Remodeling articles from September 2005

Remodeling archives from September 2005

GP's got your back and your tile backer board!
September 1, 2005... The news is out... as of January 1, 2006, the IRC (International Residential Code) will prohibit the use of paper-faced greenboard as an approved tile backer substrate for shower the tub areas. However, the revised code does allow for the use...

High standards.(ViewPoint: FirstWord)
September 1, 2005... I think we can all agree that good design, like quality and beauty, is hard to define, but "we know it when we see it." Looking at the winners of this year's Remodeling Design Awards, the question is not whether they represent good design--they...

Overgrown bureaucracy.(ViewPoint: CallBack)
September 1, 2005... I read with great interest Leah Thayer's article, "Licensing: the Tipping Point?" (July, p. 82). I, too, am concerned with the state of licensing in the remodeling industry. Initially, most of the bureaucracy set up to license contractors...

Learn from the experts.(ViewPoint: InPerson)
September 1, 2005... With more than 80 courses--including CAPS, CGR, workshops, and seminars--offered in this year's Remodeling Show conference program, there are more opportunities than ever for remodelers to learn from the experts. That includes several...

Americans spend, remodelers benefit.(ViewPoint: News+Notes)
September 1, 2005... The latest release of U.S. Census C-50 data provides further proof that the remodeling industry is healthier than ever. According to the data, Americans spent $198.6 billion on home improvement in 2004, up from $176.9 in 2003. The...

Saw recall.(ViewPoint: News+Notes)
September 1, 2005... Bosch is recalling 69,000 of its circular saws--models CS10, CS20, and CS20-XC--because of three reports of lower blade guard malfunction. Some saws, marked with an asterisk in the serial number box, have been repaired and are not part of...

Tariff turmoil.(ViewPoint: News+Notes)
September 1, 2005... Canada has won an important decision in its ongoing battle with the United States over softwood lumber tariffs. In August, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) EXtraordinary Challenge Committee (ECC) ruled that Canada did not...

Cashing out.(ViewPoint: MarketWatch)
September 1, 2005... Cash-out refinances were a major boon to the remodeling industry during the boom period that began at the beginning of this century. With interest rates steadily climbing higher from their all-time lows of a few years ago, however, refi's have...

Hot spot.(LOCAL FORECAST)
September 1, 2005... David Sowders of Sowders Co. Designers/ Builders, feels blessed by his location. Bowling Green, Ky., is smack-dab between Nashville and Louisville, right off Interstate 65 and not far from 1-40. The easy access, he says, attracts industry...

Figure this.(ViewPoint: MarketWatch)
September 1, 2005... 50% American homeowners who say they are spending more time at home than they were five years ago 80% Homeowners who say it is important to have an outdoor living space for relaxation 35% Homeowners who have a finished...

Why not pre-design? Remodeling's huge middle market is ready for new solutions.(Commentary)
September 1, 2005... One of the great benefits of the Internet for new home builders and the real estate industry is its ability to show prospective buyers a complete picture of both new and existing homes in great detail. Users who can walk through a "virtual...

Seek the answers within: by asking the right questions, you can transform an identity crisis into a springboard for growth.(Commentary)
September 1, 2005... Have you been wondering what you'll do "when you grow up?" Feeling blah about your business and position in life? Ever wonder if there's more (satisfaction, money, free time, balance, fun) than you're currently experiencing? No, this isn't...

Preparing your business for consolidation: remodelers should consider consolidation imminent.(Commentary)
September 1, 2005... Last month, REMODELING featured a story about industry consolidation. For most remodelers, the subject of consolidation is not on the top of the list of issues to ponder. Faced with the challenges of sales, production, finances, and other...

Find your place: personality assessments put the round peg in the round hole, and that benefits everyone.(Commentary)
September 1, 2005... Several years ago, after almost 20 years in business, I had begun to actualize a planned succession strategy. In doing so, my day-to-day role changed. An unanticipated result of these changes was an eroding of the passion I had for my work. I...

Savings is win-win.(YourBusiness: Ways+Means)
September 1, 2005... Although Social Security and pension issues have been in the headlines for some time, many people still don't take advantage of employer-supported savings like 401(k) plans. Some of the reasons cited in a study done by Hewitt Associates, a...

Same time next year.(YourBusiness: Ways+Means)
September 1, 2005... Inevitably, after a job is done, the phone will ring within weeks or months and what you thought was finished is now undone. To combat this situation--which could lead to bad feelings among clients and ornery lead carpenters--Premier Builders...

