Remodeling articles from July 2005

Remodeling archives from July 2005

Culture shift.(View Point: First Word)
July 1, 2005... Company culture is something of a catchphrase in the industry these days. Everyone, including many of our contributors, seems to agree that whether your company culture is strong or weak, it influences employees' behavior and all of their...

Well-Hidden Deck Fasterner.(ViewPoint CallBack)
July 1, 2005... The article "Hidden Deck Fasteners" (June 2005, p.128) mentions Eb-Ty fasteners, but mistakenly shows photos of a competing fastener. The Eb-Ty fastener (shown) being installed here is one of several models designed for deck boards of varying...

What's new at the show.(View Point: In Person)
July 1, 2005... This year's Remodeling Show promises some new features to really give you the chance to tailor the show to your needs. For a start, in lieu of the keynote speaker, this year's general session provides a new forum: the Remodeling Show Town Hall...

What really boosts home value.(View Point: News+Notes)
July 1, 2005... A nationwide statistical study released in May adds further weight to existing evidence about the correlation between certain house components and the price of the home. Written by Florida State University professors G. Stacy Sirmans and...

Green guidelines.(View Point: News+Notes)
July 1, 2005... The Sustainable Building Industry Council's Green Building Guidelines" is now available for purchase online. According to an SBIC press release, the fourth edition of the book, which is written by contractors, contains roughly 200 tips for...

Another tough season.(View Point: News+Notes)
July 1, 2005... Two recently released predictions for the Atlantic hurricane season forecast "above average" activity, with the number of storms likely to exceed last year's total. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) predicts 12 to 15...

First quarter RMI indicates growth.(View Point: Market Watch)
July 1, 2005... Current market conditions in the remodeling industry increased for most of the U.S. from the fourth quarter of 2004, according to the first quarter 2005 release of the NAHB's Remodeling Market Index. Only the West--where market conditions...

Community giving.(LOCAL FORECAST)
July 1, 2005... Ben Auger is a renaissance man. When he is not doing high-end remodels in Portsmouth, N.H., the owner of Auger Building Co. serves on the boards of local nonprofits and attends fundraisers for arts and cultural organizations with his wife,...

Figure this.(View Point: Market Watch)
July 1, 2005... 86% Percentage of Americans who have done at least some DIY projects on their homes 60% Percentage of U.S. homeowners who agree that working with a contractor when doing improvement projects is a "smart investment" 68% ...

That was then: Remodelers who don't adapt to changes in the industry will be left behind.(Commentary)
July 1, 2005... During most of the past 40 years, there was enough similarity between houses being built that most companies could handle all the work involved in any type of remodeling job. Some used their own labor force. Some hired subcontractors. Some used...

The company you keep: your competitive edge lies in the culture you create and the buy-in that results.(Commentary)
July 1, 2005... I own stock in some publicly traded companies, so my recent mail has delivered a spate of annual reports. My favorite came from Dun and Bradstreet, which boldly printed its vision on the cover: "To be the most trusted source of business insight...

Certainty in uncertain times: don't let your confidence in the future of the remodeling industry be undermined.(Commentary)
July 1, 2005... In today's complex world, people experience a lot of uncertainty. Take personal health, for example. Every day we hear about new studies that call into question long-established assumptions about what foods we should eat or what medications are...

Thinking outside the house: a landscape division expands the scope of your projects as well as your client base.(Commentary)
July 1, 2005... Often, people will go into a home and will really love how it feels, but won't be able to pinpoint why. Many times, it has nothing to do with the size of the house. It has to do with the availability of and accessibility to the outside when...

Cutting worker's comp costs.(Your Business: Ways+Means)
July 1, 2005... One item weighing down every remodeler's toolbelt is the cost of workers' compensation. Some states are admitting that their systems are broken and are trying to fix them. California, which has one of the highest rates in the nation, has...

Selective memory.(Your Business: Ways+Means)
July 1, 2005... The job has been sold, the contract signed, and the preconstruction meeting held. The clients are excited to get started--but they can't remember some of their selections, or some things are on allowance, or some items are wrong because a...

By law: contract essentials.(Your Business: Ways+Means)
July 1, 2005... Contracts come in many shapes and formats, but there are a few essentials you should consider including. These can go a long way to stopping a problem before it starts and preventing a small problem from becoming a big nightmare. * Explain...

Discipline: don't ignore the importance of this powerful trait.(People+Skills)
July 1, 2005... As a business leader, it is up to you to set an example for the rest of your team in behavior, in dedication, and in demonstrating core values. However, you can do all of these things and still have a team that underperforms if you neglect to...

