Remodeling articles from May 2004

Remodeling archives from May 2004

Big deal.(First Word)
May 1, 2004... First, some history. For the original Big50, "Big" really meant big. In 1986, its first year, the Big50 comprised a list of the largest remodeling companies in what were at the time the 50 largest remodeling markets, according to the...

Just saying no.(Call Back)
May 1, 2004... Your sales article in the February issue, "Closing Time" (page 82) had a lot of interesting and useful information on how to approach estimates. I've read other stories like it, and the one thing they all have in common is that they never...

Bobvila.com sued under anti-spam law.(News + Notes)
May 1, 2004... The operators of the Web site of home improvement icon Bob Vila have been accused of violations of federal anti-spamming law. In early March, Internet service provider Hypertouch sued BV-WebTies, the operator of bobvila.com, along with one of...

Gift registry may add power to BIY market.(News + Notes)
May 1, 2004... Here comes the bride, all dressed in... coveralls? Let's hope not. But thanks to The Home Depot's new online registry, weddings, holidays, and other gift-intensive events may take on a more blue-collar feel. In March, the home...

Australian for "stupid".(News + Notes)
May 1, 2004... A 35-year-old Australian man has no serious injuries after shooting himself in the head with a nail gun. According to news reports, Brad Shorten was cooling down with beer and friends after a day of working on his house, when, as a joke, he...

Survey continues.(News + Notes)
May 1, 2004... The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University is continuing its Distribution Study with a second round of surveying. The study is being conducted to determine how well remodelers' needs are being met despite the changing nature...

Westinghouse acquires radiant lamp.(News + Notes)
May 1, 2004... Westinghouse Lighting Corp. has acquired Radiant Lamp Co. from Philips Lighting Co. A March press release indicated that Westinghouse was lured by Radiant's line of differentiated light bulbs. "Our new lighting technologies will be a...

Staying the course.(Market Watch)
May 1, 2004... CONSUMER CONFIDENCE Larger-than-normal tax rebates and bonus checks are balancing out factors such as rising gas prices, a poor stock market, a weak labor market, and the war in Iraq. Consumer confidence fell in March, but only by an...

Branching out: design/build companies usually stick to a single location. Will it always be that way?(Commentary)
May 1, 2004... Up until now, the only type of remodeler who typically operated more than one location was the single-line guy selling roofing, siding, or windows. Those jobs are easier to sell than, say, additions, or kitchens and baths. They're also easier...

Call a meeting: well-run meetings set goals, clarify responsibilities, and create future leaders for your company.(Commentary)
May 1, 2004... Meetings. Aren't they just gripe sessions, fostering negativity? Don't they bore you to death and distract from the real work that needs to get done that day? Aren't they a waste of your company's time and money? This is what many...

Going proactive: gain control over your day by anticipating problems and planning for productivity.(Commentary)
May 1, 2004... Remodeling is a complex business for companies at any size, but I think it's sate to say that, in general, growing companies move from simple to more complex. Higher sales volume typically creates a need for more field employees, more office...

Full disclosure: an itemized estimate helps you convey value and deliver customer satisfaction.(Commentary)
May 1, 2004... The following sentences precede all our estimates: "This estimate has been itemized for easier comparison. Only those items listed have been included. Any additionally requested or necessary items will be submitted via written change order or...

Surveys say.(Ways + Means)
May 1, 2004... Visit any Pizza Hut or IHOP across the country and you'll find a comment card on your table, asking you to rate the quality of your meal, speed of service, and the friendliness of your server. Like these national restaurant chains, remodeling...

Measuring the economic temperature by getting involved.(Ways + Means)
May 1, 2004... You can read all the prognostications you want, but the best way to get a feel for the economy is to talk to the people who feel most acutely the effects of its fluctuations: businesspeople. The problem is it can be difficult to have access to...

Constant training.(Ways + Means)
May 1, 2004... Sal Ferro is the president of Alure Home Improvement, Hicksville, N.Y. As the Leader of that dynamic company, it's up to him to grow his staff into strategic thinkers and to cultivate leaders within the company. A key to the company's success...

Get a life.(Work + life)
May 1, 2004... Q: All I do is work. I want my life back. How do I do it? A: For consistent work/life balance, you must choose to have balance and be committed to having it. Also, look at what threw you off in the first place. Be willing to change. Do you...

Cash reserves.(Bottom Line)
May 1, 2004... One of the most important things you can do for your company is to establish and regularly contribute to an Operating Capital Reserve Account. This money can help you deal with the regular costs of doing business, as well as with many types of...

