Remodeling articles from September 2002

Remodeling archives from September 2002

It's fall, and the livin's not so easy. (First Word).
September 1, 2002... By the time you read this, Labor Day will have come and gone. Like the sun setting behind your beach umbrella, Labor Day signals the end of summer and sounds the official call back to business. It's a time of year that can sneak up on a...

Join the clubs. (Call back: the sound and the fury ...).
September 1, 2002... Thanks for a wonderful editorial on the value of trade association membership ("Guilt and Associations" July 2002, page 11). As a paid staff member of a local NARI chapter, I am constantly amazed at the size of this industry vs. the number of...

Telemarketing restrictions proposed. (News+Notes).
September 1, 2002... The Federal Trade Commission has proposed changes to its Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) that include the creation of a national do-not-call registry. Such a registry could potentially make it illegal for some home improvement companies to call...

California considers mandating mold coverage. (News+Notes).
September 1, 2002... The California legislature is considering a bill that would prohibit insurance companies from excluding mold claims from liability and property policies issued in the state. Introduced by State Senator Deborah Ortiz, the bill, according to...

City, county partner on rehab codes. (News+Notes).
September 1, 2002... St. Louis and St. Louis County, Mo., are developing codes to govern renovation work specifically, and they're working together to make sure their two codes are "as similar as possible," the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. Like in many...

Falling water lifted. (News+Notes).
September 1, 2002... An $11 million restoration project to save Falling Water, the 1936 Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece located 70 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, from falling into Bear Run has been completed, restoring the world-famous house to near original...

LP to sell half of business. (News+Notes).
September 1, 2002... Portland, Ore.-based building product giant LP has announced plans to divest itself of nearly half of its operations, citing a new growth strategy and the need to significantly reduce its $840 million debt. The firm currently operates 60 lumber...

Habitat home repair. (News+Notes).
September 1, 2002... Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro (N.C.) is securing funding to add home repair work to its services for low-income residents, the Greensboro News Record reported. The program would work in the same way their home building program...

Mixed signals. (Market Watch).
September 1, 2002... CONSUMER CONFIDENCE WANES Consumer confidence fell again in July, according to The Conference Board. Corporate accounting scandals, stock market woes, and the lack of meaningful job growth are making consumers more guarded. The increased...

Endless opportunity: as the remodeling market grows, the demand for special skills and services takes many different forms. (Commentary).
September 1, 2002... As remodeling expenditures grow, as both new and existing home sales continue to be strong, and as the size and use of the home increases and changes, remodeling as an industry becomes more complex. With expenditures estimated at $185 billion...

Design/build or build/design? Just because you design and build doesn't necessarily make you design/build. (Commentary).
September 1, 2002... It's not often you get 50 top notch design/build remodelers in one room. And it happens even less frequently that they agree to share their hard-won insights. But that's what happened at a recent meeting I participated in. Let me give you the...

Find your style: despite the drawbacks, a practice is perfect for this remodeler. (Commentary).
September 1, 2002... We all know there are differences in the way each of us runs his business, but I'm not sure we could easily identify what type of business is best or most appropriate for ourselves. The question I've wrestled with is, Do I want a practice or an...

Getting help: employee personal problems can wreak havoc on your productivity. But there is a way to help them help themselves--and you. (Ways+Means).
September 1, 2002... You've noticed an employee is showing up for work later and leaving the job earlier. He's someone who's worked at your company for 10 years, always performed well, and gotten good evaluations. Yet lately his mind's been in other places. He...

The right fit. (Ways+Means).
September 1, 2002... Every day, remodeling company owners struggle to find ways to improve the bottom line and build a sustainable company. Finding excellent employees is a significant part of this struggle. According to recent research, the cost of hiring the...

Saving the dragon: a historic restoration challenge: restoring the historic home of American design icon Russel Wright requires innovative thinking by a professional contractor. (Special Advertising Section).
September 1, 2002... It's called Dragon Rock, an II-level home built into a granite cliff in Garrison, N.Y., by the most influential home and lifestyle designer of his time. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this real-world model of Russel...

Project specs. (Special Advertising Section).
September 1, 2002... Completed in 1961, Dragon Rock is a 3,000-square-foot home located within Manitoga, a 75-acre estate in Garrison, NY., owned by American designer Russet Wright and his wife, Mary. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Dragon Rock...

