Qualified Remodeler Magazine

AUG 2015

Qualified Remodeler helps independent remodeling firms to survive, become more professional and more profitable by providing must-have business information, namely best business practices, new product information and timely design ideas.

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Who started your company? Me, Arnie Drennen. When and how did you choose this career? In 1978 Ft. Collins was growing like crazy and my pre-USAF experience was in maintenance and remodeling. What did you do before be- coming a remodeler? Captain, USAF Missile Launch Ofcer What is the best advice you have received in your career? Diversify. How has the remodeling pro- fession changed since you've been involved? It started as mainly handy- man work. Now it is design-build work looking at the whole house and how this build changes it. Finding qualified labor is a challenge. Are you hir- ing this year and how are you going about finding the right people for your company? Yes, I am hiring this year. I am talking with other businesses to inquire if they know of good people. What is your No. 1 source of leads right now and why is it working? Referrals. Forty-two years is a lot of past friends/customers. What is the most unusual project your company has completed? Converting a garage to a stain glass studio and building a new sunken three-car plus garage with a deck on part of it. What is your favorite item in your ofce? My wireless headset. What does being part of NAHB mean to you? Being part of planning for doing things better in the future. What have you done to grow your business during the cur- rent economy? Scramble to keep up. What motivates you every day? New and diferent challenges. Anything else you'd like to mention about career ac- complishments? Diversifcation adds business stability while driving my staf and me crazy changing hats and focus. | Right now, what is your fo- cus as a remodeler — more growth or steady revenue at greater proftability? Please explain. Drennen Custom Contracting is shifting to design as we now have an architect on staf. Many remodelers are report- ing increases in their average job size in 2015, are you seeing this as well? Yes. Where do you go to look for solutions and ideas for your business? HBA classes at the International Builders' Show. If you could have a 30-minute conversation with any busi- ness leader in the country to pick their brain for business ideas, who would it be? Joseph W. Lstiburek Diversify Your Company Drennen Custom Contracting rounds out its services with remodeling, roofng and radon By Laurie Banyay ARNOLD DRENNEN Drennen Custom Contracting, Ft. Collins, Colo. TITLE: Owner YEAR FOUNDED: 1973 NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 10 to 15 depending on season YO U'L L R E C E I V E a full-page profile in QR as well as coverage on QualifiedRemodeler.com Candidates must be active NAHB Remodelers members. Local HBAs may nominate a member or members may self-nominate. Candidates may submit for any month and will compete with peers across the nation. Before being confirmed as the month's winner, NAHB will check with the candidate's EO to confirm their qualifications. All applications must be submitted electronically. The deadline is the 15th of each month. Winners are encouraged to apply for the NAHB Remodeler of the Year award. A P P LY AT: http://www.nahb.org/en/find/award-programs/nahb-remodelers/ nahb-remodeler-of-the-month.aspx Be the next Remodeler of the Month PROFITS: NAHB Remodeler of the Month 18 August 2015 QR QualifiedRemodeler.com

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