Remodeling articles from July 2006

Remodeling archives from July 2006

The company we keep.(ViewPoint: FirstWord)
July 1, 2006... In 1987, John Abrams converted South Mountain Company, the small Martha's Vineyard construction company he co-founded in 1975, to a worker-owner cooperative corporation. He and two trusted company foreman became the original three owners, with...

The last word on single-payer health care.(ViewPoint: CallBack: the sound and the fury ...)
July 1, 2006... I thought your editorial on single-payer health care (April, p. 17) was thoughtful and contained a wealth of good information. I accept that not everyone will agree with your position, and that's fine. But those people with different viewpoints...

Corrections.(Correction notice)
July 1, 2006... * The illustration on page 48 of the May issue was incorrectly attributed. The illustrator is Dave Klug. * Advance Design Studio has been in business 15 years, not 17 as was reported on page 126 of the May issue. * The manufacturer...

New to the remodeling show in 2006: the kitchen and bath showcase.(ViewPoint: InPerson)
July 1, 2006... The kitchen and bath tend to be the highest budget areas of a remodel, having huge profit potential, but they also can have potentially low profit margins due to inexperienced job planning and high materials costs. In response to attendee...

Market still in good shape.(ViewPoint: News+Notes)
July 1, 2006... New report assuages fears of harsh landing. In its annual "State of the Nation's Housing" report, the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University (JCHS) affirmed that, while there are more reasons to be concerned than in the...

Senate passes immigration bill: long road ahead to a compromise with House.(ViewPoint: News+Notes)
July 1, 2006... In the May issue, we reported on the immigration bill pending in the Senate ("Immigration Issue Heats Up" p. 27). Later that month, the Senate approved a measure that would tighten security at the Mexican border and set up a guest worker...

Off to a strong start.(ViewPoint: MarketWatch)
July 1, 2006... The remodeling market started 2006 strongly, according to the latest release of the Remodeling Market Index (RMI). The current market conditions portion of the index--released by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)--rose from 46.6...

Figure this.(ViewPoint: MarketWatch)
July 1, 2006... 2.3 million Number of homes for sale in the nation's biggest 100 markets that were listed online in May, compared to 1.3 million one year ago Corzen 20% Increase in 2005 in home builders building some "green" homes ...

Broader range.(LOCAL FORECAST)
July 1, 2006... Much has been written about joining industry associations, but Neal Hendy, president of Neal's DesignBuild, says that the businesspeople you consult with don't have to be remodelers to make picking their brains worthwhile. For nearly 20...

Best and brightest practices: why do some remodeling companies shine on every level? The results are in.(Commentary)
July 1, 2006... Research in our industry is scarce and should be taken seriously--especially when it reveals how super-successful remodelers use certain business practices to achieve dramatic results. For example, our company recently surveyed the business...

Effective vs. efficient: adding a personal touch goes a long way toward effective communication.(Commentary)
July 1, 2006... When it comes to communication, becoming more efficient may mean becoming less effective. This is more than a clever play on words; it's an important issue that every business owner must address. As our pace of life continues to increase,...

Life after remodeling: in a deadline-driven industry, the biggest deadline is retirement.(Commentary)
July 1, 2006... Retirement. Most remodelers are too busy running jobs to even think about it. Or they love their work so much that they can't imagine a time when work might be replaced by leisure activities. Either way, your body may not allow you to work...

Wendy and the lost boys: women can be a civilizing influence in our male-dominated industry.(Commentary)
July 1, 2006... In J.M. Barrie's classic children's tale Peter Pan, Peter and the Lost Boys are in dire need of Wendy. Wendy is sensible and mature--the perfect counterbalance to Peter and the Lost Boys' impulsive and childish behavior. So what does that have...

Wall of protection.(YourBusiness: Ways+Means)
July 1, 2006... The Internet makes it possible to do nearly everything online, including incorporate your business. Type the words "business formation services" into a search engine and you'll be offered more than 10,000 results. Although it might seem easier...

