Designations Are More Than Just Acronyms - 4/12/2004 - Real Estate Education Training Schools Conferences

Designations Are More Than Just Acronyms

Unfortunately, many contractors come up with excuses for not getting involved in designation programs. The most prominent are, “The courses are too expensive,” “I don’t have the time,” “I am doing ok now the way we operate” and “I have enough work and don’t need a designation to get more work or to separate myself from the competition.” Do any of these sound familiar? Have you said them once or twice yourself?

Most contractors won’t think twice about investing $1,000 to $50,000 on tools, trucks and various pieces of equipment, yet they refuse to invest anything on education for themselves or their employees. Maybe they’re confusing general education with job-specific professional development that directly affects their businesses.

Education Can Help Build Business Skills

The downfall of most contractors is not that they don’t know the technical information about building or remodeling; it is that they often lack the business skills to run their companies. NAHB

The Certified Graduate Remodelor™ (CGR) and Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) programs have evaluation systems that will determine your business skills prior to you taking any courses. All your business skills will be evaluated — sales and marketing, business administration, design, estimating and job cost, contracts, liability and risk management, and project management. Then courses that will help you strengthen any weak areas in your business will be recommended.

All NAHB courses include current information and are taught by qualified construction professionals. And they’re worth it. If you learn one thing that can save you $50 per job, how long would it take to pay for the program? In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to network with other contractors and share information and new ideas about various business aspects.

So, the next time you want to invest in a new tool or new truck to make the job easier or faster, remind yourself that you could probably save more money by investing in education that relates to the business side of your company. Remember, “Education doesn’t cost, it pays!”

Robert Bell, CGR, CAPS, of Bell’s Remodeling in Duluth, MN, recently received the Remodelors™ Council Distinguished Service Award for lifetime achievement. He received his CGR in 1990 and CAPS in 2003. He has served on education committees at the local, state and national level and helped create NAHB continuing education curriculum. E-mail Bell for more information.