Remodeling articles from September 2003

Remodeling archives from September 2003

Show time.(First Word)
September 1, 2003... Now is the time to be planning your trip to the 2003 Remodelers' Show, which is coming up next month at the Baltimore Convention Center. If you've been putting off the decision, there's still time to register (but hurry--the early-bird discount...

Clarification.(Call back: the sound and the fury ...)
September 1, 2003... In our June 2003 issue, we ran an article that may have been misleading ("D-I-Y More Popular Than Ever," page 23). The story and chart are factually correct. However, their juxtaposition could have led some readers to believe that the numbers...

Correction.(Call back: the sound and the fury ...)
September 1, 2003... In our July 2003 issue, we inadvertently used an outdated figure for the standard mileage rate in our example of how to calculate tax deductions for business driving ("Counting the Miles," page 42). The rate for 2003 is 36 cents, not 36.5 as we...

Remodeling industry remains strong: the housing industry "propped up" a weak economy.(News+Notes)
September 1, 2003... Despite the uncertain economy, the remodeling industry enjoyed a healthy beginning to the new millennium, with high-end projects leading the way. The biennial publication, "Measuring the Benefit of Home Remodeling," issued earlier this...

Russians, tear down those walls.(News+Notes)
September 1, 2003... As comedian Mike Myers has pointed out, Red Square is neither red, nor a square. But some day, it could be. OK, maybe not. But according to a June article in The Washington Post, more and more Russians are getting into remodeling, removing...

Pressure cooker for fastener industry.(News+Notes)
September 1, 2003... The transition away from pressure-treating lumber with CCA begins at the end of the year. The effect on the wood manufacturers is obvious. All that's certain about the implications for the fastener industry, however, is that nothing's certain....

Senate bill addresses asbestos claims.(News+Notes)
September 1, 2003... A bill that would change the way asbestos claims are handled in the United States has made its way out of committee and onto the Senate floor. The Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution (FAIR) Act of 2003 proposes the establishment of a...

Paint manufacturers stuck on warnings: stickering agreement takes effect at the end of the month.(News+Notes)
September 1, 2003... The National Paint and Coating Association and the attorneys general for 46 states have reached an agreement that should heighten consumer awareness about the dangers of lead paint. Beginning Sept. 30 and continuing for 19 months, paint...

2003 could end well.(Market Watch)
September 1, 2003... [down arrow] CONSUMER CONFIDENCE A potential roadblock for the economic rebound is the skittishness of consumers in their expectations for the performance of the economy. The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index fell nearly eight...

The showroom dilemma: operating a showroom helps you control the selection process, but it's expensive. There are alternatives.(Commentary)
September 1, 2003... A study from a few years ago reported that the average remodeling customer spends 41 weeks becoming informed about the design, process, materials, and prices of the project he or she was planning. Once these homeowners select a contractor, they...

Reaching out: two remodelers turned a family tragedy into an opportunity for spreading compassion.(Commentary)
September 1, 2003... On Monday, August 25, Lee Kimball Kitchens, Boston, was MIA. Aberjona Kitchen Center, a sister company, was out of action as well. If you d called either office that day, you'd have gotten the message that everyone was out golfing. Was...

The power of three: using three questions to frame decisions will lead to better outcomes in both your business and personal life.(Commentary)
September 1, 2003... As we analyze who our competition really is, we realize that it is not other remodeling companies. Our biggest competition comes from our clients themselves--from their other priorities, but also from their inability to make decisions. These...

Apples to oranges: buyers beware: nobody wins in a bidding war.(Commentary)
September 1, 2003... An early astronaut, Alan Shepard I think, had this to say about his moments atop the tons of equipment and explosive fuel just before liftoff: "I'm sitting here about to be launched on this great adventure, and the thought crosses my mind that...

Service 101: remodelers go back to school to learn the basics of customer service.(Ways+Means)
September 1, 2003... For all the nails pounded, siding replaced, and kitchens renovated, remodeling is still a service-based industry. And yet the basics of customer service, like having a strategy and selling it, are lost on tar too many in the business. A...

