Builder articles from June 2000

Builder archives from June 2000

Customers for Life.(maintaining customers in the building supplies industry)
June 1, 2000... Are builders ready to make the leap to selling additional goods and services? IT'S ENOUGH TO MAKE YOUR EYES BULGE WHEN YOU CONSIDer the thousands of dollars your customers spend on products and services after they buy a home from you....

BMAIL.(letters)
June 1, 2000... Jobsite Safety HOW WILL THIS INDUSTRY EVER BEcome safe if publications such as yours continue to feature photographs that demonstrate completely unsafe working conditions? The story "Common Cause" and photos (March issue, pages 146 to 152)...

Dot.Com Frenzy.(in the building materials industry)
June 1, 2000... Shelter Web sites duke it out. AT A RECENT PRESS CONFERENCE A REPORTER asked a builder why his company's stock wasn't doing well. "Our company is doing very well," the CEO responded, "it's just that the market doesn't recognize us because...

Real Home Cost.(from a energy-efficient point-of-view)
June 1, 2000... Trying to sell energy efficiency? Paul Huddy of the Tucson, Ariz.-based Solar Institute says the initial costs--price plus financing over 30 years--are only one-third of the homeownership cost pie. (Sticker price is a mere sliver at II percent...

Outhouse Proud.(Review)
June 1, 2000... In his new book, Outhouses by Famous Architects, Steve Schaecher invites you to relax and have a seat as he traces the history of this often poohpoohed, much-maligned structure. The colorful collection of renderings displays the little known...

Pushing the Envelope.(for urban growth in Portland, OR)
June 1, 2000... A 1997 Portland, Ore., ordinance requires the area's regional government to expand the city's urban growth boundary to accommodate 20 years worth of housing need. The local HBA contends this has not been done, and has asked the state's Supreme...

DSL Hacker Doorway?
June 1, 2000... DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is a faster, always-on Internet connection that experts fear may leave businesses vulnerable to hacking. Firewall software offers protection, but so do some low-tech solutions: Consumers can use two systems, one...

Making a Splash.(California researches the possible use of reclaimed and recycled toilet water as drinking water)
June 1, 2000... Many Californians are revolted--but it just might work. State officials want to take recycling to the next step by turning "used" toilet water into drinking water. They insist their "toilet-to-tap" program is feasible, safe, and a positive...

New Deal.(Hanley-Wood L.L.C. invests in ChanneLinx.com)
June 1, 2000... Hanley-Wood, LLC, publisher of BUILDER, BIG BUILDER, REMODELING, PROSALES, OLD HOUSE JOURNAL, and other home building magazines, has invested $24 million in ChanneLinx.com, a premier provider of e-commerce solutions for the building materials...

Rivers in Crisis.(environmentally endangered rivers)
June 1, 2000... Report blames sprawl for endangering our waterways. THESE DAYS, IF YOU'RE A FISH, A RIVER IS a dangerous place to be," notes Rebecca Wodder, president of American Rivers, a national nonprofit conservation group. The organization's most...

CAN'T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER.(Barrett M. Singer charged with bulldozing a road in Green River Reservoir State Park)
June 1, 2000... Florida developer Barrett M. Singer pleaded no contest to two criminal charges after he bulldozed a road on the shoreline of the Green River Reservoir State Park in Vermont. Singer had previously--and unsuccessfully--asked the state for...

Home Building 101.(Review)
June 1, 2000... In these times of building delays, increased customization, and litigation against builders regarding home defects, all builders will benefit from having informed buyers. The Home Building Process, a new book on the steps to building a house,...

Porch Smarts.(good design characteristics)
June 1, 2000... Two developers search for the characteristics of good design. FRONT PORCHES ARE THE CROWNING GLORY and nostalgic attraction of many new historically inspired homes. Developers David Mayfield and Richard Burck agree that porches are also...

Market Jitters.(for home sales industry)
June 1, 2000... While Wall Street wavers, will home sales cool down? APRIL'S ECONOMIC BLACK Friday and the U.S. government's intention of forcing a Microsoft divestment have made hawkish market watchers of most everybody. Some sighed in relief over the...

All Natural.(Color Wash paints)
June 1, 2000... GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR INNER TREE-hugger. Color Wash paints are created from natural materials, including clay, food-grade preservatives, and fine pigment powders made of earth and rock, with a process designed to minimize air pollution. The...

