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I am at the point where I am rethinking the company name. a few of you had mentioned things about it in other threads and when I looked into having a few shirts made up (for sales calls) the embroiderer said that it was too long as I have it laid out now and that it would be impossible to have it legible over a breast pocket.
as it is now it is:
S.J.MERRETTE
CUSTOM CARPENTRY, HOME IMPROVEMENTS & REPAIRS
Another thing is that I don’t really have a specialty. I do just about everything except roofs and landscaping.
I’ve stayed away from the term construction because to me that denotes someone who does much bigger things than I am ready for. such as whole additions and such. I am not afraid to take on large projects but am afraid that I will be then overlooked for the smaller projects and the repairs which I enjoy doing as well. also I do electrical but most people aren’t aware of that with out first contacting me about something else.
I don’t want to be another one of these guys that advertise “we do it all” yet I basically can. I’m still trying to find my niche (if I even have one) but at the same time really enjoy doing many different things.
I’m just looking for suggestions and thoughts from those of you who may wish to share your input. I’m also asking friends and family to try and get input from the non trade side because they sometimes interpret things differently than we do.
Thanks for any input.
Replies
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Remodeling Co.
Remodeler
Renovations
Construction Services
Do you have a slogan? If so try listing that under your name. It should be simple and to the point. Alot of thimes if you have alot of words they wont "fit" onto things you have made. Example: colthing or business cards. We have had to shorten or change things due to a long name. You dont want to have a small word on a text line all by itself. Like Inc. or Co. for instance. It looks dumb. Also check with your local printer about what they can and cant do. Type styles (fonts), colors, ect.
* S.J.MERRETTE CUSTOM CARPENTRY 551-464-1314I don't think that "HOME IMPROVEMENTS & REPAIRS" adds any information. Home improvements and repairs are what a custom carpentry business would be expected to do. I kind of like the oval shape of this one, easy to read at a glance, tells who you are, what you do, and how to get ahold of you. Would be better if enclosed in an oval ring. I agree a slogan could be added, but wouldn't have to be either.
*"I've stayed away from the term construction because to me that denotes someone who does much bigger things than I am ready for."Why?I use "Construction Solutions" and you know most of my jobs are small. It's short. It tells a story. It goes on a shirt pocket easily. And when anyone mentions the name I just say I solve peoples problems. That makes them feel that I'm solving "their" problem and they are not doing me a favor by calling me (even if they are).Consider it.
*What about screen printing your company name with a logo? This has been my logo for the last six or seven years I think. I'm about to make some changes to it but the icons tell a story in and of themselves. I like: S.J.MERRETTE CUSTOM CARPENTRY and leave the HOME IMPROVEMENTS & REPAIRS out like Jim says. Let that be implied or let someone ask you the question. Your shirt is to help you establish a brand "image". It's not an advertisement or brochure. It's a marketing piece and there is a difference. I disagree with his however on the phone number though. Good on a truck or sign but a waste of design space on a shirt. No one is going to copy your phone number off of a shirt you are wearing. I think it cheapens the design. A web address however is a good idea. If someone sees http://www.SJMERRETTE.com that they will remember.
*Jerrald, Nice logo. I like the word "Artisans". That's a good word. Carl
*Thanks Carl I'll be making changes to the logo so it say's ParadigmProjects instead of Paradigm Building & Remodeling and I'll be adding a an anvil icon.
*Merrette Construction "Fuggadaboutit"com'mon......you're in Philly.....Jeff
*Jerrald, I like your logo--- with possibly one exception. The way the word Paradigm is currently located and scripted on the logo ---to my eye ---makes it harder to read and decipher.the words Building and Remodeling were great---they jumped right out at me. Even the really small text "designers,builders,artisans" was instantly readable.when I first see a logo I want to be able to read the whole thing almost instantly---in a fraction of a second.When I first saw your logo I was aware there was a word in script and in a different color but since my eye didn't instantly make it out,my eye skipped ahead to Building and Remodeling and to designers,builders,artisans. Only then did my eye take the time to go back and decipher the scripted paradigm.anyhow---if your truck passed me on the road,or I drove past your yard sign,I would never really make out the word Paradigm.I think the logo is really nice if the viewer has time to study it---but if you shifted the word Paradigm to a more central and Horizontal heading ,plus eliminated the script, It would be even more effective.Anyhow,just my opinion---nice job.