Pulling out all the stops.(Ways+Means)
September 1, 2003... If there's one truth in any industry, it's that good people don't grow on trees. So, Maurice Forde, of Forde Windows & Remodeling in Northbrook. Ill., knew he couldn't let one of his best lead carpenters just walk out the door to go into...

Making subs accountable: don't foot the bill for someone else's mistake.(Ways+Means)
September 1, 2003... The majority of oar production is done by subs, says A.J. Paron-Wildes, general manager of DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen in St. Louis Park, Minn. But without a lead-carpenter system--and lacking a stable of project managers big enough to have one...

Staff cuts run deep.(Ways+Means)
September 1, 2003... Back in 1999, the owners of Remodeling Designs in Dayton, Ohio, decided to purchase a handyman franchise. Their thinking was that the then-booming economy was bound to slow down, but that homeowners would always need odd jobs done. The handyman...

Cutting overhead.(Bottom Line)
September 1, 2003... The following is excerpted from Alan Hanbury's 1992 seminar "15 Guaranteed Ways to Cut Your Overhead by 15%." Though he taught the class 11 years ago, the same principles still apply today, especially as local economies may be experiencing...

Take my wife, please.(Tax Tips)
September 1, 2003... If you own a small business and file a Schedule C, you might be able to include health insurance as a business deduction. If your spouse works for the company on a part-time basis, you can pay him or her a nominal salary, with the extra benefit...

Courting architects.(Sales+Marketing)
September 1, 2003... When you're winning renovations that average $1.5 million, you tend to work with architects in bidding scenarios. So getting their attention matters. Kelly Wright, of Wright Brothers Builders in Westport, Conn., has discovered a way to...

Monthly marketing checkup.(Sales+Marketing)
September 1, 2003... How long does it take to know where you stand? Where your next job is coming from? How you'll meet payroll? Not as long as you might think. Don't call your accountant. Take two minutes and determine the answers yourself. You already know...

Sales prima donnas? Alon Toker knows how to avoid hiring them.(Sales+Marketing)
September 1, 2003... Alon Toker of Mega Builders Construction and Remodeling has been there. Before he downsized to selling all the jobs himself at his $3-million Chatsworth, Calif., company, he employed 18 salespeople, selling $8 million. Toker says there are...

Screen test.(Sales+Marketing)
September 1, 2003... Gary Eichhorst, owner of Eichhorst & Co. in Spring Grove, Ill., needed someone to sell the Owens Coming basement finishing system his company operates as a franchise. But instead of putting an ad in the paper and hiring someone on the basis of...

Safety tips.(Field Notes)
September 1, 2003... As a former OSHA inspector and a safety consultant for 29 years, David F. Coble, president of CTJ Safety Associates, Cary, N.C., has examined his share of employee injuries on construction and remodeling sites. Here are his top five tips for...

Hop to it.(Field Notes)
September 1, 2003... Mark Scott's crew has found a humorous way to help face difficult tasks. The staff of Mark 1V Builders in Bethesda, Md., have been passing around tapes by Brian Tracy, the motivational speaker. Tracy suggests that if you knew you had to eat a...

Making change.(Field Notes)
September 1, 2003... Ever wonder about the best way to present change orders to clients? Here are some helpful hints: Be honest about your role. Even though your job is in the field, when you're working with a client, you become a salesperson for the company....

Winning form: three Design Awards judges reveal how to produce successful contest entries.(By Design)
September 1, 2003... Design contests aren't just exercises in self congratulation. Awards gain you recognition in trade and association publications, and they provide great marketing material. How better to sell a potential customer on your design skills than to...

Quick fix?(Tech@Work)
September 1, 2003... Intuit's first effort to design a QuickBooks for contractors has so far met with mixed reviews. QuickBooks Premier: Contractor Edition adds a handful of contractor-specific features to the 2003 Premier Edition. At $499.95 for a single user...