Tile Time-Saver.
June 1, 2000... PROFORM TILE UNDER-layment components, available as doorjambs, curbs, slope panels, and niches, require less time and labor to install than traditional methods; users measure, cut, fasten, place, and seal. The units' single-piece design makes...

Jaws of Life.(propress crimping system for connecting copper tubing)
June 1, 2000... SO LONG, SOLDERING. THE PROPRESS CRIMPING SYSTEM, consisting of an electro-hydraulic tool with interchangeable jaws and specially engineered copper fittings, is designed to replace the traditional sweat method of connecting copper tubes. With a...

Finishing Touches.
June 1, 2000... LOOKING TO MAKE MORE OF A DECORATIVE IMPRESSION than white molding can provide? Perimeters architectural moldings, available in a range of historically styled, detailed designs, are offered in a variety of stocked finishes, including silver and...

Extend Yourself.(with the Rhino 375 fiberglass extension ladder)
June 1, 2000... THE RHINO 375 FIBERGLASS extension ladder meets the new ANSI Type IAA requirements for 375-pound-rated ladders, now the highest rating available. The ladder, offered in 16-, 20-, 24-, and 28-foot lengths, is available with "0" and "D" rungs and...

Diamond in the Rough.(CFX-Diamond direct-vent gas fireplace)
June 1, 2000... THIS LITTLE NUMBER IS MORE THAN JUST A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND. THE CFX-Diamond direct-vent gas fireplace sits higher on the wall than traditional units and has a 28-inch-by-35-inch glass viewing area. The fireplace outputs 23,000 BTUs and can be...

Give Customers Cash.
June 1, 2000... Gain credibility by backing up a promise with a payment. WHEN ANOTHER FORT MYERS, FLA., builder got negative press for dragging its feet on construction, the owners of First Home Builders of Florida did more than fret about the effect on...

Make Models Unforgettable.(building industry marketing techniques)
June 1, 2000... Themes work for Disney. They can work for you. AFTER A DAY OF MODEL-HOPPING, HOW WILL Buyers remember your homes? To leave a lasting impression, Lori and John Lober took to creating theme homes. The concept may be tried-and-true in large...

Connect With Workers.(employee retention techniques)
June 1, 2000... Want to keep your people? Then worry about employee retention before it's a problem. PARTNERS CARL RIDEN AND MIKE SMITH have 15 loyal employees, and they want to maintain that core group -- and their loyalty--as the business grows. So this...

Glass Man.(Will Jeffers of Architectural Composites)
June 1, 2000... This Florida craftsman has shaped his livelihood around the flexibility of fiberglass. IF ONLY FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT AND Will Jeffers could have teamed up. No more leaky roofs. Cantilevers that never sag. Ultra-lightweight sculptural totems....

A Matter of Interest.(interest rates to raise again)
June 1, 2000... Why more rate hikes? LIKE IT OR NOT, THE FEDERAL RESERVE is expected to raise interest rates in late May and again in June, though only a moderate quarter percent at each meeting. The Fed's tendency to tread lightly is understandable: The...

Libert[acute{e}] Rebounds.
June 1, 2000... Port Libert[acute{e}], once a bankrupt Venice-to-be on the Hudson, is now a hot seller with breathtaking views of Manhattan and Lady Liberty standing sentinel. ON THE JERSEY SIDE OF THE HUDSON River stands a formerly defunct multifamily...

Big Mistakes.(marketing techniques)
June 1, 2000... Are builders to blame for selling customers bigger homes than they really need? COMPUTERS AREN'T THE ONLY THINGS getting smaller, smarter, and better looking; they just make the easiest example. Look around and you'll find a broad...

Affordable Options.(affordable home expansion)
June 1, 2000... Q: How can I improve this affordable home plan without adding more than six feet to the original footprint? A: RESIDENTS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING OFTEN INCLUDE EXTENDED FAMILIES, so it's important to provide ample gathering spaces as well as...

Affordability Slips.(due to rise in housing prices and in interest rates)
June 1, 2000... Higher rates, higherprices take their toll on who will buy. RISING INTEREST RATES, COUPLED with increases in housing prices, have finally put a damper on affordability. The NAHB measures Americans' ability to buy homes through its Housing...

Fast Food.(high-tech kitchens)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2000... With speedier ovens and wired appliances, kitchens are going high-tech to make the lives of homeowners a little bit easier LOOKOUT MRS. CLEAVER, YOUR down-home kitchen is going high-tech. As the lifestyles of Americans get faster and more...

