Remodeling articles from May 2003

Remodeling archives from May 2003

Working on purpose. (FirstWord).
May 1, 2003... If you were to ask your employees to describe their jobs, what kind of answers would you get? My guess is that most would talk about quality construction, building according to spec, following a schedule and a budget. Ask your subs the same...

Two cheers for Mark! (CallBack).
May 1, 2003... I was reading the January issue, and I just wanted to say "thanks" to Mark Richardson for a well-written article with a good perspective ("Best Defense," page 37). We have a project manager who is the star performer that Mark wrote about....

One good turn ... (CallBack).
May 1, 2003... I was recently asked who my mentors are. One of my answers was REMODELING magazine. Case in point: Nina Patel reviewed the book "Patterns of Home" in the February issue ("Essentials of Design," page 50). On her recommendation, I bought it to...

How to contact Remodeling. (CallBack).
May 1, 2003... Write to Letters, REMODELING One Thomas Circle, N.W. Suite 600 Washington, D.C. 20005 Fax: (202) 785-1974 E-mail: remodeling-letters@hanleywood.com Letters may be edited for publication. To submit a project for consideration:...

California acts on construction defect issues. (News+Notes).
May 1, 2003... A December decision in California should lessen the financial responsibility of contractors involved in construction defect litigation in that state. In Jimenez v. Superior Court, the California Supreme Court ruled that two window manufacturers...

NARI names new COO. (News+Notes).
May 1, 2003... For the first time in history, NARI's COO and executive vice president is a woman. Mary Busey Harris replaces Kevin McNulty, who resigned in January. Harris won't have to travel far to get to her new digs in Des Plaines, Ill.; she comes to...

Houses of cards. (News+Notes).
May 1, 2003... BuilderBooks, the publishing arm of the NAHB, has come out with a card game that educates youngsters about the home building process. Build It! debuted in January, and since then, it has been a pretty good seller, according to Theresa Minch,...

Portas[R] coming to America. (News+Notes).
May 1, 2003... Portas, Europe's largest remodeling company with approximately 500 franchises in 13 countries, has announced plans to enter the U.S. marketplace. "They've done a good job in Europe," says Richard A. Healy Jr., president of CHART, which...

A heated debate. (News+Notes).
May 1, 2003... Proponents of radiant floor heating systems have long suggested that their method is more effective and more efficient than forced-air systems, though admittedly without any statistical proof. In fact, preliminary results from an NAHB Research...

Still waiting for the recovery. (Market Watch).
May 1, 2003... * CONSUMER CONFIDENCE Consumers became even less optimistic in March, as the Consumer Confidence index fell to its lowest level in nearly a decade. The threat of war with Iraq (which hadn't yet begun when the data were gathered), a...

Remodeling's high tech future: just because remodelers prefer to get leads the old fashioned way doesn't mean technology isn't big--and growing. (Commentary).
May 1, 2003... For the past five years, the most high profile technology companies in the remodeling industry have been Internet referral services. Starting with ImproveNet, then joined by remodel.com, Service Magic, Home Service Store, Contractor.com, and...

Design and build your company: armed with a vision, you can create just about any type of remodeling company you want. (Commentary).
May 1, 2003... Almost all entrepreneurial businesses grow and develop reactively. In other words, from size to services to personnel, the market shapes what our companies end up looking like. Did you know that you could grow and shape a company that fits you...

Small projects, big business: handyman may be the biggest opportunity of this decade, but it is also one of the most difficult businesses for a remodeler to create. (Commentary).
May 1, 2003... We all work very hard to improve the image and level of professionalism of the remodeling industry. That includes being careful about the language we use with our clients and each other to describe what we do and how we do it. So it's...

Green can be gold: maintaining a green jobsite is about attitude as much as materials. (Commentary).
May 1, 2003... We recently did something we rarely do: A previous contractor walked off a high-end project mn by an architect/construction manager, so we sent a crew to complete the exterior framing, trim work, and siding. Early on it became clear that...