Friendly competition.(YourBusiness: Ways+Means)
July 1, 2006... It's good to know your competition--their weaknesses and best practices--so you can improve your own business. But should you be friendly with your competitors? Yes, says Victoria Downing, consultant to the remodeling industry, author, and...

A well-defined scope.(ByLaw)
July 1, 2006... Perhaps the single largest source of disputes between contractors and owners during the course of remodeling projects stems from failure to clearly define the scope of work. A well-defined scope: * States in detail exactly what the...

Do customer service training.(People+Skills)
July 1, 2006... Although a company's field staff has a huge influence on a customer's ultimate satisfaction, few companies provide customer service training to this critical group of employees. For David Merrill, president of Merrill Contracting, Arlington,...

Small-business retirement savings adviser.(YourBusiness: BottomLine)
July 1, 2006... This retirement adviser from the U.S. Department of Labor summarizes the options small-business owners can provide for their employees. These options are available to most small businesses with fewer than 100 employees. The SEP-IRA and...

Tiny hands, huge fans.(YourBusiness: Sales+Marketing)
July 1, 2006... Proving that great publicity comes in all shapes and sizes, Fannin Remodeling targeted a dozen first and second graders in March, and hit the bull's-eye. "We taught them a construction course," says Chuck Fannin, president of the Toledo, Ohio,...

Rising tides.(YourBusiness: Sales+Marketing)
July 1, 2006... More than ever, remodeling and the American Dream go hand in hand. Gleanings from recent research: * Population. Minorities will account for nearly two-thirds of U.S. household growth between 2000 and 2010 (source: Fannie Mae). *...

The engagement is on.(YourBusiness: Sales+Marketing)
July 1, 2006... Engagement is a hot business buzzword, according to marketing consultant Adrienne Zoble. She says that one way to engage your referral base is by hosting open houses at recently completed projects. "Leverage those compliments" from pleased...

The budget or the dream?(SALES SCHOOL 101)
July 1, 2006... THE CHALLENGE Some clients are motivated by their dreams, and others are constricted by their budget. Neither is necessarily fight or wrong, says Jack Hauber, a sales coach with the Sandler Sales Institute. But it's important to understand...

Beat the heat: common sense and prompt treatment can protect the whole crew.(YourBusiness: FieldNotes)
July 1, 2006... Education is the key to conquering any kind of jobsite safety risk, and the summer heat is no exception. We take heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and other heat-related threats very seriously, and as the temperatures climb, we discuss their...

Help wanted. Really.(YourBusiness: FieldNotes)
July 1, 2006... When finding carpenters gets tough, tough remodelers get creative. In his help-wanted ads, Gary Potter of Potter Construction, Seattle, uses the words that his own carpenters selected to describe themselves in their DISC profiles. (For more...

High note.(YourBusiness: ByDesign)
July 1, 2006... Recent trends indicate that higher ceilings--9 and 10 feet--are the norm in new homes. While many remodeling clients are looking for increased ceiling height, they are also interested in the ceiling as a design element. HEIGHTENED...

Beast of burden.(YourBusiness: Tech@Work)
July 1, 2006... Who has the higher labor burden rate--one of your higher- or lower-paid employees? Would it be smarter to hire a new employee or to pay overtime to an existing employee? The answers may surprise you, says Diane Gilson, CPA and president of Info...

Employment essentials.(YourBusiness: GoodForm)
July 1, 2006... The I-9 form (also known as the Employment Eligibility Verification form), is one that every business owner should be familiar with--you're required to fill it out for all your employees. But construction attorney D.S. Berenson of Johanson...

Profile: Everett Collier & David Ostrom.(Big 50: CloseUp: Insight and opinion from the BEST in the business)
July 1, 2006... Many companies talk about diversity, but Everett Collier and David Ostrom live it. They have to: Their San Francisco company, Collier Ostrom (Big50 2000), has experienced a major demographic shill that is having an impact on remodelers...

Ted Brown.(SecondLook)
July 1, 2006... Two years ago in August, Ted Brown (Big50 1991) sold his design/build company, Traditional Concepts, after 20 years in business. "I was ready to do something else," Brown says. As of this writing Brown is acting as a consultant for his former...

