Remodeling articles from November 2002

Remodeling archives from November 2002

A tale of two remodelers. (First Word).
November 1, 2002... Once upon a time, two remodeling contractors showed up at the same house in the same week to take care of two different jobs. One company installed a new forced-air heating system; the other mounted an access ladder in the hall ceiling and...

Doing good. (Call back: the sound and the fury ...).
November 1, 2002... I was interested to read in the News + Notes section about an initiative by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro (N.C.) that will be working to provide loans and volunteer labor to low-income homeowners to enable them to repair their...

Correction.
November 1, 2002... In the 2002 Renaissance Awards, the lead designer for the "Asian Retreat" bathroom remodel (September 2002, page 90), which won an Honorable Mention award, was Harry G. Haynes, of Architectural Building Arts, and not the company owner, Steve...

Erosion fines get serious. (News + Notes).
November 1, 2002... In 1992, the EPA instituted an erosion regulation--under the authority of the Clean Water Act--that holds developers, site owners, and contractors on construction sites larger than one acre responsible for the development and implementation of...

ServiceMaster ends depot pilot, adds yahoo! (News + Notes).
November 1, 2002... After just five months, The Service Master Co. and The Home Depot have ended a joint home services program. The program, conducted at The Home Depot stores in Orlando, Fla., Memphis, Tenn., and Sacramento, Calif., tested a range of...

Subcontractor court appeal. (News + Notes).
November 1, 2002... A Tennessee Court of Appeals will allow the American Subcontractors Association to submit a brief and include oral arguments in a case against a subcontractor. The Alexandria, Va.-based ASA and its two Tennessee chapters will act as "amicus...

Housing market survives recession. (News + Notes).
November 1, 2002... Despite the economic difficulties this country experienced following the terrorist attacks of September 11, the housing market in the United States remained in good shape last year. A study released in June by Harvard University reported...

Tough all over. (Market Watch).
November 1, 2002... [down arrow] CONSUMER CONFIDENCE Consumer confidence fell for the fourth straight month in September, according to The Conference Board. A sagging view of the labor market caused consumers to lower their buying plans for big-ticket...

The 2002 calendar of events: Dodge RAM heavy-duty presents. (Grab Life By The Horns).
November 1, 2002... November 2002 31 1 2 The Remodelers' Show Indianapolis, Indiana More information: ...

Dandy Handymen, part 1: the right handyman combines mechanical and business skills to get the whole job done. (Commentary).
November 1, 2002... Are you thinking about hiring a handyman or starting a handyman division for your company? There's very likely a need for it in your area. But before assigning a staff member to be your company's handyman division or running out and hiring...

Hire education: your attitude toward the hiring process will determine whether you end up with a superstar. (Commentary).
November 1, 2002... Your company's growing and you're faced, again, with the prospect of sifting through resumes, interviewing, and hiring. With luck, you find someone. Then he or she has to be trained. And if you have the misfortune of choosing the wrong person,...

Double trouble: there's more to opening a second location than meets the eye. (Commentary).
November 1, 2002... Our business is insurance restoration. For years we've been located in Phoenix, and from there we serve the entire metro area for jobs of every size. We also service larger jobs, statewide, out of that office. About two years ago, one of...

Service 24/7. (Ways+Means).
November 1, 2002... Gary Crowley, owner of Crowley Construction, recently came back from a 12-day vacation and nobody even knew he was gone. That's because someone else was answering the phone. A year and a half ago, fed up with solicitations he received at...

In for the long haul: warranties on work never really lapse at a Nashville remodeling company. (Ways+Means).
November 1, 2002... Usually a warranty ceases to be in effect when it expires in writing. That's not the case at The Wills Co., Nashville, Tenn., where warranties never really lapse. Two years ago, the company made a promise in its marketing materials that for as...

Tall orders: purchase orders can help control profit slippage. (Ways+Means).
November 1, 2002... One of the biggest reasons remodeling companies don't make money is because job costs are greater than the amount estimated. This "slippage" could be caused by field inefficiencies or higher-than-expected subcontractor or material costs. ...

Budget busters not allowed. (Ways+Means).
November 1, 2002... Customers hate blown budgets. Whether it be from client-generated change orders, contractor-generated change orders, or unforeseen conditions, the reason doesn't matter. The extra expense at the end of the day really annoys people. Jill Liptow,...

Accounting for replacement costs. (Bottom Line).
November 1, 2002... Repair and replacement costs can take a bite out of your operating budget. Include these costs in general overhead to make sure they're covered by your markup on every job Vehicles and heavy equipment. For these big-ticket items, use...

