Remodeling articles from July 2002

Remodeling archives from July 2002

Guilt and associations. (First Word).
July 1, 2002... This spring, I attended board meetings for both the NAHB Remodelors Council and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). Not counting companies that belong to both, between them these two organizations have fewer than 5,000...

Labor rate pains. (Call Back).
July 1, 2002... I enjoyed your write-up on employee costs ("How Much Does an Employee Cost?" May 2002, page 44), but I wish you could have waited until the end of the article to say the carpenter's hours should be billed at $28.43. I'm afraid too many readers...

The home depot expanding installed sales. (News+Notes).
July 1, 2002... The Home Depot has partnered with home service franchiser ServiceMaster in a pilot program the retail giant hopes will strengthen its position in the installed sales market. According to ServiceMaster's Mike Toll, senior vice president,...

Timber giant reduces old-growth harvesting. (News+Notes).
July 1, 2002... Idaho-based timber firm Boise (formerly Boise Cascade) has announced to its employees and customers that it will cease harvesting trees over 200 years old in large, untouched wilderness areas, the New York Times reported. Several...

U.S. imposes tariffs on Canadian softwood. (News+Notes).
July 1, 2002... The U.S. government issued duties on Canadian softwood imports averaging 29% in March, charging that our neighbor to the north subsidizes its industry to undercut American lumber's price. The tariffs went into effect in May after their...

Remodelors council unveils CAPS. (News+Notes).
July 1, 2002... Fifty remodelers at the Seniors Housing Symposium in Orlando, Fla., became the first to earn the CAPS--Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist--designation from the NAHB Remodelors Council. The program equips remodelers with the skills to identify...

Tepid recovery. (Market Watch).
July 1, 2002... LEADING ECONOMIC INDICATORS More evidence of a less than vigorous recovery for the remainder of this year is apparent in the recent performance of The Conference Board's Index of Economic Indicators, which fell in April after being flat in...

Back to basics: here's a quick primer on laying out a draw schedule, collecting payment, and using technology to help clients envision their project. (Commentary).
July 1, 2002... This month I want to talk about a couple of essential remodeling functions. It never hurts to revisit basics, and there may be a new wrinkle or two you should know about. DUE DATES Let's start with collecting money. Obviously it's...

The true measures of success: the biggest challenges in this business may seem overwhelming. But they're manageable. (Commentary).
July 1, 2002... You can take the following quiz in approximately 10 seconds. If you answer yes to the three questions, you may not need to read any further. If any of your answers are no, you should keep going. 1. Do you make a good salary and a net profit...

Going commercial: Adding commercial construction to the services your company offers can make you a market leader. (Commentary).
July 1, 2002... When I started my business in 1986, building was booming in New Hampshire. With most builders focused on new construction, we felt remodeling was a niche to which we brought such qualities as design ability and strong customer orientation. ...

On board: inviting employees to participate in decision-making helps groom future leaders. (Ways+Means).
July 1, 2002... Allan Lutes knows the basic fact about teams: "If it's a team," says Lutes, owner of Alpha Contracting in Ann Arbor, Mich., "you've got to have more than one person on it." This past January, Lutes, who's served on or managed more than two...

Window of opportunity. (Ways+Means).
July 1, 2002... Jason Larson, owner of Lars Construction, a remodeling firm in San Diego, used to get calls from people wanting to know if his company installed windows. "We'd tell them it's not something we do, because we're set up for bigger projects." ...

Give your business an exam.
July 1, 2002... It's not hard to gauge the difference between fit and unfit, healthy and sick. Physical fitness is measurable by weight, blood pressure, heart rate, and other means. Similarly, when it comes to a house, you can determine one that's in good...

Fixed assets and depreciation: (BottomLine).
July 1, 2002... How to Read a Balance Sheet (Part 2). Last month, we began at the top of the balance sheet with current assets and works in progress. This month, we'll finish the assets section with a look at fixed assets and depreciation. Because...

Write off the kids. (Tax Tips).
July 1, 2002... Paying your dependent children to help out around the office is a good way to get them involved in your business. It's also a perfectly legal way to reduce your tax liability. A salary of between $1,000 and $2,500 per year is paid out as an...

Web site trends help tweak marketing. (Sales+Marketing).
July 1, 2002... Many remodelers don't realize it, but their Web site hosting company typically can provide up to 120 statistics on each visitor. Business grade hosting packages usually include the reports, says David Alpert, a Great Falls, Va., marketing...