Snuffing out burnout: how do you help employees bounce back in the face of burnout?(Q+A)
July 1, 2006... CHRIS SHURIAN Classic Construction Services Provo, Utah Big50 2005 We throw a couple of big employee parties every year to show our appreciation for the hard work our guys do, but I don't think that doing something twice a...

Do you allow homeowners to contract out certain parts of their remodel?(Big50 FaceOff: Insight and opinion from the BEST in the business)
July 1, 2006... We allow clients to contract out most any aspect of their remodel if they can give us a good reason, with the exception of carpentry. --Shawn Nelson MIXING IT UP We prefer that if clients want to use their own subcontractors, they...

Wooded bliss: after 20 months and seven designs, a passive solar failure gets its rightful place in the sun.(Before+After)
July 1, 2006... Views, views, and more views topped the clients' wish list. And views--of towering oak and cherry trees; of wildlife including deer and the occasional great horned owl; and, in winter, of the twinkling lights of town, six miles away--were what...

Strength and numbers: letting talented employees find their fit isn't a feel-good indulgence. It could be a bottom-line necessity.(Cover story)
July 1, 2006... Jody Kenote took up framing at the age of 14, sharpened his carpentry skills in vo-tech school, and worked for a handful of companies before joining DG Liu Contractor, Dickerson, Md., in 1997. He was 31 and "a framing Yoda," says his boss Jerry...

Constructive criticism: conducting customer surveys can provide remodelers with valuable information to improve service and increase referrals and repeat business.(Company overview)
July 1, 2006... Bowers Construction, McLean, Va., has been conducting post-job customer surveys since it was incorporated 15 years ago. Co-owner Wilma Bowers says that due to the remodeling industry's poor reputation, homeowners are predisposed to thinking...

Surveying customers: most remodelers find a way to solicit customer feedback and use the data to improve service.(Reader Panel)
July 1, 2006... Surveying customers is the best way to collect direct feedback. The information you gather can help you improve your service. That improved service, in turn, translates to repeat business and referrals. We found that 92% of Reader Panel members...

Library books.(Kitchen+Bath: Management)
July 1, 2006... The National Kitchen & Bath Association now offers a Pro-Professional Resource Library--a series of business and design books for industry professionals. The series includes nine volumes that cover design, products, residential construction,...

Who decides?(Kitchen+Bath: Management)
July 1, 2006... Both homeowners and residential contractors agree that women are the primary decision makers for home improvement projects, according to an online survey by ServiceMagic, an Internet service that connects home owners with pre-screened and...

Broan contest.(Kitchen+Bath: Management)
July 1, 2006... Broan-NuTone announces its fourth annual The Best Kitchen Design Competition. Kitchen designers, student designers, and NKBA student members are eligible to enter. More than $40,000 in cash, scholarships, and travel will be awarded to...

Creating scaled countertops in 20-20: a method to create a uniform appearance for pony wall countertops.(Kitchen+Bath: DesignClinic)
July 1, 2006... There are many ways to place nontraditional countertops in 20-20 software. This month we focus on scaling a pony wall using a method that involves fewer steps and does not require a corner miter. Often we place a wall behind an island or...

Lasertron.(Cabinetry)
July 1, 2006... A complete line of stainless steel cabinets lets customers add functionality and good looks to their kitchens, bathrooms, or outdoor entertaining spaces. In addition to the standard appliance-grade brushed finished, door design options include...

Rev-a-shelf.(Cabinetry)
July 1, 2006... Offer clients a solution to losing kitchen tools and other items in the back of clumsy corner cabinets. The 5PSP Series chrome blind corner optimizer fits most 45-inch blind corner cabinets and provides easy access to cabinet contents. Two...

Diamond cabinets.(Cabinetry)
July 1, 2006... Find extra space in a new place with the Mini Message Center, which fits neatly at the end of a cabinet run. Featuring a row of hooks, two fixed shelves, and a magnetic dry-erase board, the 3-inch deep, 12-inch-wide cabinet is a convenient...

