Design Build Central

Bill and Bruce tackle one of the most challenging moments in any remodeling project: the handoff from sales to production. We explore why this "joint" between departments is often where things break down and how you can reinforce it with a rock-solid internal handoff process. From the necessity of a team "huddle" and iron-clad pre-construction checklists to the power of using technology to maintai...

In this episode of  Design Build  Central, Bruce Case and Bill Millholland break down the "win-win" formula for remodeling compensation—a balance that rewards top performers while driving company health. We dive into why we believe the most effective systems are built on gross profit dollars, ensuring that incentives are transparent, easy to understand, and require minimal administrative heavy lif...

In this episode of  Design Build Central , hosts Bill Millholland and Bruce Case share a high-level perspective on one of the most significant milestones for a residential remodeling firm: geographic expansion. Drawing from decades of leadership at Case Design /Remodeling, Bill and Bruce provide a candid assessment of what it truly takes to successfully manage multiple locations. They move beyond...

How has Case  Design /Remodeling managed to stay at the top of the game since 1961? It's not just about the hammers and nails; it's about a "Built to Last" mindset that's been part of our DNA for over 60 years.    In this episode, we're breaking down the top 10 foundational strategies that have kept us thriving through every market shift and  design  trend imaginable. From the power of staying hum...

In this episode of the Design-Build Central, we explore the evolving landscape of client sentiment, unpacking the unique psychological challenges facing the remodeling industry in 2026. We explore why it has become increasingly difficult to capture the focus of distracted homeowners and how to break through the noise to build genuine connection. Central to our conversation is the universal desire...

In this episode of Design Build Central, hosts Bruce Case and Bill Millholland sit down with Dave Exton, the primary estimator for the design-build side of Case. Dave walks through his background, his estimating philosophy, and the systems and processes that support accurate, scalable estimating in a growing remodeling company.

This episode is a candid conversation for leaders and teams who know that change isn't optional—but managing it well is hard. Drawing on real-world experience, Bill and Bruce dig into why even strong, veteran teams can resist change, especially when it challenges long-held habits and assumptions.  The focus isn't on buzzwords or theory; it's on what actually happens inside organizations when expec...

Design Build Central returns with a forward-looking conversation every remodeling professional should hear as we head into 2026.   In this episode, hosts Bruce Case and Bill Milholland of Case Design take a clear-eyed look at what's changing—and what truly matters most—going into the year ahead. From shifting consumer expectations and evolving team dynamics to the accelerating role of technology a...

This year feels different.  The economy is uncertain, consumer and employee demands are shifting, AI and technology as a whole are front and center.  We can't just repeat last year's plan - we need to adapt.   Join Bill and  Bruce in this episode as they share their planning thoughts and process for 2026.   This includes understanding the environment, strategic planning, marketing & lead generatio...

In our last couple of episodes, we have explored the seismic shifts shaping today's remodeling clients and businesses: trust in institutions is at historic lows, media channels are more fragmented than ever, and the rise of AI is pushing expectations for speed, customization, and communication to unprecedented heights.    This episode of Design Build Central dives into how design tools, technology...

In our last episode, we explored the seismic shifts shaping today's remodeling clients: trust in institutions is at historic lows, media channels are more fragmented than ever, and the rise of AI is pushing expectations for speed, customization, and communication to unprecedented heights.   Homeowners aren't just changing what they want from a remodel — they're changing why they want it, and how t...

In this episode of Design Build Central, we introduce a vital new series on Remodeling in a Changing World.   Today's clients aren't just changing what they want in their homes—they're changing why they want it. We explore the deeper forces reshaping consumer behavior, from the erosion of institutional trust and the decentralization of media to the rise of AI, economic and political uncertainty, a...

In this episode of Design Build Central we dive into the rapidly evolving world of  artificial intelligence  and its impact on the remodeling industry.   We break down what AI actually is—and isn't—cutting through the hype to highlight what's useful today, what's still more fantasy than fact, and how remodeling businesses can start putting it to work right now.   We also explore the risks, limitat...

