A business built on reputation

When Tim Lawrence started his home repair and improvement business, he was just 19.

He was young and had limited experience, but early on he had onething going for him that set him apart.

"By nature, I just like to keep the job site clean and picked upjust because it's more efficient," said Lawrence, who launched BlueRidge Home Improvement in 1979.

"But the customer kept commenting on how clean the job site was,so it kind of clicked that this was important to these people."

He cleaned up at the next project and found it was equallyimportant to the next customer as well.

Lawrence said it has remained a trademark ever since, largelybecause remodeling a home is different from home construction interms of interaction with the customer.

Because a remodeling project typically involves having the crewin your home for days or even weeks, it is critically importantthey be conscious of their tracks and how they affect the customer.

"There's a lot of customer interaction with remodeling," Lawrencesaid. "So we try to be more customer-service oriented. New homesare somewhat more product oriented."

Today, the outfit is a far cry from Lawrence's original two-mancrew.

Lawrence owns and operates the company with his wife, Joyce, andthey maintain five lead carpenters who run work crews and adesigner, Chuck Hammack.

They have also graduated to much larger projects.

Blue Ridge Home Improvement does everything from small bathroomand kitchen upgrades to whole house renovations.

Lawrence and his crew have also done a number of special projectsincluding refitting homes to be more accessible for people withphysical limitations or for people who are aging.

David Roth and his wife, Barbara, both 82 years old, moved toBlacksburg two years ago to be closer to family.

They needed a porch for their home initially, but soon asked BlueRidge Home Improvement to make improvements to increase theirmobility.

"We finally decided on stair lifts," said Roth, "and those workedout very well."

"They really have a cadre of very talented people, and it seemslike they can do anything," Roth added.

Patty Marickovich of Blacksburg agreed.

She had Blue Ridge Home Improvement remodel a 30-year-oldbathroom and add an addition to her home.

"The final results of both projects exceeded our expectations,and we have really enjoyed using our new rooms," Marickovich said."Their expertise and workmanship are impeccable."

She also said one of the crew noticed that the snow on her roofwas melting quickly, which meant the attic was not properlyinsulated.

"I thought that was very helpful," she said.

Lawrence said that building a good reputation is as important asthe actual work because many jobs still come down to word of mouth.

Tim Lawrence suggests ...

Lawrence recommends that people take time to research remodelersto be confident and comfortable with the people entering the home.

The Internet can be a good place to start to see whichcontractors are members of the local home builders association andif they are part of national organizations such as the NationalAssociation of the Remodeling Industry.

But you should also personally interview any remodeler to makesure the outfit is fully licensed and insured.

And don't be hesitant to ask for certifications. A goodcontractor should have no problem producing these documents andwill not be offended when you ask.

Lawrence also recommended that you talk about price last, becausea low price might cloud your better judgment.

"If somebody operates in a professional manner and follows safetyregulations, follows the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] leadpaint rule and those kind of things like they are supposed to, theywill have costs similar to us," Lawrence said.

"When somebody comes in and prices a job under by 20 percent orsomething like that, there's normally something wrong with that."

He noted that it could be anything from a person who is just notdoing an accurate estimate to someone who is cutting corners, usingpoor materials or just not being honest.

Lawrence said that ultimately you should be completelycomfortable with the company before you begin, "because basically,it's like having us move in with you for a week or more."

Blue Ridge Home Improvement can be found on the Web at www.blueridgehi.com.