Here’s how Bob Gallese, owner of Acclaim Renovations & Design, is cornering the home improvement market
By Patricia Nugent
Keeping a competitive edge has driven Bob Gallese through 45 successful years in the home renovation business.
This spring, he’s introducing a new staff of sub-contractors so Acclaim Renovations & Design can keep up with its growing business and stay competitive in the marketplace, offering a more affordable five-star version of what people have come to expect as the “Acclaim level” of craftsmanship and expertise.
He says that for him, a switch was flipped during the Covid-19 pandemic, when he took stock of every aspect of his business, looking for windows of opportunity to make it run leaner and better.
Taking the Right Path
“My motivation will always be to find the best path to bringing clients’ dreams to life, with beautiful and well-constructed kitchens, bathrooms, basements, home additions, she sheds and whole-house renovations,” he says. “I looked around us and saw a highly talented pool of sub-contractors here in Lake County. For decades, I’ve known these guys and what they are capable of doing. It’s exciting to see how much they are bringing to the table. There are so many positives.”
As a member of a national roundtable of home remodelers, Bob says this action parallels what many other top contractors are doing, shifting to more affordable labor so they can offer the best pricing, while ensuring a high level of quality.
“I’ve already interviewed and hired these hand-picked people, who serve special niches within each job, such as framing, electrical, plumbing, etc.,” he says. “I would never compromise the reputation we’ve worked so hard to build all these years by adding anyone to our team who was anything less than top tier.”
Putting a Wall Around it
Bob says that his crews have gone the extra mile and then some in terms of providing safe Covid-19 practices.
“Keeping clients safe, and ourselves safe, is our first priority,” he says. “For instance, during a kitchen renovation we’re working on, our guys have walled in the whole work area with plastic sheeting to keep it under wraps. We’ve also purchased a state-of-the-art air scrubber to flush dusty air and debris out of the home.”
He says when interacting with customers, they keep their distance and wear masks and gloves, too.
New Showroom
“We make it our business to stay on-trend with the remodeling industry,” says Bob. “And that’s why we are remodeling our showroom, to feature all the latest bells and whistles in interior design and products. It will have inspirational idea centers for kitchens and baths, with transitional styles that go from traditional to modern.”
He says they are hopeful more people pop in to shop ideas before and during a renovation with Acclaim.
You’ll be greeted by the official company mascot Mela, a spunky 18-pound Shitzu-Yorkie mix, Bob’s wife, Ann Marie, Katie Capek, in marketing, and Sarah S., in kitchen and bath design.
Look for details on the unveiling and open house to come in future issues of Mimi Magazine.
Acclaim Renovations & Design powered by One Man and a Hammer is located at 8550 East Avenue in Mentor. The company has been awarded Contractor of the Year by NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry). Call 440-974-8082 or visit AcclaimReno.com to see more dramatic before and after photos of room makeovers.