Remodeling articles from May 2002

Remodeling archives from May 2002

Joining the club. (First Word).
May 1, 2002... This month, as has been the case each spring since 1986, REMODELING is proud to invite another outstanding group of remodelers to join the ranks of the Big50. I joined the magazine last May, after all selections had been made, so this is the...

Put the Web to use. (comment).
May 1, 2002... Looking for an innovative way to qualify prospects, evaluate customer satisfaction, or test new hires? A Web-survey tool like Zoomerang is an affordable way to create surveys or questionnaires and analyze results on just about any topic. The...

Risk management. (comment).
May 1, 2002... That's the theme of this year's REMODELING Leadership Conference, a two-day event, May 19-21 in Washington, D.C., featuring educational seminars and the Big50 awards banquet. There's still time to register at remodelingmagazine.com.

Correction. (CallBack: the sound the fury ...).
May 1, 2002... May I bring to your attention an error on page 80 of your March issue listing the top 100 remodeling companies ("Remodeling 100," March 2002, page 79)? Specifically, I'm talking about the omission of the seventh ranked--overall company,...

Stick to business. (CallBack: the sound and the fury ...).
May 1, 2002... In a recent issue of REMODELING, you wrote a story about a contractor accused of a criminal act ("Remodeler Charged in Death," March 2002, page 23). Do you have a difficult time finding information and being able to write about what is...

NARI, Stanford examine industry. (News+Notes).
May 1, 2002... NARI and the Stanford Graduate School of Business have completed the first phase of a three-part research project designed to help the association better meet the needs of its members and help all parts of the industry--from manufacturers to...

Connecticut runs Sting House. (News+Notes).
May 1, 2002... The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection arrested 21 "contractors" last year for violating the state's Home Improvement Act with the help of a multi-agency operation known as "Sting House 2001." Targeting individuals based on their...

Sheetrock scandal. (News+Notes).
May 1, 2002... The Dallas Police Department fought quite a campaign in the war on drugs last year, seizing a fair share of cocaine, methamphetamine, and, of course, pulverized wallboard. The Dallas Morning News broke the story in January, and it goes...

CCA to be phased out. (News+Notes).
May 1, 2002... The treated wood industry has agreed to voluntarily phase out lumber preserved with chromated copper arsenate (CCA), a compound containing the carcinogen arsenic, for "virtually all residential uses," EPA Administrator Christine Whitman...

"Handyman" sentenced. (News+Notes).
May 1, 2002... Larry Henderson, a Northern Virginia handyman, was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to bank fraud in federal court, the Washington Post reported. Henderson admitted committing a common fraud that has become known as "the...

Confidence soars. (Market Watch).
May 1, 2002... CONSUMER CONFIDENCE INDEX One sign that the economic recession may be over comes from The Conference Board, whose Consumer Confidence Index for March jumped to 110.2 (from 95.0 in February). Both components--current conditions and future...

Remodel now, pay later: financing makes a big difference in sales revenue, closing ratio, and project size. It's time for more remodelers to offer the service. (Commentary).
May 1, 2002... One of the great opportunities in the remodeling and home improvement market that's ignored by most companies, large and small, is financing. Not only does this deprive many homeowners of being able to fix up or remodel their homes, it also...

Glowing reviews: focus performance reviews on what employees do well and how they could do even better. (Commentary).
May 1, 2002... Supervisors and supervised often dread performance reviews. A recent article on reviews in The Washington Post began, "Oh, those employee reviews. They make the worker bees feel as if they're walking into the principal's office. And the...

Find your right size: sometimes reduced volume means more profit and better customer service. (Commentary).
May 1, 2002... Like many in the remodeling industry, I started as a one-man operation. I was ambitious and an aggressive salesperson, and I developed a business plan that focused more on growth and expansion than on business operations and methods. In its...

Investing in your team pays off: the key to success lies in your employees and your company culture. (Ways+Means).
May 1, 2002... Shawmut Design and Construction, a $300 million dollar commercial remodeling company in Boston, estimates that they earn double the net profit of that of their closest competitors. Their strategies to reach their goals include focusing on...

