Audio

The Tricks of a Lead Carpenter with Doug Horgan – [Best of The Tim Faller Show]

July 10, 2023 0:44:29

Tim and Steve welcome Doug Horgan to the show to discuss the role of a lead carpenter. Doug talks about his responsibilities, including research, being an internal “help desk,” managing people internally and externally. He also manages scheduling and explains the meaning behind the saying “make ready planning” and why it’s essential for a lead carpenter.

Doug Horgan is Vice President–Best Practices at BOWA, the Washington DC area’s premier custom and remodeling builder. In this training, quality, and troubleshooting role, Doug’s goal is reducing construction defects through sharing knowledge. Doug’s thirty years of tools-on carpentry, warranty troubleshooting, and instruction experience, are the foundations for visually rich presentations on how to build properly and avoid construction problems.

Tim, Steve, and Doug talk more about

Having an organized job site
Client relations and communication
Advice for a lead carpenter
And more…

Getting Some Help with Alan Hendy – [Best of The Tim Faller Show]

June 26, 2023 0:28:43

One of the biggest challenges for contractors, other than labor shortages, is the fact that many face the process of building a business in isolation and their experience is often graded as pass or fail.

When they pass they are happy, but when they fail it causes many issues for them and the families that they support. But where do they turn for help? Using the Power of Peers or hiring a consultant are both great approaches, and guest Alan Hendy joins this episode to help listeners explore the possibility of bringing a consultant in to assist in their business.

Alan is the CEO of Neals Design Remodel in Cincinnati, Ohio, a company that offers full-service design, estimating, and production of projects that transform their clients homes. He graduated from Miami University and spent time working in the insurance industry until 28 years ago when he returned to the family business to become the second generation owner of Neals Design Remodel.

Tim, Steve and Alan talk more about:

The benefits of hiring a consultant
Receiving and utilizing a consultants advice
Advice for those considering hiring a consultant
And more…

Remodelers Advantage Consultants Standing by to Help You…

Building a Great Handyman Service with Charlie Schloegel – [Best of The Tim Faller Show]

June 19, 2023 0:42:55

Handyman services are no stranger to the field of design and build, but very few of these companies are able to successfully incorporate a handyman team into their business.

Schloegel Design Remodel saw a need for a handyman department and since its creation, it now has eleven team members all dedicated to handyman services.

Guest Charlie Schloegel attributes the success of his handyman department to efficient scheduling, time management and the team’s willingness to be flexible.

In this episode, learn how a separate handyman department can create a hardworking team that turns what was once deferred maintenance, into revenue.

Tim, Steve and Charlie talk more about:

The differences between design build and handyman services
Using handyman services alongside remodeling
Why offering these services can create better relationships with customers
And more…

Thoughts on Leadership with Wayne Ottum – [Best of The Tim Faller Show]

June 12, 2023 0:37:37

Wayne Ottum, a consultant at Remodelers Advantage, specializes in company leadership development. So, we asked him to join us on the show to help us understand what leadership is and perhaps help start the shift from “how to manage people” to “how to lead people.”

Wayne Ottum is a consultant, author and speaker dedicated to creating extraordinary businesses and leaders and is President and Founder of Ottum Enterprises, LLC in Kirkland, Washington. Now in his 19th year, Wayne is especially proud of the work he has done to guide owners of remodeling companies to create a clear and compelling direction, purpose, and culture for their companies.

Tim, Steve and Wayne talk more about:

Leadership V. Managing
Leadership across roles
And more…

Inventory Management on the Go With Selema Lawson-Jack – [Best of The Tim Faller Show]

June 5, 2023 0:33:57

Selema Lawson-Jack joins the show and discusses how she found a technology fix to solve an inventory management issue but expanded its capabilities to create efficiencies across the organization and generate revenue simultaneously. She talks about how Sortly, the affordable app she implemented, operates and how she integrated it into the organization successfully.

Selema worked for Schroeder Design Build of Fairfax, VA, and was the Director of Production, where she oversaw all projects in the construction phase. She was the first point of contact on job sites and led a team of project managers, project developers, and carpenters. She was recently named to Pro Remodeler’s top 40 under 40.

Tim, Steve, and Selema talk more about:

Organizing inventory using Sortly
How Sortly improves the processes for the team
And more……

The Locus of Control with Jef Forward – [Best of the Tim Faller Show]

May 30, 2023 00:39:01

The Locus of Control is a concept that highlights one’s ability to control the outcomes and events in their lives. When applied in a business, The Locus of Control can increase productivity, and breed ownership and support.

