Remodeling articles from January 2004

Remodeling archives from January 2004

No stupid questions.(First Word)
January 1, 2004... I recently received a questionnaire in the mail from The Center for the Study of Services. According to its Web site (www.checkbook.org), this nonprofit consumer organization was founded in 1974 to provide consumers with "information to help...

Cost vs. value FAQs.(Call Back)
January 1, 2004... Each year after publication of our Cost vs. Value Report, we receive numerous letters and e-mails from real estate professionals, remodelers, and homeowners. Here's a composite of the most frequently asked questions. Q: The cost numbers...

CCA concerns may be premature.(News+Notes)
January 1, 2004... The voluntary phaseout of CCA-treated lumber has done little to quell the controversy over those products. "Treated Wood Poses Cancer Risk to Kids" screamed a mid-November headline on a major newspaper's Web site. The corresponding story...

Smoke detectors recalled.(News+Notes)
January 1, 2004... GE Interlogix has announced a voluntary recall of their ESL 500N smoke detectors. There have been no reports of problems with the detectors, but they may fail to work properly upon installation or if there is an extended power loss, according...

Seriously, do not call.(News+Notes)
January 1, 2004... The national do-not-call list has claimed its first victim, and, in a bit of bad news for the public face of the remodeling industry, it's a home improvement company. California Attorney General Bill Lockyer has filed a civil complaint...

Mortgage lending expected to plummet: but all signs still point to a strong 2004.(News+Notes)
January 1, 2004... The remodeling industry, spurred the last couple of years by all-time low mortgage interest rates, might need to find a new way to grow in 2004. According to news reports, the Mortgage Bankers Association is predicting that U.S. mortgage...

Subcontracting your way to success: remodeling contractors need look no further than the new home builder to see their new model for growth.(Commentary)
January 1, 2004... These days, general contractors subcontract more and more installation. It's reached the point where many companies have project managers and/or superintendents hut no actual craftsmen or installers on staff. Subcontracting the plumbing,...

Market to win: make your investment in marketing pay off in lots of quality leads.(Commentary)
January 1, 2004... How are you assuring your company's continuing business this year? What funds do you have in your 2004 operational budget for increasing the number and quality of your leads? If these questions make you uneasy, let me help. Here are some key...

Be it resolved: making New Year's resolutions is easy. Keeping them is hard work. Here's how to make your resolutions stick.(Commentary)
January 1, 2004... Just about everybody makes New Year's resolutions. Some are personal, others are professional; some are minor, others are life-changing. Whether we're vowing to stop some kind of negative behavior or swearing to start some kind of positive...

Retain to gain: creating the right environment will go a long way toward solving your turnover problem.(Commentary)
January 1, 2004... As a company, we believe that in order to produce a high-quality job, our own staff of craftsmen and apprentices should complete the carpentry work, rather than subs. So after ensuring there's adequate work, one of the largest concerns I...

Pay as you go.(Ways+Means)
January 1, 2004... Collecting payment can be the most contentious part of a job. Keith Steier, president of Knockout Renovation in Brooklyn, N.Y., has found a solution to this problem. His company uses a frequent--every, week or every other week, depending on the...

Pro forms.(Ways+Means)
January 1, 2004... You've probably got more forms than you want--stored on your computer, piled on your desk, filed away in cabinets. But despite that plethora of paper, you might still ask yourself, "Do I have all the forms I need?" If the answer is "no,"...

Twelve angry homeowners.(Ways+Means)
January 1, 2004... Jury Solutions, a Virginia consulting firm owned by C.S. Koch, uses mock trials to prepare litigants for their cases. This summary comes from a mold case in new construction, but the insights it offers apply equally to remodeling. THE...

Being there.(Work+Life)
January 1, 2004... Q: I used to believe that if I ran a successful business, every other piece of my life would rake care of itself. Yet, I hardly recognize my children. How do I get back in touch? A: Realizing you've sacrificed relationships to grow your...

