Guildmaster Award Winner 2007 Guildmaster With Distinction
2008 Guildmaster With Distinction
2009 Guildmaster
2010 Guildmaster With Highest Distinction
2011 Guildmaster With Distinction

GuildQuality Partner Affiliations daily5Remodel

Affiliations GuildQuality
National Association of the Remodeling Industry
NAHB Certified Graduate Remodeler

Guildmaster Q&A

Company History

Jim Strite, President of Strite design + remodel, started the firm as a one-man company in Boise in 1975. A third-generation carpenter and contractor, Jim graduated from the University of California with a Masters degree in Economics and teaching credentials. After teaching junior college for two years and serving in the military as a pilot, he decided to return to his love of construction, specializing in the field of remodeling.

Today, the firm is incorporated, maintains a fully computerized office, utilizes documented operating systems, and employs a workforce of 15, including an intern architect, interior designer, a Production Coordinator, project managers, craftspeople, a business manager, receptionist-marketing director and sales people. Jim is a nationally sought-after speaker and consultant to the remodeling field. He facilitates roundtables and is a consultant for Remodeler's Advantage. Additionally, many on the staff have degrees as well as national certifications and designations.

Scope of Work

We focus entirely on residential remodels. Typically our scope of work ranges from whole house remodels to kitchen/bath remodels and additions. We are a full service firm that takes our clients from initial design through completion of their project.

Typical Workload

Our typical work load is 6 - 10 active projects in various stages at any time. With three highly trained and experienced Project Managers, we feel that at this level they can stay focused on our Mission, which is to provide excellent service, on schedule, within budget, through honesty and a team approach.

Team Makeup

Our team consists of a total of 15 individuals: 7 in the field (1 - Production Coordinator, 3 - Project Managers, 3 - Craftsmen), and 8 in the office (5 - design / sales, 3 -administrative/management personnel). Included in this group is an Architect Intern and a Interior Designer, both with degrees in their respective fields.

Client Profile

They are professionals: business owners, executives, engineers, lawyers, teachers / professors, and doctors. They are typically dual income couples with children that are grown and/or out of the house.

Approach to Working With Clients

We are a service oriented firm so our first step is to seek to understand the client, to find out what their wants and needs are to make sure that we are a good fit for them. From there we will proceed with the design agreement or if we are not a good fit offer assistance in finding someone who is.

Ongoing Staff Training and Development

We provide education opportunities with the study of "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" and "The 8th Habit - From Effectiveness to Greatness," both by Dr. Steven Covey; the "Persogenic" personality typing program; as well as business and financial training and other professional training that individuals feel will enhance their effectiveness. By studying these we are able to maintain our company culture and fulfill our mission.

Motivating Employees

We motivate our team through education and asking them to participate in the decision making process. Strite design + remodel recognizes the value of an individual and strives to help that individual become all that they can be, not only at work but in all facets of their lives. Concerning financial incentives, SDR provides nationally competitive wages and benefits, including Health/Dental insurance and a 401k retirement plan. SDR also offers an incentive program that rewards all players with pre-budgeted bonuses for reaching our desired gross margin goal.

Why are you a remodeler

We are in the Remodeling industry simply because we love to serve people and help them see their dreams become reality. There is nothing more fulfilling in life then helping someone realize their dreams.

What should clients bring to the table?

Clients should be, and usually are, very open when they come to the table. In order for us to provide the best service that we can, we need to know what they want from the start. Some clients come in with a general idea of what they want and others come in with a very detailed idea. From this point we like the client to stay focused on the end result and follow through with their assignments of color selections, appliances, etc.

How do you market your company?

Our primary marketing tool is word of mouth from past and current clients. In addition we provide neighborhood mailings, site signs, and advertising with the local arts / charities that we help sponsor.

What are the biggest challenges facing companies like yours in the building industry?

Overcoming the "new construction" mindset in the remodeling industry; also, creating a professional standard in the remodeling industry.

What are some challenges facing your business right now?

Providing a professional service in a typically unprofessional market place. Communicating the value of a professional Remodeling Company.

What's next for your company

The first thing that comes to mind is the follow through of the succession plan, making sure that everything is in place for the "new era" of Strite design + remodel. Also, we will continue to grow and fine tune our systems so that we will be the remodeler of choice, setting the standard in our community and the pattern for the industry