Dura supreme.(Cabinetry)
July 1, 2006... Consider a host of new design options by incorporating any of he 12 new turned post designs. Available in 3 1/2-inch and 5 1/2-inch widths, the posts add furniture-style detailing to any decor. Order full-, 3/4-, 1/2-, or 1/4-round...

Yorktowne cabinetry.(Cabinetry)
July 1, 2006... Based on emerging home trends and consumer demand, five new cabinet options are now available. A 45-inch base cabinet, 45-inch wall cabinet, and stackable 12-inch-high half-cabinets (all shown) join the product line along with a 27-inch-high...

Omega cabinetry.(Cabinetry)
July 1, 2006... Outfit a family-friendly and organized mudroom or "drop zone" with Locker Cabinets from the company's Inside Story product line. With several configurations, the cabinets offer plenty of storage for shoes, coats, sports equipment, book bags,...

Kitchen craft.(Cabinetry)
July 1, 2006... Addressing an interest in deeper cabinetry colors, the maker has added cappuccino and chesmut finishes to its product line. Cappuccino is a medium-dark stain with elegant brown tones that will be the first dark brown stain available on maple...

Wellborn cabinet.(Cabinetry)
July 1, 2006... With finishes and accessories suitable for kitchen or bath installations, the Monterey cabinet style is the newest addition to the Premier and WoodCraft Series. The maple cabinets feature a full overlay contemporary miter door style with a...

Detailing structural connections: two simple details can mean the difference between a durable deck and disaster.(Replacement: Decks)
July 1, 2006... For the last seven years, professor Frank Woeste has been studying deck failures at Virginia Tech. He and his colleagues, Joe Loferski and Cheryl Anderson, point to two critical points of failure for decks and balconies--ledger board...

Roof rippers: while no tool can make a tear-off easy, tough tools can help.(Replacement: Roofing)
July 1, 2006... Speaking about roof tea-off's, roofer Pat Green of Columbia, Mo., says, "There's no replacement for plain old hard work." Power spudders and wheeled tear-off bars are designed for flat, commercial roofs, he explains. "In residential work, there...

Sales meetings 101: salespeople don't like sales meetings because they're boring.(Replacement: Roofing)
July 1, 2006... The purpose of your sales meeting should be to help salespeople sell more products. I like to hold sales meetings at 9 a.m. on Mondays. Attendance is mandatory for all salespeople and anyone else involved in sales management--and the meetings...

Tearing down walls: consumer trends show that homeowners want more functionality from their living spaces.(Products: Trends)
July 1, 2006... Gone are the days of naming rooms for their purposes. Laun dry rooms, studies, living rooms, and kitchens are all giving way to multiuse spaces, and while no one's showering in the kitchen quite yet, the boundaries continue to blur between...

Knob novelty: range and cooktop control design remains important to end-users.(Products: Trends)
July 1, 2006... When shopping for a cell phone, do you put display models to your ear or pretend to dial? It may seem silly, but everyone's done it and appliance manufacturers believe there's more to these actions than you might realize. "Something as simple...

Generating interest: standby generators serve Americans' "more power" mentality.(Products: Trends)
July 1, 2006... The word "gridlock" has a whole new meaning these days, with the U.S. power grid serving a growing number of homes. Increased demand combined with power outages caused by severe weather have increased momentum in the whole-house standby power...

Siding: go for a look that will get noticed.(Products: InFocus)
July 1, 2006... Since curb appeal is as much about keeping up with the Joneses as it is about having an inviting home exterior, providing homeowners with uniquely detailed siding options is essential. Whether your clients want to flaunt their new siding's...

Crane.(Siding)
July 1, 2006... Replicating the look of real cedar board-and-batten without the maintenance hassles is CraneBoard Board & Batten Siding featuring an architecturally correct double 10-inch design. Interlocking panels hide each vertical nailing hem while...

Kleer Lumber.(Siding)
July 1, 2006... Outfit porch ceilings, soffits, and other areas prone to moisture retention with KleerLok. This edge- and center-bead board features a ship-lap locking system to hide fasteners, eliminate face nailing, and reduce post-fastening labor, such as...

