What the hell was I thinking?

by | Jul 24, 2016 | Levco Builders Process | 0 comments

Reading Time: 4 minutes
Kyle Hunt

Kyle Hunt

I recently got a note from an old friend and remodeling marketing business coach that got me thinking. What the hell did I get myself into by starting a remodeling business? Having been a restaurant owner and Paramedic, I have chosen my third career, that of a remodeling contractor.

Here is the list Kyle Hunt prepared that spells out what I need to be doing to have successful remodeling business. It fills me with great pride that I am doing all of these things simultaneously, it also terrifies me to see what needs to be done day in and day out. I keep reminding myself DON’T LOOK DOWN!

Is a home remodeling business the most complex small business to own and operate?

“If it were easy, everyone would be doing it” Wait a minute…

It’s complicated

Ever changing rules, regulations, and inspectors to deal with
• Ongoing training and certifications to keep on top of
• Keeping employees productive, trained, and happy. Always planning on who you need to hire/let go of next
• Managing the relationships with your group of sub-contractors
• Effectively marketing your business to generate a flow of quality leads
• Having an effective and streamlined design and estimating process
• Managing your sales pipeline and follow-up
• Continuing to improve and work on a strong sales process from start to finish
• The pressure of signing work and selling it at a solid markup while competing against a host of competition
• Running job cost reports and then evaluating performance, and making adjustments
• Understanding and consistently reviewing your Profit & Loss Statement
• Managing risk – having the proper insurance
• Managing cash flow, accounts payable and receivable
• Being a leader. Setting the vision for the business. Setting annual goals and managing your overall business plan
• The need to keep an eye on new products and ways of doing things more effectively
• The need to buy tools/equipment and the tug of war on what to invest and not invest in
• The hard work it takes to deliver a high-quality finished project on-time and on-budget
• Oh, and you’re also in people’s homes – tearing them apart and putting them back together. It takes time, patience, and effort to manage the relationship and expectations of your clients

“You’re running a very complex business Joe”. (DUH!) Understatement of the year award goes to Mr. Hunt.

Who has a more complex business model?

Mr. Hunt’s point is that it is not easy to do it alone. He offers assistance for those that are trying to get a deeper understanding of their business especially the marketing related to remodeling. He is there to offer assistance. Kyle is a master of that. Here is his link

Some entrepreneurial humor

I once told a friend who wanted to open a restaurant that rather than actually going through with it, he could save himself 10 years of his life, and give him the same feeling by just giving me $100,000, and let me kick him really hard in the groin.

You know how to make a million dollars in remodeling? Start with 2. I must have misunderstood and I literally did start with 2 not 2 million, I wish I had paid more attention.

Here is my take on it all

Other challenges include compensating myself appropriately for the work I do. Remembering to have time to be with family and friends, rest occasionally, clear my head, and stay healthy.

I can proudly say that I have assembled an amazing team and we are constantly improving systems. Some of our best learning scenarios happen right after a spectacular failure.

I’m right where I want to be.

I love what I do and I am turned on about solving all sorts of problems. Yes, there is risk, yes there is danger, and at the end of the day we do some very wonderful work that I am very proud of. This is why I get up every day and pour myself into what I do. Thank you Mr. Hunt for recognizing the complex nature of my chosen profession and most of all for helping me out from time to time.


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

If you or someone you know is considering remodeling or just wants to speak to a trustworthy remodeling contractor please contact me, you’ll be glad you did.

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

I Learned How To Communicate By Drawing

I Learned How To Communicate By Drawing

I suppose it is like learning a new language. However, I am only fluent in English. When I put a phrase together in Spanish, it makes me happy. Communicating in drawing has always been challenging until I learned a program that allows me to express my thoughts in a...

read more
The 4-Way Test For Remodeling

The 4-Way Test For Remodeling

As the owner of this construction company, I know that decisions must be made daily. I chose to follow the Rotarian's 4-way test. I am just celebrating my 8th anniversary in the club. What a simple code to follow. I am also an Eagle Scout, but that was so long ago....

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...