Remodeling articles from January 2003

Remodeling archives from January 2003

Stand and be counted. (First Word).
January 1, 2003... Most of you know the U.S. Census Bureau as the government agency that counts people every 10 years. You may also know that the data collected in that survey helps determine how well you're represented in the U.S. Congress and how much federal...

Cost query. (Call Back).
January 1, 2003... The Cost vs. Value Report is a great tool for educating our clients. However, the bathroom remodeling numbers have actually dropped over the past few years. How can this be? The average bathroom remodel in our area is between $13,000 and...

Home improvement tops consumer complaint list: remodelers have been among the top three industries in complaints since 1997. (News+Notes).
January 1, 2003... A national survey has named home improvement the leading source of consumer complaints for the second time in three years. Fifty-nine percent of consumer agencies listed home improvement in their top five complaint areas for 2001, according to...

Michigan remodeler aids woman in need. (News+Notes).
January 1, 2003... It's no longer the holiday season, but there's still time for one more story about the spirit of giving. This winter marks the first in four years that 62-year-old Rashid Alimi can rest comfortably in her home. That's because she finally...

Deck America, the Home Depot sign agreement. (News+Notes).
January 1, 2003... Deck America of Woodbridge, Va., has announced that it will sell several deck models through approximately 70 Home Depot stores. "The Home Depot has a strong brand that provides Deck America with a new channel of distribution and is a great...

Suits still threaten paint makers. (News+Notes).
January 1, 2003... It's been 25 years since lead paint was banned following reports that exposure to the paint caused health problems in children. But paint manufacturers still can't shake their toxic past. Litigation under way in St. Louis, Milwaukee, Chicago,...

Magazine for a growing market. (News+Notes).
January 1, 2003... In October of last year, Hanley-Wood, REMODELING's parent company, launched EL NUEVO CONSTRUCTOR, the only Spanish-language magazine in the construction industry bringing readers up-to-date information on topics of interest. The editorial...

Things are looking up. (Market Watch).
January 1, 2003... * CONSUMER CONFIDENCE Consumer confidence made its first improvement in half a year in November. The Conference Board's index went from 79.6 in October to 84.1 the following month. Optimism for the next six months, not current conditions,...

Design/build does it all: the design/build concept is growing in popularity among remodeling companies and consumers alike. (Commentary).
January 1, 2003... In the early days of remodeling, few if any companies were able to design as well as build their projects. Remodeling projects for the top 10% of the remodeling market were usually designed by architects. The architect put the completed design...

The best-laid plan: a clear, detailed plan, which includes contingencies, will help you get through uncertain economic times. (Commentary).
January 1, 2003... No one seems to have a good idea about how 2003 will shape up from a business standpoint. The stock market's up one day, down the next. As I write, the jury's out on whether there will be a war with Iraq. Remember the devastation the Gulf War...

Best defense: for remodelers, a well-rounded game plan is the key to success in sales and production. (Commentary).
January 1, 2003... The best offense is a good defense. Anyone who follows sports, football especially, has beard this quote. In fact, I've heard it the other way around, too--"The best defense is a good offense"--which for me was always easier to understand. As a...

Building by numbers: how I learned to love the spreadsheet. (Commentary).
January 1, 2003... Over the years, I've tried to find a method of looking at my company's records that could render an accurate picture of our financial profile. I needed answers to several important questions: What size and type of projects provide the best...

A system for zero receivables: manage customer expectations about payment by systematizing your collections procedures. (Ways+Means).
January 1, 2003... Prior to becoming a remodeler, I learned selling and hands-on management from a smart carpet merchant in San Diego. Here's what he taught me about getting paid: Customers will pay because you need money, not because they owe you. Your...

Hire learning. (Ways+Means).
January 1, 2003... Several years ago, Kerry Butler, president of Butler Construction, Kelso, Wash., decided it was time to "make the company young again." The people Butler had on staff were middle-aged, like he is. There was, he says, resistance to change among...

A cut above. (Ways+Means).
January 1, 2003... At its "Spring Training" each year, Sun Design Remodeling Specialists, Burke, Va., brings its 25 employees to JLC Live in Baltimore and, offsite, contracts a speaker or speakers to give insight into how great companies operate. "We're...

The cost of unpaid time off. (Bottom Line).
January 1, 2003... Most companies know that scheduled downtime, like vacation and holidays, costs money, and they figure it into their labor burden. But what about unpaid time off? Halsey Platt recently discovered that absenteeism is a bigger drain on his...

