Remodeling articles from June 2004

Remodeling archives from June 2004

How's the boss?(First Word)
June 1, 2004... Labor is still a major concern for most remodelers. More than the difficulty of finding skilled workers, however, it's the turnover that causes the most grief. It's costly, too. Replacing a key employee costs as much as 1.5 times salary, and...

Service sells.(Call Back)
June 1, 2004... I have been a remodeler for 24 years, and I've learned to make customer service my top priority. Service starts when you first meet with clients; it's in the way you carry yourself and the way you speak to them. I've found making the...

See you at the show.(In Person)
June 1, 2004... In January, we changed the name of the Remodelers' Show to the Remodeling Show, partly because we wanted to emphasize that the Show is an extension of the magazine. At the same time, the name change signals that as the Remodeling Show continues...

Strength from numbers.(News+Notes)
June 1, 2004... Faced with a serious insurance crisis, builders and remodelers in New York are taking matters into their own hands. The New York State Builders Association recently announced the formation of the Reciprocal Liability Insurance Company,...

Space invaders.(News+Notes)
June 1, 2004... Opinion Research Corp. recently surveyed approXimately 400 adults who had remodeled in the past few years. Most of the findings came as no surprise: Schedule problems and messy jobsites were among the most common complaints. However, "the...

Scrub call lists more often, FTC says.(News+Notes)
June 1, 2004... The Federal Trade Commission has announced a change in the do-not-call rules. Starting Jan. 1, 2005, companies must purge their telemarketing databases of DNC-listed phone numbers every 31 days, as opposed to quarterly as originally proscribed....

Back to school.(News+Notes)
June 1, 2004... At a time when most students across the country have just been let out of school, remodelers are just getting started. In May, the first course was held at Remodelers University, a phone-based training program for smaller companies that are...

Remodeling market index.(Mixed Bag)
June 1, 2004... Though they were cautious late last year, remodelers showed record levels of optimism in their industry in the first quarter of 2004. The current conditions index is up 12.6 points from the first quarter of 2003, which is the most relevant...

Remodeling activity indicator.(Mix Bag)
June 1, 2004... Data from the Joint Center for Housing Studies indicate that remodeling is off to somewhat of a slow start in 2004. According to the latest Remodeling Activity Indicator, homeowners fell just short of spending $125 billion dollars on...

Improve your close ratios: financing may be the ticket to bringing more prospects to contract.(Commentary)
June 1, 2004... With interest rates so attractive, you ought to examine offering clients financing. Even for a small, full-service contractor, financing has many benefits. It helps you get to a client's budget quickly and easily. It increases close ratios. It...

Culture hounds: investing time, thought, and money in company culture turns success into significance.(Commentary)
June 1, 2004... Once upon a time, I thought culture meant opera and ballet and classical music. I also knew it was a word used to describe the differences between natives of different countries. I had no idea that I would spend later years working to develop...

Vive la difference: full-service and specialty remodelers can learn a lot from each other.(Commentary)
June 1, 2004... Recently I had the privilege of conducting some in-depth seminars with a group of employees from large remodeling companies from different areas of the country, all of whom were interested in improving and growing their businesses. All of these...

Not a leg to stand on: writing off the sales call because only one party can meet is a common sales practice. But is it a dated one?(Commentary)
June 1, 2004... In the home remodeling industry, many salespeople won't go out on what's known as a "one-leg" call. A one-legger is when one or the other of the decision-makers--husband or wife--won't be present for the meeting. Far too many salespeople feel...

All sales systems go: at Murphy Bros., "practices" are perfect.(Ways+Means)
June 1, 2004... John Murphy, president of Murphy Bros. Designers & Remodelers in Minneapolis, has been in business since 1981. During that time, he's learned the importance of having long-term employees. So three years ago, he put in place a sales system...

Second best estimates.(Ways+Means)
June 1, 2004... As a relative newcomer to the competitive Wilmington. Del., high-end market, four-year-old Signature Design & Construction can't charge for pre-bid estimating. That's a problem when you're spending 50 or 60 hours bidding on complex whole-house...

Good book: operating procedures are written down for all to learn.(Way+Means)
June 1, 2004... There's nothing unusual about a remodeling firm that has an employee handbook. But the one given to the field crew at The Remodeling Co., in Beverly, Mass., goes beyond establishing company philosophy and safety guidelines. President Gary...

By law: consumer complaints.(Way+Means)
June 1, 2004... Sooner or later, no matter how hard you work to run a perfect business, you're going to run into a problem with a client. Maybe one of your carpenters will slip up, maybe a product will malfunction, or maybe you'll run into a particularly...

