Construction business is at home show
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Business was brisk as show visitors were eager to upgrade their home ‘ or have a new one built.
Trent Gribble of West & Gribble Builders said he hammered out agreements with five customers to build them new homes. Jim Sanders of Sanders Construction sold four new homes during the three-day show.
‘The people in this area who are building quality houses are staying covered up,’ said Sanders. ‘We’ve been staying busy.’
Home Builders Association executive officer Randy Garrison said it doesn’t take much calculating to see how those nine new home sales will benefit the local economy.
‘If you figure an average of $100,000 for each of those new homes, you have $900,000,’ said Garrison. ‘And some of those homes will likely cost over $100,000.’
Anthony Malone, who specializes in remodeling and additions, said he was surprised at the level of interest in home improvement projects.
‘From everything I’ve heard about the housing industry, I didn’t know what to expect,’ said Malone. ‘But the show was great. We believe we’re lined up with work for six to eight months. It’s work we’re glad to have and we’re glad to see the interest is there.’
Malone said construction is a major factor which drives the economy. He said the state home builders association has provided information that indicates for every new home built, it employs 230 people during some phase of construction.
You didn’t have to be in the market for a new home to attend the show. Vendors dealing with just about every aspect of home improvement were available to provide information about their products and services.
That included vendors with windows, countertops, cabinets, gutters, carpet, flooring, doors, fireplaces, appliances, and even lawnmowers.
‘The best thing I can tell you about the show was that everything was positive,’ said Garrison. ‘Everybody was getting business and doing business. I think one thing that really helped was moving the show to January. That gives you something right at the first of the year to get things going.’
Steve Hilton, president of PolyRock, was one of the vendors in attendance. He recently moved his 10-year-old company from Arizona to McMinnville and established a storefront on Old Shelbyville Road last year.
‘We’re just now introducing our product to Middle Tennessee and this show was a great way to do it,’ said Hilton. ‘From a business relations standpoint, we made business connections from outside the state and we’re in the process of scheduling work from estimates we gave at the show.’
Sears co-owner Teresa Barrett said some people came to the show looking to upgrade their appliances.
‘We’re still selling TVs as a result of the home show,’ Barrett said Tuesday. ‘People are getting ready for the Super Bowl. We’ve had a good January here at the store and we hope it carries over.’
The show, held every other year, featured 45 vendors and 59 booths.