*I like Jerald's logo too.Steve, just steal Sonny's idea. Don't be shy about it. Model those that have already been successful. There's no point in reinventing the wheel. Don't let pride get in your way. Take the easy road...often it's less traveled, especially with construction crews....blue
*A company name works differently in different places....Moosehead Builders works in AK, but not in OH.... Using your own name is probably a smart thing, especially if you're small.....I'd forgo all the words, be direct and to the point...Custom Carpentry would be fine IMO if you weren't interested in being a GC. You can always change it to Construction Company later if you choose. I was once a construction co.....now I'm a custom carpenter.....motto = "anything made of wood"
*Steve,I use Rich Beckman's Home Solutions. The first time I used it as attached.> The ad that will be running soon will read under the logo:> Residential Roofing Services> New Roofs & Leak RepairsInstead of the Home Repair, etc.Rich Beckman
*.. i like ..b Merrette Constructionor b Merrette Builders...i like the play on words / pun of your last namehere's our logo..
*Jeff that made me think of the attached picture. actually I'm about 50 or so miles northwest of philly so it would have to have more of a german sound to it like Vee Vill fixenzee haus. y'know pennsylvania dutch thing.
*Right now it's looking like the custom carpentry or construction to be racking up the points.Mike Smith, you mentioned pun on the last name and I don't see it. wanna help me out there?
*steve.... unless i'm mispronouncing your name.. it sounds just like "merit".. don't it?boy.. if my name was merit instead of smith.. i'd make sure it got into my customer's headsseems like a natural to me..b but hey, whadda i no ?
*Steve,My company's name is Thomas Construction Design Build Remodel, LLC. I am a "one man band", home office, computer powered, 100% subcontracted contractor.I lost sleep over the "company name thing" until I read that Orville Redenbacher paid $80,000 to consultants who suggested that he call his popcorn "Orville Rendenbacher". His response to the consultants....."Hell, My mother gave me that name for free!".I didn't want to use my last name since my father was an influential man in the construction industry in this area and for that matter the whole state. I wanted to be sure I was "making it on my own".One day I was at the counter of the local hardware store thinking about the "company name thing" when a tile contractor friend of mine walked in and said, "Hello, Thomas!". I thought, that's who I am, Thomas.My belief is that your company name and your business card for that matter, should only contain three things and not include a "commercial". Those three things are: Who You Are, What You Do, and How To Get In Touch With You.The purpose of a business card is to generate a call.The purpose of the call is to weed out the Non-serious or delerious and to set an appointment.The purpose of the appointment is to make the pitch and close the sale.A company name, business card or brochure for that matter cannot be expected to do all of that.When people ask me what I do, or when people who know that I was a lead carpenter ask me what I am doing now I say, "I OWN MY OWN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY NOW". Why? Because if you say you are a carpenter you will get offers to come to their house and earn the wages of a carpenter. Who wouldn't love to get all their home projects done for wages. We all know that as a business person there is much more to the picture than that. I may in fact be the carpenter that does all or just a small part of the work on their project but I'm earning what it's worth at retail.Thomas
*Mike, as an Italian name, it would be sounded "mer-ret -te", with the the "T" sound at the end sounding like the word "tea."Thomas, you took the words out of my mouth.
