If It Weren’t For Clinents, Remodeling Would Be Easy!

by | Oct 8, 2013 | Levco Builders Process, Memoirs | 0 comments

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Have I got your hackles up yet?

The truth is that many companies have evolved into remodeling for themselves by flipping homes or building spec. homes for this very reason. Lord knows the profession has a black eye over the subject, yet I get a respectful percentage of my business from referrals.

Angie's List

Angie’s List

Where do you get your information? Angie’s List is the ultimate insult to me as a professional. As far as I can tell it is a venting platform for those in the heat of frustration, and a paid platform for contractors to advertise.

Being a people person, in my chosen profession, figuring out this stuff is right up my alley. I understand that clients come in all shapes and sizes with personalities that run the gambit: from casual to uptight, or from controlling, to going on vacation during the project.

Realizing that this is a big part of how much fun we have, made me want to seriously study it.

The first thing I know, is that if you show any chink in the “I’m in control” armor, you’re done!

Up A Tree

Getting back in control of a runaway train before it causes chaos, is nearly impossible, but they always stop eventually.

Another analogy is as my firefighter friend Ron said “I’ve never seen a cat skeleton in a tree, they always come down.”

The next thing I know is that there is no better way to show how you provide great customer service than by having some sort of problem occur.

Do we purposely make problems? NO! Clearly, remodeling is not easy, and shit happens, that is a given. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. Oh wait, everyone is doing it, though some obviously better than others.

Good communications is the basis for resolving issues, and fortunately we have invested heavily into a great communication platform in our client portal.

The good news is that we have tenacity and don’t shy away from these things.

Pre-Disastered

Pre-Disastered

As I like to say, for most problems, “A clever solution is just around the corner.” I am in the habit of running towards problems with lights and sirens, and I have infused my company with this reality.

There are no problems without resolution. Granted, some are painful, but there is a lesson in every one.

Use Levco, they are 8 years into it and nearly completely pre-disastered! (As in the world according to Garp)

ISSUES

In my mind, an issue is what pops up first, and often just blurting it out, brings it into focus. Then we quickly determine if it’s a problem or a situation.

PROBLEMS

A problem is easy. I say, “Just fix it!” These things happen hourly in many cases and are fixed in stride. I am a great resource for solving them, but odds are my field folks will handle it without my input.

SITUATIONS

A situation, on the other hand, is a bigger deal. A delicate solution may be more elusive. Often rectifying a situation requires a 30,000 foot reevaluation of the issue, and is not a quick fix. I manage situations; that’s just what I do.

Mother & Child

Mother & Child

To suggest that these things don’t happen is to have a revisionist view of history. Fortunately, we as a species are prone to forget the pain quickly and focus on the good parts of everything.

If not for this selective memory, let’s face it, we would be extinct.

Can we please everyone? NO. Yet despite the unpleasant parts, we make a humungous effort to make every project better than the last.

SOLUTION

If this sort of insight and commitment is what you seek in a remodeling firm, then I believe you have found your remodeler.

What can Levco do for you?

Your comments are welcome. To ask questions or get more information about remodeling, click here to email me directly, or call 208-947-7261

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.

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.

Related Posts

Holy Cow! We Do Amazing Work

Holy Cow! We Do Amazing Work

As a business owner, doing all the behind-the-scenes things is often so time-consuming that I honestly "Don't get out much." It took a friendly reminder, and now I have a scheduled tour de force every Wednesday with my Construction Manager. We ride around and look at...

read more
Building Science and Remodeling

Building Science and Remodeling

As a residential remodeler for a few decades after being a paramedic for a little longer,  I have learned to take command of a situation and solve problems quickly and efficiently. I have been able to watch the evolution of Building Science. It affects every aspect of...

read more

Leave A Comment

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

Categories

Latest Projects

Master Suite Addition

Master Suite Addition

Master Suite AdditionThe Challenge They came up with a plan drawn by others with several significant errors. One was the size of the addition, and the other was the angle of the trusses. The clients who work remotely turned out to be excellent communicators and...

Dining Room Addition and Kitchen Remodel

Dining Room Addition and Kitchen Remodel

Dining Room Addition and Kitchen RemodelThe Challenge The home had an odd entry room with a coat closet and partition wall in the way. This room was pretty useless and annoying to the client. Then, the kitchen was blocked from the activity in the living room, and the...

Primary Suite Remodel with Deck

Primary Suite Remodel with Deck

Primary Suite Remodel & DeckThe Challenge Inaccurate plans were provided that had to get updated over the course of the project. The project is on a creek so lots of precautions were needed to keep erosion out of it.  The Idea Create a primary suite that is...

Whole House Remodel

Whole House Remodel

Whole House RemodelThe Challenge The home was in the hillside district and in the WUI which means that the home has some extra requirements as far as firesafe and extra structural requirements. There had been an addition done to the house years prior that was not...