Remodeling articles from February 2003

Remodeling archives from February 2003

Suffering from success. (First Word).
February 1, 2003... During the last half of the 1990s, just about everybody in the remodeling industry found out what success tastes like. In fact, we gorged on success. Success was easy, and it was everywhere. That was then. Just when you thought you'd...

Credit where it's due. (Call Back).
February 1, 2003... After reading your article "Southern Comfort" (December 2002, page 57), I notice that you misspelled my name--it's Belinda Sosa, not Brenda Sosa. I'd also like to note that after reading and reviewing many of your articles on completed...

Act out. (Call Back).
February 1, 2003... In the Reader's Choice section in the December 2002 issue (page 89), Joan Stephens wrote about Act! I use it as well and find it very valuable. However, I suggest that your readers be advised that the newest version has many bugs, including...

NAHB opposes new building code. (News+Notes).
February 1, 2003... The NAHB has urged its members to oppose a new National Fire Protection Agency model building code, reviving a debate between the two associations over stair tread and riser standards. The NFPA 5000, issued in August 2002, requires a minimum...

ThermoView consolidates, looks to expand. (News+Notes).
February 1, 2003... ThermoView Industries, owner of five exterior replacement and full-service remodeling operations, has announced plans to consolidate its subsidiaries under a new national brand. The new brand; THV: America's Home Improvement Company, will be...

Florida man wins $1.8 million asbestos verdict. (News+Notes).
February 1, 2003... A Florida jury has found Union Carbide Corporation liable for a former drywall worker's asbestosis. Yves Lagueux, 52, was awarded $34,000 for past pain and suffering and another $1.76 million for anticipated pain and suffering. Lagueux...

Makita recalls circular saws. (News+Notes).
February 1, 2003... Makita USA and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have announced a recall of 180,000 Makita circular saws. According to the CPSC, the saws' lower blade guard can jam, bringing the user in contact with the saw blade. The recalled...

Beta-testers wanted.
February 1, 2003... Calculated Industries, maker of construction calculators, is looking for beta-testers to try its new Pocket PC version of Construction Master Pro. If you're interested, download the software for free at www.calculated.com/betatest.

Mixed signals. (Market Watch).
February 1, 2003... HOUSING AFFORDABILITY The National Association of REALTORS' Housing Affordability Index rose dramatically in the fall. Falling mortgage interest rates and rising income levels accounted for the increase. [GRAPHIC OMITTED] CONSUMER...

Make lead carpenters more efficient: the lead carpenter system works well, but exactly how well is still a guess for most companies. (Commentary).
February 1, 2003... In the past 10 years, the lead carpenter system has gained acceptance and dramatically changed the way many contractors work in the field. Most people agree the lead carpenter system, with its one-man crew, significantly increases productivity....

Group think: bringing your staff into the decision-making process takes time but pays off in solid, long-term results. (Commentary).
February 1, 2003... Ever played one of those educational survivor games? They typically have you shipwrecked or surviving a plane crash with a group of individuals and what appears to be a random collection of salvageable items. You have to rank the usefulness of...

The right client: the more you can discriminate between good and bad customers, the healthier your company will be. (Commentary).
February 1, 2003... About 10 years ago, I heard a seminar speaker say that approximately 18% of remodeling clients will not allow the contractor to make a profit. Look at it this way: If you earn 10% net profit with eight clients and lose 10% with two clients, the...

Disassembly required: thinking about offering remodeling packages? We did--and said no. (Commentary).
February 1, 2003... About five years ago, our company--a full-service remodeler with design/build, handyman, and kitchen/ bath divisions--considered offering pre-designed, or package, remodels. We put together good/better/best product selection options and...

One more walkthrough: identify future problems with an on-site pre-bid powwow. (Ways+Means).
February 1, 2003... Want to ensure that your bid covers every conceivable problem that could arise during a complicated job? Arrange a pre-bid walkthrough. Mike Weiss, owner of Weiss & Co., Carmel, Ind., regularly assembles trade contractors for an on-site...