Big job advice.(YourBusiness: Ways+Means)
September 1, 2005... When REMODELING asked Craig Durosko of Sun Design Remodeling Specialists, Burke, Va., what the employees at his company think about when eyeing a big job, they compiled this list: * Don't discount a job because it's large or has a big...

Contract cancellation clues.(ByLaw)
September 1, 2005... If you are demonstrating and executing contracts in the consumer's home, you have to make sure you do a number of things required by the Federal Trade Commission: * Provide the buyer with a copy of the executed contract--which must contain...

Pre-estimate investigation.(YourBusiness: BottomLine)
September 1, 2005... Hudson Valley Preservation in Sherman, Conn., works on old houses. In the past, both the remodeler and his clients have been surprised by what they have found behind the walls. "So often with old structures, what you see is not what you get....

Plan by numbers.(YourBusiness: BottomLine)
September 1, 2005... Gary Moffie had already expanded The Remodeling Co. in Beverly, Mass., from $500,000 to a few million in revenue, but knew that if he wanted to continue on this path, he would need help. As part of his plan to surround himself with good...

Buying better business.(YourBusiness: Sales+Marketing)
September 1, 2005... Sometimes it takes more than a gentle nudge to get a referral from a client. Next time, consider an "actionable piece"--an eye-catching response mechanism that thanks clients for their business and makes it worth their while to jot down others...

Hiring outside the box.(YourBusiness: Sales+Marketing)
September 1, 2005... Next time you need to hire a salesperson, think outside the remodeling box. "Look in other industries," says Phil Rea, an industry sales consultant. "Our industry is still lagging in sales" compared to industries such as cars and real estate,...

More bang, fewer bucks.(YourBusiness: Sales+Marketing)
September 1, 2005... When remodelers flourish, their subcontractors and suppliers also flourish. Neil Kelly Co., Portland, Ore., harnesses this truth and runs with it. creating a lucrative source of business by way of cooperative advertising: sharing the cost of...

Dial a deal.(YourBusiness: Salest Marketing)
September 1, 2005... When a client abruptly postponed a major project earlier this year, Greg Antonioli did something most remodelers despise but marketing experts advise. "I just started calling old leads." says the owner of Out of the Woods Construction,...

Change order cha-ching.(YourBusiness: FieldNotes)
September 1, 2005... Those "no big deal" changes can add up quickly for remodelers who work on a fixed-price basis. Conner Construction, Seattle, minimizes slippage by authorizing lead carpenters to write change orders they estimate will cost less than $1,000....

The grass ain't greener.(YourBusiness: FieldNotes)
September 1, 2005... When Bill Keilty's field employees threaten to go into business for themselves, the Boise, Idaho, remodeler sits them down for a reality check. "For the most part, they're just going for the money," the owner of Keilty Construction says. By...

Customer service: jobsite cleanliness.(YourBusiness: FieldNotes)
September 1, 2005... Everyone is responsible for customer service, but your field staff spends the most time in the client's home. What's the number-one issue? Jobsite cleanliness. Carpenters face two main challenges in dealing with this reality. Mentally,...

What America wants.(YourBusiness: ByDesign)
September 1, 2005... Last year Better Homes and Gardens magazine received survey responses from nearly 60,000 Americans describing home improvement projects and future home-building aspirations. Based on those findings, BHG, along with design experts, is building...

Dig into digital.(YourBusiness: Tech@Work)
September 1, 2005... Documenting jobs seems to be a no-brainer, and in the digital age, documentation is faster, less expensive, more flexible, and longer lasting than ever. Peggy Mackowski, of Quality Design & Construction, Raleigh, N.C., uses digital...

Training success.(YourBusiness: GoodForm)
September 1, 2005... As a former remodeler, Joe Zanola knows how difficult it can be to effectively train employees. That's why, as president of St. Louis-based consulting, training, and research firm Zanola Co., he developed this training program for his clients...

Profile: Donald Matteson.(Big50: CloseUp)
September 1, 2005... When most of us hear about a lucky lottery winner, we fantasize about what we'd do if we won the money. But when Donald Matteson of DLM Building & Design in Phoenix, heard about someone hitting the jackpot in 1993, his thoughts didn't turn to...

Alon Toker.(SecondLook)
September 1, 2005... Early in his career, Alon Toker of Mega Builders in Chatsworth, Calif., equated volume with success. He spent most of his time increasing the number of leads and training sales staff to close on sales. By the mid-1990s, the remodeler had 124...

Do you/should you become friends with your clients?(Big50: FaceOff)
September 1, 2005... "It's been a great way to build trust and to further our business goals, but more than that, it has expanded our social circle and experiences."--Nina Winans LET'S BE FRIENDS We have developed more than client/provider relationships...