Five fundamentals. (Bottom Line).
November 1, 2002... In this industry, companies aren't designed; they evolve. As a result, more is different than the same when it comes to financial standards. Many owners are thrilled to make 5% net profit. Others are in trouble with 10%. The only real health of...

Marketing workshop/before+after. (Sales+Marketing).
November 1, 2002... Before Aesthetically, this line should either be centered or more to the right. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The post-modern look of this photo isn't consistent with the message of "traditional design." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Green marketing. (Sales+Marketing).
November 1, 2002... Neil Kelly Co. partnered with its local utility company to promote the restoration of a 1928 English cottage using sustainable remodeling and energy efficient practices. A September open house drew 3,700 visitors. And Better Homes and Gardens...

Building a better client base. (Sales+Marketing).
November 1, 2002... Marketing hinges on a simple truth: No recognized, admitted need goes unfulfilled. The trick is finding potential clients with recognized, admitted, yet unfulfilled needs who can pay for services. One of the best, most economically rewarding...

Round the clock: a time clock system that works can discipline crews and lower your workers'compensation rates. (Field Notes).
November 1, 2002... Dick Seibert turned to a time clock system to track employee hours for two reasons. First, many members of his crew had worked independently and were used to making their own hours. "I didn't feel I had control of the work force," he says....

The right-sized crew. (Field Notes).
November 1, 2002... The number of people working on a jobsite should be determined by need and not by the traditions of the industry. That is the only way to maximize efficiency and, therefore, profit. Here are some questions to help you decide crew size: ...

Drawing board / portal power. (By Design).
November 1, 2002... When architect Dean Brenneman needed to hide some ductwork in this whole-house renovation, he used a simple yet strong design solution. He purchased two six-panel doors to create "jambs" in the opening to cover the ducts on one side of the...

Online matchmaker. (Tech@Work).
November 1, 2002... Chris Paquette says an online referral service has been a boon to his business. It outdistances similar services because people, not computers, match clients with contractors, according to the Philadelphia-area remodeler. Paquette, who...

Organize by numbers. (Tech@Work).
November 1, 2002... Computers have made it easy to packrat away all kinds of data, but not so easy to find it again. Windows sorts everything alphabetically, so if you name a folder "Very Important Projects," it will wind up near the bottom of a list, probably...

Profile: Jim Maguire. (Close Up).
November 1, 2002... JP Maguire Associates joined the ranks of the large remodelers this year based on volume, with its 60 employees producing $8 million in sales. When he was awarded Big50 in 1989, Jim Maguire had just finished a $2.5 million year doing insurance...

Second look: Randall Fenton. (Close Up).
November 1, 2002... When Randall Fenton was named Big50 in 1987, he was pushing to expand Inrecon into a nationwide insurance restoration business. The company, which he ran with two brothers, a brother-in-law, and another partner, already had a strong base in...

Should profit margins be smaller on larger jobs? (Face Off).
November 1, 2002... "I'd love to say no to this question, but the reality is when you get into upwards of $600,000, the homeowners... are looking for deals." Don Strobel LARGE JOBS DEMAND SMALLER MARGINS We're wrapping up a $1.2 million job. Our normal...

To B-I-Y or not to B-I-Y: do you let clients buy their own materials for projects? (Solutions: Big50 answers to big business questions).
November 1, 2002... Q+A JOHN FRASIER Frasier Construction Boise, Idaho Big50 2002 It probably happens in about one in 10 contracts. It's driven by budget or the fact that they're really fond of an item or have already purchased it. I have a paragraph in...

On a tight rein: costs were cut on this Palo Alto kitchen remodel. But in the end, not a lot of sacrifices had to be made. (Before+After).
November 1, 2002... Alice Wilder Hall knew when she bought her house in 1984 that she wanted to re-do her kitchen. Not much had been done to the 1904 "Carpenter's Victorian," so-called because houses like it were built in Palo Alto, Calif., by tradesmen who often...

Choosing wisely: contractors nationwide are turning to EXPO Design Centers for one-stop product selection, low prices and a customer-service edge. (Special Advertising Section).
November 1, 2002... Your custom home or remodeling project is rolling along like a smooth-running train. Smart interpretation of your client's wish list has resulted in a blueprint the customer loves, and that you can build profitably, on schedule. Permits are...

2002 cost vs. value report: does remodeling pay? Our annual report gets to the bottom of the age-old question.
November 1, 2002... Not long ago, remodeler Bob DuBree got the news that he'd lost a big job. The clients, a husband and wife, had a budget of $100,000. With that, they wanted to add bedroom space and a new kitchen and perform substantial exterior repairs,...

