Contractor articles from February 2005

Contractor archives from February 2005

Benica Plumbing helps teen on 'extreme makeover'.
February 1, 2005... BENICIA, CALIF. -- Imagine being a 17-year-old girl with a life threatening condition that makes it impossible to manage simple everyday tasks such as taking a shower alone. That was the case with Jhyrve (pronounced Ger-Vay) Sears, who has a...

Contractors receive 3% tax credit on profits.(Industry News)
February 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Contractors involved in construction or substantial renovations will be eligible for a 3% tax credit on their profits, beginning for work done this year. For every dollar in profit a contractor earns, he can deduct 3 cents and pay...

Contractors see industry growth despite frustrations.
February 1, 2005... ORLANDO, FLA. -- If you're a subcontractor, the most frustrating part of your business probably is managing the productivity of your crews, according to the second annual Intuit Construction Business Solutions industry study released Jan. 14...

Father and son plumbers get prison sentences in NY transit case.
February 1, 2005... NEW YORK -- A Brooklyn, N.Y., plumber and his son were sentenced Jan. 28 to prison for stealing millions of dollars from the city's Metropolitan Transit Authority. Alex Figliolia Sr., 61, and his son, Alex Figliolia Jr., 31, pleaded guilty...

Comfortech RoadShows to offer industry education in six cities.
February 1, 2005... CLEVELAND -- CONTRACTOR and Contracting Business magazines will produce six regional events in April and May, beginning April 14 in San Diego, under the name of the Comfortech Roadshow Series. "These will be education-based events that will...

Contractor in focus.(Industry News)
February 1, 2005... CONTRACTOR IN FOCUS No exit strategy for most contractors Contractors with succession plan 33% Contractors without succession plan 67% Note: Table made from pie chart. Sources: Intuit 2005 Construction Industry...

New MCAA president: industry must face image issue.
February 1, 2005... NEW YORK -- Stanley Berger is a hard-core people person, an unusual trait for an accountant; then again, Berger noted that he never would have been as successful as he has been at contracting if he had been a usual accountant. "I've been...

Schedule compression can hurt productivity on job.
February 1, 2005... WAILEA, HAWAII -- Schedule delays, changes and acceleration are facts of life for new construction contractors, who are often entitled to more money, more time or both as a result. While it might be easy to calculate how much the extra rental...

Lean thinking works in construction too.
February 1, 2005... WAILEA, HAWAII -- A contractor's bid price today is his cost plus his margin, quality consultant Dennis Sowards told sheet metal contractors here. But what if a contractor took the market price, subtracted his margin and whatever was left was...

Oregon officials have approved an interpretive ruling to permit the installation of water-free urinals in city, county, state and federal government facilities in the state.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Oregon officials have approved an interpretive ruling to permit the installation of water-free urinals in city, county, state and federal government facilities in the state. The ruling was prompted by calls for alternate technologies to address...

2003 International Code Commentaries.
February 1, 2005... Newly available, the 2003 International Code Commentaries on CD are a fast way to navigate through the 2003 commentaries in PDF format. Users can search text, figures and tables, and even copy and paste small excerpts from code provisions into...

Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The Palm Beach Association of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors will hold its 17th Annual Plumbing Trade Show from 5 to 9 p.m. April 20 at the South Florida Fairgrounds-Expo East. The show will feature hundred of vendors with...

Elkay has acquired California-based Phylrich International, a manufacturer of decorative plumbing products.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Elkay has acquired California-based Phylrich International, a manufacturer of decorative plumbing products. Details of the acquisition were not made public.

Flint & Walling, a division of Zoeller Pump Co., has entered into an exclusive license agreement with the Maytag Corp. for the rights to manufacture, distribute, and market Maytag sump and utility pumps.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Flint & Walling, a division of Zoeller Pump Co., has entered into an exclusive license agreement with the Maytag Corp. for the rights to manufacture, distribute, and market Maytag sump and utility pumps. The Maytag premium line of sump pumps...

You can change the value of your business.
February 1, 2005... I'VE BEEN A MECHANICAL contractor for more than 30 years and I love the business. The planning and building process itself is absorbing--and can be exciting. The end product--whether it's a shopping mall, a hospital, a hotel, an arena or a...

Contracting catching up with other industries.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... RALEIGH, N.C. -- I recently became a project manager for Starr Electric Co. here. I have experience in the field and I liked the fieldwork, but I always understood that you could often save or lose more money in a minute of calculation than you...

Preuett is 'concerned member'.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... VIA E-MAIL--Like Former United Association President Marvin Boede and former Secretary-Treasurer Randall Gardner, I sent a letter to the UA General Executive Board voicing my concern over the UA financial condition. My letter was sent on Oct....

