How Social Media Can Work for Home Builders
Social media platforms are a powerful tool for many businesses and brands, but when it comes to construction and homebuilding, many companies worry they just aren't a fit. Here at Zeeland Lumber & Supply, we've been making changes to our own digital platform, and...
Construction is Lacking Laborers – What We Can Do
It's no surprise to say that the construction industry is lacking laborers. This has been the topic of discussion in the industry for a few years now. While the housing and construction industries are booming, there just aren't enough laborers to fill the demand. At...
How To Install A Vinyl Window With an Integral Nailing Fin
Vinyl windows are a popular option for most homeowners today. They're durable, affordable, and easy to install. If you're looking to install vinyl windows in your next building project, here are the key steps you need to know to get started. Window Installation...
The Top 6 Home Improvement Brands Your Customers Want
As a custom or production builder, you know that one of the best ways to sell homes is to include high-quality selections from well-known brands. Many customers are loyal to brands that they know and trust, and homeowners especially want to make sure that they’re...
Why Data-Based Decision-Making Is Crucial for Commercial Construction
The phrases “data-based decision-making” and “statistical analysis” sound like they belong more to the realms of technology and engineering than to the construction industry. But the truth is, if you’re not making decisions based on data, you’re making them based on...
Manufactured Roof Trusses: The Missing Part Of your Barn Or Outbuilding Construction
Manufactured roof trusses are a godsend for commercial and custom home construction, but their usefulness doesn’t end there. Manufactured roof trusses and other manufactured components can be equally beneficial for builders of barns and outbuildings, resulting in...
Should You DIY Or Hire A Pro For Your Home Improvement Project?
From Youtube tutorials to Pinterest finds to HGTV shows, DIY is having a moment. A quick search online can provide you with how-tos on nearly any project you could have planned for your home, and they make it seem so simple and easy. But anyone who has ever tried to...
How to Select the Right Supplier of Construction Materials
Your supplier for construction materials can make or break your jobs, or at least, determine whether you complete jobs on-time and within budget or late and over budget. Since customer satisfaction depends in part on how quickly you get the job done and whether you...
Are Your Windows A Pane? You Might Need New Windows.
Usually, we don’t think about our windows until it’s time to clean them, they leak, or it's time to replace them. There may be a variety of reasons why windows leak that have little to do with your actual window. Window life depends on various factors including...
Why Home Builders Should Embrace Manufactured Trusses and Panels
Multi-Family and Single Family builders, particularly those in cutting-edge markets, have adopted manufactured roof trusses and floor trusses, as well as manufactured wall panels, as part of their building processes. Those builders have reaped the benefits in terms of...
Tips for Hiring and Retaining Construction Labor
A topic that we feel strongly about and that we consistently try to highlight and communicate with our stakeholders is hiring and retaining experienced labor in the construction industry. Skilled workers are critical to efficient job sites and homes that your...
New Home Maintenance Checklist – How to Keep your Home Like New
A home is a huge investment, and it’s one you want to protect. Homeowners insurance is one way of protecting that investment; another is performing routine maintenance to keep your home in its best condition. Here are some of the things you should be doing regularly...
Member Spotlight from Family Business Alliance on Zeeland Lumber
The Family Business Alliance is focused on local family businesses. Diana Schad from the Alliance spoke with our president and CEO Mike Dykstra. Please listen to the audio interview below to learn more about the humble beginnings and growth of Zeeland Lumber....
Why the Construction Industry needs Warehouse Management Solutions
Growing businesses face a number of challenges, and one of the biggest challenges is how to best serve a growing customer base efficiently. Often, the systems and methods that work for small businesses aren’t scalable because of the increased volume of work and the...
How Prefabricated Wall and Flooring Units Can Save You Time and Money
Prefabricated wall panels, roof trusses, and floor trusses provide a wealth of benefits for multi-family and single family professionals. Whether you’re building custom homes, production homes, or multi-family units these manufactured components enable you to complete...
Employee Spotlight on Jack Lovat from Maverick Building Systems
We are fortunate at Zeeland Lumber & Supply to have incredible employees from all walks of life, with unique skills, and each with their own gifts. This is what makes Zeeland Lumber a wonderful place to work and build strong teams to serve our customers. Jack...
Things to Consider When Finishing Your Basement
It’s time to reclaim the basement from your Christmas decorations and old photo albums. If you’re looking to add more space to your house for a home theater, recreational room, home gym, or an additional bedroom, your basement is the perfect, underutilized space....
Why Your Suppliers Matter to Your Customers
Your customers care about more than just receiving fair pricing —though don’t get us wrong, they definitely care about getting a competitive deal—they also want to buy quality products and services they can trust from companies they believe in. They’re not going to...
The Impact of Freight
John Colley, Director of Purchasing Over the course of the last year, we have highlighted many of the issues facing the building material market. We explained the Softwood Lumber Agreement, the tariffs, the exchange rate, the problems relating to supply...
LBM Article on Zeeland Lumber: How Zeeland Lumber Uses Data to Accelerate Growth
Article by James Anderson LBM JournalNovember 27, 2017Everyone knows the adage, “you can’t manage what you can’t measure.” It’s what a CEO says when his general manager needs a talking to. It’s what the general manager says when he is training in a new inside sales...
Lakeshore Employers Doubling Down on State Training Grants in 2018
By Jim Harger [email protected] December 27, 2017 ZEELAND, MI - Lakeshore Advantage said 57 of its member companies will draw $2.45 million in 2018 from a $30 million state fund created to train new and current employees. The funding from the Skilled Trades...