March 26, 2024 • 22 mins
Unlock the blueprint to thrive as a bathroom remodeling contractor, with an exclusive episode that dives headfirst into the significance of forging robust relationships across the industry. We lay bare the essentials, from client rapport to strategic partnerships with suppliers, vendors, and various professionals like interior designers and real estate agents. As your guide, I share indispensable advice on maintaining a high standard of work even amidst the chaos of heavy-duty remodels, revealing the impact of meticulous site preparation—think dust control and AC unit considerations—on your business's bottom line and reputation.
Joining us is Courtney, a beacon of expertise in bathroom aesthetics, who illuminates the allure of handcrafted Zellige tiles and the art of blending luxury with practicality in 'spathroom' designs. We navigate the currents of bathroom remodeling, where eco-conscious choices meet innovations like smart technology, inviting you to visualize the transformation of ordinary spaces into rejuvenating sanctuaries. Listen closely as we dissect the transformative power of strategic lighting and design trends that not only revamp your space but enrich your lifestyle, all while keeping an eye on the future of sustainable and accessible living.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
The Homebuilding and Remodeling Show.
Let's go.
Welcome everybody to theHomebuilding and Remodeling Show
.
My name is Chris Kirby and I'llbe your host.
(00:21):
I am the owner of threeconstruction companies on the
Alabama Gulf Coast.
The show is about residentialconstruction.
We're going to cover topics ofhomebuilding and remodeling.
Are you thinking of doing aremodel or building a home?
Are you a contractor looking toimprove your knowledge base or
grow your business?
Have you ever done a remodelproject or built a home?
(00:42):
There were so many things youwish you knew or that you could
have done differently during theprocess.
Then this show is for you.
We break down the process ofbuilding and remodeling and how
to have the best results duringyour project.
Whether you are a DIYer lookingfor tips, someone looking to
hire a contractor to do aproject, or a contractor looking
(01:04):
to expand your knowledge baseor your business, welcome aboard
.
Glad to have you.
Stay tuned.
We kick off the show with mythoughts on homebuilding and
remodeling.
I'll share best practices andtalk about some of our
experiences in business and outin the field.
These shared thoughts andlessons learned are meant to
help you on your very ownjourney.
(01:26):
Let's go.
Number one client.
Number two suppliers andvendors.
Number three, sub-contractors,and we'll move on to number four
.
Number four is industrycontacts and professionals.
Networking is a big part ofbecoming or being a successful
(01:46):
bathroom remodeling contractor.
Yes, the first twosubcontractor and the vendor and
supplier those are alsoindustry contacts, but they're
ancillary contacts, such as ahome loan specialist, like a
mortgage banker.
If there's a new constructionproject and they're needing a
(02:10):
contractor to build them a home,they're needing a contractor to
remodel a bathroom.
Sometimes they're gonna takeout a home loan or a home line
of credit to do the biggerremodeling projects and you're
going to have to be and touchand know some of those home loan
specialists and tier designers.
They are your best friend whenit comes to being a contractor.
(02:31):
But specifically, interiordesigners, who are product
specialists in the kitchen andbath industry, are going to be a
huge benefit to you, becausethe last thing you want to do as
a remodeling contractor is makeselections and be liable for
those selections that you made.
So having an interior designeron the project or actually
(02:56):
talking the client into hiringyour friend or your contact who
is an interior designer is a bighelp for you, because the last
thing that you want to do is beliable for selections.
And then you install thisbeautiful bathroom and the
vision isn't quite what theclient wanted it to be.
(03:19):
And then sometimes they couldget angry at you.
Well, you told me this materialwas good, you selected this,
you made that paint color, youmade this XYZ choice, and
interior designer is going totake the time to talk them
through that Home.
Loan specialists, interiordesigners, real estate agents.
A lot of times when real estateagents are buying or selling or
(03:42):
helping their client, they mayneed stuff done.
And then when it's on a majorscale right, not the minor stuff
, home inspection type stuff butwhen it's on a major scale,
when they're doing a helping aclient flip a home or they're
helping a client sell up a verymuch outdated home, their
suggestion may be to remodel thebathroom.
(04:03):
Or on the flip side not on thesale side but on the buy side
the agent may say, hey, listen,let's get the home for a good
price and then you can remodelit to the way you want.
And a lot of times the masterbath or bathrooms in general are
a big part of the part of thehome that they want to make
their own and it is.
(04:25):
It is really key to have a goodreal estate agent that will
refer to you and ask you hey,come check this place out.
Let my client know how muchit'll cost to do the bathroom
the way they want, and sometimesthat helps an agent close a
deal.
We'll dig more into the industryrelationships you need to
maintain as far as industrycontacts.
(04:47):
We're gonna dive deeper on thenext episode into that one, but
just know it is a part of thefour key relationships you need
to maintain to be a good orgreat Bathroom remodeling
contractor.
Number one the clientrelationship is always number
one.
Number two suppliers andvendors.
Number three subcontractors.
(05:09):
Number four is industrycontacts.
Networking is key.
All right, until next time Iwill jump on the next list,
which is your 10 industrycontacts that you need to
maintain a healthy relationshipwith that are good for business
If you're a bathroom remodelingcontractor.
And now we move into shop talk.
(05:33):
It's the portion of the showwhere I bring in a co-host and
we cover trending topics in homebuilding and remodeling.