Sikkens.(Siding)
July 1, 2006... To make choosing wood care finishes and colors easier, the company is debuting sample cans of exterior wood-care products. The 4-ounce cans feature an applicator brush built into the lid for quick testing on an extra piece of wood or the...

James Hardie.(Siding)
July 1, 2006... Part of the Hardiplank product line, Colonial Roughsawn lap siding is available in 12-foot-long, 8-inch-wide, 5/16-inch-thick planks. Featuring PrimePlus sealer and primer, the fiber-cement material can be painted any color and lasts longer...

Nichiha.(Siding)
July 1, 2006... Add classic charm and elegance to your client's home without adding installation or maintenance hassles with Sierra Premium Shake fiber cement panels. Factory-primed and factory-sealed on six sides, the deep-grain shakes are able to withstand...

Eldorado Stone.(Siding)
July 1, 2006... Abandoning the uniformity of color, size, and shape associated with traditional brick, the company introduces its brick veneer product line. The highly textured bricks flaunt rough, worn edges and slightly varying thicknesses and sizes, so no...

KP Building Products.(Siding)
July 1, 2006... As part of its ongoing strategy to refine the styling of its siding to better meet customer demands, the company offers a redesigned 6 1/2-inch-wide panel with a full bead in its Northern Star line. The design modification offers a...

Royal Building Products.(Siding)
July 1, 2006... At .054 inches thick and able to withstand winds up to 265 mph, DuraPlank features an extruded foam backing for straighter walls and enhanced energy savings. The free-floating ribbed insulating backing is locked, not glued, to allow for...

George Kovaks.(Lighting)
July 1, 2006... Create a sparkling setting with the Bling Bling large pendant. The fixture's outer perforated steel shade features a sleek chrome finish with embedded Swarovski crystals for extra shine. Sized 14 inches in diameter and 6 inches high, pendants...

Sea Gull Lighting.(Lighting)
July 1, 2006... A new introduction from the company is the transitional Del Prato collection, featuring a dark misted bronze finish and seeded glass. The collection includes the sconce, pendants, chandeliers, close-to-ceiling lighting, and more. 800.347.5483....

W.A.C. Lighting.(Lighting)
July 1, 2006... Elegant hand-blown glass shades adorn the G618 Series of Quick Connect pendants. Each pendant measures 6 1/4 inches wide and 7 inches tall. The shade's bell profile is available in blue, green, orange, purple, or white. Using the maker's Quick...

Progress Lighting.(Lighting)
July 1, 2006... Add focus to a lighting scheme with model P6153-09WB three-light pinhole-back directional sconce, available in a brushed nickel or white finish. Measuring 9 1/2 inches wide, 5 inches high, and 4 1/4 inches deep, the base accommodates three...

Cherry Tree Design.(Lighting)
July 1, 2006... Mimicking the construction techniques used in log and timber homes, the new Yellowstone Collection offers a genuine rustic feel. The line includes wall-mount sconces, semi-flush ceiling mounts, pendants, chandeliers, and more. Customize each...

Lightolier.(Lighting)
July 1, 2006... Now available to address homeowners' requests for energy savings in the home are Lytecaster Energy Star-rated downlights. The frame-in kits provide general illumination and wall washing effects. A ballast filters electrical noise and most...

Thomas Lighting.(Lighting)
July 1, 2006... From the Limestone family, Model SL8817-63 will brighten spaces with a glow through warmly aged glass. The six-light chandelier has a painted bronze finish, wrought iron-wrapped details, and measures 30 inches wide by 35 inches tall. Overall...

Leviton.(Lighting)
July 1, 2006... Because "neutral" doesn't just come in one color anymore, the company has introduced light almond wiring devices, lighting controls, and wall plates. The new color option is available on more than 250 devices including traditional toggle and...

Knaack Mfg.(Tool Storage)
July 1, 2006... Available in six models constructed of 7-gauge steel, the Storagemaster HD heavy-duty rolling workbench keeps valuable tools safe and secure. The unit's Watchman IV single-lock deadbolt system features a recessed lock housing, inaccessible by...

