Remodeling articles from November 2003

Remodeling archives from November 2003

The value of remodeling.(First Word)
November 1, 2003... As we went to press with our annual Cost vs. Value Report (page 96), still investing in their homes at record rates. Last year, homeowners, taking advantage of record-low mortgage rates, refinanced their homes and leveraged their equity into...

Cabinet confusion.(Callback)
November 1, 2003... Your article on Ikea cabinets ("Keen on Ikea," September 2003, page 119) is inaccurate and misleading. How does the architect. Chandler Pierce, arrive at a cost of $47,000 for a small to mid-sized kitchen using standard cabinets, and a cost of...

He knows the drill.(News + Notes)
November 1, 2003... A California electrician is lucky to be alive after accidentally impaling himself on an 18-inch chip auger drill bit. According to news reports, Ron Hunt was using his drill more than 6 feel above the ground when his ladder began to wobble....

Send in backup.(News + Notes)
November 1, 2003... It would appear that Americans are sick and tired of sitting around in the dark. In mid-August, a massive blackout left an estimated 50 million people in the United States and Canada without power for about a day. Just one month later,...

Callers beware: just because you don't have a phone room, it doesn't mean you don't have to comply with new telemarketing regulations.(News + Notes)
November 1, 2003... After a flurry of court activity resulted in a brief delay, the national do-not-call list went into effect in early October. For a company, subscribing to the list is relatively practical: You can access up in five area codes for free, and...

Mixed forecast.(Market Watch)
November 1, 2003... [down arrow] CONSUMER CONFIDENCE A weak labor market contributed to the Consumer Confidence Index dropping nearly five points in September, to its lowest level since March. Consumer plans to purchase major appliances dropped to the lowest...

Design/build it, and they will come: the flexibility of design/build has made it hugely popular with upper-end clients. The middle market may be next.(Commentary)
November 1, 2003... There are four ways remodeling projects get designed. In the first scenario, the homeowner hires an architect. The architect completes a design and supervises bidding out the job. The low-bidding contractor is usually awarded the project and...

Grow yourself: many of the traits and talents that served your small business well will become hurdles as you grow.(Commentary)
November 1, 2003... The year 2004 is right around the corner. Will you be planning some growth for your company? Will you be planning some growth fin yourself and your leadership skills? Entrepreneurs often fail to scale--that is, adapt leadership...

The power of persuasion: giving prospects a friendly push from "maybe" to "yes" benefits you and them both.(Commentary)
November 1, 2003... Over the years, I've made some interesting observations about the psychology of the homeowner decision process. One thing I've discovered is that, out of 10 homeowners who contact a remodeling company about undertaking a remodeling project, two...

Drive down costs: increase your bottom line without increasing your sales efforts.(Commentary)
November 1, 2003... When business owners want to increase the bottom line, they usually try to increase sales. But is that always the best way? Consider this question: Will you increase your bottom line faster by selling 10% more or by reducing your CGS (cost of...

Underpromise, overdeliver: one remodeler figures a remodeling project can't go as badly as he tells homeowners it will.(Ways + Means)
November 1, 2003... Given that it made its way onto the tongues of most Americans during the recent military efforts in Iraq, "shock and awe" is not a phrase most contractors want clients to associate with remodeling their homes. However, that's the term that...

Form an alliance.(Ways + Means)
November 1, 2003... As the owner of a remodeling company, you're constantly harvesting relationships. Everyone works hard to retain the best possible rapport with their clients; after all, they might have more work for you in the future, and they are, of course,...

Functional form: noting potential snags up front helps jobs proceed smoothly.(Ways + Means)
November 1, 2003... When Annette Greco noticed that her projects were going we schedule she knew she had to take action. "I was hearing excuses like, "The salesman didn't catch something,'" says the co-owner of Greco Remodelers Manassas. Va. "We wanted to create...

Quick read: the management flash report.(Ways + Means)
November 1, 2003... When the management team at Kendale Inc., Jacksonville, Fla., wants to know exactly what's happening in the company, they take a look at the company's comprehensive Flash Report. This one-page report summarizes future, current, and past...

