Has the company logo worn a little thin? Is it time for a change? If those are the questions your business is grappling with, here are some reasons you may or may not want to change the company logo.

According to the marketing gurus of the world, anytime a logo is scraped, it sends a mix of messages to your customers and clients. On the positive side, this change says the company is forward thinking, willing to refresh their message and therefore able to broaden or narrow its appeal. This all demonstrates that your company is open to changing with the times.

The downside of a logo change can suggest instability within the company. Is new management on board and can we get the same service we’re used to? To consumers who are not familiar with the company, they may believe the change represents a brand new organization entirely. (more…)

In today’s tight market it can be pretty hard to win a contract. Some numbers on a piece of paper usually won’t cut it anymore. Homeowners may be apprehensive and looking for the best deal but they also need reassurance that their contractor will do a professional and timely job. With that in mind here are 10 things we think homeowners are looking for in a contractor. Holding as many of these winning characteristics as possible will be tantamount to winning bids in the current recession.

1. Confidence. Of course the way in which you carry yourself is important. Many homeowners are already tentative about new remodeling projects, so the last thing they want is a contractor is unsure of himself.
2. Knowledge. There’s no need to know everything, but homeowners will have a lot of questions and those contractors who can adequately answer them on the spot will move to the front of the line.
3. References. Any blog similar to this one, but geared toward homeowners, would have references very high on a list of 10 things to look for in a contractor…and for good reason. In an age of high competitiveness as we have now, getting some sense of a contractor’s past performance is key.
4. History. That leads us to history. If you had a choice between the new kid and the contractor who’d been in the business for 30 years, who would you choose? This is not meant to discourage new contractors. By no means, even the youngest remodeling contractors have likely had several years of experience under the tutelage of a tested predecessor; you just may have to sell yourself on other counts. For time-tested remodelers, having a long history shows endurance and commitment.
5. Thinking on your feet. With budgets and time frames often tight in remodeling, a contractor who remains calm and composed under pressure and can address problems accurately as they arise will garner a second look from homeowners. (more…)