Remodeling articles from September 2004

Remodeling archives from September 2004

Take off.(First Word)
September 1, 2004... In one of my favorite cartoons, a Buddhist monk has removed the ribbon and wrapping paper from a birthday present and is gazing with unrestrained joy into what is obviously an empty box. In the caption, he is saying, "Nothing! Just what I...

Big50 on the Web.(Comment)
September 1, 2004... In 2005, Big50 celebrates its 20th year of recognizing top-notch contractors. Some 1,354 people now make up this special community. California boasts the most Big50 companies, with 91, followed by Maryland, with 57, then Texas, with 46. How...

Corrections.(Call Back)(Correction Notice)
September 1, 2004... A complex clerical error led us to misidentify the eight remodelers behind the quotes in the July ReaderPanel (page 91). We regret the error and send humble apologies to Jack Omelia, Richard Runnals. Jeff DeSmet. Stephen Shrock. Mike Ellis,...

The price.(In Person)
September 1, 2004... Replacement contractors face many of the same issues as full-service remodelers. No one knows this better than Dave Yoho, president of Dave Yoho Associates (www.daveyoho.com), the oldest and largest consulting group serving the home improvement...

Materials costs spur price volatility.(News+Notes)
September 1, 2004... Despite a recovering economy and other positive economic indicators like continually low interest rates, now is not the easiest time to be a remodeler. Several factors are contributing to job pricing volatility, making life difficult for...

Tip a Canoe.(News+Notes)
September 1, 2004... A duck. Apples, Very small rocks. What do these all have in common? Well, if Monty Python is to be believed, they all float in water. British sketch comedy aside, go ahead and add canoes made of concrete to the list. Really. This was...

DNC fine levied.(News+Notes)
September 1, 2004... In late June, Hayward, Calif., replacement contractor American Home Craft settled its lawsuit with the California attorney general. The company was sued in November 2003 for alleged violations of the Federal Trade Commission's Do Not Call...

Turning the tables.(News+Notes)
September 1, 2004... Anyone with an Internet connection can log on and see for themselves the customer service record of most remodelers. And there's nothing wrong with that. But what happens when the remodeler needs protection from the homeowner? Until...

Mixed bag.(Market Watch)
September 1, 2004... * WOOD PANEL AND LUMBER PRICES Tight inventories ended the early summer's relief in wood panel and lumber prices. Prices of both structural composite panels and framing lumber increased in late July and early August. Gypsum board prices...

Return to Never Never Land: larger job sizes and savvier owners make growth easier than it was 10 years ago.(Commentary)
September 1, 2004... Years ago, I suggested that bursting through the $500,000 to $750,000 volume range was one of the most difficult periods for company owners. I called that middle ground Never Never Land. If yon were trapped there, you'd never grow. But...

Culture clubs: every institution has a culture. What is yours and how do you communicate it?(Commentary)
September 1, 2004... How in the world did they do it? We were only there a week and they got us totally into doing it their way--and loving it," my old college chum Ann wondered as we retraced our travel on 1-81. We were headed home from the John C. Campbell Folk...

Ten keys to leadership: strong leaders have common traits. Where do you rank?(Commentary)
September 1, 2004... What makes for strong leadership? We all know it when we see it; the trick is to articulate what the key ingredients are. Here are 10 key elements that 1 believe form the common denominator among successful leaders in any industry. Leaders...

Master a disaster: help clients prepare for the unexpected by steering them toward the right products.(Commentary)
September 1, 2004... Hurricane Isabel cut a swath through several states in late September 2003, causing millions of dollars in property damage. As a general contractor and a professional in disaster response, I was deployed to southern Maryland as a disaster...

By the book.(Ways+Means)
September 1, 2004... When human resources questions began taking too much of his time, Richard Doyle of Bryce & Doyle Craftsmanship in Rochester, N.Y., knew he needed a company handbook. Doyle, whose $1.8-million firm has 10 employees, began by trying to edit...

Employee takeover.(Ways+Means)
September 1, 2004... In the fall of 2003, Chris Repp was ill. His doctors, uncertain of what he had, nevertheless put him on medication to ease his discomfort. The combination of the medication and stress resulted in a man who, in his own words, was "inconsistent...

