Builder articles from April 2004

Builder archives from April 2004

Green building goes to work.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
April 1, 2004... New voluntary guidelines will help make green building more consistent. New wood products are already making it more profitable. HOW DO YOU VIEW GREEN BUILDING? To some builders it's a social movement. To others it's a personal...

Pennies from heaven: builders could be saving a lot more with better purchasing systems.(Editor's Notes)(Editorial)
April 1, 2004... THE SUBJECT OF THIS MONTH'S COVER FEATURE--HOW to purchase more effectively--isn't the sexiest of topics. I wouldn't compare this issue of BUILDER with Fortune's list of the 100 best companies to work for, the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue,...

Calendar.(Book It)(Calendar)
April 1, 2004... APRIL 9 Gold Nugget Awards The Gold Nugget Awards recognize design and planning excellence from 14 Western states and the Pacific Rim countries. Entry deadline is April 9 (fees due April 2). Contact: 800-658-2751 or mayer...

In style.(B Mail)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR HAVING OUR project published in your magazine and on the cover no less ("Local Color," February, pages 84-86). Pretty cool. We will definitely alert you to any potential custom work that comes along. N. THOMAS...

Make an impression.(advertising executive laments lack of creative marketing at building industry trade show)
April 1, 2004... I AM NOT A BUILDER. I CANNOT FRAME A house, lay a subfloor, or get a miter to match up. I make ads. You see I am the creative director of an ad agency that specializes in architectural and building products. So, while I can't use a hammer...

Pinch hitters: builders turn to Owens Corning to help them manage customer service, warranty calls, and liability issues more effectively.(On The Front Lines)(HOMExperts)
April 1, 2004... WHEN MARK FISCHER HAS MORE WORK than his subs and staff can handle, he knows whom to call: HOMExperts, a company that provides specialized home services to builders and consumers. "If we're overloaded, we use them as the fire department," says...

Easy being green.(House blend: trends, tips, cool stuff)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Department of Energy and the Green Building Council have found that energy-efficient construction (compliant with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Energy Star standards) results in energy savings of up to 50 percent...

Zero down.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... HUD wants to make it easier for people to buy their first home. In its current budget proposal, the federal agency has proposed offering a zero down payment FHA mortgage loan for first-time buyers. If approved, the program could help about...

Pay up.(House blend: trends, tips, cool stuff)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... A study published in the Journal of Urban Economics finds that homes in new urbanist neighborhoods cost 15.5 percent more than comparable homes in traditional neighborhoods. The study looked at sales prices of 48,000 single-family homes in...

High trust.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... A survey of 500 residential and commercial builder customers conducted by Intuit found that customers generally trust builders. Fifty-seven percent said they trust their builder a great deal; and 84 percent say they would recommend a...

By the numbers.(House blend: trends, tips, cool stuff)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... A mural that graces one wall of Villa Harvey Mandel, part of the St. Vincent de Paul affordable housing complex in San Diego, measures 72-by-42 feet and is made up of 226 sections of stained glass mounted on prefabricated cement slabs that...

Missed the boat.(House blend: trends, tips, cool stuff)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Despite the housing boom, manufacturers of wallboard, roofing, insulation, and other basic materials have not enjoyed a significant windfall. Added manufacturing capacity in the late 1990s, home builder consolidations, and builder access to...

Narrow wall face-off: to meet new garage framing requirements, builders can choose between a low-tech, low-cost solution and more expensive, prefabricated components.(High-Tech, Low-Tech)
April 1, 2004... NEW PROVISIONS IN THE INTERNATIONAL Residential Code (IRC 602.10.5) require a 48-inchwide bracing wall next to garage doors. But many home designs would lose their charm with that much wall space added to the garage. Fortunately, with...

Online library: DesignLens offers the best of the best.(www.design lens.com)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... SOME OF THE BEST NAMES IN THE BUSINESS have signed on as subscribers to DesignLens, an online architectural and interior design library that provides photographs and design details on newsworthy residential communities from coast to coast....

Beach battle.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Officials in Sarasota County, Fla., have proposed changing construction setbacks to reduce beach erosion and maintain public access to beaches. About 200 landowners would need variances to build. SOURCE: SARASOTA HERALD-TRIBUNE

Making partner.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The EPA has named Veridian Homes, Wisconsin's largest home builder, as an Energy Star Partner of the Year for its contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by building energy-efficient homes. All Veridian homes meet U.S. Energy Star and...