Valuable input. (Ways+Means).
May 1, 2003... What does a company stand for, apart from its work? How do employees resolve issues or make decisions in a way that reflects well on their employer? Ultimately, questions such as these are resolved by what business gums call core...

New rule reins in subs. (Ways+Means).
May 1, 2003... Late last year, Vince Butler, of Butler Brothers Corp., Clifton, Va., began putting together the final billing on a job. He imagined the last invoice would be about $1,000. Once unpaid change orders were totaled, it exceeded $20,000. About...

Smooth transitions. (Ways+Means).
May 1, 2003... Rapidly growing companies often need to create new positions--and figuring out what position will help the most is key to success. A little more than a year ago, Bartelt/Filo, Menomonee Falls, Wis., made the decision to hire a contracts...

Charge it. (Ways+Means).
May 1, 2003... Not long after he introduced a lead carpenter system and began paying bonuses on jobs coming in under budget, Jeb Breithaupt, owner of Jeb Breithaupt Design/Build, Shreveport, La., found his crews asking about the possibility of a company...

Tips for choosing an accountant. (Bottom Line).
May 1, 2003... If you are starting a business, you will need to consult an accountant. If you are running a business and feel you could be getting more and better advice from your current accountant, you may decide to shop around for a new one. Either way,...

Avoiding an audit. (Tax Tips).
May 1, 2003... What is your risk of being audited? Even though contractors are one of the most heavily audited groups, your chance of being audited is slim. The IRS is understaffed these days and random audits are almost nonexistent. Auditors are limited to...

Wish you were here? (Sales+Marketing).
May 1, 2003... With a provocative postcard campaign--one card features the tail end of the stereotypical handyman--Connor & Co. increased job sizes and overall division volume while reducing the total number of jobs done by its handyman division. Chris...

Presenting your sales case. (Sales+Marketing).
May 1, 2003... To create a successful sales presentation, first understand what a sales presentation is. If you have no competition, your presentation could be simple: "This is what I do, how I do it, how much it costs, and when I can start." ...

Marketingworkshop before+after. (Sales+Marketing).
May 1, 2003... The stylistic type on this sign does a better job of communicating than the classic type on the new sign. The original sign is tasteful. It communicates "contractor," which may not be what Rochman wants to convey. Someone looking for a...

Finding your sweet spot. (Sales+Marketing).
May 1, 2003... The origin of the term "sweet spot" is unclear, but sports sages attribute it to finding the exact spot on a baseball bat where a pitched ball should strike, then exit the park via the back fence. A marketing "sweet spot" is similar:...

Zero tolerance policies: how have you dealt with any drug- or alcohol-related problems at your company? (Q+A).
May 1, 2003... SCOTT STRAWBRIDGE Scott Strawbridge Inc. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. About six years ago, we hired a talented woodworker who would drink at lunch. We warned him and explained it was his first and only warning. A few days later, he cut his...

Change orders in the field. (Field Notes).
May 1, 2003... Here are some benefits to having lead carpenters write change orders: * Faster turn-around, When a change order passes from field to office, the chance for delays increases. A lead carpenter can calculate and present the change within 24...

Fancy flights. (By Design).
May 1, 2003... A well-placed curving stairway opened up the interior of an 1805 Washington, D.C., town house, blending function and aesthetics to win remodeler Kelly Vogan a Grand CotY award from his local NARI chapter. Countless haphazard remodels during...

Fireproof backup. (Tech@Work).
May 1, 2003... Sharon Rainey imagines a fire burning down her office. There's a Chinese restaurant next door, she says, so it could happen. But Rainey, the office manager for Home Equity Builders, Great Falls, Va., doesn't worry about losing the company's...

Take back your inbox! (Tech@Work).
May 1, 2003... Spam (unsolicited commercial e-mail) is a growing problem for remodelers. Spammers are experts at harvesting e-mail addresses and at concealing their own identities, which makes them hard to track. Much spare originates offshore, so rarely...