Understanding financing: part one: open-end and direct closed-end credit.(By Law)
September 1, 2004... Offering financing can mean increasing your closing ratio and boosting profits, but it can also mean more work for your salespeople and new administrative issues; you may even need new licenses. Once you've decided to offer financing, the more...

Historic tax credits: understanding city, state, and federal tax credits will help you guide clients through historic renovations.(Bottom Line)
September 1, 2004... In addition to renovating their older homes, remodeler C. Mason Hearn helps his clients gel money out of them. Under Richmond's tax abatement program for historic properties, homeowner taxes are calculated on the pre-renovation appraisal for 15...

Tax deductible travel.(Bottom Line)
September 1, 2004... Remodeling company owners can claim an income tax deduction for food, lodging, and travel expenses they and their employees incur attending trade shows and conventions. The deduction for meals and entertainment is limited to 50% of the...

Knights every day.(Sales+Marketing)
September 1, 2004... Swords and shields don't have much place in modern business--or do they? Byrne Brothers Construction in Allentown, N.J., wants to bring that Old World ethic to today's work environment. Owner Mark Byrne has adopted Middle Ages chivalry and...

Flex your systems.(Sales+Marketing)
September 1, 2004... Do your sales processes work together like a well-oiled machine? Having systems boosts sales, but rigidity can prevent additional deals. You may have to unlock from normal sales disciplines to make sales. Address the objections. If you...

Not rinky dink.(Sales+Marketing)
September 1, 2004... A picture of your latest project may be worth a thousand words, but a rink CD delivers volumes, John Caletti of Caletti Construction, in San Francisco, began using the business card-sized (shaped like a hockey rink) CD as a marketing tool about...

Mystery shopping.(Sales+Marketing)
September 1, 2004... Improving customer service increases referrals and solidifies long-term relationships. To improve the way you treat clients, you can train staff, give them books, and provide service incentives. Or you can hire a "mystery shopper." ...

Construction guide.(Field Notes)
September 1, 2004... THE JOURNAL OF LIGHT CONSTRUCTION offers a new book that is an invaluable jobsite tool. JLC's Field Guide to Residential Construction is designed as a quick reference with emphasis on visual presentation of critical construction details. ...

Ladder safety.(Field Notes)
September 1, 2004... Unsafe ladder practices can lead to serious injuries. Falls are the primary hazard. To avoid falls, field crews should inspect all ladders for damage prior to use. They should look for broken or missing. rungs or steps, broken or spill side...

Mentoring, Part 2.(Field Notes)
September 1, 2004... For mentoring to work, everyone at the company must get into the act. Here are several tips for setting up the mentors. View mentoring as an Investment. When members of your crew are mentoring other employees, production will slow down a...

Dressing up beaded wainscot.(By Design)
September 1, 2004... A classic beaded wainscot is easy to build and can add depth, visual interest, and durability to walls in homes of various styles. But it's important to trim the wainscot. Traditionally, wainscoting served both to protect walls and, in...

Hot item.(Tech@Work)
September 1, 2004... When Chad Gohm wanted to get ahead of the competition he decided to pack heat. A heat sensor, that is. Gohm, who owns Gohm Insurance Restoration, a full-service restoration company in Saginaw, Mich., uses a thermo imaging camera to speed...

S video-TV combo helps sell.(Tech@Work)
September 1, 2004... The salespeople at Kirk Development Co. carry S-video cables in their briefcases to connect laptops to client televisions on second and third sales calls. This way, they call project 3-D schematics created in Chief Architect onto the...

Cable your dongles: and other tips to keep data where it belongs.(Tech@Work)
September 1, 2004... In the time it takes to read this, all your critical computer files could be riding down the road on the key ring of that lead carpenter you just fired. Yes, it's important to protect your computer data from hackers, spyware, viruses, and other...

Set expectations.(Good Form)
September 1, 2004... If you don't start off communicating well with a client, things never go right," says Karen Dowd, co-owner, with husband Chad Carpenter, of Potomac Builders, in Alexandria, Va. "This is a good way to ensure that things get off on the right...

Profile: Michael B. Klein and Seymour Turner.(Close Up)
September 1, 2004... When Mike Klein his late father, Burt and Seymour Turner were named Big50 in 1989, their Chicago-area company, Airoom Inc., had been in business for 31 years. Its 25 office staff and subcontracted field crew completed $6 million in business....