Raise in Arizona.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... An Arizona Daily Star report concludes that government fees and sales taxes account for 7 percent to 12 percent of new-home prices in Arizona, which equals about $20,000 or more. Fees have been hiked in recent years to pay for roads, parks,...

Loyalty pays off: new rewards program targets small- and mid-sized builders.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... SINGLE VENDOR REWARDS PROGRAMS HAVE ALways favored the large-volume, production builders. Under such programs, it could take two to three years for a small builder to earn enough points to win a trip or a new computer. That's changing...

Power play: new national program makes solar power cheaper and easier.(Cost Cutter)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... BRITISH COLUMBIA -- BASED XANTREX TECHnology and Atlantis Energy Systems of Sacramento, Calif., have formed an alliance that will make it easier and more affordable for home builders to install solar power systems on their houses, the companies...

Backcountry brawl: a measure to protect rural lands and push for urban infill in San Diego County is rejected by a two-thirds vote.
April 1, 2004... A COALITION OF BUILDERS, REALtors, and farm groups soundly defeated an attempt by an unusual pairing of environmentalists and local trade unions to protect 700,000 acres of unincorporated rural land in eastern and northern San Diego County. ...

Vegas insurgency: some Las Vegas subcontractors have accused Nevada home builders of hiring non-union laborers at the expense of quality.(Inside Story)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... PLUMBERS, PLASTERERS, AND OTHER union subcontractors in booming Las Vegas have been making headlines in recent months, for taking builders to task--even picketing the local HBA office. They argue that the hiring of poorly trained workers is...

Mold relief? The tide of mold lawsuits in Texas may be turning, thanks to a combination of legal factors--and time.(The straight dope: the whole truth and nothing but the truth)(Texas Association of Builders)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Once the epicenter of mold litigation, Texas has seen a calming of both lawsuits and consumer fear about mold. While no exact figures on the current docket of cases pending are available, Texas builders tell us they feel the pressure lifting....

Block head.(Top shelf: the latest and greatest building products)
April 1, 2004... A BLOCK USED TO BE JUST A BLOCK. NOT ANYMORE. THIS new SEALTECH block is water resistant and environmentally friendly, the company says. Made from 10 percent recycled plastic powder, the block exceeds ASTM strength standards by 200 percent. It...

Tanked up.(Top shelf: the latest and greatest building products)
April 1, 2004... PRONTO! RTG-42PV is THE MANUFACTURER'S ENTRANCE INTO THE tankless hot water heater category. The product has no standing pilot light and no storage tank, so it eliminates the need to maintain a large supply of pre-heated water. The 35-pound...

Country time.(Top shelf: the latest and greatest building products)
April 1, 2004... ISRAEL'S LEADING BRASS FAUCET MANUFACTURER IS NOW AVAILable nationally in this country. The Country Classic kitchen product shown here features solid brass construction and drip-free ceramic disc valves. Available with cross or lever handles,...

Well placed.(Top shelf: the latest and greatest building products)
April 1, 2004... WITH THE GROWING POPULARITY of metal connectors, the manufacturer says the Positive Placement nailer offers a more accurate way to place fasteners and does it three times faster than hand nailing. A highlight of the product is a probe that...

Box top.(Top shelf: the latest and greatest building products)
April 1, 2004... THIS 26-INCH PROFESSIONAL TOOLBOX IS MADE FROM INDUSTRIAL structural foam construction that withstands temperatures below zero degrees and features a rainproof design that will keep tools dry, the company says. Rust-resistant metal latches...

Level off.(Top shelf: the latest and greatest building products)
April 1, 2004... THE INTELLILASER PRO IS THREE TOOLS rolled into one. It functions as a level, a stud finder, and as a vertical and horizontal layout tool. It has a 20-foot laser layout line and a 180-degree pivoting laser plane with level and plumb vials. The...

A Roof Cutter's Secrets.(Builder Books)(Brief Article)(Book Review)
April 1, 2004... A Roof Cutter's Secrets Will Holladay This brand-new edition of Will Holladay's classic framing book is full of practical tips and techniques for almost every roof and wall framing project imaginable. Whether you do new custom homes, major...