The old and the new: an addition almost triples the size of the original structure to turn this summer cottage into a year-round dream home. (Before+After).
May 1, 2003... The property, known as Camp Askatichi, had long been a retreat for family and friends. Situated in the town of Holderness, on Squam Lake, 40 miles north of Manchester, N.H., the patch of ground with its 900-square-foot cottage held many...

The sure thing: on-the-job consistency is a fast track to success.
May 1, 2003... Last winter, when torrential rains descended after the second biggest blizzard in Washington, D.C.-area history, it caught Merrill Contracting off-guard. The Arlington, Va., remodeling company was working on a large addition that included a new...

Leveraging respect: Big50 remodelers show the world that they are award-winning companies.
May 1, 2003... Every year, REMODELING's Big50 awards spotlight exemplary remodeling companies across the nation. Big50 winners are companies whose success other remodelers can learn from, and the award earns winners recognition and respect throughout the...

Big50.
May 1, 2003... Once again we shine the spotlight on 50 firms that stand out in management, marketing, sales, and design. For their outstanding business acumen, top-notch service, and ability to create exciting and dynamic companies that stand as models for...

Business savvy. (Big50).
May 1, 2003... Joe McKinstry Joseph McKinstry Construction Co. Seattle Full-service remodeling and custom homes 26 years in business 2002 volume: $4.5 million Staff: 3 office, 12 field You don't stay in business 26 years without a superb...

Fine design. (Big50)(Cover Story).
May 1, 2003... Wallace Orfield Orfield Remodeling Minneapolis Design/build remodeling 26 years in business 2002 volume: $940,000 Staff: 3 office, 3 field When he was 14, Wally Orfield (far right), following in his father's footsteps,...

Industry impact. (Big50).
May 1, 2003... Roger Gallagher, CR, CLC Gallagher Remodeling Belmont, Mass. Design/build remodeling 17 years in business 2002 volume: $1.3 million Staff: 3 office, 4 field Nearly two decades in business have afforded Roger Gallagher the...

Market wise. (Big50).
May 1, 2003... John and Judy McCaleb McCaleb Construction Tucson, Ariz. Full-service remodeling and custom homes 20 years in business 2002 volume: $3 million Staff: 3 office, 11 field John McCaleb came to Tucson from Chicago almost 25...

Movers + shakers. (Big50).
May 1, 2003... Jim Lang Maine Window & Sunroom Kennebunk, Maine Specialty remodeling 13 years in business 2002 volume: $4.5 million Staff: 25 office, 39 field If you told Jim Lang (on ladder) in 1989 that he'd some day run a company...

Niches. (Big50).
May 1, 2003... Helmut B. Herrmann and Kenneth Connor, CR Helmut's Remodeling Milwaukee Full-service remodeling 38 years in business 2002 volume: $1.7 million Staff: 4 office, 6 field If a niche is something specific, Helmut's Remodeling,...

Sales and marketing. (Big50).
May 1, 2003... Larry A. Schermick Jr. and Theresa Schermick Schermick Construction Wernersville, Pa. Full-service remodeling 16 years in business 2002 volume: $525,000 Staff: 2 office, 4 field Four years of HBA awards have firmly lodged...

Teamwork. (Big50).
May 1, 2003... Stephen D. and Susan Howell Howell Design & Build North Andover, Mass, Design/build remodeling 6 years in business 2002 volume: $2.3 million Staff: 6 office, 7 field When Stephen Howell's neighbor asked him whether he'd ever...

Cabinet positions. (Management).
May 1, 2003... Kitchen and bath companies have known for years that being a cabinet dealer offers tons of benefits. Now some full-line design/build companies are getting into the act. Jonas Carnemark, president of Carnemark systems + design, Bethesda, Md.,...

