Operations

Ep.116: Detailed Planning for Large Remodeling Jobs with Andy Moore

August 24, 2020 Management, Operations, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:36:00

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 those ideas coming… We love topic suggestions!

Once again, we tap into the vast talent pool we have here at Remodelers Advantage and welcome Andy Moore, Site Superintendent for Jeff King and Company, to the show to discuss her experience in planning for these types of projects.

Working in the remodeling industry since 2006, Andy came to San Francisco and to Jeff King & Company as a Lead Carpenter in 2012 and transitioned to site supervision duties in 2015. Most recently, Andy supervised the largest project ever undertaken by Jeff King & Company, a 32-month “whopper” with a number of sequencing challenges.

Tim, Steve and Andy cover:

  • Maintaining focus and discipline on a project lasting months and even years.
  • How to organize what is needed on a large, complex project.
  • What the daily, weekly and monthly focus looks like.
  • Tools used for planning and execution.
  • What on-site meetings and planning sessions look like, who is there, etc.
  • And More…

Our Sponsor for This Episode: Wellborn Cabinet

Wellborn Cabinet is the featured sponsor for this episode of The Tim Faller Show. Thank you, Wellborn Cabinet!

wellborn-new-website

Ep.115: The Importance of Daily Planning with Billy Andrews

August 17, 2020 Management, Operations, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:30:48

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 larger projects in a future episode.

To explore further, Tim and Steve welcome Billy Andrews to the show to look more closely at how he manages the process, how he put the tools down long enough to actually plan, and look at how he overcame the barriers that popped up along the way.

Billy has worked with Schloegel Design Remodel in Kansas City, Missouri for 5 years, transitioning from Lead Carpenter to his current role as Project Manager.

Tim, Steve and Billy talk more about:

  • Organizing job planning at the beginning and once the job starts.
  • What you need to focus on for daily planning.
  • Advice and Success stories from the field.
  • Systems or tools you use to keep track of the info.

Our Sponsor for This Episode: Wellborn Cabinet

Wellborn Cabinet is the featured sponsor for this episode of The Tim Faller Show. Thank you, Wellborn Cabinet!

wellborn-new-website

Ep.114: Building the Next Generation of Trades with Brek Goin

August 3, 2020 Hiring, Management, Operations, The Tim Faller Show 00:43:54

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 not just talking about the problem at hand.

In this episode, Tim and Steve speak with someone who is making a difference and has gone about it in way that especially appeals to the new generation of tradespeople, and that is social media.

Brek Goin, is the Founder of Hammr, an online professional network and labor marketplace for the construction industry. Brek grew up working next to his father in construction and over the last three years has built one of the largest building-related communities on social media.

Brek joins Tim and Steve to talk more about his mission to build the next generation of construction.

Websites and social media links mentioned in this episode:
Hammr
Builders of Instagram

This Episode Sponsored by: Wellborn Cabinet

We are excited to have Wellborn Cabinet as a featured sponsor for The Tim Faller Show!

wellborn-new-website

Ep.111: Becoming a “Carpentress” with Jade Duffy-Michael

July 13, 2020 Hiring, Management, Operations, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:35:42

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 roles or in design. We were excited to hear from a listener that refers to herself as a “Carpentress” – Not sure if that is a real word but we can make it one!

In this episode, Tim and Steve welcome Jade Duffy-Michael to the show to talk more about her experiences as a woman working on the “front lines” of construction. Jade is a “carpentress” with LG Building and Remodeling in Southbury, CT; returning after a year in California where she successfully obtained her finish carpentry license.

Jade, Tim and Steve talk more about the challenges and opportunities that she has experienced, including:

  • Jade’s role in working with LG Building and Remodeling
  • What the industry and business owners can do to cultivate interest in construction for women
  • What the challenges are that she, and other women, face by getting into this business
  • And more….

Introducing Our New Sponsor; Wellborn

We are excited to have Wellborn Cabinet joining us as a featured sponsor for The Tim Faller Show. Wellborn has been a huge supporter of Remodelers Advantage for years and it is great to have them involved in our growing podcast. Welcome, Wellborn Cabinet!

wellborn-new-website

For more information about Wellborn Cabinet and their amazing products, click here to visit their website.

Ep.107: Services Under One Roof with John Ploumitsakos

June 15, 2020 Management, Operations, Production, The Tim Faller Show, Uncategorized 00:36:19

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 have more control over the quality of the end product.

In this episode, Tim and Steve welcome John Ploumitsakos, CEO of Modern Homestead and Homestead Plumbing and Electric in Boulder, CO.

After founding his remodeling business, John chose to add a plumbing and electric company. While they are different corporate entities, John and Tim discuss the advantages and challenges of running both companies under one roof.

Prior to founding Modern Homestead in 2018, John practiced law for five years and then spent 12 years working in senior leadership positions for technology companies such as Google and Twitter.

John added Homestead Plumbing and Electric in April 2019 and in its first year of operations, Homestead P&E went from a single plumber to two plumbers and two electricians, while maintaining a 5-star customer rating.

In this episode, Tim, Steve and John discuss:

  • The background of the decision to add Homestead P&E
  • How the two companies are structured
  • The challenges and opportunities of managing two companies under one roof
  • Exploring staffing and cultural differences between the two companies
  • How the COVID-19 crisis has effected operations
  • And more…

Two New Production Courses Coming in July!

With Tim taking time off from the road because of travel limitations, we’ve got the next best thing… Tim working with your production team online! We have 2 great courses coming up in July; One for your team, and one for your managers.