Yates pushes the industry.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... VIA E-MAIL--I have been catching up on my reading of trade journals and have just read Dave Yates' column on water heaters ("We need accurate data on water heaters," November 2004, pg. 27). My reaction is, "Thank God some one is finally...

Take portable emergency equipment with you.(Forum)
February 1, 2005... BEFORE YOU HEAD to a jobsite, you certainly prepare for a day's work. You pack all the needed tools and materials beforehand to assure a productive day. But what about the things you don't need every day and, I hope, never will need? What about...

Learn how to use your combustion analyzer.
February 1, 2005... TESTING EVERY FLAME-fired appliance you come into contact with is a move in the right direction. We discussed why you need to do this in last month's column ("Do you test your gas appliances for CO?" January, pg. 32). But just owning an...

Building owner steams heating contractor.
February 1, 2005... THE PHONE CALL: We recently got a call at the supply house from a renovator/owner with problems at his 10-flat building near our local urban university. He had purchased the building last year and was complaining of lousy heat and high bills on...

Two software products help the little guy.
February 1, 2005... HERE ARE TWO software solutions that tackle targeted tasks neatly and affordably. Both products are suitable for small contractors QuickBooks Simple Start For some contractors, the concept of computerized accounting creates more...

How to negotiate a personal services contract.
February 1, 2005... BACK IN THE DAY, only the bigwigs, like the company CEO, were required to sign a "personal services contract." Within the new forced paradigm of process management, project managers will have even greater levels and scopes of...

Restrict payments for your job to your job.(McGreevy On Law)
February 1, 2005... IN MANY STATES, liens and bond claims can be filed by anyone who can prove that he contributed labor, material or services (sometimes pretty remote services) that helped to "improve" property. Responsibility for resolving the problem created by...

Part-time office can improve productivity.
February 1, 2005... AS BUSINESS OWNERS, we are all looking at ways to improve our bottom line. I have implemented a cost-cutting measure in my office that I would like to share with you. It involves transitioning my office staff to a part-time status. Not only has...

Nexstar sets 'Money Masters'.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... WHITE BEAR LAKE, MINN. -- Nexstar will sponsor a "Money Masters" program April 15-16 in the Chicago area for owners of independent electrical, HVAC and plumbing contractors. The program will present the best practices group's methods for...

PHCC focuses on four legislative issues.(PHCC News)
February 1, 2005... To help reduce the increasing costs plumbing and HVACR contractors are facing, PHCC advocacy efforts include four main issues in 2005: association health plan insurance; tort reform; permanent repeal of the estate tax; and unfair utility...

Lost dollars: PHCC lobbies to reduce financial drains.(Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... DURING A TYPICAL workday, legislative efforts probably are not at the top of plumbing and HVACR contractors' thoughts. But governmental issues directly affect the everyday operations of a typical business. In fact, they often can be the reasons...

The inframeter digital infrared thermometer.(editor's choice)
February 1, 2005... THE INFRAMETER DIGITAL INFRARED THERMOMETER comes in a foam-cushioned hinged metal case with strap, instructions and extra battery. It is ideal for contractors on radiant heating jobs. It allows the user to identify heat loss from a room by...

The Z888-12 Modular Hi-Cap Slotted Drain.(Products)
February 1, 2005... THE Z888-12 MODULAR HI-CAP SLOTTED DRAIN measures 12 1/2" by 14 1/4" and is designed for high-flow applications, and may also be used as a rainwater runoff storage system. It features a 1 3/4" slotted inlet and 80" modular channels with...

The water wizard evaporative cooling optimizer.(Products)
February 1, 2005... THE WATER WIZARD EVAPORATIVE COOLING OPTIMIZER helps reduce water waste. Unlike a dry-bulb system, the optimizer measures outside temperature and humidity, then adjusts the water supply, providing only the water needed for maximum evaporative...

The GT10L Power Trap High Capacity Pump/Trap Combo.(Products)
February 1, 2005... THE GT10L POWER TRAP HIGH CAPACITY PUMP/TRAP COMBO is designed for removing condensate from steam heat exchangers with limited clearance. Combining the pump and the trap inside the same body reduces piping and eliminates possible selection or...

Max cut air saw bi-metal blades.(Products)
February 1, 2005... MAX CUT AIR SAW BI-METAL BLADES are a new line of heavy-duty reciprocating saw blades designed for use with pneumatic saws in the field or shop. Made for fast cutting and long life, the blades are constructed with an M42 edge for wear...

The deco pedestal sink.(Products)
February 1, 2005... THE DECO PEDESTAL SINK is created from travertine, a durable stone with varying shades and colors. Its classic design suggest the art deco fixtures of the 1920s and '30s. The sink measures 22" x 32" x 32". Faucets may be mounted on top of the...

Drain assembly kits.(Products)
February 1, 2005... DRAIN ASSEMBLY KITS are now available that match the company's stone composite sinks to create an attractive, uniform appearance in the kitchen. The disposer flange, basket strainer and waste assembly are all offered in matching hues that...

