Author Archives: homesteadop

Thank you to everyone who attended our Open House on Wednesday, January 29! We enjoyed seeing you, and we appreciate your participation. In case you weren’t able to join us, here are some helpful bits of insight from the presentations that day. Selling as a Service “Selling” shouldn’t be treated as a high-pressure game with…

Looking for an attractive, durable replacement for wood flooring? Wolf Serenity™ Porch  Americana collection* is a perfect fit! You’ll find the planks easy to install, thanks to their tongue-and-groove design. Plus, when you upgrade from wood to Wolf Serenity™ Porch the transition is seamless. There’s no need to change the heights of your siding, trim,…

In the past few issues of our newsletter, we shared eight of W. Edwards Deming’s 14 principles for improving productivity and work quality. In this edition, we’ll wrap up our Deming series with a focus on the final six principles. Break down barriers between departments. It’s critical for all people in a business to work…

Previously, we shared several of the 14 revolutionary process improvement principles of respected management expert W. Edwards Deming. In this issue, we continue to explore Deming’s insights and how you can use them to improve your business.      DEMING PRINCIPLE #5 Improve constantly and forever the system of production and design. Always look for…

We are now stocking Fast-setting Quikrete® Cement. Specially formulated to set within 10 to 15 minutes, it is ideal for repairing edges on curbs and concrete steps. It’s also a great match for setting posts in small fencing projects and building footers in areas that don’t require a footer inspection.

According to a survey by BrightLocal (a marketing software development company), 86 percent of consumers read reviews for local businesses. As a contractor, you’ll want to pay attention to this statistic. Most people look at online reviews before they decide what products and services they will buy and from whom they will buy them. Therefore,…

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…