Hope you enjoy.
Let's go.
It's gonna get into the ventsand it's gonna blow dust, so you
have to make sure that you'reprepping and that you're
covering that stuff properly.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
Yeah, and especially if you're doing a larger job
with a lot of sheet rock and aremodel of like a full you know,
if you're gutting multiplerooms and doing a, you wanna
shut down the AC unit becauseyou don't wanna you don't wanna
just do a special you don'twanna be a fool.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
Well, not only that, but you know you can ruin
people's stuff.
So if you get enough dust andthose things and it's blowing
out everywhere, a, you're gonnabe paying to clean multiple
times Because that sheet rockI'm telling you, the sheet rock
dust never is just one clean anddone.
You know what I mean.
So containing that is a must.
(06:30):
I can't emphasize it enough.
But we go in there and we do,we you good.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Hold on, let's see how far this place is.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
Might have to go and we'll pick it up.
It ain't no big deal Going toRochester.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
Yeah, I got nine minutes.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
All right, we'll do five, All right, and then we'll
wrap it up, All right.
So you, you know, like I said,you've made sure that you've
done your drywall patching andprepping.
So that means moving yourfixtures, All right.
If there's light moves andeverything where the you know,
you're gonna cut out for newlights and patch the old holes.
You're getting all that stuffdone before you put your floors
(07:07):
down out of the main bathroom.
Okay, we do that part now.
Are you bringing in vanities atthis point, or what are you
doing?
Speaker 2 (07:16):
So after the flooring's done we usually bring
in the vanities.
We get them installed so we canrun the trim, because a lot of
times you want your vanity inplace before you're running your
trim.
Yeah, now if you get like afurniture style vanity that has
like feet and stuff on it andmany yeah.
I mean, but for the most partmost people use boxes, so we run
(07:38):
trim to the boxes, yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
So you've got that in , you've got that in place, and
but you may not have tocountertop or if it's a, if it's
a.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
Usually the furniture vanities are all one piece, but
If the vanity's set thecountertop, the storm company
can come.
Template.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
Yep, I mean they do a template, they get the material
, they cut it.
They're gonna come back in acouple of weeks put it in.
Okay, hopefully, yeah depends,hopefully you've planned right.
Optimally, you want to plan towhere you're able to get those
counters, I mean those cabinets,put in place to get that
template.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
So we usually have set out schedule day to day.
Where our guys have to have toCertain milestones?
Yeah, because you know thosepeople work on a schedule too,
so we have to.
Our schedules have to alignright.
We're not getting all up byanything, yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Well, and that's all sub.
For us it's sub work besidesour electrician.
Now you know that's in housebut we're dependent on the
plumber to come.
Usually for us it depends onthe size of the home.
But you know, demi only takesus a day Right, especially in
the bathroom.
We get everything out of therethe next day.
We want the plumber to come inIf the electrician's going to be
(08:53):
doing moves.
We want the rough end to startas soon as possible.
Okay.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
We can put it back together until the rough end's
done.
So we're usually we got theplumber on hook for either that.
Day after we start Day after,or a couple, most of the times.
We try that even.
You know what I mean, becausethe first thing we can do is
tear out the old showers andtubs and have this home in, have
it still, and they're workingas well.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
So once they put in the vanity countertops, go in.
Sometimes they have the sink,sometimes not.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
Right.
Then, after the top goes onwith the sink, plumber comes and
do, does his full, trim out.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
And that's when which consists of hooking up your
sinks and your faucets,installing faucets, hooking up
the sinks, the toilet Okay,they're going to do the trim out
in the shower, right, they'reputting in the trim kit, right
Of what else, with the plumber,and then the electricians gonna
come in too right, right aroundthe same, all kind of back to
(09:51):
back behind each other.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
I think the lights, and they're not fans of being in
on top of each other.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
I know, I know kind of work.
Yeah.
And then I mean so do you dothe paint before the fixtures
are in, or do you do it afterit's paint?
Speaker 2 (10:06):
All right, the end so if he's got everything roughed
in where it's gonna go, I'd liketo go ahead and paint and then
we do touch ups afterwards.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
Yeah that way, you know, I mean, it's these pain be
so really it's and it's notnecessarily always final paint,
because you're gonna have somesort of a punchless to do, but
You're gonna get all thefixtures set, the electricians
gonna put their fixtures in, andthen you're gonna, you're gonna
prom, you're gonna get a promcoat or a first coat on right,
(10:35):
alright, and once everything'sfinalized, do you final coat.
And then what do do?
Speaker 2 (10:42):
a punch list usually after Pain's done, we were
moving to like accessories, likemirror.
Speaker 1 (10:51):
Oh, you got your mirror.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
All the paper holders towel, rods, all that kind of
Fun stuff.
Okay and then after that weleave them.
You know pretty much punch listand have them go through.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
It's not too bad.
Yeah, if we get the order, youknow, if we do things in order,
you know, like we're supposed to, the phases are in order and
they fall out how they'resupposed to in a perfect world,
then we've punched it so hardalready.
Yeah, that's, they don't reallyneed to do my typical bathroom
(11:25):
remodel.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
The customer lives there, so every morning you have
a punch list.
Yeah, he's been there after youleft more or less the question
right.
