Remodeling articles from April 2004

Remodeling archives from April 2004

First things first.(FirstWord)
April 1, 2004... For most remodelers, customer service is something that happens only after a job is completed. We think of it as either a reaction to a customer complaint or a system of follow-up surveys and site inspections that keep small problems from...

Listen up, y'all!(CallBack)
April 1, 2004... Having written sales training columns in this magazine for nearly 15 years now, I hope that I've made a difference. However, after reading the February ReaderPanel ("Who Sells?" page 88), I seriously question that I have. When asked what...

Ethics dilemmas.(CallBack)
April 1, 2004... We were disappointed to read "How Are Your Business Ethics?" (January 2004, page 86). The article reported that "only a few NARI chapters have committees enforcing ethics." In fact, all NARI chapters have the structure in place to form an...

Going with the flow.(News+Notes)
April 1, 2004... Picture the typical member of your typical field crew, and the image of a job foreman discussing "chi" and the "art of flow" with his carpenters is an amusing one. But if a California resolution passes the state legislature, it just might...

Housing starts down.(News+Notes)
April 1, 2004... After a record end to 2003, the housing market took a dip in early 2004. According to the Commerce Department, housing starts fell nearly 8% in January, to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.9 million units. Building permits also...

Panel addresses CCA issues.(News+Notes)
April 1, 2004... If you're a loyal reader of these pages, you've followed the CCA pressure treated lumber story. For those who aren't (and shame on you!), here's a quick recap: Last year, manufacturers announced a "voluntary phaseout" of most residential uses...

Energy star gazing.(News+Notes)
April 1, 2004... Starting on April 15 and continuing for three months, the Department of Energy is running an Energy Star appliance promotion. In an effort to persuade homeowners to use more efficient appliances, the DOE is working with manufacturers and...

Confidence down, but other indicators positive.(Market Watch)
April 1, 2004... Consumer confidence levels fell in February as a result of weak labor markets. One good note: There was a slight increase reported in the desire to purchase a home within six months. Consumer Confidence Expectations Index ...

Service game: changes in the residential construction market make it a new kind of business for the novice remodeler.(Commentary)
April 1, 2004... People often remark on the fact that remodeling is an easy business to get into. On the surface, that's true. Most people entering the remodeling industry already own the basic necessities--a truck and tools. Capital requirements are not huge....

Accidents happen: management usually is a learned skill. But it can--and should--be taught.(Commentary)
April 1, 2004... I spent yesterday morning chasing down parts for a 1930s John Deere manure spreader and ordering seed for quail food plots. If, 10 years ago, a fortune-teller had predicted where I'd be and how I'd be spending my personal and professional life...

Pace yourselves: what is the right cadence for your business?(Commentary)
April 1, 2004... All businesses have a rhythm or cadence. One aspect with which most remodelers are familiar is productivity. As in manufacturing, an important part of a company's rhythm has to do with its ability to produce a certain amount of work or a...

Enjoy the trip: put the right systems in place to get that project off the ground and flying high.(Commentary)
April 1, 2004... At Brothers Strong, we think of the term "takeoff" not as an estimate but rather as that point in time when a project is passed from sales to production and a job takes flight. With proper advance work, the hand off can be a smooth one. But...

HR for the field.(Ways + Means)
April 1, 2004... It used to be that remodelers were pretty much on their own when it came to running their companies. There were simply no books available written specifically for home improvement businesses. Little by little, that changed, and now there is...

Perfect pictures.(Ways + Means)
April 1, 2004... Attractive, Professional photographs are an invaluable tool for any contractor. Well-shot pictures of your work can be used in marketing materials, sales proposals, and, well, articles in trade magazines. But while they may be worth every...

Bylaw: collection protection.(Ways + Means)
April 1, 2004... Cash flow is of utmost importance to a remodeling contractor; without money, you can't run your business. While most customers make all their payments in full and on lime, there are always a few who cause trouble. It's vital that you collect...