Making time.(Tech@Work)
September 1, 2003... Do you ever waste time scouring your hard drive for important programs, folders, or files? With the Windows Quick Launch tool bar, you can take back that time. The Quirk Launch bar speeds you up by bringing your key applications and files...

Sub submittal.(Good Form)
September 1, 2003... Getting plans and specs out to subcontractors, then waiting to get bids back from them, is time-consuming," says Craig Tice, of Tice Construction in Spooner, Wis. To expedite this crucial process, the company put a bid-submittal form on its Web...

Profile: Kevin Wallace.(Close Up)
September 1, 2003... Kevin Wallace, president of Wallace Re modeling in San Francisco, was named Big50 in 1989. Even then, he had a work-description system to rival those in commercial construction. In fact, his work-description document is modeled after the...

Louis Tenenbaum.(Second Look)
September 1, 2003... I realized my important value was helping people form a strategy to live independently," says Louis Tenenbaum (Big50 1997), who closed down Access Remodeling in January 2002 to focus on this goal. "As a contractor, I gave mixed signals on my...

Should I seek work with outside architects?(Face Off)
September 1, 2003... "Letting the architect lead the way frees me up from hand-holding the client."--Mike Owings "Remodeling is about relationships between contractors and homeowners. That relationship can fail to develop when you throw in a third...

The ties that bind: how do you promote bonding between your office staff and field crews?(Solutions: Big50 answers to big business questions)
September 1, 2003... ANTHONY CERAMI Anthony James Construction Westfield, N.J. Big50 2003 From time to time, someone at our office will have something worth celebrating, and we'll do a happy hour at the end of the week. We'll all get together at...

Two Big50 remodelers recommend some page turners.(Reading List)
September 1, 2003... Patricia McDaniel Boardwalk Builders Rehoboth, Del. Big50 1998 Stewart Brand, who wrote How Buildings Learn, says what we want from a house changes as our family grows or shrinks, as the times change, as technology changes,...

A curious feline gives new meaning to the term "floored.".(Reading List)
September 1, 2003... Anna Mavrakis of TNL Design/Build remembers the frantic call: The homeowner could hear her cat meowing but couldn't find the feline anywhere. Bill Mavrakis, Anna's husband and partner in the Canton, Ohio, firm, pulled up a plywood floor...

A non-remodeler's view of the remodeling industry.(Reading List)
September 1, 2003... In his 10 years working in residential construction, Wichita, Kan., structural engineer Ken Schoenwald has learned a lot about the remodeling industry. For one, Schoenwald likes to be called in early on in a project. 'With remodeling, you...

Remodeling Design Awards 03.
September 1, 2003... This year's Remodeling Design Award judges were Jeffrey Clark, Metropolitan Design Build, St. Louis; Susan Piedmont-Palladino, Washington Alexandria Architecture Center, Virginia Tech, Alexandria, Va.; George Meyers, GTM Architects, Kensington,...

Craftsmanship: the benefits of faucets from Delta[R] Beautifully Engineered[TM].(Special Advertising Section)
September 1, 2003... It's not mystery what homeowners are looking for in their kitche and bath products--style, quality and craftsmanship. But there has been some question as to whether or not they're willing to upgrade to get it. According to professional...

Generation next: second-generation companies operate with advantages that first-generation businesses might do well to emulate.
September 1, 2003... If a lifetime--or two--precedes you in your business, you may have unique opportunities, opportunities young companies don't normally have. We talked to the owners of more than a half dozen second-generation companies about such...

Keen on Ikea: designers and homeowners are turning to Ikea for cabinetry that's cost-effective and modern.(Management)
September 1, 2003... Architect Chandler Pierce says one out of every 10 kitchens he designs features Ikea cabinets. "You are limited in size because of what Ikea produces, but if you know and understand [those limits], you can put them together it a creative way,"...

