Episode Archives

Ep.145: Shedding Light on The Darkness with Chris Bache

April 5, 2021 Production, Technology, The Tim Faller Show 00:36:20

By all accounts, business is booming. Projects are being booked way in advance, and everything is roses and sunshine. Or is it? 

In this episode, guest Chris Bache joins Tim and Steve to discuss the “dark period” – the period of time after the sale is completed, the project is booked, and is on the schedule. A critical time where the battle for client satisfaction can be won or lost. 

Chris Bache is the CEO and co-founder at Hatch, a messaging app specifically built for the remodeling industry that centralizes and automates homeowner communication.

Hatch began as a trial when Chris and his partner, Bill Violante, were asked by a local Pella franchise to help solve two huge blind-spots in their business – follow-up and customer experience.

That’s when the idea for Hatch was, well, hatched.  Word spread like wildfire through other Pella franchises, and then eventually into other areas of the industry.

Tim, Steve and Chris talk more about:

  • How to keep customers happily engaged until the project occurs
  • The customer experience
  • How to successfully communicate with customers
  • And more…

We Have a New Production Manager Roundtables Group Forming Now!

Do you want your Production Manager to learn from the best?

Do you want to give them the opportunity to exchange ideas with experienced Production Managers from some of the most successful remodeling companies in the business?

Remodelers Advantage is adding a new Production Managers Roundtables Group to our roster of 5 successful, thriving groups.

If you are interested in learning more, click here to visit our website.

Ep.144: Moving From Tract Building to Custom Renovations with Scott Fridrych

March 29, 2021 Management, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:43:08

Bridging the gap between new home construction and remodeling can seem pretty intense. There can be a lot of bias from each side about which is better or quite frankly, which is easier. 

Hearing the perspective of someone who has had experience from both sides can help both new home builders and remodelers understand the benefits of each, and in this episode, guest Scott Fridrych does just that.

Scott has spent two years as the project manager at Liv Companies, and was brought on to lighten the workload between the owner and supervisor, allowing them to focus on building the company. 

Scott has a BA in construction management from Ferris State University and brings over 20 years of experience in residential construction to this episode to talk about the transition from new home building to remodeling.

Tim, Steve and Scott talk more about:

  • What it’s like going from a production builder to custom remodeling
  • Why a production builder might make that transition
  • More about Liv Companies
  • And more…

Are you and your team struggling with estimating?

Unable to Win Contracts? Or, Getting the work, but not making a profit?

Whether you are an owner that handles the estimates or the estimator for a company, you will find a gold mine of information in the Art of Estimating Masterclass, led by Tim Faller, on April 13th & 14th. 

[Click Here for More Information + Registration]

Ep.143: From Client to Employee with Meghan Haines

March 22, 2021 Hiring, Management, The Tim Faller Show 00:30:15

The transition from client to employee, does it work?  

Meghan Haines joins Tim and Steve in this episode to talk about the dynamic from being a client to now an employee and why it may or may not work. 

Having the knowledge and experience of a client in the remodeling industry is helpful in the transition to becoming an employee and brings a point of view that some employees may not have.  Meghan talks about the surprises and potential roadblocks in the transition and how she has made it work.

Meghan Haines is the Production Coordinator for Hercules Design Build, a remodeling company in the St. Louis area. Meghan has been with Hercules for a little over a year and a half; However, before joining the company, she was a client for three remodeling projects in her own home.

Tim, Steve and Meghan talk more about:

  • Customer relations
  • The benefits of bringing experience into remodeling from different fields 
  • Advice for contractors interested in hiring
  • And more…

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Ep.142: Fighting Mold, Rot & Paint Peeling with Bill Lotz

March 15, 2021 Operations, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:47:48

Building science has come a long way over the past several decades and with contributions from the industry’s finest experts, remodelers can learn how to deal with mold, moisture and all things ventilation. 

Moisture meters, vapor barriers, where does one begin?  Guest Bill Lotz joins Tim and Steve to bring awareness to a subject that many remodelers may not know much about.  

Bill Lotz, P.E. has Professional Engineer’s license in 8 states and regularly writes technical articles, and is the owner of William A. Lotz, Consulting Engineers. Mr. Lotz has published more than 300 technical articles, mostly on heating, ventilation and air conditioning, insulation and moisture issues. He has also consulted on over 2000 buildings with various moisture/insulation system failures from Honolulu to Maine to Miami to Texas. 