Accurate reports.(Bottom Line)
November 1, 2003... Bill Patrick, of William J. Patrick, Bird in Hand, Pa., adjusts his profit and loss statement using a figure he calculates every month from his work-in-progress form. With this figure, he has a more accurate look at how his business is doing....

Simple recordkeeping.(Tax Tips)
November 1, 2003... Keeping scrupulous records often provides tax benefits at the end of the year. But it's difficult for remodelers to remember this when they are busy running the company. The key is to devise a simple, easy-to-keep record system that you...

Picture perfect: six tips on how to shoot your project.(Sales + Marketing)
November 1, 2003... Taking project photos, especially in tight interiors, is tricky. But Anice Hoachlander, a veteran architectural photographer Washington, D.C., offers these tips: Get a good digital camera. A high-resolution, 6.3 megapixel camera and...

"Auditing" your market.(Sales + Marketing)
November 1, 2003... Unlike a financial audit, a marketing audit isn't a final event. But like a financial audit, it drives change. "The goal is to identify marketing opportunities the business is uniquely positioned to exploit," says John Byrd of Matrix Group...

Quickie online marketing materials.(Sales + Marketing)
November 1, 2003... Yellow Steel, a Portsmith, N.H., marketing firm, has launched www.wenailit.net, a Web site that offers contractors a chance to create direct mail, doorknob hangers, jobsite signs, and other marketing materials at reasonable cost. Depending...

When to talk price.(Sales School)
November 1, 2003... What happened: On one of my earliest sales calls, I visited a retired artist. He had three rotten window sills. Our computer estimating system indicated a repair cost of $2,000. That seemed like a lot, so I talked to my boss. Bill Wilder. He...

Material goods.(Field Notes)
November 1, 2003... Several remodeling associations hold yard sales to clear out new and used building materials and improve community relations. The Oregon Remodelers Association, the NARI Tampa Bay chapter, and the Idaho Remodelers Association all host sales to...

Freedom and responsibility.(Field Notes)
November 1, 2003... In exchange for the freedom to run the jobsite day-to-day, the lead carpenter must accept responsibility for several key areas: Maintaining the budget. The lead must know where the job stands at all times, especially as it relates to labor...

Wallternatives.(By Design)
November 1, 2003... Ever wiser about modern design trends, homeowners often want to add bright, open space to their homes. Sometimes, though, structural needs lake priority and kick inspired designs out the door. But just because your first instinct screams...

Selection central.(Tech@Work)
November 1, 2003... Keeping track of your clients' product selections can be an organizational nightmare. Change orders, faxes, and invoices bury you like a paper avalanche. Important information gets lost, and it hurts the bottom line. Selection Master, a...

Pre-sale and post-sale.(Tech@Work)
November 1, 2003... Last month we distinguished between pre-sale estimating and post-sale estimating. It's an important distinction, but there are estimating products, developed specifically for remodelers, that handle both. Here are a couple examples. Excel....

Get the lead out.(Good Form)
November 1, 2003... Tim Englert doesn't have time to sift through each of the 400 leads his company receives every year. The owner and main salesperson of Tim Englert Construction in Wadsworth, Ohio, says that in the long run, inaccurate information and poor lead...

Profile: Scott Strawbridge.(Close Up)
November 1, 2003... After Scott Strawbridge won Big50 in 1997 with then-partner Guy Rock, his company took another award, as Florida's twenty-second fastest growing company. But the 280% increase in revenues--from $600,000 to $1.68 million--that got Scott...

Second look.(Big JO)
November 1, 2003... Most of the advice Joe Zanola (Big50 1988) got from consultants during his days as a remodeler was information he already knew. "Then, they left me alone to try to implement those changes myself," Zanola says. Now that he's on the consulting...

Should I accompany customers to a showroom or let them go on their own?(Face Off)
November 1, 2003... HOLD THEIR HAND... I don't like to start any job with choices still to be made. It slows the job down. So I give clients a deadline liar selecting products and make them commit to getting it taken care of. At that point, I make a date...