Faucets.(Spec Book)
September 1, 2003... The newest kitchen and bathroom faucets retain a traditional sensibility but sport sleek lines and modern finishes. Nickel finishes--from brushed to satin to polished--remain popular, but chrome and stainless steel still hold their own. ...

Glazed over: laminated coatings and structural improvements enhance the quality of the newest window products.(Windows)
September 1, 2003... Windows and window systems continue to evolve. Besides controlling light penetration and reducing heat loss, the new generation of windows aims to withstand gale-force winds, filter unwanted sound, and take maintenance In a whole new level, to...

Finding a siding sub.(Siding)
September 1, 2003... For many remodelers, the first and best place to look for a siding contractor is in their Rolodex, address book, or electronic equivalent. But if nothing turned up, many would do what Dennis Gehman, of Gehman Custom Homes in Harleysville, Pa.,...

Sell first, finance later.(Siding)
September 1, 2003... Q: How can I train my salespeople not to prejudge prospects? A: The house looks run down. There's a beat-up car in the driveway. You walk in and the homeowner has to clear a place for you to sit. To most salespeople, this looks like b.c.:...

Cultured cabinets.(Trends)
September 1, 2003... Nifty storage features have long been a staple of high-end "kitchen cabinets, but many manufacturers are beginning to blur the lines between custom, semi-custom, and stock. Several manufacturers have recently expanded storage options across...

Partnering for performance.(Trends)
September 1, 2003... The Energy Star designation covers more than just appliances. Many manufacturers of roofing, insulation, windows, doors, and skylights are also Energy Star partners, working to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by manufacturing...

Breathe easy: fiberglass insulation manufacturers are easing buyer worries about indoor-air quality through testing and third-party certification.(Trends)
September 1, 2003... When it comes to selecting a brand of insulation, energy savings and sound transmission are no longer the only concerns. Builders and homeowners are paying closer attention to air quality, and there is a perception among some home buyers that...

Fast frame.(Reader's Choice)
September 1, 2003... Steve George used to frame arches for his projects on site, but he got tired of the constant shape and size inconsistencies. A custom-designed, preformed arch was what he needed, so the remodeler tried The Fast Arch System. "The Fast Arch...

Turned on by Xenon.(Reader's Choice)
September 1, 2003... Daphne Carroll keeps busy designing and remodeling kitchens and baths for her clients, but she still wants to take the time to get all the details right. The remodeler tried several halogen and fluorescent under-cabinet strip lights for kitchen...

Hail beater.(Reader's Choice)
September 1, 2003... Remodeler Dean Williams installs siding in Minnesota's "hail belt," where most homeowners opt for steel siding because it can stand up to hall's impact. But Williams manages to sell vinyl when he offers his clients Nurandex's Polar Wall Plus!...

Hidden newel: disguised as a baluster, tube steel can double as a support post.(On The Job)
September 1, 2003... I was challenged as a finish subcontractor on a large remodeling project with building a staircase handrail for a stair with a 180-degree turn at a midpoint landing. The design called for a railing to run up the left-hand side along the wall,...

Ceramic tile: large tiles and bold colors have the power to transform spaces.(In Focus)
September 1, 2003... The latest trends in ceramic tiles are moving the category toward urban simplicity and comfort and away from rustic informality. The biggest movement seems to be in color. As warm, smoky chocolates, muddy grays, and other varied browns and...

Pratt & Lambert.(Paints, Stains, & Finishes)
September 1, 2003... The StainShield line of exterior stains has been expanded to include the Solid 100% Acrylic Latex Siding Stain featuring Advanced Wood Protection. The stain self-primes on new wood while blocking and hiding tannins. It also protects against...

Cabot.(Paints, Stains, & Finishes)
September 1, 2003... Cabothane acrylic urethane exterior finish is designed as a three-coat application that can be applied in one day. Suitable for exterior wood details, the finish allows vapors to permeate and resists UV light to prevent cracking, blistering,...

