Carroll Lumber/Home Design Center

The Carroll Story 1942-2003 This is a story about a company that has traditionally looked beyond the present to see how we can help tomorrow's customer.

This was the philosophy set forth in 1942 when Keith Carroll and his two sons, Royce and Richard, made a commitment to Ottumwa by starting their own lumberyard. At the time, this was thought by many to be a questionable move -- there were already four lumberyards in a community that was not s eeing much growth.

As other yards went by the wayside over the years, Carroll Lumber established itself as the yard committed to its customers. We have continued to keep ahead of what our customers are looking for so we are there to provide what they need, when they need it, and how they need it.

Three generations ago our start was simple, selling the basics in building materials, cement, plaster, lime, lumber, and shingles. In keeping with our company’s philosophy of looking ahead of the customers' needs, we erected housing in the early 60’s and have a selection of products and services today that can stretch to match anyone’s needs and imagination.

We are more than just a lumberyard selling building materials to those that give us the opportunity. We look for opportunities to get to know those that we have the chance to work with, to really understand what is important to them, and then tailor a program that is unique to their needs.

For one customer it may be that we are able to deliver what they need at virtually a minute’s notice. For another it may be that we place the product exactly where they need it at the job site, or perhaps that we even offer to install it for them. Yet to another it may be the need for some extended credit terms on a project. What ever the need is, we look for solutions to meet and exceed those needs. That’s our unique difference.

Installation of product has become of more importance too. Not only for the homeowner, but also the professional contractor who is trying to accomplish as much as possible with the fewest employees. We recognized the need for this specialty service in the early 90’s and made a commitment to offer all the products that we sell installed. We accomplish this by using either a professional tradesman or an experienced staff person, the customer dictates what we provide for them. If they want us to handle all of the details of getting an entrance door installed, from having it painted, to hauling away of the old door and debris, that’s what we do.

Our ultimate goal is to exceed our customer’s expectations, and at times that means we have to go the extra mile. All our employees are committed to this end.

We have employees that have left at 5:00 a.m. to be at a supplier’s dock when they open so that we could get something that a customer needed desperately and be back by mid-morning so that their project would not suffer any delay.

We have taken calls in the middle of the night and made deliveries to customers who have been in need due to vandalism, storm damage, or working on a commercial project after hours.

We have had customers who have been doing insurance work that required them to finish the work before they get paid, and with us providing extended terms on their account, were able to accomplish this.

For most companies, words like “service” and “partnering” are just that: words. But we have taken those words and put substance to them. This is our story; this is our way of life.