Profit slippage. (Reader Panel).
November 1, 2002... It's inevitable--and frustrating. Typical profit slippage--the difference between estimated and produced gross profit--is 5% or more according to our survey. What are its causes and what can you do to prevent it? THREE MAJOR CAUSES OF......

Giving back. (Reader Panel).
November 1, 2002... "For the past 26 years I have worked to promote the professionalism of the remodeling industry by being involved in every way possible," says Bill Medina, Medina Construction Co., Salina, Kan., winner of a DeWalt 18-volt cordless reciprocating...

Breakfast bar: morning kitchens rise and shine in master suite remodels. (Design Clinic).
November 1, 2002... Homeowners are demanding more amenities to create the ultimate master bedroom retreat. One such luxury is having a "morning" kitchen to brew coffee in the room. And the morning time flame can stretch to evening, with small refrigerators to...

Ask the experts.
November 1, 2002... Q+A Last year, designers Amy Sussek and Jackie Zager launched a Web site called www.askthekitchen designers.com. Sussek answers a few questions about consumer concerns. Why did you start the Web site? We answer the same questions...

Professional help. (Management).
November 1, 2002... A new Web site provides a forum for professional kitchen and bath designers to share knowledge and information. The site, www.kitchenbathpros.com, is the brainchild of designer Susan Serra of Long Island, N.Y. She says that, like most...

Bathroom lighting. (Spec Book).
November 1, 2002... Bathroom lighting options reflect a desire to make the bathroom as inviting a space as the living room or bedroom. Choices for a wide range of decorating and architectural styles are available in many forms and fabrications. From stylishly...

Safety check. (Roofing).
November 1, 2002... Roofers are deadly serious about safety these days. No one can afford to lose a key guy," says Fred Lugano, a Charlotte, Vt., contractor who specializes in "bombproof roofs" for a high-end clientele. Besides endangering a worker, a roofing...

Name brand recognition. (Windows).
November 1, 2002... Rich Gaspar, owner of Gaspar Construction in Seattle, notes that there's a 20% to 30% price difference between nationally known window brands and locally produced brands. He offers clients the option of picking either. But, he tells them, there...

Additions a sales opportunity. (Windows).
November 1, 2002... Additions often present an opportunity to suggest clients change out the windows in the rest of the house to match the windows going in the addition. Whether or not the suggestion is made depends on the budget. Sometimes, if clients are already...

Look before you leap. (Windows).
November 1, 2002... Q: What should I do before deciding to take on another product or service? A: First, ask yourself why you want to take on a new product or service. Then, consider the following: 1. Will your current products and services allow you to...

Al Fresco: open-air kitchens offer all the conveniences of indoor cooking. (Trends).
November 1, 2002... Outdoor kitchens have become increasingly popular with homeowners, and manufacturers are responding by creating a wide variety of appliances especially for the outdoor kitchen. Incorporating more than the old standard of backyard barbecues,...

President Bush outlines "Healthy Forests" initiative. (Trends).
November 1, 2002... Nearly 6 million acres of national forestland in the West have been incinerated this past summer, reportedly twice the amount that bums in an average summer fire season. These heavy losses have served to accelerate the debate over the best way...

Glass act. (Reader's Choice).
November 1, 2002... Remodeler: Kenneth R Skowronski, CR Company: KS Remodelers, Franklin, Wis. Product: Hurd Windows, www.hurd.com. Circle no. 113. KS Remodelers has been installing Hurd Windows for 15 years, says Ken Skowronski. "Hurd provides...

Good connections. (Reader's Choice).
November 1, 2002... Remodeler: Alex Dean, CR Company: The Alexander Group, Kensington, Md. Product: Timberline Accounting suite, www.timberline.com. Circle no. 115. Timberline's Accounting software is an integrated suite of applications that...

High fiber. (Reader's Choice).
November 1, 2002... Remodeler: Mark Brick, CR, CGR Company: B&E General Contractors, Glendale, Wis. Product: James Hardie fiber-cement siding products, www .jameshardie.com. Circle no. 114. B&E General Contractors has been using James Hardie...

Dry ideas: even the highest quality products can't keep a house watertight if they're installed incorrectly. (On The Job).
November 1, 2002... I've remodeled houses for more than 25 years and am still amazed at the amount of water damage caused by poor flashing details. You would think that today's new peel-and-stick membranes would eliminate water damage. Not so. Even the best...

Power tools: Ergonomic tools can help prevent serious health issues. (In Focus).
November 1, 2002... Ergonomics in the hand and power tool industry is the applied science of designing and adapting tools to accommodate the physical needs or capabilities of the user. This scientific field also seeks to reduce and prevent health problems...