Something for Everyone.(overview of latest "accessible products")
June 1, 2000... If you think accessible products have to look industrial and sterile, think again. Many products available today offer accessibility without skimping on style. DESPITE THE IMAGE THE WORDS "accessible products" may evoke, building a home...

Un-flushed.(low-flow toilet bill defeated)
June 1, 2000... Despite consumer pleas written to Congress on toilet paper, the House Energy and Power Subcommittee defeated a bill to repeal federal requirements for 1.6-gallon-per-flush low-flow toilets. The flush vote was close: 13 to 12. The NAHB remains...

Smart Newsletter.(National Association of Home Builders of the United States)
June 1, 2000... The NAHB recently launched an online newsletter for its members entitled "Smart Link: NAH B's Eye on Smart Growth" that provides information on national and regional smart growth issues. The newsletter also serves as a forum for local HBAs and...

Smart Growth.(National Association of Home Builders of the United States membership increases)
June 1, 2000... The NAHB seeks 7,500 new members to become the biggest and best ever. GET READY FOR A SHOT OF ADREN-aline. It's time to roll up our sleeves in preparation for the NAHB's National Membership Day, Wednesday, July 19, when local builder...

Labor Shortages Slow Callback Response.
June 1, 2000... Building a home now takes longer, and so do callbacks. VIRTUALLY ALL HOME BUILDERS have been reporting deepening shortages of skilled labor during the past year, and these shortages have continued to drag out the time it takes to complete...

Sprawl Not All.(National Association of Home Builders of the United States and Sierra Club agree on smart growth solutions)
June 1, 2000... The NAHB agrees a with many aspects of the Sierra Club's efforts to solve the problems associated with sprawl. Home builders are partners in efforts to increase infill--homes built in America's cities and inner-ring suburbs--one of many...

On to Africa.(home builder Fred D. Peak builds mission stations in Kenya)
June 1, 2000... Fred Peak cares about 800,000 Pokots. GEORGIA HOME BUILDER FRED D. PEAK HAS raised funds to build five mission stations in East Pokot, Kenya. His first station included a church used as a school during the week, a clinic, a well, a...

American Gothic.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2000... New Yorkers are a discriminating market. But retro-chic and traditional Americana-style homes by Spectrum Skanska proved they'll leave city life for neo-traditional plans. WHETHER THEY LONG FOR A PAST THEY NEVER KNEW OR simply seek a...

Mountain Top.(Broken Top housing development in Bend, Oregon)
June 1, 2000... Mile-high views and open floor plans have made full-time residents of many of Costa Pacifica's empty-nesters and second-home buyers at Broken Top in Bend, Ore. TARGETING THESE MOUNTAIN HOME BUYERS MEANS providing houses that are...

Vineyard Life.(Westfield Homes Westchase community in Tampa, Florida)
June 1, 2000... Westfield Homes puts good design within reach of families and first-time buyers with its attainable, amenity-centered homes in Tampa, Fla.'s Westchase community. THE VINEYARDS, A GATED NEIGHBORHOOD OF CHARMING single-family homes nestled...

Using It Saves Trees... Sells Homes.
June 1, 2000... Imagine a building material al that's environmentally friendly, economical, easy to work with, attractive and resistant to rot, decay and insects--a material that can be used in a host of interior and exterior applications to add value and...

GREAT EXPECTATIONS.(homebuyers expect more from production home builders)
June 1, 2000... NEW GENERATIONS OF HOME BUYERS WHO WANT THINGS THEIR WAY HAVE FORCED BUILDERS TO REINVENT THE PRODUCTION HOUSE. CONSUMERS IN OUR A LA CARTE culture expect an endless array of choices--from the clothes they wear to the computers they surf on...

BREAKING AWAY.
June 1, 2000... An evocative palette of coastal classic details distinguishes The Breakers. WHAT IS YOUR COMMUNITY IS NEAR THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA coast, and you want it to stand apart from a sea of look-alike stucco and tile roof houses? If you're...

LOCAL LEADERS.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 1, 2000... THE TOP FIVE BUILDERS IN THE TOP 50 MARKETS OF THE UNITED STATES. THE 1999 LOCAL LEADERS controlled 42 percent of all single-family starts issued in 1999 and increased unit volume by 18.7 percent, going from 122,157 units in 1998 to 145,044...

GREEN WASHING: COVERING UP OR BUDDING OUT!
June 1, 2000... Green building practices may be life preservers for builders sinking in a sea of no growth. But how do we tell the true green from mere greenwashing? AS GREEN BUILDING'S POPULARITY continues to grow, so, too, does the blurring of lines...