Off-site human resources. (Bottom Line).
January 1, 2003... Seven years ago, the insurance agent for Scott Strawbridge's Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., remodeling company called to tell him it was time to pay his workers' comp insurance. At the time, the premium was $15,000, in advance. Strawbridge decided there...

The little things. (Sales+Marketing).
January 1, 2003... Two design/build remodelers used to contracting $400,000 to $500,000 projects discovered that to win smaller jobs, they needed to downsize their approach, whether in a presentation binder or in direct mail. Meanwhile, neither feels his new...

Make that phone ring. (Sales+Marketing).
January 1, 2003... Prospects with recognized, admitted needs can be turned into contract-signing clients, but you need to get their attention. What works? Marketing messages based on your target. Here are four tactics. Fulfill a specific need. Do they need a...

A network for referrals. (Sales+Marketing).
January 1, 2003... Over three years, Nasse Chachoff of A.C. General Contractors, Cincinnati, has won nearly $180,000 worth of work from referrals received from a local networking group that has chapters nationwide. Among those in Chachoff's 17-member Business...

Sales workshop: building relationships. (Sales+Marketing).
January 1, 2003... Selling is about building relationships. No sales? Maybe you failed to build one. They usually start amicably, with anticipation. Everyone wants to see what's next--what's in it for them? So what causes a sales presentation to fail or prospects...

Collection time: do your lead carpenters collect payments? Why or why not? (Q+A).
January 1, 2003... Q+A DENNIS D. GEHMAN, CR, CLC Gehman Custom Builder Harleysville, Pa. The first payment is collected by the salesperson at the time the contract is signed. During the pre-construction conference, the salesperson introduces the...

Stay professional. (By Design).
January 1, 2003... Many design/build projects take months, sometimes years, to complete. While spending time with clients in their homes, remodeling employees often develop a close relationship with the homeowners. That relationship can sometimes interfere with...

Is your design/build business well insured? (By Design).
January 1, 2003... Design/build construction involves a design professional or remodeler contracting for both the design and construction of a project. The benefits of this method have resulted in an escalation of the demand for design/build services. ...

Book author seeks built-in details. (By Design).
January 1, 2003... Author Carol Abrahamson invites architects, interior designers, and other home design professionals across the country to submit their designs for possible publication in her forthcoming book, Extraordinary Homes: Built-in Convenience Features...

Hooking clients early: a design retainer means you won't waste time and money on jobs you don't end up building. (By Design).
January 1, 2003... David Merrill, president of Merrill Contracting, Arlington, Va., has worked with architects for years--and sometimes he would even get the jobs they asked him to consult on. Other times, he didn't. The architects would say, "You're the guy for...

Top advice on a budget. (Tech@Work).
January 1, 2003... Calculating the effect on profits of a new hire? Struggling with preventing customers from being dissatisfied at the end of a job? Wrestling with how to cut personnel? BizMat.com offers answers to these and other thorny business and...

Digital camera buying tips. (Tech@Work).
January 1, 2003... Selecting a digital camera can be more confusing than using one. Here are some facts about pre-purchase concerns. Size. Don't buy bulky equipment. The camera you can slip into your pocket is the one you'll take and use every day. ...

Big50 salute. (Special Advertising Section).
January 1, 2003... What does it take to be named the best in the business? Year after year, the REMODELING Big 50 honorees demonstrate a common commitment to marketing excellence, attention to quality, and top-notch customer service. In the same way,...

Profile: Kathy Wheatley. (Close Up).
January 1, 2003... Wheatley Associates (Big50 1992) uses a team approach to growth. The company has become a full-service design/ build business by using partners to provide specialized service for their clients. President Kathy Wheatley (pictured with husband...

Secondlook: Bernie and Rhonda Gump. (Close Up).
January 1, 2003... After 70-hour weeks working at his remodeling firm and his property management company, both operating under The Burnell Group name (Big50 1996), Bernie Gump decided it was time to give one up. By late last year, he had wrapped up business on...

Should field crew members wear company uniforms? (Face Off).
January 1, 2003... "Full-dress uniforms are the best way to keep complete control over the image your crew presents." --Ron Clark CLOTHES MAKE THE MEN Our nine field crew workers wear charcoal gray work pants year-round, as well as company shirts....

Suppliers and demand: do you concentrate your purchases with one supplier or spread them out among many? (Q+A).
January 1, 2003... Q+A GARY CROWLEY Crowley Construction Burlington, Vt. Big50 2002 I spread out my window and door purchases between two suppliers. All building materials go through one. They have the best delivery services. You can have the...