Breaking even, part 2.(Bottom Line)
June 1, 2004... The formula for the break even point that we showed you in the March issue tells you the revenue you need, to sell to cover direct costs and overhead, but it doesnt include profit. If you recall, the break even formula was: Break even...

Bonding: a primer.(Bottom Line)
June 1, 2004... Commercial clients and most governmental agencies require contractors to be bonded to both bid on a job and complete the work. A bid bond is submitted at the time of bid. It states the contractor has financial assurance from a bonding company...

Marketing workshop/before+after.(Sales+Marketing)
June 1, 2004... Before This card is totally generic and invisible; no one will notice it. The AAA logo stands out, but your hope on a card is that your name stands out first, what you do, second, and credentials third. On this card, your eye settles on...

Washington, Franklin, Britton?(Sales+Marketing)
June 1, 2004... In Falls Creek, Pa., the Secret Service could find funny money passing around. But it's just remodeler Tim Britton, in his latest effort at "top of mind" awareness. He prints hundred-dollar bills with his likeness instead of Ben Franklin's on...

Salesmen are people, too.(Sales+Marketing)
June 1, 2004... If sales are lagging and your team seems like it needs a double shot of caffeine each morning, interview the person who could change it all: you. Most owners and sales managers have misconceptions when it comes to salespeople. Here are five...

Learning from Letterman.(Sales+Marketing)
June 1, 2004... When Terry Bennett wanted to develop a leave-behind to reinforce the message he or his sales staff convey in sales calls, he came up with something homeowners would remember: an 11-minute DVD that ticks off, David Letterman-style, the top 10...

Your final answer.(Field Notes)
June 1, 2004... Wallace Remodeling in San Francisco uses a form called the "Owner Approved List" to make it easier for project managers to order products and make the job run more smoothly. Company architect Ron Kardon fills out the form and tracks approval...

Warranty works.(Field Notes)
June 1, 2004... Schafer Builders finds taking care of past customers is good for business. Marketing manager Faith Watson says the Crystal Lake, Ill., company has a written warranty policy for the first year. They send a letter to clients three months and 11...

You are mistaken.(Field Notes)
June 1, 2004... The reality of working with other people is that everyone makes mistakes. This is especially true for a carpenter, because errors made in both the office and the field affect the whole crew. Here are a few tips on dealing with these events: ...

Show your support.(By Design)
June 1, 2004... The key to designing exterior columns is to proportionally relate the column to the building. Traditional designs call for a beam resting on top of the column and underneath the roof. Even if the beam isn't required for structural support, it's...

Get connected.(Tech@Work)
June 1, 2004... If you're primed for expansion in the office, it might be time to network your staff's workstations or to upgrade your network if you already have one. The best way to find the right solution for your company is to hire a professional who...

Look, no wires.(Tech@Work)
June 1, 2004... An outright fear of technology isn't healthy, but a little trepidation isn't always a bad thing. Michael Strong found that out when he installed a wireless network in Brothers Strong's Houston office. He set up the network in anticipation of a...

Don't let your data walk away.(Tech@Work)
June 1, 2004... Remodelers' hard drives might not be the most tempting targets for hackers, but there are still plenty of threats to your digital Security. Portable storage devices have made it easy for your data to walk right out the door with a careless or...

Weekly airings.(Good Form)
June 1, 2004... There are few things more frustrating than thinking you've been doing great on a certain job, only to have it blow up in your face at the end. After that happened a couple of times to Bryan Soth and Dwight Sailer, owners of HighCraft Builders...

Profile: Geno Benvenuti.(Close Up)
June 1, 2004... Life's a little crazy, but interesting," says Geno Benvenuti. Since named Big50 in 1990. Benvenuti, of Benvenuti and Stein, Evanston, Ill., has reached a goal many aspire to but few attain: He has followed his family's dream, moving to...

Second look: Mike Turner.(Close Up)
June 1, 2004... If there's a place for remodeling on the Internet, Mike Turner thinks he's found it. A Big50 winner in 1996, Turner is now a Web impresario, hoping to lead the industry into the future with the Home Services Store, The company pursues an...

Should you work with your spouse?(Face Off)
June 1, 2004... "I'd suggest that couples who are also business partners create boundaries with clear lines of responsibility."--Nina Winans WE CAN WORK IT OUT Paul and I have been together for 31 years and have worked for 26 years in business...

Reading list: what business books are Big50 remodelers reading?(Live+Learn)
June 1, 2004... Karen King Home ReBuilders Atlanta Big50 1989 If you are looking for a book to wake you up and make you think about how you approach your business--and life, for that matter--I highly recommend Execution: The Discipline of...