Danny Lipford.(Second Look)
September 1, 2004... The remodeling industry has just a few faces that are recognizable to outsiders. The smiling, handsome mug of Danny Lipford certainly is one of them. But Lipford wasn't always a household name. He began his television career with a...

Should my company offer financing?(Face Off)
September 1, 2004... ONE CALL DOES IT ALL In-house financing has contributed to this company's growth every year since its founding in 1986. Today we finance more than 70% of our jobs. One advantage to the homeowner is the added peace of mind that comes...

Shows of appreciation: do you reward for referrals? If so, how?(Solutions: Big50 answers to big business questions)
September 1, 2004... CHARLES GINDELE Dial One Window Replacement Specialists Santa Ann, Calif. Big50 2004 We have something we call our Cooperative Marketing Program. Basically, if you're a past customer of ours and you refer someone to us, we'll...

Reading list: Big50 remodelers recommend their favorite business books.(Live+Learn)
September 1, 2004... Steve Taylor Taylor Made Construction Edgewood, Md. Big50 2003 Written by Frank Bettger, a contemporary of Dale Carnegie, How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling is the finest book I have ever read on the...

Hard knocks: America's most wanted? When your client is led away in handcuffs on TV and charged with insurance fraud, should you stop his $160,000 remodel?(Live+Learn)
September 1, 2004... When Jim Sasko (Big50 2002) of Teakwood Builders returned to Saratoga Springs, N.Y., from a business/pleasure trip to Mexico, he learned a client, a health practitioner, had been charged with double billing patients. In Sasko's absence, his...

Remodeling Design Awards 2004.(Cover Story)
September 1, 2004... The judges for this year's REMODELING Design Awards were Jonas Carnemark, Carnemark systems + design, Bethesda, Md.; Paul Gidus, PSG Construction, Winter Park, Fla.; Bill Owens, Owens Construction, Powell, Ohio; Peter Pagenstecher, Brenneman &...

Twice as nice? The perils and benefits of partnership.
September 1, 2004... On its surface, partnership presents a simple calculus: One is less than two or three. Partners, reason would say, can supply more capital than a single entrepreneur, plus more cumulative experience, more skill sets, more stakeholder incentive...

Inside-the-head manuals: more remodelers are turning to values and behavioral profiling tools to determine how employees respond to challenges and procedures, and how they influence co-workers or clients. Why not? Fortune 500 companies have used profiling for years.
September 1, 2004... Each month. Grant Mazmanian gets a call from a contractor who exclaims: "I've got a production guy who's a great change order guy. I want to make him a salesman. Man, he'd make a good salesman--look at all the work he brings in!" And every...

Contractor aid: an East Cost kitchen and bath supplier helps contractors handle the details of products and design.(Management)
September 1, 2004... Reico Kitchen & Bath is a kitchen and bath supplier that has expanded its scope to aid contractors and homeowners. The flexible East Coast distributor provides expert staff for design services and beautiful showrooms for product selection...

The selling cycle.(Management)
September 1, 2004... There are seven steps to selling that every salesperson should master: prospecting, the initial contact, qualifying the client, presentation, meeting objections and concerns, closing the sale, and referrals. Here's a look at the first three....

Retail experience: finding a kitchen designer whose skill level matches the needs of your company can be difficult. Two remodeling companies have found it beneficial to hire designers with a retail background.(Management)
September 1, 2004... Good things may come in small packages, but two remodeling companies have found that good designers come from big boxes. Julia Spence, vice president of human re sources and communication at Neil Kelly Co. says although most of their...

Faucets.(Spec Book)
September 1, 2004... At the 2004 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Chicago, pullout faucets were all the rage. Every manufacturer had a different take on them: Some went for the mini-realist industrial look, right at home in the still-popular stainless steel...

Installing owner-supplied windows.(Windows)
September 1, 2004... It's a familiar scenario: Your clients have just returned from Lowe's or The Home Depot, and they've decided they can save money buying replacement windows "for less" than they appear on your job estimate. "It happens, not just with windows but...

Fiber-cement market update: better products and know-how establish the material.(Siding)
September 1, 2004... Introduced more than 20 years ago in Europe and Australia, fiber-cement siding has become a popular upsell in the U.S. remodeling market. With limited warranties of up to 50 years, it's considered a premium option, offering low maintenance...

