Remodeling articles from March 2006

Remodeling archives from March 2006

Clearing a path.(ViewPoint: FirstWord)
March 1, 2006... The first time I ever saw high-speed tandem snow plowing was 35 years ago during my first full winter in Vermont. The morning after a major snowstorm, I pulled onto the interstate right behind three state plow tracks traveling at 40-plus miles...

Not equal yet.(ViewPoint: CallBack)
March 1, 2006... Thank you for boldly putting Rodney Webb on the cover of your magazine. The "Elusive Equality" article (December, p. 72) brought up good questions, and I hope your readers think about their answers. I am a black contractor in the Chicago area,...

EPA-proposed new lead paint work rule.(ViewPoint: News+Notes)
March 1, 2006... It's been nearly 15 years since Title X of the Housing and Community Development Act--the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992--was signed into law; a decade since the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that...

2005: a record year.(ViewPoint: MarketWatch)
March 1, 2006... The final numbers from the Joint Center for Hot, sing Studies at Harvard University confirm what most of us already knew: 2005 was a good year for remodeling. The latest update of the Remodeling Activity Index (RAI), released Jan. 13,...

Figure this.(ViewPoint: MarketWatch)
March 1, 2006... S7.4 billion Projected size of the hand tools market by 2010 MarketResearch.com $191 Average local property tax, per capita, per year, in Arkansas, the lowest in the U.S. $285 Average in Alabama, second lowest in the country ...

Housing glut.(LOCAL FORECAST)
March 1, 2006... Mark Scott, owner of Mark IV Builders, Bethesda, Md., has noticed an inordinate number of foundations in the ground in the upscale neighborhoods in which he works. This has him worried. "Over the next six months, there will be a jump in the...

The enforcers: systems are all you have. Don't let a "valuable" employee undermine them.(Commentary)
March 1, 2006... It was a wonderful dinner party by and for remodelers. The hosts, a couple who own a remodeling company, started to banter about their differing styles of leadership. She, along with the office manager, wanted to lay down the law to the field...

Gracious decline: how to turn down projects with grace and tact.(Commentary)
March 1, 2006... Many years ago I attended a seminar about characteristics of the remodeling client. The speaker said something that that really caught my attention: "Approximately 18% of all homeowners will not allow you to make a profit." I questioned this at...

Profit myths: transform your ideas about profit and watch your business thrive.(Commentary)
March 1, 2006... A thriving business should be one that runs smoothly, creates happy customers, fairly compensates the owner and employees for their contributions, and, above all, generates a net profit. As business author Charles Abbott puts it, "Business...

Safe profits: adopt best practices and safety compliance will take care of itself.(Commentary)
March 1, 2006... Many remodelers feel uneasy when they hear the word "safety." But until recently, there has been little cause for concern that "the man from OSHA" will show up on your jobsite. In fact, unless there was a fatality or a catastrophe on site, a...

Head on.(YourBusiness: Ways+Means)
March 1, 2006... Post-project customer satisfaction surveys don't always find their way back to the office, so Greg Antonioli does face-to-face exit interviews. He also feels that the written responses he had received weren't substantive. "How many times have...

Badge of honor.(YourBusiness: Ways+Means)
March 1, 2006... Just after Sept. 11, when everyone everywhere seemed to be nervous, one of Iris Harrell's soon-to-be clients was followed by a stranger and it scared her. When Harrell Remodeling, Mountain View, Calif., was about to begin the remodel, the...

Monster resource.(YourBusiness: Ways+Means)
March 1, 2006... Finding good employees is already difficult. And all indicators show that the labor pool is shrinking. Ask remodelers where they're finding employees and the answer is not newspaper classifieds but Monster.com. With more than 50 million resumes...

By law: are completion certificates worthwhile?(YourBusiness: Ways+Means)
March 1, 2006... A completion certificate is essentially a form presented to the client after the job has been completed, usually by the installer. The customer signs the form, indicating that he or she is satisfied with the work performed and that the job is...