*Actually Mike and Sonny you're both a little off on the pronunciation. Although I am of Italian heritage the name is an ellis island mess up of what originally was Merretta. the pronunciation now is actually more like you would pronounce dinette.Merr pronouced kinda like fur but with the M sound instead of the F (obviously) and the ette part prounounced like ett with more accent on the ett. not a problem though as I've heard just about every bastardization of the name you could think of.
*Thomas, very insightful and to the point. thank you for the input.
*To all, thank you for you input as well.I did not mention that I recently joined the home builders association and that I am looking at an add in the yellow pages as well. for this reason I am trying to decide on something now because once it's published in the builders directory and the phone book it will be there for at least a year and I won't want to be changing things then and confusing people.
*well I just consulted Webster's II dictionary and the carpenter thing is pretty much related to wood or wooden objects while construction refers to one who builds things. (yeah I know I'm being anal but that's just how I am)anyway it's starting to lean towards construction now.what do you think about "S.J. Merrette Custom Construction"?
*Construction tends to imply too much to new construction, IMO.How about "S.J. Merrette", and below that:"Custom Designed Renovations"?
*Keep it simple .. keep it short.. besides a logo you also need letterhead...don't tie yourself up with too many words...BTW..... my money says the average guy pronounces your name just the way i did.. merit..if they're reading it off a sign... and if they don't .. you can always change it for tv & radio..( the pronunciation.. not the spelling )
*Sonny weren't you the one who suggested the construction thing earlier?
*Mike you're about half right. most people pronounce it either like you or how Sonny did. about 50-50.
*No, other than the same name as mine, which indicates solving other people's "construction" problems.Generally I don't like the term "construction" only because it's so generic and it seems everyone uses it. Plus, it's not very specific.Actually you have to decide what types of projects you want to do. Then determine the company name since yor project type will determine to a great degree, your company name.When we incorporated "Lykos Home Improvement" we changed the name to "The Lykos Group, Inc." Then when we decided to make our niche renovating high rise condos, I just added "Custom Designed Renovations" under our name. On the front door of each of the condos we remodel, Tom had a brass and mahagony plaque made up and hung it on the door. The top says "Another project by: followed by the company name under that, "Custom Designed Renovations". It has worked very well for him.
*No offense Sonny but I just don't like the sound of construction solutions for me.as for the projects I do I actually like and try to do a little bit of everything, carpentry, remodeling, electrical...Y'know?I've never been real happy just doing only one thing. that's half of my problem with this whole name thing. I want to be able to do anything that comes along that I want to ( key being the projects I want to do when I have enough business coming in to have that option), be it finish carpentry, remodeling, home improvements, new construction, electrical work, etc.see my dilemma?
*Steve, I'll tell you a secret - I'm not in love with "Construction Solutions" either!However, like anything else that includes marketing, and a company name is marketing, I pick what I think will denote best what I do - in my clients perception, and in the shortest number of words. It's not an expression of any artistic talent. Nor is it the ceramic tile in my house, my kitchen cabinets or a new suit; it's only a company name. So don't get too hung up on it.My magnetic signs are simple black text on a white background. Easy to read, and especially for the viewer while they are driving by or I'm driving. Once someone calls me from my sign, or walks over to me where I'm working after reading it, I then have a longer opportunity to explain what I do in greater detail. In other words, it's a "grabber" - just like an ad in the paper. And "Professional Execution of Small Projects" is right under the company name, then my number, and under that my name. Simple, yet effective.I want calls coming in, not an award for the prettiest sign or feel it's an extention of me.Read Thomas's post again. Then come up with one that meets Thomas's criteria. He's right on!
*Steve:How about.....Steve Merrette Renovations LTD.To the point...covers all and states that there is only a finite amount of work you take on.
*I have a friend who's business name is Star Tec Inc. When started it was a firm that installed satelite dishes (the big ones before they got small) and later tape stores. Now he is an electrician. Wires houses and does some horse breeding. (not personally) Anyway the point is he still uses the same name. I didn't get to wrapped up in the name thing too much as I think folks will call you for whatever someone else told them you would do or what you advertise you will do. Just my thoughts. DanT
*Danial, right now I'm trying to get my name out there. I haven't had enough jobs for people to tell someone else about me much and advertising in the papers costs per word so I'm trying to get the grabber as Sonny put it in the name.
