alair homes

The relationship between a builder and their client is the most important part of a build or renovation project. Cultivating trust and practicing positive communication are invaluable skills in a builder’s arsenal, and are the two most important factors in creating a successful builder-client relationship. Today, we interview Cheryl Hickey and Justin Thompson, a client and a builder, on their relationship and the incredible collaboration they shared. Completing a whole house renovation while supporting the Hospital for Sick Children (Sickkids), this partnership created a unique opportunity to support their local community.  For anyone who wants to use their skills or their business to give back to others - this is the episode for you.

Show highlights include:

• 3:00 Housing collaboration turns to community collaboration

• 9:35 Knowing it’s time to renovate and stay in the neighborhood

• 11:35 The confidence to share a build publicly

• 16:08 What was surprising about your renovation?

• 18:41 Appreciating the trades

• 19:50 How to be a good neighbor during a reno

• 22:20 Sharing a true renovation journey on social media

• 26:00 A successful builder/client relationship

• 30:20 The Sickkids initiative

• 36:50 What kind of feedback have you been getting?

• 40:40 What’s coming up next? 

• 44:20  How to get in touch 

You can watch Cheryl’s home renovation collaboration with Alair here.

Social media:

Cheryl

Tiktok- https://www.tiktok.com/@cherylhickey?lang=en

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cherylhickey/?hl=en

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CherylHickeyETCanada/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/cherylhickeyetc?lang=en

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxDXsbH3Ib8754f8izXUckjKllQzyYg27

Justin

Linkedin: ttps://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-thompson-1671a031?originalSubdomain=ca

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alairhomes.ontario/

Or hit us up through our Contact Page at https://buildernuggets.com and we’ll make a personal introduction.  

To get the most out of this podcast, head over to https://buildernuggets.com and join our active community of like-minded builders and remodelers.

If you are looking to attract the top talent, systematize your processes across the board, and expand your business, chances are you’re here to find out. Custom home building and remodeling can be very personal, and maybe you’ve never considered the idea that you should be building a business that could be sold - but our guest today is here to explain why this is exactly what you should be doing. Rob Cecil, President of Alair Homes, joins us today to shed some light on why joining your business with Alair Homes through their franchise model can provide the formula for scaling a profitable business that helps you work less.

Show highlights include:

• 2:58 I was in love with the startup game

• 4:20 As business owners and entrepreneurs we complicate stuff

• 5:57 The F-word “Franchise” - Really?

• 8:40 Franchising allows you to own 100% of your business

• 12:58 Consolidation allows for acceleration of innovation

• 17:08 The first question I am going to ask you if I am interested in buying your business is - Tell me what happens when you’re no longer here

• 22:28 You should strive to have an investment grade business

• 26:44 Just because you are in control doesn’t mean you are controlling your destiny

• 32:52 Those that win the talent race over the next 10 years are going to be the ones that succeed

• 35:10 The contributions from all team members to the group is what sets Alair apart from anything else

• 41:04 Think about what you could do if you had access to a mastermind like this

• 47:40 A business should always be treated as a vehicle to achieve what you want out of life

You can learn more about Rob at http://www.linkedin/in/rcecil.

Social media:

LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin/in/rcecil

Or hit us up through our Contact Page at https://buildernuggets.com and we’ll make a personal introduction.  

To get the most out of this podcast, head over to https://buildernuggets.com and join our active community of like-minded builders and remodelers.

Duane entered the construction industry over 30 years ago working on oceanfront estates in The Hamptons on Long Island, New York. After honing his skills and being involved in all aspects of high end custom construction, he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 1996 and started a general contracting business with Roger Ketchum and the two achieved success right away, winning industry awards and earning rave reviews from clients. That relationship continues today.

For over three decades, Duane has been dedicated to elevating professionalism in the construction industry. He believes the key ingredients to success are continual learning, strategic planning, collaboration with like minded peers, and the elimination of egos.

Listen in as Duane gives the secrets behind Alair’s success in the homebuilding and renovation industry, and explains the ins-and-outs of the company’s unique franchise model.

Topics Discussed:

• [03:25] Working with Alair Homes
• [13:43] Running a better contracting business
• [19:52] Learning from Blair McDaniel, founder of Alair Homes
• [21:50] Overcoming preconceived notions about the Alair’s franchise model
• [24:41] The right way to demonstrate transparency as a business
• [26:29] Staying consistent across all of Alair’s locations
• [34:52] What’s next for Alair
• [39:44] The value of working in the trades
• [45:17] Duane’s biggest fear for the next ten years
• [50:26] Providing more education on the business side of the building industry
• [53:32] Lessons learned from working with ultra-wealthy clients
• [55:08] What Duane is most proud of

Connect with Duane Johns:

• Website Podcast - https://www.buildernuggets.com/
• Website Alair Homes Charlotte - http://www.alairhomes.com/charlotte/
• Website Alair Homes - https://www.alairhomes.com
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/buildernuggets/
• Instagram Alair Homes Charlotte - https://www.instagram.com/alairhomescharlotte/
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/buildernuggets
• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/duanejohns/

Connect with Build Magazine:

• Website - https://rebrand.ly/bmweb
• Instagram - https://rebrand.ly/bmigweb
• Facebook - https://rebrand.ly/bmfbweb

Key Quotes by Duane Johns:

• It’s very easy, as a builder or remodeler, to think that way. In other words, you really start thinking, “I’m a craftsman,” or, “I’m a builder,” when at the end of the day, we’re businesspeople.
• It doesn’t matter the size of the business or the type of business—the problems are the same.
• People are very passionate in this industry. I love this industry. It’s a very rewarding industry. But it’s a very fragmented industry. There are a lot of people throwing stuff against the wall trying to figure things out. They might be passionate about the building side or the relationship side; but, when it comes to the behind-the-scenes side, [...] I haven’t found a builder yet that likes that stuff.