Crystal ball.(Bottom Line)
January 1, 2004... As Andy Wright's company grew, he needed a way to keep track of his projects to help him make decisions about marketing, selling, and purchasing. Two years ago, the owner of WrightBuilt in Grass Valley, Calif., created a monthly "Flash...

Weekly job control report.(Bottom Line)
January 1, 2004... Greco Remodelers, Manassas, Va., did not have a production manager to check on the stares of jobs, so they decided to create a weekly job control report. Their average job is a two-week bath or a four-week kitchen. "We're dealing with smaller...

Retirement formula.(Tax Tips)
January 1, 2004... You don't need a fortune to retire, but you do need to be realistic. The goal is to calculate your annual needs and spend down your capital during your lifetime. Say you determine you want to retire at 66, and that you will then need...

The benefits of flooring from ProSource[R] Wholesale Floorcoverings: your source for floors[R].(Craftsmanship Style)
January 1, 2004... Homeowners Consider Flooring a Top Five Splurge Item. When it comes to remodeling projects, recent recent research confirms that your customers are willing to splurge on name brand flooring in their existing homes. * They want the same kind of...

Taking time to say thanks.(Sales+Marketing)
January 1, 2004... The written word is not forgotten in the remodeling industry, though Becky Quigley, office manager at MER/Morrison Waterproofing, Woodbridge, Va., admits that high volume has hurt the company's efficiency in sending customers thanks for their...

Working through a slump.(Sales School 101)
January 1, 2004... What happened: They say a sales slump can occur with new salespeople at six months. I barely sold a third of my calls in my second month. Yet, in the month following, I sold eight of 12 leads. But I had two weeks of no sales, on 12 leads. I...

Why rotary?(Sales+Marketing)
January 1, 2004... A recent Remodeling Reader Panel (see October 2003, page 118) discovered that nearly 10% of remodelers belong to Rotary clubs (www.rotary.org). The reasons for membership vary, but according to Joe Prin of HomeFix in Eagle, Idaho, "Rotary is...

Traveling billboards.(Sales+Marketing)
January 1, 2004... Remodelers Advantage is rereleasing The Remodeler's Marketing PowerPak. The following is an excerpt from Part Two of the book. Your company trucks act as moving billboards for your company. Using your company logo and colors on your tracks...

5 lead tracking mistakes.(Sales+Marketing)
January 1, 2004... When leads come in and you have a name, phone number, and best time to return the caller's inquiry, what happens next? Here are five lead tracking mistakes that companies often make, along with remedies. 1 Not tracking. Most remodelers...

Ahead of the storm.(Field Notes)
January 1, 2004... Disaster happens. When it takes the form of a hurricane--like Isabel, which smashed into much of the East Coast last fall and did billions of dollars in damage--at least you get a heads up that a catastrophe is on the way. That way, you can...

Jobsite Paperwork, Part 1: Daily Job Log.(Field Notes)
January 1, 2004... Over the next five months, we will discuss the five pieces of paper that every lead carpenter shou'd complete. This month, we'll start with the Daily Job Log. It is a record of information that arises from the jobsite. The log is important for...

Groovy ceilings.(By Design)
January 1, 2004... Beaded ceilings--common to traditionally built porches--add understated but noticeable charm. But laying each board one at a time, as was done historically, runs labor and material costs too high for most contractors. A typical shortcut...

Hiring over the wire.(Tech @ Work)
January 1, 2004... Thanks to companies like Maine Window and Sunroom, remodelers may finally be ready to shed their Luddite image: Even installers won't find work at the company without Internet access. Accounting and human resources manager Donna Levangelo...

Sketchy areas.(Tech @ Work)
January 1, 2004... Good software should work like backhoe. A backhoe has only a few controls, and yet a good operator can use them to extend the power of his hands in remarkable ways. SketchUp is like a backhoe for CAD'S digital clay. The program is fast and...

