Remodeling articles from November 2004

Remodeling archives from November 2004

2004 remodeling cost vs. value: value added product spotlight.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2004... Therma-Tru: Helping Remodelers Add Value and Curb Appeal with Every Project Looking for new ways to add value and style to your remodeling projects? Therma-Tru Doors, the most preferred brand in the business, has the solution--high-style,...

Masters of disaster.(First Word)
November 1, 2004... Imagine every one of your jobs has two clients, and that the last thing they planned on doing together is a remodeling project. Imagine also that they can't agree on the scope of work, the budget, or the schedule, and that at your initial...

Cost vs. value online.(comment)
November 1, 2004... The Cost vs. Value Report is the hallmark of REMODELING, and this year we're giving the online display of the Report a well-deserved facelift. With the redesign, article and data displays will flow better in the Web pages. Quick links to each...

Big50 nominations.(comment)
November 1, 2004... There's still time to apply to be considered for the Big50 Class of 2005. You can find applications online either under the Big50 tab or in the center of the home page in the FYI section. Send completed electronic applications to...

Give yourself a break!(Call Back)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... I just read the editorial about taking some time to relax ("Take Off," September 2004, page 11). I'm afraid you're very right in what you say. I haven't taken any time off in three years. I tried to go away for a weekend and spent most of...

Building the business: GE Retail Sales Finance's home improvement lending gives Melani Bros. a substantial edge.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2004... When you sell sunrooms for a living, you learn a thing or two about making customers' dreams a reality. And if you sell a lot of sunrooms, you're able to make some of your own come true too. Ray and Ron Melani of Melani Brothers Sunrooms in...

Insurance by association.(News + Notes)
November 1, 2004... The nation's small businesses serve as the engine of our nation's economic growth," says Michael Strauss, director of legislative communications at the NAHB. "But spiraling health care costs have hit small-business owners disproportionately...

OSHA can you see.(News + Notes)
November 1, 2004... Home builders in Arkansas are scrambling after getting word that OSHA will be conducting random inspections at residential construction sites in the coming months. Byron Earls, president of the Home Builders Association of Greater Little...

Can-do attitudes.(News + Notes)
November 1, 2004... For the two weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, the Broadway stage and the Met will have to share the Big Apple spotlight with... sculptures made out of canned food. Canstruction, a unique national charity dedicated to fighting hunger in...

Bad air?(News + Notes)
November 1, 2004... Michael Jordan may have to think about changing his nickname. The NBA superstar, known in his playing days as "'Air," in reference to his gravity-defying feats on a basketball court, is suing EIFS manufacturer Sto Corp., claiming that synthetic...

Remodeling activity sets record.(Market Watch)
November 1, 2004... [UP ARROW] REMODELING AND REPAIR EXPENDITURES First quarter data from the Department of Commerce show that residential remodeling and repair expenditures have hit an all time high. The seasonally adjusted four-quarter total stands at $198.8...

Training tracks: training is one section in a long path toward solving the labor problem.(Commentary)
November 1, 2004... In the old days, specific training was almost nonexistent. The production manager would check the Jobsite every day or so. Usually there were two carpenters and one or two helpers. Granted, products were simpler to install and less expensive....

Giving thanks and more: the true value of life is measured by what you give.(Commentary)
November 1, 2004... If the weather stays autumnally beautiful. November is a favorite month of mine. And Thanksgiving is a favorite special day when our families unite and conspicuous consumption is for food only--no gifts! It is a time to reflect on what we...

Juggling act: keeping all the balls in the air isn't easy. It only looks that way once it's mastered.(Commentary)
November 1, 2004... Next time you're at the circus or a county fair, watch the jugglers. The juggling usually starts with just one object rhythmically bobbing up and down. Soon the jugglers add a second, then a third, and sometimes a fourth or more. How do they do...

Don't fear Big Remodeler Inc. There's a lot we can learn about business from the big dogs.(Commentary)
November 1, 2004... Recently, I talked with a friend and fellow remodeling company owner. He was furious that another, much larger remodeling company had, in his mind, tried to poach one of his longtime employees. I don't know if the employee was approached or...