Looking in: a view of remodeling from inside the home improvement industry.(Live+Learn)
June 1, 2004... When interior designer Patsy Zakian-Greenough teams up with her favorite remodeler, their joint efforts not only create the best possible project for clients but also award-winning remodels. She says remodelers should understand the design...

Before+after: down under: a Wisconsin family gains all the rustic space they need by taking advantage of what lies beneath.
June 1, 2004... Wild turkeys sometimes show up to strut their stuff on the deck of John and Lynn Riggs' seven-year-old ranchstyle house 30 miles west of Milwaukee. The property--three wooded acres on a small lake--is also home to deer and raccoons, the...

Pass the baton: if your design/sales/estimating team doesn't deliver a complete package to production, you're bound to lose profit through lack of information. Here's how five design/build contractors shuttle job particulars from sales to production.
June 1, 2004... Ask any contractor if he has "transfer of information" issues, and he'll respond with a resounding "youbetcha." Efficiently moving contract details, plans and specs, and all pertinent data from sales, design, and estimating to production poses...

Guilty by association: can NARI and the Remodelors Council work together to better the industry, or are they just shouting each other down?
June 1, 2004... A number of voices urge remodelers toward the apex of professionalism: There are three trade magazine, several peer networks, a number of related associations like the NKBA, and numerous independent local contractor networks. Conspicuous among...

Bathing beauties: the four winners of remodeling's Bath Design Contest offer different approaches to the same goal: updating a tired family bathroom.
June 1, 2004... Our contest challenged designers to remodel this small, outdated bathroom into a contemporary, family-friendly space. Entrants had the option of transforming the bath within the existing walls or borrowing space from an adjacent room or closet....

What's good enough? Defining, communicating, and monitoring quality standards is vital to producing projects that satisfy remodelers and homeowners alike.(Cover Story)
June 1, 2004... Time. Budget. Quality. These three elements represent the Holy Trinity of remodeling. Given enough of the first two, the third is relatively easy to produce. The trouble is, hardly any remodelers have any time or money to spare. The...

Quality control: getting the word out about what's acceptable and what's not is different for every company.(Reader Panel)
June 1, 2004... Quality is difficult to define. And without a clear definition, remodelers find it challenging to convey that value to their clients, field crews, and subcontractors. Most attempt to use a combination of showing and telling to communicate their...

Second time around: extra sinks are useful, but only if chosen and installed as part of a well-designed kitchen.(Design Clinic)
June 1, 2004... A kitchen remodel presents a great opportunity for designers to find out if a second sink--ideal for entertaining and food preparation--would be useful to homeowners. To determine need, most designers start by asking the homeowners how they...

Cool art.(Design Clinic)
June 1, 2004... American Forests, a non-profit conservation organization, and Danby Refrigerators have teamed up to produce "Artists for a Cool Planet." For the program, 10 renowned artists have created original paintings and photographs to be reproduced on...

KitchenAid.(Appliances)
June 1, 2004... Featuring the Whisper Quiet Plus sound packages, the Ensemble front-loading washer and dryer perform quietly. The washer's 3.7 cubic feet capacity has 12 programs, a built in heater, and an easy to use cycle menu. Offered in a Meteorite matte...

Whirlpool.(Appliances)
June 1, 2004... Conquest refrigerator flat door models are now available in the maker's low-maintenance Satina Stainless Look finish. The finish provides the appearance of a stainless steel surface but resists noticeable fingerprints and smudges and can also...

Jenn-Air.(Appliances)
June 1, 2004... The maker has improved its five-burner, 36-inch gas cooktop with one 17,000 BTU ultra-high output burner and two ultra-low 650 BTU simmer burners for greater cooking flexibility. Its glass ceramic surface and sealed burners make the cooktop...

Bosch.(Appliances)
June 1, 2004... Available in gas, electric, and dual-fuel models, the maker's first Free-Standing Convection Range's Genuine European Convection System uses a third heating element surrounding the convection fan at tile oven's back. A special baffle directs...

Electrolux.(Appliances)
June 1, 2004... The Icon stainless steel Dishwasher uses 100% filtered water and features a condensation system that decreases cool-down time. The SmartSoil Sensor constantly monitors the amount of food particles in the Water and adjusts the cycle length as...

Dacor.(Appliances)
June 1, 2004... The Preference 36-inch All-Gas Cooktop features two SimmerSear burners ranging in BTUs from 18,000 to 500 and 12,500 to 400. The burners are concealed under the larger burner caps that help distribute heat more evenly. Three mid-range burners...