Billing software.(Your Business: Bottom Line)
July 1, 2005... BQE Software introduces a new tracking, billing, and project management software that supports both Intuit QuickBooks and Microsoft Business Accounting platforms. BillQuick 2005 includes payroll integration, timesheet conversion, and document...

Retirement planning.(Your Business: Bottom Line)
July 1, 2005... The Internal Revenue Service now offers a free CD-ROM to help small--business owners learn about setting up and maintaining IRA-based retirement plans for their employees. "IRA-based retirement plans are tailor-made for small businesses,...

Execution plan.(Your Business: Bottom Line)
July 1, 2005... Almost two years ago, Bob Tilghman of Tilghman Builders, in Hatboro, Pa., hired a consulting group to help him improve systems and implement new programs. "They are helping us with every system and every process. They are looking at my...

Mondo Expo.(Your Business: Sales+Marketing)
July 1, 2005... Alex Dean has seen the future of home-remodeling shows, and it's practically in his back yard. Dean, president of The Alexander Group, Kensington, Md., spent a recent Saturday morning manning a table at Chevy Chase Bank's first-ever Home...

Seven stages of sales.(Your Business: Sales+Marketing)
July 1, 2005... The Artisans Group, Olympia, Wash., tracks job leads through seven stages to sharpen its sales and marketing focus. "We've learned that our highest closing ratio comes from professional referrals," such as subcontractors and suppliers, says...

Select your best advertising vehicle.(Your Business: Sales+Marketing)
July 1, 2005... Choosing a print advertising vehicle has everything to do with your target market, your product, and your budget. Next time you're at an ideal client's home, note the local publications they read--the newspaper on their stoop, the magazines on...

This old underwriting opportunity.(Your Business: Sales+Marketing)
July 1, 2005... Cook-Dahl, a full-service remodeler in Brockport, N.Y., hasn't increased its $2,500 marketing budget in years. But those dollars have a reach as big as Rochester itself during the weekend broadcasts of This Old House, which the company helps to...

Military aid.(Your Business: Field Notes)
July 1, 2005... Helmets to Hard-hats (H2H) is a national program that helps servicemen and women find careers in the construction industry. The congressionally funded program works with National Guard, Reserve, and transitioning active-duty military...

Training awards.(Your Business: Field Notes)
July 1, 2005... Earlier this year, the Associated General Contractors of America named AGC of Mississippi and Western Summit Constructors the winners of AGC's 2004 National Construction Craft Program Award. The excellence of tomorrow's workforce relies on the...

Job board.(Your Business: Field Notes)
July 1, 2005... The Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA) is connecting housing industry employers with skilled job seekers. The National Residential Construction Industry Job Board promotes professionalism. "It's easy for job applicants to get lost on...

Molding matters.(Your Business: By Design)
July 1, 2005... Moldings are meant to divide and separate a room into visually appealing pieces that the eye can digest and understand. When this is accomplished well, your remodels and additions will take on an elegance and feel that customers will pay more...

Watch your language.(Your Business: Tech@Work)
July 1, 2005... E-mail is obviously fast; it can be an efficient use of time, and it's become ubiquitous. Susan Cosentini of Cosentini Construction, Ithaca, N.Y., reports using e-mail with 100% of her clients and considers not working with people if they are...

Safeguarding your systems.(Your Business: Tech@Work)
July 1, 2005... The more dependent on computers you become, the more precautions you must take to ensure that everything stays up and running, and that your data is always there for you. Here's a simple schedule you can follow: Daily: * Back up...

Full service.(Your Business: Good Form)
July 1, 2005... Scott Chatel knows that even when remodeling jobs are complete, they aren't really complete. "In bathrooms, we often have an issue with grout cracking," says the owner of Chatel Contracting, in Deer Park, N.Y. "With other projects, it's usually...

Profile: Douglas Reymore.(Big 50 Close Up)
July 1, 2005... Douglas Reymore of Cascade Design/Build (Big50 2000) says more than one-third of his leads come from his participation in three Seattle home shows. The first home show in January spans nine days. The second show, in the fall season is tour...

Second look: Jeff Talmadge.(Big 50)
July 1, 2005... Since being recognized as one of the Big50 in 2003, Jeff Talmadge has done a 180 on his company. Located in Aptos, Calif., Talmadge Construction had been bidding on projects and using plans created by outside architects and designers. "We were...

Second chances: would you re-hire someone who left your company?(Big 50 Face Off)
July 1, 2005... "If you leave our company, you have a reason for that choice. That's not something you can change."--Andy Hannan "People make mistakes. Redemption does exist."--Paul Eldrenkamp GONE FOR GOOD This has been a hot topic of discussion...