*OK, it's been decided. I just got off the phone with Steve and the company name will be:S. J. Merrette. "The tell me what you want done and I'll tell you what it will cost Company."What! To long?
*Sonny the set up cost at the embroiderers alone is gonna kill me on that one. not to mention fitting it on the side of the truck. good thing I got a long bed extended cab, I'm gonna need it.
*I would love to post my logo here----but the truth is that I am to freaking lazy and stupid to learn how to scan it into this computer and THEN figure out how to post it here! Untill(if ever)that situation is corrected,I will have to settle cor commenting on everyone elses' logo's.So far(for reasonsto be named later) I like Mike Smiths logo and Rich Beckmans the best.Stan Fosters' entry into the " name Steve Merretes' business" contest is the clear and overwhelming WINNER. By far.Before my dad had a stroke,he was a pretty shrewd guy. Back when he had all his marbles we were discussing what to name my business.He pointed out that as a little guy without a lot of resources trust is important to the customer.Most people will respect a guy that has the balls to put his own family name on his work instead of a generic"Acme Home Improvements".You never know how things will evolve. At the time,even though I did mostly roofing related work,I still did a wide variety of other projects.the name we chose ended up HAZLETT Roofing & Renovation Ltd.there is an emblem behind it and the name HAZLETT is written pretty big.Like Sonny,I am not in love with my name either.At the time ,I thought, as I aged my business would slowly evolve more towards the renovations.Actually things worked more towards the roofing.The word RENOVATION has come to be a bit of a pain in the ass for me because I am constantly being way-laid on my jobs by neighbors who want to know what types of work are covered by "renovations". Basically I am pestered to do work I DO NOT want to do----but this is exactly the same type of work Steve Merrette is looking for.Remember you have to shamelessly self promote. Make sure Merrette is the biggest freaking thing on the logo so it is crystal clear who people are dealing with.( Mike and Rich have this down pat)BTW, I like the Steve Merrete that I have seen here the last few days A LOT MORE than the old Steve Merrette.The new Steve Merrette seems to have grown a set of 'nads and taken controll of his situation---starting to exude self confidence.
*Steve:I believe in having your name on your business. My company is caleed Stan's Stair ShopSimple..it sticks in peoples heads and there is only one Stan around that builds stairs.Heres my logo on a hat.
*>in my clients perceptionOnce had a nice little village store called J. Walters Chairmaker....thought it was cool until my wife kept overhearing people through the screen door saying, "Naw, I don't want to go in there, he's just a chairmaker. I need a coffee table."I wanted to be a little different, but my perception didn't take into account THEIR perception. J.Walters Custom Furniture would have opened the door for them.You gotta look at things through the clients perception....if they gotta figure out what you're selling chances are they won't waste the effort.
*I know you are not going to like this,but your company name is to get the work you want. Handy Man Services.I know I read "Im not a handy man dammit" after your name when we were talking about this subject.but heres the deal; Use the town name ,not your own. Hire other people when the calls come pouring in, because the name sounds like you are doing anything around the house that they couldn't get the the husband to do. [if there is a husband] Keep good books and sell the company to someone else that can use the same name. I have a lot of respect for Stans comments here as a person, but it would be hard to sell "Stans Stair Shop. Nor would he want them carrying his name with out him. OK,.... his business is not for sale,but yours could be if you decide you dont like it.The name sounds like Walmart cheap, and that draws crowds. Give me the calls, and I will take care of the closing .I cant do a lot with out the calls.Handy Man Services will get calls, its up to you to handle them. You will probably choose another name, and I wish you the best. I hope you get the work this name gets.
