Neil & Joel Attend Remodeling Roundtable In New Hampshire

June 27, 2010 by Neil  
Filed under Crimson Life

Remodeling Roundtable Meeting NHNeil & Joel recently attended another remodeling roundtable in Concord, New Hampshire.  While there they toured Cedar Mill Group and learned more about how Geoff Martin runs his remodeling company.  In turn they made suggestions to Geoff on how he could increase the quality of his company.  As you can see from the photo things got pretty heated!  All the energy in the hotel conference room set off the alarms and the Concord fire department was sent in to check out the situation!  Actually the second floor of the hotel was being remodeled (can’t seem to get away from it no matter where we go) and the dust set off the alarms.

Thanks to Geoff for sharing his company and hospitality with us.

Neil & Joel Visit Daniels Design & Remodeling

March 29, 2009 by Neil  
Filed under Continuing Remodeling Education


We recently got back from Fairfax Station, Virginia where we visitedDaniels Design & Remodeling. Here we are with the owner, Ted Daniels. We have known Ted for about five years since we both joined Remodelers Advantage.

Remodelers Advantage is a peer review group we are members of. Every six months we get together with ten other remodeling companies from around the country and evaluate their business. This month we all descended on Ted’s company outside of Washington, DC. We spent two days getting to know his employees, his systems and his family. On our third day we gave Ted advice on how to improve his operations. For our part we take home valuable knowledge not only from Ted, but from the other companies in attendance. We do nothing but eat, drink and sleep remodeling for three days.
We found some great new ideas on marketing as well as a fresh new energy to get back to work. We also learned about some new products being used in other parts of the country. The West coast always seems to lead the way on new technology. In the Midwest we tend to let them be the guinea pigs and learn from their mistakes. There are definitely some new and exciting ideas making their way here soon.
Even though we where in our nation’s capital we didn’t get to see the sites. Unless you count this view from Reagan International Airport!

The tall skinny white object in the background is the Washington Monument. Underneath is the barely discernible Lincoln Memorial. So much for sightseeing! We need to get back home to Illinois and building things.

Neil & Joel Reach the Summit

November 3, 2008 by Neil  
Filed under Continuing Remodeling Education

Joel & I just returned from Park City, Utah where we attended a meeting of Remodeler’s Advantage. RA is group of like-minded remodeling companies from all over the country that come together twice a year to learn, share ideas and improve their businesses.

While in Park City, Joel & I were determined to reach the summit of Bald Mountain (9,400 feet). Each evening after our meetings where over for the day we spent an hour or so before dark attempting to hike up to the top. Finally on the last day we got the timing right and we made it to the top before the sun set! Our friend Mike DuKate, ofDuKate Fine Remodeling in Indiana, came with and took this picture.

Being completely out of shape I didn’t think I would make it. There were a couple of times I thought Joel and Mike would have to carry me. But I eventually made it and got to share in the spectacular view from the top. Then I had to get back down. Thankfully, that part is much easier!

If you would like to see all my photos from Park City here is a link to my slideshow.