Advanced Framing: Techniques, Troubleshooting and Structural Design.(Builder Books)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Advanced Framing: Techniques, Troubleshooting and Structural Design The Journal of Light Construction This book contains 46 of the best framing articles published in JLC--all written by hands-on experts. The book covers a broad range of...

JLC Field Guide To Residential Construction.(Builder Books)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... JLC Field Guide To Residential Construction A Manual of Best Practice The Journal of Light Construction The JLC FIELD GUIDE is the ultimate visual guide to the best construction practices in America. This authoritative...

Residential Structure & Framing.(Builder Books)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Residential Structure & Framing The Journal of Light Construction Yes, you can master the complexities of residential engineering principles and advanced framing techniques with JLC's newest detail-rich manual for builders and remodelers!...

Troubleshooting Guide To Residential Construction.(Builder Books)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Troubleshooting Guide To Residential Construction The Journal of Light Construction Construction defects are costly to fix--but now they're easy to avoid! Builders and remodelers have always learned a lot from their mistakes. Such...

Managing the Small Construction Business, a Hands-On Guide.(Builder Books)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Managing the Small Construction Business, A Hands-On Guide The Journal of Light Construction This best-selling book is for builders or remodelers who came up through the trades and are now running a business, or would like to. You'll get a...

The Lead Carpenter Handbook.(Builder Books)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Lead Carpenter Handbook By Tim Faller The Complete, Hands-On Guide to Successful Job-Site Management This job-site management system is sweeping the nation for one reason: it allows a remodeling or custom building company to grow...

The Contractor's Legal Kit.(Builder Books)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Contractor's Legal Kit The Journal of Light Construction Take control of your job from the first client meeting to collecting the last check. Written in plain English by construction attorney and contractor Gary Ransone, this...

Finish Carpentry.(Builder Books)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Finish Carpentry By Gary Katz Professional finish carpentry demands expert skills, precise tools, and a solid understanding of the design principles at work. This brand-new book by master craftsman Gary Katz shows how to produce top...

Old vs. new: a newly released Census report on housing characteristics over time shows how American homes have changed.(Vital Signs)(U.S. Census)(American house )
April 1, 2004... WE'VE WATCHED THESE CHANGES happen, of course. From the aging houses in our grandparents' neighborhood (the one they lived in before moving to an Arizona active adult community) to the new homes in our own just-developed neighborhoods, the...

Something for everyone: means more for builders.(Nelco Development)(Advertisement)
April 1, 2004... Nelco Development is a niche, luxury and custom homebuilder. Specializing in "villa" style homes, Nelco primarily focuses on a style that features brick and stone facades with high pitch, front gable elevations. Common standard features include...

Hold the foam: sprayed foam insulation has the potential to be the next hot thing.(Products: products and tools every builder should know about)
April 1, 2004... IN ALMOST EVERY INDUSTRY ONE PRODUCT dominates its category like no other and is the leader that others chase. One example of this is fiberglass batt insulation. Fiberglass is an excellent sound absorber and energy saver, says the...

Climate isolation.(Products: products and tools every builder should know about)
April 1, 2004... CLIMATE ISOLATION: The Corbond rigid foam system completely isolates interiors from outdoor weather conditions, the company says. It works by preventing interior heating and cooling from mixing with the exterior climate, whether hot or cold. As...

Energy saver.(Products: products and tools every builder should know about)
April 1, 2004... ENERGY SAVER: Icynene soft foam insulation is 100 percent water-blown, contains no harmful emissions, and permanently adheres to construction materials without shrinking, sagging, or settling. It allows builders to downsize the HVAC system, so...

Star gazing.(Products: products and tools every builder should know about)
April 1, 2004... STAR GAZING: Because InsulStar foam insulation is formulated from renewable agricultural resources, it is one of the most environmentally friendly, closed-cell products on the market, the company says. It prevents thermal and moisture...

Joy of soy.(Products: products and tools every builder should know about)
April 1, 2004... JOY OF SOY: BioBase 501 is the most environmentally friendly insulation in the industry, the manufacturer claims. The ultra-lightweight product is a two-part, soybean-oil-based system. The company says the product eliminates building wrap,...

