From Historic Homes to Swan Toilets: Leo Lantz’s Wild Renovation Tales!
From Historic Homes to Swan Toilets: Leo Lantz’s Wild Renovation Tales!
- What Is Pro?: Learn about the Professional Remodeling Organization (Pro) and its role in fostering collaboration and maintaining ethical standards in the remodeling industry.
- Historical and Modern Renovations: Discover how Leo balances preserving historical charm with introducing modern functionality in his projects.
- 3D CAD Design: Explore how advanced design technology helps clients visualize their renovations and ensures project efficiency.
- LiDAR Scanning Technology: Find out how this cutting-edge tool streamlines the measurement and design process, saving time and improving accuracy.
- Memorable Client Requests: Hear about one of Leo’s most unique projects, involving a swan-shaped toilet and a disco ball in a bathroom.
- Avoiding Common Mistakes: Get tips on how to make thoughtful design choices and avoid overwhelming your space with mismatched elements.
- Realistic Expectations: Understand the true timelines and costs involved in remodeling, especially when working with older homes.
- Lifestyle-Driven Design: Learn how Leo customizes projects to meet clients’ current and future needs, whether for entertaining, family life, or aging in place.
- Client Relationships: Hear heartwarming stories of how Leo’s work leaves a lasting impact on clients’ lives, creating spaces they cherish for years.
Transcription
Evie: Ignite, sparked by BBB, where conversations are taking place to change the future. Welcome back, everyone, to BBB Sharing. I’m Evie, director of Ignite, sparked by BBB, and with me today, I have a very special guest, Leo Lantz of Leo Lantz Construction.
Evie: Leo Lantz is actually the owner of Leo Lantz Construction, right?
Leo: That’s correct.
Evie: Perfect. Well, you should be the owner considering you’re named after the company.
Leo: Well, technically, it owns me.
Evie: I can understand that.
Leo: When companies run your life, but when you love what you do, I think you kind of overlook the company running you at that point.
Evie: Absolutely.
Evie: So, there are a couple of things Barry wanted me to make sure I covered with you in here, but the number one thing was for you to talk about Pro. What is Pro? I think I’ve heard about it a couple of times, but I don’t really know what it is.
Leo: Well, Pro is a professional remodeling organization. They have a local chapter here with members all across the industry—contractors, subcontractors, tradespeople. We have vendors and different suppliers, so it’s a broad spectrum of the Richmond market for our industry.
Leo: Among the amenities for our members, we have different programs for education, meetings, and socials to stimulate business among the members. Also, there’s a code of ethics that we adhere to in order to bring the best possible products and services to the customers in our community.
Evie: Amazing. Well, now that we got that one out of the way, I want to get into the fun question: more about what you guys do, what you specialize in, and how you got into the industry to begin with.
Leo: Oh gosh, that’s a long answer to a short question. We are a design-build remodel contractor specializing in kitchens and baths and, pretty much, interiors. Although I’ve done everything there is in the construction industry—from new construction to remodeling.
Leo: I grew up in the Fan, so we do a lot of historical renovations where we bring the home up to date but keep the charm of the older home.
Evie: I love that.
Leo: I’ve worked on houses as old as the 1780s out in Beaverdam to a lot of homes in the Oregon Hill and Fan areas. But we also do modern renovations as well.
Leo: A big part of our process is we do 3D CAD design for clients. We do this all day, so we have to know what it’s going to look like before we start. We can picture that in our mind, but for someone who’s lived in the house for any length of time, they just can’t imagine their space looking any other way.
Leo: When we give them a 3D design in color of their selections and what it’s going to look like, they can wrap their heads around it and get excited about it. They form an emotional attachment. It also gives everyone a shared goal to work towards.
Leo: Whether you’re talking to different tradespeople, tile contractors, cabinet installers—everyone’s got a plan that they’re working towards.
Evie: I was going to ask you about that.
Leo: It saves on efficiency and mistakes. Nothing’s perfect, but when everyone has a shared goal, there’s much more efficiency and excitement about it.