DeWalt. (Power Tools).
November 1, 2002... The 1 3/4 horsepower, 11-amp router (DW616K) and the 2 1/4 horsepower, 12-amp router (DW618K) with soft start and electronic variable speed both feature the company's micro-fine depth adjustment ring with 1/64-inch increments for small...

Hitachi. (Power Tools).
November 1, 2002... The VB16Y rebar cutter/bender allows bending and cutting of rebar with the same tool. Using 530 watts of power, the tool's microprocessor bends up to No.5 Grade 60 rebar at a maximum angle of 180 degrees, according to the company. Users have...

Hilti. (Power Tools).
November 1, 2002... The TE 6 Rotary Hammer Drill features a quick-release chuck to allow for fast changes between 1/2-inch keyed and keyless chucks. The tool can drill at full speed with hammering at only 30% of full impact energy, allowing precision specialty...

Milwaukee Electric Tool. (Power Tools).
November 1, 2002... The 14.4-volt cordless impact wrench is lightweight but delivers up to 117 foot pounds of torque and is equipped with a heavy-duty, die-cast aluminum gear housing. Three available models measures 7 1/2 inches long and can produce up to 2,500...

Makita USA. (Power Tools).
November 1, 2002... MFORCE Series cordless drills are designed with features such as the company's Shift Lock Drive System, a two-piece D-31 motor, and two high-capacity 2.6Ah nickel-metalhydride batteries. The shift system offers one-touch shifting from drill to...

Campbell Hausfeld. (Power Tools).
November 1, 2002... Nine pneumatic tools make up the AT Professional Series with Santoprene elastomer grips. The grips are non-slip in wet environments and resist sweat, water, oil, and chemicals. The first tools in the series include two 1/2-inch impact wrenches,...

Bosch. (Power Tools).
November 1, 2002... The Brute-Tough drill/driver is designed with a 1/2-inch chuck for continuous heavy use in high-torque drilling applications, says the manufacturer. With speeds up to 1,500 rpm on the 14.4-volt version and up to 1,300 rpm on the 18-volt...

Stanley-Bostitch. (Power Tools).
November 1, 2002... A magnesium housing and a design using 30 fewer parts yield a new line of lightweight magnesium frame brad nailers and narrow crown finish staple nailers. The pneumatic BT200K-2, BT125K-2, and the SX150-K1 trim and finish tools feature oil-free...

Miller Electric Manufacturing. (Power Tools).
November 1, 2002... The Spectrum 625 portable plasma air cutter has a cut rated at 1/2 inch on mild steel. Weighing 57 pounds, the tool can cut steel up to 5/8 inch thick. The cutter's Wind Tunnel Technology prevents dust and metal particles from damaging the...

Paslode. (Power Tools).
November 1, 2002... The TrimMaster 18 Cordless Finish Nailer features a depth-of-drive adjustment to provide control of nail setting depth. The nailer's long, narrow nose allows fastener placement in tight spots, and two types of no-mar tips minimize the chance of...

Metabo Corp. (Power Tools).
November 1, 2002... The BE622SR+L compact, lightweight drill features a triple reduction gear train that allows up to 310 inch/pounds of torque. A reversing feature makes the drill usable by right- and left-handed operators, and an extra-long side handle offers...

Danair. (Power Tools).
November 1, 2002... The Extended Long Rifle Magnetic Guide on the RN-16M-60 Long Rifle Pro Palm Nailer simplifies toenailing and installing joist hangers, according to the manufacturer. The pneumatic nailer's magnetic guide accepts 6d through 60d nails. The nailer...

HOLZ-HER Tools. (Power Tools).
November 1, 2002... The Protool SBP 285 portable band saw's five carbide shoes assure the consistent tracking of the band saw blades while adjusting quickly and precisely for the various blade widths. The 11 1/2-inch band saw uses a 1600W/220V motor and comes with...

PAM Fastening Technology. (Power Tools).
November 1, 2002... The P13KUE autofeed screw gun system can be used as a standard shorter-length tool to screw 1- to 3-inch screws and can be reconfigured and fitted with a long extension. With the extension attachment, the tool measures 38 3/4 inches long and...

Koch Waterproofing Solutions. (Basement Waterproofing).
November 1, 2002... A two-part waterproofing system prevents leakage, condensation, and seepage. The TUFF-N-DRI spray-applied polymer-enhanced asphalt membrane bridges foundation cracks and remains flexible through temperature changes while the WARM-N-DRI...

