Remodeling articles from June 2005

Remodeling archives from June 2005

It's not about the bus.(View Point: First Word)
June 1, 2005... Our Remodeling Leadership Conference, held annually in May, features the Big50 awards banquet sandwiched between two days of business presentations delivered mainly by professional speakers and trainers from fields other than construction. This...

Give back.(View Point: Call Back)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2005... Your February editorial really hit home ("Extra Credit," page 17). I pledged funds for leukemia research a few years ago. It was a great thing to do for others. Little did I know that I would be diagnosed with thyroid cancer just a few years...

Useful issue.(View Point: Call Back)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2005... For a mid-sized design/build company like mine, the April issue was very useful. "Born to Sell" (page 94); "Show and Tell" (page 100); "The Selections Maze" (page 110); and the Reader Panel on product selections (page 122) were relevant to our...

Back to Baltimore.(View Point: In Person)
June 1, 2005... This year, the Remodeling Show returns to one of its most popular venues--the Baltimore Convention Center, located on the revitalized Inner Harbor. This year's Show, which is owned and operated by our publisher Hanley Wood, LLC, is...

Boom and bust: waiting for the housing market to crash? Don't hold your breath.(View Point: News+Notes)
June 1, 2005... It wouldn't be news to say that the housing market has enjoyed an unprecedented stretch of growth during the last couple of years. But the old adage "If it's too good to be true, it probably is," has been haunting builders and remodelers alike,...

Diversity at The Home Depot.(View Point: News+Notes)
June 1, 2005... Responding to the changing demographics in the United States, The Home Depot recently announced a hiring partnership with four Hispanic organizations. "In order to be globally competitive, we have to reflect of the communities in which we...

California scandal price tag rises.(View Point: News+Notes)
June 1, 2005... California's Orange County was recently dealt another blow in its building fee scandal. In January, a Superior Court judge ruled that the county could not justify $4.5 million in revenue from building and planning fees collected from 1999...

RAI shows sustained growth.(View Point: Market Watch)
June 1, 2005... The remodeling industry enjoyed another outstanding quarter according to the latest edition of the Remodeling Activity Indicator (RAI). The RAI, published by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, found that homeowners...

Figure this.(View Point: Market Watch)
June 1, 2005... 10% Amount that prices for "materials and components of construction" increased in 2004 3% The increase in 2003 0.8% The increase in 2002 Source: Department of Labor 9.3 months Average length of time...

Staying aware.(LOCAL FORECAST)
June 1, 2005... Los Altos, Calif., remodeler Kacey Fitzpatrick uses information she gets from local realtors to help her forecast the immediate future. "I check in with them every couple of months," she says. At the beginning of 2005, after hearing that home...

Shifting landscape: a recent Harvard report highlights trends and challenges for the remodeling industry.(Commentary)
June 1, 2005... A 30-page booklet titled, "The Changing Structure of the Home Remodeling Industry" published this spring by Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies (www.jchs.harvard.edu), contains some interesting statistics about the remodeling...

Rallying the team: what makes one team flourish and another flounder?(Commentary)
June 1, 2005... Two years ago I checked in with the local community foundation to see if it needed volunteers. Before I knew it, I was part of one of the very best teams I have ever worked with--a committee tasked with developing three new awards, giving them...

Similar but different: proper positioning can distinguish your company from a sea of others.(Commentary)
June 1, 2005... In one of the talks I give regularly to groups of remodelers, I set the stage with a series of questions designed to get audience members thinking about how their company is perceived by potential customers. I start by saying, "Raise your hand...

Bid no more: replacing the bidding system saves money and creates better customer relations.(Commentary)
June 1, 2005... If you had a dollar for every hour you have spent preparing bids over the years, would you be a millionaire yet? Well, maybe not a millionaire. But, if you consider the opportunity cost for the hours that bid preparation takes away from other...

