In the last episode, we talked about the importance of Daily planning with Billy Andrews from Schloegel Design Remodel. In this episode, we take another step by talking more about how to approach planning and orchestration for larger, more extensive remodeling projects. This topic of planning actually came from one of our subscribers, so keep […]
As you have likely heard us request ideas for show topics and guests, we are happy to deliver with this episode, focusing on the importance of daily planning. This topic can be slightly different depending on the size of the project; this episode is focused on regular sized projects and we will cover planning for […]
We have covered the challenges associated with labor shortage on this show and we have probably had more than ten guests that are directly associated with solving the issue and increasing the awareness and opportunity in the Skilled trades. We have included many guests who are getting involved by putting together programs and initiatives, and […]
Finding and keeping good “help” can make or break your remodeling business. As a business owner you can recruit and interview candidates, maybe even hire one you think will be a superstar, and 2 weeks later you realize that not only are they a bad “fit,” they are destroying the chemistry and dynamic of your […]
In this episode, we continue to explore outside of the production world, but touch on areas of the business that affect what we do every day. Remodeling sales is typically handled by the business owner, or perhaps a sales team if the company is large enough. What if we got others involved in the sales […]
As we continue to explore ways to overcome the labor shortage, that plagues so many remodelers and builders in our industry, we found that so many overlook one of the largest untapped labor pools out there… women working in construction. Women make up a small percentage of the construction workforce and most are in office-based […]
Energy, and more specifically energy efficiency, has been a critical issue for building and remodeling since the late 80’s and 90’s when the attention seemed focused on window size and glazing. Fast-forward to today where the discussion has advanced to green energy, solar and thousands of products focused on energy conservation and efficiency. An important […]
The skilled labor shortage is a challenge we hear far too often about in our industry. In many cases we have asked “What are you doing about it?” and for many, it has been very little. It’s tough for business owners to take this on themselves because of the finances and resources needed to tackle […]
Raise your hand if you are a salesperson… Maybe a few business owners raised their hands, but most likely our production people and our Project managers, Lead carpenters, and Production managers all kept their hands down. Not so fast! In this episode, we step out of our comfort zone a little and talk about the […]
For a remodeling or general contracting firm, having trusted trade partners is critical. Often they can be the key to a successful project and overall experience for your clients. Over the years, we have worked with several remodelers who have considered having a service, like plumbing and electric, as part of their service offering, to […]
We usually focus on production issues like getting good help, working with trade contractors, change orders, etc. In this episode, we change things up and tackle a more general business topic, running debt-free. We are fortunate enough to have a returning guest join us for this discussion. Wally Staples was on Episode 72, talking about […]
For the last decade (pre-COVID), the demand and lack of skilled labor may have slowed production and increased housing costs more than any other factor. This condition is not new to the U.S. housing industry; the nation faced similar conditions at the founding of the country, and the evolution of the U.S. education system and […]
Meeting the growing need for a qualified workforce in the remodeling and home building industries has evolved into seeing the ideal worker as coming from a range of backgrounds but with a common interest. In this episode, Tim and Steve welcome Home Builders Institute (HBI) President and CEO, Ed Brady, who explains the breadth of […]
In this episode of the Tim Faller Show, Tim and Steve explore some of the more technical aspects of the remodeling and building industries. In this case, we take a closer look at moisture control and bring in an industry veteran and well-known speaker, Bill Robinson out of New Orleans, Louisiana. Bill is a nationally […]
In this episode, Tim and Steve cover the Customer Experience. Creating a positive feeling in your clients can not only make the project successful but more importantly, leads to referrals which we all know is the “lifeblood” for any successful remodeler. No one knows the concept of Client Experience tracking more than our friends at […]
Congratulations on Reaching 100 Episodes! To celebrate this milestone, we’re changing up the format, turning the tables and featuring our Host, Tim Faller! In this episode of the Tim Faller Show, Steve interviews his co-host and explores Tim’s background as a lead carpenter, business owner and his transition to a trusted advisor and sought-after industry […]
As he’s stated many times, Tim wants to see punch lists eliminated completely. The punch list can be an invitation for clients to find fault for remodelers. In new home building, there’s a part of the budget set aside to take care of the punch list. It can be a drain on profits. Usually. Derek […]
Editor’s note: We’re all working remotely, away from the podcasting studio, so we’ve dug into the virtual vault to bring you this episode. With so many projects on hold due to Covid-19 emergency orders, take some time to get your systems and processes ready for better days. Developing a system that makes your kitchen and […]
Training to help move team members up the ladder is important to any remodeling company and its ability to move fast and make money. Chris Peterson has seen the importance of training from his first days in the field as a carpenter through to his present leadership position. He says it’s a concrete way to […]
If you’ve ever had to deal with legal action in your remodeling business, you know it can be a nightmare. The best thing you can do is to keep you and your projects out of the legal system. Dennis Dixon has used his experience as an expert witness and investigator to help business owners understand […]
Today’s guest believes that training tradespeople is an overlooked part of solving the labor crisis the remodeling and construction industries continue to face. Ian Schwandt says that lead carpenters are in the best position to have a positive effect on the development of young tradespeople. As a lead carpenter, he practices what he preaches. In […]
One thing Tim hears frequently in his travels and consulting with remodelers is the desire for fewer layers of management, replaced by more leadership. One of the best places to learn and develop leadership skills is the U.S. Armed Forces. Cody Ross served in the U.S. Marine Corps. from April 2005 – December 2014 as […]
We talk a great deal about ways to beat the labor shortage, including the importance of training and education in keeping good employees. We’ve also discussed how to promote the trades as an attractive career choice. There’s a third component — finding the right people. And that may mean changing your thinking about what, or […]
We’ve discussed adapting commercial construction systems and applications for use in the residential world. Implementing them is often met with resistance — but there are definitely processes that work well and add value. Requests for Information are standard in the commercial construction world, but aren’t widely used in residential remodeling. In this episode, Jason Brookshire […]
Just because you’ve never been visited or cited by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration doesn’t mean you’re following safe business practices. Even if you or no one on your crew has been injured, it doesn’t necessarily mean your job sites are safe — you might just be lucky. Most OSHA standards apply to the […]
Between 1950 and 2010, the use of the term “company culture” has doubled — Tim looked it up. But for a lot of people, it’s still a bit of a mystery. You hear about having a good culture, but it can be hard to quantify. Often, remodeling companies can have a great culture in the […]
Money isn’t the only way to motivate your team, but profit sharing can boost morale, productivity, and help attract and keep good production employees. Profit sharing can be engineered into the budget so there will be funds to distribute. As long as you hit the gross-profit margin, you can set up profit sharing, says Shawn […]
The remodeling and construction industries are dominated by men. Even such necessary things as safety equipment are a bad fit for the few women who are working on the production side in residential remodeling or construction. But things are slowly changing. More women are showing up on job sites, and working in production and operations […]
We all occasionally think about the worst that could happen, like a disaster befalling your business or family. The kinds of thoughts that creep into your brain in the wee hours of the morning, that prompt you to think about how you might handle it. Luckily, for most of us, those imagined catastrophes never materialize. […]
If you’ve ever wondered what you’d do differently when starting your remodeling business if you only knew then what you know now, you’re not alone. Tim and Steve do, too. In this episode, the guys talk about what they’ve learned in their time at Remodelers Advantage and from their podcast guests that they wish they […]