Equipped to save.(Tax Tips)
May 1, 2004... Small business owners should plan their vehicle and equipment purchases around two changes to Section 179 of the 1RS code. Section 179 allows owners to take the depreciation for capital purchases in the year of the purchase. First, the...

Health savings accounts.(Bottom Line)
May 1, 2004... The Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, signed into law late last year, created the Health Savings Account (HSA) to help individuals and business owners, such as contractors, cope with rising health care costs....

Vintage thanks.(Sales + Marketing)
May 1, 2004... Remodelers Bob and Sue Fleming of Classic Remodeling & Construction, Charleston, S.C., give a company "branded" box containing three bottles of wine (from Sue's cousin's winery) to clients whose jobs they just completed. The Flemings send...

Sidetracked? Pivot back on track.(Sales School 101)
May 1, 2004... What happened: I really prepared for the call. I had a great attitude, was feeling confident, and knew I had a good chance of selling because I had gathered a lot of information before the call. But I kept getting sidetracked. The client...

Hang around, warm down.(Sales + Marketing)
May 1, 2004... Whenever you "break bread" with your customers--which is what you're doing when you're selling a contract--never eat and run. When you have closed the sale, put all your stuff away and talk about anything except what the prospects just...

Pleasing hold.(Sales + Marketing)
May 1, 2004... If you want to use the time prospects would otherwise spend listening to static to your advantage, do what Scott Mosby of Mosby Building Arts did: produce a low-cost phone message that dovetails with all your marketing. Mosby's...

Is my mailing list working?(Sales + Marketing)
May 1, 2004... Phone not ringing, or not as often as you think it should? There may be a solution. Here are four questions to ask yourself if you think your mailing list isn't working. 1 How long have you been using the list, and what are your...

Roll the film.(Field Notes)
May 1, 2004... Houston remodeler Don Strong says the carpet protector he has used for eight years shows his clients that his company is dedicated to protecting their homes. The president of Brothers Strong says the durable plastic sheets last for weeks on the...

Neighborly gesture.(Field Notes)
May 1, 2004... BOWA Builders distributes a laminated card with the company's information and emergency contact numbers to their clients. But they don't stop there: They hand the cards out to their customers' neighbors, as well. "I've seen it on clients'...

Jobsite paperwork, Part 5: time cards.(Field Notes)
May 1, 2004... Time cards are critical to all aspects of a remodeling business. They're important for employees because they establish fair compensation for time on the job. And they're needed by the administrative staff because they include the phase code or...

Beam me up.(By Design)
May 1, 2004... Designers often use wood posts, cross beams, and rafters to lend interiors a traditional, or even rustic, feel. These elements can also more subtly influence room design. Because of their visual heft, wood beams can alter one's perception...

Savvy software.(Tech @ Work)
May 1, 2004... Remodelers often complain that as a market they're underserved. Software developers in particular have moved glacially to embrace the industry. Construction Computing Systems' CompuTool management software, then, is a rare bird. Conceived,...

Get more for your training dollar.(Tech @ Work)
May 1, 2004... New office technology is useless if you don't know how to use it. Here are my tips for getting more from your investment: Training is not a onetime event. Most users don't learn software without using it often. Even after a day-long...

What went wrong?(Good Form)
May 1, 2004... A lot of companies ask for feedback once they've completed a job. That's important, but the bulk of what you hear back will be all the things you're doing right. If you want to know where you're going wrong, try surveying customers whose jobs...

Remodeling big 50.(Cover Story)
May 1, 2004... The best of the best: That is what the REMODELING editors set out to find each year for the incoming Big50 class. Recipients of this coveted award can't just be good. They must be excellent--and excellent when measured against their...

Therma-Tru congratulates the 2004 Remodelling Big 50: Brand leader Therma-Tru congratulates America's Top Remodelers.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... Making the REMODELING Big 50 is no small feat. It takes hard work, attention to detail and commitment to satisfying customers. It also requires great partners who help you get the job done right with quality products and services. You...

Honors marketing: Big50 remodelers show the world that they are award-winning companies.(Big 50)
May 1, 2004... This year, like each of the 18 years prior, REMODELING editors searched high and low for companies that embody what it takes to be a top-notch remodeling firm. The result is our Big50 Class of 2004, which you can read about starting on page 77....

Shining on: building a "legacy business" gives employees purpose, inspires in-house leaders, and adds real value to your company.
May 1, 2004... One-third of the biggest Standard & Poor's companies are family businesses, and on four economic indicators they outperform the other two-thirds. This is according to studies by Temple and American Universities, detailed in a November 2003...