From changing expectations around value and trust to heightened sensitivity around timing and cost, today's clients are weighing decisions differently. Bruce and Bill dig into the external factors influencing those choices—interest rates, consumer confidence, tariffs—and how they're reshaping the buying journey. They also look at what makes a remodeling experience feel safe and worth it in today's...

In this episode of Design Build Central, hosts Bruce Case and Bill Milholland dive into the critical importance of conducting a mid-year business review. They emphasize the value of stepping back to evaluate financial performance—not just overall numbers, but also how results stack up against your original budget. The conversation explores the vital role of cash flow management in sustaining opera...

In this episode of Design Build Central, your hosts Bruce and Bill dive into two hot topics reshaping the remodeling industry: tariffs and trends. Our guest is Allie Mann, Case Design's longtime Manager of Materials and Vendor Relations, who brings over two decades of experience and insight to the conversation. We break down what today's shifting tariff landscape means for remodelers and clients a...

In this episode of Design Build Central, hosts Bruce Case and Bill Milholland continue their series on uncertainty in the remodeling industry, focusing this time on the critical importance of mitigating risk. As more clients defer home remodeling projects due to economic or personal hesitation, it's never been more important for design-build firms to take a proactive approach to managing both gene...

In this episode of Design Build Central Bill, Bruce and their guest Maddie Millholland dive into the most effective strategies for remodeling businesses to generate business through collaboration with their teams and clients.  We'll explore how we use social media and email marketing to reach new clients as well as how to nurture relationships with past and existing clients.    Learn how education...

In this episode, Bruce and Bill dive into the topic of  Navigating Uncertainty  in the remodeling industry. While the long-term outlook remains strong, economic uncertainty in the short term is creating challenges for some remodelers, particularly when clients feeling uncertain choose to slow down or defer their projects. Bruce and Bill share strategies for addressing this, including breaking annu...

In this episode, Bruce and Bill tackle a trend making waves in the remodeling industry: homeowners hitting the pause button on renovation projects. They explore the reasons behind this slowdown, from economic uncertainty and busy schedules to expectations of lower interest rates in the future and other big-picture trends. The conversation doesn't stop at the "why"—they also share actionable ideas...

In this episode, Bruce and Bill explore the cyclical nature of the remodeling business and how shifts in consumer confidence, real estate values, and other macroeconomic trends impact the industry. Drawing on decades of experience since 1961, they highlight how fluctuations in average job size play a significant role in these cycles. The discussion dives into the ripple effects of changing job siz...

In Episode #12, Bruce and Bill are joined by Sr. Vice President, Rick Matus for a conversation on hiring new salespeople. It's a wide ranging discussion and touches on many areas to consider if you're thinking about growing your team.   First: Hiring and Recruiting - Where do you find new Project Developers? - What attributes or traits do you look for?  - How important is "fit" in deciding to hire...

In this listener Q&A episode, Bruce and Bill tackle crucial questions for remodeling businesses at various stages: Starting a new remodeling business: They highlight creating opportunities, gaining industry knowledge, starting small, and understanding financials. Growing a 5-year-old business: Hiring priorities (sales, production, or design), emphasizing process documentation and financial prepare...

In this episode, we break down five critical elements that are essential for building a robust business plan for the coming year.  First, we'll discuss the importance of taking inventory—assessing your business performance, the state of the economy, competitor positioning, and even a personal reflection on your leadership. Next, we'll dive into defining strategic initiatives for the year, understa...

In Episode 9 we discuss a listener question related to employee retention (shout out to Steve Nash at Upscale Remodeling!). We think retention is closely tied to culture so we brought in an expert- Allison DeLand. Allison is the VP of Administration at Case and has worn many hats for the organization during her 20 years with the business. The conversation is wide ranging and addresses what we do i...