In the books: who handles daily updates of the books at your company and why?(Q+A)
September 1, 2005... (Q + A) CARMEN GUERRERO-URBIETA Urbieta Construction Dayton, Ohio Big50 1999 I do the books myself--usually a little bit every day, with the bulk of the work on Fridays. One reason is to keep control of what is going on...

Remodeling Design Awards 2005.(Cover Story)
September 1, 2005... This year's REMODELING Design Award judges were: Mark Fox, Gardner/Fox, Bryn Mawr, Pa.; Tom Hemphill, Hemphill & Associates, Falls Church, Va.; Eric Jenkins, Assistant Professor, Assistant Dean, School of Architecture, Catholic University,...

Developing key employees: smart remodelers think of employees as assets. Here's how to make those assets grow.
September 1, 2005... The skilled labor market couldn't be tighter, yet Steve Zimmer is doing something that he recognizes could "wreck" an employee who most remodelers would kill to have: Greg Kelly, a lead carpenter who has been with Zimmer since his first summer...

Cutting the cord: have you outgrown your home office? Striving for a more professional image? Here's when and how other remodelers went about ...
September 1, 2005... It's a sign that the time has come to move out of your home office when you keep being woken at dawn by workers knocking on your bedroom window. Habitually drifting into the office in your pajamas is another red flag, as are subcontractors...

Lofty ambitions.(Cutting the Cord)
September 1, 2005... Aside from its vintage 1930 red-brick exterior, the office of Anthony Wilder Design/Build bears little resemblance to the firehouse it once was. Located on a tree-lined road a few miles outside Washington, D.C., the 7,000-square-foot building...

Office facelifts.(Cutting the Cord)
September 1, 2005... Sharon Bellamy, Bellamy & Sons Construction, Scotia, N.Y. Project: In 2003, Sharon and husband Bruce decided against moving and instead remodeled their basement office to create more space for their eight employees. Method: The company...

Makeover wish.(Kitchen+Bath: Management)
September 1, 2005... Ed Rowland, owner of NDA Kitchen in Nesconset, N.Y., noticed the popularity of the ABC show Extreme Makeover and decided to run a similar local kitchen makeover contest for homeowners with a special need or situation. "I thought the contest...

Storage design contest.(Kitchen+Bath: Management)
September 1, 2005... Rev-A-Shelf's first annual design contest will honor a variety of kitchen or vanity designs that use Rev-A-Shelf storage organizing accessories. The company combined five of the awards with 20-20 Design software and the new Rev-A-Shelf 2020...

Faucets.(Kitchen+Bath: SpecBook)
September 1, 2005... Modern, efficient design marks this season's faucet offerings. Though there are still a few curves and embellishments, the new look is clean, sharp, and gleaming. Moen. Curves and antique details set the Vestige kitchen faucet apart. The...

Siding insulation: no easy fix: complications from air and water leaks.(Replacement: Siding)
September 1, 2005... Best practice calls for stripping off existing siding, then installing a good weather barrier. Fan-fold foam board is widely marketed as an easy fix for improving the thermal performance and water resistance of walls when re-siding. But if...

Upselling window treatments: profitability in this specialized arena requires expertise.(Replacement: Windows)
September 1, 2005... Window treatments, such as shades, blinds, drapes, and shutters, are an obvious upsell on any remodeling project involving new windows. But they're not automatic profit centers. The window coverings industry is oriented to the interior design...

Three strikes.(Replacement: Windows)
September 1, 2005... Everything your prospects read advises them they need three bids from three contractors. When you can't do the job or you aren't in a position to recommend someone, that's the safe thing to suggest. But if it's just about securing the...

A very fine house.(Products: Trends)
September 1, 2005... What better way to mark the 100th anniversary of the USDA Forest Service than by building a house that celebrates sustainability? The 1,200-square-foot Sustainable Resource House was built on the National Mall in honor of the organization's...

Selling savings.(Products: Trends)
September 1, 2005... With fuel prices rising, energy-saving glass options could be the next big high-end upsell. Republic now has five glazing options for its high-end Enhancement line, each one with a "fuel savings pledge" ranging from 30% to 40%. The company's...

Splashy sinks.(Products: Trends)
September 1, 2005... A colorful, above-counter vessel sink can be the finishing touch in a distinctive bath. Once just for the stylistically adventurous, vessel sinks are becoming more prominent in collections from manufacturers large and small. The most striking...

Paints and stains.(Products: InFocus)
September 1, 2005... Olive Fringes. Rockabye Baby. Drizzle. Every year, paint manufacturers come up with a rainbow of new paint colors and give them sensational names to charm and captivate us. The marketing of these colors is a dazzling feat--visual media employed...