Evie: That’s amazing because I was reading up on a lot of the things you guys do, and it’s listed on your business profile too on bbb.org. One of the things I noticed was the 3D CAD, and I thought, “What’s that? That sounds really high-tech.” Now that you’ve explained it, I understand. That’s very cool.
Leo: That has been enhanced within the last couple of years because we have a software program that allows us to go in with an iPad that has a LiDAR scanner. We scan your space as it exists currently, and in about 30 seconds, it imports all the dimensions and details. It saves me from running around with a tape measure, trying to figure out how high this wall is or how long that wall is.
Leo: We send the file off, and it takes about a week to get the program back or the file back, which we can then import into our design software. It expedites the design process.
Leo: Back in the day, I had to use pencil and paper. That was it. The technology is amazing now.
Evie: Technology has just done wonders nowadays.
Leo: Well, that software has been around for a while in the commercial space, but now it’s been brought into the residential space.
Evie: Wow. So, what is the craziest request you’ve ever gotten from a customer?
Leo: Oh gosh.
Evie: I know you’ve probably got a few.
Leo: There’s a long list. But one of them, probably about 20 years ago, was a request for a swan-shaped toilet and a disco ball in a bathroom. Needless to say, that toilet was not available in this country. I think it was seen maybe in Japan or something, and the whole disco ball thing—I haven’t figured that one out yet.
Evie: I can just imagine the look on your face. You were probably thinking, “This person’s kidding with me.”
Leo: Well, at the time, I had some different subcontractors who didn’t mind working in that space, so we just left it as is.
Evie: I would have liked to have seen the final product in that bathroom space.
Leo: I try to forget about that one, to be honest with you.
Evie: What are some common mistakes you tend to see your customers make when making decisions during a remodeling process?
What is the Professional Remodeling Organization (Pro), and how does it benefit homeowners?
Pro is an organization that brings together remodeling industry professionals, including contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. It promotes collaboration, education, and ethical standards to ensure high-quality remodeling services for homeowners.
How does Leo Lantz Construction balance historical preservation with modern updates in renovations?
Leo Lantz Construction carefully maintains the charm of older homes while integrating modern conveniences. They use advanced design techniques to preserve historical features while ensuring the home meets modern functionality and comfort.
What is 3D CAD design, and how does it improve the remodeling process?
3D CAD design allows homeowners to visualize their renovation before construction begins. It creates a realistic, color-rendered image of the final space, ensuring that homeowners and contractors have a shared vision for the project.
How does LiDAR scanning technology help in remodeling projects?
LiDAR scanning allows for precise and efficient measurements of a home’s existing layout. Using an iPad scanner, the technology captures detailed room dimensions in seconds, improving accuracy and speeding up the design process.
What is the most unusual renovation request Leo Lantz Construction has received?
One of the most unique requests involved installing a swan-shaped toilet and a disco ball in a bathroom. While unusual, Leo Lantz Construction works to accommodate clients' unique design visions when possible.
What are common mistakes homeowners make during the remodeling process?
Homeowners often make design choices that don’t align with the rest of the space, underestimate the true cost and timeline of renovations, or make last-minute changes that disrupt project flow. Proper planning and expert guidance help avoid these issues.
How can homeowners set realistic expectations for remodeling projects?
Homeowners should be prepared for potential delays, unexpected costs, and temporary disruptions. Working with an experienced contractor, understanding the full scope of work, and maintaining open communication helps manage expectations.
How does lifestyle-driven design influence kitchen and bathroom remodels?
Leo Lantz Construction customizes designs based on clients' daily routines and future needs. Whether the remodel is for entertaining, family living, or aging in place, the design is tailored to enhance both function and aesthetics.
How does Leo Lantz Construction ensure strong client relationships?j
By maintaining clear communication, providing expert guidance, and delivering quality craftsmanship, Leo Lantz Construction builds lasting relationships with homeowners, often working with them on multiple projects over time.
What are the benefits of working with a professional remodeler rather than DIY-ing a project?
Professional remodelers ensure projects are done correctly, efficiently, and up to code. They have access to advanced tools, high-quality materials, and skilled tradespeople, reducing costly mistakes and increasing the home's value.