Far-reaching policy.(Your Business: Ways+Means)
June 1, 2005... When the cherry picker hydraulics leak, that's easy to report. But when an employee feels there's sexual harassment, that's not so easy. It's particularly difficult when you're a man being harassed by a male client. Such was the case at a New...

Sharing is caring.(Your Business: Ways+Means)
June 1, 2005... Case Design/Remodeling has used a number of employee motivators during its long history, but in the past decade the company has pushed motivation to a new level by sharing its numbers with employees. "Step one in the process was having the...

Written plan helps focus.(Work+Life)
June 1, 2005... Q: What is the real value of having a written business plan when everything changes anyway? A: The value of a written plan is in what your plan communicates. Consider this: If you can't write what you want, you can't "language" it. If you...

Read on: business management books contain important lessons.(People+Skills)
June 1, 2005... Craig Deimler, vice president of Deimler & Sons Construction in Harrisburg, Pa., is a tree believer in ongoing education... especially when it comes to running his business. "I want to be the best, so there's no way short of continual...

Extra coverage.(Your Business: Bottom Line)
June 1, 2005... When David Crane brought in a representative from Aflac to speak to his employees about supplemental insurance coverage, 75% of them signed up for at least one type of coverage. However, during the past few years, many of his employees have...

Warranty payment.(Your Business: Bottom Line)
June 1, 2005... Remodeler Phil Branstetter not only adds 1% of the total estimate to the final budget to cover warranty work, he also marks it up as part of the budget. The owner of R.L. Rider Remodeling in Lansing, Mich., considers this part of the cost of...

Designs on realtors.(Your Business: Sales+Marketing)
June 1, 2005... When it comes to meeting new owners of old homes, who better to introduce you than their real estate agent? Having guided the homeowners through the purchasing process, their agent should have a strong sense of their remodeling dreams and...

Inviting new clients.(SALES SCHOOL 101)
June 1, 2005... CHALLENGE Although it's easy enough to ask a satisfied client to refer your services to neighbors and friends, it's nearly impossible to get the timing fight. "Most people aren't in the ongoing process of needing a remodeler," says Jack...

Branding design/build.(Your Business: Sales+Marketing)
June 1, 2005... Several years ago, Audi hired the Gallup Organization to figure out what distinguishes Audi drivers from those of competitors' cars. Whereas BMW drivers, for instance, are known for their pure driving passion, Audi drivers turned out to be...

Let your clients do the talking.(Your Business: Sales+Marketing)
June 1, 2005... Close to a million people visited the Wisconsin State Fair last summer. Although most went to admire the animals, spin on the rides, and gobble the famous cream puffs, exactly 34 Wisconsinites went to generate leads for their remodeler, Callen...

Wardrobe function.(Your Business: Field Notes)
June 1, 2005... Employees of Jay-Cue Construction in North Bergen, N.J., have a closet full of clothing from the company. President John Quaregna provides his staff with a full work uniform that includes T-shirts, five pairs of pants, sweaters, sweatshirts,...

Dual vision.(Your Business: Field Notes)
June 1, 2005... Last fall, the Ardmore, Pa.-based Certified Contractors NetWork hosted a bilingual version of its popular Blue Collar Management Boot Camp. The program is a four-day class that provides management and customer service training to carpenters....

Pre-construction conference.(Your Business: Field Notes)
June 1, 2005... At the beginning of the process, clients work closely with the salesperson, so before construction begins, they need a formal introduction to the lead carpenter. Hold a meeting with the client, salesperson, lead carpenter, and production...

Gable enabled.(Your Business: By Design)
June 1, 2005... The challenge was how to update and put an addition on a 1920s storybook house while acknowledging and respecting the architecture. "We didn't want the addition to look like an incredible hulk," says designer Martha Kerr, of Neil Kelly...

Separate but equal.(Your Business: By Design)
June 1, 2005... After a year in business, Rob Adler, a licensed architect, wanted more control over his designs. He opened a new construction company and subbed out work. He worked so often with one particular firm, Socha Builders, that the two owners decided...