Order of the day: an indecisive client means change is going to come--and cost.(Remodeling Before+After)
July 1, 2005... Jon Levy, owner of Builders Integrity Group, Naples, Fla., might have known things weren't going to go as planned. After meeting homeowner Katherine Jones at a home and garden show in January 2004, it took 10 months to get a solid design...

New technology safeguards against deck enemies.(Advertisement)
July 1, 2005... Exclusive Antimicrobial Composite Expected to Break the Market Wide Open Correct Building Products has boldly raced in front of the composite decking pack with the only product on the market that takes on the most common sources of...

Licensing: the tipping point: striving to raise the professional bar amid unprecedented growth and scrutiny, remodelers hope to drive a new generation of licensing legislation.
July 1, 2005... Michael Hamman sat for the California licensing exam more than a quarter of a century ago, but the memory still makes him laugh--and cringe. "I was so naive," chuckles the San Francisco contractor. "I stayed up and studied for days." He...

Income to go: if you start planning early enough, your business can fund your retirement.(Cover Story)
July 1, 2005... Retirement is changing. Because we're living longer, healthier lives, we require more income to maintain current lifestyles for a longer time. That requires planning, and for remodelers, as for owners of other businesses, the sooner you start,...

Licensing.(Remodeling: Reader Panel)
July 1, 2005... Licensing can be a frustrating part of the remodeling process. Most remodelers believe the profession should uphold professional and technical standards, but many say licensing ensures neither because of easy, meaningless, or nonexistent tests...

Traditional update: achieving the delicate balance of modernizing within a traditional-style house.(Kitchen+Bath: Design Clinic)
July 1, 2005... For most kitchen remodels, homeowners want an update in materials and products, but they don't want something that is a glaring contrast to the style of their existing house. Designer Kelly Fey of Dimon Construction in Fayetteville, N.Y., says...

Furniture to cabinetry.(Kitchen+Bath: Management)
July 1, 2005... Thomasville Furniture, a company known for its stylish high-quality furniture, recently introduced a line of cabinetry available through The Home Depot stores nationwide. The Jasper, Ind.-based firm offers a range of door styles and finishes...

Full-service sinks.(Kitchen+Bath: Management)
July 1, 2005... Canadian company, Julien, offers a new line of workstation sinks. Home Refinements Collection is a group of stainless steel products made for residential kitchens. Julien has been crafting commercial sinks for 60 years and translated its...

NKBA alliance.(Kitchen+Bath: Management)
July 1, 2005... The National Kitchen and Bath Association formed a strategic alliance with ServiceMagic to allow the NKBA's 11,000 members to increase their profits and revenue by reaching the increasing number of consumers using the Internet to find...

A place for everything: a new building and showroom gave Dan Luck the chance to customize the kitchen and bath remodeling experience for clients.(Kitchen+Bath: Management)
July 1, 2005... When Dan Luck began planning a move for his kitchen and bath remodeling company into a new building in Madison, Wis., he knew it would give his company a higher profile, so he wanted to create a showroom that had presence. The president of...

Cabinetry.(Kitchen+Bath: Spec Book)
July 1, 2005... Although ornamental accessories abound, it seems consumers are lately drawn to a simpler look when it comes to cabinetry. What's most interesting is what's going on inside those full-overlay doors: myriad organization solutions to help...

Merillat.(Cabinetry)
July 1, 2005... Merillat. Mission style is at the forefront of Estero. part of the Accent Collections line. The line features corbels: a variety of onlays; base, vanity, and split legs: feet: and both crown and large molding. Homeowners can select from these...

Rev-A-Shelf.(Cabinetry)
July 1, 2005... Rev-A-Shelf. The Vineyard Series, part of the Artisan collection, features decorative molding inlays as well as galley rail, lazy susan, and custom pull-out fencing. The fencing, shown here in "grapes and leaves," adds a stylish touch while...

Plain & Fancy.(Cabinetry)
July 1, 2005... Plain & Fancy. Practically Basic" brings understated elegance to the kitchen and bath. Simple, unobstructed lines are complemented by a White Frost finish on fresh beech. Three pieces in the collection are wheeled, making them conveniently...

Timberlake.(Cabinetry)
July 1, 2005... Timberlake. The cottage-clean look of the Tucson door sO,le is achieved with a full overlay beadboard design with contemporary edges. Easy to clean, the white thermofoil surface is also chip- and crack-resistant, the maker says. A number of...

Yorktowne.(Cabinetry)
July 1, 2005... Yorktowne. The Stockton maple wood range hood is one of several the company now offers. The Wood Hood Program components include the chimney, transition, and mantel and come in five width options and a variety of styles. Homeowners can...

