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A residential design firm dedicated to improve home improvement with efficient, effective communication. |
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Consider this. If every contractor would buy just 5% more American Made products, there are claims that it would add 220,000 jobs right now! It costs about 1% more than foreign counterparts, and many items work better than their competitors.
…continue reading Buy American »
All businesses have a business model – whether they realize it or not. Yes, that means some business models are not fully intentional. I must admit, creating a business model can be difficult, but it is important. It takes creativity, forethought, insight, and a lot of pure blood, sweat, and tears to create a business model.
The answer depends on whether you are a business person or a customer, but it is important to both.
…continue reading Is your model important? »
It’s a hard time to be in business, for sure. However, I have kept asking myself why am I seeing so many businesses start up during a down economy? (let me clarify “so many”: any more than 0 during such an allegedly dour economy would seem to be extremely gutsy!) Do they have a crystal ball? If so, I want it! No, it doesn’t seem that they have crystal balls, just extreme guts!
So, I read about business and entrepreneurialism. And I come across a hard truth. The title of this article says it all…”It’s Not the Receission, You Just Suck!”
A recent article in the Residential Design + Build magazine piqued my interest. The author states throughout the article, and in the title, that architects/designers should lead design/build projects. Mr. Jauregui makes many great points about the fallacies of the design-then-bid-then-build model, and I refer you to the article to read more about that. He also outlines many of the advantages of the design/build model that I have mentioned as well.
However, to state empirically that the designer/architect should always take the lead on projects doesn’t add up to me. My experience shows that clients do benefit greatly when the builder takes the lead.
Am I slamming architects/designers?
…continue reading Taking the lead: builder or designer? »
You’ve got a great idea for your kitchen, or the bathroom needs remodeling, right? Many people look to hire a remodeler. You don’t want a remodeler that creates headaches for you.
When interviewing a remodeler remember this:
…continue reading When interviewing a remodeler »
In a poll we recently published, one respondent asked how using a design firm can help save money in the long run. Good question, thanks for asking.
It does seem to be an oxymoron to say that one can save money by spending it. Old adages about saving & earning pennies, getting what you pay for, etc., often lead one to sidestep what could be the most important part of any project: planning. In order to save money on your next remodeling project, I believe we must discuss Proper Planning, Effective Presentation, and Critical Collaboration.
…continue reading Saving money by design »
My son had a friend stay overnight last night, and he brought his RipStik® to play with. Just out of curiosity, I had to try it today.
Let me tell you that as easy as those young kids make it, it ISN’T! I’ve seen these toys before, and often wondered how they did it – on two wheels that swivel, no less! I fell off many times this afternoon, while my daughter and son were offering their sage advise: “Maybe if you were younger, Daddy” and “Dad, you just start by pushing off and then move your feet.” Ah, the great wisdom of a 7 and 9 year-old!
…continue reading Try, try again »
A recent article about college graduates that have tens of thousands of dollars in student loans stimulated some comparisons and thought regarding professional services. The article, by default, posed the question of where the blame, or responsibility, lies in these cases.
One such party that could take responsibility is the university. For the sake of this article, the university could be likened to a service company – they provide the students with the service of education.
…continue reading The advantages of direct cost service »
It seems that many people are choosing to hire service professionals to perform a great many tasks. These service providers could be a lawyer, accountant, lawn maintenance, home inspector, remodeling contractor, pest control, architect, interior designer, etc. But, how does one know which to choose? Are there clues to the un-professional service provider that can help steer you clear, and not get soaked? YES!
…continue reading How to not get soaked by a service professional »
With each and every project we start and complete, each one reminds us in its own unique way that communication is vital to the success of every project. Makes sense since each project requires a relationship, and quite often a network of relationships in order to complete it. So, adding to and honing communication is important since our clients want to see more with each year that passes. Thus, we add to our communication skills! If picture is worth a thousand words, how many words equals a video?
…continue reading Adding to communication »