Delta.(Tool Storage)
July 1, 2006... Offering protection against theft and weather threats is the new line of JOBOX High-Security Crossover and Inner Side Boxes. The cross-bed and side-wall-mounting models feature the Gear-Lock II dual rotary locking system with self-adjusting...

Bon Tool.(Tool Storage)
July 1, 2006... Water-repellent, wear-resistant BonDura nylon makes this mason's bag, resistant to punctures and tears. Three exterior pouches hold twigs, pins, or line blocks, and elastic straps carry a level along the length of the bag. The internal steel...

Custom LeatherCraft.(Tool Storage)
July 1, 2006... Sporting a patent-pending tray storage system recessed on top for easy access to small parts, the 18-inch tote bag with top plastic tray features more storage than other bags in its category, the maker says. Six large exterior pockets, 12...

Ideal Industries.(Tool Storage)
July 1, 2006... Feel like you're working in the great outdoors as you construct the great indoors with the help of the new Camouflage Tote. Made of tear-resistant nylon polyester and rivet-reinforced for durability, the line features a leafy camouflage pattern...

Sonoma Cast Stone.(Products: FirstLook: The newest products for the remodeling market.)
July 1, 2006... Get the sleek design of concrete countertops at about half the price with NuCrete CounterTiles. Stocked in four stainless colors--cream, porcelain, earth, or graphite--the precast tiles are 24 inches wide, 1 1/4 inches thick, and 25 1/2 inches...

Engineered Glass Products.(Products: FirstLook: The newest products for the remodeling market.)
July 1, 2006... Through the use of a transparent conductive coating, the Thermique glass towel warmer can be uniformly heated in 30 minutes to 170 degrees. Requiring some wiring within the wall, the warmer calls for a 120-volt ISA GFCI feed. Weighing 36...

Heatcon.(Products: FirstLook: The newest products for the remodeling market.)
July 1, 2006... The company introduces the HC99-200 series PVC heat forming kit. The patent-pending kit lets the user bend cellular PVC trim in a fraction of the time it takes to curve natural wood products, the maker says. The kit includes heat blankets to...

Bosch.(Products: FirstLook: The newest products for the remodeling market.)
July 1, 2006... The compact design and lithium-ion battery technology make the 10.8-volt Pocket Driver (PS20) up to 40% lighter and 33% more productive than other ultra-compact drill/ drivers, the maker says. Drive up to 100 3-inch screws per charge. The...

LE Johnson.(Products: FirstLook: The newest products for the remodeling market.)
July 1, 2006... Reduce door space needs from l0 square feet to none with the Pocket door frame kit. Useful for any room, the kit accommodates doors up to 5 feet wide, 9 feet high, and 1 1/8 to 1 3/4 inches thick, and 125 pounds. Heavy-duty ballbearing hangers...

Trojan Mfg.(Products: FirstLook: The newest products for the remodeling market.)
July 1, 2006... Replacing cumbersome and uneven sawhorses is the Trojan Sawhorse, offering ease of use and portability. Consisting of two pairs of collapsible steel legs, the product is designed so the user can clamp any length 2x4 (or up to 2x12) at the top...

Panasonic.(Products: FirstLook: The newest products for the remodeling market.)
July 1, 2006... WhisperGreen Premium Ceiling-Mounted Ventilation Fans offer 30% to 70% more energy efficiency than previous models and surpass Energy Star requirements, the maker says. Custom Vent variable speed control allows the fan to mn continuously at 30...

In Wall Cabinets.(Products: FirstLook: The newest products for the remodeling market.)
July 1, 2006... Give clients the classy look of built-ins with minimal tear-out. In Wall Cabinets are designed to fit snugly between 16-inch on-center studs. Styles include billiard cue racks; liquor cabinets; memorabilia displays; and more. Oak or maple...

Labor productivity: predict loss or gain to margin by looking at volume produced by each field person.(LastWord: BenchMark)
July 1, 2006... Last month we looked at labor productivity through the lens of the project schedule. By looking at how much time we took to complete a project, we could predict loss or gain to margin. But we can also predict loss or gain to margin by...