Speaker 1 (11:34):
Some of them are just a swizz of duty.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
They want to know as long as you're Handling the
day-to-day stuff with a customerAt the end, you already know
what he was looking for.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
I'm sorry, yeah yeah, and then you know, and so
usually just so.
Speaker 2 (11:49):
Sign the punch list and and we're done.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
Okay, well, we'll pick up another conversation.
And where we're talking aboutthe number ending punch list,
we're talking about the YouTubewarriors, where the clients are.
You know they're every day.
Before they got this remodeldone, they went on YouTube and
they started watching videos.
So they're asking questionsabout product, they're asking
(12:13):
questions about process.
They're asking questions, justload.
You know most of the people.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
Go to estimates now.
They already know they bring itup that they watch a lot of DIY
Videos yes, they haven't.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
Well, now, while we try to put out, we put out our
own DIY and we try to educatethem, because it's not gonna go
smooth or it's not gonna goperfect and there's a profit,
there's different, probably allwanted to go.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
Yeah, we don't want it to.
Everybody wants to go smoothand it'd be perfect.
But yeah, I mean running theproblems Construction gym.
Yeah it's just working throughit and that's right, all right.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
Well, I'm gonna let you go, man.
I know you got an estimate todo and we'll highlight you next
time.
Now we're gonna move into theportion of the show where we
talk interior design.
We're gonna bring in aninterior designer and we're
gonna talk trending design andproducts.
Hope you enjoy.
Let's go With sustainablematerials as well.
Speaker 3 (13:18):
Correct.
I mean, we even found that outwith lighting, changing out your
lighting.
Speaker 1 (13:21):
Yes, yes.
Speaker 3 (13:22):
That has you involved too, the stein.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
Right, right, and this does affect your power bill
.
I mean moving forward that whenyou're on a fixed income and
you're aging in place, everylittle thing helps.
So something as simple assustainability and design helps
with that carbon footprint whichreduces your bills and people
(13:47):
don't again.
The West Coast has embraced itand it's moving this way, and I
actually am a certified greenbuilder, so I learned a lot
about it.
Now, have we built a green homeyet?
No, we haven't.
I mean, but right there you go,but it is coming, and it's not
just about the eco-friendly partof it, but these sustainable
(14:08):
materials are really directlyaffecting your bottom line.
Yes, at home.
Yes, with your budget 100%.
Awesome Okay.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
So sustainability, hand-formed, is becoming a
largely popular tilespecifically.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (14:24):
So the idea of being an artisan is getting back to
the market.
People no longer want what'smass produced, what everybody
has Green.
The Zellage tile has really hitthe market hard, and Zellage
traditionally comes out ofMorocco.
It's a clay.
Every piece is hand-formedReally Every piece.
So no two are gonna be alike inthe true edge.
(14:47):
Which is called like ongelatedor hand-formed Just means kind
of wavy, but also even thecoloring is never going to be
the exact.
Speaker 1 (14:54):
So then okay, in that case, for us you really need a
client who wants that andunderstands it right and braces
yeah, because which I love evensometimes when we're dealing
with the mosaics or the stone,they don't match perfectly, and
then that's what it's supposedto be, but it takes somebody who
understands that right.
Speaker 3 (15:15):
A designer to convey that to you.
It is one of those other thingswhere, if you go into a
showroom and you've got a 12 by24 inch sample sitting there
that has a really pretty lightgray bloom through it, you're
like, oh gosh, I love that tile.
Well, guess what?
That tile is actually a V5variance, meaning not every tile
looks the same.
Well, that really pretty lightbloom, there's a ton in there
(15:37):
that have a really dark, heavy,saturated gray and you're like
that's not what I expected.
Speaker 1 (15:41):
Yeah, and you know what that also is, that I've
noticed that with countertopstoo, where you can get your
veining is different, the colorvariation is different, things
like that, and so you can end upyou really gotta know and it's
your job.
Yeah, have a guy.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
Let me be your spiritual designer.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
I will be your designer.
There you go, I'll cue throughthis.
Speaker 2 (16:03):
I love that.
Speaker 3 (16:04):
It's about knowing, having somebody who's
knowledgeable in what they do,which I truly believe.
If you're gonna be givingpeople advice, you need to be
able to speak on that advice,not just speak.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (16:15):
Yeah, and not to deviate it with the object.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
But no, honestly, let's talk about cost.
For that, though, I wouldimagine it has to cost more than
traditional box top.
Okay, okay, and you know, Imean handcrafted right Is what
handcrafted anything, anythingShould cost more Should.
Okay.
Speaker 3 (16:37):
And, if you think about it, when people talk about
gifts made from the heart aremore than something bought off
of a shell.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
And the same thing when it comes to artisans out
there.
I would never wanna takesomebody's hard work, their
craft and say, well, hold on,they have something that looks
like that at Lowe's.
Speaker 1 (16:55):
Yeah, buy it in bulk.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
Well, lowe's had a machine that tried to replicate
what took me years to actuallylearn how to do and inspect.
So yeah, it does take somebodywho understands and really
embraces that idea of.
I know where this came from.
There was a guy and his son andhis wife all making this over
in Morocco.
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
You know I love the story behind that.
Yeah, okay, awesome, okay.
So handcrafted got it.
Speaker 3 (17:19):
Hand formed, handcrafted.
Where are we at next?
