Q: When was the last time you changed vendors & why?
A: I changed suppliers in the early 2000’s because we moved our building projects to a completely different part of the city. Delivery schedules dictated that we find a closer supplier. The company we left did nothing wrong and I remain friends with several of their people to this day.
Q: When & why would you accept an appointment from a new supplier/ vendor?
A: See above. They also may have a product that I cannot get through other sources, or may have hired one of my past acquaintances that I really trusted with my business in the past.
Q: What is the number one problem that keeps you up at night?
A: Throughout my building career, I have always been a one-man show, electing to sub-contract out nearly everything. All of the scheduling is my responsibility and I wake in the middle of the night wondering if I have contacted all the people that will be involved in the building process in the coming days. Seems like after this long, and this many houses, I would get over that, but I still do it.
Q: What do you see as your biggest opportunity?
A: Since I have slowed down considerably from the boom days, I use my extra time to volunteer for local charities and to commit more time to our local builders association. I am currently the state representative to the National Association of Home Builders, which gives me a chance to try and connect our local membership to what is happening in Washington, D.C. I believe everyone should give something back to their industry and their community.
Q: What do you wish LBM suppliers understood about your business?
A: I am sure they all know this but it’s one of my pet peeves. When lumber prices spike in a short time frame (two or three months), builders are forced to raise the base prices on all their floor plans. When the prices go back down just a quickly, we generally do not go back and lower our base prices. This creates an “artificial spike” in our pricing. When it happens too often, like it has in the past, we end up having “manufactured” increases in the cost of housing that are not reflective of the real market.
Q: What building materials (if any) do you buy installed?
A: Fireplaces, flooring, tile and laminates, solid surface, basement waterproofing, overhead doors and operators, guttering, wall and attic insulation, drywall and painting to name a few.
Q: Building Green is a growing trend. How does it affect you?
A: Although I am a Certified Green Professional, I do not push green on my clients. I believe it is their choice to spend extra money on green building systems and/or products. I have been against mandating green in the building codes because I believe it would price some of the first time buyers out of the market. Most of the customers that inquire about green building are on their third or fourth house and have done their research beforehand.