Easy green.(Products: products and tools every builder should know about)
April 1, 2004... EASY GREEN: The manufacturer says GacoGreen spray-in foam insulation contains no unsafe chemicals, ozone-depleting compounds, or formaldehyde. It can be applied to wall cavities, ceilings, and subfloors to prevent air infiltration and sound...

Water world: have you thought about automatic sprinkler systems lately? Maybe it's time you did.(Products: product and tools every builder should know about)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU BUILD, you may never even consider installing an automatic irrigation system for your houses. But it's a category that's worth taking a look at. According to the California Urban Water Conservation Council Web site...

Sensory perception.(Products: product and tools every builder should know about)
April 1, 2004... SENSORY PERCEPTION: Adding a rain sensor to an irrigation system is now easy thanks to the Wireless Rain-Clik. The receiver unit is installed next to the irrigation controller, and the transmitter goes anywhere it can receive rainfall. The...

High wireless.(Products: product and tools every builder should know about)
April 1, 2004... HIGH WIRELESS: The 57070 wireless sensor is a solar-powered unit that conserves water by automatically preventing sprinklers from watering when it rains or freezes. Appropriate for new and existing sprinkler systems, the unit transmits up to...

Brain waves.(Products: product and tools every builder should know about)
April 1, 2004... BRAIN WAVES: ESP Modular controller is the brain of the manufacturer's drip system. It has four programs that can accommodate a wide range of water requirements, while its 12 start times help to reduce runoff. Additionally, a variety of...

Root cause.(Products: product and tools every builder should know about)
April 1, 2004... ROOT CAUSE: The manufacturer says the DL2000 is the most technologically advanced subsurface irrigation system available on the market. Through revolutionary RootGuard technology, DL2000 prevents emitter clogging while delivering optimal water...

Trend watch.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... "Housing Facts, Figures, and Trends 2004," the latest edition of the NAHB's popular media backgrounder, provides essential historical information on trends in U.S. home and apartment building. It also lists top markets for housing permits,...

Main attractions: the NAHB predicts a number of trends in new homes over the coming year.(National Association of Home Builders )
April 1, 2004... AS WE MOVE INTO THE PEAK CONSTRUCTION and sales season, it's especially important for builders to know exactly what buyers want in a new home. The market is very competitive, even when times are as good as they are today, so products that meet...

Mortgage matters: builders should use ARMs as an affordability tool.(ADJUSTABLE-RATE MORTGAGES)
April 1, 2004... ADJUSTABLE-RATE MORTGAGES (ARms) OFTEN have served as a "safety valve" for home buyers and builders during times when the interest rate structure rises and steepens (long-term rates rising more than short-term rates). Those types of interest...

Keep it green.(NAHB Briefs)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The NAHB's National Green Building Conference held March 14-16 in Austin, Texas is part of the NAHB's effort to develop more resource-efficient, environmentally sensitive, and cost-effective homes. Participants learned from the best in the...

Focus on Fannie.(NAHB Briefs)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The NAHB hopes lawmakers will stay focused on the vital role of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks in the nation's housing finance system, which has been essential to the housing sector's job-producing role as an engine of...

Sterling work: award winners highlight quality achievements in home building.(The NAHB Research Center Corner)
April 1, 2004... AT THE 2004 INTERNATIONAL BUILDERS' Show, three companies were honored with National Housing Quality (NHQ) silver awards. The NHQ Awards, which are patterned after the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, represent the highest recognition...

New chair.(NAHB Briefs)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Douglas Sutton Sr., president of Sutton Siding & Remodeling in Springfield, Ill., was appointed 2004 chairman of the NAHB Remodelors Council. As chair of the Council, Sutton will aim to keep members at the forefront of industry developments and...

Power purchasing: recently, Builder went out into the field to analyze the complete purchasing process--from negotiating better discounts with vendors to designing back-office purchasing system. Through our extensive survey and field report, we bring you an industry blueprint for controlling purchasing costs.(Field Report)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... PURCHASING DOESN'T HAVE the flair of a great new urban design or the "wow" factor of the latest home theater setup, but builders who pay attention to this meat-and-potatoes issue understand that the payoff goes right to the bottom line. ...

Methodology.(Builders2004 purchasing survey)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... BUILDER'S 2004 PURCHASING SURVEY FINDINGS ARE BASED ON E-MAIL RESPONSES from 184 leading builder managers. Questionnaires were e-mailed to 13,938 BUILDER subscribers, generating a response rate of 1.32 percent, which is considered average for...