Arbitration clauses. (Ways+Means).
February 1, 2003... Many remodelers' contracts contain clauses indicating that any disputes beyond a certain dollar amount be submitted to mediation and, failing that, binding arbitration. Why? Apart from the time and expense involved in a trial, Texas attorney...

White-glove treatment: site protection costs time and money--your time and the clients' money. (Ways+Means).
February 1, 2003... Seattle contractor Rich Gaspar spares no expense when it comes to protecting the jobsite. On big jobs, Gaspar Construction crews lay bubble wrap covered with Masonite on wood floors and install plastic walls. They wrap balusters and balustrades...

Chump change. (Bottom Line).
February 1, 2003... Every company ought to track change order revenue as a percentage of total job cost. Below-average revenue may signal change orders that are not being processed, and that can cost you. If change orders average 10% of total revenue (see...

Credit caution: use a line of credit to achieve solid business goals, not as a crutch for poor management. (Your business: bottom line).
February 1, 2003... If you're thinking about opening a line of credit, think twice. Steve Halt, CPA and president of accounting firm Halt, Thrasher & Buzas, Alexandria, Va., warns that credit lines are potentially dangerous tools for those who lack business savvy....

Client profiling. (Sales+Marketing).
February 1, 2003... As it applies to remodeling, Predo's Law--known as the 80/20 Rule--says a salesperson is more apt to spend the greatest percentage of time trying to close sales with the hardest-to-close prospects. A salesperson should really do just the...

A marketing formula for growth. (Sales+Marketing).
February 1, 2003... How do you determine what to spend on marketing when you need to boost sales efforts for growth? Joaquin Erazo Jr., marketing vice president at Case Design/Remodeling, Bethesda, Md., uses a formula that relies on history as an indicator of...

How to nurture new salespeople. (Sales+Marketing).
February 1, 2003... You've hired new salespeople and have just about finished their formal training. Now what? Remodelers Jeff Talmadge of Talmadge Construction, Aptos, Calif., and Andrew Shore of Sea Pointe Construction, Irvine, Calif., offer the following tips:...

Selling with no money down. (Sales+Marketing).
February 1, 2003... Carmen Pretopapa has sold all his jobs--1,000 over the past three years--with no money down. It may sound dicey to most remodelers, but the exterior replacement contractor says the technique has helped him separate himself from competitors. ...

Spanish construction dictionary. (Field Notes).
February 1, 2003... Need help communicating with Spanish-speaking workers? A new pocket-sized book, English/Spanish For Painters & Contractors, offers translations of commonly used construction terminology, such as the names of tools and materials and words used...

Luncheon seminars. (Field Notes).
February 1, 2003... Chris Avant of Canyon Construction feels strongly about educating his workers. So, every few months, the owner of the San Francisco-based remodeling company offers a Friday afternoon seminar on timely topics. Over a few slices of pizza, his...

Lead carpenter production. (Your business: field notes).
February 1, 2003... Many remodelers are curious about the benchmark for how much dollar volume a lead carpenter can produce in one year. To calculate this figure, start with a projected sales volume. We'll say it's $1.5 million for this example. Divide this figure...

Essentials of design. (By Design).
February 1, 2003... A new book breaks down timeless design into 10 essential tenets. The three architects who collaborated on Patterns of Home, The Ten Essentials of Enduring Design identify the elements that make houses comfortable, beautiful, and dynamic. ...

Designs for seniors. (By Design).
February 1, 2003... A new demonstration house features design techniques and products that facilitate aging in place. The senior-friendly LifeWise house was built by the NAHB Research Center, a subsidiary of the NAHB. It's part of the Research Center's MADE...

Scientific design. (By Design).
February 1, 2003... The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the University of Minnesota have launched a Web site that covers a range of research on design and human behavior. The site, www.informedesign.com, contains easy to-use summaries of the...