Home turf: the conversion of a pair of 19th century buildings into a remodeling company's offices proves there isn't always a home field advantage. (Remodeling Before+After).
January 1, 2003... When a remodeling contractor works for himself, every headache associated with designing and building a project disappears, right? No need to pressure clients to get those products selected. No clients calling at home to complain. A hassle-free...

All boxed out?
January 1, 2003... No one will argue that the "big box" retailers haven't changed the way consumers shop for and buy improvement products. Today, however, these big retailers, notably Lowe's and The Home Depot, are also capturing more than $5 billion in...

Inside story: Hanley-Wood's exclusive Housing Continuum report reveals how consumers think about the remodeling experience and what factors influence their decisions. (Housing Continuum Report).
January 1, 2003... Any time remodelers can get a glimpse of how their customers really think about the remodeling process, it improves their ability to serve their market and become more successful. To find out what factors influence consumers' decisions to buy...

Solving the labor problem: according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for construction workers will grow 13.3% by 2010. Where will that work force come from?
January 1, 2003... Due to the softening economy, many remodelers say they're receiving more unsolicited employment inquiries. But experts say that situation is temporary. "We're in a lull with the economy right now" says Dan Bennett, president of the National...

Salary and benefits survey. (Reader Panel).
January 1, 2003... Average hourly pay for a lead carpenter nationwide is $24.63, according to our sampling of 646 remodelers with payrolls. Average production manager pay is $27.81 an hour. You'll make more in the West, but less in the Southwest, for almost every...

On the water front: whether it's panel units or custom, designers need to educate themselves before specifying a multiple-fittings shower. (Design Clinic).
January 1, 2003... A new television commercial shows a couple racing each other home from work. They tear off their clothes, dash upstairs, and rush into the bathroom to fight over the multiple-head shower. Obviously these homeowners are happy with their choice...

Dealer aid: appliance distributors are using their expertise to help designers and retail outlets educate consumers about products. (Management).
January 1, 2003... Clarke Distributors has a 5,000-square-foot showroom in Hopkinton, Mass., and a 7,600-square-foot showroom in South Norwalk, Conn.--but that's just the beginning of what they offer. In both locations, the showrooms feature cooking...

Countertops. (Spec Book).
January 1, 2003... Whether for the bathroom vanity or the kitchen counter, surfacing materials are getting back to nature with colors and patterns that evoke the many shades, textures, and shapes of landscapes--from forest to desert, beach to prairie, and even to...

Who pays? Window callbacks can trigger finger pointing on warranty issues. (Windows).
January 1, 2003... Someone's on the phone with a complaint about the windows you installed in their addition, what was it, three years ago? The windows are leaking air. Or the sills are rotting. Or the window just doesn't close fight. Now what? Fortunately...

Upsell the roof: re-roofing the entire home when you build an addition is a smart proposal for you and your clients. (Roofing).
January 1, 2003... Finding shingles to match is not a problem when Waller Construction, Lakeland, Fla., is building an addition. If the existing structure is roofed in asphalt shingles--and most are--matching product is a cinch. It's whether or not the existing...

The proof's in the profits.
January 1, 2003... Q: Is growth all it's cracked up to be? A: There's an old joke: How do you make a million dollars in the remodeling business? Answer: Start with two million. But there is serious money to be made in remodeling--if your focus is on...

Andersen. (Show Offs).
January 1, 2003... The 400 series Woodwright double hung window features mortise-and-tenon joints, a tall bottom rail, and a chamfer milling detail along the check rail. The wood windows are available with numerous divided light, grille, and interior wood...

Kwikset. (Show Offs).
January 1, 2003... Part of the Security line, the Dakota handleset features an ANSI-grade three deadbolt, a solid core throwbolt, and a pick-resistant five-pin system. The handleset is available in five finishes and can be used with knobs and levers from the...

Moen. (Show Offs).
January 1, 2003... The pause button on the Aberdeen kitchen faucet allows the user to interrupt the flow of water as the wand passes over the sink. The faucet features a high-arc spout and single-button activation, allowing the water flow to be switched from a...

Therma-Tru. (Show Offs).
January 1, 2003... The FrameSaver exterior doorframe features wood-composite components at the bottom of the jambs that prevent moisture from wicking into the frame, says the maker. The engineered wood frame has a lifetime warranty against rot and insect damage...

Heat-N-Glo. (Show Offs).
January 1, 2003... Gem series fireplaces feature true-arch fireboxes and herringbone designs on the refractory. They have heat zone, heat out, and heat duct management options, as well as sealed combustion chambers to keep warm air in and cold air out. They can...