Jobsite salesmen. (Ways+Means).
May 1, 2002... Want to turn your lead carpenters into salespeople and add easy money to already sold projects? Ask Tom Capizzi Jr., president of Capizzi Home Improvement in Cotuit, Mass., how it's done. Last year the Cape Cod home improvement company--which...

Pleasing and practical options upsell lighting. (Ways+Means).
May 1, 2002... When electrical subcontractors come onto a job, they usually have two questions for the homeowner: What do you want and where do you want it? Phil Blosser, owner of Blosser Electrical, an electrical company in Blooming Glen, Pa., has many more...

How much does an employee cost? Be sure to use the total labor rate when preparing estimates. (Bottom Line).
May 1, 2002... Even if you accurately estimate the hours required to complete a project, you may be losing money if you're not charging enough for labor. Suppose you pay a carpenter $20 per hour. To figure out how much you should be charging to cover costs...

Insuring your spouse. (Tax Tips).
May 1, 2002... If you hire your spouse, even part time, you can deduct the cost of health insurance offered as a benefit. Sole proprietors and partners typically pay for health insurance out of their own pockets. They receive only a 60% credit on Form 1040,...

Marketing a better business. (Sales+Marketing).
May 1, 2002... With construction complaints usually ranking in the top three grievances at the Better Business Bureau each year, it's nice to hold a BBB award that says your company's tops in customer service. Kirk and Joy Morris of Morris Builders in...

Jingle all the way. (Sales+Marketing).
May 1, 2002... A suburban Kansas City remodeler has found that a radio and television campaign featuring a jingle has increased the number and quality of leads he gets. After learning Home Depot was coming to Lawrence, Kan., Marc Ridenour of Natural...

Kitchen rescue nets remodeler "buzz". (Sales+Marketing).
May 1, 2002... Scott Watson of Taylor Watson Construction in St. Louis recently participated in a 12-week television show segment dubbed "Rescue My Kitchen," where viewers voted on nine key homeowner selections via the Internet. He says it was fun and it...

Think positive. (Sales+Marketing).
May 1, 2002... In a turbulent economic environment, there are plenty of opportunities to get discouraged, depressed, and despondent over low sales. Studying sales pros reveals traits that protect them from emotional downers. Here's what they do: Build...

Office to field: good communications ensure that the field produces what you sell. (Field Notes).
May 1, 2002... Sutton Siding & Remodeling in Springfield, Ill., uses two meetings and a series of checklists to efficiently transfer information from sales to production. The first meeting takes place after the contract is signed and includes the salesperson...

Bonded employees. (Field Notes).
May 1, 2002... Seven years ago, management at Plath & Co., a large San Francisco remodeling firm, came up with a way to encourage safe practices and in turn cut their workers' comp costs. They began rewarding field crews for safety with U.S. Savings Bonds....

Motivating your crew. (Field Notes).
May 1, 2002... A complaint of lead carpenters everywhere is that they can't find hardworking employees. In reality, it's our management style that determines the efforts of our workers. Here are a few tips that work to motivate the crew. Have the right...

Feasibility studies. (By Design).
May 1, 2002... Architects Michael Menn and Andy Poticha of Design + Construction Concepts, Northbrook, Ill., started their remodeling firm in order to do design/build. They figured clients would be willing to pay more for an architect-led design team. Sounds...

Glass act. (By Design).
May 1, 2002... Architect Rebecca Schnier, Oakland, Calif., likes to fit good design into every part of a house, and the top of the stairs is no exception. In this remodel of a California home, she designed a cantilevered shelf of thick, clear glass that...

Open for inventory. (Tech@Work).
May 1, 2002... Kowalski Construction in Phoenix has discovered a way to give clients a value-added service at the close of a job--via a Web-based home inventory service. Among other benefits, it reminds homeowners of expiring warranties and scheduled...

Punching up your palm. (Tech@Work).
May 1, 2002... Ask what remodelers use their handhelds for and the answer might be "not much." These Palm operating system applications will transform your under-used PDA into a pocket workhorse: Grab your e-checkbook. If you use Quicken for accounting,...

Remodeling before+after: ship shape: turning a boat repair shack into a dream home required a certain kind of client: the active kind.
May 1, 2002... The house, built in 1939 of poured concrete and located on the Washington shore of the Columbia River, featured portholes on its lower levels, the sort of step-across doorways you'd find on a submarine, and ships' doors to cover them. This made...