Product specs. (Special Advertising Section).
September 1, 2002... The restoration of Dragon Rock included the installation of a complete, state-of-the-art heating and cooling system. Lennox supplied the home's original heating system, as specified by Russet Wright. For the restoration project, the company...

Liabilities. (BottomLine).
September 1, 2002... How to Read a Balance Sheet (Part 3) The true measure of a company's value is equity, which is the difference between assets--all that a company owns--and liabilities--all that a company owes. This third and final look at the balance sheet...

MarketingWorkshop/Before+After. (Sales+Marketing).
September 1, 2002... Redesign Rating: 8, on a scale of 10. Critique courtesy of Janet Wagner, Ph.D., Associate Chair of Marketing, R.H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, www.rhsmith.umd.edu. Wagner holds a B.A. in graphic design from Cornell...

Lead tracking prompts marketing re-focus. (Sales+Marketing).
September 1, 2002... After learning from tracking sheets that 87% of his leads came from referrals, Jay Van Deusen re-allocated marketing dollars to hit those who give him most of his business. One way Van Deusen Construction of Bel Air, Md., does that is to...

Good guide. (Sales+Marketing).
September 1, 2002... HartmanBaldwin Inc., a Claremont, Calif., design/build remodeler, has invested $4,000 in research, development, and printing of the Home Remodeler's Survival Guide. It's a 24-page booklet aimed at positioning the $5 million-a-year company as...

Little helpers. (Field Notes).
September 1, 2002... The pint-sized clients of Woodenwings Builders, Palo Alto, Calif., receive special treatment during the remodel of their homes. Employees give each child a Woodenwings T-shirt and hardhat. The crew tells the kids they are junior members of the...

Blade runner. (Field Notes).
September 1, 2002... When remodeler Ron Trull was looking for a part-time person to run errands and deliver materials to jobsites, the owner of Trull Building Company in Newton Square, Pa., ran an ad in the local paper for a "carpenter/runner" His first and only...

Jobsite safety. (Field Notes).
September 1, 2002... Anyone who has stepped on a nail, cut a finger, or been seriously injured knows that accidents happen in the blink of an eye. Most jobsite accidents involve situations that could have been controlled with little or no expense and can be...

Trend watch: what are the hot design features your clients are asking for? (By Design).
September 1, 2002... Q+A KAREN KING Home Rebuilders Atlanta Collectively our account managers and architects provided me with their thoughts on what they are asked for the most. Here's a short list: * Master suite additions. People are...

Pocket camera. (Tech@Work).
September 1, 2002... Fed up with $400 in monthly film developing and after failed efforts to share a digital camera among five employees, remodeler A.J. Paron-Wildes bought PalmPix attachments for their m105 Palm handheld organizers. The affordable digital cameras...

Same page. (Tech@Work).
September 1, 2002... Miscommunication is a prime reason remodelers get into trouble. For about $6 per month per user, Intranets.com provides an easy way to put everyone on the same page. An Intranet.com site lets you make job photos, change orders, schedules,...

Profile: Hank Jaworowski. (Close Up).
September 1, 2002... Hank Jaworowski (Big50 1999) moonlights. Not building porches or repairing roofs, but teaching. Call it Remodeling 101. The lesson he tries to get through to his students--who are mostly homeowners about to undertake a remodeling...

Second look: Evelyn Yowell. (Close Up).
September 1, 2002... When Evelyn Yowell was named to the Big50 in 1998, she was the chief operating officer at J.J. Swartz. Now, Tom Swartz's "righthand woman" of 23 years (six as COO), has purchased his 12-employee, Bloomington, Ill., branch office. Yowell will...

Should I offer overtime to my employees? (Face Off).
September 1, 2002... OVERTIME IS MONEY We guarantee our employees a 40-hour workweek year round and provide them with overtime opportunities almost every week. Approximately half of our field staff takes advantage of the overtime option. I know if I...

Just saying no: how do you decline to take on a client you have reason to suspect will be difficult? (Solutions: Big50 answers to big business questions).
September 1, 2002... KEN SPEARS Ken Spears Construction Shabbona, Ill. Big50 1999 A full 85% to 90% of our work is referral, so we don't get too many bad prospects. When we do, I tell them we're not quite clicking, or we wouldn't make a good...

