July 31, 2007
Big Impact with Cordless Drivers
Bottom line: Cordless impact drivers increase my productivity -- from decks to windows to drywall, I'm using the same tool -- an 18 volt Lithium Ion powered tool. It rocks.
I love that it's small compared to cordless drills and doubly love the hex-drive over a keyless chuck -- what a time and effort saver.
All the majors make one or more (see links below) and at various price points and battery chemistries, which I like because not everyone is a millionaire like me (read: yeah right).
They aren't great drilling holes over 1/2-3/4 inch diameter, but up to that they save me from chasing another tool around.
Compared with cordless drills they're pricey--especially Lithium Ion tools.
So what interests me is this: Performance is awesome, but so is money. Do you damn the price torpedoes and buy the tool for increased production? Or do you work with what you have because ... well ... it works (an eminently valid reason, by the way)?
Bosch Tools
DeWalt
Hilti
Hitachi
Milwaukee Electric Tool
Makita USA
Panasonic
Ridgid
Posted by Mark Clement at 10:16 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
July 24, 2007
Journeymen
Youth is the future of any industry and keeping an eyeball on the young guns is smart.
If you're running crews or bringing a new guy on, getting the work to keep them busy is likely top of mind. But while ours is a service industry, we must build a product that performs. And that means mechanics, carpenters, apprentices and journeymen that learn.
I'm largely self-taught, but I had some teachers -- guys who showed me a few ropes enabling me to complete the knots later on.
I'm not sure you need a formal program to teach people, but I am positive you need to explain things to apprentices. And NAHB and NARI/a> have great programs that can fast track young carpenters etc. (Of course, they're not free.)
A building is a system, not just a bunch of parts you slap together. You know that, but do your guys? Are they finding out? Are you prying the lid off your head and letting then look inside before you race to the next bid?
Posted by Mark Clement at 10:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 17, 2007
What's in a Name
So a truck passes. "Fair and Square Remodeling" it says.
I like company names and the story they tell, but building is a rare industry where a name may only show up on your tax return. In our referral-based world, customers often know our first name before the company name: Person 1 says to Person 2, "You're looking for a builder? Frank Smith built my house; call him."
So Person 2 calls Frank Smith and whether or not Frank Smith has names painted all over his trucks or writes his name on a 2x4 scrap, he is known as Frank Smith. The relationship is personal.
I noticed Fair and Square, and I noticed the message within the name -- service. I bet (or hope) that prospective customers tune in too. And F&S may have found the only not threadbare iteration of "square."
I had a company name and slogan, and I was probably the only person who knew (or cared).
How does naming -- branding really -- shake out for you? Does it deliver qualified leads or uncork bargain-hunters? What branding methods work best for you?
And if this gets back to Fair and Square near Pittsburgh, Pa., tell them, "Nice sign."
Posted by Mark Clement at 10:13 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 10, 2007
Managing Waste
My good friend is a "remodeler."
His projects entail stripping everything out of the house, including the house. His current build has just 3 original walls standing. The rest gets replaced with a custom home.
This generates lots of 40 yard dumpsters-O'-trash but in an effort to be profitable and environmentally sensible, my friend saves old framing (where sensible) and re-uses it. He also strips and recycles copper and steel.
The framing (re-uses include fire-blocking, studs, joists) saves him money. Trailering the metal to a recycler makes him a few bucks cash -- and saves dumpster space/tipping fees.
He notices that while trash is a function of our existence, the world isn't our garbage can. I respect that.
I'd like to learn about your best practices, about what you recycle from your sites. Does it make money, make you happy, serve your customers, any of the above?
Posted by Mark Clement at 10:04 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
