Remodeling articles from November 2005

Remodeling archives from November 2005

New for 2005: new products meet remodeler, homeowner needs.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2005... Classic-Craft[R] American Style Collection[TM] Capturing an enduring trend in American residential design, Therma-Tru Doors' new Classic-Craft American Style Collection is a reflection of traditional Arts and Crafts style. The collection...

Group intelligence.(ViewPoint: FirstWord)
November 1, 2005... In 1968, the U.S. Navy began searching for the Scorpion, a submarine that had disappeared on its way back to base. The Navy had no idea how far the sub might have traveled from its last known location and so began searching a 20-mile radius of...

Web site upgrades.(.comment)
November 1, 2005... Visit our growing online community of remodelers REMODELING Online has redesigned its layout of the Cost vs. Value Report. The data is now displayed through a database so you can easily access all 22 projects and sort data with a simple...

Corrections.(ViewPoint: CallBack)(Correction Notice)
November 1, 2005... In the October issue's "A Trend Indeed" Benchmark article (page 220), we incorrectly referenced some cells in the "Budget vs. Actual" spreadsheet. The corrected version is below and can be found on our Web site, www.remodelingmagazine.com. ...

Show highlights.(ViewPoint: InPerson)
November 1, 2005... At this year's Remodeling Show in mid-October, thousands of remodelers from around the country gathered in Baltimore to take part in seminars and certification programs, network with others in the industry, and check out the hundreds of...

Breathing new life into the building arts.(ViewPoint: News+Notes)
November 1, 2005... Those lamenting the death of the American craftsman will be heartened to N hear of the opening of the American College of the Building Arts (ACBA). The school, which touts itself as the only four-year, degree-granting program of its type...

You should sweat the small stuff: Katrina study examines construction quality.(ViewPoint: News+Notes)
November 1, 2005... Houses one-mile inland escaped the devastation of Katrina's storm surge, but they still faced an invisible enemy--wind. Where the waves stopped, the wind continued. This is where a team of specialists, funded by the National Science...

Carpentry with heart: a new book provides not just a good read but insights into carpentry and life.(ViewPoint: News+Notes)
November 1, 2005... Carpenters are a complex breed. Most have--or quickly develop--a tough outer image, the better to blend into the locker-room atmosphere found on most jobsites. But beneath that shell, you'll often find the softer side of men who become attached...

Back on the bright side.(ViewPoint: MarketWatch)
November 1, 2005... After a substantial drop last quarter, residential remodeling and repairs made a nice recovery, according to the latest release of the Remodeling Activity Indicator (RAI). According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University,...

Figure this.(ViewPoint: MarketWatch)
November 1, 2005... 119.9 Metric tons of Portland cement used by the U.S. in 2004; 7% more than was used in 2003 5% Anticipated increase of cement use in 2005 compared with 2004 Source: Portland Cement Association 48% Average increase that U.S....

Three-year rule.(LOCAL FORECAST)
November 1, 2005... Economic indicators such as housing starts, employment rates, and new home sales are often recommended as a tool that contractors can use to predict future business. But there are no hard and fast rules that say how growth or stagnation in...

Better than homegrown: create a company that celebrates excellence and performance--one with a healthy (not dysfunctional) family atmosphere.(Commentary)
November 1, 2005... See if any of this sounds familiar. When you started your business, hiring another employee was a huge step. But you added a carpenter to free you up to sell jobs, order materials, and do the bookkeeping, such as it was. Over the years, you...

Three ways to grow: small changes can lead to big increases for your business.(Commentary)
November 1, 2005... If you ask a remodeler--or any businessperson, really--if he or she would like business to grow without having to spend a fortune on more marketing, few will decline. The real question isn't whether or not to grow your business, it's how to do...

Teach and ye shall learn: coaching employees allows everyone to win.(Commentary)
November 1, 2005... One of the walls of my office is covered with team pictures from the 12 or so years I spent coaching various groups of kids, from first grade to high school, in soccer and baseball, and later, lacrosse. In their younger years, there was a...

Keep covered: insurance carriers increase requirements for contractors.(YourBusiness: Ways+Means)
November 1, 2005... The insurance/risk management industry, like nature, abhors a void. If someone's not insured, the industry will find a way to fill that hole. One relatively recent innovation making its way around the nation is a requirement by many insurance...

State your case.(YourBusiness: Ways+Means)
November 1, 2005... To impart company culture to everyone at Talmadge Construction; Aptos, Calif., owner Jeff Talmadge came up with what he calls "Quiet C," a concept that he believes differentiates his company from others. "What makes us special? If I had 30...