Sound decisions. (Outside The Box).
September 1, 2002... Next September, when the FAA shuts down airspace over Wichita, Kan., Cheryl Stearns will step from a gondola carried two and half hours skyward by a 365-foot-high Mylar helium balloon. At 130,000 feet, Stearns won't think about the sponsors and...

Looking in: a view of remodeling from inside the home improvement industry. (Outside The Box).
September 1, 2002... In his 12 years at the helm of Steven Cabinets in Minneapolis, the custom cabinetry firm his father started in 1964, Doug Steven has learned a lot about working with general contractors. With some he has an ongoing, mutually beneficial...

Renaissance 2002.
September 1, 2002... The winners of this year's Renaissance Design Competition showcase projects that reflect the commitment and vision of design and construction professionals. From a row house update to a barn-to-office conversion to an ocean-front bungalow, the...

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).
September 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...

All CAD all the time: how an architectural firm made 3-D computer-aided design central to its design process, from client presentation through project completion.
September 1, 2002... Mention CAD in any design shop and you'll receive mixed reactions. Many designers have used computer-aided design, found it cumbersome, and returned to hand-drawn images. Or, they use some combination of hand-drawn and computer-aided...

Different strokes: there are as many forms of construction management as there are firms that supply the service. Would it work for you?
September 1, 2002... Back in the early '90s, Chicago-area general contractor John Harty of John G. Harty Ltd. considered the custom home contract he'd just signed a godsend. A recession was on, construction spending was slow, and Harty's company was only just...

Working with out-of-towners: with careful planning and the right technology, remodelers can manage jobs for absentee clients.
September 1, 2002... Working with out-of-town clients requires the perfect combination of trust, planning, communication, and technology. Remodelers who routinely work with faraway clients have learned to set up a communication structure that keeps jobs flowing...

Metal craft. (Details).
September 1, 2002... Legacy Custom Builders in Scottsdale, Ariz., transformed an outdated bathroom into this rustic retreat. The focus of the room is a hand-made galvanized steel sink with copper tubing faucets. The homeowner took the lead on finding just the right...

Mark Richardson: set the agenda. (Details).
September 1, 2002... Q: How can I get clients to make product selection decisions on time? A: I often think we remodelers are therapists as much as we're craftsmen. Therapists know the biggest cause for stress is feeling overwhelmed. The remodeling process,...

Showroom showdown: do you own or lease your showroom and why? (Management).
September 1, 2002... Q+A DEWITT BEAL DeWitt Designer Kitchens Studio City, Calif. Lease. I had to lease because I couldn't buy a place in the location I wanted. When I decided to lease, the principal thing I researched was the "life," or traffic,...

Bath fixtures and faucets. (Spec Book).
September 1, 2002... The latest bathroom products are helping homeowners relax and get away. Whirlpool tubs with air jets and customizable shower systems fit nicely side by side, while unobtrusive faucet and sink designs offer graceful lines and soothing curves. A...

Spinning vinyl warranties: warranties can help close sales and build a strong customer base. But they also may end up costing you. (Siding).
September 1, 2002... Michael Houar, owner/president of Hawaiian Repair & Remodeling in Wailuku, Hawaii, offers customers a five-year labor and workmanship warranty on the vinyl siding jobs his company does. Vinyl siding jobs make up about 20% of the company's $1.5...

Cross sell sunrooms and windows. (Windows).
September 1, 2002... Kip Lee and his wife, Sandy, are the ideal sunroom franchisees. Lee worked for various retailers' sell/furnish/install programs and several sunroom operations before opening his own company, Coastal Empire Exteriors, three years ago in...

Phil Rea: fax me up. (Windows).
September 1, 2002... Q: Is there ever a time to e-mail or fax a proposal? If so, when? A: There are two times when that's appropriate: The first is when you don't give a hoot if you get the job or not. The second, when it's almost impossible to meet with the...

Forward thinking: Andersen Windows' Project Odyssey offers a look at the future of windows. (Trends).
September 1, 2002... In the future, residential windows may not just be openings that let in light and views. At least not if Andersen Windows has anything to do with it. In addition to researching and developing windows that are stronger, more efficient, and...

Hot flashing. (Trends).
September 1, 2002... Building on the success of its FlexWrap window flashing, DuPont Tyvek Weatherization Systems has unveiled a companion product, StraightFlash. Used together, the two products are designed to protect pesky window openings that can be subject...

