A recent post on a popular contractor locating service website asked this question: “Why are contractors so bad at calling people back?” He posted that 70% of the contractors he had contacted failed to call him back. Time for an uncomfortable confession: Sashco fields this same question multiple times every week. We hear, “You gave me the names of these contractors, but none of them are calling me back. Why?” Having more calls than you know what to do with is a great “problem” to have. So, how can you ensure that you respond to every legit call? Maybe it’s time to consider the help of a call service to handle incoming calls and scheduling. We are talking about the pros and cons and how to know if hiring a call service is right for your business.
(more…)
What if you could see how your log home stain would perform before you ever applied it?
Now you can! Sashco put Transformation Log & Timber Stain to the test in side-by-side comparisons with a variety of competitive stains.
(more…)
Yes! You’ve chosen your stain, done all the prep, plus secondary prep, and you’ve blocked out that day on your calendar with just the right weather conditions for staining and getting the job done. Before you get started here’s a few tidbits and tips you should know.
(more…)
Not sure which stain to choose for your upcoming project? Here are four reasons why transformation stain is the best log home stain for siding and trim.
Reality Check
When applied incorrectly, a high quality stain will give you the same results as a low quality stain. At Sashco, we want to help you avoid that pitfall. Sashco’s Transformation Stain Siding & Trim is the quality product you’re looking for, bundled with the support and education necessary to do it right the first time. It’s what we call “A Better Way to Stain.” The result is beautiful siding and trim you can enjoy for years to come.
(more…)
Borates are one of the most affordable ways to protect your log home. You’re basically buying low-cost home insurance. That’s a no-brainer! These preservative products are designed to protect your wood from rot and wood-ingesting insects. Adding this affordable step at the beginning can save you headaches down the road, including the time and money it costs to replace damaged wood.
(more…)
You’re ready to restore a historic log home? It’s exciting but requires special knowledge. Therefore, before you dive into any historical preservation or log home restoration project, here’s what you need to know from a restoration expert.
The background
Recently, Mark Nelson of Nelson Restoration worked on a Grand Teton National Park project. Mark partnered with Sashco to provide key decision makers with the best information regarding log structures preservation. A report by Sashco contrasted traditional preservation methods such as mortar and linseed oil with modern products.
Both approaches were discussed in the report, which was compiled with Mark’s input. Modern products are often easier to use and cost less in the long run, even though traditional methods require more maintenance. Also discussed were the environmental impacts of each approach, noting that modern products are typically more sustainable.
The rest of the story…
The report concluded that using modern products to preserve log structures is a viable option. Above all, it gave stakeholders the information they needed to make an informed decision .
(more…)
Every month we feature a contractor, business, or success story. Learning from others in the biz is the best kind of learning. This month, discover why WoodTeks is one of the best in log home finishing.
Meet Jason Benge with WoodTeks, LLC out of Jonesville, NC. Summer busy-ness is in full swing, so we’re grateful for the time that Jason with WoodTeks, LLC spent with us, sharing more about his business in North Carolina.
(more…)
Are you wondering what the secret is to running a successful family business? Here’s everything you need to know!
It is challenging running a family business successfully. After 84 years in business, the Sashco family knows what it takes to succeed!
Here’s what Les Burch said when we asked him, “Les, if you could only give one piece of advice to someone running a family business, what would it be?”
What We’ve Done Well.
We have made mistakes over the years for sure, but we have done at least one thing right and it was intentional. You should never hire family members should solely because they are family. This is the one of the most common mistakes family businesses make. It’s a natural mistake because inherent in the concept of ‘family business’ is the fact that several family members work in the business, through many generations.
Nothing can hold a family business back more than a family member, especially in a key position, who is not suited well for their job. They cause discouragement among other employees and sometimes the loss of good ones.
The original Sashco family.
Give “The Speech.”
Before you ever hire your first family member, set clear ground rules. Here’s the speech — “Because you are family, we’d love to have you work here, but we aren’t pressuring you to do so. We will only hire you if you fit the job. Like anyone else, you must have the talent and skills needed to fulfill the position. You will go through our formal interview and decision process. If you get this job, you will know we would hire you even if you weren’t a family member. We won’t put you in a position just because you are family and rob you of knowing you are a respected contributor to our team.
You will receive our regular market wage and start at a scale commensurate with your experience and performance. And, you will be on the same bonus and incentive programs as our other company members. Because you may also be a part-owner of this company, we want you to understand that ownership and job duties are separate concepts with distinct reasons for income.
Owners get distributions, and employees get wages — don’t confuse them. If you are an owner and we declare a distribution, you will get that whether you are employed here or not. If you get a distribution and are also an employee, it won’t subtract anything from your regular wages or bonus.”
The crucial “Bs.”
Family businesses are often put in a bind because family members expect to get awarded positions and income just because they are family. Doing this hurts the enterprise and, ultimately, all the family members. With missed opportunities and when profits decline, the business suffers.
Be fair, be intentional, be a business at work and a family at home. This advice will help protect your business and your relationships.
Would you like to learn more about us? Check out What’s Up With Sashco?.
Prep Time
So now it’s time to prepare your wood for staining. Substrate preparation is the most critical step in achieving stain longevity. As Kurt Denman of Benjamin Moore® stated in the February 2007 edition of Coatings World magazine, “I cannot emphasize enough how critical proper preparation is to realize a successful staining project. It’s the ultimate determinant on how long the beauty of a job lasts.” Properly preparing the wood from the get-go will save you both time and money down the road.
(more…)