Sketch artists. (Details).
May 1, 2003... Drawing software and CAD programs have made it easier for kitchen and bath designers to generate floor plans and perspectives. However, many designers are finding that adding hand-drawn details makes for a more positive homeowner reaction to...

Sinks. (Spec Book).
May 1, 2003... The newest kitchen and bath sinks are chock-full of features. Sinks for the kitchen feature deeper bowls and various configurations. Bath sinks sport integrated shelves and are sized for large and petite bathrooms.--S.L.M.

Swanstone. (Spec Book).
May 1, 2003... Made of the company's solid surfacing, the Chesapeake center-bowl vanity top features a larger bowl, thicker edge, and taller back-splash, says the maker, and is available in a wide variety of colors. The vanity top comes in seven sizes,...

Custom sinks by Rachiele. (Spec Book).
May 1, 2003... Made with a 16-gauge stainless steel basin and a 48-ounce copper apron front, the Eclipse sink features a welded-copper seam for durability, according to the maker. All sinks are individually constructed to fit the user's height, hand...

Moen. (Spec Book).
May 1, 2003... Made of a granite composite, Moen-Stone Granite kitchen sinks resist scratching, staining, and chipping and have a heat tolerance up to 535 degrees. Single- and double-bowl configurations in seven styles are available in five colors, including...

Briggs. (Spec Book).
May 1, 2003... The Millennium Suite is a coordinated ensemble of bathroom fixtures, including a vitreous china pedestal lavatory measuring 23 by 17 inches and an oval self-rimming lavatory measuring 20 by 18 inches. Both feature integral rear overflows and...

KitchenAid. (Spec Book).
May 1, 2003... Constructed of 18-gauge stainless steel, the professional-grade Briva in-sink dishwasher is housed in half of a double sink and can be adapted to a conventional sink as needed. The appliance measures 14 inches deep and accommodates up to five...

Franke. (Spec Book).
May 1, 2003... Constructed of 16-gauge stainless steel, the Manor House kitchen sink is designed to be undermounted and to coordinate with stone countertops, says the maker. Available in three sizes, the sink is shown here in 33-by-20 7/8-inch size with a 9...

Hastings Tile and II Bagno. (Spec Book).
May 1, 2003... The Catalano Zero System is a modular assortment of fireclay lavatory basins that can be wall-, counter-, or surface-mounted. The Zero 100 (shown) is available with optional console legs and has a glass shelf and an integrated towel bar. The...

Sterling. (Spec Book).
May 1, 2003... The Professional Series nickel-bearing stainless steel kitchen sinks are constructed with a smooth, rolled rim for safer installation and the maker's SilentShield sound-absorbing pads to decrease unwanted noise during use. The sinks are...

Ann Sacks. (Spec Book).
May 1, 2003... The Orlo pedestal lavatory is constructed of solid marble in a neutral color. The petite pedestal features a clean and simple two-piece design and a wide ledge. It is well suited to small spaces, says the maker. (800) 278-8453....

Rohl. (Spec Book).
May 1, 2003... The Allia fireclay single-bowl kitchen sink features an extra-deep, 10-inch basin with an offset drain hole and a 5% bottom slope for good drainage. The sink resists scratching and is non-porous, and its finish is protected with a waterproof...

Damn the ice dams. (Roofing).
May 1, 2003... This past winter brought unusually heavy snows to many regions of the country, setting the stage for roofing callbacks. Mike Zito, general manager for DiGiorgi Roofing & Siding, Seymour, Conn., says there are three main reasons his company gets...

Gentle nudges. (Roofing).
May 1, 2003... Q: What are the most effective ways to move prospects toward a decision? A: With every prospect you're working, ask yourself what you're leaving to chance. Whatever the answer to that question is, that's what you need to do, immediately,...

Deck the roof: decks over living space seem like a homey idea. But do it carelessly, and you've got potential liability problems. (Decks).
May 1, 2003... North Carolina remodeler David Tyson sees them all the time down at beachfront properties on the coast. "Somebody gets a bright idea: Why not put a deck up there? But with no thought to loads, weight, or waterproofing." He's talking about...

