My husband and I enjoy playing a game where we assign values of “buy,” “sell,” or “hold” to businesses, people, and concepts. The marijuana industry? Buy. Katie Holmes? Hold. Scientology? Sell.
Thinking about that idea from the perspective of remodeling, I would say, “Women in the industry? Buy!”
The share of women working in the trades has remained depressingly stagnant over the past decade, yet something else has changed, something that can’t be as easily measured.
It’s a consciousness.
“In the last three years, the number of phone calls I receive, particularly from the residential sector, has exponentially increased,” says Amy James Neel.
Neel is with Oregon Tradeswomen, an organization that helps women get into the trades. “[And] ... contractors are [now] specifically seeking women,” she adds. “[They] love the detailed, thorough work tradeswomen offer.” (Neel’s comments appear in our cover story, on the what's being done about the labor shortage.)
And this positive mindset isn’t limited to women out in the field. There has always been a solid number of female design and marketing professionals, but we’re now seeing more and more cohesion and knowledge-sharing between them. This includes Women in NARI gatherings, coverage in the trade press, and events targeting women in residential construction.
To that end, Professional Remodeler and Professional Builder will be hosting the second annual Women in Residential Construction conference, in Scottsdale, Ariz., from Sept. 28-30. Last year’s event was amazing, and I’m confident that this one will be, too.
Today, women may make up a small percentage of the construction industry, but I challenge anyone to find a more enthusiastic, committed, and engaged group. Maybe it’s because every one of them has succeeded in a male-dominated industry, or maybe it’s because our event is the only one specifically designed for the residential sector. Whatever the reason, the conference generates palpable energy and excitement.
Personally, I’d like to see more women launching remodeling companies of their own, and events like this help make that happen. To register, go to proremodeler.com and look for the Events tab.
It’s going to be a great time!
Related Stories
Peppermill Finish
NAHB Announces Action Plan for Housing Affordability
Six of the proposed 10 action items are important to residential remodelers
Re-Bath Expands its Reach with New Franchise
The company signs a deal with brothers who are first-time franchisees
NARI Renames Awards Program
The awards program has a new name, but continues its tradition of recognizing the best in residential remodeling
Registration Open for Women in Residential+Commercial Construction Conference 2024
Join 300+ women in construction for three days of impactful idea-sharing and networking in Phoenix
Power Home Remodeling Expands Financing Offshoot with $400M from Goldman Sachs
Industry-leading home improvement company Power plans to grow its fintech offshoot fivefold with new investment
Great Day Improvements Acquires LeafGuard and Englert
Leading home improvement company Great Day Improvements purchases two major brands from private equity firm Audax
Metros with the Highest and Lowest Remodel ROI
First-time homebuyers can find fixer-upper listings priced between 5 to 10% lower than move-in ready homes. The high return on investment of these projects shows that remodeling remains a strong option to navigate the current housing market
Latest Private Equity Activity Signals Continued Strength in Home Improvement
A hot month for private equity means the industry remains opportunity-rich
Pro Remodeler Wins Two Prestigious Jesse H. Neal Awards
The editorial team was honored with one of B2B journalism's most prestigious awards in the categories of Best Subject-Related Package and Best Range of Work by a Single Author