Kid connection. (Sales+Marketing).
July 1, 2002... Ray and Ron Melani, co-presidents of the $12 million-a-year Melani Bros. of Yorktown, Va., make it clear on their business cards that it's not just business they hold dear. "I take pride in being a father," says Ray, who has been a single dad...

Intern-al analysis. (Sales+Marketing).
July 1, 2002... Seeking to more vigorously market his company's "indefinite guarantee," John Frazier hired a construction management intern to survey past clients about his remodeling company's workmanship. "I didn't want to aggressively market our...

Watch the video. (Sales+Marketing).
July 1, 2002... One client with a storefront office learned that during presentations he'd wave to a neighbor tenant whenever he passed by. Another learned that when he finished his sales pitch and talked about price, he'd cough repeatedly. Both made the...

Track those leads. (Sales+Marketing).
July 1, 2002... Lead tracking is a basic component to any successful marketing effort, but studies show from 40% to 79% of leads never reach a salesperson or are allowed to languish. It doesn't matter which percentage you think is fight, the fact remains:...

Minutes men. (Field Notes).
July 1, 2002... Mike Cook, production manager of Matt Plaskoff Construction, Tarzana, Calif., knows that misunderstandings can ruin the relationship his company has worked so hard to create with his high-end clients. To avoid this, Plaskoff project managers...

Remodeling Carpenter certification. (Field Notes).
July 1, 2002... About 28 students in Washington, D.C., and Minneapolis recently participated in pilot programs for NARI's Certified Remodeling Carpenter. They attended a 16-week course and completed a 350-question exam. The students are in the process of...

Working with subs. (Field Notes).
July 1, 2002... Most remodelers need subcontractors to remodel and build. Here are a few tips about creating mutually beneficial relationships with subs. Demonstrate respect. Call subs ahead of time and negotiate their start dates--and respect their...

Drawing board: sleep tight. (By Design).
July 1, 2002... When Brad Cruickshank, Cruickshank Inc., designed a large addition for this Dutch colonial in Atlanta, the new space was to include a family room, office, guest bedroom, and garage. On top of the garage, he designed a space that includes a pool...

Leaping into wireless networking. (Tech@Work).
July 1, 2002... Frustrated by eight computer crashes that destroyed his data and needing a reliable network to run Intuit's Master Builder 7, contractor Michael Strong considered a $15,000 wired network. Then he decided to embrace the future instead,...

Microsoft alternatives. (Tech@Work).
July 1, 2002... Hate plopping down $500 or more every time you need another copy of Microsoft Office? For the most part, these three alternatives will read and write to Word, Excel, and other Microsoft formats. Just don't expect Microsoft-specific automation...

Profile: Rick Bartelt and Rick Filo. (Close Up).
July 1, 2002... When Rick Bartelt and Rick Filo, owners of Bartelt/Filo Design Build Remodel in Milwaukee, were named Big50 in 1998, the company had fewer than 15 employees and was generating about $2.5 million annually. Not bad for two ex-subcontractors who'd...

Second look. (Close Up).
July 1, 2002... Shirley Landels, CR Named Big50 in 1992, Shirley Landels lost her husband and business partner of 14 years, Cleon, less than a year later. "Every subcontractor told me when he died that I wasn't allowed to quit," she says. "I said, 'I...

Should an owner continue to work in the field? (Face Off).
July 1, 2002... AN OWNER'S PLACE IS IN THE OFFICE I started my company in 1985 as a guy with a tool belt. I worked a 40-hour week in the field and spent another 15 hours on paperwork, returning phone calls, and meeting with clients. Then I happened upon a...

Under contract: what changes have you made to your contracts in the past several years and why? (Solutions: Big 50 answers to big business questions).
July 1, 2002... LEO MARTINEAU LCM Remodeling, Merrimack, N.H. Big50 1996 Ten years ago, I had a two- or three-page contract. Now a contract for a $100,000 project might be 25 pages. With the advent of computer technology and automated estimates,...

Train to gain: satellite learning gives workers the dish. (Outside the Box).
July 1, 2002... Name an industry with too few qualified workers. Did you say the RV industry? If you did, you'd be right. There are 7.2 million recreational vehicles on the road and only 12,000 technicians to service them. Dusty's Camper World in Bartow,...