Martin-Senour.(Paints, Stains, & Finishes)
September 1, 2003... The Pro-Line Supreme Low Odor System of paints features an antimicrobial ingredient that inhibits the growth of microbes on the paint film's surface. The zero-VOC paints are available in flat, eggshell, semigloss, and wall-primer formulas....

Sherwin-Williams.(Paints, Stains, & Finishes)
September 1, 2003... ColorAccents Latex Flat interior paints are formulated to deliver bright, rich colors in a flat, low-sheen finish that resists scuffs, burnishing, and marring, says the maker. The product is designed to work with the company's Color-Prime...

Masterchem Industries.(Paints, Stains, & Finishes)
September 1, 2003... The KILZ Casual Colors line of paints is available in latex flat, satin, semigloss, and high-gloss finishes for interior and exterior applications. The paints come in 243 "guaranteed one-coat" colors, says the maker, and in 1,050 other colors,...

Penofin.(Paints, Stains, & Finishes)
September 1, 2003... Penetrating Oil Finish for Exotic Hardwoods resists water and provides exotic-hardwood decks with 99% UV-light protection against fading and other sun damage. Using Brazilian rosewood seed oil, pine oil, tung-seed oil, and flax oil, the finish...

Thompson's WaterSeal.(Paints, Stains, & Finishes)
September 1, 2003... WaterSeal Deck & House Latex Stains are a line of water-based stains in 67 solid and 50 transparent colors for use on most exterior wood surfaces, such as decks, siding, fences, and furniture. The stain resists fading, scuffs, mildew, and...

The Coatings Alliance.(Paints, Stains, & Finishes)
September 1, 2003... C2 interior paints, which come in 496 colors, provide light-fast and fade-resistant coverage, says the maker. Using a 16-colorant tinting system and premium raw materials, the maker provides 18-by-24-inch paint chips in all interior and...

Benjamin Moore.(Paints, Stains, & Finishes)
September 1, 2003... Waterborne Satin Impervo paint is a water-based acrylic formula that delivers the finish of an oil-based formula, the maker says, with a low luster and comparable flow and leveling characteristics to the maker's alkyd-based Satin Impervo paint....

BioShield.(Paints, Stains, & Finishes)
September 1, 2003... Terra Clay Paints for interiors are water-based, zero-VOC, low-odor finishes made from naturally occurring clays. Seven earth-toned colors are available, and the paints can be applied to plaster, drywall, concrete, brick, or previously applied...

Minwax.(Paints, Stains, & Finishes)
September 1, 2003... Designed specifically for interior hardwood floors, Water Based Polyurethane for Floors provides a durable finish that resists the effects of heavy foot traffic, the maker says. The fast-drying formula allows for recoating two to three hours...

Pactiv.(Moisture Barriers & Mold Prevention)
September 1, 2003... GreenGuard RainDrop housewrap features woven water-drainage channels that move water to the base of exterior walls. The drainage channels also facilitate airflow along the exterior face of the wrap to allow the product to dry quickly, says the...

Okon.(Moisture Barriers & Mold Prevention)
September 1, 2003... W-2 water-repellent sealer is a blend of acrylic micro-emulsions and silane-siloxane solution that penetrates and bonds to concrete and masonry surfaces, sealing them and preventing water intrusion. The formula can be applied as a one-or...

DAP.(Moisture Barriers & Mold Prevention)
September 1, 2003... Kwik Seal Plus Basement Paint with Microban anti-bacteria protection protects concrete and masonry walls, resists stain-and odor-causing bacteria, and resists mold and mildew. The ready-mixed, latex-based formula can be applied with a brash or...

Tremco Barrier Solutions.(Moisture Barriers & Mold Prevention)
September 1, 2003... The Front-Line water-protection barrier prevents water seepage and provides a water seal for aboveground portions of block or poured foundations. The acrylic elastomeric membrane can be spray-or roll-applied in a two-coat system. The cured...