Raising the customer service bar.(Ways + Means)
November 1, 2004... The good news is there are a thousand options. The bad news is there are a thousand options," is what Tricia Sinn tells her clients in regard to product selection. That bit of news, from the customers' perspective, might be enough to send them...

Charting a course.(Ways + Means)
November 1, 2004... Ken Kumph, owner of Premier Builders was disturbed by the subjectivity in his company's yearly employee review process. "We'd sit down and talk using boiler plate questions." be says, which would "prompt discussion about things like reliability...

ByLaw: understanding financing--part two.(Ways + Means)
November 1, 2004... Very often, the ability to offer financing options to your customers is a significant factor in closing the sale. In part one of this series (September 2004), we reviewed open-end credit and direct closed end credit. Here, we examine perhaps...

Base pay to bonuses: employees have a big incentive to stay put.(Bottom Line)
November 1, 2004... Steve Farrell, president of The Farrell Co., Los Altos, Calif., pays his field crew a lower-than-average base salary, and they like it. That's because he then hands out yearly bonuses--big ones. Last year he distributed one that more than...

Overtime regulations.(Bottom Line)
November 1, 2004... The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires overtime pay at time and one-half the regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 hours in a workweek. There is no requirement for extra pay for weekend or night work unless it contributes to a...

Add one cube, stir architects.(Sales + Marketing)
November 1, 2004... Architects are intrigued by origami. And by high-profile architects. Contractor David Adams discovered that with a unique marketing gimmick that has roots in the sixth-century Asian art of paper folding. It helps that the gimmick also depicts...

The craft of cross-cultural sales.(Sales + Marketing)
November 1, 2004... Working with diverse cultures requires understanding how individuals in those cultures make decisions. If you don't, you risk losing business and turning off prospects. Here's how I've worked with people of diverse cultures. * Empathize....

Have a nice trip.(Sales + Marketing)
November 1, 2004... Looking for a way to close sales or spur salespeople on to closing more business? Consider MVI Marketing's "Mini Vacations" (www.minivacations.com). For as little as $5, you can offer prospects or employees two-night stays in three-star hotels....

House of cards.(Sales + Marketing)
November 1, 2004... A card deck service that targets owners of homes valued at more than $500,000 has returned solid leads for Washington, D.C.--area remodelers. RSVP card decks package 3 1/2-by-5 1/2-inch direct mail postcards promoting a variety of products...

Building futures.(Field Notes)
November 1, 2004... The Florida Home Budders Association (FHBA) recently launched the National Future Builders of America (FBA) construction education program. "Through the FBA program, we can identify students interested in construction and provide them...

Trash to truck.(Field Notes)
November 1, 2004... Three years ago, the city of Kensington, Md., stopped allowing Dumpsters on N streets. In nearby Rockville, a $1,500 bond for Dumpsters on the street is now required. Contractors must also submit a plan to the city review committee to explain...

Hiring right.(Field Notes)
November 1, 2004... Upper-level field staff should be included in the hiring process for a new employee who will become part of their team. Most lead carpenters are not familiar with hiring. Here are a few tips to help them evaluate potential employees during an...

Color primer, Part 2.(By Design)
November 1, 2004... Choosing the right colors for a space can be a complicated process. Ultimately, the needs of the space and preferences of the client, not a canned formula, will lead to the best solution. Still, there are a few facts and rough guidelines that...

Match CAD to the job.(Tech@Work)
November 1, 2004... To Bill Millhollandd, vice president of the design/build and kitchen divisions at Case Design/Remodeling, the look of a CAD drawing can be "cold and not very friendly." Plus it can convey a sense of "this is the answer" to a client, when what...

Build that wall.(Tech@Work)
November 1, 2004... Internet advertisers want to bombard you with pop-up ads. Hackers might need to "borrow" your computer to mount an attack on another server. Or they might be "phishing" for credit card numbers. Or not. A good percentage of Internet mischief is...

