Home Remodeler Toolbox

Bob Vance
  • 0.0 (0)
  • BUSINESS

Welcome to Home Remodeler Toolbox, where your tools to success are revealed! 🚀 Diving deep into the heart of the remodeling world, we bring you exclusive interviews with top leaders from the remodeling industry. Stay tuned as these experts reveal the perfect recipe to triumph. Home Remodeler Toolbox offers valuable insights and advice on professional development, industry standards, networking, and much more. Our content is designed to help you stay informed about the latest trends, connect with industry professionals, and access the resources you need to advance and grow your business.

  1. EP22: AI in Remodeling: Friend or Fad? with Bob Vance

    2D AGO

    EP22: AI in Remodeling: Friend or Fad? with Bob Vance

    In this episode of Home Remodeler Toolbox, host Bob Vance dives into the big question remodelers are asking right now: Is AI a friend or just another passing fad? He breaks down what artificial intelligence actually is, how it’s already shaping marketing, and why it should be viewed as a powerful assistant, not a replacement for your craftsmanship or experience. Bob shares practical ways remodelers can begin using AI to brainstorm content, improve SEO insights, streamline communication, and repurpose marketing assets, all while keeping their brand voice and human touch intact. The takeaway? AI may be a powerful tool, but the craftsmanship, leadership, and trust you bring to the table are what truly drive long-term success.

    23 min
  2. EP21: Setting a Global Standard for Designers through the Certified Remodeling Designer (CRD) Program with Erin Dougherty

    12/22/2025

    EP21: Setting a Global Standard for Designers through the Certified Remodeling Designer (CRD) Program with Erin Dougherty

    In this episode of Home Remodeler Toolbox, host Bob Vance sits down with Erin Dougherty, co-owner of Distinctive Design+Build+Remodel in Charlotte, North Carolina, to explore her transition from a decade-long career in TV news production to leadership in the remodeling industry. Erin shares how early exposure to historic home restoration shaped her passion, how she navigated a career shift after time as a stay-at-home mom, and how she and her husband built a full-service business rooted in professionalism, trust, and strong client relationships. The conversation also highlights the importance of industry standards and certifications through NARI, with Erin explaining why rigorous credentials matter for both contractors and homeowners. She offers insights on managing remodeling projects with care, comparing them to surgery on a lived-in home, setting clear expectations around cost and timing, integrating design and construction from the start, and leveraging peer networks to elevate the industry. The episode closes with Erin’s optimistic outlook for the future and her encouragement for the next generation to consider the skilled trades as a rewarding and impactful career path.

    48 min
  3. EP20: Solving the Construction Labor Shortage with Skilled Trades Training and Talent Placement with Heather Luhn

    12/15/2025

    EP20: Solving the Construction Labor Shortage with Skilled Trades Training and Talent Placement with Heather Luhn

    In this episode of Home Remodeler Toolbox, host Bob Vance talks with Heather Luhn, Associate Vice President at the Home Builders Institute (HBI), about one of the construction industry’s biggest challenges: workforce development. Heather breaks down how HBI, the nonprofit workforce training arm of the NAHB, prepares individuals for careers in the trades through programs like Job Corps, military transition training, free HBI Academies in major metros, school curriculum licensing, and hands-on training inside correctional facilities to support second chances. Heather also shares powerful leadership insights on building trust with employees, developing teams around their strengths, and why business owners must invest more intentionally in their people. The conversation wraps with a moving story of an HBI graduate who returned years later as a journeyman electrician to inspire others to choose a different path, reminding builders why workforce investment, leadership, and opportunity matter now more than ever. This episode is a must-listen for remodelers, builders, and business owners who care about leadership, workforce solutions, and building a stronger future for the trades.

    46 min
  4. EP19: Stop Working for Free with The Builders Guide to Paid Planning and Transparency with David Michelson

    12/03/2025

    EP19: Stop Working for Free with The Builders Guide to Paid Planning and Transparency with David Michelson

    In this episode of The Home Remodeler Toolbox Podcast, I sit down with David Michelson of Alair Homes Decatur, and his story is one every remodeler should hear. David shares how his family’s building legacy (dating back to 1896!) shaped his path, and why he ultimately transformed Renewal Design Build into an Alair franchise. His biggest insight? Most builders never get a real exit strategy… and partnering with Alair gave them a way to scale, systemize, and actually monetize decades of hard work. We break down the core of Alair’s model: a transparent, two-agreement system that starts with a paid Project Planning Agreement. David explains why remodelers need to stop working for free, and how this upfront paid phase protects both the client and the builder by locking in budget, design, and selections before construction ever begins. He also digs into what truly holds a company together: culture. Systems matter, but if team culture falls apart, the business follows. Alair keeps culture strong through collaboration, shared values, and community impact through Alair Cares. We wrap with a look toward the future, including workforce development challenges and how AI will soon reshape scope writing and lead generation. If you’re a remodeler, builder, or just love smart business strategy, this episode is packed with insights worth your time.

