Business Excellence, West: Virtuoso Builders

Virtuoso Builders

San Antonio

President: Mike Sowry

Owned by Mike and Molly Sowry, Virtuoso Builders creates beautiful, comfortable homes for its clients. 

The Sowrys developed a strong system that has shortened the pre-construction process, Molly says. The concept uses a simple worksheet that allows the Virtuoso team to detail every aspect of the project. By noting specific plumbing fixtures, countertop designs, lighting, and tile, Mike and Molly create a detailed plan that’s punctuated with copious in-person interview notes. The worksheet provides a comprehensive picture of budget, time frame, and client preferences.

“We can then contact the suppliers with a complete picture of the project ... It literally eliminates half of the showroom samples,” Molly says. Every issue is worked out ahead of time, whether it’s budget, design priorities, draw schedule, or materials selection.

Takeaways for Other Remodelers

Many remodelers assume that the hiring process only works one way. However, Virtuoso Builders believes in evaluating the client to ensure they will be a good fit. 

Also, the idea of improving listening skills as a course of good customer service may not be new or novel, but Virtuoso Builders has many examples of jobs won simply because the competing firm did a poor job of listening. 

Finally, the Sowrys recommend finding a designer who can work quickly and efficiently. Designers are artists who sometimes have trouble putting down the paintbrush, but Mike and Molly insist that an efficient designer is one of the most important ingredients in the time/money mix.

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