In this episode of the Contractor Grow Show, host Mark Lamberth sits down with Charlie Schmaltz, owner of CS Home Remodeling in Marion, Lowa, to talk about building a profitable remodeling company the old-school way — through trust, transparency, and deep local relationships.

Charlie shares how he saw a major disconnect in the remodeling industry — too many layers between the homeowner and the work being done — and decided to eliminate it. By becoming the single point of contact, communicating change orders upfront, and keeping overhead low, he’s built a highly rated company fueled almost entirely by word-of-mouth.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why removing the “salesman layer” builds stronger client relationships
How to handle change orders without damaging trust
Why keeping overhead low increases long-term profitability
The profit difference between roofing and interior remodeling
How specializing (steel shingles, durable exteriors) protects margins
Why AI won’t replace skilled trades anytime soon
How focusing on one tight local community can outperform paid ads
Creative ways to recruit labor (including tapping into art majors 👀)

Charlie also shares why he believes:

👉 “If you’re not growing, you’re dying.”

Whether you're a contractor looking to scale, improve margins, or strengthen your local presence — this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately.

📍 Based in Marion & Cedar Rapids, Iowa

🌐 Learn more: https://cshomeremodeling.com

#ContractorGrow #HomeRemodeling #RoofingBusiness #SkilledTrades #ConstructionEntrepreneur #SmallBusinessGrowth #RemodelingContractor