Cash in hand.(Bottom Line)
April 1, 2004... Cash is king in this business, and that's why Karen Dowd-Carpenter is fanatical about collections in her Alexandria, Va., company, Potomac Builders. "We know that maintaining a strong cash flow has to be a focus in order to be able to run...

Child's pay.(Tax Tips)
April 1, 2004... Want to save some tax dollars and instill a good work ethic in your children? It is legal to hire your children to do specific jobs and pay them for it. They might clean the office, send out mailings, file papers, or the like. They could work...

Weaving a Web site: your online presence speaks volumes about your company. Take care and time in selecting a designer.(Sales + Marketing)
April 1, 2004... Finding a good Web site designer is like finding a good remodeler: You get what you pay for. "I was shocked once I round out the price of Web sites," says Greg Harth of the $730,000-a-year Harth Builders in Spring House, Pa. Harth ended up...

Avoid a deadbeat sales attitude.(Sales + Marketing)
April 1, 2004... Negative thoughts or emotions kill sales. Here are five ways to avoid a deadbeat sales attitude. Harness your body's power. Every move tells your brain whether you're happy, sad, stressed, or any number of other emotions. Positive-minded...

Purchasing direct mail lists.(Sales + Marketing)
April 1, 2004... Marketing via direct mail requires a quality list, but where can you find one? There are five main list sources. (1) The best is your own compiled list, providing you've kept it purged, merged, parsed, and it includes past clients and...

Working 9 to 5? What weekly schedule have you set for your crew and why?(Q + A)
April 1, 2004... TIM THOMPSON Thompson Building Associates Columbus, Ohio Our hours are 7:30 to 4:00, with a half hour for lunch. This works well for us because we do primarily insurance restoration, and many of our clients on small jobs like to...

Jobsite paperwork, Part 5: daily planning form.(Field Notes)
April 1, 2004... The key to staying on schedule and eliminating cost y forgetfulness is to use a form to carefully plan your project, day by day. The plan will help you keep track of ordering materials, schedule subcontractors in a timely manner, give clients...

Let's take this outside.(By Design)
April 1, 2004... In space-constrained designs, every square inch is precious. With that in mind, Kalamazoo, Mich., remodeler Bob DeHaan found a clever solution to his clients' desire for both a spacious remodeled dining room and custom cabinetry, reaching...

What makes a house a home?(By Design)
April 1, 2004... Most homeowners, says author Sarah Susanka, know what they want in a house. What they need, she says, is a language in which to articulate their desires. In her new book, Home By Design, the architect and not-so-big house proponent...

All-in-one marketing.(Tech@Work)
April 1, 2004... Imagine paying one fee for a list of local prospects, marketing materials to send to them, and an electronic lead and contact management system to track each lead from sales call to job completion and beyond. That's what's on offer if you're...

Electronic billing.(Tech@Work)
April 1, 2004... If you've ever paid any of your personal bills online, you might have considered how easy the whole process is, especially if you've set up an automatic direct debit from your bank account. EZ Payment Services (www.ezpaymentservices.com) is...

Serious yahoo.(Tech@Work)
April 1, 2004... Some free-or-cheap internet services are more trouble than they're worth. Yahoo, however, (www.yahoo.com) offers useful features. E-Mail. Free Yahoo e-mail offers excellent spam and virus filtering, plus "throw-away" addresses to help...

Meeting planner.(Good Form)
April 1, 2004... Many years ago, Rob Lauten of Lauten Construction, Purcellville, Va., began holding weekly meetings with his clients. It only took a few months, however, before he realized that these relatively unstructured confabs weren't accomplishing what...

Profile: Patrick Nicholson.(Close Up)
April 1, 2004... Since being named Big50 in 1994, Pat Nicholson made the move from deck builder to franchise builder. The CEO of DeckMasters Technologies, Pittsburgh, started The regional franchise four years ago and now has seven franchisees in western...

