remodeler

plumber

carpenter

window/door installer

call center representative

West Shore Home

West Shore Home is an interesting place to work. There is no "perfect" company - but I will be the first to say that West Shore Home is not even close to being a "great" company. It's just... a company. 

From day one, the onboarding experience was completely hands off. I am used to other companies being more welcoming and accommodating... you know... just excited to have me there. West Shore Home does not deliver on that. The onboarding team is there with you day one (if you onboard at the Corporate level) and then after that you never hear from them again. They really left a lot of us high and dry. It was a dull, boring orientation that was filled with nothing but "Sign this, log into this, complete this, watch this video" and then... move on. It wasn't personalized by any means. It didn't really seem like anyone A) wanted to really be there and B) knew what the heck was going on! There were so many technical issues with new employees laptops not being set up... the videos never played correctly... and half the time the person that was doing the onboarding seemed so disengaged. I truly expected more from a place that would consider themselves to be a "Destination Employer." Day one impressions matter the most, and it was clear to me that the onboarding process is overlooked. 

Moving forward in my career there.. I noticed a ton of people showing up to work MISERABLE every single day. People would complain about things that were honestly really big deals - but management never seemed to care or even listen. Ideas that were brought up (at least on my team) were always shoved under the rug - none of us were taken seriously. It felt like the higher ups really just only cared about their paycheck and expensive cars - rather than the front line employees. Don't get me wrong - there were some day at West Shore that were really great and I felt like my voice mattered. But there were times that I was told to keep quiet about certain things that were a really big deal and that my manager was trying to "hide" from HR. There have been previous people in leadership positions that have proven to not be so great leaders... yelling at their staff, ignoring their needs and concerns... making them feel worthless. Why would anyone WANT to willingly stay at a company that makes people feel so bad about themselves? In order to keep people around, I've always believed that need to be A) compensated fairly for the work they do and B) engaged with. There is not (or really... never was) any employee engagement at ALL. It's horrible. Nothing was ever "in the budget" and it felt like engagement was never a top priority to executives. A lot of people come to work and just fake it because they are scared to speak up to their managers. Retaliation felt like it happened all the time - people would just drop like flys. One second they are there and the next they're gone without a trace. On top of that, there was no possibility to work remote or even have some sort of flexible schedule? It seemed so odd to me considering that most well known, reputable, big companies offer that. Management would watching what you were doing like a hawk so you really felt like there was no sense of trust. It was almost like they were watching you to see what you did wrong and then go report it to HR to get someone fired. It all seemed so chaotic, honestly. It made me wonder how these managers even got into positions of management. I noticed there were always courses that managers went to to learn about to be a manager but then they would come back and nothing would change. Executives really are so far removed from what's happening at the employee level that most people are seen as just a number, a metric, a bonus... that's it. It was a tough place to work. Rules only applied to certain people and if you were a favorite you got away with everything all the time. Customers were lied to, employees were lied to... there was never a "why" explained for anything? What didn't make sense to me is that certain people got to work remote but others didn't. What kind of backwards policy is that? Nothing EVER made sense during my time there. 

After my interview I thought that this was going to be my forever job. The manager was a very sociable, understanding and knowledgeable guy. We never had a shortage of work and there was always something new to learn. Because of being hired in June I still received my full allotment of PTO and the company bussed us out to a ski resort near Pittsburgh for a large Holiday party (open bar, raffle, gift cards under the seats, music, mini-golf). Not long after, things started to take a turn. 

Somewhere around February we found out that our Manager was being reassigned. They were going to fill that position with one of us and had open interviews for anyone interested. It turns out that the job was already decided and was given to the longest tenured Team Lead (basically assistants to the manager) regardless of any other criteria. It was at about this same time that we started growing at a accelerated rate. The companies goal is to be the most respected remodeler in the country but they didn't have the capital or the manpower. Most of our acquisitions were companies with owners that just wanted out. A company in Florida, one in Kentucky, Atlanta, Florida again, the Carolinas. The expansion just kept going and what should have been a great thing ended up being what sent employee opinion plummeting. 

What started out as a typical 40 hour work week became 45 and then 50. They never really demanded that you work more but they hinted or insinuated at every turn. Chances at advancement were dangled over us like bait with the hope that if I can just work a few more hours, process a few more jobs we would be the pick for the next opening. A 5 day week became 6 when they started asking who could put in a few hours on Saturday. You could have definitely said no and felt no regret as the company prided itself on a great work/life balance, but you were sure to hear something about who worked and who didn't come Monday morning.