The Tim Faller Show welcomes back guest Jef Forward, to share his experiences surrounding the locus of control in his remodeling business.

Jef is the founder and co-owner, with his wife, Monica, of Forward Design Build Remodel in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Over 23 years, the company has grown to a team of 30+ engaged, positive, and supportive employees, and their path towards continued success is heavily focused on team and leadership building.

Tim, Steve and Jef talk more about:

Background and overview of The Locus of Control
The five dysfunctions of a team
Building a trustworthy team
Reaching goals
And more…

Costly Mistakes in Renovation with Michael Upshall – [Best of The Tim Faller Show]

May 22, 2023 00:30:41

From the vault, this episode was recorded because of a suggestion from one of our faithful listeners. Enjoy!

Get ready for an insightful episode as we dive into the topic of mistakes—specifically, the ones that cost remodelers and renovators more than just a few shims. We’re not talking about technical slip-ups; we’re tackling the errors that hit remodelers where it hurts the most.

Introducing Michael Upshall, the Founder of Probuilt Design + Build in Bolton, Ontario. Michael’s reputation precedes him, with appearances in design and home/lifestyle magazines, as well as regular speaking engagements at GTA Home Shows. With over 35 years of experience as a master carpenter turned renovator and builder, Michael has garnered numerous awards and accolades. In fact, PROBUILT holds the distinction of being the first two-time recipient of the prestigious BILD “Renovator of the Year” Award in 2002 and 2006.

In this episode, Tim, Steve, and Michael discuss:

Most common business mistakes contractors make
The importance of detailed specifications
Designing projects within client budgets
Pros and cons of competitive bidding vs. design/build approach

They also tackle the three biggest mistakes in production:

Sales to production hand-off packages
Tracking job costs during production
Timelines and scheduling intricacies

Michael also shares what it is like to build a house in 9 days to be featured in a trade show.

We value our subscribers and listeners, and we appreciate your suggestions for future guests. If there’s someone you’ve heard on another podcast or an author of a book who made a lasting impression, please reach out and let us know. Your input matters to us!

Join us on this enlightening journey and gain invaluable insights from the knowledgeable Michael Upshall.

Stay tuned and stay inspired!

Shedding Light on The Darkness with Chris Bache – [Best of The Tim Faller Show]

May 8, 2023 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 when 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…

How to Build Morale and Culture During a Transition with Jason Willet – [Best of The Tim Faller Show]

May 1, 2023 00:34:56

On a recent episode of The Tim Faller Show, Jason Willet, a partner and now vice president at Willet Construction, shared his experience on how he kept his team engaged during a company transition that ultimately led to growth for the company.

Willet Construction faced a challenging transition, but instead of letting it bring the team down, they came up with a creative solution called “Vision Day.” The main goal of this event was to get everyone on the same page regarding the transition’s how, what, when, where, and why.

Through this event, Willet Construction not only brought their team closer together, but they also raised morale and reinforced their company’s culture. By involving the team in the decision-making process and soliciting their opinions, the team felt valued and empowered.

Jason, Tim, and Steve delved deeper into the strategies that Willet Construction used to make Vision Day a success. They discussed the importance of creating a well-planned agenda, prioritizing goals, and utilizing team opinions.

As a partner at Willet Construction, Jason’s role involves estimating and design, as well as being an exterior consultant. With his experience and insights, he offers valuable advice on how to keep a team engaged and motivated during challenging times.

Overall, this episode offers practical advice and real-life examples of how to create a positive company culture and navigate challenging transitions. It’s a must-listen for anyone who wants to build a successful team and grow their company.

The Art of Teaching with Paul Cardis – [The Tim Faller Show] S4 E20

April 17, 2023 00:37:58

Today on the Tim Faller Show, Paul Cardis of ON3, joins the show to discuss the enormous challenge of proper staffing in the remodeling industry and how proper education, teaching, and coaching can expand the pool of qualified employees and help you retain current ones. Paul states that one of the most effective methods of “training” is to combine digital learning with live mentorship.AI technology allows for this by allowing for the creation of customized learning paths for individual employees.

Paul Cardis is the co-founder and acting CEO of ON3 in Madison, WI. Paul came up with the idea for On3 following the sale of his previous company Avid Ratings. His goal was to solve a pervasive problem within the industry – creating a mobile, AI-based source of truth for construction knowledge serving builders, remodelers, and trade contractors.

Paul, Tim, and Steve talk more about…

Fixing the staffing challenges with training and coaching
Using a combination of AI with personal mentorship for the most effective training, teaching, and coaching
How to apply learning science to training and coaching
And more…