Patrick Benkowski, CR.(SecondLook)
April 1, 2004... Not warmed by Wisconsin weather, Patrick Benkowski (Big50 1997) sold his share in Custom Design Associates to his brother Mark and headed for Arizona. It was an amicable split, but "family businesses can be a lot like shotgun weddings," he...

Should you use specialized or cross-trained field employees?(Face Off)
April 1, 2004... "Nine of our 13 field employees are lead carpenters, and we try to train them for any type of job that comes our way."--Brian Altmann VERSATILITY IS THE KEY We do all sorts of projects: kitchens, bathrooms, additions, decks, porches,...

Rationales for ratios: how do you divide your marketing budget between attracting new leads and reaching past clients?(Q+A)
April 1, 2004... Q+A DEAN BRENNEMAN Brenneman and Pagenstacher Bethesda, Md. Big50 2003 Most of our work comes from repeat clients or direct referrals from those clients. All of our marketing budget is aimed not at generating leads but...

Geometric equation: a pop-up Craftsman addition calculates all the right angles--for homeowner, remodeler, and architect alike.(Before+After)
April 1, 2004... With good craftsmanship, form takes on precise shapes. In a good design, function makes the most of all available space. When you have both, form and function work in concert. Nothing lags behind. Equal measures of form and function...

The rain-makers: a good marketing program sets its sights on a goal and then hits it. Read on to sample five campaigns that were right on the money.
April 1, 2004... Each unique in their own right, these five campaigns had the same goal: bring in business. They did that, despite budgets ranging from $268 to $9,120--proving that you don't always need lots of cash to make it rain. In the case of Carey...

Kitchen + bath studio.
April 1, 2004... Kitchen: Concrete Impressions Few can resist the lure of smooth, wet concrete caning out for carved initials or a quick hand imprint while no one's looking. Designer, artist, and concrete fabricator Fu-Tung Cheng of Berkeley, Calif.-based...

Man the subs: the subcontractor market is getting more competitive and more complicated. Remodelers are taking a new look at how they find, manage, and retain top-notch partners.
April 1, 2004... Five years ago, Shigley Construction's employees were doing virtually all of the labor required for their company's remodeling projects. Tim Shigley, the 43-year-old owner of this remodeling company in Augusta, Kan., remembers his workers as...

Subcontractor management: remodeling company owners tend to use the same subcontractors repeatedly with no competitive bidding.(Reader Panel)
April 1, 2004... Remodelers prefer to develop a solid, long-term relationship with their subcontractors. Most use fixed-price contracts, and to keep, good subs happy, they pay in full, either immediately or within one week of job completion. For what type...

Range hoods & ventilation.(Spec Book)
April 1, 2004... No longer glorified fans, kitchen range hoods and ventilation products are getting high-tech. With features like delayed-shutoff timers, clean-filter indicators, and sensors that automatically adjust blower operation to the heat output of a...

Dacor.(Spec Book)
April 1, 2004... The Epicure Raised Ventilation System (ERV) was designed to vent commercial-style ranges and cooktops and disappears out of sight when not in use. Available in 30-, 60-, and 48-inch wide models, the system has an elevated 10-inch high intake...

Broan-NuTone.(Spec Book)
April 1, 2004... The Recessed Fan Light Combination unit has a trim design that matches other recessed lights to blend in seamlessly while providing ventilation. The unit is UL rated for use over tubs and showers with a GFCI circuit but can also be used to...

Fantech.(Spec Book)
April 1, 2004... The Kitchen Ventilation System include the Stainlees Steel Range Hood Liner in either 36- or 48-inch widths; a remote-mount inline fan or exterior mounted fan ranging from 400 to 1,200 CFMs; and the optional LD Series Silencer that further...