Mid-March rolls around and with the pandemic in full swing we are told to gather all of our things and prepare to work from home.  What started out as a new and unknown adventure for all of us ended up becoming the best thing for most of us. We actually became more efficient and productive without someone looking over our shoulders all the time. Even weekend work was easier to do as you just rolled out of bed and logged in. We worked like this for 11 months and were continually told how much work we were getting done. Come February of this year and they wanted us to come back to the office. More than a few people were unsure of the logistics behind a full return to office work and the company did nothing to assuage these concerns. HR made a few announcements but all were vague and unhelpful. I personally asked for company guidelines covering what would be done for a safe return and was told that they had nothing more to share. Our Operations Manager (my Manager's Manager) even had the nerve to tell us that the companies policies were like having all the pieces of a plane dropped from midair and Management was putting it together on the way down. Not once did they address what the outcome might be if they didn't get the plane assembled before it came back to earth.

So to summarize, West Shore Home has taken on a growth trajectory that is unhealthy due to bank loans and a financial partner that dictate monthly quotas while also making working conditions suffer for all Non-Sales employees. Growth has outpaced hiring and training so partially trained employees are expected to match the workload of experienced employees while also being unable to learn new skills due to a lack of trained Team Leads. This department has become nothing more than a high school atmosphere and unless you are in the right clique you can never hope to succeed.

When I first applied and interviewed for West Shore Home I was not expecting much. But after my first day on the job for the Raleigh branch I was excited. At the end of my first work I was ecstatic. I still remember how excited I was. 

West Shore Home see their installers as people and as investment opportunities. What do I mean by that? They see you as a person in that they take in all of your skills and assets (personality and otherwise) and they help with forming a glide path with you and they take your goals seriously; they help with forming a “why” for goal purposes; and they understand that a person isn’t just an installer for the company but that they have a life that has responsibilities elsewhere as well. West Shore also sees you as an investment opportunity and it is all to your benefit. They want to see you be as competent and effective as possible and it’s a win-win. You become more of an asset by them investing in your training and that opens you to more opportunities and pay and in return they have an installer that is ever growing in competency and capability and that increases efficiency and job completion results and so West Shore is more than happy to invest and help you get to where you want to go. 

With that, West Shore is a growing company, so investing in installers who want to grow into management is in their best interest as well and the opportunities across the country are opening and available consistently. 

Anything I have wanted to learn I have been able to. (Rough/finish carpentry, plumbing, etc.).  I’m cross trained for the Window and Door and the Shower and Bath departments. I’ve been able to take managerial and leadership courses. And I’ve never been at a loss when I want to know something. There is always someone to talk to and connect with. 

With that, optional travel opportunities arise throughout the year to go help with work load at other branches. I have been able to travel to Myrtle Beach, Charlotte, Winston Salem, Dallas, Louisville, among others. With travel, West Shore provides a per diem taking into account the pricing of things where you are traveling (you are able to keep all of the per diem even if you don’t use it), they provide you lodging at nice hotels, and you receive daily bonuses on top of your pay each day that you are away from your home branch. These opportunities provide monetary rewards and also help with expanding your network at West Shore with meeting other people, and outside of that you get to travel around the country and are compensated well for it. 

The communication channels with management are open and clear. Anytime I want to express interests, irritations, game plans, etc. I have a ways and means to do so. 

West Shore utilizes the app Workplace which allows for employees from across the country to see each other’s work, communicate, interact with each other, etc. West Shore works hard at forming a tight knit type community. 

The opportunities are boundless. I am a husband with a stay-at-home wife and three beautiful children and in a year and a half at the company I have been able to go from an installer to Installer Trainer for Window and Door in Raleigh. I am able to provide for my family well and that is thanks to working at West Shore. 

 

When it comes to describing my workplace, the words "great" and "exceptional" fall short in capturing the essence of this remarkable environment. It is a haven of inspiration, collaboration, and personal growth that leaves a lasting impression on all who enter its doors. First and foremost, our workplace fosters a culture of inclusivity and respect. It is a space where diverse perspectives are not only welcomed but celebrated. The atmosphere is one of openness, where every individual's unique talents and ideas are valued and encouraged. This inclusivity creates a vibrant and dynamic environment that sparks creativity and innovation. Collaboration is the beating heart of our workplace. Teams seamlessly come together, pooling their knowledge and skills to tackle challenges and achieve remarkable results. The synergy that arises from our collective efforts is simply awe-inspiring. Whether it's brainstorming sessions, cross-functional projects, or impromptu discussions around the water cooler, collaboration is ingrained in every aspect of our daily work.

