Author Archives: homesteadop

A study found that 75 percent of people suffer from some degree of dehydration. Add the hot sun, high humidity, and sweltering temperatures into the mix and you get a recipe for disaster. How can you know if you are dehydrated? Early warning signs include: Thirst  Dry mouth Fatigue Muscle cramps Dizziness More serious symptoms…

In the last Homestead Post, we shared three productivity- and quality-boosting principles from management consultant W. Edwards Deming. In this issue, we’ll talk about another important Deming concept: End the practice of awarding business on the basis of price tag alone. When choosing vendors, price means little without considering the measure of quality and efficiency…

Do you have a question about a product or want tips to help manage a certain aspect of your business more successfully? We welcome you to suggest topics for our future newsletters. Email your ideas to Ken Burkholder at ken@homesteadoutdoorproducts.com.

When you’re in the business of building decks and doing other exterior work for homeowners, requests to do fencing work are inevitable. Installing vinyl fencing—one of the most popular options—isn’t difficult, but you do need a few specialized tools to tackle the project.     Tool for digging holes: Either an auger attachment or a…

Buy now and save on Wolf® Serenity™ Decking. Get 5% off your order* from now until August 30, 2019. No minimum purchase is required. *Decking only. Does not apply to fasteners and other accessories.

A customer’s reasons for wanting additions or renovations often have multiple layers. Peeling back those layers is critical for proposing a design that will truly meet and fulfill your customer’s unique vision. How?  ASK, “WHY?”— MULTIPLE TIMES  For example, let’s say Customer A and Customer B both approach you with “I want a deck.” But…

The job site isn’t the only place where efficiency is important. When contractors also have their administrative tasks in good order, they can boost productivity and profitability. Here are two tips for making your back-office run like a well-oiled machine.    PLAN YOUR DAYS In addition to scheduling your work for customers, also make a…

With warmer weather here, homeowners want to spend more time in their backyards—without the buzzing and biting of annoying insects. Homestead Outdoor Products has the perfect solution in stock: SCREENEZE®, a fixed-screen system that allows you to transform your customers’ patios and porches into bug-free outdoor living spaces. Call us for more information! Simple to…

In our last newsletter, we talked about the renowned management consultant W. Edwards Deming and his Plan-Do-Study-Act process to improve productivity. Now, let’s explore three more Deming principles that can help you manage your business.   Create constancy of purpose toward improvement of product and service. Think ahead to the future. If you’re considering expanding…

Fiberon® is offering rebates on purchases made in 2019.* With a minimum purchase of $500, first-time buyers will get a 10 percent rebate. Second- and third-time buyers will save, too! After receiving the first-time buyer rebate, users are eligible for 5 percent rebates on their second and third purchases of $500 or more. When you…