Remodeling 50: Big50. (Cover Story).
May 1, 2002... Every year we search the country for remodeling companies that distinguish themselves by outperforming their best competitors. We look for firms with top-notch business acumen, outstanding customer service, a financially strong foundation, and...

Smoke and mirrors: design tricks visually expand the standard 5 x 9 bathroom. (Design Clinic).
May 1, 2002... John Bick uses visual tricks to make a 5-by-9-foot bathroom appear spacious. "You want to feel the whole space when you walk in--to see all of the five and all of the nine," says Bick, of Karr-Bick Kitchens & Baths, St. Louis. He prefers to...

Counter fit. (Design Clinic).
May 1, 2002... A new book on concrete countertops offers step-by-step directions on designing, building molds, mixing, coloring, and pouting these popular surfaces. Concrete Countertops: Designs, Forms, and Finishes for the New Kitchen and Bath, by Fu-Tung...

Kitchen faucets & fixtures. (Spec Book).
May 1, 2002... The latest kitchen sinks and faucets combine strength and style. Materials like composite stone, stainless steel, and solid surfacing give deep, double sinks rugged durability. Faucets, featuring styles from Old World to New Europe, come in...

Warranty wars: who will pay to replace those defective shingles? Everyone. (Roofing).
May 1, 2002... A few years ago, Michael Gervais, owner of Prime Construction in Burlington, Vt., was putting an addition on a house and was trying to match the color of the shingles for the new roof. It just so happened that the homeowner had saved half a...

Open book. (Roofing).
May 1, 2002... When it comes to open and closed book management styles, which one is best? Closed management companies hold meetings behind closed doors. They keep secrets and have high turnover. When someone leaves, other employees are envious. I...

Maintenance men: demand for deck maintenance services is big, and getting bigger. (Decks).
May 1, 2002... If you're like most companies that build decks, the moment the last nail or bolt is attached is the last time you see the product. Most remodeling companies don't bother with deck maintenance for a number of reasons. It's a seasonal business....

Shower towers: shower systems pack spa-like features into space-efficient, stylish packages. (Trends).
May 1, 2002... With a new wave of shower systems showing up this spring, the bodyspray-laden sanctuaries are becoming the new luxury must-have in high-end bathrooms. Today's systems range from simple-yet-stylish shower panels with body sprays and jets to...

New deal. (Trends).
May 1, 2002... After months of speculation over potential acquisitions, Willamette Industries announced January 28 that it has reached a definitive merger agreement to sell the company to Weyerhaeuser for $55.50 per share. Weyerhaeuser, which did about $14.5...

Moisture manager. (Trends).
May 1, 2002... With news of mold circulating from trade magazines to tabloid television, manufacturers are working toward solutions that are helping remodelers and builders cope with the issue. Benjamin Obdyke recently introduced Home Slicker, a...

On hand. (Reader's Choice).
May 1, 2002... "It has phone numbers and my schedule. I've got my whole life in it," Bob McKay says of his Palm M100, which he also hot syncs with his computer to enter and exchange information. The handheld unit, which weighs about 4 ounces, features a Palm...

Walk on air. (Reader's Choice).
May 1, 2002... The Crain Tools air sled works a lot like a hovercraft, sliding underneath heavy objects so that they are easier to move around. "We use it all the time to move Viking ranges and Sub-Zero refrigerators for maintenance," says Rick Hjelm. His...

Top form. (Reader's Choice).
May 1, 2002... John Frazier Construction uses Arxx insulated concrete forms (ICFs) primarily for building basements under existing homes. Drywall can be installed directly to the forms and, because the concrete walls do not contact the soil, basements tend to...

Firm foundation: proper drainage is the key to sound foundations. (On The Job).
May 1, 2002... Remodelers aren't called upon to build as many foundations as new home builders, but it's still a skill at which they need to be proficient. Any foundation remodelers dig for an addition, shore up for a house, or reinforce in order to add on to...