These sessions are bi-weekly and you can bring as many team members or managers that you need… and they are virtual so you can access them from the field. These classes will fill up fast and they are coming up in July so register soon!

Production Team Training:
This course has proven to be game changer for companies all over the country and will definitely raise the bar in your world. Click Here for More >>

Management Training:
Is your Production Manager struggling with managing a team of employees and trades? This course is designed for Production Managers and Owners , however is appropriate for anyone that is responsible for managing others in your company. Click Here for More >>

Ep.106: Running a Debt-free Company with Wally Staples

June 8, 2020 Finance, Hiring, Management, Operations, The Tim Faller Show 00:42:13

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 how he recruits employees. For this episode, however, Wally goes into detail about how he has established and run his company, Wally J Staples Builders, as a debt-free business.

Wally started his company in 1993 and worked in the field building new homes and completing renovations until 2001, when he then focused on growing and making the company better. Wally J Staples Builders has some employees that have been with the company for 10-20 years and has never laid anyone off in 25 + years for lack of work, one of the main benefits to running a debt-free company.

Tim, Steve and Wally start with how and why he established his business this way and went on cover more topics:

  • How and why he established his company this way
  • Clarification on what he considers a debt-free scenario
  • Benefits of the cash environment
  • Involving your team in the process
  • How an existing business transforms to debt-free

Tim wraps up the episode with his thoughts and experience in working with debt-free businesses, including his own, over the past 20+ years.

Ep.104: Inside the Home Builders Institute with Ed Brady

May 25, 2020 Hiring, Operations, The Tim Faller Show, Uncategorized 00:39:07

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 programs offered and the evolution of services HBI is undertaking to match the industry’s varied and changing needs.

Home Builders Institute (HBI), a national nonprofit that trains underserved populations, including veterans, transitioning military, high school students and justice-involved youth and adults for careers in the building industry. Ed currently oversees the operations, products and services for HBI and is a second-generation home builder from Bloomington, Illinois.

In addition, Ed has served 12 years as Independent Director of the Chicago Federal Home Loan Bank, working with leading experts to advance the nation’s housing policy and has also served as a senior officer with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and as the 2016 chairman of its board of directors.

Ep.102: The Customer Experience with Gavin MacDonald of GuildQuality

May 11, 2020 Management, Operations, The Tim Faller Show 00:35:21

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 GuildQuality so we have Gavin MacDonald join the conversation for this episode.

Gavin is the Sales Director at GuildQuality, a software company based in Atlanta, Ga that specializes in measuring client satisfaction for contractors. He has been working with small business owners ever since he started his own marketing automation company in college and has been involved in the software space ever since. In addition to running the sales team at GuildQuality, Gavin often travels to speak at various conferences to educate contractors on the importance of being customer-centric.

Tim, Steve and Gavin talk more about:

  • Why it’s so important to have a customer-centric business in 2020.
  • What are some things a company can do to make their business more “customer-centric”?
  • How do reviews play a role in growing a business?
  • How do you recommend dealing with negative reviews?
  • And More…

FREE WEBINAR: “Recovery 2020: Let’s Get Ready to Restart!“

This month’s webinar features Doug Howard and Tim Faller taking a closer look at positioning your business to succeed and hitting the ground running as we all emerge from this disruption in the market. Join us on Tuesday, May 19th for this FREE Webinar.
Click Here to Learn More and Reserve Your Seat >>

Ep.100: A Conversation with Tim

April 27, 2020 Hiring, Management, Operations, Production 00:37:06

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 “guru.”

Steve and Tim discuss:

  • Shifts in the industry, from 1-2 person operations to larger design/build firms we see today.
  • The birth of the lead carpenter system and its evolution.
  • Common issues and challenges that Tim sees in working with Remodelers in the US & Canada.
  • Finding good help and building an awesome production team.

A few items that Steve and Tim reference in this episode:

Ep.99: The Punch List as a Profit Center with Derek Stone

April 13, 2020 Operations, Production 0:32:27

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 Stone built a business, in part, by completing punch lists and warranty work for other building companies.

In this episode, Derek talks to Tim and Steve about a different side of the building business, and how his systems and training can help your remodeling company.

Derek is the CEO of Stone’s Repair and Remodel in Nashville, TN. Derek started his company as a one-man show in 2011. After working 80 hours a week, for three years, and missing his family, he learned the principle of leverage. He hired his first subcontractor, and within the next nine months, he hired 10. In 2017, he had over 28 subs punching houses for 14 different builders. In those three short years, he went from $68,000 in revenue to 1.2 million. 

About 60 percent of Derek’s business is punch list and warranty work, primarily for new tract home builders. His company also does pressure washing and screen enclosures. He says he’s personally done about 7,000 houses himself. He contracts with local building companies to complete the work. Derek talks about his slice of the building and remodeling business, as well as his approach to systems and training, including:

  • How long it takes
  • Scheduling his subcontractors
  • What he learned from Chik-fil-A
  • Creating replicable systems
  • Training for skill sets
  • Maximizing efficiency
  • Working strategically with partners
  • His profit-sharing plan
  • And more …

If you or your team would like to see examples of his training approach for his sub-contractors, Derek has videos on his YouTube channel.

Did You Miss Build Aid?

Did you miss it? Thousands of remodelers, builders and industry professionals attended the Live, two-day virtual conference and got to hear 20+ speakers share tips, advice and strategies on “surviving and thriving” during these challenging times…

But we have Good News… We are keeping the Virtual Event Center open for a few weeks so you can access the recorded sessions and visit with the sponsors and partners that made it all possible. Visit https://buildaid.live/ to learn more.