Info & Idea Center
Home Improvement & Remodeling Inspiration & Ideas
May 28th, 2011
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Getting Ready For Remodeling
May 28th, 2011
Because your life may be turned upside down with your upcoming project, make sure a “preconstruction meeting” takes place before construction begins. Schedule the meeting for no less than two weeks before construction begins, and make sure you ask these questions. Learn more>>
12 Ways to “Go Green” in Your Kitchen
May 27th, 2011
Remodeling your kitchen presents a big opportunity to improve the home’s energy performance. Broadening the scope of your project to include energy efficiency, ecological benefits, accessibility and health considerations will provide long-term cost savings, comfort, peace of mind and safety. Learn more>>
Top April 2011 Home Improvement Areas
May 14th, 2011
Fencing is a major ingredient in the recipe for a beautiful backyard. A fence can give you a feeling of privacy; it can keep the pets in the yard or the neighbors out; and it can accent any landscaping. Learn more>>
There are many things that can be done to make living in your home much more pleasurable. If you are remodeling your living room, you may want to think about installing some speakers, a home theater, or security system. Learn more>>
Drywall has a variety of applications that can turn a dull and dreary room into a room that has culture and theme. You can look at the archways, rounded corners, layering, and texture. Learn more>>
Vinyl Fence -Low Maintenance & Popular
May 14th, 2011
Vinyl fencing is becoming one of the most popular fencing materials on the market. It’s stronger and more durable than wood, never needs to be painted, resists graffiti, and usually comes with a lifetime warranty. Learn more >>
Bathroom Countertop Options
April 30th, 2011
All countertops look good in the showroom, but keeping them pristine requires durable materials or high maintenance. We found long-lasting, attractive countertops no matter how much—or little—you want to spend and arranged the most popular bathroom countertop choices from top to bottom. Here’s your options… Learn more >>
Inexpensive Bathroom Remodeling
April 23rd, 2011
A bathroom remodeling job can be an expensive endeavor. However, you can update a smaller aspect of the bathroom and still have a wonderful looking bathroom. New tile flooring, cabinets, lighting, or fixtures can give a bathroom a whole new look and style. Learn more>>
Green Bathroom Remodeling Tips
April 22nd, 2011
Green bathroom remodeling can mean anything from installing low-flow fixtures to using eco-friendly green materials. Use green remodeling practices and materials for one small aspect of your project, or go all the way and make it a theme of the room. An average household uses about 260 gallons of water every day, and much… Learn more >>
Real Contractor Case Story…
April 5th, 2011This is an actual case. Names have been changed for privacy reasons.
When introducing our services into a new market 3 years ago, our sales staff approached a local business owner, whom we will call “Dan” for this conversation. Dan owned a local roofing, siding, and window company and did fairly well using traditional ways of marketing his business to local homeowners.
When we called Dan, we met immediate resistance. Some would describe it as a violent reaction. Practically insulted by our way of doing business (online) he proudly listed all the ways he successfully marketed over the past 24 years. After listening to his thoughts, we respectfully asked for an in-person meeting to explain things further. Unhappy, he hung up the phone.
The following week, two customers requested roofing bids through our website. We thought Dan might be interested, so we faxed him the job details so he could review the jobs himself. No phone call. Dan chose to ignore the customer’s request and the job was quickly rewarded to higher-priced competitor.
After a few more weeks, a couple customer emails, and three more posted jobs, I (President/Founder of eContractorBids.com) was determined to show Dan that we could help. So on a cold Tuesday morning, I phoned Dan, introduced myself and politely highlighted the top benefits. Two minutes into the conversation he interrupted and proudly said ”I would never do business like that!”. Which quickly was followed by a dial tone. He hung up on me.
Now, being the passionate business owner I am and confident in our services I pushed the envelope after running into a friend of his at church. I asked, “What’s up with Dan? …He won’t give us the time of day and hung up on me”. The friend agreed to casually ask Dan about his concerns and get back to me.
A week later, I got a phone call from Dan. He reluctantly asked to meet. I accepted and met him for lunch to address his concerns and explain the benefits. After listening to Dan’s concerns, the underlining issue was unfamiliarity. He never did any marketing online because he didn’t know how. The idea that customers are trying to connect with him online was completely foreign. After explaining the benefits over a 90 min lunch, I asked him to sign up. He cautiously agreed.
Today, Dan is one of our biggest advocates. He’s convinced more peers to join than any other member and has received more than 30 accepted jobs in two years. He went from “I will never do business like that!!” to “I couldn’t image life without it!” in under a year’s time.
Maybe you’re like Dan? Maybe you share some of his concerns or just have questions about eContractorBids.com. Give me a call. I would be happy to explain the benefits and even the shortcoming of our services. Thank you for listening.
Adam Etrheim
President/Founder
eContractorBids.com
800-489-0401
adam@econtractorbids.com
Don’t let winter get in the way of home improvements
February 12th, 2011In the middle of winter, it can be easy to put off remodeling and/or home improvements. There are a few advantages to doing home improvement projects in the winter; your contractor may have more time for you and may charge less as the company needs the work. And it’s a great opportunity to take care of small-scale repairs or improvements.
By now you’ve had enough utility bills to compare with last year to see if your home or heating system is performing up to snuff. Do a walk-through of your home and list the small things you intend to do before spring. Adding or replacing weather stripping is an excellent idea, as is installing smoke alarms you meant to put in last summer.
Popular Winter Projects to Consider…
If you hadn’t noticed, the home improvement stores are less crowded this time of year. It can be a prudent time to buy supplies or scope out the work necessary for projects you intend for the spring. Material costs tend to rise every year, so buying wood, hardware, paint and other necessities now can spare you money when the building season heats up.
Think about doing a bathroom, kitchen, or basement remodel now. A small bathroom remodeling project continues to hold value through the roller coaster economy. Other areas that may need attention are attic insulation or furnace upgrades. Winter is a good time to add shelving storage too.
Think About Your Gutters…
At this point in winter, you also have a solid take on the capacity and flow of your gutters. Even if it’s cold outside, choose a clear day to get outside and inspect them. Cleaning gutters is like taking out a great insurance policy against wall and roof damage.
Need a Contractor or Some Expert Help?
Contact eContractorBids.com and visit your local construction network of 7-Point Certified builders & contractors eager to help with your next remodeling or home improvement project.