Purchasing handbook: Builders told us loud and clear that improving their purchasing operations is a top priority this year. Use these seven trends and tips gleaned from our 2004 Purchasing Survey to control costs, streamline paperwork, and improve your bottom line.(Field Report)
April 1, 2004... 1. Trend: Controlling purchasing costs is the No. 3 business concern. Tip: Take your department heads off site and spend a day talking about how the company can revamp its processes to reduce purchasing costs. BUSY AS THEY ARE,...

Easy upgrades: at Van Metre Cos.' design center, picking options is as painless as point, click, and pay.(Company Profile)
April 1, 2004... IT'S CALM AND QUIET AS I ENTER Van Metre Cos.' design center in Ashburn, Va., a fast-growing, high-tech corridor on the outskirts of Washington. Today, I'm playing the role of a brand-new owner of the Mosby, an attached townhouse with a base...

Warming trend: a Minnesota developer discovers a way to bring small production builders out of the purchasing cold.(Pooling Purchasing Power)
April 1, 2004... IN THE CHILL OF A MINNESOTA winter, the Woodbury, Minn., community of Dancing Waters could easily be nicknamed Frozen Waters. But underneath the snow and ice, something quite hot is happening at this suburban St. Paul development. With one...

Committee members: a Vermont builder finds that a democratic review panel is the key to its purchasing success.(Managing Suppliers)(Company Profile)
April 1, 2004... THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDERS' Show is a mecca for the building industry, but it's also a gold mine for a products editor. Instead of walking the show floor by myself, this year in Las Vegas I am set to shadow a builder to find out what builders...

End game: when materials hit the end of the supply chain--the jobsite--it's the last chance to catch any problems or make changes.(Site Inspection)(Astoria Homes)
April 1, 2004... IT'S A COOL, BREEZY DAY IN THE heart of a Las Vegas winter, and Ken Paulson, a site superintendent for Astoria Homes in Las Vegas, leads a short tour of this, the Veranda community, where a half-dozen homes have reached various stages of...

Culture shock: changing the way you do business is never easy, but Artery Homes says the time, paper, and cost savings from its new purchasing system are well worth it.(Computer System)
April 1, 2004... FOR ARTERY HOMES IN Bethesda, Md., changing its business processes to manage an automated system based on issuing purchase orders (P.O.s) to subs instead of receiving invoices presented more challenges than the actual technology. Bennett...

Cost control: builders can quickly slice their purchasing costs by following these basic.(Consultant's View)
April 1, 2004... IT DRIVES CHUCK SHINN CRAZY to see builders squander good profits through poor purchasing. "Builders are too busy building," says Shinn, president of the Lee Evans Group. "They're not making time to negotiate." They should. Price is the...

The 2004 Watermark Awards: Builder's kitchen and bath contest rewards smart design and elegant construction.(Cover Story)
April 1, 2004... FROM TRADITIONAL KITCHENS WITH HOMESPUN DETAILS to clean-lined, contemporary, spaces, BUILDER'S second annual design competition highlights the best when it comes to inventive kitchen and bath configurations. A watermark spells quality when it...

Sensible chic Merillat cabinetry helps builders "wow" customers.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
April 1, 2004... Beautiful Kitchens Sell Homes No other room has the ability to "wow" potential customers like the kitchen. It's the builder's first and best chance to make an impression. And the key component of the kitchen is the cabinetry, which has the...

Accelerated development: builders form a consortium to boost the pace of back-office software development.(Builder tech: new gadgets, new systems, new future)(Ennis Homes)
April 1, 2004... IN ONE OF THE REALLY GOOD IDEAS TO COME along during the past few years, four builders formed a consortium late last year that set specifications for a modern construction management system, hired a vendor to develop those specs, and created a...

Service focus.(Builder tech: new gadgets, new systems, new future)(Builder Kimball Hill Homes, BuildTopia)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Builder Kimball Hill Homes has established a partnership with BuildTopia in which the software company will develop customer service software tools. The new software will be customized for Kimball Hill and also be available to BuildTopia...

CEDIA Dome.(Builder tech: new gadgets, new systems, new future)(Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) has developed a traveling educational display, known as the CEDIA Dome, that breaks the home technology industry into seven categories: advanced video displays, whole-house...

