Builder articles from August 2006

Builder archives from August 2006

Peer review: one of the best ways to learn about new ideas and techniques is from your peers.(EDITOR'S NOTES)
August 1, 2006... A few months ago, we sent out a survey to all of our readers for whom we have e-mail addresses in order to learn what you think of BUILDER: what you like, what you don't like, what you'd like to see more of, how the format works for you, and...

Turbulent indeed.(B MAIL)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2006... I REALLY ENJOYED THE JUNE EDITORIAL ("Turbulent Times," page 21). I had a friend who purchased a small restaurant in half of a building in Oakhurst, Calif. She was very successful, and the place was packed. So she decided to take over the...

Callback.(B MAIL)(Correction notice)
August 1, 2006... In the chart for the 2005 Builder 100, an incorrect Web site address was provided for Elliott Homes (May 2006, page 174). The correct URL is www.elliotthomes.com. We regret the error.

Calendar.(BOOK IT)(Calendar)
August 1, 2006... AUGUST 12 Design/Build Seminar, Denver If you've ever considered running a design/ build operation, this is your opportunity to assess the challenges and pitfalls ahead. When managed well, a full-service building or remodeling business...

Dominion's downward spiral: a weak market and government investigations have plagued Dominion Homes. Can the beleaguered builder bounce back?(PUBLIC BUILDER PROBLEMS)
August 1, 2006... The year is barely half over, but already it's clear that Dominion Homes won't look back on 2006 fondly Last year was bad enough: The Dublin, Ohio-based company's closings and revenue dropped 24 percent and 23 percent, respectively. This year's...

Hands tied.(California Building Industry Association regulations)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... A study commissioned by the Sacramento-based California Building Industry Association estimates that red tape and regulations kept builders from adding $6 billion and 43,000 jobs to the state's economy in 2005. The group is using the...

Purchase order.(Andersen Corp purchase products from Silver Line Building Products)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Bayport, Minn.-based Andersen Corp. has announced that it will purchase North Brunswick, N.J.-based Silver Line Building Products, a manufacturer of vinyl windows and patio doors. The purchase is contingent on the successful completion of a due...

Sprawl creators.(HOUSE BLEND: TRENDS, TIPS, COOL STUFF)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... A University of Maryland study casts doubt on local laws requiring developers to demonstrate there is enough infrastructure in place before a project can be built. The study, conducted by the National Center for Smart Growth Research and...

Panel Parting.(acquisition of Weyerhaeuser Co. by Flakeboard Co.)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Weyerhaeuser Co., parent company of Weyerhaeuser Real Estate Co., announced in June its plan to sell its six U.S. composite mills to Flakeboard Co. The mills produce MDF and particle-board and are located in Albany, Ore.; Bennettsville, S.C.;...

Waste not.(Atlantic Marine Corps Communities, a partnership between the Department of Navy and Actus Lend Lease, is proud to provide quality communities )(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Atlantic Marine Corps Communities--a public/private venture formed by the Department of the Navy and Actus Lend Lease to redevelop the Stewart Terrace Military Family Housing Area in Orange County, N.Y.--has launched a program to salvage...

KB layoffs.(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Rumors that KB Home would be reducing staff as a result of the housing slowdown are true. As of mid-June, newspapers in Las Vegas, Southern California's Inland Valley, and Tucson, Ariz., had reported that KB slashed its workforce locally due to...

Top-notch training: Two builders are recognized for employee development.(PERSONNEL MATTERS)(John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods, David Weekley Homes)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Each year, Training Magazine ranks the top 100 U.S. companies for training. The current list includes two builders, Atlanta-based John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods (No. 34) and Houston-based David Weekley Homes (No. 76). John Wieland...

Wish upon a star: Disney's real estate sell-off buoys Orlando builders but signals just how much land prices have risen.(LAND SHORTAGE,Walt Disney World Co.)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Orlando, Fla. -- AREA BUILDers and developers are hoping that Walt Disney World frees more of its local real estate empire for residential development. In recent months, Disney uncharacteristically has put up for bid small parcels from the...

