Times are tough and many contractors are pulling tooth and nail to find steady work. Yet before anyone resorts to self abuse, ask the question of how to best sell your abilities. Should you expand or specialize your offerings? As mainly a woodworker, is a move into concrete or even masonry worth it?

Such a question can be easy or difficult. Take remodeling contractors; for you the answer is probably simple — expansion. The reason being that remodeling inherently involves many different facets of construction from carpentry to electrical to plumbing and more. Being able to offer experience, knowledge, and advice in many of these areas is a big plus.

However, if you offer a unique service, one which sets you apart from the field, then specialization may be your best route. Say you’re a custom tile setter or mason with your own formula for creativity, something that is a valuable selling point. It makes sense that you would want to hone that skill and accentuate it during interviews.

At the same time homeowners and their remodels can be very fluid things, changing as the days go by. While it is generally accepted that a well-planned remodel is the smoothest remodel, that is not always how it goes. Therefore an extensive list of skills and services, including a heightened ability to think on your feet, may be the best way to go. (more…)

Remodeling Hall of Fame member Mark Richardson of Case Design & Remodeling recently offered a new approach to sales in the current housing slump. He noted that the best responses sales teams at his firm received occurred when the project focused less on homeowner wants and more on what the house needed to best perform.

How could eliminating the desires of homeowners from sales pitch succeed? For a few reasons, said Richardson:

• People are conserving their cash right now,
• But they are also motivated to protect their most worthwhile asset: their house.
• The average U.S. home is at least 32 years old and coming due for repairs or upgrades. (more…)