Ivan Radosavljevic: Building Quality and Community with RIM Express
Ivan Radosavljevic from RIM Express in Sarasota, Florida, shares his journey in the construction industry. He moved to the United States in 1999 and quickly found his passion in construction, starting with tile installation. Ivan learned the value of doing quality work from a mentor who took pride in high-end home projects.
RIM Express started in 2011, but Ivan had been working in construction for many years before that. He tried running a company in Europe, but found it hard to adapt to the different building culture. After a few years, he focused solely on the Florida market, where he could offer better building solutions and focus on quality.
“If you’re doing the highest quality work that there is, there’s always a market for that because there’s so much substandard work and so many people cutting corners.” ~ Ivan Radosavljevic
Ivan explains why he chose to focus on quality rather than competing on price. He believes in building a strong reputation and letting his work speak for itself. This approach means clients often wait months for his team, but they trust the results. Ivan and his wife run the company, and they have learned to keep the business smaller and more manageable.
The company has had ups and downs, including challenges during the COVID pandemic. Ivan had a larger team but found it tough to keep up with the high standards he set. He now prefers working with skilled subcontractors who have their own licenses and reputations. This helps him keep quality high and stress levels low.
Ivan talks about the importance of protecting clients’ homes during remodeling. He uses special floor covers and zip wall systems to keep the work area clean. He believes clients should feel safe and respected while work is being done. This attention to detail helps build trust and leads to referrals.
Marketing is important to Ivan, but he mostly relies on word-of-mouth and referrals. He has a social media presence but is not very active online. Ivan knows that clients often look at online reviews and photos before hiring, so he keeps his profiles updated with recent projects.
One of Ivan’s strengths is meeting project deadlines. He carefully plans each job and keeps extra time in his schedule for unexpected issues. He also stores materials in advance to avoid delays. This planning helps him finish projects on time, which is important for clients who need to move back in quickly.
Ivan has done several successful projects, including a major home remodel finished in just three months. He also completed a condo remodel in less than five weeks. These projects have led to more work in the same buildings, as clients appreciate his reliability and quality.
Looking ahead, Ivan wants to grow his team a little but not return to the stress of having many employees. He is negotiating with another skilled remodeler to join his company. Ivan believes two knowledgeable people can handle much more work together than one person alone.
He values his community and often helps out for free, especially after hurricanes. Ivan and a friend offer free help moving trees and debris for neighbors. This community spirit helps build trust and keeps his company’s reputation strong.
Ivan’s advice for other contractors is to focus on quality and reliability. He says clients will pay more for work they can trust. He also recommends being clear about schedules and sticking to them. This helps avoid stress and keeps clients happy.
Ivan Radosavljevic, RIM Express Contact Info:
RIM-Express.com
(941) 275-8056
Topics Discussed
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Starting a Construction Business:
Ivan shares how he began his career in construction and started RIM Express. -
Quality Over Price:
Ivan explains why he focuses on delivering high-quality work instead of competing on price. -
Company Growth and Downsizing:
He discusses the reasons for growing and then shrinking his team. -
Working with Subcontractors:
Ivan discusses the benefits of collaborating with licensed subcontractors. -
Project Planning and Deadlines:
He explains how careful planning enables him to complete projects on time. -
Community Involvement:
Ivan highlights the importance of helping the community and building trust. -
Marketing for Contractors:
He explains his approach to marketing and managing online presence.