Pass the word.(Your Business: Tech@Work)
June 1, 2005... Your birth date. Your spouse's birthdate. The name of your pet. What do these have in common? They're all commonly used as passwords. So common that any hacker--or disgruntled employee, dishonest temp, or fired subcontractor--could easily...

Growing up with Small Business Server 2003.(Your Business: Tech@Work)
June 1, 2005... If it's just you with a desktop and a laptop, a simple peer-to-peer network to share files is probably OK, but as soon as you put another user or two in the mix, you should be thinking about a real Windows server to control traffic and secure...

Measuring up.(Your Business: Good Form)
June 1, 2005... Ever had an employee go and measure a job, and when he returns you find he forgot to put the tape up to the baseboard? Of course you have. Gary Potter, of Seattle-based Potter Construction, had, too--until he developed and implemented this...

Profile: Dale Brenke.(Big50: Close Up)
June 1, 2005... Last fall, Dale Brenke (Big50 2004) ran a series of television advertisements featuring his company's employees. The series of five commercials showed different employees--a production manager, a salesperson, and installers--at work. In the...

Second look: Kerry Bramon.(Big50: Close Up)
June 1, 2005... Fifteen years ago, Kerry Bramon could not produce projects on time or on budget. He realized he had 12 field employees who were not capable of meeting his deadlines and goals. By the time he became Big50 in 1993, he had a plan in place to...

Common sense: do you have guidelines for employee-client interaction?(Q+A)
June 1, 2005... BO STEED Steed Remodeling Kansas City, Mo. Big50 1991 We ask, "What would you like us to do?" We put the ball in the clients' court for how to repair or fix something. We don't have a particular page in our handbook that...

Should you do jobs for friends and family?(Big50: Face Off)
June 1, 2005... "Of course you should. In fact, I'd argue that we owe it to our friends and family to do the work for them. lf we don't, they are going to get somebody else to do it. That other contractor may or may not be as good as we are; he may or may not...

Reading list: Big50 remodelers recommend their favorite business books.(Big50: Live+Learn)
June 1, 2005... I read Good to Great by Jim Collins and immediately found ways to start implementing what I learned. Chapter three covers great companies that have top-notch executive leaders. They first get the great team; then they figure out where to drive...

HardKnocks: sob stories: no more mister nice guy.(Big50: Live+Learn)
June 1, 2005... Jim Benoit now says that "No good deed goes unpunished." Sure enough, when he decided early this year to grant a second chance to a lead carpenter who had been falsifying his time sheets, not only was the carpenter AWOL the next day, but so...

Down to the details: the cost-conscious owners of this cozy cottage found a match in remodeler Alon Toker and his style of design/build.(Remodeling: Before+After)
June 1, 2005... Remodeler Alon Toker's system was a perfect fit for clients Mike and Alice Sloan. Mike Sloan is an accountant who was more interested than most clients in the down-to-the penny cost of each item installed in their small cottage remodel. "It's...

Avoiding a roomful of blues: what kitchen and bath clients don't know and how you can help them.
June 1, 2005... Whoever coined the expression "What you don't know won't hurt you" obviously never had a kitchen or bathroom remodeled. Yet even proactive clients who have done their research don't know everything that they will face. They aren't prepared for...

The rising tide: want to help strengthen the remodeling industry? Become a mentor.
June 1, 2005... Eric Hoff was confused and, frankly, a little nervous. Moments before, the young owner of E.R. Hoff Remodeling, Boise, Idaho, had been cruising along when the driver of a silver Ford extended-cab truck honked the horn and pulled him over. Hoff...

Back it up: the health of your company depends on how you manage a backlog of work.
June 1, 2005... It is a critical moment in the evolution of a remodeling company, a delicate decision, one that can help your company thrive and prosper for years to come--deciding how many jobs you can handle at a time and how to manage people waiting for...