How much authority do you want to give?(People+Skills)
March 1, 2006... You can limit the amount of authority you're giving until you get used to delegating, and are comfortable with the quality and consistency of an employee's work. The more experienced and reliable the employee, the more freedom you can give. The...

Cost of supervision: a remodeler explains the benefits of including supervision costs in the project estimate.(YourBusiness: BottomLine)
March 1, 2006... Jim Benoit uses an estimating discipline from his commercial contracting experience to enhance his company's residential remodeling estimates. Instead of including project supervision in overhead, he includes it as a line item in all the...

Part-time employees.(YourBusiness: BottomLine)
March 1, 2006... Q What is the minimum amount per quarter that I can pay a part-time employee (family member) without having to pay taxes? In the past I thought it was $250 per quarter. Is that still correct? A If the family member is an employee of a...

Seasonal greetings.(YourBusiness: Sales+Marketing)
March 1, 2006... Change the season, step up your marketing. With spring (March 20) and daylight savings time (April 2) just ahead, why not send clients and prospects a reminder of how your company can help them maintain or improve their homes? Here's how...

Qualifying the prospect.(SALES SCHOOL 101)
March 1, 2006... THE PROBLEM You're wasting time on low-quality prospects. THE SOLUTION Identify how the prospect will make the decision about whether, when, and with whom they'll remodel. They probably won't volunteer that they're shopping for...

Mailing list smarts.(YourBusiness: Sales+Marketing)
March 1, 2006... A direct mail piece generally costs about 35 cents to 75 cents or more per home. If your mailing list isn't current, accurate, and targeted, you're throwing money out the window. Inspect your in-house list: current and past clients, past...

Hitching to a star.(YourBusiness: Sales+Marketing)
March 1, 2006... Leads flow almost effortlessly to Osborne Co. Like many other remodelers, the Springfield, Va., business capitalizes on its membership in a respected trade organization. Nearly 55% of its leads come from either the Web site of the National...

Honoring his subs.(YourBusiness: FieldNotes)
March 1, 2006... What bugs subs? Six annoying behaviors in particular, according to DuKate Fine Remodeling's trade contractors. Last year, in an initiative called "Honor Thy Subs," the Franklin, Ind., company phoned its trade contractors to learn "how we could...

Beat the burnout.(YourBusiness: FieldNotes)
March 1, 2006... The pressure of pleasing homeowners and bosses, of meeting deadlines, delivering products, and creating works of art can take a dangerous toll on almost anyone's mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Here are some tips for avoiding...

Board of directions.(YourBusiness: FieldNotes)
March 1, 2006... For every home it remodels, JW Bratton Design/Build, Renton, Wash., creates a "notification board" containing all the information a field employee or a subcontractor might need in the event of questions or emergencies. The board --typically a...

Stair well.(YourBusiness: ByDesign)
March 1, 2006... Like many old homes, the back stairs in the 1800s farmhouse in The Plains, Va., being renovated by architect Anthony Barnes, Barnes Vanze Architects, Washington, D.C., had small winders, which, while efficient, were neither safe to use nor up...

Questions of design.(YourBusiness: ByDesign)
March 1, 2006... Debra Moore, owner of Custom Design/Build, Ann Arbor, Mich., says, "People think design is an expensive, fru-fru thing. What we try to tell them is that it's just a fancy word for planning." Moore spends time "demystifying the process" for...

New in estimating.(YourBusiness: Tech@Work)
March 1, 2006... For more than a year, Scott Schubert was a beta tester for an earlier version of XactRemodel (XR), Xactware's latest estimating software package tailored to the remodeling industry. Schubert, who co-owns Post & Beam Design/Build, Forest Hill,...

Budgeting for tech success.(YourBusiness: Tech@Work)
March 1, 2006... What would happen if the pilot of your next flight cut back the throttle to save fuel just as the plane was leaving the runway? It wouldn't be pretty. Similarly, business-savvy remodelers seem to morph into their irrational clients when it...