I have spa features, but then Ialso have spathrooms, so they
are kind of two different things.
Speaker 1 (17:31):
Okay, so a spa-like bathroom, spa features.
And what did you say?
Speaker 3 (17:38):
Spathrooms, so it's a spa-bathroom.
So, spa-like features,different from like a spathroom.
So spa-like features are wherepeople are going from that
regular shower head and nowthey're doing the rain head with
the really cool wands that comeoff.
And if you've looked at some ofDelta's new products, they have
some amazing wands out therethat are actually designed where
(18:00):
, at the very end of that wand,if you're used to looking at a
shower and there's nothing onthe top right.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
Well, now there's actually a nozzle that you can
spray down your shower withafterwards to remove all the
soap and all that kind of stuff.
Speaker 1 (18:12):
Yes, yes, yes.
Speaker 3 (18:13):
So it actually helps you clean your shower and
yourself.
Speaker 1 (18:15):
There you go, brilliant Awesome.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
So spa features, then spathrooms.
Speaker 1 (18:20):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
Spathrooms is where you get those people who are
like this is my sanctuary.
Speaker 1 (18:24):
True, yes, this is my place.
They're lighting the candleswith the bubble bath and
relaxing and doing the stuff.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
What did you say about 20 years?
Speaker 1 (18:32):
Oh so fun fact the average person in their lifetime
spends 1.5 years a year and ahalf in the bathroom.
I wanna know about an year anda half.
Speaker 3 (18:44):
I do wanna know, though, what that lifetime is
dependent on.
Are we?
Is this an 80 year old?
Yeah, 90 year old, true.
Speaker 1 (18:52):
I guess they're taking the average age, which is
like 78, I don't know.
Yes, a year and a half.
Can you just imagine a year anda half of your lifetime of
spitting your bath?
Speaker 3 (19:02):
If it's in a spathroom, yes.
Speaker 1 (19:04):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (19:05):
I got a picture.
So spathrooms deviating awayfrom just like shower heads.
You have your spa showers, yoursauna showers, your steam
showers.
I'm actually doing for one ofour clients.
It's over in Orange Beach.
His shower is also going to bea sauna.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
Yes, and we've done that.
We did it over in Mobile wherewe had.
It was huge, it was probably, Ithink it was a nine foot wide
shower, they had double heads,they had diverters, they had the
steam shower and in the centerthey had the rain head.
I mean a bench along the backwall, like it really was
something.
Speaker 3 (19:42):
That's where you're elevating to your spathroom, not
just spa features, but againthat's coming down to us
focusing more on our wellbeingand our health.
So soaking tubs actually can beconsidered a spathroom feature.
The saunas, the steam rooms,the shower heads, also smart
technology bathrooms.
(20:04):
That's getting really big aswell.
People don't want to have toreach into their shower, turn it
on or get the spa settings.
They actually are gettingpanels put into their walls.
Speaker 1 (20:12):
Yes, we've put in some panels In that same
bathroom.
Actually, we did put in a panel.
Speaker 3 (20:16):
Well, that way you can set it, get it ready, it
does its thing, and then you'rejust ready to go in and enjoy
your spathroom.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
Now, what about the vanity areas of these?
Is there different lighting?
Is there?
Speaker 3 (20:27):
Under cabinet lighting.
Speaker 1 (20:28):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (20:29):
That's normal for kitchens.
Nowadays it's called toe kicklighting.
Speaker 1 (20:32):
Yep.
Speaker 3 (20:33):
So a lot of cabinetry now for these spathrooms.
You're adding in that reallynice kind of soft ambient
lighting.
That way if you're soaking inthe tub you don't have these
harsh overhead light.
It's a soft, calming kind ofatmosphere, gotcha.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
Okay, so spathroom.
You heard it here first.
Maybe it's out there, I don'tknow.
I heard it here first fromCourtney.
Speaker 3 (20:53):
I'm not just thinking of words.
They promise.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
Yeah, absolutely All right, so we're gonna go one
through 10, all the way down.
Speaker 3 (21:01):
I did not have these in all.
Speaker 1 (21:04):
All right, let's go.
Speaker 3 (21:05):
Okay, warm and cool towns Got it.
We touched on that one Color.
Speaker 1 (21:10):
Got it.
Speaker 3 (21:11):
Mixed metals.
Speaker 1 (21:13):
Mixed metals got it.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
What do we do next?
Aging in place?
Speaker 1 (21:17):
Aging in place.
Aging in place yes.
Speaker 3 (21:19):
Sustainability.
Speaker 1 (21:20):
Sustainability.
Speaker 3 (21:22):
Large format.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
Large format.
Speaker 3 (21:24):
Hand formed.
Speaker 1 (21:25):
Hand formed.
Speaker 3 (21:26):
Where we at next Spa features.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
Spa features.
Speaker 3 (21:29):
Yes, and then spathrooms, Spathrooms.
We got them all.
Speaker 1 (21:33):
I was only not.
Speaker 3 (21:34):
Oh was.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
You led or did you do lighting, Lighting you didn't
say lighting.
Speaker 3 (21:40):
Don't forget.
Speaker 1 (21:40):
And lighting and lighting, All right perfect.
Speaker 3 (21:43):
That is, we can count .
Speaker 1 (21:45):
That's right, okay, so thank you, courtney, as
always, for coming and joiningus and talking about bathroom
remodels.