Reach for the Star Energy Star lighting solutions offer an energy efficient and stylish alternative to standard lighting fixtures. (Trends).
May 1, 2003... Energy Star qualified products, such as washers and dryers, air conditioners, and dishwashers, can help homeowners save hundreds of dollars each year on utility bills. The remodeler who can offer these types of products can take advantage of...

Royal flush: manufacturers unclog toilet woes with better engineering for quieter, faster, and more efficient flushing. (Trends).
May 1, 2003... When the first 1.6 gallons per flush (GPF) toilets were introduced and installed in homes, both gravity-tank and pressure-assisted, consumers experienced a lot of frustration with the efficiency and performance. The 1992 National Energy Policy...

Training on the road. (Trends).
May 1, 2003... Remodelers who install Alcoa Home Exteriors Mastic siding products have a new training tool at their disposal: Alcoa KnowledgeWorkx. The program is a combination of instructor-led classes at the KnowledgeWorkx Resource Centers, ProTrain...

All the trimmings. (Reader's Choice).
May 1, 2003... Remodeler: Jim Blahut Company: Perennial Homes, Beach Haven, N.J. Product: Azek Trimboards, www.azek.com. Circle no. 113. When working on trim projects for Victorian-style homes, Jim Blahut prefers to create his own details rather...

Cut it out. (Reader's Choice).
May 1, 2003... Remodeler: David Haines Company: Haines Contracting, Doylestown, Pa. Product: DeWalt 18-volt cordless reciprocating saw, www.dewalt.com. Circle no. 114. Every day that David Haines uses his DeWalt 18-volt cordless reciprocating saw,...

Haul away. (Reader's Choice).
May 1, 2003... Remodeler: Guy Semmes Company: Hopkins & Porter, Potomac, Md. Product: Bri-Mar Low-Profile Series DT 610-10 LP dump trailer, www.bri-mar.com. Circle no. 115. The Bri-Mar DT 610-10 LP hydraulic dump trailer was on Hopkins &...

Insulation: spray polyurethane foam is growing in popularity. Is it worth it for remodelers to learn how to apply it themselves? (In Focus).
May 1, 2003... Although spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulations currently hold a small share of the overall insulation market--reportedly around 1%--it is a growing segment. Remodelers interested in using SPFs can either hire a subcontractor to apply the...

Elk Premium Building Products. (In Focus).
May 1, 2003... Elk Premium Building Products. The EchoTherm Radiant Barrier blocks radiant heat transfer between a home's roof, attic, and crawl spaces and its living spaces. Available as a one-sided perforated foil for attics and crawl spaces and a two-sided...

Resin Technology. (In Focus).
May 1, 2003... Resin Technology. Permax Insulation is a spray polyurethane foam that can be used between studs and in open-beam ceilings. The closed-cell foam forms a seamless barrier that minimizes air infiltration, according to the maker. The insulation...

BioPolymers. (In Focus).
May 1, 2003... BioPolymers. HealthySeal soybean oil-based spray polyurethane foam insulation can be used to seal, insulate, and soundproof attics, walls, and floors. Recently awarded the NAHB's "Green with Envy Award", the insulation provides an R-value of...

CertainTeed. (In Focus).
May 1, 2003... CertainTeed. NoiseReducer is a 3-inch-thick fiberglass acoustical batt designed to help control sound by absorbing noise between rooms. The insulation batt is kraftfaced with tabs to aid in installation between interior wood studs. The batts...

Owens Corning. (In Focus).
May 1, 2003... Owens Corning. ProPINK FastBatt insulation is a flexible fiberglass batt with a flangeless kraft facing designed for friction-fit application. The wider facing ensures a tight fit in wall cavities, says the maker, eliminating gaps and...

