Who started your company?
Mike Arnold started the company
in 1987. I was added as a partner in 2005.
We have always had a passion for creating
new and better spaces.
How did you choose remod-
eling as a career? My dad was
a great influence when I was young, and I
just ran with it from there. Construction in
general is in my blood.
What did you do before
becoming a remodeler? I
grew up on a farm so I did everything from
planting to harvest. With that comes an
interest in construction improvements on
the farm as well.
When and why did you join
NAHBR? What's the value
of membership? Our company has
always been involved with NAHB. My
partner was a past local chapter president
and I will be in two years. NAHB Remodelers
is an invaluable tool for all of us in the
industry. The amount of legislative support
we receive locally and nationally has long-
lasting positive effects on our business.
What has been the most
important lesson learned
f r o m y o u r p e e r s a t N A H B R ?
Remodeling is serious business with great
financial reward. Good operators put their
businesses in a position to grow and
prosper with the tools shared through
NAHBR.
How has the remodeling
profession changed since
you've been involved? The box store
and Internet presence has increased and will
continue to.
If you could change one
thing about the remodeling
industry, what would it be? We need
more good installers.
What is the best advice
you've received in your
career? When you start every day, select
the hardest task that you are not motivated
to do, and get it done.
What's one best practice
you'll never stop? Tracking
sales performance and proper job costing.
What is the most unusual
project your company has
completed? Helping our local builder
work on an "Extreme Makeover" project.
What is your ideal project?
Our company does best when we
have multiple-size projects running at the
same time. Having one light commercial job
going while we are cranking out kitchens
and bathrooms fits our lead carpenter
system to a tee.
As you were growing up,
what did you want to be? I
simply wanted to be known as a dependable,
honest, hardworking person who would
do what he said he was going to do. I also
knew working with my hands would
be rewarding.
What is your most treasured
possession? My family. QR
Shown is an example of the remodeling
work performed by Tom Spaeth and the
team at Accent Kitchen & Bath in Fargo, N.D.
ForResidentialPros.com QR May 2014 43
NAHB Remodeler of the Month :PROFITS
Tom Spaeth
ACCENT KITCHEN & BATH, FARGO, N.D.
ACCENTCONTRACTING.COM
TITLE: REMODELING MANAGER
YEAR FOUNDED: 1987
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 48
QUR_43_ROM514.indd 43 4/28/14 10:28 AM