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The Great Success of EliteRemodeling Comes Down to

Its People and Its Culture.

The Great Success of EliteRemodeling Comes Down to

Its People and Its Culture.

DFW METROPLEX EDITION

John and DeDe Todd bought Elite Remodeling in November 2004 and have worked diligently along with the rest of the team to reposition Elite from a discount remodeler to a full service Value-Added Remodeler. In essence, over

the past seven years, they have built three businesses under one roof. One of the key differentiators that attracted John to Elite wasthe fact Elite had a showroom in a strip center on PrestonRoad in Frisco, all be it the interior looked more like a tileshowroom than that of a full service remodeler. At that time,most production builders and some custom builders had selection showrooms to make the product selection processeasier for their clients building new homes. However a showroom for clients wanting to truly remodel “anything within their existing home” including adding square footage,was a unique proposition. John and the team immediatelybegan retooling the showroom to reflect their constructioncapabilities across the entire home— from kitchens and bathrooms, to additions, fireplaces etc. The Elite Showroombecame a full service “Showroom” for the first time; it became a distinctive factor that set Elite apart from its competitors and raised the bar of professionalism for remodelers in the public's eye.

The Showroom allowed Elite's clients to view color schemes,wood species and finish options, lighting and plumbing hardware options, evaluate tile surfaces, compare cabinetryfeatures and functions, see and touch various wall textures,review glass options, flooring alternatives, experiment withfaux finishes and view paint options— all in one convenient,comfortable place. But, that's not all; it also became a place ofinspiration for a community of prospective clients—a placewhere they could see and touch the latest products or attend a

seminar to learn what's new in the industry …a place wherethey could begin to envision a dream and set a goal.

Next, Elite Remodeling's business model continued to growin response to the needs revealed by visitors to the Showroom.The sophisticated clientele needed more than just a firm capable of constructing their projects end-to-end. When re-doing their kitchens, they sought the advice of a professional kitchen designer. Many clients came to Elitewith projects of a larger scope that required walls to be movedand or opened up for easier access. Thus, Elite added DesignServices and invested in technology that allows each client'srequirements to be translated into 3D renderings of their project. Now, the company was ready to bring “Design” intothe value proposition by having an in-house “Showroom &Design Center.” Elite Remodeling became a full-fledgedDesign Remodel firm with The Showroom & Design Center providing the technology, the tools and the skills toallow clients to visualize the look they've imagined beforemaking their remodeling decisions.

Finally, this year, Elite Remodeling added another dimensionto its business by becoming a dealer for Custom WoodProducts (CWP), makers of fine custom cabinetry. KelliParker and Todd Yount both were with CWP in prior lives.Now, both are part of the Elite team, and Elite brought CWPwith them. CWP's paint, glaze and stain samples along with

Elite Remodeling—Three Businesses in OneElite Remodeling—Three Businesses in One

SAVVY REMODELER—ELITE REMODELING

By Beverly Smirnis

GREATER DFW METROPLEX BUILDING SAVVY MAGAZINE

many of their wood species and door styles are now on displayin the Showroom & Design Center. Not only will Elite's owncustomers enjoy the great variety of items to look at andchoose from, but as the CWP dealer for the area, theShowroom & Design Center has already begun to serve the cabinetry needs of clients sent by other builders andremodelers. Kelli and Todd continue to design and handlethe project management and installation of cabinetry for many of the same builders and remodelers they have worked with for years.

Beyond the diversity of its business, Elite is distinguished bythe fact that it has more “certified” professionals on staff thanany other remodeler in the Greater DFW area. The Eliteteam holds distinctions from the National Association ofHome Builders (NAHB) including Certified GraduateRemodeler (CGR), Certified Aging in Place (CAPS) andCertified Green Professional (CGP) designations. From theNational Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI),designations include Certified Remodeler (CR) and CertifiedKitchen & Bath Remodeler (CKBR). Elite is also active inthe National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), earningthe designations of Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) and aCertified Bathroom Designer (CBD). Many of its team holdthe Certified Renovator designation now required by law fromthe EPA, and Elite is registered as a Certified LeadRestoration Company. The Elite team also holds many posi-tions of leadership in the various professional associations itbelongs to locally, at the Texas state level and nationally. Members of the Elite team comprise of a broad set of skillsand talents. They are:

John Todd, CGR, CAPS, CGP. As General Manager ofElite, he is responsible for the finance, legal and marketingareas of the company. He is currently on the Board of theGreater Dallas Home Builders Association, serves as theHBA's Education Committee Co-Chairman, and is pastChairman of the HBA's Remodeler Council. He also isthe Chair of the NKBA's National Advisory Council forBuilders & Remodelers.

Celina Medlin, Business Manager, is responsible for jobcosting and all finance and accounting related activities.Additionally, she is the master of Elite's job estimating tool and provides oversight and guidance to company on its use and capabilities.

The Design Team includes Kelli Parker, Vice President,Sales and Lead Designer, with CKD, CBD and CAPSdesignations; Kelli also currently serves as President of theDallas Chapter of the NKBA. She previously served asPresident of the St Louis Missouri NKBA Chapter.Jennifer Johnson is another valuable member of theSales and Design team with industry experience includinga previous assignment at Elite; she has also worked with the Great Indoors and The Kitchen Source.

Steve Adcock, Vice President, Construction, CR, CKBR,CGP. Steve brings more than 25 years of constructionexperience to the table. He manages all aspects of Elite'sconstruction projects including the Warranty Program(Elite guarantees all workmanship for three years and alsoparticipates in the third-party StrucSure 10 year warrantyprogram for remodelers.)

Todd Yount, Senior Project Manager, responsible for themanagement of customer projects to ensure they are builtin a high quality fashion and delivered on time and onbudget. He has many years of experience in the customcabinetry and remodeling industry. Todd is active in thelocal NARI Chapter's membership committee.

With its unique business model, outstanding staff, and ravereviews from clients, it's no surprise that Elite's award case is full. The Dallas HBA has three times named EliteRemodeling is its Remodeler of the Year and presented thecompany with many “Best Renovation” awards in its variousproject competition,s ranging from kitchens, to bathrooms, to additions, to aging-in-place categories. “Best of Frisco” awards have been bestowed on Elite consecutively for thepast four years. In 2011, Elite was inducted into RemodelingMagazine's Big50 Class of 2011. The company's businessaccomplishments have also been noted by national industrypublications including Kitchen & Bath Design News, Remodeling,Professional Remodeler and Qualified Remodeler magazines.

“The great success of Elite Remodeling comes down to ourpeople and our culture,” says John Todd. “First, we need toexceed the expectations of our customers who entrust Elitewith their homes, and second, attract and retain a staff comprised of the most talented people in the industry whoshare Elite's commitment to excellence, education and overwhelming customer service. “

GREATER DFW METROPLEX BUILDING SAVVY MAGAZINE

Showroom & Design Center / Professional Remodeling

The Elite Team and clients celebrated Elite Remodeling being named “2011 Remodeler of the Year” at the Greater Dallas Builders Association's recent ARC Awards ceremony.

2930 Preston Road, Suite 980 Frisco, Texas 75034 972-334-9800Open: Monday - Saturday, 9am - 5pm Sundays: 12pm - 4pm

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