Company does variety of indoor remodels and siding

By: Michelle Turcotte, Herald Times Reporter

Name of business: Michael's Construction LLC
Ownership: Michael Mecca
Origins of business: Mecca's grandfather, Michael G. Mecca, started Michael's Construction in 1945. It was passed down to Mecca's father before he took over. He said it will one day go to his son, who currently works as foreman. Both men began working for the company in their early teens.
Location: 2827 S. 15th St., Manitowoc
Phone number: (920) 684-4647
E-mail: michaels2@onecommail.com
Hours and days of operation: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday

Services provided-products sold: "Our biggest thing is probably concrete work," Mecca said. "Then we do a lot of roofing and siding, windows, doors, pretty much everything around the house."

The bulk of their concrete work is flatwork, which includes patios, garage floors, driveways and, sometimes, walls for additions. They also work with stamped and colored concrete.

"That's getting to be more and more popular," he said. "People like to offset patios and sidewalks and stuff like that with it."

Michael's Construction does interior work as well, though, typically, this type of work is relegated to winter when they must move inside. They do kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels, install hardwood floors, add on additions and take out walls.

"We pretty much do everything residential, aside from painting or laying carpeting," Mecca said.

How has business changed since opening: The biggest change in the industry over the years is the shifting construction regulations, certifications and classes.

"That's one big thing that's changed, but it's good because it protects our job," he said. "Before you could say you were going into business and start the next day. That can't happen anymore — you need certain permits and licenses."

Though they keep plenty busy, Mecca said another change is the workflow. This can be a result of more competition, the economy or any number of factors.

"Probably, like everybody else years back, we had a bigger backlog of people, lots more work lined up ahead," Mecca said. "Now it's less time —you were maybe three months ahead before, but now maybe if you're a month ahead you're doing good."

Who are the customers and from where: Most of their jobs are for residential customers in Manitowoc. Mecca estimates about 85 percent are in Manitowoc, and the other 15 percent are in Two Rivers, Valders and the surrounding areas.

Who or what is the competition: The competition is other construction companies, but also roofing and siding companies, and even new home builders, which are branching out in the tough economy. Michael's Construction is unique in the multiple areas they work in.

"There's not a lot of people that do what we do," Mecca said. "If there's concrete people, they just do concrete. It there's roofing people, they just do roofing. There are not a whole lot of them that do one or two or multiple things."

How is marketing done: "A lot of our work is through repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals," said Mecca. Michael's Construction is a member of the Manitowoc Home Builders Association and the Manitowoc County Chamber of Commerce, which also help to refer business. He occasionally uses newspaper ads.

"And some of our retailers give us a lot of work," Mecca added. "Other than that, the yellow pages — I think that is a chunk of our business too. Some people tell you the yellow pages is the biggest waste of money but I disagree."

Mecca also likes to advertise the fact that they've been a family-owned business since 1945, "so they know you've been around a long time and are not planning to go anywhere."

What are the keys to future success: Mecca said the key to success is simply to keep their customers happy with a good price and good quality and  service. For Mecca, sometimes that means going the extra mile, which has meant fixing a piece of trim the wind blew loose, and even changing a light-bulb for an elderly customer.

"It might be 10 years later, that stuff happens, but we'll go back and drive a couple of nails in," he said. "If it's something minor we might fix it for nothing. To me, that's still the best thing you can do for people."

Factors under control or not under control of ownership: The economy and government regulations are out of their control, said Mecca.

Product prices are also always changing and not in their control.

"Some of that stuff is just crazy," he said. "Three years ago we paid $60 for a square of shingles, a 10-by-10-foot area. It's $101 today … that increased when fuel prices were going crazy and everything went ballistic. The fuel prices came down, but the prices stayed high."

What is the role of creativity: "We give people a lot of ideas," Mecca said. "A lot of people ask what we think." Mecca and his team have given advice on everything from decorative concrete embellishments for patios to colors for siding and trim.

"We're always trying to keep up with the newest ideas," adds his son, Mike Mecca Jr. "If you do this long enough, I guess a guy kind of knows what  looks good and what doesn't."

What is challenging or frustrating: "Getting up at 6 o'clock in the morning," Mecca jokes. "What's challenging? There isn't too much for me anymore.  I've seen everything you can think of. I can't think of anything I haven't done over and over in any part of a house."

He said remodels can pose unexpected challenges.

"When you're remodeling, you really don't know what you're getting into sometimes … but I don't worry too much anymore because we know how to tackle it."

What is enjoyable: "For me it's owning the business myself," said Mecca. "I had a partner for quite a few years, but now I enjoy just being a sole proprietor.  And I enjoy having my sons work with me."

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