First time's the charm.(Siding)
September 1, 2004... Q: Is the one-call close still feasible in selling replacement products? A: You're buying a car. After much conversation, you pick the model and options you want. Then you turn to the salesman and say: "Get it to me when you can." ...

Franchise rights: remodelers have a lot of options when it comes to franchising. Here's a quick look at two successful add-ons.(Trends)
September 1, 2004... Smaller remodeling companies looking for a way to grow their business are increasingly turning to franchises as a solution. With a franchise, the remodeler gets a ready-made product and market, not to mention the backing of a seasoned corporate...

Laundry boom: big and efficient laundry rooms move front and center.(Trends)
September 1, 2004... Laundry rooms are moving out of a forgotten corner and into the heart of the home. A number of companies are finding that homeowners are no longer satisfied with a utility closet for their washer and dryer. They want a peaceful, efficient work...

Icebox redux.(Trends)
September 1, 2004... Call it retro. Call it kitsch. Call it a harkening back to simpler times. Whatever you call it, 1950s style refrigerators are hitting the kitchen scene in all their ice cream-colored glory. The difference between these reproductions and their...

Right angles.(Reader's Choice)
September 1, 2004... For contractor Mike Kilpatrick, the ProSite Protractor from Starrett means finishing jobs taster and making clients happier. He has Marc Shapiro, fellow contractor and inventor of the ProSite Protractor, to thank. Shapiro introduced the product...

Drill team.(Reader's Choice)
September 1, 2004... Swiss Shade Security, in Tucson, Ariz., specializes in security windows and doors custom made in Germany to clients' exact specifications. The company does installation projects all over the world. Because of this, crews need tools that are...

Avoiding electrocution: one of the most serious potential threats in construction is injury from electrical shock.(On The Job)
September 1, 2004... Serious injuries and death can occur from using a power tool improperly, or by exposing yourself to unsafe electrical conditions on your jobsite. In order to avoid electrocution, it is important that you and your crew members understand the...

Ceramic tile: durability and beauty make tile a perfect choice for the kitchen and bath--not to mention any other room of the house.(In Focus)
September 1, 2004... Ceramic tile is one of the most versatile decorative elements around. The variety of color, texture, shape, and layout available with tile makes it possible to create almost any mood or environment. Taking advantage of that versatility,...

Ace.(Paints and Stains)
September 1, 2004... Sensations employs Scotchgard for stain protection. The acrylic flat latex paint can be washed with soap and water and resists mildew and oily stains. It requires only one coat for complete application and carries the company's lifetime...

Diversified brands.(Paints and Stains)
September 1, 2004... Waterborne, corrosion-resistant Iron Guard DTM Acrylic Enamel can be applied directly to metal without a primer. The high-gloss. low-VOC, low-odor enamel provides rust protection and resistance to early moisture. It's recommended for use on...

Pittsburgh Paints.(Paints and Stains)
September 1, 2004... The Sun Proof UV-protected line of exterior stains comes in an array of formulas for different applications. Solid Color Stain (available in 136 colors) and Semi-Transparent Stain are both offered in Waterbase and Alkyd/Oil. The Exterior Toners...

MasterChem.(Paints and Stains)
September 1, 2004... Kilz Exterior is a sealer and primer that blocks most stains. Developed specifically to withstand outdoor elements, it creates a strong base coat that resists cracking and peeling. It also contains a mildewcide and dries to the touch in 30...

United Gilsonite Laboratories.(Paints and Stains)
September 1, 2004... Newly reformulated ZAR Wood Stain now has a shorter drying time (as little as three hours, depending on drying conditions). It wipes on to ensure uniform color and won't leave lap marks or streaks. It can be applied to metal, fiberglass, steel,...

Pratt & Lambert.(Paints and Stains)
September 1, 2004... The Accolade line features a stain-resistant formula and the ability to withstand multiple washings. Its 100% acrylic formula contains titanium dioxide, a primary pigment to enhance color. 800.289.7728. www.prattandlambert.com. Circle 126. ...

Sherwin-Williams.(Paints and Stains)
September 1, 2004... Available in an assortment of colors, Vertical Concrete Stain adds style while providing protection from weather and water. It's formulated to penetrate the surface and resists color fading, blistering, and efflorescence. For use on large...

