What Makes a Contractor Stand Out? Five Founders Share Their Edge

In the world of contracting, every job is personal. Whether it’s repairing storm damage, wiring a new build, or transforming a home, no two projects - or business owners - are the same. Yet in an industry where competition is fierce and margins can be thin, some contractors consistently manage to thrive. What gives them the edge?

We spoke with five service business owners who’ve built resilient, growing companies across the U.S. Their answers reveal not just what makes them unique, but what keeps them pushing forward when times get tough.
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Building Trust Across Borders -
Gil Pereira, Top Quality Services (Woburn, MA)

Gil Pereira runs Top Quality Services, Inc., a contracting firm that’s literally built beyond borders. Operating both locally and internationally, his crews are trained to deliver consistent results no matter where they’re working. That focus on flexibility and communication has allowed his company to scale to over $2 million in annual revenue while maintaining strong relationships with clients and teams alike.

“Our crews are skilled, but it’s our structure that keeps us together,” Gil says. “Operating across countries forces you to run your business like a system, not a hustle.”

It’s a reminder that in modern contracting, processes can be as powerful as craftsmanship.
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Speed and Reliability When It Matters Most - Andres Villegas, All Damage Restoration (Margate, FL)

When disaster strikes, time is everything. Andres Villegas, founder of All Damage Restoration Corp, built his company around one promise: a 45-minute emergency response for water, mold, or fire damage.

Starting with nothing more than “a bucket and a vacuum,” Andres turned experience from the insurance world into a mission-driven business. His emphasis on readiness - having crews, vehicles, and systems in place to act immediately - translates to a competitive advantage most contractors overlook.

“Speed builds trust,” he says. “When you show up fast and do the job right, that client becomes yours for life.”

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Scaling Through Systems and Self-Sufficiency - Batu Tonaroglu, Home & Beyond Services (Stuart, FL)

Batu Tonaroglu founded Home & Beyond Services with one goal: to build a company that runs without constant firefighting. From day one, his focus has been on independence and self-sufficient crews - teams empowered to deliver quality without waiting for top-down approval.

In just four years, Batu scaled his company from $100K to over $500K in revenue, expanding into Beyond Marketing & Web Design to help other contractors grow their digital presence too. His story shows how modern contractors can use systems and marketing to build both brand and bandwidth.

“The less your business depends on you, the more it can grow,” Batu says - a lesson every owner learns the hard way or the smart way.

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Service That Feels Like Family -
Dave Bonnet, HandyMania (Davenport, FL)

At HandyMania LLC, Dave Bonnet doesn’t just sell repairs - he sells reliability. His company’s culture centers on fairness: no hidden fees, no inflated quotes, and no cutting corners. Family-owned and operated, HandyMania has seen 50–100% growth each year since launching in 2019.

Dave attributes that success to two simple principles: communication and care. “We treat every client like family,” he explains. “If you do that, they’ll call you again - and tell their friends.”

For contractors navigating growth, Dave’s example proves that customer service isn’t a soft skill - it’s a strategy.
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Craftsmanship with Heritage -
Jerry Bliss Wadsworth, Wadsworth Electric (Loveland, CO)

When you call Wadsworth Electric, you talk directly to the owner. Jerry Bliss Wadsworth represents three generations of electricians, but his approach is refreshingly simple: direct service, honest pricing, and pride in the trade.
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After nearly two decades working for others - from the Alaskan oil fields to Nevada gold mines - Jerry launched his own one-man shop in Colorado. His small-scale model demonstrates how a strong reputation and personal touch can outshine even the biggest competitors.

“People don’t hire a logo,” he says. “They hire someone they trust to do the work right.”

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The Contractor’s Edge

From Gil’s global operations to Jerry’s hands-on service, each of these founders embodies a different definition of “standing out.” Some rely on speed, others on systems, others still on legacy - but they all share one common thread: clarity.
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They know who they are, what they do best, and why their customers keep coming back.
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For contractors looking to grow in 2025, that clarity - combined with modern tools for operations, scheduling, and customer management - can make all the difference. After all, being great at your craft is one thing. Running a great contracting business is another - and it starts with knowing what makes you stand out.
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At MotionOps, we help contractors bring that same clarity to their operations. From scheduling and dispatching to client communication and growth tracking, our platform gives you everything you need to run a smoother, more profitable service business.
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Ready to see what smarter operations look like?
Book a demo today and discover how you can turn your edge into long-term growth.

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