In-field coaching: managers who provide fair compensation and involve their field staff in the company score home runs in efficiency, quality, and employee loyalty.(Cover Story)
June 1, 2005... Andy Hannan knows remodeling is a tough business, so he coaches his team to help them prepare to perform. The production manager at Mark IV Builders in Bethesda, Md., works closely with his six superintendents and four carpenters. "It's...

Fielding your crew: managing field crews requires constant monitoring of systems and training.(Remodeling: Reader Panel)
June 1, 2005... Production crews are the first line of defense in remodeling. Not only must they have good construction skills, but they need strong communication skills to successfully manage clients and subcontractors on a daily basis. About 70% of our...

Hidden trash: make use of pull-out cabinets and accessories to conveniently hide trash and recycling.(Kitchen+Bath: Design Clinic)
June 1, 2005... Designer Leslie Roosevelt of Gilday Renovations says most customers want trash bins hidden behind cabinet doors in their kitchens. If a customer claims they don't want that, Roosevelt says she tries to convince them. "I'd rather have visitors...

Bathing beauty: this remodeling company patiently worked through red tape to create a beautiful, universal design bath.(Kitchen+Bath: Design Clinic)
June 1, 2005... Remodelers Robin Burrill and Rob Mathews of Curb Appeal Renovations in Haltom City, Texas, were asked to remodel a couple's master bathroom to accommodate the husband's disability. He had been injured on the job and was paralyzed from the waist...

Whirlpool.(Appliances)
June 1, 2005... Space-saving design distinguishes the DesignerFit counter-depth refrigerator. Offered in 69- and 72-inch models, it is 6 inches shallower than standard-depth refrigerators, yet it offers a roomy 24 1/2 cubic feet of interior space. Drop-down...

LG.(Appliances)
June 1, 2005... The company's new dishwasher line features two fully integrated models that boast hidden controls and a digital display. A large tub capacity holds up to 16 place settings and the washer features removable tines, an adjustable lower rack, and...

Vintage.(Appliances)
June 1, 2005... The Radiant Warming Oven promises to heat up to 190 degrees in 10 minutes. It can be used both indoors and outdoors and has an array of panel options to complement various types of decor. Available in 27-, 30-, and 36-inch models, the oven...

AGA.(Appliances)
June 1, 2005... The Legacy Cathedral Door showcases a graceful arched window on the popular Legacy stove. Offered in cream, black, brick, or white, the door is an option on the 36-inch model as well as the 44-inch multifunction and convection ovens. The...

Jenn-Air.(Appliances)
June 1, 2005... Moving forward from the stainless steel era, floating glass-panel appliances create a shiny kitchen. Smooth, opaque glass fronts make for a clean, glossy appearance on refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, and other appliances. The glass panes...

Miele.(Appliances)
June 1, 2005... Part of the Touchtronic washing machine series, the Honeycomb drum creates a precise combination of water temperature, detergent, time, and mechanical action to get clothes more thoroughly cleaned, the maker says. Users can select from up to 10...

Maytag.(Appliances)
June 1, 2005... The Neptune Front-Load washer and dryer promise the largest usable capacity in the industry at 3.81 cubic feet. The washer's Turbo Clean wash system protects clothes from wear while removing stains, the maker says, and the dryer's IntelliDry...

Sharp.(Appliances)
June 1, 2005... The Insight Pro Microwave Drawer frees up counter and above-range space by offering alternative installation options. The drawer opens at the touch of a button on the top angled control panel, and cooks can check or stir dishes without having...

Trim for the long run: in a flock of new composites, PVC stands out as the most versatile.(Replacement: Siding)
June 1, 2005... In the last decade, a range of new trim has overtaken the exteriors market. Trim stock is now available in plywood, OSB, MDO, hardboard, low-density fiber-cement, cellular PVC, and polyurethane. The variety is staggering, and, as you might...