Who do you work for?(Good Form)
January 1, 2004... The most successful marketing campaign is one that reaches your target customers. In order to reach them, of course, you have to identify them. It sounds simple, but ask yourself, How well do you know the demographic you serve? Through...

Profile: Bob Barber and Neil Minnucci.(Big50: close up)
January 1, 2004... Homestead Remodeling of Lansdale, Pa., has doubled its volume to more than $2 million since being named to the Big50 almost 10 years ago, in 1994. Along with that jump, the company's employee roster has also doubled, to 14. But owners Bob...

Second look: Elaine and Larry Taylor.(Big50: close up)
January 1, 2004... After 30 years in the business, Elaine and Larry Taylor (Big50 1987) of Taylored Construction are in the process of selling their Anchorage, Alaska, company to their children. Currently, their son, Trent, is the manager of the cleaning...

Should I hire a receptionist or answer the phone myself?(Big50: face off)
January 1, 2004... "It's important that my clients hear my voice when they call." --Gary Marsh VOICE OF THE COMPANY I'm a one-man design operation now, and because my business is so personal, it's important that my clients hear my voice when they call....

Decent proposals: how do you present a bid to a client?(Q+A)
January 1, 2004... JEFF TROYER Mark Troyer Builders Plain City, Ohio Big50 2003 On smaller jobs, like handyman work or a small bathroom, we fax or mail the bid to the client. If it's a substantial project, say $30,000 or more, we set up a...

Buried hatchet: old foes join forces to remodel a historic California cottage.(Before+After)
January 1, 2004... When Geraldine Knatz and John Mulvey set out to renovate their 1936 Long Beach, Calif., home--with its exquisite leaded glass windows, clipped gables, and charming shigled roof and walls --the one person Knatz knew to call for advice was a man...

Boom to bust: strong markets can tempt remodelers toward unhealthy growth and away from their core businesses.
January 1, 2004... The phone stopped ringing in Tom Davison's Sonoma, Calif., office in early 2001. Not a year after Davison Remodeling celebrated its best earnings ever, the unwanted quiet set off a two-year slide that almost killed the company. Davison...

Dream kitchen 2003.
January 1, 2004... When REMODELING decided to crate a state-of-the-art Dream Kitchen as the centerpiece of the 2003 Remodelers' Show in Baltimore, we asked designer Christopher Coleman to provide attendees with the hottest, most innovative products and designs....

How are your business ethics? Choosing right and wrong in remodeling.(Cover Story)
January 1, 2004... What's the state of remodeling ethics? Using a survey of 410 remodelers, we took the "ethical temperature" of the industry (see Reader Panel, page 96). Remodelers are independent minded. They feel comfortable combating government policies that...

Remodeling ethics: are ethics in our industry black and white or somewhere in between?(Reader Panel)
January 1, 2004... Remodeling has progressed in its long march toward professionalism, but unethical and unqualified contractors still plague the industry. Most readers agree that to continue its advancement, the industry needs to establish standards for quality...

Bigger isn't better: a remodeler saves an empty nester couple from an unnecessary addition by reorganizing the existing living area for better traffic flow.(Design Clinic)
January 1, 2004... The homeowners of this one-story house thought they'd have to put on an addition that was beyond their budget to get the open kitchen and dining room they wanted. Instead, Worthington, Ohio, remodeler Ron Landis convinced them to incorporate...

Public displays.(Design Clinic)
January 1, 2004... At the end of a home show, Gary Crowley has usually accomplished two things. First, he's placed the Crowley Construction name in front of about 10,000 homeowners. Second, he's sold his booth display cabinets--and has probably gotten the job...

Selections and the city.(Management)
January 1, 2004... The Manhattan Center for Kitchen & Bath (MCK&B) is a new one-stop shop for product selections. "For most individuals undertaking a major renovation or new construction project, the selection process is often the most daunting and time-consuming...

