ReNews -- Remodelors Council News - 08/11/2004 (Plain Text Version)

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

View Graphical Version | Subscribe to NAHB Publications | Email our Editor...
NAHB Home Page| Browse other NAHB e-publications |Search back issues

In this issue:
Remodelors Council Unveils Consumer Ads
Remodelors Council News: CGR Breaks 2003 Record, Brochures, Forums, Etc.
Remodelors Council Events: Join the RC at Fall Board, Remodeling Show
Awards: CADRE, Remodelor of the Year Award Deadlines; Remodelor of the Month, Seniors
News You Need to Know: Faxing Clients, Designing Spaces
From Member to Member: The Cream of the Crop Sit on My Board
NAHB Education News: Fall Board Classes; Designation Month; Fee Changes
Industry Events: Custom Builder Symposium, Mexi-Go!, IBS
Are You On Top of Your NAHB Member Benefits? See What's New

Remodelors Council News: CGR Breaks 2003 Record, Brochures, Forums, Etc.

In This Section:

CGR Graduation Mid-Year Numbers Break 2003 Total Record
Brochure Helps Consumers Find Professional Remodelers
Have Your Words Heard
RC Forum Provides Great Networking Opportunities

CGR Graduation Mid-Year Numbers Break 2003 Total Record

The word is out: obtaining the Certified Graduate Remodelor™ designation makes good business sense! Only halfway into 2004, CGR recently graduated its129th CGR for the year to date. This breaks last 2003’s record-setting 127 graduates.

Are you a CGR? Are you maximizing your business potential? NAHB created the CGR designation to help identify remodelers who exemplify professionalism in the remodeling industry. As a CGR, you become a member of an exclusive national program, gain recognition as an industry leader, and call attention to yourself in a crowded marketplace.

The benefits of earning your CGR designation include:

Referrals to customers in your area via NAHB's Web site
Consumer brochures that promote the advantages of working with a CGR
The right to use the CGR designation on all letterhead, business cards, etc.
The CGReport (newsletter) three times per year detailing program developments and course schedule listings
Graduation kit with an official framed graduation certificate, CGR lapel pin, CGR logo slick sheet, gold promotional seals for drawings, plans and contracts, press releases for distribution to media sources in your market area, Code of Ethics suitable for framing and official graduate corporate seal (optional)

To obtain the CGR designation, graduates must meet the prescribed standards of business practice, possess a minimum of five years remodeling industry experience, have a proven track record of successful project management, complete the comprehensive education curriculum and pledge to uphold the program’s code of ethics.

For more information on how to sign up for the CGR designation program, visit www.nahb.org/designations.

Brochure Helps Consumers Find Professional Remodelers

The Remodelors Council created a new brochure to provide consumers with information on the process of hiring a professional, reputable contractor.

To download “How to Find a Professional Remodeler” for free, click here. Packs of 25 can be purchased from BuilderBooks.com for $28 for NAHB members and $32 for non-members.

“We always remind consumers that when they hire a remodeler, they are buying a service rather than a product,” said 2004 NAHB Remodelors Council Chairman Doug Sutton, Sr., CGR, CAPS, of Sutton Siding & Remodeling in Springfield, IL. “The quality of the service the remodeler provides will determine the quality of work of the finished product and the home owner’s satisfaction with the result.”

The brochure suggests that home owners look for the following in their search for prospective contractors:

Insurance that protects them from claims arising from property damage or injuries on the job site. They should ask for a copy of the remodeler’s insurance certificates.
An established presence in the community. If the company has been in business for a long time under the same name, this suggests financial stability.
A trustworthy reputation among customers, peers, local officials and people involved in all aspects of the industry. Consumers should ask for a list of references, including past clients and building materials suppliers, and they should contact their local better business bureau to determine financial stability and research any complaints against the contractor.
Professional designations. Through educational programs, trade organizations award designations such as Certified Graduate Remodelor (CGR), Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS), Certified Bath Designer (CBD) and Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) to those who meet the requirements.

Have Your Words Heard: Write for NBN Online

Do you have a surefire business plan that helps you be a successful remodeler? Have you tried new and creative marketing or customer service ideas that worked? Would you be willing to share your expertise with other remodelers across the country and have your name and company exposed to more than 100,000 NAHB members?

If you answered "yes" to any of the items, you should write an article for NBN Online, NAHB's weekly e-newsletter that goes to more than 140,000 industry professionals.

The Remodelors Council has a unique opportunity to have its members give good, practical business advice to other remodelers and small businesses through its section in NBN Online. Articles can be as little as 400 words and will include a byline, short bio and picture of you. If you are interested in sharing your success with your peers, contact Melanie Hinton.

RC Forum Provides Great Networking Opportunities

Did you ever wonder? Need some professional advice? If that’s the case, visit the Remodelors Council message board on www.nahb.org. The Remodelors Council message board allows you to ask questions and get the answers from seasoned industry peers.

Feel free to ask you question or respond to your peers. Visit www.nahb.org/forums for the current list of discussions or start your own discussion. Contact Melanie Hinton, 800-368-5242 x8451 for more information.