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August 29, 2007
Client Relations: Building with the homeowners
I'm periodically approached by customers to use them as labor on their projects. "We're trying to save money, so Biff will work with you," they offer. "Rex has already started the project and wants to help finish it." Often the homeowners are depending on sweat equity as a line item to afford the job.
I haven't had to say "no" to this proposition, yet. I need to keep work coming in as much as they need their project done, so I look for a balance. It starts with a clear chain of command: By "chain of command" I mean they're my minion on site. The main reason is safety. The other main reason is production.
I've made friends and repeat clients in these situations. I've been sandbagged once or twice, but on balance, it's worked out.
Am I the only one this happens to? How do you handle it? Do you have a waiver? Do you pass on the job? Or is sweat equity part of your customer service?
Posted by Mark Clement at 2:28 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
August 21, 2007
Raise the Roof
I admit a certain prejudice when I see truss roofs -- especially in custom homes that are supposed to be, well, custom.
But this is one of the many areas in my life where I find myself ... what's the word ... oh, yes ... wrong.
Trusses can be big-time problem solvers -- and they solve more than the problem of installing cut-up roofs with inexperienced labor (which they do, by the way.) Trusses definitely shine in single story additions and structures like garages. They span farther than sawn lumber, enabling you to eliminate intermediate framing.
Trusses also bring the manufacturer's engineering capacity, nice for permitting and inspections. And a timber-framed hybrid-ed into conventional framing means form and function in one package.
So what's the deal on your builds? Are you the all-truss-all-the-time channel? If you're super-custom-man, will a truss ever see one of your sites? Is it a bit of both?
And where do you get them? National manufacturer? Regional supplier? Lumber yard?
Good truss drawings:
Posted by Mark Clement at 11:43 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
August 14, 2007
It's All You
So this is my fifth blog entry and it recently occurred to me that -- just like that mouthy guest who shows up at a barbeque or dinner function -- I've been running my yap, rudely neglecting to ask you a single question about yourself.
That's bad form. See, I think you're the most important element of our website.
So, in party parlance, how ya doin'?
To refine the query just a hair...
What can we do for you? What do you need to know more about? What's keeping you up at night?
Our goal is to pipeline relevant information that helps you build better, solve home building/remodeling/home improvement dilemmas, and blacken up the hue of your bottom line. So let us have it. Whether what you have is a question or an answer, we want to know.
So thanks for inviting me to your party. I'm passionate about building and improving homes the best way we can. To share your ideas is a pleasure and privilege.
Posted by Mark Clement at 10:12 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