Into the archives.(Good Form)
November 1, 2004... As anyone who has ever been audited by the IRS can tell you, it's important to keep a paper trail. Then again, as anyone who has ever had a home office can tell you, keeping too much stuff is no good either. The middle ground is ideal. Job...

Profile: Carl Hyman.(Close Up)
November 1, 2004... Alure Home Improvements of Hicksville, N.Y., attributes its growth from a sales volume of $18 million in 2002 to $27 million in 2004 to Partner Points, a program that promotes repeat and referral business. About 12 years ago, president Carl...

Second look: Candi and Troy Hilton.(Close Up)
November 1, 2004... This past spring, Stilwell, Kan., remodelers Candi and Troy Hilton (Big50 2003) started planning for the future. Avid sailers and more comfortable in warmer climes, they decided that in 15 years they'd shut down their business and retire. By...

Should customers pay for change orders up front?(Face Off)
November 1, 2004... PAY NOW Paying up front makes customers absolutely certain they want the change. If they change their mind, and any fees apply, they still pay. This also guarantees they can afford the upgrade, and we don't have to chase after the money...

Q + A: how do you encourage and incorporate staff-initiated policies?(Internal Medicine)
November 1, 2004... LARRY SCHERMICK Schermick Construction Wernersville, Pa. Big50 2003 We have certain standard jobsite procedures, but we encourage our staff to find better and timesaving ways. Once they determine a better solution, we examine...

2004 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 60 markets.(Cover Story)
November 1, 2004... This is the eighteenth anniversary of REMODELING'S Cost vs. Value Report, which compares the cost-to-construct for a selection of common remodeling projects with the added value those projects bring at re sale. This year's report expands to 18...

For love & money: should husband-and-wife remodeling partners renew their wedding vows--with a couple of new phrases thrown in?
November 1, 2004... So what if you can't recite your vows after all these years. You remember the gist. "For better or worse, hi sickness and in health. In accounts payable and receivable." Wait. What was that last one? Doesn't sound familiar? Well, if you and...

The business of design/build.
November 1, 2004... In June, six design/build remodelers met at the site of the Andersen inHOME, overlooking the mountains of the Park City, Utah, ski resort. The occasion was a series of roundtable discussions among architects, builders, and remodelers to follow...

End of the selling cycle.(Management)
November 1, 2004... We've covered prospecting, the initial contact, qualifying the client, the presentation, and meeting objections and concern. The final two steps of the seven-step selling cycle are closing the sale and referrals. Closing the sale. If...

Dual heat.(Management)
November 1, 2004... Remodeler Byron Ledworowski installed a combination radiator/towel warmer to bring heat and comfort to a client's kitchen. The owner of Li'L American Builders, Middleton, Wis., was originally going to use radiant floor heat, but the floor...

Kitchen and bath market.(Management)
November 1, 2004... The following facts and figures are from the 2004 Kitchen & Bath Business Market Forecast and the latest forecasts from the NAHB. For more information or to order the full 2004 KBB Market Forecast Report, visit www.kitchen-bath.com/mf or call...

New year hues.(Management)
November 1, 2004... Industry experts at the Color Marketing Group have selected the color palette for homes in 2005--colors that "convey a respectful, serious nature, yet touch the soul." CMG's color professionals noted that the "spa" experience adds a spiritual...

Progress.(Bathroom Lighting)
November 1, 2004... The Provence Collection was designed in concert with Thomasville Furniture. The one-light sconce, shown, features an etched umber mist glass shade that gracefully complements the rugged Old Crackle bronze finish. The lamp can be mounted up or...

Schonbek.(Bathroom Lighting)
November 1, 2004... For an opulent look, the Rondelle Crystal Bath Bar is a stunning choice. The lights are adorned with garlands of clear, faceted crystal beads, and an ornamental leaf-and-flower accent in the center adds a delicate effect. The crystals are...

UltraLights.(Bathroom Lighting)
November 1, 2004... The Synergy collection boasts clean, yet rustic styling, perfect for the transitional modern interior. The company's "Design Your Own Light" option allows the homeowner to choose from a set of optional finishes, diffuser materials, and lamping...