Checks and balances.(YourBusiness: GoodForm)
March 1, 2006... When it came time to balance the books each month, Nancy Klein, co-owner and controller of Klein's Home Improvement in Hayden, Idaho, found herself scrambling to reconcile the company credit card statements. Ditto the checkbooks because certain...

Profile: Annette and John Greco.(Big50: CloseUp: Insight and opinion from the BEST in the business)
March 1, 2006... Owners Annette and John Greco host an annual appreciation party for the employees of Greco Remodelers (Big50 2003) in Manassas, Va. The couple books a restaurant for the luncheon and invites employees and their spouses or significant others....

Second look: Anthony John Bellomo.(Big50: CloseUp: Insight and opinion from the BEST in the business)
March 1, 2006... Soon after he was awarded Big50 in 1989, Anthony John Bellomo says he realized, "that as far as remodeling goes, we'd arrived at where we wanted to be. I had accomplished a goal and felt it was time to move on." Bellomo's Black Forest...

Rain or shine: how do you handle inclement weather?(Q+A)
March 1, 2006... CLAI PORTER NCP Design/Build Anchorage, Alaska Big50 1990 Proper clothing is absolutely crucial for us. We wear lots of layers and insulated "bunny boots" that are good to 50 below. We buy chemical foot-warmers and...

Serenity now: on Florida's Gulf Coast, a five-year-long whirlwind of activity turns a storm-battered house into a Japanese beauty.(Before+After)
March 1, 2006... Seven years ago, when Michael Jensen and Susan Strober bought a 40-year-old home on the Gulf of Mexico, they knew that a renovation was in their future. The existing four-bedroom structure on Siesta Key, Sarasota, Fla., had the tranquil Asian...

Fielding questions: these interviewing tips and techniques for field positions help owners find the best fit for their companies.
March 1, 2006... Though most remodeling company owners focus on skills when hiring field staff, many recognize that attitude is equally or even more important than construction skills. "A lot of this business is about attitude," says REMODELING contributor and...

Marketing masters: what remodelers can learn from ... replacement contractors.
March 1, 2006... It's only recently that a distinction has been made between replacement contractors--purveyors of replacement windows, siding, and roofing; gutters and gutter protection systems; and decks and sunrooms--and full-service remodelers. It's an apt...

Letting go: stop fighting yourself and learn to delegate.(Cover story)
March 1, 2006... Often, to succeed, you have to get out of your own way. That may be especially true when you run your own business: You can carry all the responsibilities for just so long. You know you need to shed tasks--replacing yourself in the field, in...

Handing off responsibilities.(ReaderPanel)
March 1, 2006... Delegation--or the lack of it--is probably the biggest obstacle facing new remodelers. A young remodeling company requires a lot of attention, and 60-hour-plus work weeks certainly aren't uncommon. But if the company is going to move out of its...

Design aid: what type of design software do you use for kitchens and baths? Why?(Q+A)
March 1, 2006... HOLLY MARTIN Lee Kimball Boston, Mass. Until about a year and a half ago, we solely drafted by hand. We now use AutoCAD LT for everything except hand-renderings or quick conceptual plans/elevations that give a sense of...

Glowing spirits.(Kitchen+Bath: DesignClinic)
March 1, 2006... In a brainstorming session for this kitchen renovation, remodeler Robert Kraft and his design team came up with the idea to highlight the wine storage area using color and light. This fulfilled the homeowners' request to add some bright,...

Copper corner.(Kitchen+Bath: DesignClinic)
March 1, 2006... This artful powder room is the perfect combination of form and function. The corner fixture fits the small space. "We could not fit a standard pedestal sink into this bath" says Deborah Malone, president of JP Malone Construction in Scottsdale,...

Broan.(Range Hoods & Ventilation)
March 1, 2006... Available in brushed stainless steel or brushed copper, the WC23 range hood features Heat Sentry technology, which detects excessive heat and automatically adjusts the 4-speed blower to high. The 36-inch wide hood offers internal and external...

