Crimson Wins 2010 Guildmaster Award

May 4, 2010 by Neil
Filed under Crimson Life

Is Commoditized A Word? (I Used It In A Sentence)

April 27, 2010 by Neil
Filed under Design & Planning

Our society has a commidity mindset. We have for years attempted to take every product and/or service to its lowest common denominator – price. Just think, at one time there were different brands of 2×4 lumber, different brands of electricity, different brands of silicone computer chips. At some time each of those brands meant something. They all offered something unique and different to their customers. But over time something happened. Each industry developed a standard to define each product in order to be more efficient. These standards meant that each company began to produce to that lowest level of quality, thereby stripping the innovation and service from the industry. Everything became equal.

When you go shopping and you are looking for the lowest price you are effectively saying that the item is a commodity. In other words you place no value on the company or the service behind the product. Service – can a service be defined as a commodity? I guess by definition it could be. If a minimum level could be defined, then sure. But as human beings we all have a different way of interacting. We all have different values, ethics, experiences that make us unique. So with that in mind, can your service experience every really be commoditized?

Where am I going with all this? It is a general assumption to many people that remodeling is a product – not a service. Therefore, it is often viewed as a commodity in many minds. But I must disagree. Remodeling is a service that just happens to create a product. Our first and foremost job is to service our clients. Yes, our end goal is to build a beautiful product but we must bring service to the client each day along the way.

During a remodeling project, you must interact with someone on a very daily and intimate level. They will be in your home for weeks. They will be responsible for the health and safety of your family, your pets. They will be responsible for the security of your belongings. They will have control over your home and its completion. They will have control over the financial outcome of the project. Suddenly remodeling is looking less and less like a commodity.

Our society has a commodity mindset. We have for years attempted to take every product and/or service to its lowest common denominator – price. Just think, at one time there were different brands of 2×4 lumber, different brands of electricity, different brands of silicone computer chips. At some time each of those brands meant something. They all offered something unique and different to their customers. But over time something happened. Each industry developed a standard to define each product in order to be more efficient. These standards meant that each company began to produce to that lowest level of quality, thereby stripping the innovation and service from the industry. Everything became equal.

When you go shopping and you are looking for the lowest price you are effectively saying that the item is a commodity. In other words you place no value on the company or the service behind the product. Can a service be defined as a commodity? I guess it could be. If a minimum level could be defined, then sure. But as human beings we all have a different way of interacting. We all have different values, ethics, experiences that make us unique. So with that in mind, can your service experience every really be commoditized (there it is)?

Who do you want to have coffee with in the morning?

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Tags: customer_service, planning

Would You Remodel If It Was Free?

March 1, 2010 by Neil
Filed under Design & Planning

2 Comments

We all know remodeling is expensive, right? It represents a large financial investment in your home and your future. But most people accept this because they see the value of the enhancement in their day-to-day lives and the increased value of their homes. But what if your remodeling project didn’t cost you a single dollar? Would you still do it?

We’ve all heard that there’s no such thing as a free lunch, or a free remodel for that matter. What many people don’t take the time to consider are the other ‘costs’ associated with remodeling. I call these the emotional costs of remodeling.

Emotional costs cover all the things you must endure to reach a remodeled state. These range from the inconvenient to the downright stressful depending on your personality and more importantly the company you hire to complete your project. Obviously these are dependent on the size and scope of your project, but here are a few things that might be included in emotional costs:

Losing your kitchen for weeks (yes you will eventually HATE eating out)
Losing your washer/dryer for a time
Having your water/power shut off for a day
Not being able to park in your garage/driveway/street
Having strangers at your house everyday (they might eventually become friends)
Dealing with anxious pets who don’t like the noise
Dealing with inevitable bumps along the way
Your neighbor’s curiosity
Cleaning out twenty years of stuff before the project can begin
Having the city/village dictate aspects of your design
Keeping your kids out of the construction area
Just seeing your house torn up and not livable can be very stressful

As a remodeler, I will be the last person to tell you not to remodel. However, I will tell you to go into any project with eyes wide open. Understand that you can never eliminate the emotional aspect of a remodeling project — but you can minimize it.

The most important thing you can do to minimize the emotional costs of remodeling is to hire a remodeling company that understands that you are paying more than just money and can help to shield you from the stresses. One of your remodeler’s primary goals should be to communicate with you on a regular basis. Nothing adds to stress like the unknown. A schedule outlining key steps in your project and weekly meetings (whether formal or informal) are a must.

Make sure that you have 100% accounted for all money you will need for the project. This is not just the cost of the construction itself, but all the other expenses you will incur along the way; eating out, new furniture, new window treatments. Also plan a contingency above and beyond the quoted price of your project for unforeseen extras and the inevitable extras you will want to add along the way. Your remodeler should be able to tell you what their historical average is for changes (both unforeseen and client driven).

Have a plan for alternate living conditions for the duration of your project. Where will the kids do their homework? Where will you cook meals? How will four people get ready in the morning with one bathroom? Some remodeling companies (us included) will help you set up a temporary kitchen in another location in your house. Try to segregate the construction area from your living area with temporary walls to contain kids, pets, noise and dust.

Plan a vacation during the loudest, dirtiest part of your project. Many times I have scheduled a project around a client’s vacation. Demolition, drywalling or hardwood floor refinishing are all great things to miss out on firsthand. If you want to be a part of it, have your remodeler email you photos or video of your project in progress while you are on the beach!

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a free remodel. But with these tips, maybe you can enjoy an emotional cost free project!

Give us some feedback. What emotional costs do you want to avoid in your remodeling project?

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