Hidden deck fasteners: for a premium wood deck, face-nailing is not an option.(Replacement: Decks)
June 1, 2005... At $2.50 per linear foot for ipe, the last thing I want to do is riddle a deck with screw holes," exclaims Colorado deck builder, Dennis McCurdy. "There's no quicker way to destroy wood in this climate." McCurdy, who specializes in...

Be prepared.(Replacement: Decks)
June 1, 2005... Salespeople, you have a decision to make. Should you just show up, or should you slow down and prepare? And how should you prepare? Prior to going on each appointment ask yourself three questions: * Why should they buy my product? ...

Beautified bath.(Products: Trends)
June 1, 2005... As bathrooms get more luxurious, bathroom furniture is getting more elaborate. Options in cabinetry and vanities abound for high-end upgrade projects. With its new collection of vanities, Ethan Allen expands its horizons into the bathroom....

Lit-up landscape.(Products: Trends)
June 1, 2005... Outdoor living is the "lifestyle trend" du jour. Whether it's for entertaining friends and family or for relaxing and enjoying temperate weather, American homeowners are spending more time outside and more money spiffing up their landscapes....

Kid's stuff.(Products: Trends)
June 1, 2005... Everyone knows that children are a lucrative consumer market. Clothes, toys, even cell phones for kids are big business. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that quite a few home product manufacturers are turning their eye to the tot who has...

Top gun.(Products: Reader's Choice)
June 1, 2005... Remodeler: James McGuyrt Company: Sigmon Construction, Raleigh, N.C. Product: DeWalt 18-volt cordless nailer. www.dewalt.com. Circle 108. James McGuyrt of Sigmon Construction was browsing through his local home...

Cabinet position.(Products: Reader's Choice)
June 1, 2005... Remodeler: James Benoit Company: Benoit & Czarnecki Design/Construction, Newtown Square, Pa. Product: KraftMaid cabinetry. www.kraftmaid.com. Circle 109. The majority of work James Benoit does is high end, but when it...

Room enclosures: bring in the outdoors.(Products: In Focus)
June 1, 2005... As the weather gets warmer, a homeowner's fancy often turns to the outdoors. Sunrooms, screened porches, and other room enclosures can be an easy sell to clients looking to bring the outdoors in. A comfortable transition from indoors to out is...

Westech building products.(Decking)
June 1, 2005... The all-vinyl Presidio Deck and Dock system features 1 1/2-inch-thick by 12-inch-wide deck board with a slip-resistant embossed wood grained surface. Available in white, almond, and pebblestone, the flame-retardant and chemical-resistant system...

Potlatch.(Decking)
June 1, 2005... The company partnered with Chemco, makers of fire-retardant treatments, to create SaferWood deck and siding panels. A vacuum pressure process removes air and moisture from the wood cells and replaces it with environmentally friendly fire...

Cabot.(Decking)
June 1, 2005... S.P.F. Deck & Fence Finish system employs a hydrophilic resin system that is compatible with water and can be applied just hours after rain or surface washing. The system begins with Cleaner & Conditioner, followed by the actual finish, which...

Royal crown limited.(Decking)
June 1, 2005... The Deck Lok vinyl decking system has been deemed in full compliance with all building code standards set forth by the IBC, IRC, and UBC, and is now available to every region of the country. The 100% vinyl decking won't splinter or split, and...

Deckorators.(Decking)
June 1, 2005... The Scenic Series of beveled glass balusters were designed to make a dramatic impression. The 4-inch-wide balusters are made of 5/16-inch tempered glass with safety edges, and they include corrosive-resistant fittings that help them perform...

TimberTech.(Decking)
June 1, 2005... The latest addition to the company's ornamental railing system is the ornamental spindle, offered in a colonial design. Available in both 6-foot and 8-foot kits, the spindles are precut to 27 inches to establish the 36-inch residential height...

Epoch.(Decking)
June 1, 2005... Elements decking is an extruded composite featuring duo-finish, reversible boards that can be installed with either the corded or matte side up. Offered in Cape Cod grey, redwood, or weathered wood, the decking comes with a 10-year limited...