Zinsser.(Moisture Barriers & Mold Prevention)
September 1, 2003... Watertite Mold & Mildew-Proof Waterproofing Paint is designed to resist 10 psi of water pressure, says the maker, and to provide a waterproof seal for basements and masonry. The oil-based formula combines a waterproofing resin with portland...

CertainTeed.(Moisture Barriers & Mold Prevention)
September 1, 2003... The MemBrain vapor retarder is a polyamide film that alters its pore size with changing relative humidity levels to allow increasing amounts of water vapor to pass through it. For use with unfaced fiberglass insulation, the film promotes the...

PlugGrip.(First look: the newest products for the remodeling market.)
September 1, 2003... The SwitchGrip is designed to give light-switch installers more control over stiff wires while keeping hands away from live wires. The tool holds on to single-pole or three-way switches with a magnet, leaving the user's hands free and helping...

3M.(First look: the newest products for the remodeling market.)
September 1, 2003... Scotch Brand Transparent Duct Tape resists water and UV light and is suitable for use in securing or repairing insulation, piping, air ducts, and more, says the maker. The tape, which can be used indoors and outdoors, is designed to tear easily...

Alum-A-Pole Corp.(First look: the newest products for the remodeling market.)
September 1, 2003... The Auto-"J"-Align helps users correctly line up a "J" channel on trim coil without pencil marks and eliminates ripples and air infiltration between the coil and the "J." The product is a strip of vinyl with the maker's Pro-Trim Tape on one...

Leviton.(First look: the newest products for the remodeling market.)
September 1, 2003... IllumaTech Dimmers/ Fan Speed Controls combine traditional rotary dimming with the maker's slim Decora design. The dimmers are available in nonilluminated and illuminated models with green LED lights and feature push-controlled on/off...

U-Line.(First look: the newest products for the remodeling market.)
September 1, 2003... The refrigerated double-drawer unit, model 2075DWRR, is a compact 24 inches wide but provides 5.5 cubic feet of storage space. Designed to be built in, the unit features the maker's Slide & Divide organizer, a clear storage bin, a removable...

Marvel Industries.(First look: the newest products for the remodeling market.)
September 1, 2003... The limited-edition Modele Rouge under-counter wine cellar features a glossy red interior with brass-plated wine racks coated to resist corrosion. The interior is visible through the door made of UV-resistant glass, which prevents UV rays from...

Franklin International.(First look: the newest products for the remodeling market.)
September 1, 2003... The maker has introduced a line of professional-grade caulks and sealants with three new advanced polymer sealants: Titebond Premium Exterior Sealant, Titebond Clear Choice Sealant, and Titebond Adhesive Sealant. The maker's solvent-free...

Kolbe & Kolbe.(First look: the newest products for the remodeling market.)
September 1, 2003... The Ultra Extruded Aluminum Clad Raised Panel door is available standard with 4 17/32-inch-wide stiles and top rails and 7 9/16-inch bottom rails. The inlaid, embossed bottom panels are made of .040 aluminum and are glazed with a sealant that...

Kuehn Bevel.(First look: the newest products for the remodeling market.)
September 1, 2003... The LaKor Solid Surface Edge for countertops combines a solid surface material with an accent strip in all array of laminates, wood veneers, or metals to coordinate with cabinetry, flooring, or appliances. The edges are available in seven...

FastCap.(First look: the newest products for the remodeling market.)
September 1, 2003... The Glu-Bot glue bottle holds 16 ounces of glue and operates without spilling or dripping by creating a vacuum in its chamber when squeezed. When the bottle is released, the glue is sucked back through the tip without clogging, says the maker....

Booked solid: being booked a year out is a good thing--or is it?(Bench Mark)
September 1, 2003... Until someone invents a foolproof just in time marketing scheme, backlog will be something remodelers worry about and homeowners learn to live with. It's what got a lot of companies through the "Great Silence" following the Sept. 11 terrorist...