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Fall 2024 Pricing Updates are Here – Order Now!
As fall rolls in, we’re thrilled to announce our latest pricing updates for 2024 on our comprehensive home renovation and construction cost estimating books. Are you a contractor looking to tackle a major renovation project? Now is the perfect time to invest in our...
Skyrocket Your Clients Home Value with These Kitchen Remodeling Tips!
Hey there, contractors! If you're aiming to increase a home's value through a kitchen remodel while keeping costs in check, you've come to the right place. As a seasoned construction contractor, I've witnessed numerous kitchen transformations and I'm here to provide...
How to Estimate Remodeling Jobs: Pro Tips and Tools
When it comes to remodeling projects, relying solely on competitors' pricing can lead to inaccurate estimates. Home repair and Construction estimating require a detailed approach, considering factors like labor costs, material expenses, overhead, and profit margins....
5 Essential Tips for a Successful Home Remodel
A home remodel is an exciting but complex endeavor that can significantly enhance your living space and property value. To ensure a successful project, careful planning and strategic execution are crucial. Whether you're upgrading your kitchen, renovating a bathroom,...
Efficient Cost Estimating for Bathroom Renovations: 5 Budget-Saving Strategies
Hey there, fellow builders, contractors, handyman and other enthusiasts! So, you're ready to tackle that bathroom renovation project, but you're also trying to keep your costs down. You're in the right place! HomeTech is here to share some insider tips on how to...
Save Big: Master the Art of Efficient Cost Estimating for Your Kitchen Remodeling Projects!
As an experienced construction contracting company who's seen their fair share of kitchen transformations, we're here to guide you through the journey of creating a timeless kitchen that stands the test of time, both aesthetically and economically. Introduction: Why...
Experience the Game-Changing Power of the HomeTech Building Analysis Report!
In the realm of building analysis, triumph isn't solely reliant on technical expertise; it equally depends on the tools at your disposal. At HomeTech Publishing, we understand that the choice of the right report is pivotal for your success so we created our own. Check...
The Crucial Role of Local Cost Estimating and Cost Estimators in Home Remodeling Projects for Contractors
Introduction: Embarking on a home remodeling project can be an exciting endeavor for homeowners looking to enhance their living spaces. However, for contractors, the success of such projects relies heavily on accurate local cost estimating. This is a crucial aspect...
Maximizing Efficiency and Profits in Custom House Building with the HomeTech Publishing House Builders Cost Estimator
In the dynamic world of construction, time is a precious commodity, and accuracy in project cost estimation is paramount. The HomeTech Publishing House Builders Cost Estimator emerges as a game-changer, offering contractors the key to big-time savings and enhanced...
Lead carpenters now do much of what production managers used to do.
That means production managers can step into new roles. By Walt Stoeppelwerth For many years, the toughest job to fill in a remodeling company was that of production manager. The production manager is the person whose job it is to turn a sales contract into a...
Knowing When It’s Time To Raise Prices
During a recent visit to Florida, I had the opportunity to spend a day at Disney World. I was astounded by the admission price! Shortly after my visit I had the opportunity to visit with a friend who once worked in marketing for Disney. I felt I had to ask how the...
Marking Up To Determine Price
Total Job Cost+Overhead+Profit=Price Once all of the factors involved in the equation required to determine the Selling Price have been determined, contractors can understand the term Mark-up and its use in the Estimating process. When contractors have identified...
Identifying Profit
Profit is the just reward for the effort and risk the contractor undertakes to produce the job. As contractors we are often buried in work to the extent that often there is no realization of what is happening in the outside world, especially when it comes to what kind...
Indentifying Overhead
Overhead is the sum total of the expenses required to operate a business other than job costs. Identifying Overhead Overhead is the sum total of the on-going costs associated with being in business, these are items which typically are not directly related to any...
Identifying Job Cost
Job Cost is the sum total of several broad categories of expenses which can be directly related to each individual project. Identifying Job Costs: 1) Labor: the contractor's cost for compensating hourly employees which includes both the hourly wage of the particular...
The Components Of An Estimate
Let's start with a review of grammar. In reality, the numbers we supply to the prospect relating to the project in which they have indicated interest have no resemblance to what Funk and Wagnalls Standard Desk Dictionary defines as an estimate: estimate-n, 1) a rough...
The Origin Of The System
The father of the remodeling industry was the Tin Man. This hardy individual traveled far and wide selling primarily exterior products; siding, storm windows, roofing, etc. Those not familiar with the Tin Man may rent the movie by the same name. This entertaining and...
Economics Of The Business
The remodeling and rehabilitation industry does not have a set of widely known economic guidelines. This is unfortunate because failure to recognize and understand the economic facts of life inevitably leads to failure in business. There are a number of basic economic...
Different Ways To Estimate
"Guesstimate" Method Many old-timers in the business use this system, which is based on the estimator's knowledge and experience without any calculations except very basic measurements, at most. By this method an addition would be figured by square feet, perhaps $70...
Basic Estimating Tips
Before beginning an estimate, you should make a thorough inspection of the property, which means going through all areas that might be affected by the remodeling at least twice. The purpose of the second trip is to help you relate the causes and effects of conditions...
ADDITIONAL ARTICLES
Handyman Sample Chapters
The Handyman Business has become one the fastest growing segments of the remodeling industry in the last few years. Below are links to six chapters from a ‘book in progress’ by Walter Stoeppelwerth about getting into the handyman business. We plan to add more chapters from time to time, so check back often!
Introduction
What Is The Handyman Business
Economics Of The Handyman Business
Estimating Handyman Work
Selling Handyman Work
Marketing and Advertising
Lead Carpenters
Walt Stoeppelwerth has been popularizing the Lead Carpenter Concept for many years through his articles and seminars. Below are some basic guidelines to implementing the Lead Carpenter Concept within your own organization.
Lead Carpenter Concept Overview
Advantages of the Lead Carpenter Concept
Common Obstacles to the Lead Carpenter Concept
Qualifications of a Lead Carpenter
Job Description for the Lead Carpenter
Job Description for the Production Manager
Bonus Plan for the Lead Carpenter
Tricks of the Trade
Remodeling
Walt Stoeppelwerth views on remodeling.
The Transformer: How Walt Stoeppelwerth Inspires Us Still
Walt Stoeppelwerth has spent his entire career helping remodelers, builders, and home inspectors improve their systems and increase profits.
Tips and Tricks For Better Estimating
Estimating Fundamentals
Adopting a Unit Cost System
Estimating Checklist: Do This Every Time!
Five Myths That Slow Down Your Estimating
Selling
The material presented here is in part excerpted from the book: IF I SELL YOU I HAVE A JOB. IF I SERVE YOU I CREATE A CAREER! by Michael S. Gorman
A resident of Colorado, Michael Gorman is the President of a successful consulting company specializing in small business with a focus on remodeling. For many years, Mike was president of his own residential and commercial remodeling firm, and was named among the Big 50 by Remodeling magazine for his outstanding achievements in the industry.
Mike has had over 25 years of experience in all phases of construction including sales, estimating, planning, production and business management. His diverse experience in remodeling and his business skill have made him a leader in the field.
Mike has received many awards during his career and is listed in the Who’s Who of Emerging Business Leaders. His remodeling work has been showcased by several prominent trade publications, and he has been recognized for his participation in the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), having held national, regional, and local positions.
This book, specifically designed for use as a Consultive Sales process for builders and remodelers, is available from HomeTech Publishing.
Running Your Business By Remote Control
I Have Too Many Leads!
Prospects Vs. Suspects
Showroom Dancing