    49 min
  5. EP18: Surviving the Industry Through Continuous Learning, Adaptation, and Embracing Evolution with Monica Lewis

    10/29/2025

    EP18: Surviving the Industry Through Continuous Learning, Adaptation, and Embracing Evolution with Monica Lewis

    In this episode of The Home Remodeler Toolbox Podcast, host Bob welcomes Monica Lewis, President and Partner at J.S. Brown and Company, to discuss her 23-year journey from interior design graduate to executive leadership. Monica shares how her early experience in lighting, plumbing, and cabinetry showrooms built a strong foundation that led her into design sales, management, and ultimately her role as President in 2024. She explains that leadership uses the same creative muscles as design—identifying pain points, developing strategies, and managing execution. A key lesson she’s learned is adapting communication and expectations, recognizing that everyone approaches problems differently. She emphasizes humility, listening, and evaluating whether a process—not a person—is at fault. Her top advice for remodelers: start documenting SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and company structure early, reminding listeners that “you’re never too small” to prepare for growth and continuity. Monica also discusses company culture, calling for the end of the traditional divide between the “office side” (sales/design) and the “field side” (production). She encourages focusing on communication and solutions over blame, stressing that mutual respect is essential because “it takes both of us to bring this ship into port.” Addressing industry challenges, Monica points to the shortage of over 500,000 skilled workers and the loss of generational knowledge. As a leader in NARI’s Women in Remodeling initiative, she promotes continued education and embracing new technology. Monica also shares how J.S. Brown uses AI tools like BuilderTrend for client updates and Canvas for digital scanning, warning that ignoring AI is like refusing to learn CAD—“those who embrace it will lead the future.”

    58 min
  6. Ep17: 35 Years in Design, Media, and Mastering the Business of Remodeling with Eric Goranson

    10/15/2025

    Ep17: 35 Years in Design, Media, and Mastering the Business of Remodeling with Eric Goranson

    In this episode of The Home Remodeler Toolbox Podcast, host Bob sits down with Eric Goranson, Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD), long-time consultant, and home improvement media personality, to unpack the strategies and lessons learned over his 35-year career spanning design, media, and business. With over 35 years in the kitchen and bath industry, Eric offers a rare perspective on the realities of high-end design, effective management, and the pitfalls of scaling too quickly. He shares why he learned that "bigger is not always better" after managing a large design firm, and how he implemented "hard rules" requiring contract double checks (like customer signatures on physical door samples) to prevent costly $20,000 errors. Eric also emphasizes the necessity of saying "no" to difficult clients and the impact of being a "substantial partner" to your cabinetry vendors by limiting choices to four or fewer. Bob and Eric also dive into the challenges of managing a large sales team (likening the experience to "herding cats"), the dangers of relying on inaccurate building science information found on platforms like YouTube, and powerful, low-cost relationship marketing strategies. Eric details two key referral drivers: sending letters to job site neighbors and scheduling a crucial 350-day follow-up appointment before a warranty runs out. They also discuss his transition from local radio to national TV and how AI can be used for greater efficiency in managing tedious tasks and writing diplomatic communications. Whether you’re looking to solidify your internal systems, strengthen your client relationships, or navigate the future of digital marketing and building science, this episode offers remodelers vital lessons for maximizing profitability and success.

    1h 4m
  7. EP 16: What Remodelers Can Learn from Zintex’s Marketing & Leadership with Eric Peschke

    09/25/2025

    EP 16: What Remodelers Can Learn from Zintex’s Marketing & Leadership with Eric Peschke

    In this episode of The Home Remodeler Toolbox Podcast, host Bob Vance sits down with Eric Peschke, Vice President of Marketing at Zintex Remodeling Group, to unpack the strategies that helped Zintex scale into 32 markets across 10 states. With over 14 years of experience on both the manufacturer and retail sides of home improvement, Eric offers a rare perspective on vendor relationships, lead generation, and building a leadership pipeline from within. He shares why Zintex focuses on manageable wet-area remodels, how the company built a culture of accountability, and why marketing and sales work best when they operate as true partners. Bob and Eric also dive into the four pillars every remodeling business needs to scale, the importance of CRMs and call centers, and why promoting from within strengthens culture and credibility. Along the way, Eric opens up about his own leadership lessons, from learning to balance mentorship with accountability to embracing the principles of Extreme Ownership. Whether you’re looking to grow past $1M, strengthen your vendor partnerships, or build long-term systems for success, this episode offers remodelers a blueprint for scaling with both integrity and impact.

    1h 1m
  8. EP15: Why Recruiting is the Missing Piece in Your Growth Strategy with Jody Underhill

    09/04/2025

    EP15: Why Recruiting is the Missing Piece in Your Growth Strategy with Jody Underhill

    Finding and keeping great people is one of the toughest challenges remodelers face—and it’s often the difference between growth and stagnation. In this episode of The Home Remodeler Toolbox Podcast, Bob Vance sits down with Jody Underhill, founder of Talent on Tap, to unpack why recruiting today is less about job postings and more about marketing your company to the right candidates. With a marketing background and a track record of helping companies make over 5,000 hires across the U.S. and Canada, Jody shares how his “revenue workforce platform” shifts the way remodelers should think about hiring: every new team member is a potential revenue generator. Jody and Bob dive into practical strategies for attracting and retaining top talent, from building a strong employer brand to creative recruiting campaigns in smaller markets. They discuss why hiring for culture fit matters just as much as skills, how tools like DISC assessments and video interviews can streamline the process, and why positioning pay and benefits clearly is key to standing out. Whether you’re struggling to fill positions or want to improve retention, this episode offers remodelers actionable insights to turn recruiting into a growth engine for their business.

    56 min
See All (23)

About

Welcome to Home Remodeler Toolbox, where your tools to success are revealed! 🚀 Diving deep into the heart of the remodeling world, we bring you exclusive interviews with top leaders from the remodeling industry. Stay tuned as these experts reveal the perfect recipe to triumph. Home Remodeler Toolbox offers valuable insights and advice on professional development, industry standards, networking, and much more. Our content is designed to help you stay informed about the latest trends, connect with industry professionals, and access the resources you need to advance and grow your business.

Information

  • Creator
    Bob Vance
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Bob Vance
  • Show Website
    Home Remodeler Toolbox