Get ready: how do you prepare for a sales call?(Solutions)
November 1, 2003... Q + A Lewis Barber Lewis Barber Construction, Princeton, N.J. Big50 2001 I don't go on a sales call unless I knew what the scope of work is and what the clients think it's going to cost. I also want to knew their time frame,...

Good neighbors: two architects gave Baton Rouge's neighborhood revitalization plan a boost by transforming their building in historic style.(Before + After)
November 1, 2003... When architects and business partners Chris and Trula Remson were looking for office space for their growing firm, they wanted to be part of the revitalization of downtown Baton Rouge. Finding a building that would showcase their work, fit...

The case of the missing sphinxes.
November 1, 2003... Two heavy stone sphinxes flanked the front steps on the original house. They were hidden until contractor Wayne Boudinot and his crew cut back the overgrown brush in preparation for construction. It was then that the 400-pound statues caught...

The benefits of building your business on Nailite: three contractors share their experiences with Nailite siding.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... Nailite international is the leading name in high-quality specialty, siding, and offers the broadest product line. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Nailite has been authentically replicating cedar, brick and stone for more than 20 years. ...

Clients bugging you? A field guide to the most dangerous species.
November 1, 2003... Some clients swarm your psyche, sap your crew's morale, even poison your company until it dies. But if you identify species early, you can prepare for them--or shoo them from your habitat. Rub on some repellent... and step into the jungle. ...

Turning the tables or, what I learned as a remodeling client: after renovating their own homes, three remodelers take lessons back to their companies.
November 1, 2003... KACEY FITZPATRICK, PRESIDENT, AVALON ENTERPRISES, MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIF. The project: Fitzpatrick converted her ranch house into what she calls a "Craftsman Nouveau" house in six phases of work over two years. She incorporated green or...

2003 cost vs. value report: how much of the cost of a remodeling project can be recovered at resale? Our annual report samples current conditions in 35 markets.(Cover Story)
November 1, 2003... Homeowners contemplating a major remodeling project are mostly interested in what the work will cost, when it will get started, and how long it will take to complete. Also on the list is how much their investment will add to the value of their...

Bridging the gap.(Design Clinic)
November 1, 2003... This display shelf provides lighting that is both good looking and practical. Designer Iris Harrell created a light bridge for the shelf with two sets of lights: uplights, to show off the homeowners' collection of glass and ceramics, and...

Tile tales.(Design Clinic)
November 1, 2003... The Tile Council of America offers the 2003-2004 version of its Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installation at a cost of $7. The council also offers a CD-ROM version of the handbook for $12. Download an order form for either version by logging on to...

Concrete examples.(Design Clinic)
November 1, 2003... An online catalog showcases the many bath products that can be created from concrete. The Web site's online catalog (www.concretenetworrk.com/bathroomproducts) shows how decorative concrete can be used for bathroom vanities, sinks, and tub and...

Bath lighting.(Spec Book)
November 1, 2003... Old-school and retro styles get a modern twist when it comes to new bath lighting fixtures. Sconces and brackets boast an antique appearance or get trendy in finishes like brushed nickel and pewter. Alabaster swirled glass shading is still...

Kichler.(Spec Book)
November 1, 2003... The wall-mounted Model 6408OZ bath light fits several architectural styles. The fixture features three shades in Etched Sunset glass and can be installed as uplighting or downlighting. The manufacturer's Old Bronze finish highlights the bracket...

Meyda Tiffany.(Spec Book)
November 1, 2003... The Craftsman Collection of An Glass and Mica Vanity Lights feature designs in art glass, mica, solid copper and brass from the Craftsman Moose to the Craftsman Spiderweb to the Craftsman Four-Light (shown). The four-light vanity light features...

W.A.C. Lighting.(Spec Book)
November 1, 2003... Available in three styles, the series of Mini Wall Sconces feature a wide range of glass shade options, including mouth-blown glass from Italy and Spain. Sconce shades come in red/white, blue/white, Millefiore (shown), blue/green,...