Pittsburgh paints.(Products: InFocus)
September 1, 2005... The Voice of Color paint and design system helps homeowners choose color palettes by taking into account their personality, style, and interests. The system selects from several color families in the Harmony Collection to show consumers a...

Dutch Boy.(Products: InFocus)
September 1, 2005... Clarity interior latex paint products produce no VOCs and are silica-free. The low-odor paints also provide antimicrobial protection of the dry paint film, which helps prevent the growth of microbes on the surface. Primer sealer, flat wall and...

Benjamin Moore.(Products: InFocus)
September 1, 2005... The Studio Finishes line expands decorative options by adding depth and dimension to the company's color offerings. The line includes a number of glazes, including metallic, as well as Latex Texture Sand finish and Glitter Effect finish, which...

Sherwin-Williams.(Products: InFocus)
September 1, 2005... Combining high technology with low VOCs, Duration Home interior latex coating promises to prevent stains from penetrating. The paint, available in matte and satin finishes, resists mildew and will withstand repeated washings with no burnish...

Zinsser.(Products: InFocus)
September 1, 2005... Bulls Eye High Hide Odorless primer-sealer promises less odor than most water-based primers. The solvent-based, sprayable primer blocks stains and adheres to surfaces without sanding, according to the maker. It also seals porous surfaces such...

Glidden.(Products: InFocus)
September 1, 2005... Designed expressly for use with dark colors, Gripper Grey primer maximizes the intensity of deep shades, the maker says. The primer can be tinted to nine different shades of gray and helps to reduce streaking and to cover stains. 800.454.3336....

BioShield.(Products: InFocus)
September 1, 2005... Boasting a solvent-free, zero-VOC finish, Aqua Resin Stain Finish #33 has a gel-like consistency. It is certified to be free of hazardous emissions both during and after application, says the firm. Eight woof-tone shades are offered, along with...

Trus joist.(Engineered Lumber)
September 1, 2005... Treated with zinc borate in the manufacturer's StrandGuard process, which locks in the EPA-registered biocide throughout the cross section, TimberStrand LSL treated sill plates are protected against insects and decay without the fastener...

Boise building solutions.(Engineered Lumber)
September 1, 2005... New BCI Joist products feature flanges that are as wide as--and in some cases wider than--flanges in the I-joists they replace. New product formulations make better use of available forest resources, the manufacturer says. BCI 40 1.7 I-joists,...

Nascor.(Engineered Lumber)
September 1, 2005... The EnerGard wall system consists of EPS panels sandwiched between I-beam studs. The panels reduce thermal bridging, the maker says, and the I-beam columns are stronger than conventional 2x6-inch lumber, and they won't shrink, warp, or twist....

Universal forest products.(Engineered Lumber)
September 1, 2005... Available treated for exterior applications and untreated for interior applications, the Easy Riser engineered stair stringer is a pre-notched, adjustable 13-step system that can achieve a stringer length of 15 feet 9 inches with no vertical...

AinsworthEngineered.(Engineered Lumber)
September 1, 2005... Durastrand Flooring meets and exceeds all local and national building codes, the maker says, and is rigid, strong, and consistent from one panel to the next. The APA-rated product, which is suitable for single-layer floor construction and...

Laufen.(Tile)
September 1, 2005... Neutral colors on unpolished porcelain provide the Verona collection's earthy look and feel. Available in pearl, tan, and almond, the tiles come in 18x18 and 12x24 inches for floor and countertop applications, and can be complemented by 4...

Ann sacks.(Tile)
September 1, 2005... Several new tile collections are drawn from the work of textile designer Angela Adams. Corice--an exclusive colorway of chocolate, frost, citron, and graphite--is meant to suggest the irregularities found in leaves and fruit. The 4-inch and...

Trikeenan tileworks.(Tile)
September 1, 2005... Glass Windows are glass-fused ceramic tiles that combine a unique, crackled glass surface with a ceramic back for easier installation. The tile is freeze-, thaw-, and chemical-resistant, and suitable for both exterior and vertical interior...

Questech.(Tile)
September 1, 2005... Stone and polymer combine to create Stone Floor Accents, a lightweight alternative to natural stone. The pieces, which feature hand-carved designs, can be used to complement natural tile floor applications. The accents are offered in two...

UltraGlas.(Tile)
September 1, 2005... Embossed textures atop architectural glass make for a unique light-catching surface on Taffeta tiles. Offered in 31 colors, the tiles are kiln-formed and come in a 5/6-inch thickness. Custom-matched colors and greater thicknesses can be...

