Meet The Face Behind Double D Contractors, Inc.
Author: Double D Contractors, Inc. | Nov 13, 2020 | Categories: Bathroom Contractors , General Contractors , Home Interior Services , Kitchen Contractors
I'm Douglas Dervin, the proud owner of Double D Contractors, Inc. I look forward to sharing my story. I hope that you will enjoy getting to know me better.
I always loved carpentry and started working for a home improvement company in June of 1972 before going to work at Consolidated Edison (Con Ed). In June of 1983, I was working for Con Ed when we went on strike. During this time, I started working for a friend installing office furniture, and when he left, the owner of the company asked me to start a company so she could sub out the labor, and that is how Double D Contractors was born.
In September 1983, the strike was called off, and I went back to work at Con Ed, while Double D Contractors continued to flourish. To manage both jobs, I worked at Double D Contractors during the day and did the 4 pm to midnight shift at Con Ed.
Eventually, I started doing home improvements along with commercial remodeling. In 1985, I incorporated, and in 1989 I left Con Ed to work exclusively for myself at Double D Contractors Inc.
As a full-time entrepreneur, I joined NARI - the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and immediately got involved on committees and eventually the board of directors. I went through the ranks to President and then Chairman of the board for the local NYC/LI chapter, became the National Representative on the National board of directors moving up to the Regional Vice President. I received my Certified Remodelers certification in 1990 and Certified Carpenter certification in 1992. Then became an instructor for these Certifications to help other contractors receive their certifications.
NARI helped me learn how to run a remodeling firm. We are very fortunate to win two National Contractor of the Year (COTY) awards, fourteen Regional awards, and sixteen NYC/LI COTY awards, along with numerous Chrysalis awards and Innovation in Construction award. We were also featured on the cover of Better Homes and Gardens House Beautiful edition in 1995-96 edition. We've been awarded numerous citations and awards for the countless community projects we spearheaded for the Marty Lyons Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, and the NYPD during the aftermath of 9/11.
While the above is high of being an entrepreneur, one of the lows is that the business today is harder due to the internet and HDTV. People think remodeling is easy and that you can complete a project in an hour. Moreover, skilled labor is harder to come by, and the competition doesn't care about certifications, training, and planning for the future. Most customers don't care either, they only care about the lowest price, not the fact that you're a successful firm that has been here through two recessions and endured, thrived and rose to the top with over thirty-seven years of experience. These attributes have value and the customers that realize that become our clients and become our clients for life.
"The Bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten," and "Quality work for a fair price," are the two mottos of my business along with my focus on teamwork.
I enjoy working with clients that work with us as a team. Working as a team with my clients, my carpenters, the trade associates, and suppliers bring home excellent outcomes and result in happy clients who thank us for all the hard work we put into making their dream come true.
One of the most satisfying moments in my career thus far is when a tough (but fair) client that we had recently completed a kitchen remodel for called me on my cell phone, and I knew it was him from the caller ID. I looked at the phone, and my Uncle Artie's advice to me when I started my journey came to mind. "It's easier to answer the call than to call back." So I answered the call, and my client said, "I guess you're wondering what I need now?" I replied with a stuttering "Yes, I am." He went on to say, "My wife and I are sitting in our new kitchen looking around and admiring the work you and your company did." My jaw dropped, and I was smiling from ear to ear, and I said, "Wow, thanks! And thanks for calling to let me know." He said, "I guess I just made your day." I replied, "You just made my month!"
It's successes like this and my belief that hard work and focussing on making the client happy instead of worrying about a profit confirms we are on the right track and will continue to enjoy more success in the future.
When I'm not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family and help the community and the American Veterans' community as much as I can.
I have enjoyed sharing my story about the things which matter to me and how they influence the way I do business.
If you or someone you know could benefit from our experience as remodeling contractors, I invite you to get in touch. Please visit our website at www.doubledcontractors.com.
Sincerely,
Douglas