating a successful, profitable, well run business has always been just past my fingertips. Not that I haven’t had my share of successes. Deep down, I also want to show my father Ed that I can do it. He still has an excitement about working on his remodeling business in Berkeley California with my brother Maurice and sharing his wisdom with us whenever he can.

The reward in remodeling for me is the thrill I get when I figure something complicated out, or discover a better way of doing something. I am especially happy when I am given the opportunity to improve living spaces. After all I get to work on one of the most basic needs required for life, shelter.