ReNews -- Remodelors Council News - 07/14/2004 (Plain Text Version)

Doug Sutton, Sr. CGR, CAPS
Remodelors^TM Council Chair
Springfield, Illinois

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In this issue:
Remodelors Council Helps HUD Make Ten Families Home Owners
A Brand New Look For ReNews
Nominate Someone Today for a Remodelors Council Award
From Member to Member: Bottom Line Building Advice
Industry News: New Overtime Rules, Space Invaders
Industry Events: The Remodeling Show, Custom Builder Symposium
Are You On Top of Your NAHB Member Benefits? See What's New
Build Global Bridges: Attend NAHB-Sponsored International Events
Build Your Business With Member Advantage Discounts, Publications
Thank You to the Remodelors Council 2004 Platinum and Gold Strategic Partners

From Member to Member: Bottom Line Building Advice

Designations Are More Than Just Acronyms

By Robert G. Bell, CGR, CAPS, president Bell’s Remodeling in Duluth, MN

The old saying holds true: Education is the key to success — regardless of the business operation size or goals of the company. Unfortunately, many contractors constantly come up with excuses as to why they don’t get involved in designation programs. The most prominent excuses are: “the courses are too expensive;” “I don’t have the time;” “I am doing ok now the way we operate;” “I have enough work and don’t need a designation to get more work or to separate myself from the competition.”

Do these sound familiar? Have you said them once or twice before? I think it is a trait among contractors that continuing education is painful, doesn’t help with business and is a waste of time. How short sighted!

Most people won’t think twice about investing $1,000 to $50,000 on tools, trucks and various pieces of equipment but refuse to invest anything on education for themselves or their employees. General education is fine, but where can you go to get specific professional development education that directly affects your business? NAHB has those programs. The designation programs developed over the years by NAHB and refined by The University of Housing offers more than 13 different designations for housing professionals.

Education Can Help Build Business Skills
The downfall of most contractors is not that they don’t know the technical information about building or remodeling; it is because they lack the business skills to run their companies.
The Certified Graduate Remodelor™ (CGR) and Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) programs have developed a unique evaluation system to determine your business skills prior to taking any courses. These systems evaluate each person on the following business skills: marketing and sales, business administration, design, estimating and job cost, contracts, liability and risk management, and project management.

After completing the evaluation, you receive recommended courses. These courses will strengthen weak areas of business and help make your business more profitable.

The courses have current information and are taught by qualified construction professionals. If you learn one thing that can save you $50 per job, how long would it take to pay for the program? These courses have the added benefit of networking with other contractors from all areas and enable class members to share information on various business aspects and new ideas to make your business better.

Sign up now, your future may be at stake! The next time you want to invest in a new tool or new truck to make the job easier or faster, remind yourself that you could probably save more money by investing in education that relates to the business side of your company.

“EDUCATION DOESN’T COST, IT PAYS!”

Bell, CGR, CAPS, received his CGR in 1990 and CAPS in 2003. He has served on education committees on the local, state and national level and helped create NAHB continuing education curriculum. For more information, contact Bell.