By Law: warranty wherewithal.(YourBusiness: Ways+Means)
November 1, 2005... It can be easy to get into problems if your warranty is not in compliance with federal law--even if you are fulfilling customer claims. Generally, there are "implied" warranties and "express" warranties. Implied warranties--which are based...

On their own: how to monitor employees without baby-sitting.(People+Skills)
November 1, 2005... Many small-business owners feel that they shouldn't have to "baby-sit" their employees. After all, the people that have been hired are all professionals. They know what has to be done. They don't need monitoring. Is this a realistic or an...

On the edge: one remodeler tells how he avoided bankruptcy and pulled his company out of a financial hole.(YourBusiness: BottomLine)
November 1, 2005... In 1999, Stephen L. Nash of Upscale Remodeling in Freeville, N.Y., began taking his eight-year-old company to the next level. He moved from his home office into a rented space and hired two salespeople and an office manager. He gave himself a...

Marketing workshop.(YourBusiness: Sales+Marketing)
November 1, 2005... A strong marketing program consists of many elements that deliver a consistent message. Ken Cowan, president of Bridge Street Building & Design, Linden, Mich., says that his marketing plan includes an interactive Web site...

Put your newsletter to work.(YourBusiness: Sales+Marketing)
November 1, 2005... A quality newsletter, sent regularly, is one of the best ways to present yourself as a trusted professional. It helps you develop and maintain relationships, say thanks for referrals, make announcements, publish testimonials, and notify clients...

Know your prospect's motives.(SALES SCHOOL 101)
November 1, 2005... THE PROBLEM Salespeople often attempt to prescribe the solution to a prospect's needs before really understanding those needs. For example, a prospect says they want a bigger, brighter, more modern kitchen. Your inclination is to discuss...

Due diligence on day laborers.(YourBusiness: FieldNotes)
November 1, 2005... Remodelers around the country are wrestling with a dilemma that could be either an answer to their labor woes or a potential employment nightmare: day laborers. Many contractors see these workers, who gather on sidewalks and street corners to...

Customer service: the punch list.(YourBusiness: FieldNotes)
November 1, 2005... What makes a great client grumpy? The never-ending punch list. Remodelers tend to think that the problem is the client who keeps adding to the list. I believe the problem is usually us. By never really completing the punch list, remodelers...

A good mixer.(YourBusiness: ByDesign)
November 1, 2005... Designer and remodeler Fu-Tung Cheng wouldn't quibble with the use of Corian, granite, or Silestone in a kitchen, but he's wary of the way the kitchen and bath industry has stuck to those materials to drive design. "The industry built the idea...

Working with digital images: make the most of digital photography for jobsite documentation and improved communication.(YourBusiness: Tech@Work)
November 1, 2005... For remodelers, digital photography has less to do with cameras and more to do with communication. Using a digital camera and the Internet, issues that used to take days or weeks to resolve with meetings and site visits can now be handled in...

Profile: John McCloskey.(Big50: Close-Up)
November 1, 2005... Sky-high housing prices have pushed home ownership beyond the reach of millions of workers, including many in the remodeling field. "These people are in the business of renovating all day long," says John McCloskey (Big50 2005), who owns J....

Second look: Robyn and Michael Muscardini.(Big50: Close-Up)
November 1, 2005... After 27 years in business, Robyn and Michael Muscardini (Big50 1991) decided to sell their Oakland, Calif., company, Creative Spaces, to Dan Cohen, an employee who has been with the company since its start. The couple now resides in Sonoma and...

Should you reward your clients for referrals?(Big50: FaceOff)
November 1, 2005... They refer our company because they genuinely feel like we can help someone else with a similar project. They are not expecting anything. --Dana Jurak OUR THANKS IS ENOUGH We have considered offering rewards, particularly a...

Customer care: how do you deal with difficult clients?(Q+A)
November 1, 2005... PAUL LAROE LaRoe Remodeling Ann Arbor, Mich. Big50 1996 We try to realize that you can't change them or fix them. You have to manage the emotional roller coaster of the situation through timely communication and up-front...

Rebuilding blocks: Urbieta Construction's turnaround began with three walls and a leap of faith.(Remodeling: Before+After)
November 1, 2005... Juan and Carmen Urbieta share a successful remodeling company and a persistent, ambitious, and, so far, elusive dream: that the best is yet to come for the Huffman Historic Area of Dayton, Ohio. More than a century ago, the Huffman community...

2005 cost vs. value report: what's the payback for remodeling? Our annual report compares construction cost with resale value in 60 markets.(Cover Story)
November 1, 2005... Each year since 1988, REMODELING'S Cost vs. Value Report has compared construction costs for common remodeling projects with the value they add at resale in 60 U.S. housing markets. This year's Report has all 15 legacy projects (formerly, 10...