Windows: the latest window offerings are decked out in a range of metal finishes. (In Focus).
May 1, 2002... Metal finishes are showing up all over the home, from wall tiles to faucets to molding. The window market is no exception, as several manufacturers have unveiled a range of metal and metal-look finishes for clad windows that complement other...

Kolbe & kolbe. (Windows).
May 1, 2002... The Ultra line of windows features a .050-inch-thick extruded aluminum frame with a 5052 alloy roll-formed aluminum-clad sash. The exterior finish meets new AAMA 2605-98 requirements. The windows come in white, sand, Rustic, Chutney, and...

Gorell. (Windows).
May 1, 2002... Part of the 5300 Series of replacement windows, the lift-out sliding window offers easy opening and closing and a sash that can be lifted out easily for cleaning. The durable vinyl windows are energy efficient, says the firm. (800) 946-7355....

American Weather-Seal. (Windows).
May 1, 2002... An architectural bronze coating is available on the NuSash and Weather-Seal Replacement vinyl windows. The coating is environmentally safe and is created with thermally reflective pigments that enhance the thermal performance of the window....

Norco. (Windows).
May 1, 2002... Clad wood windows are now available with a black or bronze exterior cladding finish. In addition, the company offers white, brown, sandstone, Hartford green, burgundy, and cream. (800) 877-9482. www.norcowindows.com. Circle no. 103. ...

Revere. (Windows).
May 1, 2002... The Advantage vinyl replacement window features a constant-force balance system, a strong positive interlock at the meeting rails, an 8-millimeter-thick vinyl frame, double-walled lift rails on the sash, and brick mold construction. The window...

Marvin. (Windows).
May 1, 2002... The company's clad wood products now are fully compliant with AAMA 2605-98 10-year finish specification standards. The windows feature an extruded aluminum cladding on both the frame and sash exterior, a chrome pre-treatment process that...

Milgard. (Windows).
May 1, 2002... Custom built to order, the Replacement Series of windows can be installed without changing the home's framing. The windows are available in a range of sizes and styles, in one of six frame types, and with a variety of options, including...

Hurd. (Windows).
May 1, 2002... The company now offers three grades of double hung windows for a range of custom projects. The Premium grade features a heavy-duty aluminum-clad exterior and comes in six standard and 22 special colors. Wood grade units have a primed exterior...

Pella. (Windows).
May 1, 2002... HurricaneShield window glass sandwiches an ionoplast layer between two layers of glass, providing 100 times the rigidity and five times the tear resistance of traditional impact-resistance laminated glass. According to the company, the glass...

Vetter. (Windows).
May 1, 2002... This aluminum-clad operating casement window includes three architectural-grade stainless steel hinges, custom-designed cam action locks, and 3/4-inch dual sealed insulated glass. Windows are available in eight standard colors, including hunter...

Andersen. (Windows).
May 1, 2002... The 200 Series gliding window features a modular sizing system, with standard ,sizes that come in full-inch increments for simpler ordering and a new mulling system. The company's vacuum-formed seamless frame cladding system improves weather...

Weather Shield. (Windows).
May 1, 2002... The company has added new features to its tilt double hung unit, part of the Legacy Series of premium wood windows. The windows feature top and bottom sash tilts with fingertip latch releases and a new sash profile for a tighter primary seal...

Windsor. (Windows).
May 1, 2002... The company has added a casement window to the Legend line of cellular PVC windows, which combine the strength and look of wood with low maintenance and easy installation. According to the firm, the window includes the industry's first no-nail...

MW windows & doors. (Windows).
May 1, 2002... New to the Twinseal line of vinyl windows, Twinseal Brick Mould single hung vinyl windows offer a traditional brick mold appearance. The windows are energy efficient, the firm says, and feature a nailing fin, a 3/4-inch siding pocket, a block...

Trus joist. (Engineered Lumber).
May 1, 2002... The TimberStrand LSL 45 Degree Column provides installers with a precise 45-degree corner for bay windows, tall foyers, and other high-profile 45-degree-corner applications. The comers are prefabricated using TimberStrand LSL, which is...

Boise cascade. (Engineered Lumber).
May 1, 2002... Available west of the Mississippi River, Voyageur/Elite premium underlayment is made with a special recipe of MDI resin in the core and phenol resins on the face and back. The resin is formulated to resist moisture, while the entire panel is...