I'm sure throughout the monthwe're gonna do another session
and get some more ideas fordesign trends, things that are
trending and how to update yourbathroom to revolutionize your
home.
Thanks for joining us today.
(22:07):
As always, we are grateful forour listeners and your continued
support.
Please subscribe to our YouTubechannel.
Follow us on social media viaFacebook, instagram and TikTok.
Get more info at our website,wwwthethombuildingshowcom, and,
as always, remember who we arethe home building and remodeling
(22:31):
show.
The Homebuilding and Remodeling Show.
Let's go.
Welcome everybody to theHomebuilding and Remodeling Show
.
My name is Chris Kirby and I'llbe your host.
(00:21):
I am the owner of threeconstruction companies on the
Alabama Gulf Coast.
The show is about residentialconstruction.
We're going to cover topics ofhomebuilding and remodeling.
Are you thinking of doing aremodel or building a home?
Are you a contractor looking toimprove your knowledge base or
grow your business?
Have you ever done a remodelproject or built a home?
(00:42):
There were so many things youwish you knew or that you could
have done differently during theprocess.
Then this show is for you.
We break down the process ofbuilding and remodeling and how
to have the best results duringyour project.
Whether you are a DIYer lookingfor tips, someone looking to
hire a contractor to do aproject, or a contractor looking
(01:04):
to expand your knowledge baseor your business, welcome aboard
.
Glad to have you.
Stay tuned.
We kick off the show with mythoughts on homebuilding and
remodeling.
I'll share best practices andtalk about some of our
experiences in business and outin the field.
These shared thoughts andlessons learned are meant to
help you on your very ownjourney.
(01:26):
Let's go.
Number one client.
Number two suppliers andvendors.
Number three, sub-contractors,and we'll move on to number four
.
Number four is industrycontacts and professionals.
Networking is a big part ofbecoming or being a successful
(01:46):
bathroom remodeling contractor.
Yes, the first twosubcontractor and the vendor and
supplier those are alsoindustry contacts, but they're
ancillary contacts, such as ahome loan specialist, like a
mortgage banker.
If there's a new constructionproject and they're needing a
(02:10):
contractor to build them a home,they're needing a contractor to
remodel a bathroom.
Sometimes they're gonna takeout a home loan or a home line
of credit to do the biggerremodeling projects and you're
going to have to be and touchand know some of those home loan
specialists and tier designers.
They are your best friend whenit comes to being a contractor.
(02:31):
But specifically, interiordesigners, who are product
specialists in the kitchen andbath industry, are going to be a
huge benefit to you, becausethe last thing you want to do as
a remodeling contractor is makeselections and be liable for
those selections that you made.
So having an interior designeron the project or actually
(02:56):
talking the client into hiringyour friend or your contact who
is an interior designer is a bighelp for you, because the last
thing that you want to do is beliable for selections.
And then you install thisbeautiful bathroom and the
vision isn't quite what theclient wanted it to be.
(03:19):
And then sometimes they couldget angry at you.
Well, you told me this materialwas good, you selected this,
you made that paint color, youmade this XYZ choice, and
interior designer is going totake the time to talk them
through that Home.
Loan specialists, interiordesigners, real estate agents.
A lot of times when real estateagents are buying or selling or
(03:42):
helping their client, they mayneed stuff done.
And then when it's on a majorscale right, not the minor stuff
, home inspection type stuff butwhen it's on a major scale,
when they're doing a helping aclient flip a home or they're
helping a client sell up a verymuch outdated home, their
suggestion may be to remodel thebathroom.
(04:03):
Or on the flip side not on thesale side but on the buy side
the agent may say, hey, listen,let's get the home for a good
price and then you can remodelit to the way you want.
And a lot of times the masterbath or bathrooms in general are
a big part of the part of thehome that they want to make
their own and it is.
(04:25):
It is really key to have a goodreal estate agent that will
refer to you and ask you hey,come check this place out.
Let my client know how muchit'll cost to do the bathroom
the way they want, and sometimesthat helps an agent close a
deal.
We'll dig more into the industryrelationships you need to
maintain as far as industrycontacts.
(04:47):
We're gonna dive deeper on thenext episode into that one, but
just know it is a part of thefour key relationships you need
to maintain to be a good orgreat Bathroom remodeling
contractor.
Number one the clientrelationship is always number
one.
Number two suppliers andvendors.
Number three subcontractors.
(05:09):
Number four is industrycontacts.
Networking is key.
All right, until next time Iwill jump on the next list,
which is your 10 industrycontacts that you need to
maintain a healthy relationshipwith that are good for business
If you're a bathroom remodelingcontractor.
And now we move into shop talk.
(05:33):
It's the portion of the showwhere I bring in a co-host and
we cover trending topics in homebuilding and remodeling.
Hope you enjoy.
Let's go.
It's gonna get into the ventsand it's gonna blow dust, so you
have to make sure that you'reprepping and that you're
covering that stuff properly.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
Yeah, and especially if you're doing a larger job
with a lot of sheet rock and aremodel of like a full you know,
if you're gutting multiplerooms and doing a, you wanna
shut down the AC unit becauseyou don't wanna you don't wanna
just do a special you don'twanna be a fool.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
Well, not only that, but you know you can ruin
people's stuff.