Top of their game.
November 1, 2005... The following eight people in key employee positions are not necessarily the best of the best--there's no way to judge that--but they are at the top of their game. They've worked in their positions long enough to surpass benchmarks, satisfy...

Protective measures: strong communication from start to finish prevents legal issues and relationship problems with homeowners.
November 1, 2005... Remodeling is by its very nature a contentious process. But there is no magic bullet to protect against run-ins with customers or, worse, with their lawyers. The best protection, many remodelers agree, is as simple as establishing the rules and...

Angled solution.(Kitchen+Bath: DesignClinic)
November 1, 2005... When Konstantin Romenskii's clients approached him to remodel two adjacent bathrooms, they were thinking of just updating the finishes. But once his crew had demolished both rooms, Romenskii had an inspiration: If he redesigned the floor plan...

Show stopper.(Kitchen+Bath: Management)
November 1, 2005... When remodeler Tracey Bail began to renovate a building for his new showroom, he knew be wanted something that would grab the attention of passersby and instantly communicate the work of Bail Home Services & Construction. He built a tower loft...

Referral-only showroom.(Kitchen+Bath: Management)
November 1, 2005... A New York supplier is responding to the demand for kitchen and bath products and design with a sleek, expansive showroom. The Lakeville Industries space in Lindenhurst holds 50 kitchen and 25 bathroom displays. "It's a brand new environment to...

Bath lighting: new styles range from functional to fanciful.(Kitchen+Bath: SpecBook)
November 1, 2005... Fashion meets functions in this season's array of bath lighting options. Matching fixture finishes is no longer a problem with the variety of nickels, steels, pewters, and bronzes available. Unique glass designs can add pizzazz to a new...

Preserving old windows: repair and maintenance, not replacement, may actually make sense.(Replacement: Windows)
November 1, 2005... In an old house with single-glass panes in rattling wooden sash, there's usually just one obvious choice--replace these sad sash windows with secure, tight, energy-efficient units that have operable screens, tilt-out options for cleaning, and...

What lies beneath: problems with roof sheathing often don't appear until tear-off.(Replacement: Roofing)
November 1, 2005... Every re-roof requires a close inspection of the substrate. Incidental roof leaks, particularly ones that go unnoticed, can delaminate plywood sheathing or cause OSB to swell. The worst cases result in patches of rot. Leaks around deteriorated...

Inspired views: glass designs boost decor.(Products: Trends)
November 1, 2005... Decorative windows and art glass are bringing a new sparkle to the window industry. Manufacturers are seeing growth in the category, particularly in the remodeling market. According to Cameron Snyder, brand public relations manager for Andersen...

Secret agents: bacteria backs off.(Products: Trends)
November 1, 2005... Germ paranoia among consumers seems to have reached an all-time high. That makes the home-improvement market a perfect breeding ground for products that promise to shield homeowners from ever-present microbes. A couple of products in particular...

Good taste: water gets prettily purified.(Products: Trends)
November 1, 2005... It's easy enough to get filtered or purified water these days. If you don't want to deal with a bottled water service, you can buy pitchers that will filter your tap water, or go one step further and add a purification system to your faucets....

Tools: powerful design maximizes the impact of this year's tools.(Products: InFocus)
November 1, 2005... Tools just keep getting better. Power tools are making the most of technology, while hand tools are employing user-friendly ergonomic designs. Here are some of the latest and best. Irwin. Vise-Grip Groove-Lock pliers adjust 50% faster than...

FastenMaster.(Rough Hardware)
November 1, 2005... TrussLok fasteners are designed for use in engineered woods, including LVL, LSL, and PSL. The screws feature a winged point that penetrates multiple layers without pre-drilling, the company says. TrussLok's thread length eliminates board...

Pam.(Rough Hardware)
November 1, 2005... The new collated PAMDrive screw ensures smoother driving, extra-long-lasting bits, no waste, and higher torque for tough flooring and decking projects, the maker says. The specially-designed six-point star recess improves bit retention. The...

Powers fasteners.(Rough Hardware)
November 1, 2005... The Snake overhead anchor offers a time-saving alternative to drop-in type anchors and features an internally threaded body and a flush-to-ceiling appearance. The Snake is easily set into a drilled hole with an impact wrench or hand socket...

Tiger Claw.(Rough Hardware)
November 1, 2005... Designed to increase safety and durability and provide a nail-free surface, the TC-5 Marine Dock and Decking hidden fastener supports different material types and lumber dimensions. The fasteners allow greater spacing between boards to improve...