Sketching an estimate. (Tech@Work).
February 1, 2003... Xactware, makers of a popular estimating program used in insurance restoration, plans to release a package in March called Xactimate for Remodelers. Those who have seen trial versions say the software promises to fit into their work flow,...

Creating easy multimedia presentations. (Tech@Work).
February 1, 2003... Creating multimedia presentations used to be difficult and expensive. Not anymore. Today all it takes is a digital camera and a PC equipped with Microsoft PowerPoint. Here are some basics: Pick a subject. To increase referrals, compile an...

Profile: Frank Spivey. (Close Up).
February 1, 2003... Frank Spivey of Spivey Construction has always hired independent contractors as designer/salespeople. In his 50 years as a contractor in Indianapolis, the president of Spivey Construction has found this system works well. Spivey (Big50 1987)...

Second look. (Close Up).
February 1, 2003... When you've remodeled 7,000 homes, you qualify as an expert. That's exactly what Jim Rice, named Big50 with brother Joe in 1987, has done from his Camarillo, Calif., offices. The brothers quit their country/gospel band in 1976 to run their...

If you charge for estimates, do you apply the fee toward the job cost? (Close Up).
February 1, 2003... "I charge for estimates and keep the money because I believe that a contractor's time is extremely valuable." --Cary Butler NO GIVEBACKS Professionals pay professionals and know they must. I charge for estimates and keep the money...

Details, details, details: how much detail do you show in your estimates? (Q + A).
February 1, 2003... STEPHANIE WITT Kitchens by Stephanie Grand Rapids, Mich. Big50 1996 Our proposals are extremely detailed as far as telling clients what they're going to get: model number, size, color. If the client demands breakouts, we try to do...

Work triangle: Bob DeHaan was the only contractor who responded to a call about a leak. In what's turned out to be a family affair, he's now worked on four separate projects and is ready for more. (Remodeling Before+After).
February 1, 2003... When Bob DeHaan responded to a call about a living room remodel, he was faced with an unusual situation: There were really two clients. One was Traci Polacco, who lived in the house. The other was her mother, Patricia, who was paying for the...

Smart move: remodelers are learning: real estate agents matter.
February 1, 2003... When more than 90% of home buyers make improvements within a year of purchase, the decision to work with those who broker the sales is a no-brainer. And with existing homes selling at record pace--5.47 million projected for 2002 vs. 5.29...

Have a nice life: are you having the kind of life you always dreamed of or living in your own private hell? Take control of the situation.
February 1, 2003... Moxie, chutzpah, or, well, something else--whatever it takes to stand up, mike in hand, in front of an edgy and not necessarily sympathetic crowd in a Greenwich Village comedy club--David Moore's got it. The 48-year-old graduate of Harvard...

Are you wasting your time? Time management isn't about how much time you have. After all, we all have the same amount--24 hours a day. What's important is how productive that time is. How do remodelers make the most of their available hours? We asked our readers. (Remodeling: reader panel).
February 1, 2003... For many remodelers, time management is a juggling act. Sales, design, production, estimating--some readers handle all those jobs on their own. Not surprisingly, many of the remodelers we surveyed say they're spread pretty thin. They wish they...

Party room: market your company and generate leads by hosting an event at your showroom. (Management).
February 1, 2003... Who doesn't like a good party? For remodelers with showrooms, hosting events on site can prove to be fun and profitable. Just remember that it takes a bit of work to have that much fun. Levi Mize organized a successful customer appreciation...

Center stage. (Details).
February 1, 2003... In a client meeting, remodeler Mark Scott, owner of Mark IV Builders, Bethesda, Md., and architect Paul Merrick presented their client with two traditional designs for a high-end master suite bath remodel. Then, at the end of the meeting,...

Counter calculator. (Details).
February 1, 2003... Kitchen designers and remodelers can use a new Web site to quickly and easily price and order stainless steel countertops from Eskay Metal Fabricating. The site, www.specialtystainless.com, offers a fast and easy way for designers to calculate...