Access granted.(Design Clinic)
May 1, 2004... When Stowe, Vt., architect Milford Cushman was asked to design a custom home for a couple, the fact that the wife is in a wheelchair was just another design issue. "The parameters were created around her physical needs and the emotional and...

Wash and glow.(Design Clinic)
May 1, 2004... When Wayne Minde's client approached him about creating a righted vanity top for her bathroom, the remodeler stepped up to the challenge. The president of Tri-Lite Builders, Chandler, Ariz., called his Avonite fabricator, and the two set out to...

Sinks.(Spec Book)
May 1, 2004... Providing a clean, sleek look, undermount stainless steel sinks are all the rage in kitchens. But alternative materials are also showing up, along with interesting basin shapes and configurations.

Kohler.(Spec Book)
May 1, 2004... Kohler. The cast iron, undemaount Clarity sink features a deep double-basin design with a contemporary silhouette. With an interior depth of 83/8 inches, the sinks measure 33 by 22 inches and have a narrow saddle separating the offset...

Julien.(Spec Book)
May 1, 2004... Julien. Featuring one wooden knife block and three utensil wells, as well as a 5-inch-tall backsplash with an integral wedge-shaped drawer, work-top sink model 0450 offers ample storage. The stainless steel sink measures 24 inches wide by 16...

Moen.(Spec Book)
May 1, 2004... Moen. Made of a heavyweight, 18-gauge stainless steel, Lancelot undermount sinks feature a unique curved back. The maker's Sound-Shield undercoating deadens sound and eliminates the clang of traditional stainless steel sinks, the maker says....

Blanco.(Spec Book)
May 1, 2004... Blanco. The large-capacity, satin finish Blanco Magnum kitchen sink is constructed of surgical-grade 18-gauge 304 stainless steel with an 18/10 chrome/nickel content. The sink comes in 8-, 10 1/2-, and 12-inch depths and is designed to fit...

Astracast.(Spec Book)
May 1, 2004... Astracast. The Astracast line of composite sinks features the ROK and Quartz collections. The sinks resist heat up to 536 degrees and are also stain- and scratch-resistant. The lightweight sinks come in a matte or a metallic-sheen finish in...

Teka.(Spec Book)
May 1, 2004... Teka. Constructed of 18/10 stainless steel, undermount kitchen sinks are available in a variety of styles and sizes. Shown is model TU 34.18-R in a Hand Polished Euro Finish. Sound-deadening pads muffle noise during use. (800) 419-9344....

Vinyl offer: turnaround time, strong manufacturer warranties, and product consistency make vinyl windows attractive to some general contractors.(Windows)
May 1, 2004... Matt LeFaivre, of LeFaivre Construction, in Taneytown, Md., is "a vinyl guy." That means, he says, that "I specify vinyl exclusively unless something else is requested." And from the manufacturer whose products he uses, LeFaivre says he wants...

Blind faith.(Decks)
May 1, 2004... A Year and a half ago, Bridge Street Building & Design, in Linden, Mich., was engaged in a renovation project that included building three decks--one cedar, the other two ipe, or ironwood. The clients, married medical professionals, had been...

Top ten don'ts.(Decks)
May 1, 2004... Q: What could I do to blow a sale? A: Lots of things. Most of us think about what we have to do to get a sale, but have you considered what kind of behavior might cost you that sale? Here's my Top 10 list of things you shouldn't do. 1....

Stone sensation: granite countertops are becoming an affordable upgrade for the average homeowner.(Trends)
May 1, 2004... With all the countertop options available these days, you might think that granite, has receded into the background in all but high-end kitchens. But many different market influences have placed granite within easier reach of the average...

Fashionable transformations.(Trends)
May 1, 2004... Door glass and decorative window manufacturer ODL is rolling out a national franchise program that will allow re-modelers and other independent entrepreneurs to tap into their local markets for upgrading existing steel and fiberglass entry...

Star search.(Trends)
May 1, 2004... The United States Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program and the Department of Energy have named the Energy Star 2004 Partners of the Year for Excellence in Efficient Products. Lennox Industries, Sea Gull Lighting, Whirlpool...

Warm walls.(Reader's Choice)
May 1, 2004... Remodeler John DeCiantis learned about the Icynene Insulation System while attending a trade show several years ago. He decided to try the product. "What sold me on it was that Icynene does not allow air to pass through," DeCiantis says. "It...