Simpson strong-tie.(Rough Hardware)
November 1, 2005... The TSB Truss Spacer Bracer "captures" the on-center spacing of trusses for faster installation, the maker says. It can be used as permanent lateral bracing as well as temporary bracing, with no field modification. The TSB tube shape resists...

James Hardie.(Gypsum, Underlayment,& Backerboard)
November 1, 2005... Hardibacker cement board with MOLDBLOCK protection passes both industry standard mold tests, ASTM G21 (mold resistance) and ASTM D3273 (mold growth), with a perfect score, the maker says. Its proprietary cement formula resists rotting,...

Custom building products.(Gypsum, Underlayment,& Backerboard)
November 1, 2005... Wonderboard cement backerboard with new pre-printed, dotted grid pattern is now easier for tile installers to use. According to the company's installation specifications, the dots are placed at 6- to 8-inch intervals and serve as a guide for...

National gypsum.(Gypsum, Underlayment,& Backerboard)
November 1, 2005... Hi-Abuse XP wallboard panels feature a fire-resistant gypsum core encased in abrasion-, mold-, and mildew-resistant recycled paper on the face side and mold- and mildew-resistant liner paper on the back side. The panels score and snap easily...

Pactiv.(Gypsum, Underlayment,& Backerboard)
November 1, 2005... GreenGuard Fanfold underlayment stays flat to provide a solid, level base for new siding. The fanfold design allows for easier installation and resists cracking, denting, and tearing, the maker says. One side is printed with grid lines for...

LaFarge.(Gypsum, Underlayment,& Backerboard)
November 1, 2005... Protecta AR 100 abuse-resistant drywall features a fiberglass-enhanced, high density noncombustible gypsum core with a reinforced heavy facing paper that guards against impact, indentation, and surface abrasion, the company says. The panels cut...

Merillat.(Products: First Look: The newest products for the remodeling market.)
November 1, 2005... The stylish Civano door style brings a sophisticated touch to the company's semi-custom line. The "pillow-type" square door has a mitered molded frame construction with a raised panel and an outside bead profile. Offered in maple, cherry,...

Habersham Designs.(Products: First Look: The newest products for the remodeling market.)
November 1, 2005... Bringing rustic European charm to the kitchen is the Classical Floating Island Hood. Crafted from hardwood solids and veneers, each hood is hand-painted and finished by fine craftsmen. Shown in Old World Red, the hoods are available in a number...

St. Thomas Creations.(Products: First Look: The newest products for the remodeling market.)
November 1, 2005... The Richmond two-piece toilet features Quattro Flushing Technology, a flushing system that enables 1.6-gallon toilets to deliver the same performance as 3.5-gallon models, the maker says. The toilet's 3-inch flush valve is 125% larger than...

Samsung.(Products: First Look: The newest products for the remodeling market.)
November 1, 2005... The Four-Door Convertible Refrigerator showcases customizable storage with its four-zone system, which provides precise and independent temperature control to optimize storage for different items. Users can adjust the climate in each zone. The...

DLoG.(Products: First Look: The newest products for the remodeling market.)
November 1, 2005... The industrial Mobile PC DNeT MPC 5/110 is a full-featured mobile PC with a rugged, shock-and vibration-resistant exterior. Its coated aluminum frame protects the PC from jobsite conditions. Wireless connectivity is provided through Wi-Fi....

Martco.(Products: First Look: The newest products for the remodeling market.)
November 1, 2005... The Grid Panel System features OSB panels pre-printed with a system of cutting and nailing lines. The panels allow the user to saw a straight or angle cut without measuring and marking chalk lines. The system helps save time and labor and...

Liquid Nails.(Products: First Look: The newest products for the remodeling market.)
November 1, 2005... Ultra Duty Poly is a low-VOC, polyurethane-based construction adhesive for both interior and exterior applications. The moisture-curing adhesive works on a variety of substrates, from concrete to foam, without shrinking, staining, or sagging....

Fypon.(Products: First Look: The newest products for the remodeling market.)
November 1, 2005... Clean lines and simple formats mark the company's new line of Art Deco moldings for both interior and exterior applications. The durable urethane moldings resist splintering, decaying, insects, and water penetration and absorption....

Stairs, molding, and millwork.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2005... No matter what type of remodeling project you're working on, the details matter. Paying attention to even the smallest details will help you set your project apart from the competition and increase the value of your client's home. Finely...

What if ... when things change, will you be ready?(LastWord: BenchMark)
November 1, 2005... With all the uncertainty about the economy, now is the perfect time to play "What if" with your business. In the sample spreadsheet below, numbers in the yellow cells in the "Current" column set the baseline for the formulas in the remaining...