Rising star. (Outside the Box).
July 1, 2002... The Manitowoc, Wis., market was hungry for a professional, full-service remodeling firm in 1999 when Brian Johnson, then just 24 years old, became the "director of corporate development" for his high-school friend's light construction firm...

Choosing wisely: contractors nationwide are turning to EXPO Design Centers for one-stop product selection, low prices and a customer-service edge. (Special Advertising Section).
July 1, 2002... Your custom home or remodeling project is rolling along like a smooth-running train. Smart interpretation of your client's wish list has resulted in a blueprint the customer loves, and that you can build profitably, on schedule. Permits are...

SilkPurse. (Before+After).
July 1, 2002... Len Scannapieco says one of the more difficult moments in a project filled with them came when crews for a sub hired to do foundation work started drilling into the concrete slab to anchor new steel piers. Scannapieco assumed the slab consisted...

Little things mean a lot: small jobs can bring big profits and bigger projects.
July 1, 2002... Late last year, Dave Brady of Oak Design & Construction in Oak Park, Ill., got a call from a past client who needed a side-entrance door replaced. The overhead structure of Brady's full-service design/build firm positions him perfectly to...

Partnering for design: most remodelers who want to offer design services have two options. They can bring a designer in house as either an employee or partner or subcontract to an outside designer. Here's what remodelers who have made the commitment one way or the other have to say about their decision.
July 1, 2002... IN-HOUSE DESIGN Most remodelers who bring design in house want more control of the project from start to finish. "I know what my crew is capable of building and what we can provide to the customer," says Mike Holmes, owner of Creative...

Design as a profit center: your design department can stand on its own and earn a healthy margin. The key is to find talented design staff and capture all your costs.
July 1, 2002... John Keohane has kissed the design giveaway goodbye. Over the past seven months, he has separated design from construction. He tracks costs and fees on a separate P&L and contracts in three agreements--feasibility, design/documentation, and...

What is design/build remodeling? (Reader Panel).
July 1, 2002... Our survey reveals that there are almost as many definitions for design/build as there are remodelers. Among the 80% of respondents who consider themselves design/build remodelers, everyone agrees design should be something clients pay for. But...

Micro fit: your clients' cooking habits give the best clues for where to place the microwave. (Design Clinic).
July 1, 2002... Microwaves are the most neglected and overlooked appliance in the kitchen," says Alon Toker, president of Mega Builders in Van Nuys, Calif. He says his clients think it's fine to have a remodeled kitchen with a microwave on the counter. Toker...

Top shelf. (Management).
July 1, 2002... Kitchen designer Keith Hudson's European clients wanted a kitchen that reminded them of home. The couple wanted to be surrounded by sleek modern cabinetry and surfaces. As a partner with Montgomery Kitchen and Bath in Gaithersburg, Md., Hudson...

The price is right. (Management).
July 1, 2002... During his 21 years in business, Vincent Castiallo, president of Royal Kitchen Corp. and Total Success Corp., New City, N.Y., developed a great system for accurate kitchen and bath project estimating. He recently incorporated that system into a...

Franchise forward. (Management).
July 1, 2002... The Kitchen Tune-Up franchise offers services ranging from restoring and repairing existing finishes to refacing cabinets and installing new cabinetry. With over 270 franchises, the 14-year-old company has doubled their sales in the past five...

Cabinetry. (Spec Book).
July 1, 2002... In the kitchen and the bath, the latest cabinet styles are decked out in an array of unique finishes and glazes that add warmth and appeal. Maple, cherry, and other woods accented with glazing and distressing are adding a one-of-a-kind touch to...

Will consumers pay more for wood? New, more expensive preservatives to treat pine may give a boost to sales of composite and even vinyl decks. (Decks).
July 1, 2002... Dan Betts of Deck America, Woodbridge, Va., was a little surprised by the consumer response to the EPA's announcement on February 12 of this year that wood treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) would be off the market by the end of next...

Add it up: when it comes to a roof, many opportunities exist for upsells and add-ons. (Roofing).
July 1, 2002... For John Miller, co-owner of Waldenwood, Shorewood, Minn., the first upsell when it comes to roofing is a new roof for the whole house when he's putting on an addition. "Most of our [roofing] subs won't warranty tying in to an existing...

Two to tango. (Roofing).
July 1, 2002... Q: When only one party is present, should I still try to close the sale? A: For years I've surveyed my audiences and asked how many who are married or have significant others would purchase a remodeling project for $5,000 or more without...