So if you get enough dust andthose things and it's blowing
out everywhere, a, you're gonnabe paying to clean multiple
times Because that sheet rockI'm telling you, the sheet rock
dust never is just one clean anddone.
You know what I mean.
So containing that is a must.
(06:30):
I can't emphasize it enough.
But we go in there and we do,we you good.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Hold on, let's see how far this place is.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
Might have to go and we'll pick it up.
It ain't no big deal Going toRochester.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
Yeah, I got nine minutes.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
All right, we'll do five, All right, and then we'll
wrap it up, All right.
So you, you know, like I said,you've made sure that you've
done your drywall patching andprepping.
So that means moving yourfixtures, All right.
If there's light moves andeverything where the you know,
you're gonna cut out for newlights and patch the old holes.
You're getting all that stuffdone before you put your floors
(07:07):
down out of the main bathroom.
Okay, we do that part now.
Are you bringing in vanities atthis point, or what are you
doing?
Speaker 2 (07:16):
So after the flooring's done we usually bring
in the vanities.
We get them installed so we canrun the trim, because a lot of
times you want your vanity inplace before you're running your
trim.
Yeah, now if you get like afurniture style vanity that has
like feet and stuff on it andmany yeah.
I mean, but for the most partmost people use boxes, so we run
(07:38):
trim to the boxes, yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
So you've got that in , you've got that in place, and
but you may not have tocountertop or if it's a, if it's
a.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
Usually the furniture vanities are all one piece, but
If the vanity's set thecountertop, the storm company
can come.
Template.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
Yep, I mean they do a template, they get the material
, they cut it.
They're gonna come back in acouple of weeks put it in.
Okay, hopefully, yeah depends,hopefully you've planned right.
Optimally, you want to plan towhere you're able to get those
counters, I mean those cabinets,put in place to get that
template.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
So we usually have set out schedule day to day.
Where our guys have to have toCertain milestones?
Yeah, because you know thosepeople work on a schedule too,
so we have to.
Our schedules have to alignright.
We're not getting all up byanything, yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Well, and that's all sub.
For us it's sub work besidesour electrician.
Now you know that's in housebut we're dependent on the
plumber to come.
Usually for us it depends onthe size of the home.
But you know, demi only takesus a day Right, especially in
the bathroom.
We get everything out of therethe next day.
We want the plumber to come inIf the electrician's going to be
(08:53):
doing moves.
We want the rough end to startas soon as possible.
Okay.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
We can put it back together until the rough end's
done.
So we're usually we got theplumber on hook for either that.
Day after we start Day after,or a couple, most of the times.
We try that even.
You know what I mean, becausethe first thing we can do is
tear out the old showers andtubs and have this home in, have
it still, and they're workingas well.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
So once they put in the vanity countertops, go in.
Sometimes they have the sink,sometimes not.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
Right.
Then, after the top goes onwith the sink, plumber comes and
do, does his full, trim out.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
And that's when which consists of hooking up your
sinks and your faucets,installing faucets, hooking up
the sinks, the toilet Okay,they're going to do the trim out
in the shower, right, they'reputting in the trim kit, right
Of what else, with the plumber,and then the electricians gonna
come in too right, right aroundthe same, all kind of back to
(09:51):
back behind each other.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
I think the lights, and they're not fans of being in
on top of each other.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
I know, I know kind of work.
Yeah.
And then I mean so do you dothe paint before the fixtures
are in, or do you do it afterit's paint?
Speaker 2 (10:06):
All right, the end so if he's got everything roughed
in where it's gonna go, I'd liketo go ahead and paint and then
we do touch ups afterwards.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
Yeah that way, you know, I mean, it's these pain be
so really it's and it's notnecessarily always final paint,
because you're gonna have somesort of a punchless to do, but
You're gonna get all thefixtures set, the electricians
gonna put their fixtures in, andthen you're gonna, you're gonna
prom, you're gonna get a promcoat or a first coat on right,
(10:35):
alright, and once everything'sfinalized, do you final coat.
And then what do do?
Speaker 2 (10:42):
a punch list usually after Pain's done, we were
moving to like accessories, likemirror.
Speaker 1 (10:51):
Oh, you got your mirror.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
All the paper holders towel, rods, all that kind of
Fun stuff.
Okay and then after that weleave them.
You know pretty much punch listand have them go through.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
It's not too bad.
Yeah, if we get the order, youknow, if we do things in order,
you know, like we're supposed to, the phases are in order and
they fall out how they'resupposed to in a perfect world,
then we've punched it so hardalready.
Yeah, that's, they don't reallyneed to do my typical bathroom
(11:25):
remodel.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
The customer lives there, so every morning you have
a punch list.
Yeah, he's been there after youleft more or less the question
right.
Speaker 1 (11:34):
Some of them are just a swizz of duty.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
They want to know as long as you're Handling the
day-to-day stuff with a customerAt the end, you already know
what he was looking for.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
I'm sorry, yeah yeah, and then you know, and so
usually just so.
Speaker 2 (11:49):
Sign the punch list and and we're done.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
Okay, well, we'll pick up another conversation.
And where we're talking aboutthe number ending punch list,
we're talking about the YouTubewarriors, where the clients are.
You know they're every day.
Before they got this remodeldone, they went on YouTube and
they started watching videos.