Tim, Steve and Bill talk more about:

  • Troubleshooting moisture, mold and rot in the remodeling industry
  • Moisture problems in relation to regions of the U.S. and Canada
  • Dealing with moisture issues in buildings and their components
  • And more…

Are you struggling with estimating?

Unable to Win Contracts?

Getting the work, but not making a profit?

Learn the Art of Estimating in this two-day, intensive class coming up in April.

Presented by Tim Faller, this course will be an interactive experience for you and for your estimator, covering the purpose of estimating, the challenges we face, and why accurate estimating can be so difficult.

[ Click Here for More Information + Registration ]

Ep.141: Breaking the Gender Barriers with Isabella Battig

March 8, 2021 Management, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:39:57

Being a woman in a field that is dominated by men presents its challenges.  So, how do they do it?

Isabella Battig joins Tim and Steve in this episode and talks about what it is like being a female trade contractor and some of the experiences she has had working in construction and remodeling. 

Isabella discusses the things that she looks for in a general contractor from her point of view and ultimately, how she has become successful in a career that lacks a strong female presence.

Isabella is the owner of Kinetic Lighting and Electric LLC and began her career as an apprentice in 1999 with no prior experience working in trades, but an interest and a goal to someday be her own boss.

Isabella had to jump through a lot of hoops to learn how to get to where she is now, but with the help of fellow trade contractors and researching the ins and out of her field, she has become the successful businesswoman that she knew she could be.

Tim, Steve and Isabella talk more about:

  • What it is like being a woman in a male dominated field
  • What a trade contractor looks for in a general contractor
  • The importance of being realistic when starting a company
  • The benefits of having trusted employees and staff
  • And more… 

Ep.140: Hitting Budgets as a Project Manager with Raul Lopez

March 1, 2021 Management, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:44:40

Raul Lopez is a Project Manager at Innovative Construction Inc. and manages all aspects of construction on multiple jobs from start to finish.  Raul believes that only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.

After 8 years working in the food industry as a General Manager, he decided it was time for a change and gave construction a try. He started as a laborer on a framing company, and quickly learned the skills and how to deal with inspections and codes.  Three years later, he got the opportunity to work at Innovative construction, starting as a carpenter and working his way up to Project Manager.

In addition to managing projects, he does drafting and design, providing 3D renderings and Construction plans.  He has also won MVP of the company for two consecutive years.  Raul is also currently enrolled to become a NARI CRPM (Certified Remodeling Project Manager.)

Tim, Steve and Raul talk more about:

  • The importance of building teams in construction
  • The transition from a laborer to a manager
  • And more…

Are you struggling with estimating?

Unable to Win Contracts?

Getting the work, but not making a profit?

Learn the Art of Estimating in this two-day, intensive class coming up in April.

Presented by Tim Faller, this course will be an interactive experience for you and for your estimator, covering the purpose of estimating, the challenges we face, and why accurate estimating can be so difficult.
[ Click Here for More Information + Registration ]

Ep.139: Solar Power Potential with Dana Weinberg

February 22, 2021 Production, Technology, The Tim Faller Show 00:39:24

Solar power is becoming increasingly popular and is being seen in more and more new, and existing construction.  The cost of it is coming down and the government is taking steps make it more affordable, therefore making it more appealing to property owners. 

Dana Weinberg, Sales and Finance Director of Sunwatt Solar, joins Tim and Steve in this episode to talk about the benefits of solar power and rebates available for home and business owners.

Tim, Steve and Dana talk more about:

  • The benefits of solar power energy
  • Data and software used by solar power companies
  • How to get involved with solar power companies
  • The importance of consulting with a solar company to create great results
  • And more…

Ep.138: A Trade Contractors Point of View with Nick Kozar

February 15, 2021 Management, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:32:21

We have addressed the remodeler/trade contractor relationship in past episode; one from a Production Manager and the other from an on-site Project Manager, but both from the remodeler’s perspective.

Learning a different point of view of who you’re working with is crucial to running a smooth business and a lot of remodelers could benefit from hearing the perspective of a trade contractor.

In this episode, Nick Kozar, owner of Chelsea Plumbing, does just that.