Kitchen lighting. (Spec Book).
February 1, 2003... Undercabinet lights provide not only supplemental task lighting but also accent lighting to spotlight favorite kitchen features. Concealed fixtures reduce the utilitarian appearance of task lighting and elevate it to a design feature.--S.L.M.

Ardee lighting. (Kitchen Lighting).
February 1, 2003... The Ardee Flexible Track 12-volt lighting system is available with a variety of shading options. The track can be mounted on walls and ceilings and around corners to provide accent and ambient lighting. Track sections are available in up to...

Alkco. (Kitchen Lighting).
February 1, 2003... A compact undercabinet light fixture, the Halogen 120 features a rounded-edge profile and a glass diffuser to provide soft task lighting. Housings are available in four lengths and can be linked together for row mounting using the fixture's...

Juno lighting. (Kitchen Lighting).
February 1, 2003... The new 12-volt Pro Halogen Series undercabinet light fixtures reduce mounting surface temperatures and minimize heat transfer to cabinets, says the maker. Fixtures plug together for row mounting and can be used with wall dimmers or with...

W.A.C. lighting. (Kitchen Lighting).
February 1, 2003... Low Voltage Ceiling Pendants (shown in Green Swirl/Opal) feature handapplied swirls of color over shades available in a variety of colors. Pendants measure 6 1/4 inches long and 6 3/8 inches in diameter. (800) 526-2588. www.waclighting.com....

Meyda tiffany. (Kitchen Lighting).
February 1, 2003... Featuring an art glass shade in a red and yellow arrowhead motif, the Pueblo Mission Inverted Ceiling Pendant hangs from up to 3 feet of chain. The pendant measures 28 inches tall and 24 inches wide. (800) 222-4009. www.meyda.com. Circle no....

Progress lighting. (Kitchen Lighting).
February 1, 2003... An undercabinet supplemental task and accent lighting system, the Hide-a-Lite H system features a quartz halogen disc light that provides a high-intensity white light. The system is available in both surface mount and recessed models. (864)...

A cut above: today's tools make installing fiber cement a snap. So to speak. (Siding).
February 1, 2003... This past August, Matt Moody of Matt Moody Carpentry was hired to repair a house near Burlington, Vt. Among numerous other improvements, the house needed new siding, and the client wanted fiber cement. Moody found that dismaying. "The only time...

Decks: repair or replace? hidden substructure damage often turns a repair job into a full-blown makeover. (Decks).
February 1, 2003... The deck's far from new, but the client's only interested in having some boards replaced. What now? Rick Parish, of Decks Appeal, Dallas, looks at the substructure. If that's starting to go, replacement is his first suggestion. "If they want me...

Great expectations.
February 1, 2003... Q: How much can I expect a salesperson to sell? A: You've heard that one person's ceiling is another person's floor? That's true when you think about what companies expect from a sales staff. I was at a company recently where the top...

Like a rock: quartz surfaces are growing in popularity, and it's not just because of their good looks. (Trends).
February 1, 2003... Engineered stone is generally less expensive and easier to work with than natural stone, and it's available in a wide array of colors, patterns, and finishes. That makes it an attractive material for designers, contractors, and home buyers. But...

Solar challenge: competition to save energy. (Trends).
February 1, 2003... Late last year, the U.S. Department of Energy sponsored a Solar Decathlon, an event that pitted 14 teams of architecture and engineering students against each other to see which could design, build, and operate the most energy-efficient and...

Mold management.
February 1, 2003... Mold has always been with us, flourishing on the nutrients provided by such cellulose-based materials as wood. But the organism's recent celebrity via the media and high-profile lawsuits has lent particular urgency to the home improvement...

Flooring: concrete is for more than just subfloors--it provides a canvas for works of art. (In Focus).
February 1, 2003... Decorative concrete floors offer a wide range of design flexibility. They can be painted, acid-stained, scored, saw-cut, polished, overlayed, micro-topped, or colored. Concrete's versatility as a flooring material--and its ability to be easily...

