Builder?s business unaffected by economic downturn

Dave Detherage, owner of Build It Better Construction Company in Spring-field, grew up around construction sites. His father and grandfather both were in the construction business.

Detherage, now 27, remembers going to the sites to help them out starting when he was 13 or 14 years old. After a period of helping the family in this way, he went to work for other construction companies.

"I started my own business three years ago because my supervisors were doing things in a way I thought could be handled differently," he said.

Build It Better is comprised of Deth-erage, two full-time carpenters and Detherage's wife Dawn.

Dawn Detherage takes care of the company's books and helps with cleaning up at the sites, as needed, to get them ready for the client. Dave Detherage's job, he said, is to "make sure the guys have enough to do, get the subcontractors lined up, update the clients on what we're doing and check quality control."

Clientele

Most of Build It Better's clients are homeowners in the center of town near Southwest Missouri State University. The company, however, has worked on projects all over southwest Missouri, including Springfield, Crane, Republic, Willard and Lebanon, as well as in Tulsa, Okla.

This summer Detherage had five or six big projects to complete, he said. The work included kitchen, bathroom and office remodels, putting in a screened-in porch and building room additions.

Between the larger jobs, the company did smaller projects such as painting and installing new flooring.

"We do it all," Detherage said. "But woodwork is my specialty. That's one of my favorite things to do."

The majority of Build It Better's customers come from word-of-mouth, Detherage said. "I've tried advertising," he added, "but no one ever told me they saw my ad. The customers tell me someone referred them. Word-of-mouth has been the best form of advertising for me."

Detherage said he enjoys his work. "I like going from the beginning of the day, when there's nothing there, to seeing what's been built at the end of the day. I also like hearing what the customers have to say about our work. I've had a number of repeat customers."

Economy

Detherage said the downturn in the economy hasn't affected his business.

"If someone wants a project done, they'll have it done," he said. "It's the weather, not the economy, that affects my business. There are struggles in new business, especially in the winter. I'm facing my third winter. The first two were tough. People slow down the building process when it gets cold out. They want to hibernate."

Detherage said he wants to keep Build It Better about the same size it is now. "I'm into doing a real good job for each customer," he said. "I don't want more work than I can handle. I want to work steady. The company could stand a little growth. But it's easier to maintain the quality if the company doesn't get too big. I want my business to be small enough that I have a hand in whatever's going on."

Detherage stays current on trends in the construction business by taking related courses at Lowe's Home Improve-ment Warehouse and Meeks Building Centers.

Detherage runs Build It Better out of his Springfield home, and can be reached at 417-832-0443.