Progress Lighting.(Spec Book)
November 1, 2003... The Botanical Collection in the Delia Bath Match Series--designed to match Delta Faucet Company's Botanical Bath Collection fixtures--features seven interchange able accent inserts in chrome, polished brass, white, green, red, blue, and orange....

Ginger.(Spec Book)
November 1, 2003... A flared, eggshell-colored silk shade tops the early 1900s-styled Circe sconce light. A nightlight can be added to the fixture's bottom bell and can be operated separately from the top light. The sconce measures 16.3 inches high and 6.3 inches...

Luraline.(Bath Lighting)
November 1, 2003... The Monticello series features one- and two-light wail-mount bath fixtures replicating a classic "schoolhouse" style, the maker says. Opaque white shades combine with polished brass, painted white, or brushed nickel (shown) finishes. The...

Designers Fountain.(Bath Lighting)
November 1, 2003... The Syrus Collection is available in three- and four-light bar configurations and features a classic Deco style with cylindrical shades in satin opal glass. The fixtures measure 10 1/4 inches high and extend 6 1/4 inches from the wall and come...

Cooper Lighting.(Bath Lighting)
November 1, 2003... The All-Pro ERT 721 Shower Light Trim is IC rated for use with Insulated Ceiling housings and features a glass Albalite lens. The gasketed while plastic trim ring is non-conductive and torsion springs hold the trim tightly to the ceiling. A 1...

Rejuvenation.(Bath Lighting)
November 1, 2003... Featuring a hand-blown white opal shade, the Adrian porcelain wall sconce reproduces Art Deco detailing and is available in white or black glazes. A rotary switch is built into the base of the shade holder. The sconce measures 8 inches high and...

Prescolite.(Bath Lighting)
November 1, 2003... Designed for use with standard 4-inch line and low-voltage recessed ceiling downlights. Architektur low-profile Shower Trims feature Solite glass protective lenses that obscure glare. The trims are rated to prevent moisture from accumulating in...

Show and tell: creative marketing yields leads for companies that specialize in replacing wood windows.(Windows)
November 1, 2003... Selling wood windows calls for a different kind of marketing. Just ask Tim Murphy. About 95% of the work done by Tim Murphy Carpentry, Chicago, involves replacing windows. And not just one, two, or even l0 windows. Murphy shoots for jobs that...

Shingle recycling slow to come: few roofing companies have the opportunity to recycle shingles at an affordable price.(Roofing)
November 1, 2003... Three years ago, Dale Guyer, of Guyer & Sons Roofing, Keene. N.H., started recycling his shingle tear-offs. That's when Keene, pop. 23,000, began a recycling program at a tip tee of $77 a ton. The $77 compares with $117 a ton for landfill...

Full timer.(Roofing)
November 1, 2003... Q: Should a sales manager sell? A: A good sales manager can increase sales 20%--but that comes from good management, not through selling that amount. The problem is sales managers are often saddled with excess duties. What the...

Cast in cultured stone: local cultured marble manufacturers can provide custom shapes, sizes, and colors for bath fittings and more.(Trends)
November 1, 2003... While natural marble and other stones are increasingly popular with homeowners, these materials are expensive, difficult to maintain, and hard to work with and install. Cultured marble, on the other hand, is a less expensive alternative, and...

Taking the hit.(Trends)
November 1, 2003... Skylights must meet safety codes in hurricane-prone regions, just like windows and doors. While Florida's Miami-Dade testing protocols for wind-, air/water-, and impact-resistance are the most well-known standards for performance during...

See the light: exterior lighting adds beauty, function, and value to homes.(Trends)
November 1, 2003... When most homeowners decide to remodel their homes, thoughts of new kitchen countertops or appliances pop into their heads. But with the increasing interest in outdoor living, focusing on lighting up the lawn might be a bright idea for you and...

