From the March 19, 2000 Southern Arizona Home Builder magazine.

When Greg Miedema, owner of Dakota Builders, won Remodeler of the Year in 1998, he told us that his goal was to sell the remodeling services of Dakota Builders, for that is what he feels he does best and is most comfortable doing. Then, once thoroughly established, he wanted to spend the lion's share of time supervising, expediting and coordinating those services.

 This year we visited his offices, first, to congratulate him for being awarded Remodeler of the Year for 1999, and then to see how far along he is realizing his game plan. We were more than ready for the positive answer we got, because Greg is a go-better and works very hard, despite his determination never, ever to appear anything other than hail-fellow-well-met-mellow.

And strangely, for all the years we have known him, we've never been to his office, as one always "meets up" with Greg -- on the run, or at designated midway points between his meetings. It was amazing then, to see him actually sitting in an office, and at a desk no less, talking on the phone like any other grown-up. 

“Yep" he smiles, "the business is growing; never been better. And, although I haven't lost the building knack, I am spending most of my time with clients, interpreting their desires and selling the services of Dakota Builders. I think it's fun to watch a job evolve and now I'm doing that while supervising my supervisors.

"Years ago, I realized that there is only so much any one person can do. If you want a volume business, you must have others join you. Rather than remain small, I prefer to grow and enlarge our reach. Now, I have a team of which I'm not only proud, but whom I trust and on whom I rely for each aspect of the entire business. I also believe that in large part it's due to them that so much of our business is generated by referrals and word of mouth. That result is always satisfying to an owner. 

"When times are tough, everyone's a remodeler, but when times are good, as they are in Tucson now, there is a more defined aspect to our niche and a big call for remodeling per se. We meet the people who like where they live, whose children are happy in their schools, whose property and neighborhood suits them, and who don't want, under any circumstances, to move. But...and this is the good part...they want to upgrade, they want more space, they want, they want, they want.

“First, they learn that for me to look over and analyze their project is something for which they're going to pay a reasonable fee, as my time and imagination are just as important a commodity to me as any lawyer's, any doctor's or any other professional. Secondly, if their project requires a permit, they're going to hash the whole thing out with a good architect as well as a good remodelor, because a drawn plan is the way to get the job done well and in good time.

“You'd  be amazed," Miedema continues, "at the number of people who hand a remodelor a rough sketch  on the back of a paper napkin or a brown bag, and then want you to proceed to pull down the wall that they've neglected to note is weight bearing.

"And then, as I've said before to anyone who'll listen," Greg laughs, "there's the while-you're-at-it-crowd, who'll quietly murmur in the middle of the project, '...while you're at it, you might as well put in another window there and tear down that wall...' No I won't work that way anymore, nor will my colleagues in remodeling. There are enough hidden surprises to cope with without advantage being taken of the remodelor. We stick to the architect's plan or go back to the drawing boards, recording all subsequent 'inspirations.'

Miedema's credo is always to continue his education, and in so doing attends many seminars and does annual course work. One educational activity of note is a Remodelors Roundtable, sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and is essentially a peer review group. Each year, remodelors from around the country meet to exchange not only information, but they even trade financial statements. Also, Miedema is the only Certified Graduate Remodelor (CGR) in Tucson and one of only three in the state of Arizona.

Another aspect of the Dakota Builder's program is to offer remodeling expertise to the community at large. To answer that call, Greg is Board Chairman of Christmas in April, works tirelessly on any number of projects for the City, Salvation Army, and other outreach groups, truly too numerous to mention.

One of SAHBA's newest Board Members, Greg also chairs the SAHBA Remodelors Council, and would like to extend an invitation to any members to sit in on meetings --the first Tuesday of every month-- with an idea of joining, if you are of a mind. The Remodelors Council welcomes everyone.

Congratulations to someone with a social conscience who also understands what loyal membership to our association means --
Greg Miedema.