Correct building products.(Decking)
June 1, 2005... New in the CorrectDeck DCL (dimensional composite lumber) line is the 4-inch by 4-inch by 8-foot RapidRail post. Code-approved for structural applications, the post gives the option of composite structural support for deck railings and light...

Alcoa.(Decking)
June 1, 2005... The Oasis Decking/Railing System offers both composite and PVC components. The composite, made of high-density polyethylene and yellow pine flour, is both lighter and stronger than its competitors, the maker says. Both the composite and PVC...

Velux.(Skylights)
June 1, 2005... Designed to allow maximum daylight and ventilation, the GDL Cabrio balcony roof window features innovative dual-sash operation. The top sash opens for maximum ventilation while the bottom sash opens outward, providing access to the outdoors....

ODL.(Skylights)
June 1, 2005... Certified to meet Miami-Dade County requirements, the Severe Weather Tubular Skylight features a polycarbonate dome and seamless aluminum flashing. It comes with a preassembled diffuser and has a ceiling ring that requires no screws for...

Pella.(Skylights)
June 1, 2005... The skylight offers a number of options, including a wall-mounted keypad, fabric-pleated shades, and a choice of two motorized systems. The standard model has a wood interior, aluminum exterior, and a rust-free fiberglass insect screen....

Wasco.(Skylights)
June 1, 2005... The hurricane-resistant, laminated glass used in the Architectural Series Sky Windows shields against wind-borne debris, impact, and forced entry, says the maker. The glass is made with heat-strengthened low-E lites bonded with one or more...

Lumber Liquidators.(Products: First Look)
June 1, 2005... Nirvana V3 laminate flooring comes in 3.5-by-31.7-inch strips with an embossed wood image and a true bevel between each plank for a more authentic wood look. The flooring is protected with moisture-resistant hardboard and has a 3mm...

Baldwin Hardware.(Products: First Look)
June 1, 2005... Crafted in cast bronze, the Archetype collection offers three ornate designs: Chateau, Crafts-man, and Villa. The handlesets are complemented by matching accessories. The hardware is offered in dark bronze, pewter bronze, and aged bronze. Shown...

Girlgear Industries.(Products: First Look)
June 1, 2005... The Pink Tool Belt is a heavy-duty, industrial grade tool belt made to fit a woman's hips from 30 to 47 inches. Fashioned of strong pink suede, it has four main pockets, six smaller pockets, and a center pocket, as well as two hammer loops and...

Temple-Inland.(Products: First Look)
June 1, 2005... Type TG-C is a new formula for the company's fire-rated gypsum wallboard. It's UL-approved for almost twice as many applications as its Type-C and Type-T predecessors. Manufactured in 1/2- and 5/8-inch thicknesses, a 4-foot width and lengths...

RotoZip by Bosch.(Products: First Look)
June 1, 2005... The Jigsaw Handle Attachment Kit fits nearly all of the company's Spiral Saw models. It provides users with a comfortable soft-grip handhold for guiding the tool 360 degrees in any direction, which eliminates the need for users to constantly...

All decked out ...(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION)(Advertisement)
June 1, 2005... Summer is the best time to enjoy the outdoor pleasures of home ownership--and it's the best time for construction pros to get out and sell those high-profit, high-demand decking projects to their homeowner customers. Few other areas in the...

Kitchens and baths.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION)(Advertisement)
June 1, 2005... Kitchens and baths are the settings for the daily rituals of life, so it is imperative that these rooms look great and function well. When designing these rooms, be sure to choose products that create an inviting appearance, allow practical...

Landscaping, decking, and room enclosures.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION)(Advertisement)
June 1, 2005... DECKING DECISION MADE EASY When it comes to decking, there are a number of materials to choose from, and each offers numerous benefits in terms of beauty, durability, and maintenance. Vinyl decking, for instance, provides a...