At the Remodeling Show in Las Vegas last month, 2007 NAHB Remodeler of the Year Bob Peterson sat for an interview in the convention center food court. There he discussed the growth of his $6.5 million business. An overview of the Fort Collins-based enterprise was communicated in encyclopedic fashion. From the synergies of the firm’s overall structure, to the rationale for individual policies and procedures — the broad strokes as well as the details came forth with cool clarity.

What emerged was the story of a talented couple, Peterson and his wife Rita, an interior designer, who teamed up and built a company over 17 and a half years that is among the most respected companies of any kind in its local community. They accomplished this through a commitment to doing things right, learning from mistakes and improving every step of the way.

But as Peterson coolly told the story of the company, the human touch behind the commitment to excellence emerged in a surprising moment. It came during a description of a detail on the company’s checklist for preconstruction meetings, specifically: ensuring that family pets are secure during the day.

“One of my fears in this industry is to have to face a customer and let them know that we lost their pet,” says Peterson.

“Think about that. You are at their house all day. They are at work and they have this little special dog or cat and we let it out of the house somehow.”