Kichler.(Bathroom Lighting)
November 1, 2004... Shown in satin-etched glass and brushed nickel finish, this unique "swivel" light from the company's Modena family can be mounted horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, and the lights can be swiveled in any direction. 800.659.9000....

Rejuvenation.(Bathroom Lighting)
November 1, 2004... From the company's series of Classic era fixtures, the St. Helens is a faithful adaptation of original style. Easily customizable, the sconce is available in any combination of 72 shades and 12 finishes, including burnished antique and...

Robern.(Bathroom Lighting)
November 1, 2004... The MLLWS collection is clean and contemporary without being sterile. Offered in polished chrome and brushed nickel, the fixtures' angular lines give a strong, sleek look. The sconces are constructed of solid brass and use 100-watt incandescent...

Pre-fab deck railings: railing systems make easier work of finishing off a deck.(Decks)
November 1, 2004... In the past decade, a wide variety of residential deck railing systems have entered the market, replacing site-made wood components with PVC, polyurethane, stainless steel, aluminum, cable, and glass. Nearly all of the makers of composite...

This old vinyl.(Siding)
November 1, 2004... When customers ask a remodeler what's to be done with ailing vinyl, the immediate answer seems to be: not much. Old vinyl or aluminum exteriors aren't like wood-based cladding, which can be completely restored with some energetic scraping...

Goal tending.(Siding)
November 1, 2004... Q: I want to sell more. What should I do? A: The three most important things about goal setting are to have goals, write them down, and see that someone holds you accountable. Before picking a new goal, figure out the following: (1)...

First-class fiberglass.(Trends)
November 1, 2004... When it comes to remodeling an entryway, it's unlikely that a homeowner will want to replace an old wood door with a new wood door. According to research conducted by Therma-Tru, wood doors are replaced by steel or fiberglass doors 58% of the...

Sealed with a SIP.(Trends)
November 1, 2004... The race toward the energy-efficient home is on, and it looks like SIPs are gaining ground. Structural insulated panels consist of an expanded polystyrene core sandwiched between two OSB panels. According to a survey conducted by the Structural...

Propane power.(Trends)
November 1, 2004... Could propane be the saving grace for homeowners who want to save energy and money? "Heating water is about 20% [of a home's] annual energy cost. Switching to propane or gas can save homeowners money," says Jim Hitzemann, chairman of the...

That's personal.(Reader's Choice)
November 1, 2004... Being able to offer clients something your competitors can't is a real coup. That's part of what made Todd Jackson take notice when he first heard about My Design Build Project. MBDP is a Web-based service that allows a remodeler to provide...

Glossed over.(Reader's Choice)
November 1, 2004... Stephen Ortado of Historic Structures specializes in restoration projects, so he's not looking for quick and easy when it comes to products. Case in point: He uses a paint that most contractors wouldn't touch. He first discovered Dutchlac...

Subtle soffit vents.(On The Job)
November 1, 2004... We pay as much attention to the quality of our exterior trim as we do the interior trim on the upscale houses we build, so we don't want to see ugly strip vents or round metal button vents messing up the soffits. Instead, we've come up with a...

DeWalt.(Power Tools)
November 1, 2004... With a 10-amp motor that delivers up to 2,800 strokes per minute, the DW304PK reciprocating saw is designed for heavy-duty work. The four-position blade clamp allows for flush cutting, while the keyless lever-action blade change allows the user...

Makita.(Power Tools)
November 1, 2004... The LS1214F 12-inch miter saw is equipped with a fluorescent light to illuminate the cutting surface. The portable saw boasts precision bevel cutting up to 45 degrees left and right with a new positive stop at 33.9 degrees left. A pivoting...

Senco.(Power Tools)
November 1, 2004... The cordless DuraSpin DS275-18V screwdriver enjoys a 3,000 rpm motor and drives 50 1- to 3-inch screws between reloads, using DuraSpin collated fastening strips. A reverse switch backs out driven screws. It comes with two 18-volt batteries,...