The castleby line of faucets.(Products)
February 1, 2005... THE CASTLEBY LINE OF FAUCETS for the kitchen or bath has models with both one-handle and two-handle styles. Offered in a wide array of finishes and with a line of coordinating accessories, the line suggests traditional designs from the late...

The #93WCT String Knit Cotton Work Gloves.(Products)
February 1, 2005... THE #93WCT STRING KNIT COTTON WORK GLOVES are made of a blend of 35% cotton, 55% poly and 10% rayon for comfort and durability. Intended for material handling and general industrial use, the gloves also keep hands warm when used as a liner...

The next generation family of inverter power supplies.(Products)
February 1, 2005... THE NEXT GENERATION FAMILY OF INVERTER POWER SUPPLIES are for STICK, DC TIG, AC/DC TIG and MIG applications. The portable, stackable units range in weight from 19 lb. to 63 lb., and all come with control panel covers to protect against the...

The EMC-5000 Control System.(Products)
February 1, 2005... THE EMC-5000 CONTROL SYSTEM is now available on the company's Genesis boilers, with inputs ranging from 300,000 Btus to 750,000 Btus. The energy management controls give the boilers the flexibility of two-stage firing, a silicon nitride igniter...

The H2000 Hydrogen Leak Detector.(Products)
February 1, 2005... THE H2000 HYDROGEN LEAK DETECTOR uses hydrogen as a tracer gas to detect leaks. The compact system can be used to detect leaks smaller than a bacterium. The system is entirely electronic, with no pumps, valves or vacuums, and so requires...

The Model RPM10 Photo/Contact Tachometer.(Products)
February 1, 2005... THE MODEL RPM10 PHOTO/CONTACT TACHOMETER includes a built-in, non-contact IR thermometer with laser pointer that provides fast and easy surface temperature measurements ranging from -4[degrees]F to 572[degrees]F in locations that are unsafe or...

Carefree tires.(Products)
February 1, 2005... CAREFREE TIRES on J-Air Compressors solve the problem of flat tires on construction job sites caused by broken nails, sharp edges and rugged terrain. The solid tires are manufactured with a high-density polyurethane compound that will not ooze...

The Panorama Series Safety Mask.(Products)
February 1, 2005... THE PANORAMA SERIES SAFETY MASK is designed for clean lab and industrial use. A triple sealing edge provides a comfortable fit for almost any size face. The mask provides clear communication and a wide field of vision. The centrally located...

The WCR-95 Wastewater Collection System.(Products)
February 1, 2005... THE WCR-95 WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM is designed for light to medium commercial and industrial transfer demands. It handles liquid and solid waste up to 2" in diameter. Applications include dewatering, effluent waste, wastewater and sewage...

The Dry-O-Tron Series of Make-Up Air Dehumidifiers.(Products)
February 1, 2005... THE DRY-O-TRON SERIES OF MAKE-UP AIR DEHUMIDIFIERS now includes an air purification option, making it ideal for installations in libraries, museums, hospitals, natatoriums, schools and other commercial buildings that need dehumidified air but...

These color-coded pressure relief valves.(Products)
February 1, 2005... THESE COLOR-CODED PRESSURE RELIEF VALVES can be pre-set from .5 to 150 psi, and settings are accurate to within +/-5%. The psi setting is stamped right on the valve. Brass is standard, with aluminum or 316 stainless steel optional composition...

The J-2512 Typhoon Trailer Jet.(Products)
February 1, 2005... THE J-2512 TYPHOON TRAILER JET clears blockages in big lines and long runs. It delivers 12 gpm at 2,500 psi to remove grease, sediment and debris. A 200 gal. holding tank caries enough water to handle remote applications. It features electric...

The proscanner onestep stud finder.(Products)
February 1, 2005... THE PROSCANNER ONESTEP STUD FINDER can find the center of the stud in a single pass. A floating scanner head has a bright back-lit LCD and non-marring pads to protect the most delicate wall finishes. The head locks into fully articulating arms...

The Impres smart energy system.(Products)
February 1, 2005... THE IMPRES SMART ENERGY SYSTEM is a series of replacement batteries and chargers for the company's two-way radios. It includes a charger that works to both charge, condition and recondition. The display provides users with real-time battery...

The simply PuR water filtration system.(Products)
February 1, 2005... THE SIMPLY PuR WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM is an all-inclusive system that coordinates with a variety of Delta faucets. A light indicator on the faucet notifies users when the filter needs to be changed. The filter provides three stages of...

Finding the green in the green building movement.
February 1, 2005... WE'VE SUPPORTED the green building movement since, well, before it was identified as such. That is to say, we've advocated initiatives that would save water in plumbing systems and conserve fuel in heating systems for several years. We've...