Sirius.(Range Hoods & Ventilation)
March 1, 2006... With its clean, simple shape, the 1U404 Island-style vent hood subtly encloses a 600-cfm motor within a seamless 14-inch cylinder. A wireless remote controls the 4-speed motor system as well as the 50W halogen lamp. Other features include a...

RangeCraft.(Range Hoods & Ventilation)
March 1, 2006... The Miami range hood can be made from copper, brass, stainless steel, or any combination of materials. The units come with mirrored or antiqued finishes, riveted corners, recessed bands, decorative buttons, micro-baffle filters, and halogen...

ABBAKA.(Range Hoods & Ventilation)
March 1, 2006... The company's new satin brushed copper finish creates a rustic look when paired with its Barrel Form ventilation hood. To produce the finish, polished copper is first brushed to a satin finish and then coated with automotive-grade clear matte...

Zephyr.(Range Hoods & Ventilation)
March 1, 2006... Inspired by the movie "Casablanca," the Bogart ventilation hood features a stainless steel chimney, tempered glass, and halogen lighting. The Bogart comes in 36- and 42-inch models and houses a 600-cfm blower and an in-line 1,000-cfm blower....

Great fakes: synthetic roofing draws attention as an attractive alternative to slate and wood shakes.(Products: Trends)
March 1, 2006... With increasing focus on green remodeling as well as low maintenance, interest is swelling in alternative roofing products--especially those that realistically capture the texture, color variation, and appearance of natural materials while...

Door prize: get a handle on the latest trends in entry-door hardware.(Products: Trends)
March 1, 2006... As a result of homeowners' increased attention to entry door hardware, manufacturers are seeing a wave of new trends. Considering that a handleset is the first piece of art the Joneses see, "Now it's more important to become innovative, to have...

Doors: now that's glassy.(Products: InFocus)
March 1, 2006... Whether it's aluminum-clad, fiberglass, or wood, or for an entry, a patio, or an interior, the look for doors is clearly glass. But the glass can be decorative, creating a dramatic entry; functional, insulating and soundproofing the home's...

Stone river bronze.(Locksets & Hardware)
March 1, 2006... Style A3622, shown with an extended grip handle, is made through an investment cast process. All of the company's models are available in 10 finishes, 3 textures, and a bronze alloy choice of nickel, silicon, or manganese. 435.755.8100....

Kwikset.(Locksets & Hardware)
March 1, 2006... The Powerbolt 1000 electronic deadbolt runs on four alkaline batteries. It retains the memory of security codes during power outages and allows the use of secondary codes for guests. An alarm sounds after three consecutive incorrect code...

Baldwin.(Locksets & Hardware)
March 1, 2006... The New York handleset, shown in a satin chrome finish, features clean lines and contemporary styling. Other available finishes include Venetian bronze, aged pewter, antique nickel, and polished chrome. 800.566.1986. www.baldwin hardware.com....

Yale.(Locksets & Hardware)
March 1, 2006... The Fairfield one-piece handleset is fashioned from solid brass, showcases intricate detailing, and is available in satin nickel, satin chrome, antique nickel, gun metal, and gold finishes, the manufacturer says. The split-hub, low-torque...

Weiser lock.(Locksets & Hardware)
March 1, 2006... Shown in a bright chrome finish, the Augusta handleset features an ANSI Grade 2 lock, solid forged brass outer trim and brass inner trim, and an adjustable backset latch. The model includes a full-lip square corner brass strikeplate. The set is...

Comfortmaker.(HVAC)
March 1, 2006... The Soft-Sound IIS 80 line of gas furnaces provides technicians plenty of room to work with easy-to-remove panels and extra-spacious service compartments. A troubleshooting LED fault indicator, viewed through a new sight glass in the blower...