*As long as the client's check goes through I won't bring them to task on pronounciation ;<)Thomas
*Thomas I would never take a client to task over the pronunciation of my name...But you better believe I will with you guys!
*Ok I've been playing with some new software I bought yesterday and have come up with the following. please let me know what you think.BTW, I asked a few friends what they thought of renovations and most of them thought of "This Old House" or along those lines of fixing up old houses, so I'm not too keen on that. No market for it here.
*How do you post something so that it's open in the message rather than being an attachment?
*Steve,RE: your original post......."Another thing is that I don't really have a specialty. I do just about everything...."Friend, got news for you......that is a specialty. How 'bout a combo of Smith's play on words (attention getter) and Sonny's KISS, (keep it simple, stupid!) *****Merit***** Construction Solutions 555-5000
*As to how to put the attachment in the post, check out:http://webx.taunton.com/WebX?128@@.ee7376dI would try and explain, but I just managed it on the third edit. Of course, the rules might change in a couple of days!The logos pretty good. Has a solid feel to it. Will quickly feel like it's been around a long time (which I think is a positive). What software did you use?Rich Beckman
*I am so impressed with myself! I never knew this... but named my company "Plumbing & Heating Solutions"Makes me feel good!PS... almost ready to drop the plumbing part and specialize further... thinking about it at this stage...
*Funny that you mention that Tim, cause in all three states I lived in, I started out using Handyman Services as a company name until I got to the point where I was continually booked up for 2-3 weeks in advance which didn't take long. Then I threw it out and changed the name.When your trying to bring home the bacon ego has to go to the back seat.
*The only thing I don't like about it is the use of all capitals which makes it harder to read, otherwise, I like it.Older people have the bucks, yet older people generally have deteriorating eyesight.
*steve... i like your logo....b BUT.....i think the "CUSTOM " is redundant (dent ?)also... it adds a line to the setup which could be use for a color bar or white space... custom is so overdone... either every thing we do is custom... or every thing we do is a knockoff of someone else....edit , edit , editb but hey, whadda i no ?
*I was going to ask this in a new post when we were discussing this with Steve in another post. Maybe Sonny would be so good as to answer this here.What were you asked to do as a handy man ?
*How about taking Sonny's idea, and editing it even more? Brevity is the eloquence of language.S.J.Merrette: Professional Executions
*Jason, will his logo have a hangman's noose or a pistol?Tim, rotted exterior wood replacement, installing a washer and dryer, break up and pour new sidewalk section, paint a room, change a faucet, etc.All the stuff that the public "perceives" to be handyman work. However, on behalf of the public, I'm sure that out of ignorance on their part, maybe they never expected it to be done "professionally." Or perhaps the public calls small jobs "handyman" jobs because legitimate contractors don't want them.Maybe there is a "handyman" category for CPAs, doctors, and chemists.Whatever, we're stuck with the word regardless of what it means to each individual.
*Ditto Steve.....My wife says we "construction types" treat each other terribly. I told her we're just typical males, Look at how wolves in a pack pick and snap at each other until a different pack (clients?) comes along and galvanizes them into a single purpose unit.I too have relatives from the exclusive Atalantic Island of Ellis. Our name was Comeins until they got wind of how the Irish were looked upon in the states.....so during the trip we somehow "converted" to Scots and became Cummings. Didn't make any difference...still had to mine coal to eat!Thomas
*I'm with Sonny in a way. To me....custom carpentry to a homeowner may just mean you work with wood but construction or renovation means you do it all. Catchy logos and phrases are also important...In a past thread I said I (kiddingly, I think)said I was going to put in my Ads my company name as my Website name cause that takes a fifty dollar ad to an ad that has my web site on it and along side in my fifty dollar ad ....with a kinda funny but true eye catcher...In my 27 years of full++++time renovations biz I'v ebeen in situations that could fill a book ....hence..CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM Soon To BE A Major MotionPictureYA gotta grab the attention and be creative in my opinion.Be professional yet make em' smile. I haven't actually done that yet cause it may be kinda goofy but I am thinkin' about it. All the ads are so blah and typical...hey Sonny, ya think we should also say in large letters FREE ESTIMATES? lol.....actually been getting somewhere on the paid estimates..thats another seven billion posted threads addition so don't get Mr Lykos started....