Abbaka.(Spec Book)
April 1, 2004... The Classic range canopy hood features a radiused profile achieved through a fusion weld that eliminates joints. Contour bands accent the curve of the hood but are attached invisibly. Wall-mounted and free-hanging island configurations are...

Sirius range hoods.(Spec Book)
April 1, 2004... The Sirius Collection of range hoods features clean, angular profiles in both wall-mount and island configurations. Hoods come in all-stainless steel models and stainless steel and glass models, and they feature a variable-speed exhaust system...

Air King ventilation products.(Range Hoods & Ventilation)
April 1, 2004... The Vision range hood features an ultra-slimline profile and is available in black, white, biscuit, and stainless steel finishes. An electronic blower delay timer automatically shuts the unit off and four speed settings provide up to 380 CFMs...

Kenyon custom.(Range Hoods & Ventilation)
April 1, 2004... Designed to be installed in an upper cabinet and to slide back out of the way when not in use, the Ductless Sirocco under-cabinet slider ventilation hood is intended for use where outside ducting is not available. A 350 CFM blower operates...

Jenn-Air.(Range Hoods & Ventilation)
April 1, 2004... Six speed settings, a 650-CFM blower, and 15-minute delay shut-off for both fan and lights are key features of the maker's hoods. Designed to coordinate with the manufacturer's newest stainless steel kitchen appliances, the hoods are also...

Vent-a-hood.(Range Hoods & Ventilation)
April 1, 2004... Designed to accommodate standardized 6-inch ventilation outlets while delivering high-performance ventilation, the Emerald VI range hood uses a 250-CFM blower. Its SensaSource system automatically adjusts ventilation power to match heat and...

Zephyr.(Range Hoods & Ventilation)
April 1, 2004... The Tempest II range hood features a 1,100 CFM blower that operates at a maximum of 7.0 sones. Available in 30-, 36-, and 48-inch widths, the hood's touch-free Intelli-Sensors system offers self-sensing operation, a room temperature sensor,...

Divide and conquer: offering roofing services to customers past and future is a foot in the door for new business.(Roofing)
April 1, 2004... The marketing company that Jim Corridon uses told him that his operation, Metropolitan Contractors of Fairfax, Va., was a "rare animal." Corridon's firm operates two divisions: design/build remodeling and home improvement, including roofing,...

Curb appeal: decorative detailing turns a ho-hum vinyl siding job into something eye-catching.(Siding)
April 1, 2004... Bob Marrash, sales and operations manager for Accurate Roofing & Siding, Trenton, N.J., says four out of five siding prospects he presents to have no idea that decorative detail options are available. "They think siding is siding." Marrash...

Lead me on.(Siding)
April 1, 2004... Q: Should sales reps be allowed to qualify or confirm leads? A: Have you ever heard anybody qualifying a lead over the telephone? There is no such thing as qualifying. It's all about disqualifying. Think of it this way: It costs your...

Breathe easy: proper bathroom ventilation prevents mold and other air pollutants.(Trends)
April 1, 2004... In the past, the whirring of a fan motor was the only thing homeowners might have noticed when it came to bathroom ventilation. But those days are gone. Homeowners are approaching remodelers with a host of health-related concerns. Noise, and...

Certified pure.(Trends)
April 1, 2004... Kinetico's Purefecta Drinking Water Purifier, available for residential application, uses a seven-stage, multibarrier process to remove bacteria, viruses, and protozoa from drinking water. The drinking water system is the only residential water...

The perfect accessory.(Trends)
April 1, 2004... Food preparation areas are popular additions to kitchens, and the prep-sink faucet is playing an ever-larger role as an essential kitchen tool. "If you're doing more cooking--which people are--you need tools and places to de these...

Level field.(Reader's Choice)
April 1, 2004... To achieve a quality finished project, remodeler Chris Peterson starts all his jobs with a level line. Whether he's establishing grades for excavation of footings and foundations, leveling floors and ceilings, or making sure crown moldings and...

