Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Harden.
Hi Joshua, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
“I’ve always believed that a home is more than just a structure; it’s an investment in how a family lives. My journey into the world of construction and renovations didn’t start in an office—it started with my hands in the dirt and a tool belt on my waist. I spent years in the trades, learning the nuances of carpentry and exterior work, but more importantly, I spent that time observing the industry.
I noticed a recurring problem: homeowners were often frustrated by a lack of communication and contractors who shied away from ‘difficult’ jobs. I saw a gap for a company that didn’t just build, but provided insight and discernment for the homeowner. That’s why, about eight years ago, I founded Acumen Renovations here in Kansas City.
The name ‘Acumen’ was a very intentional choice. I wanted our brand to stand for ‘sharpness’—the ability to look at a complex project, like a deck built 20 feet up on a steep Shawnee hillside, and not just say ‘we can do that,’ but show the homeowner exactly how we’ll do it safely, beautifully, and to a higher standard than the code requires.
Today, we’ve grown into a specialized team of master carpenters focusing on outdoor living—custom decks, screen rooms, and exterior transformations. We’ve built our reputation on being a ‘one-stop shop’ where the craftsmanship is matched only by our transparency. I’m proud to say we’ve become the team people call when they want the job done right the first time, especially the projects other companies find too challenging. For me, the most rewarding part of the journey has been seeing a client walk out onto a new deck and realize their home just got a whole lot bigger and better.”
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
“If I said it was a smooth road, I’d be lying. Anyone who has spent a summer in Kansas City knows the weather alone is enough to make this business a challenge. But for me, the struggles haven’t just been about the rain or the heat; they’ve been about the evolution of the business itself.
Early on, my biggest struggle was internal. I was a craftsman first, which meant I wanted to be on the job site with a hammer in my hand every single day. I had to learn the hard way that you can’t grow a company if you’re the only one who knows how to solve the problems. Transitioning from being the ‘guy with a truck’ to a CEO with a vision was a steep learning curve. I actually joined a leadership community (which is partly where the ‘Acumen’ mindset comes from) to learn how to lead people, not just build structures. That transition—learning to trust a team and build systems—was probably my hardest professional ‘renovation.’
We built our reputation on taking the jobs other guys walked away from. I remember early projects on steep, wooded lots where the logistics felt impossible. There were days of literal sweat and frustration trying to figure out how to get heavy composite materials up a 30-degree incline safely. But those struggles became our niche. We realized that if we could solve the ‘impossible’ technical problems, we’d never have to compete on price alone—we’d be competing on expertise.
Like every builder, the 2021–2022 period was a trial by fire. Lumber prices were tripling overnight, and lead times for windows were stretching into months. I had to have some very difficult, transparent conversations with homeowners. It taught me that communication is actually more important than the construction itself. If you’re honest with people about the hurdles, they’ll stand by you. If you hide from the problems, you lose them.
The result of all those bumps in the road? We became a ‘one-stop shop.’ I realized that the more of the process I controlled—from the windows and siding to the deck—the fewer variables could go wrong for my clients. We didn’t get here by taking the easy path; we got here by fixing the things that most people try to ignore.”
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We aren’t just builders; we are problem solvers.”
“When people ask what I do, I tell them: We solve problems for people. A renovation is a stressful event in a family’s life. My job is to take that stress away through a very specific set of standards.
What We Are Known For: The ‘Acumen’ Standard
We’ve built our name on three non-negotiables:
The Process: We don’t ‘wing it.’ We have rigorous checklists and systems in place for every phase of the project.
The Schedule: One of the biggest complaints in KC is the ‘vanishing contractor.’ We are known for showing up every single day until the job is done. Period.
Transparency & Education: I believe in helping people make informed decisions. We provide comprehensive, line-item estimates so there are no ‘hidden’ costs. We spend the time to educate our clients on why we use certain materials or methods so they feel like partners in the process, not just customers.
What I Am Most Proud Of: Our Reputation
If you ask me what my most valuable asset is, it isn’t my tools or my trucks—it’s my reputation. I tell my team and my clients all the time: ‘You can always make more money, but you can’t get more reputation if you mess it up.’ In a town like Kansas City, word travels fast. I am incredibly proud that when people see the Acumen sign in a yard, they know they’re getting exceptional craftsmanship and a man of his word. We’ve fought hard to keep that reputation spotless, and it’s the thing I protect most fiercely.
What Sets Us Apart: We Actually Care
It sounds simple, but in this industry, it’s rare: We care.
We care about the ‘invisible’ details—the flashing and the footings that no one will ever see but keep the house safe.
We care about your property—keeping a clean job site and respecting your home.
We care about the outcome long after the final check is cashed.
Most contractors are looking for the next lead; we’re looking to build a relationship. That combination of corporate-level process and small-business care is why we stay as busy as we do.”
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
“When people ask what makes me happy in this business, they expect me to say ‘the paycheck’ or ‘the big reveal.’ But for me, the real gratification comes in two specific moments:
1. The Vision Made Real
There’s a unique feeling when you stand on a finished deck or inside a new screen room and remember the very first conversation you had with that homeowner. You took a spark of an idea—a vision for more family time or a better view—and through exceptional craftsmanship and a lot of hard work, you made it a physical reality. Seeing that transition from a sketch on paper to a structural masterpiece that will stand for 30 years is why I do what I do.
2. The ‘Blower’ Moment
But honestly? My happiest moment is the final hour of the last day. We have a rule: we don’t just ‘finish,’ we leave it better than we found it. I love that moment when the tools are packed, the project is perfect, and we have the leaf blower out, clearing the very last bit of construction dust off the new boards.
That sound of the blower is the ‘victory lap.’ It signifies that we followed our processes, we showed up every day, we stayed transparent, and we protected our reputation. Handing over a spotless, beautiful project and seeing the homeowner walk out onto it for the first time—that’s the ‘why’ behind Acumen. That’s the moment I know we didn’t just build a deck; we delivered on a promise.”
3. “The ‘Blown Away’ Factor”
“There is no better feeling in this business than that final walkthrough. Because we prioritize education and transparency from the start, our clients already have high expectations. But my goal is always to move past ‘satisfied’ and get to ‘blown away.’
I love it when a client walks out and says, ‘I knew it would be good, but I didn’t realize it would be this solid,’ or ‘I’ve never had a contractor keep the site this clean.’ That moment of exceeding expectations is the ultimate validation of our reputation. It proves that our processes aren’t just for us—they create a result that the client can actually feel. When they see that we cared more about the details than even they did, that’s when we’ve truly done our job. That’s what makes me come back and do it all again the next day.”
Pricing:
- Best price first
Contact Info:
- Website: https://AcumenRenovations.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acumenrenovations/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcumenRenovations/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/acumen-renovations-kansas-city-2