THE GREAT OUTDOORS.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2000... FABULOUS PATIOS AND COURTYARDS ADD STYLE AND SQUARE FOOTAGE. THIS IS THE UPSIDE OF GLOBAL warming. The year-round balmy weather in Sunbelt climates is ideal for outdoor living, and as Americans continue migrating south and west, builders...

Virtual Private Networks.
June 1, 2000... The latest connectivity device uses the Internet to reduce costs and boost performance and security. EVEN IF YOU'VE ONLY DIPPED YOUR TOE INTO network connectivity, you won't be taking much of a leap when you're ready to create a virtual...

Knocking on the Door.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2000... Technology companies want to be in the American home. Can builders get apiece of the action? THE RECENT CONNECTIONS 2000 CONFERence, presented in San Diego by Dallas based research firm Parks Associates, was a magnet for businesses looking...

Installer Info.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2000... The home page for the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association, www.cedia.org, offers information on the trade association, comprised of companies that plan and install entertainment systems, home automation and communication...

New Options.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2000... Both Shea Homes and Kaufman and Broad have reached agreements with Alameda, Calif.-based Sage Systems to offer its Aladn line of home networking products to new-home buyers. The "Energy Management Suite," will be offered in Northern California...

Roaming Device.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2000... Builders wishing to offer home buyers wireless networks and shared Internet services for their home computers can do so with Lucent Technologies' new Orinoco RG-1000 residential gateway. The RG-1000 can be used to distribute either a dial-up or...

Onto the Web.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2000... Omnipresent Texas builder Michael Holigan has announced another business venture, this time an Internet-based management solution for builders. Dubbed MH2Build, the system is designed to handle scheduling, purchasing, and inventory management...

Speak to It.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2000... This wireless telephone listens and talks back. IF YOUR BUSINESS IS SMALL, OR IF YOU work out of your home, you may be yearning for a more sophisticated way to handle your telephone traffic. The CyberGenie CG 2400, Starting at $499, may...

Standard Equipment.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2000... New federal rule raises the bar for communications wiring. A NEW FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISsion (FCC) rule setting minimum quality standards for residential telephone wiring takes effect on June 21. The FCC says it wants "to ensure...

Coral Gables, Fla.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2000... AFTER THE GREAT 1895 FREEZE PUSHED CITRUS AND RAIL-roads south, a million Roaring Twenties dollars built entrance to "America's Finest Suburb." Developers were heroes: Founder George Edgar Merrick conductor of artistry Phineas Paist colorist....

SPECIAL TRAINING.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2000... U.S. Home Corp. has partnered with the Special Olympics in Houston to provide training in the home building trades to mentally handicapped athletes. Students are taught plumbing, electrical, and dry walling skills by professional tradesmen in a...

KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2000... Buyers asked for more light in their homes, and builders complied, offering more and bigger windows. Unfortunately, window treatments are so wildly expensive that many people are leaving their windows bare. According to a New York Times report,...

WEB WORKS.(Brief Article)(Polling Data)(Statistical Data Included)
June 1, 2000... A recent survey by the California Association of Realtors confirms the trend that people just keep getting more Internet savvy. The proportion of buyers who said they regularly used the Internet to find homes jumped from 26.3 percent in the...

YOUR MONEY'S NO GOOD HERE.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2000... Forget the selling price and your dot.com stock and 401(k) millions. According to the New York Times, builders, condo sellers, and co-op boards in the Northeast are turning down buyers whose assets are not completely liquid. And it's not...

A Home for the Ages.(the LifeStages home)(Brief Article)
June 15, 2000... BUILDER LifeStages Home is now available as a house plan We had no idea when we started designing the LifeStages home just how popular this showhome would be. Thousands of people toured the six-unit manufactured home, which was situated on...

Hands-On Home.(building your own house)(Brief Article)
June 15, 2000... Tommy Glover enjoys working with his hands so much that he built his own house. Not a very powerful feat except for the fact that Tommy is not a builder, he's an advertising account executive. So, how did he manage to construct a 2,200 square...

And The Winner Is...(Design Basics)(Brief Article)
June 15, 2000... When Dennis Totarella of Pridemark Homes chose to build this Design Basics plan for the Cleveland, Ohio Homearama, he knew he was playing to a relatively upscale market. With his home targeted at only 5% of the home show's audience, he was...