Custom tile images.(Tile)
September 1, 2005... Nearly any image can be applied to the company's Duramax tiles to create a one-of-a-kind statement on floors, walls, countertops, or as an artistic accent piece. A proprietary process applies the image (provided by the client or chosen from the...

Marazzi.(Tile)
September 1, 2005... The Jade series gives glazed porcelain a slate-like appearance, with four deep, natural colors--sage, ochre, chestnut, and taupe. The tiles, which feature vein and mineral deposit patterns, have a burnished finish. Varied color segues add to...

Crossville.(Tile)
September 1, 2005... Distinctive patterns--Pinwheel, Running Bond, and Brick--make the Savoy collection unique. These architectural wall tiles come in five colors and can be used in baths and showers, for backsplashes, accent walls, and light-duty countertops....

Eliane.(Tile)
September 1, 2005... The latest from the firm's cutting-edge Neo collection is Neo Provence, a porcelain tile with a weathered look. The tile's stone veining and sandstone texture give it a rustic feel. Four colors--snow. sun. sand. and walnut are offered in two...

Duravit.(Products: FirstLook)
September 1, 2005... The Starck X collection is the result of a decade-long collaboration between the company and designer Philippe Starck. This rectangular ceramic washbasin, held up by a striking metal console, features a white high-gloss finish partnered with an...

Formica.(Products: FirstLook)
September 1, 2005... Retro revivalists will rejoice at the Classics Collection's rejuvenated Boomerang pattern. Originally called Skylark at its birth in the 1950s, the newly redesigned pattern features whimsical boomerang-shaped graphics in a choice of four...

Corian.(Products: FirstLook)
September 1, 2005... Designed for vertical applications such as backsplashes, Bas Relief panels are made of Corian surfacing with textured designs in five patterns. Each pattern is offered in its own signature color in addition to three neutral colors. The 9-inch...

Hitachi.(Products: FirstLook)
September 1, 2005... The DV14DMR 14-Volt cordless hammer drill provides 460 inch-pounds of torque and offers two-speed transmission. It can be set in three modes: driving, for fastening applications; hammer, to hammer drill into concrete and stone; and drill. The...

Flooring.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2005... Flooring is a key design element in any home, and its functional requirements change from room to room. Fortunately, today's flooring manufacturers offer a wide range of designs and functional features to meet every need, whether you're...

Just one number: is there one number that's a strong indicator of business health?(LastWord: BenchMark)
September 1, 2005... Can you pick just one number to use as the weather vane of your company's success? The owner of a start-up company worries most about staying busy when the current job ends, so he might choose backlog. Owners of a growing company lose sleep...

Birthday bash.(ViewPoint: FirstWord)
September 15, 2005... Anniversaries are happy occasions when we get to look back at the progress we've made. The bulk of this issue does just that, with a series of features (beginning on page 44) that look at how far the industry has come in the 20 years we have...

Summing it up.(Commentary: Walt)
September 15, 2005... My first column ran in the first issue of Remodeling World back in May of 1985 (the name was shortened to REMODELING with the third issue). For that first column, I decided to put together five points--"hard facts," as the editors called...

Gold on the mountain.(Commentary: Linda)
September 15, 2005... My assignment for this very special issue of REMODELING was to contrast some aspect of "then" (20 years ago) and "now" in the world of remodeling. It took some mental digging to find the gold, but it's summed up in the phrase "doing well by...

No reservations.(YourBusiness: Ways+Means)
September 15, 2005... The war on terrorism has affected and will continue to affect the lives of Americans in many different ways. As a business owner, Dan Weidmann has felt the effects firsthand. In January 2003, after a week's notice, his purchasing manager, Kris...

Checking it twice.(YourBusiness: Ways+Means)
September 15, 2005... To further the company's goal of zero-defect remodeling, Jerome Quinn and his staff at Sawhorse in Atlanta developed a series of checklists, basically for trade subcontractors, to tighten quality control. "It makes sense," says Quinn, "'just to...

What's required.(YourBusiness: Ways+Means)
September 15, 2005... According to research done by Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (www.esgr.org), the construction industry is one of the top 10 industry sectors employing guardsmen and reservists. Employers and reservist employees have certain...

Getting things done: just having good ideas is not enough.(People+Skills)
September 15, 2005... For many of us it's not the lack of good ideas or good intentions that holds us back from success, it's the lack of execution. Authors Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan--in their best-selling book, Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things...

Customizing your QuickBooks invoice.(YourBusiness: BottomLine)
September 15, 2005... One of the jobs of a QuickBooks professional adviser is to help users print invoices that both satisfy the firm's requirements for accurate recordkeeping and present a clear and visually appealing document to clients. Bear in mind that you...