Countertops.(Spec Book)
January 1, 2004... Many materials offer endless options for countertop creativity. Quartz continues to be introduced in ever-more complex hues, whether deep and luxurious, light and ephemeral, or in colors drawn from nature. Laminates simulate natural materials,...

Crossville porcelain stone.(Spec Book)
January 1, 2004... Now available in a 14-by-28-inch size that is ideal for countertops, the Empire Series offers the appearance of marble in a porcelain stone the. Three new colors are also available: Parisian White, Cognac, and Elba Night. The tiles come in...

Nevamar.(Spec Book)
January 1, 2004... The subtle fractured pattern of Piazza high-pressure laminate was inspired by the effects of weathering on natural materials. Available in four natural colors, Gesso, Solare, Terra, and Vigna Verde, the collection also comes in the maker's...

Seieffe.(Spec Book)
January 1, 2004... Available in translucent colors of red, green, orange, and yellow, which glow when spotlighted or backlit, Okite quartz is made of 93% natural quartz crystal and resists stains, scratches, and heat. A wide range of colors is available, as are...

Transolid.(Spec Book)
January 1, 2004... Available in 15 colors, the Transolid Quartz Collection of vanity tops is made of 93% natural quartz crystal and offers a nonporous alternative to granite countertops. The countertops resist cracking, chipping, scratching, and staining and do...

Cambria.(Spec Book)
January 1, 2004... Blending gray, white, creamy brown, and caramel to provide the appearance of natural granite, the Windsor color has been added to the company's collection. The quartz's low porosity makes it safe for food preparation, and it does not require...

DuPont Zodiaq.(Spec Book)
January 1, 2004... Zodiaq quartz surfacing is now available in 25 colors with the addition of five new shades: Autumn Light, Cappuccino, Cinnamon Spice, Copper Sunset, and Dorado Blue. Available in 2- and 3-centimeter thicknesses, the surfacing can be used for...

Richlite.(Spec Book)
January 1, 2004... Made of a combination of cellulose fiber and resin that resists moisture, stains, knife marks, and extreme heat, Richlite countertops are available in three new colors: merlot, indigo, and sage. The dense material also makes the countertop...

Sonoma cast stone.(Spec Book)
January 1, 2004... Concrete Countertops come in standard modules but are also available in custom sizes and shapes. A variety of optional details can be cast into the countertops, including integral drain boards or embedded accent tiles. Each countertop is cast...

Cosentino U.S.A.(Spec Book)
January 1, 2004... Made of 93% natural quartz, Silestone quartz countertops are now available in a series of soft pastel colors. The Cielo Series color palette includes Orange Fuego, Silver Nube, Blue Cielo, Amarillo Sand, Verde Agua, and White Dune. The material...

Formica.(Spec Book)
January 1, 2004... The Authentix Metal Collection of high-pressure laminate surfaces offers the appearance and texture of metal. Four colors--Aluminum, Stainless, Brass, and Copper--are available in four patterns: powdered, brushed, punched with embossed squares,...

Dreck and gravy: estimating that roofing job by the square foot may be easy. It might also cost you.(Roofing)
January 1, 2004... When estimators for Dutchess Building Specialists, a full-service remodeling company in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., price a roof, they take lots of variables into account. Square footage for ordering materials is one. To determine man hours, however,...

Divide and conquer: thinking about a window division? Think suppliers. Think leads.(Windows)
January 1, 2004... You install, or maybe restore, a lot of windows. Is it time to break that out into a separate business, connected to but formally detached from your general remodeling company? If the business you're thinking about entering is window...

Leading questions.(Windows)
January 1, 2004... Q: How should I distribute the leads among my sales force? A: Here are three questions to ask yourself when you're handing out leads. 1. How busy is each of the salespeople? 2. How well has this particular salesperson done with this...

