Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 28

SKILL SET

The Efficiency Game

Using real production & estimating
strategies to meet goals

"YOU MAKE MONEY IN THE SALES; you protect it
TIM FALLER is senior
in production," according to Shawn McCadden, a consultant and master
of production for
nationally known remodeling speaker and business Remodelers Advantage
coach. This is particularly true in the kitchen and in Linthicum, Md.
bath business. In all remodeling projects, there are
essentially two phases: planning and selling and then
the actual construction.If the upfront plan is not complete,it makes the construction very inefficient. In kitchen and bath projects, the work done by sales/estimating becomes a bigger reason for field success than in large-scale remodeling.
There are three main reasons why efficiencies in kitchen and bath projects
are more critical than full-line remodeling. The first is that time delays in
small projects become more of an issue for the budget.The projects tend to be
budgeted fairly tightly, and waiting for a decision multiplies losses. Secondly,
there is a critical sequence. Since the space is small and yet all the same tasks
have to be done, it is unlikely that you can simply push a task off for a week
because a decision has not been made and still stay on schedule.

In general, tasks must be completed in a particular order. And thirdly, this
work occurs in a highly used room in the house,which requires that it be completed as quickly as possible.A client does not want to be part of a process that
prevents a home-cooked meal just because a light fixture was not selected.
WHAT'S THE SOLUTION?

In the sales process and production process, the key word is complete. As
each stage progresses, is it complete? Or have we simply pushed an action
to later, which will inevitably create inefficiency? On its own, the word
complete is not very clear. If your typical kitchen takes four to six weeks
to complete, then all the selections should be made before the job starts.
If it takes eight to 12, you may have a little wiggle room to select knobs
and paint colors while demo and framing is being done. But the key is
that the whole team - sales and production - agrees.
Let's start with sales. There are a few lists I believe help efficiency:
Existing Conditions Checklist. This list should be compiled to catch the existing conditions that will cost you down the road but are often missed.
Getting your production team to help make the list helps a great deal.
Is the floor level or humped? Is the tile shower a mud set or drywall set?
Selections Checklist. A great way to look at this is to ask, "What needs
to be selected so that when it is time to measure or install, no one has
to make a call?" We all know the drill, a selection is missing, it is time
to install, and the designer is busy with other work. The installer can
"find other things to do," but the work becomes very inefficient waiting for that call. This includes things like a countertop edge. Think of
the money lost when the template is being measured and the project
manager has to track down the edge detail. Another is tile direction.
Diagonal? Running bond? Or it could be something as simple as the
rough-in for the toilet. Any delays on these things creates inefficiencies.
Budget. This requires accurate estimating and pricing of selections.
SHIFTING TO PRODUCTION

Hopefully the cost of materials was caught in the estimating,and with a few
exceptions,we are not going to change the outcome in production. What we
can control are trade and labor costs.And as it turns out,these areas are where
we tend to incur the most loss. What does complete mean in production?
One of the strategies for controlling labor is a very detailed schedule.
I generally find that a day-by-day list of tasks works best for these
short-duration jobs. Using this list of tasks, the job manager can set
daily milestones.With the right attitude, these become "must get done,"
thereby improving efficiency. Include tasks that can be accomplished
while a tradesperson is on site to more efficiently manage time.
Another very important strategy is cross training of skills or to think
in our terms - completely trained. The more the onsite job manager
knows about the demoing or installing usually done by other tradespeople, the more helpful they are. If legally allowed, perhaps as they
demo electrical, they can cap and prep for the electrician. If a person
is a competent tile installer, perhaps they can do the backsplash while
waiting on another sub instead of waiting for a tile installer.
As we think completion, finishing tasks as you go is a must. Stopping
for the day and then resetting for a small amount of trim is very inefficient. Completing tasks may mean a nine-hour day every now and then,
which is particularly effective working in conjunction with checklists
to be sure everything is done. The scope can be used as a checklist, but
by definition it does not have to include every minute detail. Individual
checklists per phase help ensure each is complete before moving on.
Complete is the "it" word. Complete sales and production processes
are required for building efficiency into kitchen and bath projects. 

28
28_KBB_0220_SkillSet.indd 28

2/13/20 5:12 PM


https://www.eliaswoodwork.com/ https://www.eliaswoodwork.com/

Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020

Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020
Contents
Editor’s Note
Show Note
NKBA Note
Happenings
All Abroad
Trends
Better Business
Skill Set
Tech Savvy
Research Roundup
Product Sourcing
Hot Topic
KBIS in Review
Before & After
Dealer Dish
Solutions
Universal Design
What’s Hot
What’s Cool
Favorites
Last Word
Designer transforms her master bath into a relaxing escape
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - Intro
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - Cover2
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 1
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - Contents
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 3
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 4
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 5
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - Editor’s Note
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 7
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - Show Note
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 9
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - NKBA Note
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 11
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - Happenings
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 13
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 14
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 15
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 16
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 17
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - All Abroad
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 19
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - Trends
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 21
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 22
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 23
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 24
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 25
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - Better Business
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 27
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - Skill Set
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 29
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - Tech Savvy
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 31
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - Research Roundup
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 33
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - Product Sourcing
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 35
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 36
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 37
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - Hot Topic
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 39
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 40
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 41
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - KBIS in Review
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 43
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 44
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 45
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 46
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 47
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 48
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 49
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 50
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 51
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 52
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 53
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 54
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 55
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 56
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 57
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - Before & After
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 59
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - Dealer Dish
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 61
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - Solutions
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 63
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - Universal Design
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 65
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - What’s Hot
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 67
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - What’s Cool
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 69
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - Designer transforms her master bath into a relaxing escape
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 71
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 72
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 73
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 74
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 75
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 76
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 77
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - Favorites
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - 79
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - Last Word
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - Cover3
Kitchen & Bath Business - February/March 2020 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/janfeb_2024_KBISDirectory
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/janfeb_2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/novdec_2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/septoct_2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/julyaugust_2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/mayjune_2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/kitchen-bath-business-march-april-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202301v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202301
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202211
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202209
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202207
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202205
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202203
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202201
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202201_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202111
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202110
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202109
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202107
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202105
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/202102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/202102_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/202101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/202010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20200708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20200506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20200203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20191112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20190708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20190506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20190203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201811
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20180910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20180708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20180506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20180203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201711
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20170708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20170506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20170203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20161112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20160708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20160506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20160203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20151112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20150708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20150506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20150203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20141112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20140506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20131112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20130506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20130102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20121112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20120506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20120102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20110506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20110102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201006
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20100102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20091112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20090607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200811
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200808
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com