LP Smartside, a trusted affiliate of All Around, recently included our very own Kyle Miller in a post about how Covid-19 is affecting the construction business. Their full Q&A article can be found on their website, but here are Kyle’s answers below:

Q: How do you think COVID-19 might affect the building industry?

Kyle Miller, owner of All Around Construction in Golden Valley, Minnesota: The construction industry as a whole will definitely take a hit from the economic circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. On the residential side, there is a noticeable decrease in the amount of new customer inquiries for home improvements. On a larger scale, governments are reallocating funds and resources to combat the virus and other infrastructure that may be more critical than certain construction projects.

Q: What potential worries do you have as a building industry business owner?

Kyle Miller: Most importantly, we are concerned about the health and well-being of our team, their families, and our community as a whole. We are doing everything we can to help those around us make it through this difficult time. As a business, we are taking the situation day by day and trying not to let emotions affect our ability to make wise decisions.

Q: What advice do you give builders to prepare them for success as we are in the midst of a crisis?

Kyle Miller: We have done well in keeping a large cash reserve and not relying on lines of credit to fund projects. At this time, we are very confident in our ability to fully recover from any short-term loss of income. Try not to let emotions and skepticism get in the way of making wise decisions, and to respect the space and time of customers. The COVID-19 virus will run its course and we will have ample time on the other side to rebuild. For now, evaluate your budget and scale back discretionary spending as much as possible. The more cash you have in reserves, the longer you will be able to operate.