Moreover, our workplace is a hub of inspiration. From the moment you step through the doors, you are greeted by an atmosphere that sparks creativity and fuels passion. The physical space is designed with care, incorporating elements that stimulate the mind and ignite imagination. Thoughtfully curated artwork and motivational quotes adorn the walls, serving as constant reminders of the limitless possibilities that await us. Beyond the physical aspects, our workplace culture cultivates personal growth and development. Opportunities for learning and skill enhancement abound, with regular training programs, workshops, and mentorship initiatives. The organization invests in its employees, recognizing that their growth is vital to the overall success of the team. Whether it's attending conferences, pursuing certifications, or participating in professional development courses, individuals are empowered to reach their full potential. Lastly, the camaraderie and support within our workplace are unparalleled. We are not just colleagues; we are a close-knit family. The genuine care and encouragement we have for one another create a sense of belonging and purpose. Celebrations of milestones and achievements are shared moments of joy, and during times of challenge, we rally together to support and uplift one another. In summary, my workplace is not merely a space with desks and computers; it is a sanctuary of inspiration, collaboration, and personal growth. It is a place where ideas flourish, bonds are forged, and greatness is achieved. I am truly grateful to be part of such an extraordinary environment.

Sufficient training for the job, leads provided, the pay is fair and they do provide a quality product for the customer. 

I'm no stranger to hard work and achieved ~400k in sales in first few months, but this was a tough gig to sustain with a family. The inefficiency in how the leads were scheduled sometimes 2 hour drivetime between, lead to so much wasted driving time, gas and just waiting for next appointment that I regularly left the house before 8AM and got home after 8PM, 6 days a week with Saturdays being a little shorter getting home at a "normal" working day.  

You are not paid commission until the job is installed so if there are backorders or delays outside of your control, be ready to wait. When you leave the company they will also hold all of the pending commissions until the final job is completed as they don't want to pay multiple checks through payroll I guess. I had to wait 2.5 months for $12k commission. 

Also you are only paid if you close the job that day, one call close. So it's a high pressure process where on the front end the prospect is seeing the advertisement of $99/mth financing and then we sell them avg $10k shower unit (with gimmicky today only special).  If they want to think about it, if they have second thoughts and the manager has to "save" it by offering lower end products or additional discount we don't have access to, you lose the commission.  Just an example, I had a job that was going on a month and half and still not installed due to backordered product... I provided customer service as long as possible but eventually the customer was ready to move on as they were in the process of listing their home for sale.  Once they "cancelled", the manager grabbed a unit reserved for someone else, and got them scheduled for the next day. Great the customer was finally serviced, sucks for a commission sales guy that got the deal done and then had the rug pulled out from under him. Just one of a few times something like that happened in a short time, not a sustainable environment if you ask me.

You better close ~40% of your presentations too or you'll be on improvement plan chopping board.

Again, the pay and benefits were fair but it's definitely a difficult job to do long-term... just know what you're getting into before you go through the 3 weeks of training and out in the field.

At West Shore Home, you have a legitimate opportunity to earn in the high six figures as a Design Consultant. In a typical day, you will meet with 2-3 home owners with appointments that are preset by the company. You have a great deal of autonomy and authority in providing proven solutions for your customers. In some instances, involving accessibility and/or health related issues, you can literal change someone’s life for the better. That is the best part of the job in my opinion. 

Management is very supportive and you are judged based on your RESULTS. The workplace culture is supportive and nurturing. That being said, you are expected to learn an immense amount of information in a relatively short period of time. The company also expects you to be detail oriented and have strong organization skills. 

The hardest part of the job is remembering hundreds of details that go into the successful completion of a project. As a DC, you are expected to take 100% “extreme ownership”. Passing the buck and excuse making is not acceptable here. You will learn very quickly what you are made of. 

The most enjoyable part of the job is helping to provide real-world tangible solutions to those in need. For example, I routinely work with elderly customers who may have reduced mobility and look to me as an expert on how to best remodel their tub/shower wet space area. 

I also enjoy the opportunity to make as much money as my talent and abilities will allow. You can actually earn more than most lawyers and doctors. That is a fact. Natural sales skills are a plus but not a hard & fast requirement per se. It’s more important that you have the ability to communicate effectively and a desire to help people solve their home remodeling problems. If you do that well, you will be rewarded handsomely. 

 

When I started work here I bought into the core values. Believing the company invested in me and wanted me to "get better every day." I was flown to Dallas to learn the process. Training was adequate. A lot was dumped on us in those 10 days, bit I absorbed it all and passed the tests to become a "Design Consultant."

My first appointments didn't turn into sales. I was still learning the process in action. I had it to memory but was modifying it based on my perceptions of customer's needs. This took me a while. My sales numbers were low because of that. My first 60 days were very tough.

During my 3rd month, I was placed on a "coaching plan." AKA probation before termination. It's called a coaching plan but I didn't receive actual coaching dur8ng 5his time. My Dales manager and my Assistant Dales Manager left the office because of a lack of support from those above them.

The West Shore Home culture I was sold and hoped for during training just didn't exist anymore. It's all about corporate structure now, apparently. The new entity isn't capable of operating in a way that is consistent to the company values it claims to conduct itself by.