LG Electronics.(Appliances)
June 1, 2004... With the maker's Icebeam Cooling door system, the Side-by-Side Refrigerator provides broader air distribution for even temperature management throughout the fresh food section and the door bins. The refrigerator's 26-cubic-foot interior...

Fisher & Paykel.(Appliances)
June 1, 2004... The SmartLoad top-loading clothes dryer's drum operates in a reverse-tumble drying action to reduce creasing and tangling and improve the evenness of drying. The full-size dryer has five cycles, including wrinkle guard, timed drying, and...

GE Monogram.(Appliances)
June 1, 2004... The Monogram undercounter Double-Drawer Refrigerator features two all-refrigeration drawer units with adjustable dividers. Available in stainless steel or prepped for custom overlay wood panels and custom handles, the refrigerator has an...

Maytag.(Appliances)
June 1, 2004... Combining the functionality of a traditional clothes dryer with an attached upper drying cabinet, the Neptune Drying Center dries special-care clothing as it hangs from the swaying WrinkleRelease Rod or is laid flat on its removable wire mesh...

What's on deck: what do clients expect in the way of finishing when you build a deck for them?(Decks)
June 1, 2004... When Bob DuBree's company, Creative Contracting, finishes a deck, and the deck is wood, he recommends that clients have it stained. "Quite often, if it's a wood deck, we'll offer to do a clear finish, because we think it's an important part of...

Low slope, slow going.(Roofing)
June 1, 2004... Low-slope roofs make Matt Vivona, of Father & Son Construction, Troy, Mich., shiver. "Anytime you've got low slope, or flat, you get ice and water sitting up there. It might work in California, but in a cold climate, it's a nightmare." In...

Get me the manager.(Roofing)
June 1, 2004... Q: When should I hire a sales manager, and what is a reasonable salary? A: When a company wants to start selling, the owner hires a salesperson. When he really want to make things happen, he hires a sales manager, My belief is that once...

Double bubble: combination whirlpool and air-massage tubs deliver double the benefits of hydrotherapy.(Trends)
June 1, 2004... Just when you thought that bathrooms and home spas couldn't get any more luxurious--what with whirlpool tubs, jetted showers, and the like--bathtub manufacturers up the ante by offering tubs that feature whirlpool and air-massage systems in the...

Sit tight.(Trends)
June 1, 2004... Kohter's Cimarron Comfort Height toilet, featuring the Class Five flushing system, is engineered to perform reliably under all flushing situations, especially in what the company calls "demanding circumstances." A 31/4-inch-diameter flush valve...

On board: gypsum wallboard manufacturers are starting to offer more mold-resistant products.(Trends)
June 1, 2004... Although some of the uproar surrounding the mold issue has quieted down recently, industry experts believe that mold will continue to be an important issue in the home building and remodeling industries. Homeowners are better informed about the...

Fine work.(Reader's Choice)
June 1, 2004... For fine detail work and for quick removal of material from sensitive surfaces, remodeler mad custom builder George Fritz says that many carpenters on his crews depend on their Fein MultiMaster Tools. These handheld, variable-speed tools...

Heat wave.(Reader's Choice)
June 1, 2004... The remodelers at Allen Associates like to make their projects as green as possible. To that end, they have been installing tankless water heaters--also called on-demand water heaters--in many of their clients' homes for the past four years....

Anti-gravity tool.(Reader's Choice)
June 1, 2004... Remodeler Dan Cohen's crews have been moving heavy appliances with ease for the past year and a half, ever since Cohen discovered Airsled low-pressure air film appliance movers. An appliance positioned on top of the mover is lifted on a...

Decking: industry experts predict that both the vinyl and composite railing categories will continue to expand, each feeding off the success of the other.(In Focus)
June 1, 2004... Vinyl deck railings have long been a staple in the alternative decking category, and according to industry experts, there is a definite demand for them from homeowners. Many homeowners, especially those in the Midwest, New England, and the...

Weyerhaeuser.(In Focus)
June 1, 2004... ChoiceDek composite decking is now available in five colors: Classic Cedar, Classic Oak, Classic Sierra Tan, Classic Sandstone, and Plus Oak. Made from recycled plastic and natural oak fibers, the decking is moisture resistant and requires no...

Trex.(In Focus)
June 1, 2004... Trex Accents composite decking has a new wood-grain texture that provides the appearance of natural wood without splintering or deteriorating. Made from reclaimed hardwood sawdust and reclaimed/recycled polyethylene plastic, the decking is...

Nexwood.(In Focus)
June 1, 2004... Nexwood composite decking is now available in a 5/4-inch-thick Radius Edge Board designed to span up to 24 inches on-center. Suitable for decks, docks, fences, and stairs, the decking comes in Driftwood Gray, Premium and Premium Sequoia Red....

