Lesson learned: “What’s nice about [doing it yourself] is that if there’s anything prohibiting us from doing exterior work on a client’s project, it gave us a fallback,” Heaney says. top, courtesy Bellamy & Sons Construction;
Bonus: Employees have a great space to work in and “it’s also an excellent indication of the work that we can perform Photos: for our clients,” Heaney says.
Mike Kinter, Kinter Construction Services, Des Moines, Iowa Project: Kinter is building a new two-story Victorian replica home for his six office employees.
Method: Construction is in two phases, and “we’ll probably sub most of it out and just have my guys do the historic renovation that we’re so good at,” Kinter says.
Lesson learned: Kinter has budgeted $125,000 for the project and hopes to get discounts for the products he’ll feature in the house. “If I don’t get discounts it will cost me closer to $150,000,” he says.
Bonus: The new building allows Kinter’s crew to show off its skills in a home like those they renovate for clients.
William Patrick, William J. Patrick Inc., Lancaster, Pa. Project: In 2003, Patrick left his home office for new offices and a showroom created from a renovated three-unit apartment building.
Method: After a year of planning, Patrick spent nine months renovating the nearly century-old building, using subcontractors and filling in with his own crews when possible.
Lesson learned: The project took twice as long and cost twice as much as planned. Unlike his approach to client’s projects, Patrick admits he didn’t “take the time to think critically about the job in terms of what all the costs were going to be.”
Bonus: “It’s a personal investment as well as a fine base” for the company.