GranitiFiandre. (Flooring).
February 1, 2003... The Geologica line has been expanded to include three marble re-creations: Estremoz, Rouge Languedoc, and Cremo Delicato. Geologic stones offer the aesthetics of quarried marble with enhanced performance, the company says. The flooring is...

Nafco. (Flooring).
February 1, 2003... PermaStone vinyl tiles in the Tumbled Marble collection come in five colors and feature a system that allows tiles fit together without visible seams. (256) 766-0235. www.nafco.com. Circle no. 109. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Mohawk. (Flooring).
February 1, 2003... Floating wood-grain laminate flooring installs with the company's tongue and groove locking system. Three collections are available: Paramount (shown), Heritage, and Avalon. (800) 2-MOHAWK. www.mohawklaminateflooring.com. Circle no. 110. ...

WFI bamboo. (Flooring).
February 1, 2003... As a renewable resource, bamboo flooring offers an environmentally friendly alternative to hardwood. It's available in many different varieties and finishes, as well as unfinished. The company says its bamboo flooring will not delaminate under...

Armstrong. (Flooring).
February 1, 2003... The Urban Settings collection of ToughGuard sheet-vinyl flooring now includes Twinkle and Vienna (shown) designs. Vienna features an embossed rectangle motif. The flooring will not rip, tear, gouge, or permanently indent, says the maker....

Bomanite. (Products; in focus).
February 1, 2003... Micro-Top, a two-part cementitious flooring system, combines colored powders and liquid polymers to offer unlimited design possibilities for concrete floor coloration. The product bonds to most surfaces, says the maker, and is installed by...

BHK of America. (Flooring).
February 1, 2003... The glueless Moderna Ceramico Laminate Planked Tile Flooring looks like ceramic tile and comes in four colors. (800) 663-4176. www.bhkuniclic.com. Circle no. 112. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Pennwood. (Flooring).
February 1, 2003... Unfinished plank hardwood flooring comes in uniform or random widths and in random lengths in several domestic species. Grades include Estate, for uniformity; Legacy, for subtle variations; and Heritage (shown,) for grain and color variations....

Bruce. (Flooring).
February 1, 2003... The new Studio B line of hardwood flooring features eight exotic species and comes in 1/4-inch-thick random-length strips. Kambala (shown), a West African wood, deepens in color as it ages. The material glues down with tongue-and-groove...

StreetPrint. (Landscaping).
February 1, 2003... The asphalt-based StreetPrint paving system provides the look of hand-placed pavers in a continuous surface that prohibits weed growth. The surface resists cracking, accepts shifting due to weather extremes, and will not shift or break with...

NDS Inc. (Landscaping).
February 1, 2003... Featuring mechanical joints that eliminate the need for coupling, the channel drains in the Pro Series line are available in 1 meter lengths of channel and 3- and 5-inch kits containing channels, grates, end caps, and end outlets. Grates are...

Boral bricks. (Landscaping).
February 1, 2003... Three new shades have been added to the maker's Clay Street line of genuine clay brick pavers: Parquet Tan (shown), Peachtree Avenue Pink, and Savannah Brown. Extruded clay pavers are available in a 21/4 inch thickness in standard and modular...

Luck stone. (Landscaping).
February 1, 2003... Signature Flagstones is a new collection of flagstones offering consistent sizes and shapes and a range of colors. Bluestone Pattern, Ice Harbor Irregular, Canyon View Pattern, Mystic River Pattern, Highland Rose Irregular, Oak Valley...

Eldorado stone. (Landscaping).
February 1, 2003... Realistic architectural stone veneers can be used to face retaining or garden accent walls, as well as any other exterior wall. The maker's new collection, the Core Product Line, is available in 44 colors and many profile styles. Veneers are...