Professional function.(Reader's Choice)
May 1, 2004... Remodeler Dominic Maltese frequently works with clients who want "bells and whistles" kitchens while staying within a budget. When KitchenAid introduced its Pro Line a few years ago, Maltese started recommending the line to these clients for a...

Keep quiet.(Reader's Choice)
May 1, 2004... Remodeler Lawrence Murr works on bathroom remodels for many clients who dislike the noise of their existing exhaust fans. "Frequently people don't want to use them, because they remember the old ones that sound like airplanes," Murr says....

Personal protective equipment.(On The Job)
May 1, 2004... Personal protective equipment (PPE) is the first line of defense against jobsite hazards that can cause serious injury or illness. All field employees should be trained on what personal protective equipment to use in every work situation, and...

Garage doors & openers: homeowners are looking for elegant openings that update the fronts of their houses.(In Focus)
May 1, 2004... Like other exterior doors, garage doors are becoming an integral part of a home's architectural statement while providing security and protection against the elements. The biggest trend, according to manufacturers, is the shift to the garage...

Overhead door.(In Focus)
May 1, 2004... Constructed with the maker's Thermacore metal foam metal layered system, the Renaissance Collection garage doors provide an R-value of 12.76. Fourteen designs in carriage-house door styles are available, and all feature a wood-grain finish on...

Clopay.(In Focus)
May 1, 2004... The Coachman Collection of steel garage doors is available in three styles and features a wood-grain embossed steel exterior in white, almond, or sandtone. White wood-grain embossed PVC overlays create a carriage-house design. Constructed with...

Jeld-Wen.(In Focus)
May 1, 2004... The Carriage House Series of composite garage doors offers a wide range of styles, including classic swing, traditional craftsman, and modern designs with deep-relief panels and wood-grained patterns, with or without window grids. The garage...

Summit door.(In Focus)
May 1, 2004... Designed to provide a quality carriage-style wood garage door at an economical price, the Builders Choice Collection features a four-layer construction and polystyrene insulation. Five designs are available in paint- or stain-grade wood facing...

Chamberlain professional products.(In Focus)
May 1, 2004... The Lift-Master EverCharge Battery Backup System is designed to maintain garage door functions during power outages and features a trickle charge that plugs directly into the garage door opener system. Continuous service to the opener, remote...

Amarr.(In Focus)
May 1, 2004... Featuring the maker's DuraSafe pinch-resistant design, Classica Collection steel carriage-house garage doors are available in four styles: Lucern, Valencia, Santiago, and Tuscany. The wood-grain patterns are pressed into the steel exterior of...

GADCO.(In Focus)
May 1, 2004... Part of the Presidential series, the Lincoln carriage-house garage door is one of eight wooden styles available in the line. The doors are available in 8- to 18-foot widths and 7- to 8-foot heights. Each door comes standard with 2- or 4...

Wayne-Dalton.(In Focus)
May 1, 2004... Available in three styles--the Estate, Contemporary, and Traditional collections Designer Series steel carriage-house garage doors are constructed with a pinch-resistant design. Glass light options are available. (800) 827-3667. www...

Raynor.(In Focus)
May 1, 2004... The American Rivers Collection of wood carriage-house garage doors includes the Vermilion, Columbia, Potomac, and Savannah models. Each is constructed from a solid 1 3/8 inch thick Douglas fir frame with a stain- or paint-ready exterior. (815)...

Designer doors.(In Focus)
May 1, 2004... Miller, Stephani L. Tested to withstand 140-mph winds and impact capacity, the Hurricane Frame garage door features a solid clear Doug fir frame captured with exterior plywood on both sides. A variety of wood species and options like...

CertainTeed.(Insulation)
May 1, 2004... Designed for the maker's Blow-In Blanket System, Optima fiberglass loosefill insulation is applied behind a non-woven fabric and is blown-in without any additives, such as adhesive. The insulation can provide R-values of 15 in a 2x4 wall and 23...

Knauf.(Insulation)
May 1, 2004... GreenGuard-certified for indoor air quality, Knauf Kraft-paper-faced Staple-Free Batts feature a wider design that creates a friction fit to hold the batt securely in place between studs without the need for staples. The batts are currently...

Reflectix.(Insulation)
May 1, 2004... Designed for use with radiant floor heating systems, the Concrete Pad aluminum foil-faced bubble-pack radiant barrier is installed under a concrete slab. Coated with a protective white poly surface, the aluminum foil conducts the heal of...