Tempstar.(HVAC)
March 1, 2006... The SmartComfort VS 80 gas furnace line offers multi-poise, 80% AFUE furnaces with heating capacities up to 125,000 BTU per hour. The line features silicon nitride ignitors, which are not affected by high-line voltage and don't require voltage...

Rheem water heating.(HVAC)
March 1, 2006... The entire line of the company's gas-fired tankless water heaters qualifies for a federal income tax credit under the Energy Tax Incentives Act of 2005. The line includes both natural gas- and propane-fueled models offering inputs of up to...

Space-Ray.(HVAC)
March 1, 2006... The Space-Ray Cold Blocker infrared gas tube heater is industrial strength, but made especially for residential use in garages, workshops, or other small unheated spaces. At 9 feet 3 inches long, its compact size allows placement in...

SunTouch.(HVAC)
March 1, 2006... Designed for large floor heating needs exceeding 15 amps, the GroupStat control divides the application into zones with individual units. Because a master thermostat, available in programmable and non-programmable versions, links and controls...

Laufen.(Products: FirstLook)
March 1, 2006... Vail, a new line of floor, wall, and countertop tile, is ideal for medium- to heavy-traffic areas, the manufacturer says. The floor tile comes in 17 1/2-by-17 1/2-inch and 13-by-13-inch sizes, and is available in ivory, Sahara, pine, and rouge....

Metabo.(Products: FirstLook)
March 1, 2006... The new SR 20-23 1/3-sheet orbital finishing sander features a plastic microcellular polyurethane elastomer sanding plate for smooth, even finishing, the maker says. Sealed ball bearings and a die-cast aluminum bearing flange prevent dust from...

Alum-a-pole.(Products: FirstLook)
March 1, 2006... Successfully tested on exterior comers and window trim in rain, snow, ice, and 90-mph winds, Pro-Trim Construction Tape claims to eliminate the need for surface nails on siding trim. According to the manufacturer, the tape can be repositioned,...

SunStar heating products.(Products: FirstLook)
March 1, 2006... Enjoy outdoor warmth in cold climates with the portable, infrared Patio Heater. With a 40,000 BTU-per-hour rating, powered by a standard 20-pound gas cylinder, the 89-inch tall heater provides a circle of warmth up to 20 feet in diameter....

U.S. tile.(Products: FirstLook)
March 1, 2006... Available in two profiles--the Tuscan flat pan with barrel design and the French two-valley shape (shown)--the Montoro line of Australian-imported clay roof tiles offers a water absorption rate of less than 6%, the maker says. The Grade One...

DriTac.(Products: FirstLook)
March 1, 2006... 9200 FasTac wet-lay wood flooring adhesive is fast-grabbing, low-odor, and VOC-F compliant, the company says, and it inhibits the growth of bacteria and mold. The polymeric resins, with urethane, high-solids adhesive, can be used for...

Taylor tools.(Products: FirstLook)
March 1, 2006... The #835 Bang-It hinge pin remover provides quick extraction of hinge pins without damaging doors or molding because of its plastic construction. Insert the tool into the hinge and then tap the base to force the hinge pin upward. The product's...

Hitachi.(Products: FirstLook)
March 1, 2006... The company's newest 3.5-inch round-head framing nailer, the NR90AE, weighs just 7.5 pounds and is ergonomically designed. Selective actuation allows a quick switch from sequential to contact fire; a toolless depth of drive dial accommodates...

Ready, set, grow! Taking your business to the next level.(Remodeling Leadership Conference)
March 1, 2006... Attend this information-packed conference and learn * How to be profitable doing more with less and how to make the most of adversity * Which cultural and economic forces will most strongly affect your business * Where to look for...

Focus on the few: apply the 80/20 rule to control your overhead.(LastWord: BenchMark)
March 1, 2006... Remember Pareto's Principle? Also called the 80/20 rule, it says that 20% of the input provides 80% of the value. Stated another way, 20% of your activities account for 80% of the results. Last month we applied the rule to job costs control....