Colbond. (Basement Waterproofing).
November 1, 2002... Enkadri & Drain BTM is a one-step, three-in-one drainage and waterproofing system. An Enkadrain nylon core and a 60-mm reinforced bitumen membrane protect against moisture, and a geocomposite drain prevents build-up of hydrostatic pressure. The...

Wayne Water Systems. (Basement Waterproofing).
November 1, 2002... A sump pump that provides both a primary and a backup system, the SmartPump converts a home's electrical power to its reserve battery power so that it operates even when the electricity goes out. Its system controller runs a daily...

Cosella Dorken. (Basement Waterproofing).
November 1, 2002... The DELTA-MS Foundation Wrap is a heavy-duty waterproofing membrane that functions even if it is torn, says the manufacturer. Its 5/16-inch dimples let concrete walls breathe and dry. The wrap may also be used under concrete slab to prevent...

Xypex Chemical Corp. (Basement Waterproofing).
November 1, 2002... HD-150 penetrates into the structure of concrete walls and floors, creating a non-soluble crystalline formation that seals the concrete. The crystalline formation becomes a permanent part of the structure. HD-150 can be applied to wet basements...

Basement Systems. (Basement Waterproofing).
November 1, 2002... CactusBoard, an L-shaped floor edging, is installed on foundation footings before concrete floors are poured. Forming a space across the footing and between the edge of a basement's floor and its wall, the molding's dimpled design channels...

Senergy. (Stucco).
November 1, 2002... The new One-Coat Stucco System is a pre-blended mix to which sand and water are added on the jobsite. A fiber-reinforced hard-coat stucco, the product resists fading, cracking, and abrasion, and reduces efflorescence, says the manufacturer....

Stuc-O-Flex International. (Stucco).
November 1, 2002... Europlast is a wet-mix polymer-based stucco finish for interior or exterior applications. The decorative coating offers a wide range of color and texture combinations and, says the manufacturer, gives walls the look of Old-World Venetian...

Sto Corp. (Stucco).
November 1, 2002... Powerwall Stucco is a factory-blended cement, lime, fiber, and additives mix that yields a Portland cement stucco base coat that is breathable and resists wind-driven rain and ultraviolet light, says the maker. It can be used to create a smooth...

Omega Products. (Stucco).
November 1, 2002... Akrotique acrylic sealer gives a mottled, uneven finish to stucco that mimics the look of Old World stucco. The sealer is available in a range of standard semi-transparent colors and can be applied in few coats for a light shade or many coats...

Stucco Creativa. (Stucco).
November 1, 2002... A full line of plasters and stuccoes by Italian manufacturer Rivedil is available through the company. All are lime-based, non-toxic, and non-flammable, and most can be used in indoor or outdoor applications. Each product yields a different...

Structural protective products. (First Look).
November 1, 2002... Designed to protect screen doors from the effects of wind and excessive force, the Ultra Jamb Reinforcer reinforces the area where a screen door bracket attaches to a door jamb. A steel plate keeps the screen's bracket and piston in place and...

Hettich America. (First Look).
November 1, 2002... Designed to allow full extension of storage drawers, Quadro Full Access concealed undermount slides use precision-guided steel ball bearings to provide vertical and lateral drawer stability. Suited for drawers of thicknesses up to 5/8 inch, the...

Bonsal. (First Look).
November 1, 2002... WECU Crackless+ combines rubber and cork into an underlayment to isolate tile from present or future stress cracks, says the maker. The underlayment resists moisture and has a compression ratio that will prevent cracking of tile and grout. Tile...

Ranier Richlite Company. (First Look).
November 1, 2002... Created primarily of paper, Richlite Surface offers the appearance of natural soapstone in three colors: camel, nutmeg, and black. For use as countertops, trimwork, and more, the material withstands moisture, extreme temperatures, t and heavy...

GE sealants & adhesives. (First Look).
November 1, 2002... A low-expansion pressure polyurethane fills gaps around doors and windows without damage to frames. Space Invader Window & Door Formula's insulating properties stop drafts and help maintain indoor temperatures, the maker says. (704) 655-2000....

CompacStone USA. (First Look).
November 1, 2002... An engineered marble stone, CompacMarble can be used for vanity tops, tub and shower surrounds, floors and walls, and fireplace surrounds. In 24 colors, CompacMarble is composed of 96% natural marble stone. Four lines reflect different looks:...

Holes in the net. (Bench Mark).
November 1, 2002... Back in the June 2000 issue, we set the REMODELING benchmark for net profit at 10%. How do real-world remodeling companies measure up? According to financial data collected twice annually by Business Networks from each of its 100-plus...