In sink. (Trends).
July 1, 2002... Ideal for homeowners with loads of dishes or those graced with small kitchens, the new Briva unit from KitchenAid combines a sink and dishwasher into one unit, saving space and adding versatility. The dishwasher sink looks like a normal...

Lessening the impact: as building codes in coastal areas target windows, manufacturers beef up products with impact-resistant glass and structures. (Trends).
July 1, 2002... Ten years later, the legacy of Hurricane Andrew lives on. The hurricane, which trampled the Bahamas, southern Florida, and south-central Louisiana in August 1992 caused an estimated $25 billion in damages--the most expensive natural disaster in...

Honor roll.
July 1, 2002... On April 11 the National Building Museum honored DuPont with the 2002 Honor Award for its contributions to the design and building industries. Known in the residential construction industry for products like Tyvek housewrap, Corian and Zodiaq...

Tile style. (Reader's Choice).
July 1, 2002... "We have been installing Fireclay Tile for years," says Laura Ferrell. "We're now installing it in one of our restoration projects, and we are thrilled with not only the excellent quality and depth of color but with the excellent service we...

Fit 'n' trim. (Reader's Choice).
July 1, 2002... Made of cellular PVC, Azek Trimboards are consistent, durable, and complement a variety of cladding materials. Teakwood Builders appreciates the product's workability and uses the boards for panelized walls, built-up columns, fascias, friezes,...

Warm wood. (Reader's Choice).
July 1, 2002... Madera wood tile offers the look of slate and ceramic tile, but "it's never cold like real stone," says A.J. Paron-Wildes, because the tiles are naturally warm. Paron-Wildes first discovered the product line while working for a client with a...

Working with a net: fall protection systems create safer work environments. (On the Job).
July 1, 2002... Today's fall protection and staging systems create a safer workplace for the remodeler on the job. I'll never forget an experience that made me realize the importance of safety systems. In the dead of a Vermont winter, a helper and I...

Siding: insulated vinyl siding enhances the look and function of a product favorite. (In Focus).
July 1, 2002... Vinyl siding already offers homeowners a low-maintenance product with good looks, an array of color selections, and ragged nail hems. Recently, several manufacturers have added yet another appealing feature--a foam backing that enhances...

ABTco. (Siding).
July 1, 2002... ABTco. QuickLap hardboard siding is precisely engineered to create a uniform and dimensionally stable siding panel, says the firm. The rigid 1/2-inch panels lay flat on the wall, with shiplap edges that make it easier to install the next layer....

James Hardie. (Siding).
July 1, 2002... Harditrim fiber-cement trim boards are offered in both smooth and rustic grain textures and can be painted. The boards are low maintenance and are impervious to rot and insects, the company says. (888) 542-7343. www.jameshardie.com. Circle no....

WeatherBoards. (Siding).
July 1, 2002... WeatherBoards. WeatherBoards Stain fiber-cement siding offers the look of stained wood without the maintenance. The 100% acrylic latex stain highlights the siding's deep grain patterns and is guaranteed not to crack, peel, or flake. The siding...

Alcoa. (Siding).
July 1, 2002... Alcoa. Grand Sierra vinyl siding is now available in seven new cedar-look colors: glacier blue, Cape Cod grey, Aspen grey, natural cedar, woodland green, timber stone, and American walnut. The siding features weather-resistant polymers and...

CertainTeed. (Siding).
July 1, 2002... CertainTeed. New to the Cedar Impressions line of vinyl siding, 10-inch Random Hand-Split Shakes offer the texture and shadow lines of real hand-split cedar shakes, the maker says. The panels, which come in 10-foot lengths, feature a random...

Armstrong. (Wall and Ceiling Finishes).
July 1, 2002... Armstrong. Part of the HomeStyle ceiling collection, TinTile ceiling tiles offer the look of a stamped metal ceiling at a lower cost. The tiles measure 12 inches square, have no visible grid system, and offer tongue-and-groove installation....

Campbell Hausfeld. (Wall and Ceiling Finishes).
July 1, 2002... Campbell Hausfeld. Custom Decorating Kits for stenciling or faux finishing include the company's high-volume, low-pressure Easy Spray electric paint sprayer, instruction manuals, and coordinating accessories. The user-friendly sprayer...

Owens Corning. (Wall and Ceiling Finishes).
July 1, 2002... Owens Corning. An alternative to drywall finishing methods, the Basement Finishing System is designed specifically for basement conditions, including high humidity levels and occasional moisture. The panels offer extra insulation and noise...