JennAir.(Trends)
January 1, 2004... Because of a third rack, this dishwasher offers 20% more usable capacity. The third rack is positioned next to the bottom wash arm for the strongest wash. It has four wash levels, hard food disposer, stainless steel tub, and a towel-bar handle....

Style Solutions.(Trends)
January 1, 2004... The Structural Porch Post is a load-bearing column that can support up to 12,000 pounds. The steel-reinforced column is surrounded by polyurethane and has a square profile. Intended for exterior use, the post resists splintering, decaying,...

Cedar Valley.(Trends)
January 1, 2004... Measuring 1/2-inch thick, the kiln-dried Western Red Cedar Coastal Panel comes in 8-foot shingle panels available in either mixed or vertical grain shingles in one and two courses. The panels have concealed nailing patterns and 1/8-inch open...

Bosch power tools.(Trends)
January 1, 2004... The 6-pound 1590 Jigsaw resists stalling in hard materials and features the Precision Control Blade Guide System, which eliminates blade wander. Constant Response Circuitry provides a soft start, and the tool has a variable speed of 500 up to...

G.E.(Trends)
January 1, 2004... Monogram undercounter refrigerator modules fit standard 24-inch cutouts. Products include fire Wine Reserve, which stores up to 57 wine bottles; the Beverage Center, which houses 12 wine bottles and up to 126 12-ounce cans; the Drawer...

Senco.(Trends)
January 1, 2004... The RoofPro 450 (shown) and RoofPro 455 coil nailers feature lightweight designs, adjustable depth of drive, and handy shingle guides. Each is built around aluminum main housings that will stand up to hard use, the maker says. Steel wearplates...

Vetter Windows & doors.(Trends)
January 1, 2004... The Raised Panel Wood Hinged Patio Door is available with single or double panels above the door's foot rail. Both the interior and exterior of the panels have a raised profile. The patio door is available in clear natural pine, oak, cherry,...

Tremco barrier solutions.(Trends)
January 1, 2004... Designed to protect the above-grade area between the foundation footer and sill plate, the above-grade system's three components are applied alone or in combination to the exterior of foundations. A waterproofing membrane, an insulation board,...

Sterling.(Trends)
January 1, 2004... An above-floor-drain (AFD) option is available on most Acclaim, Ensemble, and Performa bath/shower alcove shells. The feature eliminates the need to cut into subflooring for drain assembly and for constructing a separate cradle for...

Arch wood protection.(Trends)
January 1, 2004... Suited for sill plate and interior applications, SillBor borate-treated wood features SBX, a preservative that makes the wood resistant to insects and fungal decay. The borate is forced into the wood under pressure. (770) 801-6600....

Hy-Lite.(Trends)
January 1, 2004... Prefabricated real glass block fixed windows are available in six stock sizes and feature white silicone caulk lines for a true mortared glass block look. The windows are certified by NFRC, AAMA, and ANSI, and interior and exterior sides are...

Windows: fiberglass windows offer an attractive, durable alternative to vinyl and wood.(In Focus)
January 1, 2004... Though vinyl windows dominate the replacement, remodel, and new construction markets, fiberglass windows have carved out a niche for themselves. Both their durability and their close resemblance to wood make them an attractive higher-end...

Milgard.(In Focus)
January 1, 2004... Available in custom and standard sizes, the fiberglass Ultra and WoodClad double-hung tilt sash window features top and bottom tilt-in sashes for easy cleaning and comes standard with SunCoat low-E glass. Both models come in five exterior...

Pella.(In Focus)
January 1, 2004... Made from Duracast, a five-layer fiberglass material, Impervia windows resist extreme heat and cold, corrosion, moisture, scratching, denting, and impact. Available in single-hung, sliding, and fixed styles, the windows come standard with low-E...

Jeld-Wen.(In Focus)
January 1, 2004... Now available on the Summit window collection, the WEN-Lock is an upgraded lock that features an ergonomic design with an oversized button, which allows those with limited mobility to use it easily. Its automatic locking action can be manually...

