Remodeler optimistic spike in business will continue – Times Union

Gregg Bich, president and founder of Quality PM in Delmar, has built a strong business since he started the company in 2003. But 2020 has been the year of extremes for the contractor. Bichwas forced to shut down for 10 weeks because of the pandemic, but once his crew went back to work, business has been busier than ever before.

"It was very tough when (the pandemic) first hit. During the shutdown we were only allowed one worker on a job site. It was too dangerous, so we didnt get a lot done for eight to 10 weeks," Bich said. "But once that ended, the phone started ringing to a point it has been record calls. Families started noticing things about their homes they didn't like.

Bichdoes property management, remodeling and new construction. Last year, he was named best builder at the Best in Building Awards, hosted by the Capital Region Builders & Remodelers Association. The company was also honored for best overall remodel and best bathroom in the over $40,000 category.

When Bich's team of six went back to work this summer, he realized a long-standing practice - sealing the work zone with plastic, setting up air purifiers and sealing air vents so dust doesn't travel to other parts of the house - had added value during the pandemic. A protocol Biche says he always used for the comfort of his clients now adds a layer of protection to prevent the spread of illness.

Bich says Quality PM does a lot of kitchens, bathrooms and expansion projects. Since the pandemic started, customers have been looking work to their basements and additions for a home office because parents are working from home and kids are doing school work at home.

Work has also picked up in second homes, Bichsaid.

"There are new clients coming into the market," he said. "And people who want to winterize camps they only used in the summer before, and now want to be there year-round."

The demand is coming from the Lake George area, Bich said. He also owns rental properties in the area, all of which were booked by the end of March.

Despite the welcome uptick in work, Bich said it hasn't all been easy because of supply chain issues.

"During the shutdown, we made lists for all the jobs we had going, and the materials we knew we were going to need, we bought and stored. It didn't get as bad as I thought it would, but we were prepared," he said.

Now, months later, lumber is much more expensive and anything that needs to be fabricated - siding, windows, doors, counters - in many cases is going to take longer. Biche advises "meticulous planning before the work begins. If a project involves installing a window or door, his carpenters don't cut the hole until the new piece is in hand.

Bichis optimistic about the future because people are placing more value in their homes.

"Our homes are our comfort zones, why not make it a place you want to be? Do the kitchen remodel, put a deck in, put a pool in - make those yearly vacations less of a priority."

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Remodeler optimistic spike in business will continue - Times Union