Buying a New Home—Gauge Its Performance
When you buy a new car, you are inundated with all the details related to performance—data and statistics on everything from engine specs to fuel consumption to maintenance costs. And, of course, comfort features.
It’s really no different when you buy a house—you should be asking questions about how the house “performs.” I offered some advice on what to look for when buying a new home. Because if you don’t know what questions to ask, you won’t end up with the vital information you need to make a wise decision.
Read More
Working in the Family Business
there are pros and cons, ups and downs, to working with family. I’ve got great memories of my years of working in the family business, but I also learned some hard lessons along the way. I get this question a lot about whether or not to work with family—it’s quite common for those of us in the construction trades. We set the goal of going out and starting our own business and often turn to family or close friends to help us get started. What seems like the perfect solution often backfires at some point. And because it’s family—those we love and respect the most—the pain of separating can really bite.
Read More
Taking Over a Partially Completed Project
Walking is a great way to stay physically fit, clear the mind, and check out your surroundings or nature—just an all-around great way to unplug and unwind. Unfortunately, I’ve recently found myself going on some pretty discouraging walks…There’s nothing worse than having a prospective new client or a past client call you up and ask you to do a “walk-through” of their partially completed home construction project.
Read More
Rip it out mentality
In today’s post, I’m want to talk about what I call the “rip it out mentality.” I think the subject deserves a bit more attention. Because mistakes will happen on the job (we’re all human), it’s essential to understand that there is no shame in ripping it out and starting fresh. Even if it means adjusting the schedule. Your top priority must be in creating high-quality work.
Read More
What is a vacuum bag?
The vacuum bag is made up of two parts—the bag and the pump. The bags are made from either polyurethane or vinyl. There are multiple reasons why we prefer polyurethane bags. First, they are clear—you can see right through them. This is great for lining up pieces as you are working. Second,
Read More
Grow a beard
A 29-year-old self-employed custom cabinet maker is doing well in his business. The problem is that he looks super young for his age. When he meets a client for the first time, they often say, “Oh, wow! You’re young. I thought you’d be older.”
Read More
Budget Realities Versus Budget Fantasies
I crave two things: To surround myself with great people and to deliver the highest-quality work to our clients. It’s that simple. But getting to that point takes time, effort, and a bit of ingenuity. Over the years, I’ve discovered what works… and what doesn’t. Today I’m going to share some thoughts on achieving the best of both worlds—people who are as devoted as you are to learning and improving their skills, and how to consistently turn out products that you can be proud of.
Read More
Why over communicating Is Not a Bad Thing
I’ve been accused and convicted…
My crime: Over communicating (can you believe that someone would actually say I talk too much? And then have the nerve to present as evidence blogs, podcasts, videos and… well, never mind).
I discuss the core reasons why daily communication is fundamental to everything we do at NS Builders. Our goal is to keep everyone in the loop—the customer, the architect or designer, and the entire NS team—so that we all know in real-time how a job is progressing.
Read More
Cultivate Quality, Creativity & Craftsmanship—In Your People and Your Product
I crave two things: To surround myself with great people and to deliver the highest-quality work to our clients. It’s that simple. But getting to that point takes time, effort, and a bit of ingenuity. Over the years, I’ve discovered what works… and what doesn’t. Today I’m going to share some thoughts on achieving the best of both worlds—people who are as devoted as you are to learning and improving their skills, and how to consistently turn out products that you can be proud of.
Read More
4 Building Blocks That Lead to Success
How did I successfully make the leap from employee/subcontractor to full-fledged business owner? And whether your plan is to stay small or expand to a large-scale operation, these building blocks will help you find success as you build your own empire.
Read More
The Art of Investing Wisely in Your Business
As many of you already know from watching Coffee Break Q&A episodes, I love fielding homeowners’ and building professionals' questions. Today I want to talk about two popular questions I get a lot from those in the trade. And they both have to do with the art of investing wisely.
Read More
What a Pergola Can Teach You
In this post, I’m going to share some valuable insight I’ve learned over the years from making mistakes—something we all do. It just happens. It’s how we handle those mistakes, learn from them, and move forward is what really counts.
Read More