Roseburg forest products. (Engineered Lumber).
May 1, 2002... The company is introducing the RFPI 40 and RFPI 20 I-joists as part of its framing system. The RFPI 40 features a wide 2 5/16-inch LVL flange with eased edges that provides more nailing surface and adds stability. Ideal for span applications...

LP. (Engineered Lumber).
May 1, 2002... TechShield radiant barrier sheathing features moisture vapor flow channels that allow trapped moisture to pass through its aluminum layer, reducing the chance of sheathing degradation without compromising the product's low emissivity, the maker...

Georgia-pacific. (Engineered Lumber).
May 1, 2002... ToughPly Sturd-I-Floor is a single-layer, 7/8-inch-thick plywood panel that is up to 3.86 times stiffer than 23/32-inch OSB Sturd-I-Floor. According to the firm, the product's strength allows framers to use a 19.2- or 24-inch OC support system...

Johns manville. (Insulation).
May 1, 2002... The company now offers a line of white formaldehyde-free fiberglass insulation products, including its polyencapsulated ComfortTherm and perforated EasyFit brands. According to the firm, the products eliminate concerns over formaldehyde while...

Knauf. (Insulation).
May 1, 2002... High-density fiberglass batts include faced batts that fit tightly between studs and feature wide stapling flanges and unfaced batts that friction-fit between studs and can be used with a separate poly vapor retarder. The insulation comes in...

CertainTeed. (Insulation).
May 1, 2002... Unlike most blown-in insulation systems, Optima Blow-In-Blanket does not require adhesive additives for installation. The product installs up to 30% taster, the maker says, and yields an R-value of 15 in 2x4 construction and 23 in 2x6...

Polyair. (Insulation).
May 1, 2002... Featuring one or two layers of insulating air bubbles laminated to an aluminum foil, Flexfoil low-E reflective insulation keeps homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer, the maker says, reflecting up to 97 percent of radiant heat. The...

Icynene. (Insulation).
May 1, 2002... Icynene is a water-based, spray-in-place, light-density, expanding insulation foam that expands to 100 times its size after application, adhering to building components and sealing gaps. The product, which can be sprayed into open surfaces or...

Domco tarkett. (First look: the newest products for the remodeling market).
May 1, 2002... Domco Vintage vinyl sheet flooring features TruTex, a surfacing technology that offers the realistic look of ceramic and stone, including a low-gloss look of textured grout. The flooring features three-layer construction that provides...

Arch wood protection. (First look: the newest products for the remodeling market).
May 1, 2002... An alternative to CCA-treated wood, Wolmanized Natural Select wood is treated with a copper-based preservative containing organic fungicide, a treatment the company says provides long-term resistance to natural enemies. The wood is backed by a...

Kwikset. (First look: the newest products for the remodeling market).
May 1, 2002... The UltraMax Security line of door hardware offers Grade 1 security, which means the pieces have passed strength and durability testing for kicking, lock-picking, and sledgehammer attacks. The line includes single and double cylinder deadbolts...

Lutron. (First look: the newest products for the remodeling market).
May 1, 2002... The Faedra Smart Dimmer contains a microprocessor that allows for multi-location dimming, one-touch preset light levels, variable fade times, and tap-on/tap-off operation. The dimmer uses a standard faceplate and standard wiring. It includes...

USG. (First look: the newest products for the remodeling market).
May 1, 2002... Levelrock Underlayment RH is specially formulated for radiant heat applications, with a non-shrinking formulation that locks tubing into place, preventing noise and tube chafing. The product, which is suitable for hydronic and electrical...

Eagle window & door. (First look: the newest products for the remodeling market).
May 1, 2002... The company's exterior aluminum cladding for windows and doors is now available in 50 standard colors at no additional charge. The coating paint meets AAMA 2604-98 standards, and finishes that conform to AAMA 2605-98 are available as an option....

Benchmarking the Big50. (BenchMark).
May 1, 2002... Membership in REMODELING'S Big50 now numbers more than 1,000 individuals. That's a large enough number to make for some interesting statistics. And as soon as we've finished updating Big50 e-mail addresses, we'll be able to conduct regular...