Welcome to “At Home With Tom and Sandy.” Sit back, relax and enjoy.
Sandy: As you know, Tom and I have been sharing our column on a monthly basis with the community for several years now – and what fun it has been.
Tom: Yes, Sandy, I would say it has been pretty cool and it has indeed been an honor to be your partner. Thanks to our readers for your comments. We love hearing from you. Last month, we took a diverse direction and our column was the start of introducing you to our community/industry partners so you can get to know them better.
Sandy: Last month, you met Steve Simpson of Blue Line Designs, and this month we would like to introduce you to Jim Reed, of Reed Brothers Construction. He’s a super cool, dynamic and engaging contractor.
Tom: So, read on about Reed Brothers.
How long has your business been active in Yavapai County?
16 years.
Tell us about all the services, products you provide.
Luxury remodeling, additions and new home design and construction.
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Unfortunately, I’m a night owl, which doesn’t fit our industry very well, but I make it work and show up every morning ready to take on construction.
Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work?
My parents. Both have a strong work ethic and have always been an example of honesty and fairness.
What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute your success to, and why?
I know it’s not a single trait, but it’s the same answer as the previous questions. Working very hard and dealing with clients honestly and fairly is the cornerstone of our business success and is also the character and behavior of my DNA.
How do you prefer to start your day?
Who doesn’t start their day with a big cup of coffee, and then on to deleting 100 junk mails in order to filter down to important stuff, and I always watch for those emails from YCCA!
What was your first job?
My first summer job at 13, I was a mason hod, or hoddy as we were affectionately called, for my grandfather, building stone retaining walls. At 15, when I could get a legal job, I was a busboy at Sizzler.
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had, and what did you learn from it?
At 16, I worked for a pest control company. I had to crawl around in some pretty gross and unpleasant crawl spaces digging trenches around stem walls to fill the area with termite treatment. Once I got stuck under a 1940s home on Arizona Street here in Prescott. I had to be pulled out by my bootstraps. What did I learn from that job: I do not like crawl spaces or spiders, and I now send my brother into tight areas of our construction projects.
What’s a mistake you made early on in your career, and what did you learn from it?
One of the first homes we built in the early 90s, we set it a little low and it was a real challenge keeping the water away from the home. Since that time, we have always set our foundations a little higher than we are required to do. Never have had that water problem again.
What led you to this career?
My mom built homes as an owner/builder from the day we were born. We literally grew up on construction sites and those homes would eventually become our family’s next home.
WHAT ENERGIZES YOU AT WORK?
The gratitude from our clients as they get to enjoy the beautiful spaces we create.
What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re really proud of?
Working with the VA on several grant projects to help disabled veterans be able to use and enjoy their homes despite their disabilities.
What’s your biggest work pet peeve?
Laziness. If you don’t know what to do next on a job site, then clean up. Pick up a broom and clean up the space before the next step begins.
If you could add one thing to Reed Brothers Construction, what would it be?
Another administrative assistant so I could take off one of my hats!
If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in something, what would it be?
Time management…. since there are never enough hours in the day, the week, the month, the year.
If you could write a book about your life, what would the title be and why?
Perseverance Pays. Things almost never work out the way you think they will the first time, but if you keep working, you can achieve your goals.
What’s one of your favorite memories from the past year?
A beautiful email from one of our clients expressing how grateful they were they selected Reed Brothers Construction to build their new home and how wonderful the experience had been. It actually brought tears to my eyes. I’m a sucker for that soft, heartwarming kind of stuff. My kids make fun of me all the time because I’m the first one to cry when we watch an emotional movie together.
What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
I was a middle school teacher and high school basketball coach and won a teacher of the year award for first-year teachers.
If you had to pick one age to be permanently, which age would you choose?
Thirty-six, because I would be old enough to know a few things and young enough to be ready for any adventure.
What would we most likely find you doing on the weekend?
Working… but I would want to be fly fishing at Lee’s Ferry.
Why do you like this industry?
We get to help people imagine their dreams and then go out and make them real.
Tom: Our community is extremely fortunate to have Reed Brothers Construction in the neighborhood. Jim and his family build and design homes, they have built in-law quarters, garage conversions and, as they say, Reed Brothers Construction specializes in spectacular! You can meet the Reed Brothers Construction team at reedbrothersconstruction.com – or call anytime: 928-778-2020.
Sandy: A big thanks to you, Jim Reed of Reed Brothers Construction. It is an honor to know you and work with you. Thanks for loving our industry as much as YCCA does!
Tom and I will be back next month with another superstar in the industry. QCBN
Tom Reilly, Architect, Contractor,
Renovations 928-445-8506
renovationsaz.com
Sandy Griffis, Executive Director,
Yavapai County Contractors Association. 928-778-0040.
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