The Tim Faller Show

Ep.17: Mobile Technology with Joe Weber

July 23, 2018 Management, Operations, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:33:08

Technology is increasingly critical on every job — in the office, on job sites, at client meetings, or on the road. It’s also a way to attract and keep younger workers. But there’s a confusing array of programs and apps, and it’s hard to know what works.

Joe Weber joins Tim and Steve in this episode to help you figure out what tech you need, how to best use it, and what to keep an eye out for in the future.

Joe is the Production Manager for Kliethermes Homes & Remodeling, in Columbia, MO, and Leewood, KS. He’s been in the construction industry since high school, and has seen the evolution of mobile technology — from truck-mounted bag phones to pocket-size smartphones — and how it has changed the way we work.

Getting your team trained and comfortable with your chosen programs and devices is crucial — you can invest in all manner of cloud-based management systems and apps, but they’re useless if the team doesn’t use them. Joe talks about learning curves, the importance of training, as well as advice on:

  • Investing in devices
  • Saving time and money
  • Apps that will save you time and money
  • The power of photos
  • Working with clients
  • And much more…

Including the time he got a punch list via drone. If you’ve hesitated to put tech in the hands of your Project Managers or Lead Carpenters, have trouble getting your team to use it, or love it and want to go deeper, you can’t miss this episode! You can take a look at more about Kliethermes Homes & Remodeling here.

FIVE Reasons to Attend the #1 Remodeling Production Event in the Country 

  1. Great Speakers / Great Content
  2. Learn from Industry Thought-leaders and Peers
  3. Networking Opportunities & Connections
  4. Cool Venue in an Amazing City
  5. Spend the Day With Tim Faller!

Learn More & Register Today!

 

Ep.16: Real-Time Job Costing with Allen Dickey

July 16, 2018 Management, Operations, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:28:19

Numbers don’t lie in business, but if you’re relying on week-old numbers, you’re not getting a true picture of what your job is costing. You can’t make informed decisions. Knowing how your costs compare to your budget in real time lets you control your projects better.

“If you don’t know today that you’re over budget, you have no ability to fix it for tomorrow,” Allen Dickey of 5th Generation Contracting tells Tim and Steve in this week’s episode. Before going to a cloud-based construction project management system, the whole process was “controlled chaos,” Allen says.

Allen is the Vice President of Construction at 5th Generation Contracting, a design/build firm in Marietta, GA. Allen has been in the construction industry for 30 years, and is IRC certified as a building, plumbing and electrical inspector. He grew up in construction as a carpenter. In addition to his experience in remodeling, Allen has worked with high–end custom homes, production homes and multi-family dwellings.

When deploying a cloud-based project management system, overcoming resistance from Project Managers or Lead Carpenters is the key. Learn how to present the system to get the buy-in you need, as well as:

  • The benefits real-time cost data gives you over the life of a project
  • The necessity of accurate forecasting for profitability
  • Using the Big Picture to motivate your team
  • Empowering Project Managers through real-time cost data
  • And more…

If you’ve been putting off going to a cloud-based technology for managing your jobs, you need to listen to this episode — it will change the way you do business for the better! And you can learn more about 5th Generation Contracting here.

We’re thrilled Allen will be speaking at our 2nd Annual Production Conference — now known as the Purple Production Conference ‘18 with title sponsor National Gypsum — in September. The Purple Production Conference runs alongside our Remodeler’s Summit in the amazing city of New Orleans. Don’t miss this one-day journey through the inner workings of some of our industry’s most successful Production Departments. REGISTER TODAY!

 
 

Ep. 15: Making Money on Change Orders with Brad Hogan

July 9, 2018 Management, Operations, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:26:35

No matter how meticulously a job is planned, change orders are inevitable. They can either cost you or make money — the good news is, you get to choose!

In Episode 15, Tim and Steve learn how to make the profitable choice by putting the right systems and communication channels in place from Brad Hogan of Hogan Design & Construction.

Brad’s the Production & Sales Manager at the Geneva, IL, company, and organization and leadership have always come naturally to him. Brad started as a carpenter, and worked his way up to his current positions. He’s developed, changed, and implemented new systems to make Hogan Design & Construction stand out in the industry.

We all know there are going to be changes and change orders on jobs. Avoiding miscommunication at the beginning — at the handoff from sales or in pre-construction — is one key to keeping change orders from costing you.

Brad’s insights into turning your change orders into more profitable jobs include:

  • How to structure your contract to avoid conflict
  • Empowering your project manager or lead carpenter to handle change orders
  • Preparing the client for unforeseen complications
  • Establishing clear communication channels upfront
  • How to get a higher markup on changes orders
  • Holding the line with subcontractors
  • And much more…

Getting a handle on your change order process is crucial to your bottom line, and Tim, Steve, and Brad are here to help!