Trimmed out.(Reader's Choice)
April 1, 2004... Several years ago, remodeler Craig Deimler was looking for a detailed millwork product that was more durable than custom-milled wood. He found Fypon's molded millwork product line, tried it, and has been using it ever since. "We've tried other...

Safe sites: tune up your crew's scaffold safety.(On The Job)
April 1, 2004... If you take your scaffold setup for granted, better think again. OSHA has put unsafe scaffolding on its "Most Wanted" list of safety violations in an effort to reduce the deaths caused by bad setups. Fall protection, access, platform...

Home automation: the next generation of home automation technology is on the way.(In Focus)
April 1, 2004... Home automation is in demand. Whether it's as complicated as a fully automated home theater system with programmed lighting scenes or as simple as a single-room lighting control, homeowners are looking for ways to make their lives at home...

Pass & seymour/legrand.(Home Automation)
April 1, 2004... Designed to allow distribution of audio signals to an unlimited number of locations, the A-BUS Distributed Audio System operates off a single Cat5 cable. Up to four volume controls connect to a centrally located distribution module, which also...

Lutton.(Home Automation)
April 1, 2004... Available in three different versions, the HomeWorks total home lighting control system provides programming and control of lighting and other home electronics from keypads located throughout a home. The hard-wired 8 series and 4 series systems...

LiteTouch.(Home Automation)
April 1, 2004... The Scenario Single-Room Controller now features a Master Off button and a built-in infrared receiver to allow the system to be accessed using a Universal Remote Control. The lighting controller can be programmed for tour individually dimmable...

Greyfox systems.(Home Automation)
April 1, 2004... The Greyfox Intercom Module for home communications features a modern look and easier installation than previous modules because it's based on Cat5 cabling that connects to a home's structured wiring. The system supports up to 12 indoor, one...

IntelliNet controls.(Home Automation)
April 1, 2004... Now available for integration with the maker's IC/RS3000 distributed audio and automation control system, the DH2 Digital Hub provides more control options than the previous hub and connects other IntelliNet devices with a home's LAN network....

Shell energy services company.(Home Automation)
April 1, 2004... The Shell Home-Genie integrated home management solution provides Web-based remote access to most household systems and devices through a home computer broadband Internet connection. The system lets users control heating and cooling systems,...

HAI.(Home Automation)
April 1, 2004... Featuring larger buttons, a thinner profile, and cool-blue-toned backlighting, the HAI Omni Controller, model 33A00-1, can be programmed to control a home's temperature and lighting and can also be accessed via telephone and Internet. The...

Jackson systems.(Home Automation)
April 1, 2004... Able to control up to 20 zones in a home, the automatic Comfort System Zone Control can help eliminate 8 to 12 degrees of temperature difference between upstairs and downstairs rooms, the maker says. Its thermostat and motorized zone damper...

UStec.(Home Automation)
April 1, 2004... Designed to meet any structured wiring need, the ProLAN Series of tecCenters enable whole-home distributed audio and video, telephone, lighting controls, computer networking, security, broadband access, and a file server. (800) 836-2312....

MonierLifetile.(Roofing)
April 1, 2004... Designed to augment the Old World appearance of the maker's Barcelona concrete roof tile, Boosted Barcelona is a decorative cap tile that installs on top of Barcelona tiles. The mortar-boosted cap tiles can be installed randomly to further...

Trimline building products.(Roofing)
April 1, 2004... Rigid Roll Plus Shingle-Over ridge vents now incorporate StormStop, a spun-bound nonabsorbant membrane that allows hot, moist air to escape while keeping out heavy rain, hail, sleet, and snow. The ridge vents can be installed with a coil nail...

Georgia-Pacific.(Roofing)
April 1, 2004... Centura Plus steel shingles, constructed of lightweight Galvalume steel, feature a smooth surface that sheds snow easily and a coating that protects the finish from fading and cracking. The shingles qualify for Class B fire ratings. (800)...

