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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NAHB Remodeler of the Month :PROFITS contractor needs to have an educated answer or be able to get the answer quickly. Jerry DeHart CO-OWNER OF COASTAL GENERAL CONSTRUCTION LOCATION: OGUNQUIT, MAINE What have you done to grow your business during the current economy? We've added a YEAR FOUNDED: 2006 kitchen, tile and flooring showroom, which has helped in two distinct ways. The first was the additional revenue from the direct sales; the second was our ability to keep the client in our store during the selection process. Competitors became very aggressive here during the downturn and if you sent clients somewhere else to look for a product, you might lose them to someone else. Client retention during the proposal process is constant work and is something we are striving continually to improve. We've changed our way of estimating, sales leads and project management as well as accounting. We now do everything in a cloud format where we can allow the customer to keep up on material selections and scheduling. We feel, when fully implemented, this will increase speed and accuracy for the flow of information, save on labor costs and make for a happier client. NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 8 TYPE OF COMPANY: GENERAL CONTRACTOR Before After This exterior project is one of DeHart's favorites completed by his company. Who started your company? My business partner, Norm Clough, and I. When and how did you choose this career? I believe the career chose me. At age 19, my car broke down at 3 a.m., leaving me stranded by the side of the road 3,300 miles from home. All I had to my name were my nail bags and a desire to learn. There were many buildingrelated career opportunities in the Silicon Valley, where I broke down, in the early 1980s; it was an exciting time for a young builder/remodeler. The thrill is still there for me; I just love the construction industry. What does being part of NAHB mean to you? Since I have joined NAHB, I feel like I have a team with the tools and answers I need to com- plete any project. They can help with legal and land use questions, continuing education, builders and remodelers clubs, and just great information regarding our bottom line and trends that will help our business. NAHB and its members have helped us grow during a terrible economic downturn and have helped us to be correctly positioned for our local recovery. How has the remodeling profession changed since you've been involved? Communication technology and product information are the two items I notice the most change in. Clients expect immediate answers to their queries. They expect pictures in real time and real-time scheduling. Your employees expect immediate answers to questions in the field. The amount of time I spend researching products and educating myself on the newest advances in the construction field is overwhelming at times. Clients ask about every product on the Web, and the What motivates you every day? Waking up and watching the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean. My picturesque Maine town provides a quality of life that I am so very blessed to live and work in. I always know I will learn something new each day; the industry is exploding with new technologies and new products. When you have worked over 30 years in a profession and you are still excited about going to work, I think you can say you are blessed and motivated. Anything else you'd like to mention about career accomplishments? I currently serve as secretary for the Homebuilders and Remodelers of Maine. What is your favorite item in your office? My Mark Fidrych signed baseball that I toss in the air all the time. I am a reformed smoker, so the ball acts as a crutch while I am working at my desk and, of course, I was a fan of "The Birds." QR ForResidentialPros.com QR December 2013 35