ASSOCIATIONS / INSIGHT / EDUCATION / EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
NAHB REMODELER OF THE MONTH
April 19-21
Joseph Irons, CGR, GMB, CAPS, CGP
Kitchen and Bath
Industry Show, New
Orleans
National Kitchen and
Bath Association
Kbis.com
April 17
The Pro Expo
Presented by Pella
Milwaukee
Theproexpo.com
April 24
The Pro Expo
Presented by Pella
Minneapolis
Theproexpo.com
April 29-May 2
Coverings, Atlanta
National Trade
Productions
Coverings.com
May 1
The Pro Expo
Presented by Pella
San Francisco
Theproexpo.com
May 6
The Pro Expo
Presented by Pella
Phoenix
Theproexpo.com
May 9
Grassroots Regional
Gathering, Atlanta
International Surface
Fabricators Association
Isfanow.org
May 9
The Pro Expo
Presented by Pella
Albuquerque
Theproexpo.com
May 10-11
AltBuild Expo, Santa
Monica, Calif.
City of Santa Monica
Altbuildexpo.com
Irons Brothers Construction, Shoreline, Wash.
Founded: 1999
Employees: 6
Type of company: Full-service remodeler
Q: Who started your company, and why?
A: My oldest brother, Bruce, and I started the
company in 1999. Working in construction since
I was a child, I have always enjoyed building and
constructing things, as well as problem solving
and finding solutions. Being in business for
ourselves allows us to enjoy our passion of
designing and implementing construction
solutions for homeowners and also provides an
income. It was a win-win.
Q: When and how did you choose this
career?
A: About five years after starting the company, I
realized it was my career. At the young age of 22
starting a company, I had no idea what I was in
for or how much work it would be. At first it was
a job and not a career, until I began my education
and designation process with NAHB and took the
CGR prep. Although I was exceptional at designing ideal solutions for our clients, I did not enjoy
the administrative side of the business. I was
always craving more education and knowledge to
better myself and my company. My local builders
association had a great program, and I took
advantage of it and earned my CGR and CAPS in
2004. With the course work involved with these
designations, it allowed me to see all the weaknesses and strengths in my company. I was also
able to meet and network with other remodelers.
Q: When and why did you join NAHBR?
A: Shortly after joining my local home builder���s
association, I found our local remodelers council.
In the early 2000s I joined. I realized that the remodeler���s council would benefit my company through
its education and networking opportunities with
other industry professionals.
Q: If you could change one thing about
the remodeling industry, what would
it be?
A: The three bids. I believe homeowners got this
from the insurance industry and BBB. I would
like to change this to ���interview��� three companies
and not solicit for three bids. As any professional
remodeler knows, it���s not the number that counts
��� it���s what���s included or excluded from the
proposal that matters. This includes warranty,
customer service, expertise, liability coverage and
much more. Also, we are not in business to bid
on projects, but to build them.
Q: What does your gut tell you about
our current economic situation and
when it will improve?
A: My company is succeeding despite the economic downturn and has persevered. I believe
that we are on the upturn in our area, and
although the recovery may not be as quick as we
want, it feels as though it is on the rise as our
backlog grows day to day. There are more buyers
and fewer window shoppers.
Q: What have you done to grow your
business during the slowdown?
A: We improved our systems, managed more trade
partners than staff, increased and diversified our
marketing, and harvested our current client and
referral base.
Photo: Meryl Schenker Photography
TOUGH WINDOWS. TOUGH TRUCKS.
WE HAVE THE KEYS TO BOTH.
Learn more about the strength and durability of Ultrex��
fberglass and register for a chance to win a 2013 Ford F-150
at IntegrityWindows.com/Promo5 or scan this QR code.