Senco. (Show Offs).
January 1, 2003... The DS200-AC DuraSpin corded screwgun is capable of driving 50 collated screws before reloading. It drives screws from 1 to 2 inches in length and features an adjustable depth of drive for flush drive or countersink, an adjustable nosepiece, a...

Vermont America. (Show Offs).
January 1, 2003... The 11-piece Xtend cordless power tool accessories pack includes seven drill bits, two reciprocating saw blades for wood and metal, a circular saw blade, and a 10 pack of IceBit power screwdriver bits. An IceBit 45-piece multipurpose screw...

Crossville. (Show Offs).
January 1, 2003... American series porcelain stone tile comes in two sizes with matching bullnose and cove base accents. The slip-resistant tile has a finish that allows home-owners to easily wipe away stains and scuff marks, says the maker. It is available in...

TimberTech. (Show Offs).
January 1, 2003... Available in 6- or 8-foot kits, the Ornamental Railing System includes an ornamental top rail and two universal rails. The plastic resin and wood flour product cuts, drills, and fastens like wood; it is available in cedar, gray, and redwood....

Yorktowne. (Show Offs).
January 1, 2003... Impressions multi-step finish packages are available on eight solid cherry, oak, and maple door styles, in all-wood Platinum cabinets. The finishes are created through random distressing, semi-transparent staining, glazing, sand-through, and...

Cabinet position. (Reader's Choice).
January 1, 2003... Remodeler: Robert Earl, CR Company: Casa Linda Remodeling, San Antonio Products: KraftMaid Cabinets, www.kraftmaid.com Circle no. 127 KraftMaid Cabinets are available in more than 110 door styles, seven wood species, a,...

On deck. (Reader's Choice).
January 1, 2003... Remodeler: Eric Borden Company: ESB Contracting, Toms River, N.J. Product: LWO Corp.'s Woodway Deckrail, www.woodwayproducts.com Circle no. 129. LWO Corporation makes a pre-assembled deck rail system that Eric Borden says is...

In-house Print Shop. (Reader's Choice).
January 1, 2003... Remodeler: Diane Ausavich, CR Company: Carl Krueger Construction, Milwaukee Product: Broderbund PrintShop ProPublisher, www.broderbund.com. Circle no. 128. Diane Ausavich produces a quarterly newsletter, invitations, awards,...

Weighing the options. (Software).
January 1, 2003... As software solutions for the construction industry continually evolve into more sophisticated business tools, contractors may find it difficult to decide what will work best for their companies. Whether switching to a different software...

AirToolz software. (Software).
January 1, 2003... AirWavz construction scheduling and communication software allows contractors to monitor and communicate changes through handheld wireless devices or Web browsers. Contractors can create one centralized schedule. (480) 483-4391....

Turtle creek software. (Software).
January 1, 2003... Goldenseal 2.2 integrated business management software allows estimating, accounting, job costing, and project management, as well as contract writing, material takeoffs, payroll, and more. The software is designed for small and medium...

Intuit. (Software).
January 1, 2003... QuickBooks Premier: Contractor Edition 2003 contains the same features that QuickBooks Financial Software provides but also offers features specially designed to help the contractor better track and bill expenses, evaluate a job's...

Synapse software. (Software).
January 1, 2003... BuildWorks construction management software allows users to do accounting, estimating, job costing, scheduling, purchasing/work orders, and change order management tasks, says the firm. The software merges QuickBooks and Microsoft Office to...

DataCAD. (Software).
January 1, 2003... A 3-D viewing and presentation program, o2c_Interactive allows designers to present and save multiple design scenarios in a highly compressed Internet-deliverable format. Designers can edit materials and textures, process photorealistic images,...

Upperspace. (Software).
January 1, 2003... DesignCAD 3D Max Plus modeling software provides complete 2-D and 3-D modeling capabilities. Drawings can be imported from and exported to file formats including DWG, DXF, VRML, JPG, and HPGL. The software features 14 dimension commands;...

WinEstimator. (Software).
January 1, 2003... WinEst Virtual Takeoff, when used with WinEst Project Estimating v.7 software, allows onscreen takeoffs of scanned or digital blueprints without an external digitizer. Using "soft copy" building plans supplied on CD-ROM or downloaded online,...

RenoWorks. (Software).
January 1, 2003... RenoWorks visualization software allows dealers and contractors to apply different exterior home building products to a digital image of a home or a blueprint to show clients different design schemes for their projects. The software allows the...

Bosch Power Tools. (Software).
January 1, 2003... The Digital Power Tools line features PunchList, a handheld-and PC-based task list manager that links to the Internet for automatic messaging and integrates with desktop scheduling and project management systems. Drop-down menus allow users to...

