Custom Trim Work
Window Replacement
Siding Installation
Roof Replacement
Countertop Installation
Kitchen Remodel
Commercial Upfit
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Henry and Ellen
Charlotte, NC
September 24, 2006
I think it was a Saturday in June when the doorbell rang. Intending to be polite yet dismiss this interruption to my busy day, I opened the door and listened as this unassuming guy introduced himself as Clint Walker and told me about his company, Remodel Auction. But something about Clint, maybe his humble approach, moved me to continue listening.
My house was in desperate need of a paint job, again, and more. I was dreading this task. Every paint job of the trim over 16 years had peeled within two years. Because of this, many of the window brick mold and sills had rotted as did the fascia in several places. I had already started replacing window brick mold and sills but it was slow going.
This time, the original Masonite siding needed painting as well as every nail carefully hammered back in. The front door was never that great. It was one of those fiberglass doors that warped in the sun, breaking the weather seal. And the back door had rusted out at the bottom.
Clint came back in a week to present the product in more detail and a quote for his proposed job to my wife and I. He worked hard to address all the issues that needed attention. He could have pushed for a full no more painting needed job but he did not. Clint did not push us anywhere we did not want to go
The proposal included removal of the old Masonite siding and installation of Craneboard D7 siding, a product that has a full material and labor transferable warranty for the life of the house. The product is considerably higher quality than the vinyl siding that was on my last house, which was damaged in some 60 mph winds. Craneboard quality was just what I needed to spend the extra money installing vinyl siding. The job also included painting the remaining trim.
Clint handled all the pesky details with a job like this. He took full responsibility for obtaining Homeowner Association architectural review approval, following up on punch lists, solving little problems along the way, and getting the required electrical inspections after the job was done.
Clint was also my advocate in dealing with some work during the project that was not up to par. He met with his partner, the siding installation subcontractor, and me. The next night, I was floored at how many of the issues were addressed beautifully and quickly. His choice of subcontractors had a lot to do with this as well. The siding sub had the same goal for quality workmanship that Clint expected. The same can be said about his painting crew. No painting flaw was too small to fix.
Near the end of this project, I was reminded of the humility I saw in Clint on that first Saturday visit. Of all the things a CEO of a company might be expected to do, this was certainly unique. I wished I had taken a picture. Clint was walking around my home with a yard vac doing cleanup work. This sets a great example to the people he hires. As his company grows, he may not be able to do this. I'm glad I got the chance to see a company that believes in servant leadership.
In this letter of appreciation, I've written in first person directed to others as a testimonial about Remodel Auction. Every reference to Clint is a reference to Remodel Auction. I am a hard person to please 100%, partly because I can do this type of work, albeit at a vastly slower pace. I can honestly say that I am completely satisfied with the work Remodel Auction performed on this siding project.
God Bless Clint and Remodel Auction,
Henry |