Radar love. (Trends).
September 1, 2002... In an industry where Mother Nature's mood can make the difference between a finished roof and a wasted day, it's important for remodelers to have accurate, up-to-date weather information. A new tool for your cell phone is offering just that....

Over haul. (Trends).
September 1, 2002... The truck of your dreams is coming to a town near you. For the second year in a row, TOOLS OF THE TRADE magazine, a sister publication of REMODELING, has teamed up with Ford, Porter-Cable, DrillDoctor, and other sponsors to develop and build...

Big Fan. (Reader's Choice).
September 1, 2002... As part of an overall effort to offer energy-efficient products, the LGR Group installs Panasonic bath fans, most of which carry the Energy Star label. But in addition to energy efficiency, "the Panasonic fan is the quietest on the market and...

Sink or swim. (Reader's Choice).
September 1, 2002... The hand-crafted and hand-painted sinks from Le Bijou allow Chip Buttrill to offer his higher-end clients a unique touch. The company's porcelain sinks and other bath fixtures are available in stock patterns or can be custom-painted with...

Measure up. (Reader's Choice).
September 1, 2002... The Pocket Dimension Master measures interior distances with the push of a button, delivering an instant digital readout with 99% accuracy up to 50 feet, according to the maker. "I can measure any walled space in two seconds by simply standing...

Working with synthetic wood. (On the Job).
September 1, 2002... Plastic wood. Sounds like an oxymoron. But recently a homeowner asked me to replace rotting entrance door kickboards with a material that looks like wood but won't soak up moisture. And it had to hold paint. Forever. WHAT IT IS My...

Ceramic tile: as the technology behind porcelain tile develops, manufacturers are fabricating more realistic stone looks. (In Focus).
September 1, 2002... Like many decorative finishes, ceramic tile often is designed to mimic another material. In most cases, that other material is stone. Thanks to improving technologies and new innovations, manufacturers are developing convincing new stone looks,...

Glidden. (Paints & Stains).
September 1, 2002... The Language of Color color-grouping system is based around color psychology and groups more than 600 of the company's main colors into four mood-inspired collections--Calm, Fresh, Vibrant, and Warm. The paints in each group share similar...

Devine Color. (Paints & Stains).
September 1, 2002... Developed by artist Gretchen Schauffler, the Valley Vineyard & Spices acrylic latex paint line features rich, earthy colors inspired by the American Northwest. The palette features 12 vibrant colors, including Merlot, Sangria, and Cayenne....

Behr. (Paints & Stains).
September 1, 2002... No. 300 WaterProofing Wood Protector is formulated with an alkyd/acrylic technology that combines the penetration and protection of an oil-based product with the fast drying time and easy clean up of water-based products, says the firm. The...

Benjamin Moore. (Paints & Stains).
September 1, 2002... The Serenity Collection includes 48 colors designed to enhance tranquility inside the home. All the colors in the collection coordinate with each other. The company also offers a color combination tool with eight color schemes, including...

Andek. (Paints & Stains).
September 1, 2002... Polaseal EFM siloxane-based sealer penetrates the pore structure of wood in one coat to repel rain, moisture, pollutants, salt, and fungi. The formulation also acts as a fire retardant. (888) 462-6335. www.andek .com. Circle no. 113. ...

Thompson's. (Paints & Stains).
September 1, 2002... Water Seal Advanced Maximum Strength One-Coat water-proofer is a one-coat formula that can be applied on damp, freshly cleaned surfaces, allowing the user to clean and protect a deck in the same day. Clear and natural formulations provide two...

Dutch Boy. (Paints & Stains).
September 1, 2002... The Twist & Pour all-plastic paint container features an easy-pour spout and exterior molded handle that allow for easier, controlled pouting. The twist-off lid eliminates the need to open with a screwdriver and provides a tight seal to extend...

California paints. (Paints & Stains).
September 1, 2002... This 2010 100% acrylic latex interior paint collection offers one-coat hiding, including covering black paint with white in one coat, the maker says. The paint's scrubbability allows for stain removal on all three sheens: flat, eggshell, and...

Sherwin-Williams. (Paints & Stains).
September 1, 2002... Among the company's new contractor sales tools is a redesigned fan deck that is larger, fits ergonomically into the hand, and is organized by saturation level. The company has added a range of new colors to its palette, including a selection of...