Palkar fence. (Landscaping).
February 1, 2003... Wood-grain embossed vinyl fences are solid but lightweight and feature cut picket tops available in nine standard designs. The company's picket fence styles are available in 36-, 42-, 48-, 60-, and 72-inch heights; privacy fences come in 6-foot...

Wayne Water Systems. (Landscaping).
February 1, 2003... The low-voltage Wayne Pond Kit allows quick and easy installation of an 8-foot-square water garden with up to 720 gallons of water. The continuously running pump and automatic underwater light operate off of a 12-volt power supply; the light...

SF Concrete Technology. (Landscaping).
February 1, 2003... The SF-Rima permeable paving stone system reduces water runoff to allow regeneration of groundwater resources and to decrease flooding. The system can be installed with joints that match its already-attached concrete spacers or with wider...

Versa-Lok retaining wall systems. (Landscaping).
February 1, 2003... Solid, pinned retaining wall systems provide a natural stone appearance and install easily, according to the maker. The new Versa-Lok Mosaic system is a random-pattern retaining wall system that allows landscapers to create curves, comers, and...

Bufftech. (Landscaping).
February 1, 2003... A new fade-resistant black ornamental fence provides the matte finish and look of wrought iron in a maintenance-free, patent-pending blend of polypropylene and fiberglass. The Prestige Series line of ornamental fencing is available in...

Custom Building Products. (Caulk).
February 1, 2003... OmniGrip Ultimate Tile Adhesive uses a proprietary blend of polymers to provide high bond strength and 33% less shrinkage, says the maker. Floor tiles up to 16 inches square and some exterior tiles can be set using the product. The...

Dow Corning. (Caulk).
February 1, 2003... 991 Silicone High Performance Sealant, a joint sealant that offers stain resistance in a one-part formulation, is a ready-to-use version of the company's 756 Silicone Building Sealant. It cures to a semigloss finish and has a rapid tackfree...

OSI Sealants. (Caulk).
February 1, 2003... Solvent-based Pro-Series SF 450 Sub-Floor & Construction Adhesive meets California's low-VOC requirements. Designed to reduce nail popping and squeaky floors, Pro-Series SF 450 is water- and weatherproof and will bond to dry, wet, and frozen...

Sherwin-Williams. (Caulk).
February 1, 2003... Combining a 100% silicone sealant and a low-odor, paintable finish, ProSelect All Purpose Paintable Silicone Sealant can be used around windows and doors, on vinyl siding and interior or exterior trim, and around chimneys, foundations, ducts,...

Red Devil. (Caulk).
February 1, 2003... A textured construction-grade polyurethane sealant, RD PRO is designed to remain permanently flexible while providing high tensile strength. The formula offers a fast cure time, is paintable and nonstaining, and forms a weathertight seal that...

Sterling. (First Look).
February 1, 2003... Ensemble shower receptors and wail surrounds save time and money because they're easy to install, the manufacturer says. The products are made from Vikrell and manufactured in four lightweight modular pieces that provide a seamless and...

Inalco. (First Look).
February 1, 2003... Gondola coordinating floor and wall tiles sport a subtle minimalist look, says the company. The floor tile is available in a 13-inch-square white-body ceramic design or in an 18-inchsquare glazed porcelain design; the wall tile measures 13...

Hy-Lite. (First Look).
February 1, 2003... Exterior Door acrylic block inserts come in a standard size of four blocks wide and 11 blocks long. The one-piece obscure door lights are designed to fit 1 3/4-inch-thick doors. Acrylic block interior door inserts, fixed and operable windows,...

Simonton. (First Look).
February 1, 2003... Composed of a piece of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) plastic sandwiched between two pieces of double-strength glass, StormBreaker Plus impact-resistant windows come in double-hung tilt, casement, awning, geometric, and picture window styles. The...

Weyerhaeuser. (First Look).
February 1, 2003... ChoiceDek decorative railing systems are made from recycled oak wood fibers and recycled polyethylene plastic. Manufactured for the firm by AERT, the railing system consists of several components, including large vertical posts and square...