So, I ended up turning everything around and sold 4 out of my final 11 appointments. Rather than seeing that I had finally started getting traction and was becoming an outstanding representative of the product, my manager was only able to make a decision about my employment based on numbers on a screen which extended back 45 days.

So, even though I actually was "getting better every day," and I always "did the right thing," with my "extreme ownership," I was terminated because I had a slow start the first 2 months. This company may be "family owned," but it is a corporate behemoth that is no longer able to exist consistently with the ideals that it claims are It's foundation of operations.

Can't speak to other departments/positions, but working for West Shore's business systems team has been the best place I've ever worked.  They offer great flexibility with 100% remote work and unlimited PTO, the pay is industry-leading, and the team is incredibly supportive/friendly.  The work itself is challenging, rewarding, and diverse...I'm working on something new and interesting almost every week, deadlines are reasonable and usually defined by the people doing the actual work, and additional resources are made available for you if you're struggling with something or need an assist.  Pay review happens like clockwork every 6 months, and monthly reviews ensure that you always have a fairly good idea of what you'll be working on and how you're doing.

A lot of companies pay lip service to the ongoing development of the people who work for them, but West Shore is the only place I've been at that feels like it's putting its money where its mouth is.  Between paying for conference travel, offering to pay for workshops and certs, and integrating my feedback into business decisions and projects, this is the first (and only) company I've worked for that made me feel like a critical element in their long-term plans, rather than an asset to be discarded when I'm no longer useful.  They're also incredibly accommodating to folks with ADHD and other behavioral health struggles; I've never been made to feel less than like I was at a lot of other places that I've worked, and I've never been made to feel like my weaknesses as a result of my condition outweigh the strengths I bring to my role and my team.

In an era where so many companies treat their employees as replaceable, West Shore's commitment to its staff is frankly something I wouldn't have believed if I hadn't experienced it.  They prove that focusing on retaining talent isn't a compromise...it has allowed me to thrive, and the company has thrived as a result.   I plan to continue working here for as long as they'll have me. 

Appointments are set for 11 am, 2 pm and 6 pm every day, with most of them being a one to two hour drive into rural areas (they are almost never in city centers/populous areas as there are always better options for this kind of work, so it caters to the rural areas).  On top of that, the schedulers can add an appointment at the last minute, expecting you to make a two hour drive with less than an hour of heads up, which already makes the customer think you have time management issues.  Upon arrival you then breakout your, quite literally, massive sales kit and start “negging” their current shower, windows, doors, etc., even when there is usually nothing wrong with them, but it’s in the script, so it has to be said.  The presentation takes at least two hours and then you make the sale or leave empty handed.  There are days where you will be gone from 8 am until 10 pm, so the juice is hardly worth the squeeze.

Sales meetings are every Monday and are mandatory, as is being physically present, even if the “local” office is 2-3 hours away.  These meetings last three hours on their own, with role playing and publicly chastising poor performers in front of the whole company, which is archaic and always made me feel for those who were targeted.  So with all that being said, it is easy to see why their turnover rate is so high and they were always hiring for outside sales.  It is not hard, but all of that wasted time driving to meetings that could be done over zoom and poor planning by the schedulers makes it a very inefficient workplace. The money is ok (small base+low commission), but it is geared more towards inexperienced or new sales people, as anyone with d2d, b2b or any other high level sales will be taking a pay cut and working more.  

Overall I would not recommend this to anyone looking for a career in sales, there is no room for advancement and you are nothing more than a cog in their machine.

I'm not a fan of call centers but the pay and health care is really good so I took the job; you take/make calls and set appointments for bathroom or door projects. You only learn so much during the 2 week training, we wasted a lot of time on things that didn't matter and not enough time on the computer program. They try to make things fun with activities and food. Team leads are supportive and encouraging and willing to help. However, the system they use to 'grade' your progress is skewed. You get deductions for projects that we can't even do and have no control over. The company will cancel your appointment due to overbooking on their end, but it still goes against your 'score'. It's very frustrating. If you have a desire to 'argue' (they call it Default Aggressive) with people to get them to set an appointment, this is the place for you! We call people ALOT. 6 times a day until they set or block us lol. Our products are quite expensive too.  Rules change weekly and communication from corporate is minimal. The payroll & benefits dept are totally incompetent; when my group was hired, they sent many emails about what day our benefits start, the deadline to enroll or opt out, and the date that payroll deductions would start. Lo and behold, they send another email saying THEY made a mistake and benefits actually started the month prior and we all owed them the money. They sent each of us an email with the amount that would be deducted off our next paycheck (along with the regular deductions of course). Needless to say that did not go over well. I'm sure they received many nasty emails and threats so they recanted and sent yet another email apologizing for THEIR mistake.  I've never seen such a mess and that was the final straw for me. I've been job searching everyday since

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