Dutch Boy.(Paints and Stains)
September 1, 2004... Ceiling Solution Color Transforming Paint goes on violet and changes to white, making it easy to catch missed spots. It dries to white in 25 to 30 minutes and is splatter resistant. 800.828.5669. www.dutchboy.com. Circle 128. [ILLUSTRATION...

Zinsser.(Paints and Stains)
September 1, 2004... Perma-White Mold & Mildew Proof Interior paint is now available in an eggshell sheen. Developed for high-humidity areas, it contains a mildewcide to prevent the growth of mold and mildew on the paint film. Its acrylic resins produce a washable,...

California Paints.(Paints and Stains)
September 1, 2004... Diamond Acrylic Latex Ceiling White is touted as the whitest white on the market. The flat finish paint applies easily and boasts high color retention, adhesion, and leveling, according to the maker. For use on plaster, drywall, wallboard,...

Boise Building Solutions.(Engineered Lumber)
September 1, 2004... Replacing the AJS-5, the AllJoist I-joist framing product, the AJS-140, features 2 1/2-inch-wide machine-stress rated flanges of strong black spruce for a wide nailing surface. It's available in lengths up to 48 feet and is lightweight, making...

Universal Forest Products.(Engineered Lumber)
September 1, 2004... The Open Joist 2000 is all open web, all-wood floor truss. The open web design makes installing mechanical systems easier, because it's done within the floor frame instead of below it. The truss is lightweight and installs like dimensional...

Elk.(Engineered Lumber)
September 1, 2004... An embossed finish lends an authentic look to the CrossTimbers line of composite decking and fencing. A brushed finish is also now available. Both reverse to a smooth side. Offered in five colors, including Sandalwood and New Cedar, and...

WindsorOne.(Engineered Lumber)
September 1, 2004... Tongue and groove bead boards and interior reversible shiplap are now offered in a line of specialty boards from the company. The engineered wood boards are end- and edge-glued and double-primed with acrylic latex primer on all six sides. The...

Georgia-Pacific.(Engineered Lumber)
September 1, 2004... Developed for use in non-structural trim applications like fascia, corner boards, and door and window trim, reversible 4/4 PrimeTrim has a smooth surface on one side and a textured surface on the other to offer versatility of use in a single...

Johnson Hardware.(First look: the newest products for the remodeling market)
September 1, 2004... Remodeling for accessibility is a little easier with the Pocket Door Frame, says the company. The frame allows the door to slide across entryways, meaning all of the floor space around the doorway can be used, making it easier for those in...

LWO Corporation.(First look: the newest products for the remodeling market)
September 1, 2004... A unique option for deck railing and porches is the Woodway Glass Post Cap. Offered in Cobalt Blue, Amber, Olive Green, or Black, the caps fit standard-sized 4-inch-square posts. The heavy-duty glass protects post tops from tile weather while...

Luxaire.(First look: the newest products for the remodeling market)
September 1, 2004... Energy Star qualified, the Acclimate 5T Series 15 SEER air conditioner uses environmentally friendly R-410A refrigerant. The demand defrost board features service analyzer capabilities, integrated control, high and low pressure switch...

Providence Artworks.(First look: the newest products for the remodeling market)
September 1, 2004... The Ivory of Tagua collection of cabinet knobs is made not from elephant tusks (thankfully) but from the Tagua Palm nut of Ecuador. Hand-carved by artisans in rainforest communities, each knob is unique. They look and feel like real ivory, and...

NATTCO.(First look: the newest products for the remodeling market)
September 1, 2004... The Wall Tile Set-up Tool is an adjustable device that acts as a leveling system. Available in 3- and 5-inch lengths, the tool contains a leveler supported by adjustable base legs. The installer adjusts the supports until level, locks the...

Flooring.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... Flooring decisions can be big for homeowners because there are so many choices on the market--hardwood, bamboo, tile, stone, the list goes on. The type of flooring in a room can determine its look and function, so these decisions are important....

Fee for service: design expertise is valuable. Get paid for it.(Bench Mark)
September 1, 2004... Fourteen years ago, when Peggy Fisher started asking for a design fee, she charged $100 and held her breath hoping clients would pay it. Eight years later, the fee was up to 8%, and today, Fisher Group, a $2-million design/build remodeling...