Click through to find out more about Hogan Design & Construction.

Thank You for the Shout-Out!

We’re excited to see The Tim Faller Show named as one of the 5 Remodeling Podcasts You Need to Listen to, by Pro Remodeler Magazine in their July edition.

THE #1 PRODUCTION EVENT FOR IMPROVING THE BOTTOM LINE 

After an amazing turnout last year (more than 100 attendees) we are excited to host the 2nd Annual Production Conference, held alongside the 2018 Remodelers Summit in beautiful New Orleans, coming up in September. Register Today! 

 

Ep. 14: Women in Production with Kendal Lenton-Cooney

July 2, 2018 Hiring, Management, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:27:04

It’s been a man’s world for a long time in Production — and home remodeling and construction in general. Change is coming, though. Hiring women for construction and Production jobs makes good business sense, especially with the labor shortage affecting our industry.

In this episode, Tim and Steve talk to Kendal Lenton-Cooney about how to attract and keep women in the remodeling business, and why it makes good business sense to proactively open up the industry to 50 percent of the population.

Kendal Lenton-Cooney is the production manager for Lenton Company in Palmdale, CA, and is a Production Manager Roundtables member. She prides herself on her attention to detail.

“I like making sure all the parts and pieces fall into place so that the job runs smoothly,” she says. Kendal began working with Lenton Company doing occasional office tasks while in high school; her father, Robert, is the company president. But working for the family business was not part of her life plan. After two years in college, Kendal worked in the information technology department at Southern Oregon University and was a receptionist at an insurance company.

When she returned home in 2010 she realized it was the “perfect job she never thought she wanted,” she says. Kendal’s the third generation to work for the company.

Kendal, Tim and Steve talk about what needs to be done to encourage more women to take jobs in Production, remodeling and construction, and how that benefits men, as well, and the business as a whole. They discuss important topics that will help, including:

  • Identifying and attracting good candidates
  • The need for support and training
  • The power of asking questions
  • Great-paying jobs available to women
  • Confronting stereotypes
  • Organizations and training resources
  • And more…

See more about the Lenton Company by visiting the website: LentonCompany.com.

 

FIVE Reasons to Attend the #1 Remodeling Production Event in the Country 

  1. Great Speakers / Great Content
  2. Learn from Industry Thought-leaders and Peers
  3. Networking Opportunities & Connections
  4. Cool Venue in an Amazing City
  5. Spend the Day With Tim Faller!

Learn More & Register Today!

 
 
 

Ep. 13: Controlling the Flow of Jobs Using a Master Schedule with Aaron Enfinger

June 25, 2018 Management, Operations, Production, The Tim Faller Show 0:31:02

You don’t need a crystal ball to look into the future for your Production Department. A master schedule can give you a predictable look at what’s to come, backed up by solid data. 

In Episode 13, Tim and Steve get insight from Aaron Enfinger, General Manager of The Cleary Company. Aaron joined the Columbus, Ohio, design/build remodeling company as a Project Manager four years ago. It became evident in early 2017 that the company needed additional oversight and management in the other areas of the organization, and Aaron was promoted to General Manager. 

Some of the evident success of the Production Department during that time was due to the master schedule Aaron developed with the help of Jennifer Wood, the Spreadsheet Savant and Office Manager at The Cleary Company. Having a solid grasp of big-picture scheduling and forecasting aided in creating a sense of stability and predictability in the Production Department. With buy-in from the Sales and Design Departments, the master schedule creates that same predictability across the company. 

Aaron details the benefits of creating your own master schedule, including how it: 

  • Acts as an early-warning system, red-flagging upcoming shortfalls or bottlenecks 
  • Increases communication between Sales and Production 
  • More accurately forecasts labor needs 
  • Gives you solid information to make informed decisions 
  • Allows for flexibility in scheduling across the company 

Find out more about what a master schedule can do for you, your team and your bottom line in this episode — and see more about The Cleary Company.

THE #1 PRODUCTION EVENT FOR IMPROVING THE BOTTOM LINE 

After an amazing turnout last year (more than 100 attendees) we are excited to host the 2nd Annual Production Conference, held alongside the 2018 Remodelers Summit in beautiful New Orleans, coming up in September. Register Today! 

Ep.12: Making the Transition from Home Building to Remodeling with Kevin Gregory

June 18, 2018 Hiring, Management, Operations, The Tim Faller Show 00:25:57

The industry-wide squeeze on labor demand has led to remodeling business owners turning their focus outside of their specific areas of construction to grow their teams.

Home building, commercial construction and specialties such as roofing, framing and even landscaping have been looked at as fertile ground for finding that next great team member, or even leader.