Cashing in.(Meritage Homes shares)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Meritage Homes agreed to repurchase I million shares of common stock from John Landon, its former co-chairman who resigned on May 18. According to Finanzen.net, the negotiated selling price was $52.19 per share. According to Meritage's most...

Texas tax swap.(HOUSE BLEND: TRENDS, TIPS, COOL STUFF)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Lawmakers in Texas had until June I to fix the state's system of funding public schools, ruled unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court last November because it was overly dependent on local property taxes. In mid-May, legislators agreed to...

Minority report: a new report says lenders charge blacks and Hispanics more for loans.(MORTGAGE PRACTICES)
August 1, 2006... Blacks and hispanics get more high-interest subprime mortgages than do whites, even when the borrowers have the same risk factors, says a new report by the Center for Responsible Lending, a nonprofit research and policy organization based in...

Site-seeing: Pella launches new Web site for trade professionals.(www.pella.com/pro)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Window manufacturer Pella has unveiled a new Web site that the company says is designed to help builders, contractors, and other trade professionals increase their profit potential. In addition to the typical product information, the site...

Hurry home: builders and subs donate time and materials to house more than 1,000 people in a week.(BUILDERS BLITZ 2006)
August 1, 2006... On a Thursday afternoon in June at the Raleigh, N.C., site of Habitat for Humanity's first national Home Builders Blitz, the guys from Toll Brothers were in trouble with the event's organizers--again. "We're in trouble all the time [on this...

Pro leagues.(TOP SHELF: THE LATEST AND GREATEST BUILDING PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... The evolution Pro Series disposers were designed with features that make them much more advanced than the company's previous products. Two- or three-stage MultiGrind technology pulverizes any food waste, including bones and corncobs, and...

Guard duty.(TOP SHELF: THE LATEST AND GREATEST BUILDING PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... The maker says its new FrameGuard coating can be applied to all manner of framing lumber, including plywood and OSB, for protection against mold, termites, and fungal decay Dyed green for easy identification, the water-based solution is applied...

Helping hand.(TOP SHELF: THE LATEST AND GREATEST BUILDING PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... Contractors often find themselves in need of a little help when working alone, and the Stand-Up-Guy offers it. The freestanding clamp will hold solid-core doors, windows, plywood, and lots of other items on the jobsite. It is made of...

Quick and easy.(TOP SHELF: THE LATEST AND GREATEST BUILDING PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... Anyone who has installed a bathroom sink faucet know that the drain assembly takes the most time. The Speed Connect drain offers a solution. Available on a wide selection of the company's faucets, the assembly has fewer parts and a flexible...

Vanity flair.(TOP SHELF: THE LATEST AND GREATEST BUILDING PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... Known for its faucets, the fixtures, the manufacturer has branched out with a new collection of vanities that range in style from classical to modern. The pieces feature solid hardwoods and veneers as well as dovetailed drawers. They come in...

Hot stuff.(TOP SHELF: THE LATEST AND GREATEST BUILDING PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... Most outdoor sill faucets deliver cold water, but this company offers a new product that delivers warm water as well, so washing the car can be a slightly more pleasant experience. The unit has a frost-free cartridge, delivers 12 gallons per...

Mad dash: La Boheme's scavenger hunt/race helps build awareness of its revived San Diego neighborhood location.(MARKET SMARTS: NEW MARKETING AND SALES TECHNIQUES WITH PROVEN RESULTS)
August 1, 2006... Under normal circumstances, the sight 50 people running around in bright orange shirts might cause alarm in some neighborhoods. But on a bright Sunday morning in April, it instead inspired a two-way awareness between residents and businesses of...

Close shave: Fall Creek's billboard and television ad campaign gained notice around Houston for its message and offbeat images.(MARKET SMARTS: NEW MARKETING AND SALES TECHNIQUES WITH PROVEN RESULTS)
August 1, 2006... No one should shave (or put on makeup or eat breakfast) on their drive to work, but if you lived in Fall Creek, a 2,100-unit golf course community east of Houston, chances are you'd only be half done before you pulled into the parking lot at...

Game on: the roller hockey court has created a unique selling feature for Taylor Woodrow's St. John's Forest community in Jacksonville.(MARKET SMARTS: NEW MARKETING AND SALES TECHNIQUES WITH PROVEN RESULTS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Forget about the fallout from the NHL's season-long players' lockout last year. Hockey is alive and well in, of all places, Jacksonville, Fla., where a court specially designed for the sport's roller (instead of skate) version is attracting...

