Re-Bath a full-service remodeling company

As he transitioned from the U.S. Air Force to small business owner, Kerry Lehman hooked up with a company that has made an evolution of its own.

Lehman is the local franchisee for Arizona-based Re-Bath, which started out making bathtub liners and today is a full-service bathroom remodeler.

Lehman spent 28 years in the Air Force, first as a navigator and then in personnel as a reservist. He was first stationed at McConnell Air Force Base in 1994.

After retirement, he said, “I had to do something. I’ve always wanted to own my own business. This opportunity was just here at the right time for me.”

Lehman bought the franchise from an out-of-state owner who had started it in 2008. He said he kept all eight employees after completing the purchase last month.

Re-Bath franchises “very seldom” install the drop-in tub liners that were their specialty in the 1970s and ’80s, he said. Although well-made, the liners were difficult to install, and new tubs cost only a few hundred dollars more.

Now, Lehman said, “we remove and replace everything.”

That approach appeals more to today’s homeowners, he said, noting that bathrooms are the second-most popular rooms to renovate after kitchens.

“You get a whole new look instead of just keeping the one you had,” he said.

Re-Bath makes its own tubs and shower bases in Phoenix and carries vanities, countertops, cabinets and other items produced by other manufacturers. But Lehman said the franchise will install “anything the customer wants. We can order anything.”

Lehman said Re-Bath offers franchisees support through marketing, IT support, training and other services. He had done some remodeling work of his own before buying the franchise but said his role now is mainly in sales and marketing.

Re-Bath generally targets middle-income homes. Lehman said he would like to do more commercial work as well.

Re-Bath’s full-service approach and firm bid policy help set it apart from competitors, Lehman said.

“We are one of the few that carries an entire line here,” he said. “A lot of times, some of our competitors will tell you they’re only going to do the ‘wet area,’ you need to talk to this guy for the flooring, this guy for the cabinets.

“Whatever you need done, we’ll do it.”

He added that “the price we give you is the price you pay. There’s no surprise at the end.”

This story was originally published September 14, 2016 at 4:25 PM with the headline "Re-Bath a full-service remodeling company."