Qualified Remodeler Magazine

AUG 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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QR: Who started your company? SW: Ten months prior to Hurricane Katrina, I started it by purchasing a remodeling firm that had been in business for three years. It was obviously great timing and a good decision. QR: When did you choose this career? SW: As a teenager and through college, I worked for my father, uncle and grandfather who owned a bridge construction business in South Dakota. I enjoyed the industry and gained valuable tradesman experience. QR: What did you do before remodeling? SW: Most of my adult life I was in sales of life insurance, office equipment, credit card processing, and real estate. QR: How has the remodeling profession changed since you've been involved? QR: What is your average job size? SW: Our average job size increased by 23 percent in 2015. We'll often take on small projects that customers, especially the el- derly, struggle to find help for, but we pre- fer full bath, kitchen and/or whole house renovations. QR: What is your No. 1 source of leads right now, and why is it working? SW: Referrals from existing clients, inspec- tors and engineers comprise the majority of new leads. e strength of this type of referral leads to immediate credibility with prospects, as often we are the only remodeler under consideration. Internet searches are a close second. QR: Are you hiring this year? How are you finding the right people for your company? SW: Our goal is to hire another lead carpen- ter and a project manager in the next few months. We utilize Craigslist, but word-of- mouth among our subcontractors, vendors and fellow HBA members has proven effec- tive, too. QR: Anything else you'd like to mention about career accomplishments? SW: We were awarded the 2015 Remodeler of the Year by the Louisiana Home Builders Association. We won second place in the 2015 Louisiana Remodelers for Excellence Kitchen Award Category. We qualified for the 2015 Best of Houzz Award for Customer Service based on submitted testimonials. | SW: ere are many more governmental reg- ulations being forced upon our business from all levels. As an example, EPA and OSHA fines are so exorbitant they not only force firms to close down, but also discourage newcomers. QR: What does being part of NAHB Remodelers mean to you? SW: It, along with the local and state HBAs, allows me to "give back" to the industry that treats us so well. NAHB employs an amazing group of talented professionals who work hard every day to not only defend our industry, but to help our businesses grow and succeed. QR: Is your focus more growth or steady revenue at greater profitability? SW: Our focus is to double the size of the company in the next five years. To do so, we are gearing up to offer more new construction and design/build services. QR: What have you done to grow your business during the current economy? SW: We've never really had to advertise or market our business as we've been blessed with a steady flow of leads and inquiries. To progress toward our growth goal, we'll be en- hancing our online presence with an updated website that's mobile friendly, incorporating an email marketing plan and boosting our social media exposure. QR: Who would you like to have a 30-min- ute conversation with for business ideas? SW: Randy Noel, NAHB's Second Vice Chairman of the Board. He's an excellent long-term home builder whose contributions to our industry have benefitted all of us. Remodeler Looks to Expand Wobbema plans to hire, strengthen the company's online presence and offer additional services Interviewed by Kacey Larsen STEVE WOBBEMA, CGR Quality Home Repair of LA, LLC Metairie, La. qualityhomerepair- nola.com TITLE: Owner/ Managing Member YEAR FOUNDED: 2004 NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 1 Wobbema indicates his company has expanded its average job size and hopes to double the company size within five years. Photography by Marianne Hawkins Sabrier Read the complete interview at QualifiedRemodeler.com/20829417 PROFITS: NAHB Remodeler of the Month 26 August 2016 QR QualifiedRemodeler.com

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