So they're asking questionsabout product, they're asking
(12:13):
questions about process.
They're asking questions, justload.
You know most of the people.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
Go to estimates now.
They already know they bring itup that they watch a lot of DIY
Videos yes, they haven't.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
Well, now, while we try to put out, we put out our
own DIY and we try to educatethem, because it's not gonna go
smooth or it's not gonna goperfect and there's a profit,
there's different, probably allwanted to go.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
Yeah, we don't want it to.
Everybody wants to go smoothand it'd be perfect.
But yeah, I mean running theproblems Construction gym.
Yeah it's just working throughit and that's right, all right.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
Well, I'm gonna let you go, man.
I know you got an estimate todo and we'll highlight you next
time.
Now we're gonna move into theportion of the show where we
talk interior design.
We're gonna bring in aninterior designer and we're
gonna talk trending design andproducts.
Hope you enjoy.
Let's go With sustainablematerials as well.
Speaker 3 (13:18):
Correct.
I mean, we even found that outwith lighting, changing out your
lighting.
Speaker 1 (13:21):
Yes, yes.
Speaker 3 (13:22):
That has you involved too, the stein.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
Right, right, and this does affect your power bill
.
I mean moving forward that whenyou're on a fixed income and
you're aging in place, everylittle thing helps.
So something as simple assustainability and design helps
with that carbon footprint whichreduces your bills and people
(13:47):
don't again.
The West Coast has embraced itand it's moving this way, and I
actually am a certified greenbuilder, so I learned a lot
about it.
Now, have we built a green homeyet?
No, we haven't.
I mean, but right there you go,but it is coming, and it's not
just about the eco-friendly partof it, but these sustainable
(14:08):
materials are really directlyaffecting your bottom line.
Yes, at home.
Yes, with your budget 100%.
Awesome Okay.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
So sustainability, hand-formed, is becoming a
largely popular tilespecifically.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (14:24):
So the idea of being an artisan is getting back to
the market.
People no longer want what'smass produced, what everybody
has Green.
The Zellage tile has really hitthe market hard, and Zellage
traditionally comes out ofMorocco.
It's a clay.
Every piece is hand-formedReally Every piece.
So no two are gonna be alike inthe true edge.
(14:47):
Which is called like ongelatedor hand-formed Just means kind
of wavy, but also even thecoloring is never going to be
the exact.
Speaker 1 (14:54):
So then okay, in that case, for us you really need a
client who wants that andunderstands it right and braces
yeah, because which I love evensometimes when we're dealing
with the mosaics or the stone,they don't match perfectly, and
then that's what it's supposedto be, but it takes somebody who
understands that right.
Speaker 3 (15:15):
A designer to convey that to you.
It is one of those other thingswhere, if you go into a
showroom and you've got a 12 by24 inch sample sitting there
that has a really pretty lightgray bloom through it, you're
like, oh gosh, I love that tile.
Well, guess what?
That tile is actually a V5variance, meaning not every tile
looks the same.
Well, that really pretty lightbloom, there's a ton in there
(15:37):
that have a really dark, heavy,saturated gray and you're like
that's not what I expected.
Speaker 1 (15:41):
Yeah, and you know what that also is, that I've
noticed that with countertopstoo, where you can get your
veining is different, the colorvariation is different, things
like that, and so you can end upyou really gotta know and it's
your job.
Yeah, have a guy.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
Let me be your spiritual designer.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
I will be your designer.
There you go, I'll cue throughthis.
Speaker 2 (16:03):
I love that.
Speaker 3 (16:04):
It's about knowing, having somebody who's
knowledgeable in what they do,which I truly believe.
If you're gonna be givingpeople advice, you need to be
able to speak on that advice,not just speak.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (16:15):
Yeah, and not to deviate it with the object.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
But no, honestly, let's talk about cost.
For that, though, I wouldimagine it has to cost more than
traditional box top.
Okay, okay, and you know, Imean handcrafted right Is what
handcrafted anything, anythingShould cost more Should.
Okay.
Speaker 3 (16:37):
And, if you think about it, when people talk about
gifts made from the heart aremore than something bought off
of a shell.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
And the same thing when it comes to artisans out
there.
I would never wanna takesomebody's hard work, their
craft and say, well, hold on,they have something that looks
like that at Lowe's.
Speaker 1 (16:55):
Yeah, buy it in bulk.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
Well, lowe's had a machine that tried to replicate
what took me years to actuallylearn how to do and inspect.
So yeah, it does take somebodywho understands and really
embraces that idea of.
I know where this came from.
There was a guy and his son andhis wife all making this over
in Morocco.
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
You know I love the story behind that.
Yeah, okay, awesome, okay.
So handcrafted got it.
Speaker 3 (17:19):
Hand formed, handcrafted.
Where are we at next?
I have spa features, but then Ialso have spathrooms, so they
are kind of two different things.
Speaker 1 (17:31):
Okay, so a spa-like bathroom, spa features.
And what did you say?
Speaker 3 (17:38):
Spathrooms, so it's a spa-bathroom.
So, spa-like features,different from like a spathroom.
So spa-like features are wherepeople are going from that
regular shower head and nowthey're doing the rain head with
the really cool wands that comeoff.