*As you guys are well aware I've been giving this alot of thought. Although I like the small projects, I want to take on the bigger projects that are more lucrative. The problem with just doing the little jobs in my opinion is when you have a couple hour job here and maybe another one there but have the downtime to get between them an so on. no one I've encountered so far is willing to pay a whole lot for the little jobs. this leaves me many days were I don't make enough to cover my expense even when I am busy. That to me is not a good way to be in business. whereas with the bigger projects you can adjust for that. people seem to be willing to pay a lot more for a bathroom remodel or finishing a basement or adding a deck than to come over and patch a hole in a wall or replace a piece of broken siding.ok, here's another attempt at the name and a possible logo.
*Rich, it's broderbund's 'Printshop' version 12. I also bought 3D Home architect as well and will load that as soon as I buy another hard drive. I'm hopelessly running out of disk space on my computer.
*Real nice steve but we don't use hammers and nails anymore..where ya been.should be the cordless screw gun and course thread screws bro.
*or this again with the addition of the logo.
*Andy - "Mr." Lykos?When did we start getting formal?Hammer and nail. Yea; that's original. (-:
*Ok screw the hammer and nail. I really like the name alone anyway.It's a toss up now between the custom and non custom version.Who says what, custom or no?It's pretty much gonna have the carpentry & construction though.
*Screw the "Custom" also.Who isn't custom?
*Ok gang that's it. We can put this thread to rest. I am officially S.J.MERRETTE - Carpentry & Construction.Thanks to all who have participated and shared there thoughts. I look forward to many years of continued sharing and growing with all of you.
*Ralph, whatever it is I can't open it.
*How about???
*About the word customFrom OUR point of view....it's over used...samo-samo...not very originalFrom the clients point of view...it says we are able to build things that they can't find in the store....speciality items.Example...... J. Walters Furniture vs. J. Walters Custom Furniture.Almost ALL my work is custom designed because I can't compete with the ready mades you can buy in a furniture/cabinet store.I also like Design/Build.....uncomplicated wording that lets these guys know you can build outside the norm. Remember, to us a stud is a 92 5/8" long 2x4......to most clients a stud is her husband. Same word, different perspective.
*Steve, I like something along the lines of Greg Browns "GB Woodworks""Steve Merrette Woodworks"Plain simple and to the point.
I think I'm getting in a little late in this thread but I had trouble in the name game too. I didn't want a name based on my name primarily because I already had a good clientele base when I left my family business. (That is another story ... er ... book!)
I also have the reputation of a all trades handyman with specialities in painting services and a trim carpenter (unlikely duo). Some of the "handyman type" names I came up with were hokey. When "Sawdust" hit me the lightbulb came on in my brain. My wife hated the name at first, but it's grown on her.
I made 2 changes since I started. First was "Sawdust Inc. - Professional Carpentry and Decorating Services"; I dropped "Professional" because I thought it was too much and didn't really add much meaning and was assumed anyway. Second; my wife gave me my logo that I have on my cards "I can fix what your husband has fixed too!"
Not much advice on my part, but sometimes simple is best. The work will speak for itself. Home Improvement Contractor covers a lot of ground.
David H. Polston
Founder, Sawdust Inc.
(Founder ... lol ... if Dave Thomas can do it for Wendy's, I can do it too)
David, better late than never. check out the "follow up" thread I posted it has a pic of the new name and layout on my truck and signs.Steve
S.J.MERRETTE Carpentry & Construction • Robesonia, PA
Nothing is impossible...It just hasn't been done yet.
Steve merrette Housewright