Wellborn.(Cabinetry)
July 1, 2005... Wellborn, Lancaster Maple is a full overlay door with eased edges on door and drawer fronts, and veneered recessed center panels. The company's new metal doors and stainless steel pulls make the Lancaster a sleek partner to stainless steel...

HomeCrest.(Cabinetry)
July 1, 2005... HomeCrest. Bright white beadboard brings a touch of summer chic to the Bayport series. The Bayport White semi-custom line includes options such as moldings, valances, and scrolled corbels, as well as appliance garages and apothecary and spice...

Wood-Mode.(Cabinetry)
July 1, 2005... Wood-Mode, Clean lines and a natural finish bring Arts and Crafts warmth to the Andover collection. Raised panel doors in heartwood maple are treated with black glaze to enhance the grain. Simple bun feet with base trim give the cabinetry a...

Out of sight.(Products: Trends)
July 1, 2005... Deck aficionados, both homeowners and remodelers alike, are coming around to hidden deck fasteners. "I'd say five years ago, people didn't want the extra expense. Soon they'll be the industry standard," says Glenn B. Eberle, vice president of...

Mix it up.(Products: Trends)
July 1, 2005... sleek look of stainless steel and full overlay cabinet doors still appeals to many consumers, but there's a budding contingent of folks who want just the opposite of sleek. Mixing materials and styles is becoming a hot option for those looking...

Beadboard beauty.(Products: Trends)
July 1, 2005... White beadboard is coming out of the woodwork and into kitchen cabinetry and un expected areas in the bath. Whether a homeowner seeks to recall turn-of-the-century summer retreats or just wants a clean, country look, a touch of this Victorian...

Cuts both ways.(Products: Reader's Choice)
July 1, 2005... When Barb Goodrich of Goodrich Renovations in Portland. Ore., took a women's beginning woodworking class five years ago. she made a friend for life: the Japanese pull-stroke saw. It's a type of thin-blade saw with teeth that cut on both the...

The sky's the limit.(Products: Reader's Choice)
July 1, 2005... Installing a skylight can be a simple one-off job or the icing on the cake of a larger remodeling project. Either way, Matt Philbin sleeps better knowing he won't get callbacks on the Velux skylights he uses exclusively. "When it comes to...

Siding: manufacturers offer an array of new trim choices.(Products: In Focus)
July 1, 2005... Trim is becoming increasingly sophisticated, with manufacturers making sure their products' shades match nearly everyone else's, and expanding widths and thicknesses to meet the needs of the smallest to the largest jobs. Paintable, textured,...

Nailite.(Siding)
July 1, 2005... RoughSawn Cedar EZ siding promises to reduce installation time by up to 25%, according to the manufacturer. It installs by sliding from the bottom straight up, locking into the proper position. Featuring the same rough-cut shingle look of the...

Royal building products.(Siding)
July 1, 2005... Ribbed extruded foam backing helps make DuraPlank reinforced siding more rigid, resulting in straighter walls and higher energy savings, the maker says. The foam has a drainage system and ventilating air pockets to help protect against moisture...

Gentek.(Siding)
July 1, 2005... Promising superior colorfast performance, the company has added two new darker colors to its Sequoia Select vinyl siding line. Venetian red (shown) and classic brown have "fade-defying" technology that retains color and improves the siding's...

Versatex.(Siding)
July 1, 2005... The company's FreeFoam cellular PVC trimboard is now offered in a reversible board featuring Timber Ridge Texture on one side. The boards are available in sizes ranging from a nominal 4- to 16-inch width, and in 5/8-, 1-, and 5/4-inch nominal...

Rollex.(Siding)
July 1, 2005... The Color Select series of aluminum trim coil comes in multiple shades to blend with popular siding colors from other manufacturers. The coil is designed for use on vinyl and aluminum siding and soffit projects to cover exposed wood like fascia...

Alcoa.(Products: In Focus)
July 1, 2005... For tastes ranging from slightly off-kilter to totally off the wall, DreamColor's 700 shades are anything but typical. In addition to its baseline colors, the company also offers a custom-match program. The Studio A design center service...

KOMA.(Products: In Focus)
July 1, 2005... Cornertrim,a one-piece seamless corner board with square edges, is one component in a line of paintable PVC trimboards. All trim pieces come with a 25-year limited warranty and are waterproof, insect-proof, and rot-resistant, according to the...

LP.(Products: In Focus)
July 1, 2005... Perfection Shingles capture the look of split cedar shingles with their authentic deep grain and matte finish. Both square and scalloped shingles are available in 22 colors, 8 of which are from the popular Norman Rockwell collection. Structural...