True light.(Reader's Choice)
November 1, 2003... Remodeler: Rembert Rogers III Company: Craftsman Construction Co., Charlotte, N.C. Product: Jeld-Wen Pozzi Divided Lites and Sash Replacement units, www.jeldwen.com. Circle 102. Remodeling firm Craftsman Construction frequently...

Building blocks.(Reader's Choice)
November 1, 2003... Remodeler: Cindy Knutson-Lycholat Company: Knutson Brothers II, East Troy, Wis. Product: LOGIX Insulated Concrete Forms, www.Iogixicf.com. Circle 101. Building lakefront basements and foundations has always been a challenge for...

Windy city.(Reader's Choice)
November 1, 2003... Remodeler: Tom Lute Company: Luce Custom Remodeling & Design, Melbourne, Fla. Product: PGT WinGuard impact resistant windows, www.pgtind.com. Circle 100. Remodeling and building additions in Brevard County, Fla., was made more...

Handle with care; you can't be too careful when moving glass and mirrors.(On The Job)
November 1, 2003... Every time you move a piece of glass, you risk breaking it. Because picture and clerestory windows, mirrors, and shower doors are often custom items, they take time to remake if they get broken. Smart, safe, and slow are the key words tot...

Ridgid.(Power Tools)
November 1, 2003... The 10-inch Cast Iron Table Salt; Model TS3650, features a 120/240-volt, 13/6.5-amp enclosed fan-cooled induction motor designed to run cooler. Its 360-degree-rotating casters are engaged using a foot pedal; when disengaged, the table saw rests...

Makita.(Power Tools)
November 1, 2003... The 6917DWDE 12V 3/8-inch Drive Cordless Impact Wrench features a compact design--measuring 65/8 inches--long and a light weight of 3 1/2 pounds. The impact wrench has a rubberized grip and a two-piece motor with a replaceable armature, field,...

DeWalt.(Power Tools)
November 1, 2003... A line of 9.6-, 12-, and 14.4-volt cordless impact wrenches and impact drivers (DW054K-2 impact driver shown) are designed to drive large fasteners without the typical kickback, says the maker. The wrenches feature a 3/8-inch square drive anvil...

Bosch.(Power Tools)
November 1, 2003... The 12524-03 24-volt Cordless In-Line Hammer Drill is designed for use in light concrete, wood, and masonry applications and features a dual-mode selector with drill-only and hammer drill operations. The selector switches between high torque...

Porter-Cable.(Power Tools)
November 1, 2003... The 175 PSI High Pressure Framing Nailer Combo Kit weighs 25% less than other pneumatic framing nailers, the maker says, and has a rubber grip, a tool-free adjustable depth control and magazine release, and a trigger to switch between...

Simpson Strong-Tie.(Rough Hardware)
November 1, 2003... Stud plate ties can be used as plate-to-stud and top plate to stud connections. providing increased flexibility, the maker says. The double stud plate design (Model DSP) can be installed on either or both sides of the wall. The single stud...

Easy-Arch.(Rough Hardware)
November 1, 2003... Available in more than 130 standard sizes. Easy-Arch preformed flaming arches me constructed of 25-gauge galvanized steel and nail in place during framing. Styles include 90-degree quarter circle, 180-degree half-circle, eyebrow, elliptical,...

Tiger Claw.(Rough Hardware)
November 1, 2003... The TC-3 Fastener for composite and synthetic decking is constructed of hardened stainless steel and coated to minimize corrosion. The hidden deck fastener hides in the shadow lines of decking gaps and works in a variety of decking lumber...

Gardner bender.(Rough Hardware)
November 1, 2003... ColorCode plastic and insulated metal staples are coated to match color-coded NM cable: white for 14 gauge, yellow for 12 gauge, and orange for 10 gauge. The plastic staples have high density polyethylene straps. An ultraviolet additive...

Felker.(Rough Hardware)
November 1, 2003... Designed to cut porcelain tile, granite, glass, and quarry tile, the narrow-width TM-7 saw blade is 60 millimeters wide. The narrow blade width removes less material during cutting, reducing the chance of chipping or breaking the tile, the...