Georgia-Pacific.(Insulation)
May 1, 2004... Distributed by Georgia-Pacific, UltraFit DS dimensionally stable spray-on insulation is a white loosefill fiberglass insulation combined with an inorganic powdered adhesive that forms a seamless blanket of insulation when sprayed into wall...

Johns Manville.(Insulation)
May 1, 2004... EnviroAire XG Fiber Glass Duct Board is designed to provide duct insulation as well as improved indoor air quality and acoustics. The duct board is manufactured in a formaldehyde-free process. It prevents the loss of conditioned air and...

Icynene.(Insulation)
May 1, 2004... Made on site from liquid components, Icynene pour-fill formula polyicynene insulation is applied by injecting the liquid through drilled holes into a closed cavity, where it expands to form a flexible foam blanket. The foam provides R-values of...

LL building products.(Insulation)
May 1, 2004... Master Flow Insulated Duct Sleeves and Duct Wrap Insulation are designed to work with existing and new ductwork to provide an R-value of 6 and reduce draft noise and temperature variations. The sleeves are available in 6-inch and 8 inch...

North Carolina foam industries.(Insulation)
May 1, 2004... Applied as a two-part liquid that reacts to form an air and moisture barrier, the InsulStar spray-in-place insulation system is a closed-cell foam formulated from renewable agricultural resources using an ozone-friendly blowing agent. An...

Owens corning.(Insulation)
May 1, 2004... The ProPink Complete blown-in insulating system is ideal for walls, ceilings, or enclosed cavities. The fiberglass loosefill resists settling and mold growth and the system's form-fitting installation provides acoustical benefits. The system...

Pactiv.(Insulation)
May 1, 2004... Made from closed-cell extruded polystyrene, GreenGuard Backer-Pro Universal fanfold siding underlayment is designed for use with most l/2-inch, 5/8-inch, and 3/4-inch butt, double 4-inch straight-lap siding panels. The underlayment is contoured...

Polaroid.(High Tech Tools)
May 1, 2004... A durable casing and rubberized non-slip finish protects the One600 JobPro Camera on the jobsite. Its specially designed lens allows users to take detail shots from as close as 1 1/2 feet and a lighten/darken control ensures better exposures in...

Sony.(High Tech Tools)
May 1, 2004... Three new T-series Clie handhelds use Clie's Organizer software to allow users to keep schedules, take notes, and track contacts as well as take and store digital photos and record voice memos. The T-H55 (shown) features a large 320x480 pixel...

Nextel.(High Tech Tools)
May 1, 2004... Designed to resist shock, vibration, dust, and extreme weather, the all-weather, ruggedized Motorola i305 mobile phone also resists blowing rain, humidity, and salt fog. The handset is encased in rubber with a sculpted grip for comfort, and it...

Leica geosystems.(High Tech Tools)
May 1, 2004... Incorporating all the capabilities of the DISTO Classic laser measure with the addition of Bluetooth wireless technology, the DISTO Plus laser measure allows users to send measurements to a Bluetooth-enabled pocket PC or laptop. The tool...

xPlore technologies.(High Tech Tools)
May 1, 2004... The iX104RD Renegade Dual Mode tablet PC offers both active stylus and finger-touch input options for maximum versatility. The ruggedized tablet runs on Windows Tablet PC XP but can also be preconfigured with Windows 2000 Professional. With...

Stanley.(High Tech Tools)
May 1, 2004... The IntelliLaser Pro Laser Line Level/Stud Finder works as a level, a stud finder, and a laser layout tool. Its 20-foot laser pivots every 45 degrees up to 180 degrees for accurate layout angles. It also detects studs and joists through up to 1...

Bosch power tools and accessories.(First look: the newest products for the remodeling market)
May 1, 2004... Organized by a color coded labeling system, the new family of abrasives for grinding, finishing, and blending comprises more than 80 wheels that balance cut rate and wheel life. Flap discs, offered as start-to-finish abrasives, are also...

Progress lighting.(First look: the newest products for the remodeling market)
May 1, 2004... Comprising 11 families of chandeliers, sconces, pendants, and hall/bath/vanity fixtures, the Thomasville Lighting line complements a number of Thomasville Furniture's collections. Shown is the Savona Collection, featuring forged square iron...

Mitten.(First look: the newest products for the remodeling market)
May 1, 2004... The maker has improved its 5 l/2-inch Traditional Style vinyl corner post by adding a foam backer insert that is treated to repel insects and also provides impact resistance. The fluted corner trim has a wide profile and comes in a 20-foot...