Tamko roofing products.(Roofing)
April 1, 2004... Made from a fire-resistant composite material with the textures and contours of real slate, Lamarite Slate Composite Shingles feature two nailing locations on each shingle, as well as indicator marks that allow exposures of 7 or 8 inches to be...

Englert Inc.(Roofing)
April 1, 2004... Ultra-Cool low-gloss coatings for the maker's metal roof products meet Energy Star requirements for reflectivity and for steep slope cool roofs. The coated metal roofs can help reduce energy bills by up to 50%, the maker says. The coatings are...

Owens corning.(Roofing)
April 1, 2004... Ideal for complementing Western or traditional architectural styles, Woodcrest and Woodmoor profile-cut, heavy weight shingles have a thick, rugged appearance. They can be installed from left to right or right to left and have additional offset...

LifePine products.(Roofing)
April 1, 2004... LifePine Nature Wood southern yellow pine pressure-treated shakes and shingles now offer an alternative chemical treatment to CCA-treated shakes and shingles: alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ). The shakes and shingles are treated to prevent rot...

CertainTeed.(Roofing)
April 1, 2004... Part of the maker's Landmark Series of laminated shingles, the Landmark WideTrack QB features a wider nailing area for increased accuracy during installation. The 1 1/2-inch nailing area makes it easier for installers to apply shingles...

IKO.(Roofing)
April 1, 2004... Utilizing a flexible membrane that forms a protective seal around nails and fasteners, GoldShield ice and water roofing underlayment protects against roof leaks. The product features a self-adhesive backing protected by a silicone-treated...

Elk premium building products.(Roofing)
April 1, 2004... With components designed to complement one another, the Complete Elk Roof delivers an integrated look along with wind and moisture protection. The extended line of steep slope roofing products combines the company's Prestique High Definition...

Crane performance siding.(Exterior Trim)
April 1, 2004... Solid Core Architectural Essentials vinyl trims now include the Window Crown Molding and the Band Board, featuring an insulated backing for impact resistance and R-value up to 4.0. Window Crown Mold comes in 12-toot sections; Band Board...

Revere building products.(Exterior Trim)
April 1, 2004... Six new vinyl exterior trims and accessories feature a smooth texture with a low-gloss finish and come in while. The line now includes a 5-inch fluted lineal; a 45degree, 2-inch-wide bay/bow outside comer post; and one-piece fluted and...

Azek.(Exterior Trim)
April 1, 2004... One side of the Frontier Series cellular PVC trim board is textured with a rustic wood grain while the opposite side is smooth. The reversible board lays flat on either side for versatile installation. The trim comes in 5/4 and 4/4 widths in...

LP specialty products.(Exterior Trim)
April 1, 2004... SmartSide trims now come in 2- and 3-inch widths in both wood grain and smooth finishes. The engineered wood trims are treated with a borate-based additive that resists termites and fungal decay. The trims can be cross-cut or mitered, feature...

Heartland building products.(Exterior Trim)
April 1, 2004... Visionary Accents exterior trims come in six dark colors and are made using the manufacturer's Therma-Fast Poly-Thermal Formulation that resists heat and fading. The line includes a 3 l/2-inch Window and Door Surround as well as 33/4-inch and...

Conference agenda.(Calendar)
April 1, 2004... Remodeling Leadership Conference May 13-15, 2004 JW Marriott Washington, D.C. Day 1 Thursday, May 13 3:30 - 6:30 pm Registration 5:30 - 7:00 pm Welcome Reception Day 2 Friday, May...

Pay daze: owner compensation should not be accidental. Pay yourself what you're worth.(Benchmark)
April 1, 2004... How much money can a company owner expect to earn from a remodeling business? And how many hours should an owner have to work to earn that amount of money? A surprising number of remodelers rarely ask these questions. They don't take a...