Outwater. (Wall and Ceiling Finishes).
July 1, 2002... Outwater. Constructed of a lightweight thermoplastic, Sculptured Series ceiling panels are designed for use with standard 15/16-inch suspended-ceiling channel grid systems. The panels, which are available in 2-by-2-foot sizes, come in nine...

Georgia-Pacific. (Wall and Ceiling Finishes).
July 1, 2002... Georgia-Pacific. The company now manufactures its decorative wall panels with resource-efficient materials, including MDF, hardboard, and panelboard engineered wood fiber substrates. The company offers more than 100 types of finished and...

Kohler. (Power Backup Systems).
July 1, 2002... Kohler. Automatic backup generator systems feature a generator set, an automatic transfer switch, and a battery and charger. Available for existing homes or new construction, the systems are about the size of an air conditioner. They are...

Generac. (Power Backup Systems).
July 1, 2002... Generac. Permanently installed outside of the home, Guardian generators supply electrical power to pre-selected emergency circuits. The line includes factory pre-wired air-cooled units. The units, which range from 7,000 to 40,000 watts, include...

Xantrex. (Power Backup Systems).
July 1, 2002... Xantrex. The company's line of backup power systems offers seamless transfer to 120/240 VAC that is converted from batteries. The units will operate small to medium electrical equipment and appliances for outages from six to 12 hours. (800)...

Coleman Powermate. (Power Backup Systems).
July 1, 2002... Coleman Powermate. The company has introduced 10 new Power-Station emergency backup power systems for high-end residential and light commercial applications. The diesel-fueled systems range from 20 to 200 kw with 100- to 350-gallon...

Dow. (First Look).
July 1, 2002... Dow. Designed specifically for contractors, Great Stuff Pro insulating foam comes in larger-sized canisters and can be used in a wider range of temperatures and humidity levels. The line includes window and door foam and a gaps and cracks foam....

Broan-NuTone. (First Look).
July 1, 2002... Broan-NuTone. Gallery Collection medicine cabinets feature stainless steel bodies, mirrors on both sides of the door, adjustable glass shelves, rubber door bumpers, and wood frames. The Deluxe model also includes inside back mirrors. It comes...

KWC. (First Look).
July 1, 2002... KWC. Inspired by early seltzer bottle designs, the Pure Jet faucet combines a faucet with a one-touch filtered-water dispenser. The unit includes a pullout spray and is available in chrome, chrome with blue or matte black, stainless steel,...

Jacuzzi. (First Look).
July 1, 2002... Jacuzzi. The La Scala bathing and entertainment center combines a large whirlpool tub with a home theater system. The tub features 10 jets, a 42-inch high-definition Plasma screen, surround sound, DVD, and CD player. It comes in white, black,...

Porcher. (First Look).
July 1, 2002... Porcher. Onda bathroom furniture includes lavatory consoles, vanities, and cabinets in dark wenge wood or white oak. The console table features steel end caps on the legs, a steel towel bar, and a stainless steel or travertine marble top....

Kadant. (First Look).
July 1, 2002... Kadant. Geodeck composite decking and railing are available in three fade-resistant colors and three profiles, including a tongue and groove product. The decking's fastening system eliminates exposed screws. The product comes with a 20-year...

McGrevor Coatings. (First Look).
July 1, 2002... McGrevor Coatings. The TimeSaver polyurethane floor finish dries in two to three hours, allowing the floor to be sealed and finished in one day, even in high humidity and high or low temperatures, the maker says. The finish comes in gloss,...

Pactiv. (First Look).
July 1, 2002... Pactiv. Designed as an alternative to OSB and plywood for non-structural wall sections, 7/16-inch Plygood Ultra rigid foam board sheathing is insulating and easy to install. According to the firm, the affordable boards will hold up in 110-mph...

Flex-Ability Concepts. (First Look).
July 1, 2002... Flex-Ability Concepts. A winner at this year's Innovative Housing Technology Awards, the Flex-C Trac system helps frame curved walls and ceilings, making the process simpler and easier. Installers bend the tracks by hand, secure with screws,...

May I take your change order? (Bench Mark).
July 1, 2002... The REMODELING Benchmark for cost of change orders is 10% of project budget. Try as we might to eliminate them, change orders are part of the business of remodeling. Despite their reputation for robbing profits and throwing schedules out...