And if you've looked at some ofDelta's new products, they have
some amazing wands out therethat are actually designed where
(18:00):
, at the very end of that wand,if you're used to looking at a
shower and there's nothing onthe top right.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
Well, now there's actually a nozzle that you can
spray down your shower withafterwards to remove all the
soap and all that kind of stuff.
Speaker 1 (18:12):
Yes, yes, yes.
Speaker 3 (18:13):
So it actually helps you clean your shower and
yourself.
Speaker 1 (18:15):
There you go, brilliant Awesome.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
So spa features, then spathrooms.
Speaker 1 (18:20):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
Spathrooms is where you get those people who are
like this is my sanctuary.
Speaker 1 (18:24):
True, yes, this is my place.
They're lighting the candleswith the bubble bath and
relaxing and doing the stuff.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
What did you say about 20 years?
Speaker 1 (18:32):
Oh so fun fact the average person in their lifetime
spends 1.5 years a year and ahalf in the bathroom.
I wanna know about an year anda half.
Speaker 3 (18:44):
I do wanna know, though, what that lifetime is
dependent on.
Are we?
Is this an 80 year old?
Yeah, 90 year old, true.
Speaker 1 (18:52):
I guess they're taking the average age, which is
like 78, I don't know.
Yes, a year and a half.
Can you just imagine a year anda half of your lifetime of
spitting your bath?
Speaker 3 (19:02):
If it's in a spathroom, yes.
Speaker 1 (19:04):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (19:05):
I got a picture.
So spathrooms deviating awayfrom just like shower heads.
You have your spa showers, yoursauna showers, your steam
showers.
I'm actually doing for one ofour clients.
It's over in Orange Beach.
His shower is also going to bea sauna.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
Yes, and we've done that.
We did it over in Mobile wherewe had.
It was huge, it was probably, Ithink it was a nine foot wide
shower, they had double heads,they had diverters, they had the
steam shower and in the centerthey had the rain head.
I mean a bench along the backwall, like it really was
something.
Speaker 3 (19:42):
That's where you're elevating to your spathroom, not
just spa features, but againthat's coming down to us
focusing more on our wellbeingand our health.
So soaking tubs actually can beconsidered a spathroom feature.
The saunas, the steam rooms,the shower heads, also smart
technology bathrooms.
(20:04):
That's getting really big aswell.
People don't want to have toreach into their shower, turn it
on or get the spa settings.
They actually are gettingpanels put into their walls.
Speaker 1 (20:12):
Yes, we've put in some panels In that same
bathroom.
Actually, we did put in a panel.
Speaker 3 (20:16):
Well, that way you can set it, get it ready, it
does its thing, and then you'rejust ready to go in and enjoy
your spathroom.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
Now, what about the vanity areas of these?
Is there different lighting?
Is there?
Speaker 3 (20:27):
Under cabinet lighting.
Speaker 1 (20:28):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (20:29):
That's normal for kitchens.
Nowadays it's called toe kicklighting.
Speaker 1 (20:32):
Yep.
Speaker 3 (20:33):
So a lot of cabinetry now for these spathrooms.
You're adding in that reallynice kind of soft ambient
lighting.
That way if you're soaking inthe tub you don't have these
harsh overhead light.
It's a soft, calming kind ofatmosphere, gotcha.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
Okay, so spathroom.
You heard it here first.
Maybe it's out there, I don'tknow.
I heard it here first fromCourtney.
Speaker 3 (20:53):
I'm not just thinking of words.
They promise.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
Yeah, absolutely All right, so we're gonna go one
through 10, all the way down.
Speaker 3 (21:01):
I did not have these in all.
Speaker 1 (21:04):
All right, let's go.
Speaker 3 (21:05):
Okay, warm and cool towns Got it.
We touched on that one Color.
Speaker 1 (21:10):
Got it.
Speaker 3 (21:11):
Mixed metals.
Speaker 1 (21:13):
Mixed metals got it.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
What do we do next?
Aging in place?
Speaker 1 (21:17):
Aging in place.
Aging in place yes.
Speaker 3 (21:19):
Sustainability.
Speaker 1 (21:20):
Sustainability.
Speaker 3 (21:22):
Large format.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
Large format.
Speaker 3 (21:24):
Hand formed.
Speaker 1 (21:25):
Hand formed.
Speaker 3 (21:26):
Where we at next Spa features.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
Spa features.
Speaker 3 (21:29):
Yes, and then spathrooms, Spathrooms.
We got them all.
Speaker 1 (21:33):
I was only not.
Speaker 3 (21:34):
Oh was.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
You led or did you do lighting, Lighting you didn't
say lighting.
Speaker 3 (21:40):
Don't forget.
Speaker 1 (21:40):
And lighting and lighting, All right perfect.
Speaker 3 (21:43):
That is, we can count .
Speaker 1 (21:45):
That's right, okay, so thank you, courtney, as
always, for coming and joiningus and talking about bathroom
remodels.
I'm sure throughout the monthwe're gonna do another session
and get some more ideas fordesign trends, things that are
trending and how to update yourbathroom to revolutionize your
home.
Thanks for joining us today.
(22:07):
As always, we are grateful forour listeners and your continued
support.
Please subscribe to our YouTubechannel.
Follow us on social media viaFacebook, instagram and TikTok.
Get more info at our website,wwwthethombuildingshowcom, and,
as always, remember who we arethe home building and remodeling
(22:31):
show.
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