Making the transition from home building to remodeling can be tough, and in Episode 12 Tim and Steve welcome an industry veteran who has successfully shifted his focus from one to another.

Kevin Gregory, Owner of Boulder Builders in Colorado, joins the show to talk more about some of the challenges he faced as he not only entered the remodeling business, but started his own firm as well.

Kevin successfully transitioned from his role as a Project Manager for a Large Production home builder, to Production manager of a large-scale remodeling company. Kevin then founded Boulder Builders in 2015 and by 2017 had doubled in size every year with more than $1.5 in annual sales.

Tim, Steve and Kevin explore the differences from one form of construction to another, including:

  • The amount of attention focused on quality vs. speed of the job
  • Shifting from working with sub-contractors to adding staff/team members
  • Transitioning new team members from home building and general construction to remodeling
  • Wearing multiple hats as a remodeling business owner vs. structured environment in home building
  • And more

To learn more about Boulder Builders, visit their website: http://www.boulderbuilders.com/

 

THE #1 PRODUCTION EVENT FOR IMPROVING THE BOTTOM LINE

After an amazing turnout last year (more than 100 attendees) we are excited to host the 2nd Annual Production Conference, held alongside the 2018 Remodelers Summit in beautiful New Orleans, coming up in September. Register Today!

 

 

Ep.11: Successfully Utilizing the Lead Carpenter System with Sean deLaunay

June 11, 2018 Management, Operations, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:28:05

Tim has been an evangelist for the Lead Carpenter System for almost 30 years and speaks on the subject extensively as he tours the US and Canada.

As emerging remodelers grow quickly and transition from one truck, one job and limited crew to multiple jobs happening all at once, the Lead Carpenter System meets the demand of, and addresses the importance of, having someone onsite driving production and insuring client satisfaction.

In Episode 11, Tim and Steve explore the various aspects of the Lead Carpenter method and welcome Sean deLaunay to the show to talk about how his firm, Winn Design + Build, successfully utilizes the system.

Sean is the Production Manager at WINN Design+Build, an award winning, successful remodeler in the very competitive Northern Virginia market just outside of D.C.

According to Winn’s website, construction has been a part of Sean’s professional career for nearly 20 years. Sean works closely with Winn’s design team to provide critical input on the architecture as well as value engineering and budget preparation. As the Production Manager, he specializes in construction management and oversees Winn’s production team through the entire construction process with his main focus on client satisfaction.

Tim, Steve and Sean talk extensively about the Lead Carpenter System that Sean inherited when he joined Winn Design + Build. Their discussion includes:

  • Benefits and challenges to using the Lead Carpenter system
  • Where is it a good fit? Where is it not?
  • The importance of value, quality of work, customer relations, etc.
  • Role and responsibilities of a Lead Carpenter within Winn’s system
  • Proper client engagement and running efficient client meetings
  • Support needed from the home office
  • How to identify / hire the right person to fill the role
  • And more…

To learn more about Winn Design + Build, visit their website: https://winndesign.com/

 

Super Early Bird Registration for the 2018 Production Conference Closes June 15! Save $200 By Registering Today!

After an amazing turnout last year (more than 100 attendees) we are excited to host the 2nd Annual Production Conference, held alongside the 2018 Remodelers Summit in beautiful New Orleans, coming up in September. Register Today!

 

 

Ep.10: Customer Satisfaction; Communication & Setting Expectations with Sal Alfano

June 4, 2018 Management, Operations, The Tim Faller Show 00:34:28

It’s always great when you can get industry veterans together for a chat… and in Episode 10 we get a chance to visit with an experienced writer, editor and thought-leader in Sal Alfano.

After almost 40 years in the business, Sal’s insights into what he hears from remodelers and home builders across the country, coupled with his own experience as a remodeling client himself makes for an outstanding episode.

Sal Alfano spent 20 years as a carpenter, remodeling contractor, and custom home builder in central Vermont. He joined the staff of JLC in 1991, where he was named editor-in-chief in 1994. From 2001 to 2014, Sal served as editorial director for numerous industry trade magazines and websites, including JLC, Remodeling, Replacement Contractor, Coastal Contractor, Professional Deck Builder, and Upscale Remodeling. Currently, he is executive editor for Professional Remodeler and ProTradeCraft.com. Sal and his wife, Elaine, live in Montpelier, Vermont.

Tim, Steve and Sal really dive into changes that they have all watched over the past several years; specifically how clients view the industry and their expectations on pricing, communication and transparency of the process.