SoftPlan systems. (Software).
January 1, 2003... SoftPlan Architectural Design Software version 11.2.4 enhances the previous version's tools. The software allows users to build virtual models with working drawings, 3-D renderings, materials lists, and cost estimate reports. SoftPlan also...

Taylor. (Garage Doors).
January 1, 2003... Constructed of hot,dipped galvanized steel, Timberline garage doors are paintable and stainable. The doors have a 13/4-inch polystyrene foam core, five-coat rust protection, deep wood-grain look, and full-length bottom Weather seal. (517)...

Amarr. (Garage Doors).
January 1, 2003... By Design custom carriage house doors come in 10 basic models with an array of options. The doors are crafted with a select wood overlay and base wood attached to a 24-gauge rubbed steel insulated door. (800) 503-3667. www.amarr.com. Circle no....

Chambelain. (Garage Doors).
January 1, 2003... The LiftMaster 3/4 H.P. Chain Drive Garage Door Opener model 2575 features a motor with a chain drive engineered to provide smooth operation. (630) 279-3600. www.chambeliaingroup.com. Circle no. 118. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Martin door. (Garage Doors).
January 1, 2003... This line of garage door openers now includes a chain-driven unit, the Martin DC 2500. According to the firm, the opener is one of the quietest on the market, with a quiet rail assembly and a stainless steel chain. It comes with a 15-year...

GADCO. (Garage Doors).
January 1, 2003... Part of the Early American Collection of carriage-style garage doors, the Presidential Series includes eight wood designs inspired by American presidents. The Madison, for example, features bold horizontal lines reminiscent of the president's...

Windsor. (Garage Doors).
January 1, 2003... The model 795 insulated steel garage door features a solid polyurethane foam core bonded between inside and outside steel panels for an 11.5 R-value. The door is available in raised panel, ranch panel, or flush panel designs embossed with a...

Summit door. (Garage Doors).
January 1, 2003... The 10 wood sectional garage doors in the Mediterranean collection were inspired by Old World designs. The doors come with a smooth, re-sawn, or weathered finish. Tuscan-style hardware and a range of options are available. (888) 768-3667....

Raynor. (Garage Doors).
January 1, 2003... Innovations steel garage doors feature foam-in-place high-density insulation and offer the highest R-values in the industry for their thickness, the maker says. The Affina and Centura models have an R-value of 18; Relante carries an R-value of...

Clopay building products. (Garage Doors).
January 1, 2003... New Arts and Crafts inspired garage door windows are available on the maker's residential steel garage doors. The Studio Collection includes Art Deco I, Art Deco II, Living Tree, and Mission window styles in several size variations. The windows...

Designer doors. (Garage Doors).
January 1, 2003... The Hurricane Frame garage door system meets building code requirements in coastal areas, including Miami-Dade County, Fla. Using full-length borate-treated Douglas fir, the frame offsets tension and compression and boasts natural rigidity, the...

Overhead door. (Garage Doors).
January 1, 2003... Banner Collection garage doors feature refined embossment, improved dent resistance, and pinch-resistant sections and come with the OverDrive garage door opener, says the firm. The doors are available in a variety of insulation levels with...

Pioneer Millworks. (Interior Trim).
January 1, 2003... A wide variety of wood species are salvaged from old mills, barns, factories, and warehouses and recycled into baseboard, paneling, crown molding, wainscoting, and more to re-create historical styles or achieve contemporary profiles. Many stock...

Style Solutions. (Interior Trim).
January 1, 2003... Flexibles moldings in a variety of profiles can be bent or curved to fit architectural accents such as archways, curved stairways, radius walls, and columns and can be used for interior or exterior applications. They resist rotting, decay,...

Azek. (Interior Trim).
January 1, 2003... Cellular PVC Trimboards are designed for exterior use but can also be used as interior trim. They are water resistant, insect resistant, and will not rot, according to the maker. The trim offers the workability of wood but can also be...

American Millwork. (Interior Trim).
January 1, 2003... Prefinished or primed base, crown, casing, rope, and chair rail moldings are available in red oak, poplar, finger-joint poplar, maple, and cherry woods. Moldings can be delivered cut to length or trimmed to the nearest foot. The company can...

Windsor Mill. (Interior Trim).
January 1, 2003... The WindsorONE Moldings Collection provides a whole-room approach to wood molding systems. Four historically inspired suites allow easy matching of crown to casing and base molding, as well as decorative accents. Available styles are Classical...