A growing problem: rising for-sale inventories continue to plague the housing market.(VITAL SIGNS)
August 1, 2006... New homes for sale hit another all-time high in May, reaching 555,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That figure isn't creating panic, though; less than a quarter of those homes were complete, and thanks to the still-solid sales pace, it...

Roll On: how paint can change the way you build and sell your houses.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
August 1, 2006... Dollar for dollar, paint probably offers the best value in a house. Consider how much a gallon costs and how much area it covers--about $22 and 400 square feet to 450 square feet; that works out to about five cents per square foot. Where else...

Makes sense, not scents.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
August 1, 2006... MAKES SENSE, NOT SCENTS: Ecoshield is a line of paint that emits very little odor and was developed for projects where indoor air quality is a concern. It uses a low-odor resin and doesn't contain any of the hazardous ingredients added to...

Greener shades.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
August 1, 2006... GREENER SHADES: A completely clean-air formula interior paint, Eco Spec contains no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), no solvents, and is environmentally sensitive. The manufacturer says the paint also dries fast, allowing a space to be...

Classic cover.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
August 1, 2006... CLASSIC COVER: ProClassic high-gloss waterborne interior acrylic enamel is formulated to meet or exceed standards for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified buildings, the company says. The manufacturer says the low-V0C...

Euro rai.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
August 1, 2006... EURO RAILS: ECO is a water-thinnable, urethane-alkyd product that combines tile advantages of acrylic and oil paint, the manufacturer says. Designed for windows, doors, trim, cabinets, and shutters, the product should be applied and left alone...

Home plate.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
August 1, 2006... HOME PLATE: Custom Home's high-build interior latex paint is a low-odor and low-VOC paint that offers cost-saving benefits for builders, the company says. Because it is formulated to be applied with an airless sprayer, the product allows...

You know the drill: the most popular tool on the jobsite gets special treatment.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
August 1, 2006... The U.S. tool industry sells more cordless drills/drivers per year than any other power tool. An extremely useful and versatile product, the cordless driver is likely the most popular piece on the jobsite as well. Not content to leave well...

Playing the angles.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
August 1, 2006... PLAYING THE ANGLES: The 12-volt angled impact driver has a compact head for easy access to tight spots. High-performance impact limits reaction torque to users, and variable speed and reverse allow for slow, easy starts and fast finishes. It...

Joy drive.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
August 1, 2006... JOY DRIVE: The manufacturer says the 10.8-volt Litheon I-Driver is the first professional cordless ultra-compact drill/driver with a five-position, 90-degree articulating head. Ideal for carpenters, electricians, and plumbers, the tool has five...

Light weight.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
August 1, 2006... LIGHT WEIGHT: The new line of 18-volt lithium-ion drivers offers 50 percent more run time than nickel-cadmium batteries, the manufacturer says. In addition, the products have been completely reengineered to be smaller and lighter, but they...

Sudden impact.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
August 1, 2006... SUDDEN IMPACT: The 18-volt DMR cordless impact wrench offers more power than a traditional cordless drill, the manufacturer says. It has 1.950 inch-pounds of torque, a fan-cooled motor, and a five-position belt hook with an integrated LED work...

Digital community: manufacturers offer a system to help homeowners manage their homes, their social activities, and more.(DIGITAL HOME: SMART TECHNOLOGY FOR NEW HOMES)
August 1, 2006... Most of the community intranets that builders have rolled out do a good job of letting homeowners form clubs or sign up for a golf game online, but very few manage security fights well, and even fewer integrate with a homeowner's consumer...

Show and tell.(DIGITAL HOME: SMART TECHNOLOGY FOR NEW HOMES)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Leviton's new "Build on the Possibilities" program provides home builders with product brochures, merchandising displays, easels, and wall talkers for showrooms and model homes. Pocket brochures packaged as inserts explain Leviton's main...