Crane.(Products: In Focus)
July 1, 2005... Part of an ever-expanding line of accessories, the Solid Core Fluted Lineal increases design options and combinations. The Aspen White lineal comes with either a 1 1/8 - or 3/4-inch in 20-foot lengths. of the Architectural Essentials trim has...

Weather guard.(Tool Storage)
July 1, 2005... The 7747 21-inch tool bag from Knaack Mfg. is made of heavy-duty ballistic nylon and features a reinforced bottom and side panels, double stitching and steel rivets for maximum durability, and heavy-duty handles and shoulder strap. The bag has...

Custom leather craft.(Tool Storage)
July 1, 2005... Craft. The #1538 27-pocket 10-inch triple-zippered tool carrier features 18 multi-use exterior pockets and 9 interior pockets. Large, zippered side pockets have loops for holding large-handle tools. The bag is made with 600-denier fabric and...

Irwin.(Tool Storage)
July 1, 2005... The company's line of storage products includes the Pro soft tray tool organizer. It features multiple pockets and end clips for organizing tools: a long capacity for holding a hack saw, 14-inch pipe wrench, or hammers: and a handle that...

Lista International.(Tool Storage)
July 1, 2005... Available in a range of heights, widths, depths, and configurations, the Mobile MRO mini workstation/high-density storage cabinet offers built-in shelf storage and full-extension drawers with customizable dividers and individual latches. The...

Stanley.(Tool Storage)
July 1, 2005... Stanley. Designed to handle the abuse that's common on jobsites, the 4x4 ShockMaster toolbox has four Sofprene feet that provide shock absorption to protect the box and its contents, along with slip resistance to keep it secure on uneven...

Ideal Industries.(Tool Storage)
July 1, 2005... Designed for electrical contractors, the Journeyman Electrician's Tote is a rugged, lightweight tool bag that can be carried by hand, over the shoulder, or around the waist. The tote comes with a collection of tools including a Reflex...

Duluth Trading Co .(Tool Storage)
July 1, 2005... The Master Series Tool Backpack allows tools to be transported hands-free. The bag features a padded back with airflow channels that reduce moisture buildup and keep the upper back cooler. It has 38 interior pockets for various hand tools,...

Snap-on Tools.(Tool Storage)
July 1, 2005... Heavy-duty interchangeable drawers and detachable slides allow for customization on the Classic 78 roll cab (model KRA2411). The seven-drawer cabinet can handle up to 250 pounds of tools. The unit features the Lock 'n' Roll system to prevent...

Rejuvenation.(Lighting)
July 1, 2005... The Colonial Revival collection takes its cue from the 1920s revival of 1820s designs--essentially, these fixtures are reproductions of reproductions! The beautifully rendered designs feature various brass finishes and several glass shade...

Baci.(Lighting)
July 1, 2005... Handblown glass shades beautify the Murrina Glass G-9 halogen series. The low-voltage wall fixtures feature Venetian-style, cased white opal glass shades with multicolored millefiori accents. Finishes include chrome, brass, and satin nickel....

Sea Gull.(Lighting)
July 1, 2005... Ambiance LX disk lights come in a number of styles and finishes. Ideal for undercabinet applications, they provide generous task lighting and can be dimmed when meal preparation is over. The low-profile polycarbonate disk lights can be...

Lutron.(Lighting)
July 1, 2005... The Maestro IR remote control dimmer allows homeowners to program light settings. The infrared remote control can be used up to 30 feet away from the dimmer and installation is quick and easy, the maker says. 877.258.8766. www.lutron.com....

Progress.(Lighting)
July 1, 2005... Offering loads of versatility, the Illuma-Flex low-voltage track lighting system can be twisted and curved in a number of configurations. The system features a colorful variety of adjustable track heads and mini-pendants, and the 6- or 12-foot...

Teragren.(Products: First Look)
July 1, 2005... Teragren. Stylish and sustainable, the company's solid bamboo panel qualifies for LEED as a rapidly renewable resource and low-emitting material. The 12x84-inch panel is 13/16-inch thick, and is offered in either flat or vertical grain and six...

Nutone.(Products: First Look)
July 1, 2005... NuTone. The Video Door Answering System combines a chime with a door monitor, allowing homeowners to see and communicate with whoever is at their door. The system operates either as a standard security station with a wall-mounted monitor, door...

Correct-Deck.(Products: First Look)
July 1, 2005... Correct-Deck. CX with Safeguard is touted as the first antimicrobial composite decking. It resists mold and mildew, stains, and color fading, says the maker. The co-extrusion process applies Safeguard antimicrobial agent to each plank. CX is...