Ridgid.(Power Tools)
November 1, 2004... The compact head of the R82233 12-volt Right-Angled Impact Driver makes it easy to reach awkward spaces. The driver boasts a variable-speed reversing switch and a 1/4-inch quick coupler, as well as an ergonomic handle covered in a rubberized...

Ryobi.(Power Tools)
November 1, 2004... With a thin barrel designed to be easy for one-handed trimming, the TR45 Laminate Trimmer weights in at only 3 pounds with an upgraded 4.5-amp motor. Complete with separate bases for laminate trimming and woodworking, the trimmer runs at 25,000...

Powers fasteners.(Rough Hardware)
November 1, 2004... Adding to the company's Tapper series is the 410 Stainless Steel Concrete Screw Anchor. Available in a number of Perma-Seal colored coatings, it boasts Class 4 corrosion resistance and is designed for a multitude of exterior applications,...

Screw products.(Rough Hardware)
November 1, 2004... Long-Length Screws are similar to self-drilling structural screws but with a smaller wire size, usually in the #8 to #14 range. Countersinking heads and self-drilling points make them suitable for driving into hard, dense materials without...

Simpson strong-tie.(Rough Hardware)
November 1, 2004... Model H14 is a high uplift hurricane tie designed to meet the requirements of new building codes in areas of high wind speed. It is rated at 1,350 pounds of uplift using Douglas fir or 1,465 pounds of uplift using Southern pine, installed to...

Bostitch.(Rough Hardware)
November 1, 2004... Thickcoat galvanized fasteners have 2 1/2 times the zinc of conventional electro-plated fasteners and have both a chromate and a polymer coating for added performance. They are designed to protect against corrosive pressure-treated ACQ lumber....

Stud claw.(Rough Hardware)
November 1, 2004... Drywall Backer Spring Clips, available in 1/2-inch corner and 3-inch ceiling styles, install without nails or tools. Sharp talons on the wire clips grip the framing. The clips eliminate unnecessary corner stud framing or blocking to allow full...

James Hardie building products.(Gypsum, Underlayment, and Backerboard)
November 1, 2004... Hardibacker the backerboard's proprietary fiber-cement formula resists rotting, swelling, and deterioration when exposed to water. The lightweight board is non-abrasive and easy to score and cut, says the maker. It is offered in 1/4-and...

Wedi GmbH.(Gypsum, Underlayment, and Backerboard)
November 1, 2004... Wedi (pronounced "veddy") board consists of an extruded polystyrene Styrofoam core, glass fiber mesh, and cementicious coating. Part of a system designed to be used in any traditional backerboard application, the panels are lightweight and...

United States Gypsum Co.(Gypsum, Underlayment, and Backerboard)
November 1, 2004... Made from 95% recycled materials, Fiberock Aqua Tough interior panels can be used in wet areas, including tub surrounds, as well as for traditional drywall applications. The panels' gypsum fiber technology makes them water-resistant inside and...

BPB.(Gypsum, Underlayment, and Backerboard)
November 1, 2004... GlasRoc is a pliable sheathing constructed of reinforcing glass mats embedded in a water-resistant gypsum core under a paperless polymer-modified gypsum surface. Available in 1/2- and 5/8-inch panels, the mold- and mildew-resistant sheathing is...

G-P gypsum.(Gypsum, Underlayment, and Backerboard)
November 1, 2004... Glass mats on the front and back of a moisture-resistant core give DensGlass Silver residential sheathing superior moisture and mold resistance, says the maker. It has been tested (per ASTM D 3273) to significantly reduce the risk for mold. The...

Stairs, molding, and millwork.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2004... When remodeling a home, it's easy to get caught up in the big decisions. But when you give proper consideration to the fine details as well, the home achieves a cohesive beauty that is sure to make a lasting impression. The details can be found...

Best estimates: a good estimator is methodical but creative, someone who relies on vision and attention to detail in equal measure.(BenchMark)
November 1, 2004... Sound estimating is the backbone of any remodeling business, whether you bid competitively or negotiate a design/build contract. We spend a lot of time benchmarking financial standards and processes: estimating deserves equal attention. ...