Located in Chelsea, Michigan, Nick began his career with Chelsea Plumbing as an apprentice with no knowledge of the plumbing trade. After 13 years as an employee and receiving Journeyman, Master, and Mechanical Contractor licenses, he purchased the business from its founder who started the company in 1979.

Tim, Steve and Nick talk more about:

  • Top three “things” that are important to the trade contractor.
  • Effective ways to address scheduling between remodelers and trade contractors.
  • Dealing with higher costs of trade labor.
  • Strengthening trade and contractor relationships.
  • The perspective of a trade contractor.
  • And more…

FREE Webinar: The Slippage Blame Game

How to Look at Slippage from All Perspectives
Perhaps more devastating than lost profit, the slippage blame game, typically between estimating and production, can wreak havoc on company morale and affect the entire culture of the business.

This FREE webinar, on Tuesday, February 23rd, will focus on the challenge of getting the numbers right and how to look at the problem from all perspectives.
[Click Here for More Information + Registration]

Ep.137: Work Force Development in Non-vocational Schools with Rhonda Hanaway

February 8, 2021 Hiring, Management, Operations 00:33:34

We have done a number of podcasts on work force development. We have spoken with contractors, vocational school teachers, and trade associations like NARI about the topic that is so important to the future of our industry.

In this episode, we are expanding by talking to a Career Advisor who works in the guidance department of a Charter School here in Rhode Island.

We have worked with Rhonda Hanaway on in-person and virtual career days and learning sessions with her school and others in our region.

Rhonda is the Career Advisor at Blackstone Academy Charter School in Pawtucket, RI and has recently been appointed to the Governor’s Coaching Corps in the state of RI. This is a cohort of 35 professionals chosen out of a large pool of people around the state to work on essential questions for Workforce Development.

Tim, Steve and Rhonda cover:

  • The difference between a Charter School and a Regular School.
  • What Remodelers and Builders can do to get involved in the non-vocational schools in their own areas.
  • What the approach should be and what person or title should they should reach out to.
  • How to get schools involved that may not have a similar program in place.
  • Job Fairs; what are they and how can they be started.
  • And more…

FREE Webinar: The Slippage Blame Game - Who's Fault is it?

As long as there has been estimating, there has been the blame game when the estimated price doesn’t match the production costs… that gap is referred to as “slippage” and when left out-of-control, can be devastating to a growing remodeling business.

Tim Faller will lead this FREE webinar on Tuesday, February 23rd, and will focus on the challenge of getting the numbers right and how to look at the problem from all perspectives.

[Click Here for More Information & to Registration]

Ep. 136: Using 3D Imaging in Estimating & Production with Ned Trimming

February 1, 2021 Production, Technology, The Tim Faller Show 00:37:17

While the pandemic situation, we’ve been dealing with for almost a year, has led us to one obstacle after another, it has also opened up the production side of the business to a variety of tech tools we haven’t thought of using until we were forced to.

3D imaging is one of those tools that was mentioned several times during our Production Manager Roundtables sessions last year, and we began looking at it further as we prepared for our Masterclass on Estimating coming up in April. Does it help with estimating to have these images?

We turned to one of the members of our production manager roundtables who was willing to share how they use 3D imaging in their process.

Ned Trimming is the Production Manager at Crescent Builds located in Seattle WA. Ned and his team at Crescent had initially purchased a 3D imaging camera due to the pandemic, minimizing client interactions onsite, but the technology has proven to have many other useful benefits as well.

Tim, Steve and Ned talk more about:

  • Background on Crescent Builds (size of projects, type of work, etc.).
  • The benefits of using 3D imaging.
  • Using 3D imaging in the Estimating process.
  • The time and cost of using 3D imaging with a client.
  • Challenges that Crescent ran into and how it has improved their process.
  • And more…

Peer-Power for your Production Team

Developed and led by our Senior Consultant and “Production Guru”, Tim Faller, this special Roundtables™ Program for Production Managers focuses on all aspects of production management including:

  • People Management Problem solving and making & keeping commitments.
  • Technology Discussions on the latest and greatest technology available.
  • Training Developing personnel improvement plans to increase efficiency.
  • Customer Service The little things that turn a client from a fan to an apostle.

[Click Here for More Information]