Qualified Remodeler Magazine

APR 2016

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? My father, Ray Helms, and I started the company in 1985. My father retired from the company in 1993. When and how did you choose this career? My father had been a home builder in the Tulsa area, and I had worked on his houses through my high school years. Upon my graduation from col- lege, the Tulsa market experienced an extreme downturn due to the oil bust of 1984-1985. New home building also came to an abrupt stop. Since I wanted to stay in the Tulsa area, we thought we could use our construction skills to help homeowners maintain, remodel and improve the homes they already owned. How has the remodeling pro- fession changed since you've been involved? Te remodeling profession has dramatically changed during the 30 years I have been involved in it. It's hard to believe we didn't have cell phones or computers in the early years. Te additions of the Internet and HGTV have positively assisted with the visualization of design-build remodeling while not addressing the complexity of remodeling and the real cost of quality workmanship by negatively portray- ing remodeling as easy and inexpensive. What does being part of NAHB mean to you? Living the American dream as a small business owner of a construction/building company takes most of my time at the local level. Te NAHB deals with political issues, regulations and standards at the national level, looking out for my best interests that I would never have the time to deal with as an individual. What is the most unusual project your company has completed? As a Cherokee Nation citi- zen and the sixth great-grandson of the last Beloved Woman of the Cherokee Nation, Nanyehi, I was honored to be selected as the prime contractor for the Springhouse Restoration at the Saline National Park, site of the last nine Cherokee Nation district courthouses in existence. Te 19th century Springhouse was threatened with destruction when its foundation was eroded by a spring fowing underneath. Located at the Cherokee Nation's frst national park, every stone was removed, numbered and returned to its orig- inal location and original mortar duplicated on a new engineered steel reinforced concrete foundation. What is your favorite item in your ofce? Our ofce dog named Tehya (her name means "Precious" in Native American tongue) because she is my calming force in stressful times. What motivates you every day? I have been intrigued with the building process since I was a young boy. I fnd it inspiring to watch ideas on paper transform into reality. Tere is a feeling of satisfaction when we provide the necessary need for every family to have a safe and secure sense of home. We provide shelter from the storm, a place to make special memories and, if done properly, enhance an asset that will increase in equity and value. | Finding qualifed labor is a challenge. Are you hiring this year and how are you going about fnding the right people for your com- pany? We are hiring and would like to fnd young people interested in this industry, but there are not many of them. We occasionally run ads in the newspaper and on CraigsList, but word-of-mouth is the most successful. What is your No. 1 source of leads right now, and why is it working? Ninety-fve percent of our an- nual book of business through the years has consisted of our repeat and referral clients. We strive to have a thoughtful and respectful relationships with our clients because we are in their personal space. Living the American Dream Helms and his father saw an opportunity in the Tulsa area — his doors have been open 30 years. By Kacey Larsen BARRY HELMS, GMB, CGR, CGP, CAPS Renovations by Helms, Inc., Bixby, Okla. renovationsbyhelms.com TITLE: President YEAR FOUNDED: 1985 NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 12 With so much repeat and referral business, Helms and his team strive to be respectful of the client's space. Photo: TulsaPeople Magazine Read the complete interview at QualifiedRemodeler.com/20492346 PROFITS: NAHB Remodeler of the Month 20 April 2016 QR QualifiedRemodeler.com

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