TimberTech.(In Focus)
June 1, 2004... Made from a patented blend of plastic resins and wood flour, the Whitesand Ornamental Railing System provides a soft white deck railing in a pure composite material without a capstock. The railing and baluster kits come in 6- and 8-foot lengths...

CPI Plastics.(In Focus)
June 1, 2004... Now available in a 5/4-inch board, the eon Decking System is resistant to the effects of beat, sunlight, mold, mildew, insects, and moisture and will not split, crack, stain, or warp, the maker says. Constructed of a thermoplastic material, the...

DecKorators.(In Focus)
June 1, 2004... Offering an alternative to wood or composite railing balusters feature a turned spindle design reminiscent of architecture of the mid-19700s. Designed to replicate the appearance of both traditional wrought iron and wood, the line comes in...

Universal Forest Products.(In Focus)
June 1, 2004... Three deck railing styles have been introduced to complement the maker's EverX composite decking line. The new styles include the Chicago style, the contemporary style, and the ornate system. The railings have an exterior layer of PVC available...

Kroy Building Products.(In Focus)
June 1, 2004... Constructed of 100% recycled wood fibers extruded with a polymer capstock coating, Timberlast Fair Bluff Designer Series composite railings never need painting. Available in white and khaki, the railings can be installed post-to-post or...

CertainTeed.(In Focus)
June 1, 2004... Designed to replace the current 2-inch-diameter handrail, the 1 1/2-inch-diameter EverNew handrail component system now meets ADA requirements for grippable handrails. The steel-reinforced system is adaptable to wall and post mounting and...

Kadant Composites.(In Focus)
June 1, 2004... GeoDeck Plus White Railings are comprised of a wood composite core capped with a coextruded PVC coating in white. A variety of post cap designs are available. The railings, available in 6- and 8-foot-long kits, are warranted against warping,...

Wasco.(Skylights)
June 1, 2004... Now available to the residential market, the maker's Architectural Series Skywindows come in a variety of configurations and styles, including planar, extended pyramid, and square pyramid. Custom sizes and styles, and several glass options, are...

Kalwall Corp.(Skylights)
June 1, 2004... Using an inner insulating layer of Nanogel, a translucent aerogel material, Kalwall+Nanogel skylights provide a thermal protection of R-20 and reduce light transmission by up to 20%. The skylights are available in standard and custom sizes....

Unicel Architectural.(Skylights)
June 1, 2004... Vision Control aluminum-framed skylight units feature operable aluminum louvers sealed between two panes of insulated glass. The seal reduces sound transmission. (800) 668-1580. www.visioncontrol.qc.ca. Circle 126. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Sun-Tek Manufacturing.(Skylights)
June 1, 2004... Six curb-mounted or self-flashed Extreme Weather skylight units meet Metro-Dade building code requirements. Two impact-rated glass skylights, three impact-rated polycarbonate units, and one curb-mounted tubular skylight are available for 120...

Creative Structures.(Skylights)
June 1, 2004... Custom skylights can be designed in a variety of styles and shapes. Several wood species are available and each skylight is manufactured with mortise and tenon construction and features a weeping system that channels condensation to the...

ODL.(Skylights)
June 1, 2004... The Builder Series Tubular Skylight now features the Solar Lens dome to optimize light through the tube. The kit comes with two diffusers: one that maximizes light while reducing solar heat gain; and one that resembles a traditional light...

Thermo-Vu Technologies.(Skylights)
June 1, 2004... Constructed of fully welded aluminum with an extruded PVC inner frame and an extruded aluminum curb and flashing, fixed or vented Sun-Room Series patio room skylights are designed to accommodate roof panels up to 6 inches thick. Glazing options...

Solatube.(Skylights)
June 1, 2004... Low-voltage Solatube Daylight Dimmer allows the level of lighting through the tube skylight to be turned up or down. Its butterfly baffle design adjusts light levels between 2% and 100%. (800) 966-7652. www.solatube.com. Circle 129. ...

Andersen Windows and Doors.(Skylights)
June 1, 2004... Stormwatch protected skylights are designed to meet windborne debris, product performance, and energy requirements in several Gulf and Atlantic coast states. Features include High Performance glass; Perma-Shield exterior claddings;...

Velux.(Skylights)
June 1, 2004... Packaged as a complete kit, the Model TSR 010 sun tunnel is a 10-inch, rigid model featuring a low-profile dome that parallels a roof's slope for a minimal appearance. Ideal for north-facing applications, the kit includes an adjustable top...