Hammerschmidt Construction, Inc. was selected by REMODELING magazine as a winner of the 2007 Big50 Award in the Business Savvy category. The Big50 awards were presented at a gala dinner at the Remodeling Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. on May 18, 2007. Winning companies were featured in the May issue of REMODELING magazine.

Each year, Remodeling magazine inducts 50 companies who have set the standard for professionalism and integrity through smart marketing, exemplary business practices, unique design, and extraordinary impact in their community or the industry at large. Big50 remodelers run successful, often growing, companies of various sizes that have taken the lead in raising industry standards.

“We are very honored to receive this distinction,” says John Hammerschmidt, CEO of Hammerschmidt Construction, Inc. “The award recognizes excellence and leadership, and we are privileged to be named to this select group of remodeling professionals.”

Over the past twelve years we put our company and the industry-standard remodeling process under a microscope. What we discovered is that the design—bid—build process of remodeling was inherently flawed and did not provide the best outcome for the homeowner” stated Lynn Hammerschmidt, President of the firm.

Because most plans are created before a contractor is selected, accurate cost information is not known until bids are solicited. It is not unusual for bids to far exceed the homeowners’ budget. Rather than being rewarded for providing accurate cost information before the plans are completed, contractors end up being rewarded for making their bids look good after the fact, hoping to make up any shortfall in change orders. We revised our system to reduce the “surprise” factor for the homeowner and in so doing eliminated it for ourselves.” We work hand-in-hand from inception to completion to assist our customers in creating a buildable design with our own design team or with local architects, that meets both their aesthetic and investment requirements.”

Remodeling editors, columnists, industry leaders, and the companies themselves make the nominations each year. Following a lengthy evaluation process — which includes interviewing people at the nominated companies, and often interviewing their competitors, suppliers, and subcontractors — Remodeling’s editors select the 50 remodelers who exemplify the very best of the industry that year, and who have something to offer other remodelers in proven practices. Winners are selected in these categories: business savvy, fine design, industry impact, market wise, movers & shakers, niches, sales & marketing, and teamwork.

Remodeling magazine, published by Hanley Wood, LLC, is the leading publication in the home improvement industry. Designed to address the specific concerns of residential remodeling pros, the magazine is both a business tool and an industry leader for a market that is projected to top $300 billion in 2008.

View the article in the magazine.

Hammerschmidt Construction, Inc. won a Silver Meta Award from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) in the category "Interior Remodel over $100,000" See the results that won the award in our Projects files under Additions, Bedroom and Bath Remodel, Los Altos

Hammerschmidt Construction, Inc. and MJM Interior Design received a 2009 META Platinum Award for Interior Remodeling. Three bathrooms were remodeled in an historic, turn-of-the-century Atherton estate transforming them with a modern sense of spaciousness and convenience while maintaining the classic elegance of the home. Entries are judged on seven criteria- 1) meeting the clients' expressed needs, 2) enhancing the structure functionally, 3) enhancing the structure aesthetically, 4) innovative use of materials and/or methods of construction, 5) the difficulty of obstacles overcome 6) craftsmanship, and 7) entry presentation. A Platinum award is the highest level of award conferred on a project. For more information and to view photographs of the project, click on the Projects tab and then Historic Atherton Residence Remodel.

Hammerschmidt Construction was recognized in Remodeling magazine’s “Big 550” list of the largest U.S. remodeling companies and Qualified Remodeler magazine’s “Top 500” list published in the August and September respectively. According to Qualified Remodeler, firms listed in the Top 500 are doing their part to drive remodeling forward by bucking all of the negative housing news and moving ahead even in places where the local economy is shrinking. Their success is attributed to staying focused on their respective businesses and investing in marketing and advertising to attract more leads. And, so far, it appears to be paying off. Industry leading companies were remarkably consistent in their views. None were as pessimistic about current economic conditions as the prevailing news might make one believe, and they were all optimistic about an impending uptick in business.

Hammerschmidt Construction is proud to be recognized on both lists, and believe our ability to thrive in this economy is due to a consistent business model that some of our brethren have adopted. We do small jobs too. While a number of our while we have adapted to changing market conditions by lowering overhead and making system and process improvements, we have not changed our business model. We have always believed that the most important aspect of any job is the relationship between us and the homeowner and “small” jobs were just as important to our success as whole house remodels and additions.