Simply the tech: OnQ sharpens its marketing message to homeowners.(Builder tech: new gadgets, new systems, new future)(OnQ Technologies Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... FOR YEARS, HOME TECHNOLOGY HAS been more about selling structured wiring panels and integrated security systems than explaining the real benefits of the high-tech lifestyle to homeowners. OnQ Technologies is looking to change that with its...

Sales system.(Builder tech: new gadgets, new systems, new future)(TrueLine released Sales Solution sales automation software)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... TrueLine released its Sales Solution sales automation software at this year's Builders' Show. The new software comes as a stand-alone product or integrated with TrueLine's full back-office system. Sales Solution features sales and marketing...

Secure future.(Builder tech: new gadgets, new systems, new future)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The benefits of Honeywell's purchase of FutureSmart last year are now emerging. Honeywell is integrating its Ademco security systems into its FutureSmart structured wiring panels, which will make purchasing hometech systems easier for builders....

Change is good: one North Carolina builder now sees change orders as an opportunity to sell more options.(Builder tech: new gadgets, new systems, new future)
April 1, 2004... MOST BUILDERS MANAGE CHANGE ORDERS as a hodgepodge of verbal communications, faxes, and disparate Microsoft Excel spreadsheets stored in the local hard drives of their construction supers and office staffs. For Dixon/Kirby, a custom home...

What's new on Builder online: Buyer's Guide 2004.(Product/Service Evaluation)(Buyers Guide)
April 1, 2004... BUILDER'S ANNUAL BUYER'S GUIDE IS out this month--and its online counterpart lives on BUILDER Online. Here's a quick guide on how to find and use the information on thousands of manufacturers--and hundreds of thousands of building...

Expansive front porch.(Builder plans: featuring new plans from the nation's leading designers)(Advertisement)
April 1, 2004... Striking brick accents and a charming bay window set this plan apart and give it a timeless appeal. Enter from the wraparound porch to the two-story foyer. Designed for serious chefs, the kitchen offers an expert layout, dual ovens, a separate...

Modular construction offers big-time benefits for builders.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
April 1, 2004... If your idea of a modular home is bland and boxy, think again. The modular home industry has changed dramatically over the past few decades. Cookie-cutter is no longer the status quo; customization is. And the homebuyer can choose from an...

Landscaping, decking, and room enclosures.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
April 1, 2004... A HOME'S EXTERIOR BEAUTY IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR OWNERS AND BUYERS ALIKE. FOR BUYERS, A HOME'S EXTERNAL APPEAL CAN HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON THE PURCHASING DECISION. AND EXISTING OWNERS ARE ALWAYS INTERESTED IN IMPROVING THE BEAUTY OF THEIR PROPERTY...

Beacon Hill, Boston.(Walk Through)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... TOWARD THE END OF THE 18TH CENTURY, BEACON HILL WAS still pasture land, an extension of Boston Common, its only structures a powder house and a watch house that presumably contained the beacon that gave the hill its name. By the middle of the...

How to use the Buyer's Guide 2004 ... in print.(Buyers Guide)
April 15, 2004... SAY YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A COMPANY that makes structural insulated panels or foundation drainage systems--where do you go? You could ask your friends, but there's no guarantee they'll know. You could check the Yellow Pages, but who has time to...

Plus, how to find building products ... online.
April 15, 2004... AS YOU'LL SOON FIND IN THE PAGES that follow, the book you're holding is an invaluable reference tool for finding who makes what in the world of building products. If you go online to visit Hanley Wood, LLC's, Web sites, you'll find this same...

Practical hands-on help for you and your crew.(Builder Books from the Journal of Light Construction)(Brief Article)
April 15, 2004... A Roof Cutter's Secrets Will Holladay This brand-new edition of Will Holladay's classic framing book is full of practical tips and techniques for almost every roof and wall framing project imaginable. Whether you do new custom homes,...

The supplier 100.(Special Advertising Section)(Services and membership of the National Council of the Housing Industry)(Advertisement)
April 15, 2004... NCHI NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE HOUSING INDUSTRY "NCHI is an integral part of the National Association of Home Builders, and its members are vital partners in the effort to build the American Dream. We are very grateful for NCHI's strong,...