Sal shares his thoughts on:

  • Importance of quality craftsmanship, communication (internal & external), etc.
  • Getting production crew involved in the design process early
  • Project efficiency and planning, sequences, etc.
  • Transitioning from the production world to the publishing business
  • His own experience as a home owner and consumer of remodeling services
  • Shifts in products, processes, policies in production
  • Homeowners wanting transparency and sharing of information
  • Importance of industry media and resources for contractors to share and learn
  • And more

 

Super Early Bird Registration for the 2018 Production Conference Closes June 15! Save $200 By Registering Today!

After an amazing turnout last year (more than 100 attendees) we are excited to host the 2nd Annual Production Conference, held alongside the 2018 Remodelers Summit in beautiful New Orleans, coming up in September. Register Today!

 

 

Ep.09: Keeping Craft Alive & Closing the Skills Gap with Rob Yagid

May 21, 2018 Hiring, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:30:44

If you are in the home building or remodeling industries you are more than familiar with the number one issue facing companies who are looking to grow their respective businesses… Finding Good Help.

By that, we mean filling the estimated 6.5 – 7 million jobs that currently go un-filled because there are not enough skilled workers to fill these positions. This skills gap not only hurts growing companies, it affects the nation’s economy as the building and construction industries struggle to keep pace with demand.

From a post-secondary perspective, students today are encouraged or “put on a track” where college is the preferred option; sometimes ignoring the trades as a viable option for many who have interest.

In Episode 9, Tim and Steve welcome an individual who is not only bringing awareness to the issue, but he is also helping lead the charge in celebrating the trades and honoring true craftsmen who are passionate about the work they do every day.

Rob Yagid is the Editorial Director of Fine Homebuilding Magazine and the Founding Director of Keep Craft Alive, an initiative to help celebrate craftsmanship as a valuable and honorable lifelong pursuit.

What began as a simple social media hashtag has quickly grown into a national effort to create awareness, build support and help close the skills gap experienced by so many in the industry.

Through a partnership with Skills USA, Keep Craft Alive provided more than $70,000 in scholarship funds in the 2017-18 academic year, supporting students in various disciplines (plumbing, HVAC, electrical, etc.).

Tim, Steve and Rob discuss the skills gap issue, the work Rob’s team at Keep Craft Alive is doing and some of the other aspects that this employment disparity is causing within the industry.

A great episode about a very timely and important topic. Listen today!

How Can You Help? How Can You Get Involved?

Visit Keep Craft Alive’s website and learn more about how you can support this great initiative. Donate, get involved, follow them on social media, use the #KeepCraftAlive hashtag, buy a t-shirt… whatever you can do to help.

 

Registration for the 2018 Production Conference is Now Open!

After an amazing turnout last year (more than 100 attendees) we are excited to host the 2nd Annual Production Conference, held alongside the 2018 Remodelers Summit in beautiful New Orleans, coming up in September. Register Today!

 

 

Ep.08: Tool & Equipment Reviews with Dave Frane

May 14, 2018 Operations, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:29:56

Acquiring and maintaining an inventory of tools can be a critical measure in the early and ongoing success of a remodeling company.

Many in the production side of the business feel the need to have the “latest and greatest,” while others appreciate their original set of tools and stick with what works best for them. In either approach, keeping an eye on the bottom line and balancing cash flow as you invest in the right tool for the right job is key.

Remodeling business owners and production teams rely on industry professionals who test, compare, report on and review these tools for safety and performance.

In Episode 8, Tim and Steve welcome Dave Frane, former editor of Tools of the Trade Magazine, to the show to discuss the process he has used to provide this critical type of feedback

Dave spent 20+ years as a carpenter, carpentry foreman, and project manager before working as an editor for JLC and Tools of the Trade Magazine. He currently works as a freelance writer/editor and has provided tool and design related content to Fine Homebuilding, Pro Tradecraft, Toolguyd, and Core77.

Tim, Steve and Dave explore many different aspects of the tool industry, including:

  • Looking at how tools and technology are changing – some for safety, some for efficiency
  • Keeping an eye on cash flow and investing good, solid tools that won’t break the budget
  • Remaining Brand agnostic while providing non- biased opinion and information
  • Discussing East Coast – West Coast differences in brands, tools, how they are used, purchased, distributed, etc.
  • Looking at the manufacturing process by visiting factories and production facilities.
  • Stressing the importance of safety and adherence to guidelines
  • Seeing differences in Big Box vs. General Manufacture brands
  • Emphasizing the Importance of organization and care of tools
  • Providing tools vs. a Tool allowances for production teams

Whether you are a “tool person” or not, a great episode for any remodeler out there looking to provide the right tool, at the right price for the right job at hand… without breaking the bank. Enjoy!
 

We would love to hear from you!

What was your first tool? Which is your favorite and why? What tool has been a game-changer for your business? Use the comments section below to provide some feedback.