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Five Ways to Build Strong in a Tough Economy

Submitted by: Nicole Frasier on Sep 23, 2010 at 6:20 pm Tagged with: Home Builders Source: American Eagle Builders

Deep into the current recession, some companies are continuing to hold their own. How do they do it? Some industries, of course, have managed to avoid both the Wall Street roller coaster and the housing bust entirely. Some have even benefited because of the downturn.

When it comes to the custom home market, however, you would think a builder would feel the crunch from both ends. Most have, and many have folded.

So how has American Eagle Builders, a custom homebuilder based in Upstate South Carolina, continued to succeed? Ask President Bruce Pasquarella, and you're likely to get a curious smile. "To be honest, some of it is good luck," he says. "Some is divine intervention. But some is also working hard to build a good reputation."

If you"re interested in that third category, you'll have to probe for more details. American Eagle, after all, has five houses and a major addition underway. Others are booked throughout the rest of the year and into 2011, with several more waiting in design or estimation. Here's what has helped Pasquarella persist:

1. Don’t ever sacrifice on quality. "If you're offering a quality product or service, your integrity is on the line every time. Customers are looking for companies who won't compromise, no matter what."
2. Be willing to move with your customers. "I used to build spec houses almost exclusively. Now I'm building on five-acre tracts in Taylors and on the banks of Lake Hartwell in addition to homes in The Cliffs. Where my customers go, I go."
3. Streamline your processes. "There are always ways for a company to get more efficient—just don’t wait until the recession to start."
4. Make your services more flexible. "When times get tough, it may take some creativity to keep your standards high. If we weren't willing to adjust so creatively, we couldn't offer the same top quality and green building techniques at the price point our customers need."
5. Insist on excellent customer service—for every customer. "Everyone deserves to be treated well, especially when you're offering something as important as their next home. If anything, a recession is a time to give customers more time and more attention.”

For more information on American Eagle Builders, or to speak with Bruce Pasquarella, visit www.americaneaglebuilders.net or call 864.879.8081.