Category Archives: The Homestead Post

With Wolf® PRO Certification, you receive the training, tools, and support to become an expert in installing Wolf products and to build your reputation as a superior contractor. Training on product installation, specifications, care and maintenance, proper storage and handling Professional tips to help your business succeed Access to game-changing benefits, including: › Extended Wolf…

People often think of overdelivering as an expensive way to add value. But setting yourself apart doesn’t have to be costly or complicated. 1. Set Clear, Realistic Expectations When meeting with a customer, discuss the project details and address potential challenges. Being upfront about what your customers can expect creates a baseline you can then…

The IRC ensures projects are structurally sound and safe. Failure to comply with them can result in costly, time-consuming re-work or legal troubles. Avoid these common code violations when building decks: Not having proper on-center spacing for stair stringers (requirements can vary by decking product) Failing to install a code-compliant rise and run for stairs…

Part 5 in our series based on the book To Sell Is Human Whether knowingly or not, contractors make a “pitch” to potential customers whenever they talk about their capabilities. In his book To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others, author Daniel H. Pink describes that the purpose of a pitch is…

Operating a contracting business can become a 24/7 endeavor—and a recipe for burnout if you’re not careful. While your healthy ratio of work to personal life may differ from someone else’s, the keys to achieving work-life balance are the same. 1. Set boundaries. Avoid bringing work home with you and set your business phone aside…

While following up with customers after a project takes a little time, it can provide significant benefits for your business. Why check in with homeowners to ensure they’re satisfied with the results of your work and the experience of working with your company? It will help you: Demonstrate that you care about your customers, thus…

Get 10% off when you order Otter-Tech Underdecking by July 31, 2024. Pickup or delivery is required within 30 days of your order date.

PART 4 IN OUR SERIES BASED ON THE BOOK TO SELL IS HUMAN According to author Daniel H. Pink in To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others, clarity is “the capacity to help others see their situations in fresh and more revealing ways and to identify problems they didn’t know they had.”…

Keylink’s rod railing (with horizontal rather than vertical balusters) offers customers a unique aesthetic and contractors unparalleled ease of installation. Available with the American and Chesapeake aluminum railing series, Keylink rod railing comes in a variety of colors (including custom hues) to seamlessly complement the other features of any outdoor living space. It’s an ideal…

We’ve all heard the saying, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” But the small stuff—like joist tape—can make a big difference when installing decks made with pressure-treated lumber. Joist tape seals the tops of joists, beams, ledger boards, and stringers to prevent moisture penetration and rot. Why Use Joist Flashing Tape? Protects the deck’s structural integrity…