Bio-Based Systems. (In Focus).
May 1, 2003... Bio-Based Systems. A soybean oil-based spray polyurethane foam insulation, BioBased 501 emits no VOCs, CFCs, or HCFCs during production or application, says the maker. The foam expands during application to fill cavities and voids and provides...

Reflectix. (In Focus).
May 1, 2003... Reflectix. A 5/16-inch-thick reflective insulation, Refiectix is made up of seven layers: two outer layers of aluminum foil each bonded to a layer of polyethylene, and two inner layers of insulating bubbles with a center layer of polyethylene....

Progressive Foam Technologies. (In Focus).
May 1, 2003... Progressive Foam Technologies. Fullback Thermal Support is a contoured polystyrene foam siding underlayment that can be contoured to fit the profile of any siding panel, says the maker, and provides an R-value of up to 4.0. By filling in the...

Pella. (Windows).
May 1, 2003... The Designer Series line of windows now features cordless Slimshade blinds (shown) or pleated fabric shades. By turning a knob or pushing a button on the window frame, the blinds can be raised and lowered, opened and closed. Tilt-only Slimshade...

Pozzi. (Windows).
May 1, 2003... All of the company's aluminum-clad windows are now available with interiors of vertical-grain Douglas fir, Pacific Coast red alder, and mahogany. Exterior cladding is available in 33 colors and can be specified with a 70% Kynar 500 finish, as...

Marvin. (Windows).
May 1, 2003... The Casemaster window features improvements including a new screen placement that is set back against the sash to allow room for hardware operation and window treatments, one-piece aluminum sash extrusion for fewer seams, and an added layer of...

MW Windows & Doors. (Windows).
May 1, 2003... Freedom Revere vinyl-clad windows are available in double-hung and casement styles in more than 900 sizes. Both windows feature a welded vinyl-clad frame with a wood interior that can be painted or stained. Wood simulated divided light options...

Hurd Windows. (Windows).
May 1, 2003... Casement, awning, and double-hung windows, as well as patio doors, are now available with etched glass accents using v-grooves to provide unique design options. Several styles of v-groove are available, and several styles can be combined in one...

Simonton. (Windows).
May 1, 2003... The Colonial Casement window is a vinyl casement window with the appearance of a double-hung created by two K-bars that are fixed to the interior and exterior of the window. The exterior cladding comes in white or tan, and the interior wood...

Crestline Windows & Doors. (Windows).
May 1, 2003... The CrestWood line of vinyl-clad wood windows comes in a variety of sizes in casement, awning, double-hung, and fixed styles. Available in white or almond, the vinyl exteriors resist dents, scratches, and fading, according to the maker. (800)...

Semco Windows & Door. (Windows).
May 1, 2003... The aluminum-clad Eyebrow Double Hung Tilt Window has Ponderosa pine interiors treated to resist moisture and pests. The aluminum exterior is available in a wide variety of standard and custom colors. Grille options include full-surround solid...

Windsor Window & Door. (Windows).
May 1, 2003... A casement window, available in limited sizes, has been added to the Legend Series of cellular PVC windows. The window will not rot, warp, or swell, says the maker, and comes standard with an integral, no-nail brick mold. The window is...

Weather Shield. (Windows).
May 1, 2003... The new Weather Shield Tilt window features a streamlined appearance with concealed jamb liners, routed sash lifts, and a flush-mounted tilt-latch system. The windows are available in wood or aluminum exteriors with wood interiors. (800)...

Boise. (Engineered Lumber).
May 1, 2003... The All Joist AJS 5 joist series is designed for greater bending moment and shear capacities and a higher bending stiffness. Available in lengths up to 48 feet, the joists feature wide nailing surfaces, custom knockout holes, trimmable ends,...

Martco. (Engineered Lumber).
May 1, 2003... Available in OSB and plywood, the Grid Panel System is a surface-printed system of cutting and nailing lines that help in roof sheathing, side wall, subflooring, and siding installation. The panels are available in a variety of thicknesses and...