Sto. (Paints & Stains).
September 1, 2002... Designed to finish taped and bedded wallboard surfaces, the DecorTex acrylic coating system can be color coated and dry in less than one hour. The durable finish, which dries to an eggshell luster, is available in a range of styles or can be...

Cabot. (Paints & Stains).
September 1, 2002... Designed for professional users, Pro. V.T. 100% acrylic solid color stain is heavily pigmented and thick to deliver greater opacity than traditional color stains, the maker says. The formulation will cover previously painted and stained...

Minwax. (Paints & Stains).
September 1, 2002... Super Fast-Drying Polyurethane floor finish dries 25% faster, allowing contractors to complete top-coating jobs in one day, the maker says. Formulated for interior hardwood floors, this oil-based finish comes in clear satin, clear semi-gloss,...

Flextherm. (Radiant Floor Heating).
September 1, 2002... The Flextherm floor-heating system uses heating cables and an electronic thermostat. The cables are 2-millimeters thick and are available in 120 volts and 240 volts. The thermostat features a ground fault circuit interrupter. (800) 353-9843....

Warmly yours. (Radiant Floor Heating).
September 1, 2002... The company's radiant floor heating system comes in mesh-backed mats or rolls that can be trimmed and turned to fit the space. The system is controlled by a basic digital thermostat or by an advanced model that allows users to program settings...

EasyHeat. (Radiant Floor Heating).
September 1, 2002... Warm Tiles electric floor warming systems come in pre-terminated lengths with factory-sealed connections and can be used for 120- and 240-volt applications. The system can be installed directly onto plywood, concrete, or backerboard subfloors....

Consolidated Plumbing Industries. (Radiant Floor Heating).
September 1, 2002... Designed for fast, efficient installation, the Basic Radiant in-floor hot water radiant heating kit includes Dura-PEX tubing and a pre-engineered, ready-to-install control panel. The system requires only an attachment to a boiler or hot water...

Nuheat. (Radiant Floor Heating).
September 1, 2002... The company's pre-fabricated electric floor-warming mats come in 60 standard sizes and can be installed under tile, marble, and natural stone floors. The product heats floors to about 84 to 88 degrees. The mats are 1/8-inch thick and will not...

Watts Radiant. (Radiant Floor Heating).
September 1, 2002... UL-listed HeatWeave Under-Floor electric radiant heat mats can be installed easily between 16-inch joist spaces. A foil-faced insulation fills joist space to improve heat transfer. The mats are available in a range of lengths. (800) 276-2419....

Wood-Mode. (First look: the newest products for the remodeling market.).
September 1, 2002... The Grand Tour cherry cabinetry is shown here with a rich Fireside finish with a black glaze, wood carvings, and moldings. It includes a French sink base, mantle hood, and a bank of tall cabinets that conceal a refrigerator and tower pantry....

Smart Sensor Technologies. (First look: the newest products for the remodeling market.).
September 1, 2002... Engineered to protect a home against flooding from plumbing leaks and accidental overflows, the FloodStopper leak-detection system automatically shuts off water when it detects a leak. The system includes low-profile electronic sensors mounted...

TEC. (First look: the newest products for the remodeling market.).
September 1, 2002... Designed to clean, restore, and protect ceramic tile and stone surfaces, the Tile & Stone Care System includes more than 20 new sealants, cleaners, colorants, and specialty products engineered to work together. The cleaners and sealers feature...

DVS Design. (First look: the newest products for the remodeling market.).
September 1, 2002... Custom hardwood switch plates are available in any configuration. The company offers more than 100 species of hardwood, including cherry, black walnut, sassafras, honey locust, and koa. The plates are finished with hand-rubbed tung oil. (717)...

Weyerhaeuser. (First look: the newest products for the remodeling market.).
September 1, 2002... High-grade hardwood flooring is manufactured with Lyptus, a fast-growing, sustainable eucalyptus hardwood. According to the company, the wood compares in density and strength to oak and beech and features a cherry tone and a grain similar to...

Reality check. (BenchMark).
September 1, 2002... Because the benchmarks established in this column are generally intended to [effect the ideal rather than the typical it's easy to lose sight of how real-world companies actually perform. The following charts show average overhead, gross...