PGT.(In Focus)
January 1, 2004... WinGuard Impact-Resistant Windows and Doors are now available with vinyl frames that meet International Building Code Standards for air and water infiltration, as well as structural and large-missile impact tests. The windows and doors feature...

Marvin.(In Focus)
January 1, 2004... Integrity windows are made from Ultrex, a pultruded fiberglass material that is impervious to heat, cold, and pressure, says the maker. Many window styles are available; all feature the Energy Star rating, low-E II coating, and argon gas...

Republic Windows & doors.(In Focus)
January 1, 2004... Enhancement vinyl windows are available with cherry, light oak, and dark oak interior finishes and come in double-hung, picture, swing-in slider, Easy-Load slider, bow, bay, casement, and garden styles. Five hardware finishes, a variety of...

Superseal.(In Focus)
January 1, 2004... The SuperCell 2000 cellular vinyl window features a wood-grain interior, integrated brick mold exterior, integral J-channel, flush hardware, and a contoured grid system. Options include a 6 9/16-inch jamb, interior clear-wood finish, and...

Gorell windows & doors.(In Focus)
January 1, 2004... Aluminum-reinforced interlocking meeting rails, ergonomically designed push-button ventilation latches, and 12-point fusion welded sashes and frames provide enhanced security on 5200 Series vinyl windows. Insulfil foam-filled master frame...

Kolbe & Kolbe.(In Focus)
January 1, 2004... The Sterling Double Hung wood window conceals all vinyl parts by completely hiding the jamb liner, block and tackle balances, and hardware grooves. A multifunctional sash lock incorporates a dual-positioning tilt lever and eliminates extra...

Bendix Mouldings.(Interior Trim)
January 1, 2004... Decorative hand-carved wood moldings are available in a wide variety of styles and wood species, including linden, cherry, oak, and maple. Moldings come in random lengths ready to finish with paint or stain. Dentil, crown, beaded, rope, and...

Louisiana-Pacific.(Interior Trim)
January 1, 2004... Crystal White prefinished moldings are made of a polystyrene substrate, making them ideal for damp areas such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens, the maker says. The moldings come prefinished in white and provide the appearance of...

Focal point.(Interior Trim)
January 1, 2004... Part of the ProCollection, the 10 1/4-inch Colonial Dentil crown molding has been re-created in a larger thee dimension to mimic the look of popular build-ups and enhance rooms with high ceilings. Made of molded polyurethane, the one-piece...

Chadsworth's 1.800.Columns.(Interior Trim)
January 1, 2004... The PolyStone Premier Custom Collection of columns offers a range of styles formerly only available in the maker's Premier Custom Wood Collection. The columns are made of a reinforced polyester resin, fiberglass, and marble dust and are...

Ferche millwork.(Interior Trim)
January 1, 2004... Common details on base, casing, chair rail, and crown moldings mark the Decorator Series, a collection of four molding families created to match each other. Grisham, Redmond, Bradley, and Mullen are available in nearly any wood species,...

Balmer architectural.(Interior Trim)
January 1, 2004... Four fireplace mantle surrounds are available in Thin Cast Stone material, replicating the appearance and texture of Florida coral stone. Coated with a clear finish sealer, a variety of styles are available. (800) 665-3454. www.balmer.com....

Enkeboll designs.(Interior Trim)
January 1, 2004... The Circular Design Collection of wood moldings includes a carved, 5 3/8-inch-wide lineal molding, matching decorative onlays, a corbel, and an 11 1/2-inch-wide panel. Available in stock woods as well as cherry, maple, and red oak, the...

White River Hardwoods.(Interior Trim)
January 1, 2004... A variety of Metalwood and Marblewood finishes are available on the maker's line of wood carvings and moldings. Eight Metalwood finishes contain 95% real metal and coat the surface of each wood molding or carving. Finishes are then...