Media what?(DIGITAL HOME: SMART TECHNOLOGY FOR NEW HOMES)(Media Center PC)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... A study by technology research group In-Stat found that Microsoft's Media Center PC--a software platform for managing the digital home--remains on the edge of consumers' awareness. According to In-Star, 70 percent of the respondents who did not...

Niles' river of sound: a new six-zone system integrates all major audio sources.(DIGITAL HOME: SMART TECHNOLOGY FOR NEW HOMES)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Move-up builders looking to add profits to their projects may find that the new IntelliControl Integrated Control Solutions (ICS) system from Niles Audio is the differentiator they've been waiting for. Mike Detmer, vice president of sales...

Easy estimate.(TECH TOOLS: TECHNOLOGY FOR THE MODERN HOME BUILDER)(Sage Software offers new software)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Sage Software is offering a new product through its development partner Innovaya that lets builders run an estimate from a 3-D AutoCAD file. The software--Visual Estimating--integrates with Sage Timberline Office, an accounting and estimating...

Weather report.(TECH TOOLS: TECHNOLOGY FOR THE MODERN HOME BUILDER)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... BellSouth and The Weather Channel now offer Notify!, a new service that provides alerts and warnings of severe weather such as tornados, thunderstorms, and flash floods. The alerts can be delivered to up to three phones, as well as e-mail...

Netting sales leads: software vendor hires manager to develop online sales counselors for home builders.(TECH TOOLS: TECHNOLOGY FOR THE MODERN HOME BUILDER)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... BeHomeWise, best known for its lead-generation software that helps builders qualify and rate Internet sales leads, hired Dorrie Ehlers earlier this year to work with builders to develop online sales departments and train online sales counselors...

Helping hand: new services group formed to support builders and home buyers.(TECH TOOLS: TECHNOLOGY FOR THE MODERN HOME BUILDER)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Is there are only a handful of technology consultants in the industry, BuildLinks, maker of the Web-based BuildLinks project management software, has created a Professional Services Group to help builders more effectively deploy BuildLinks and...

Making connections: whether you're in search of a job, a new hire, or the latest industry-related information, the NAHB can help.(FROM THE PRESIDENT,National Asoociation of Home Builders)
August 1, 2006... As president of the NAHB, I am always pleased to let members know about the products and professional services that we provide. Our mission is to serve the home building indus try, and the career center and conferences mentioned below are proof...

Shelter stats.(built homes statistics)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Today's newly built homes are substantially larger and packed with more amenities than their predecessors of 30 years ago, according to annual data on new-home characteristics released by the U.S. Census Bureau in June. The statistics, along...

Money mysteries: the housing market slowdown should be good for the U.S. economy, but the Fed's focus on flawed inflation measures is interfering.(SEIDERS ECONOMY)
August 1, 2006... The U.S. economy is in the midst of a major transition, and the housing sector is key to the outcome. Reductions in home sales and housing production, as well as a slowdown in house price appreciation, are essential to a continuation of the...

Tax figures.(NAHB BRIEFS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... A recent study by the NAHB provides an in-depth analysis of the nationwide use of the mortgage interest and real estate deductions. Using the most recent IRS data available, the NAHB determined that for the 35 million taxpayers who used the...

Green standard: the Research Center will manage ANSI accreditation of the Model Green Home Building Guidelines.(THE NAHB RESEARCH CENTER CORNER,American National Standards Institute)
August 1, 2006... IIn 2005, the NAHB published the Model Green Home Building Guidelines to move green building further into the mainstream and to provide a practical baseline for resource-efficient, cost-effective home building. Through a recent vote by the NAHB...

Green house.(NAHB BRIEFS,National Association of Home Builders Research Foundation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The National Housing Center, headquarters for the NAHB, has earned a 2006 Energy Star designation for its focus on conserving natural resources while providing a comfortable, healthy environment for employees and visitors. It also meets Energy...

Livin' large: Calabria at StoneBridge Estates, San Diego.(HOT SELLERS: SOLD OUT! FAST--MOVING COMMUNITIES)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... WHY IT WORKED: The combination of lush, semirural surroundings and lavishly appointed homes is hard to beat. Calabria is especially popular with move-up and move-down empty-nesters. * All six plans have three-car garages, a downstairs...