U.S. gypsum.(InFocus)
November 1, 2003... Sheetrock Humitek gypsum wallboard panels resist moisture and mold, the maker says. Designed for use in interior applications, the panels measure 5/8 inch thick and come in 8-, 10-, and 12-foot lengths. They feature tapered edges, score and...

Lafarge North America.(InFocus)
November 1, 2003... Protecta AR 100 abuse resistant drywall is a fiberglass-enhanced product with a non-combustible, high density gypsum core. The reinforced heavy facing paper guards against impact, indentation, and surface abrasion in high-traffic interior...

Weyerhaeuser.(InFocus)
November 1, 2003... Engineered to provide a hard surface without core voids, ChoicePly Birch and ChoicePly White Verola underlayment panels resist indentations and provide a smooth sanded surface ready to accept floor coverings. The birch panels come in...

Schluter systems.(InFocus)
November 1, 2003... The Schluter-DITRA membrane system is specifically designed for installation under ceramic and stone tile surfaces on floors, exterior decks, and countertops. The polyethylene membrane has square-grid cavities backed by a laminated anchoring...

Georgia-Pacific.(InFocus)
November 1, 2003... DensArmor Abuse Guard Fireguard interior gypsum board has a coated glass-mat surface on its back to protect against incidental moisture in wall cavities and resist the growth of mold; heavy-duty paper facing resists abrasion. (800) 225-6119....

Providence artworks.(First Look)
November 1, 2003... The Old Bronze Collection of cabinet knobs and pulls are cast in solid bronze in rustic designs. Moon, Swirl, Orient, and Sand knob and pull designs and Rose and Turtle knobs are available in Black, Rust, Satin Nickel, Antique Copper, Natural...

Vaughan & Bushnell.(First Look)
November 1, 2003... Solid Steel Blue Max and Fiberglass Blue Max framing hammers feature the maker's Head-Start magnetic nail-holding notch, which is capable of starting 16d and 20d nails. Both come in 19-ounce head weights. (1815) 648-2446. www.vaughaunmfg.com....

ODL.(First Look)
November 1, 2003... The Add-On Enclosed Blind for steel and fiberglass doors is now 15% larger and features two sliding lab controls, as well as simpler installation. The blind can be installed with a screwdriver directly over the existing fiberglass or steel door...

Wilsonart.(First Look)
November 1, 2003... The Topaz line of laminate surfacing for countertops and backsplashes replicates the look and feel of engineered stone surfacing, the maker says. Layers of multiple colors are accented with pearl pigments in bronze, silver, and gold to give the...

Republic windows & doors.(First Look)
November 1, 2003... Vinyl windows in the Classic II window collection mimic the appearance of wood. Options include five patterns of V-groove glass, a selection of grids and exterior colors, and wood grain interior finishes. The manufacturer offers five energy...

Jeld-Wen[R] Vinyl Windows The Summit[R] Collection.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... Our vinyl windows are designed to be visually appealing and reliably enduring. We offer colonial double-hung and single-hung windows to complement traditional architecture. All our vinyl windows have a lifetime warranty, which covers insulating...

Jeld-Wen[R] Wood Windows The Caradco[R] Collection.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... We created Caradco SmartFit[TM] clad-wood double-hung windows to help builders stay on budget. They're a less expensive option, yet they still offer a range of features such as tilt-in, removable sash for easy cleaning. They'll also help you...

Jeld-Wen[R] IWP[R] Custom Wood Exterior Doors.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... The artisans who create our unique IWP custom wood exterior doors leave no detail to chance. We offer a host of designs to match various architectural styles, the finest wood, stain and finish options, and a range of decorative glass options....

Jeld-Wen[R] Wood Windows The Norco[R] Collection.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... The Norco Collection includes premium wood and clad-wood windows and patio doors crafted to be enduring and energy efficient. Design options include 8 standard metal clad colors as well as 34 Norco Luxury colors and limitless custom colors with...