Mountain views: Hearthstone, Sandy, Utah.(HOT SELLERS: SOLD OUT! FAST--MOVING COMMUNITIES)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... WHY IT WORKED: Great floor plans in a planned community with wonderful mountain and valley views. * The best-selling, 2,566-square-foot Albion plan, one of six available at Hearthstone, features three bedrooms (with an option for a...

Urban oasis: Parkside Walk, Atlanta.(HOT SELLERS: SOLD OUT! FAST--MOVING COMMUNITIES)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... WHY IT WORKED: Buyers love the parklike setting, the distinctive architecture, and the fact that this 26-acre neighborhood is just four miles from downtown Atlanta. * Six-acre natural area features two creeks, walking paths, and old-growth...

It's time to get in fighting form: when times get tough, the tough get scrappy. Builders share their best tips for keeping fit, profitable, and competitive in a down market.(TRADE SECRETS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The mark of a true contender is how he or she performs under duress. Genial sparring with your competition during boom times is one thing. But are you prepared, in the immortal words of Muhammad Ali, to "float like a butterfly and sting like a...

Shadow boxing: in the battle of new vs. resale, builders are sometimes their own worst enemies. If you've seen the competition and it is you, it's time to leave your comfort zone.(TRADE SECRETS)
August 1, 2006... Funny how second-hand doesn't seem so bad when times get tight. With land prices in the stratosphere, consumer confidence waning, and mortgage interest rates creeping up, would-be home buyers who previously held fast to the "new or die" mantra...

Up against the heavy-weight: speed, flexibility, and market knowledge help small builders keep national competitors at arm's length.(TRADE SECRETS)
August 1, 2006... Remember the story of David and Goliath? Based on all the standard external measurements--size, track record, market position, etc.--Goliath should have cleaned David's clock. But David played to his strengths--speed, mobility confidence, and...

Toe to toe: in a slowing market, the only way to go up against other small builders is to change your tactics and throw some hard punches.(TRADE SECRETS)
August 1, 2006... Now for what may be the toughest part of your fight in a downward market: Knocking out other small builders on your home turf. In this arena, your opponents are the guys who also have friends on the local planning boards, are building...

Miracle comebacks: three projects show that adaptive reuse makes good sense, in cities and beyond.
August 1, 2006... Adaptive reuse projects often bring with them a fair amount of headaches. Historic designations, layers of municipal approvals, and constrained construction sites are just a few of the concerns that builders and developers often have to juggle...

Universal access: there's plenty of information about how to incorporate universal design into mainstream, market-driven homes. Here's why builders ought to do it, and how to go beyond the basics for an accessible and convenient lifestyle for all buyers.(SPECIAL HOW-TO FEATURE)
August 1, 2006... Imagine how much easier it would be for a parent with a toddler and an infant to get from the garage or driveway into their new house without having to navigate even one step up to the door, or to haul a load of laundry or groceries, with one...

The long and winding road: their willingness to compromise and cooperate with planners, homeowners, and environmental groups can determine how quickly builders and developers get land entitled for their community projects.
August 1, 2006... No builder or developer needs to be reminded that plan approval and land entitlement get longer, thornier, and more expensive every day John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods is in year five of trying to get 290 lots for the same number of homes...

What's new on Builder Online: information centers.(MISSING LINKS)
August 1, 2006... Certain topics come up again and again in BUILDER magazine--topics that are of such vital interest to builders that they deserve regular coverage. And it's not just for the readers of Builder. Members of the building and remodeling...

Builder plans: featuring new plans from the nation's leading designers.
August 1, 2006... The complete package PLAN: HWB7400005 FIRST FLOOR: 1,365 sq. ft. SECOND FLOOR: 1,427 sq. ft. TOTAL: 2,792 sq. ft. BEDROOMS: 4 BATHROOMS: 3 DIMENSIONS: 44' - 0" X 58' - 0" FOUNDATION: Crawlspace, Slab,...

Pasadena, Calif.(WALKTHROUGH)(Pasadena, California)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Well known for its "little old lady" and the Tournament of Roses parade, Pasadena, Calif., is less renowned for its nevertheless stunning array of Arts and Crafts architecture and classic bungalows. Around the turn of the 20th century, many of...