Grand Finish.(James Hardie siding)(Brief Article)
June 15, 2000... James Hardie siding products have the look, feel and workability of natural wood but won't rot, split, or swell. The company's Hardiplank(r) siding combines the warmth of wood with low maintenance and durability.

Clean Outlook.(Andersen Windows)(Brief Article)
June 15, 2000... Best-selling casement windows from Andersen Windows, Inc., let you bathe in glorious nature without leaving the comfort of home. Both sides of the glass can be washed from inside, and the double-locking system locks with a single lever.

Make A Difference.(Owens Corning)(Brief Article)
June 15, 2000... At Owens Corning, System [Thinking.sup.TM] Makes the Difference. Maximize energy efficiency, simplify maintenance, deliver superior protection, and even improve acoustics with our Insulating, Roofing, Exterior, and Acoustic Systems.

Have Campfire-- Will Travel.(Brief Article)
June 15, 2000... A portable Patio Campfire from Heat-N-Glo lets you enjoy a campfire poolside, on your deck or in the backyard. It's clean burning gas, and you use whatever finishing materials go with your landscaping.

Warming Trend.(gas fireplaces)(Brief Article)
June 15, 2000... An impressive vision of distinction, Heat-N-Glo's new 7000 series goes beyond the typical realm of gas fireplaces. A larger viewing area and a spectacular new log set create a mastered look of brilliance.

Gladiator At The Door.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 15, 2000... The Gladiator steel door, one of JELD-WEN's Challenge steel doors, protects against heat, cold, rain, sun, and snow, all for a practical price and with a five-year warranty.

Shingle Shake-Up.(Ambassador Shingles)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 15, 2000... Ambassador [Shake.sup.TM] Shingles are the world's only tri-laminate shingle. Their 3-dimensional appearance gives a wood shake look, with the same durability as asphalt shingles.

Classic And Affordable.(Brief Article)
June 15, 2000... Affordable and easy to install, Kohler's Terracina gelcoat bath and shower modules provide the classic look of ceramic tile at less than half the cost of tile installation.

Let The Winds Blow.(Brief Article)
June 15, 2000... [ProWrap.sup.TM] from Johns Manville is a micro-perforated housewrap of cross-laminated polyethylene. It offers greater strength for preventing damage from wind and on-site handling.

Off The Wall.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 15, 2000... Color Systems shelf brackets in 13 designer colors are an easy way to add color in your home! They fit decorator plans and homeowner's budgets. Kits available.

A Finished Look.(Aristokrafts)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 15, 2000... Bask in the rich color, beautiful, finish, and graceful maple styling of Aristokrafts Kincaid Alpine. Its double bead inside profile with a radiused outside profile bring n an aesthetic look to your kitchen.

Designer Profiles.(Michael E. Nelson, Nelson Design Group; Korel Home Designs)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 15, 2000... Design Basics Design Basics, located in Omaha, Nebraska, is the nation's largest home plan design service. Dennis Brozak founded the company in 1983 and remains the CEO. The firm's president, Linda Reimer, leads daily operations. The...

Considerate Colonial.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 15, 2000... A shady front porch lends a cool air of authenticity to this Southern colonial. Elegant interior appointments such as decorative columns, French doors, and arched doorways are reminiscent of the grand estate homes that inspired this design....

Clean Living.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 15, 2000... This one level home gives buyers the most square footage for their dollar while clean lines make this plan a breeze for builders. The focal point is the grand living area with its corner hearth fireplace and easy access to kitchen and eating...

Compact Country.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 15, 2000... This compact country home is economical due to its squared off design, yet remains stylish with gables and arched windows. Completely open, the great room, dining room, and kitchen lie under a grand cathedral ceiling creating a comfortable...

Southern Shades.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 15, 2000... Lap siding and a copper trimmed roof give refreshing appeal to this one-story home. The master suite is separated from two other bedrooms and is an ideal place to relax on a rear porch or in a bath behind French doors. Second-level attic space...

Drive In.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 15, 2000... With this popular turned-in garage style, owners can drop guests off at the door. The garage is connected to the house by a charming covered walkway that keeps it slightly separate yet still convenient. The flowing living spaces are voluminous...

Old World Tudor.
June 15, 2000... This beautiful two-story design is a perfect home for the growing family. The delightful plan includes a luxurious two-level foyer, romantic master suite with see-thru gas fireplace, gourmet island kitchen, four bedrooms, and a separate study....

Suite Delight.
June 15, 2000... A charming front porch attracts everyone to this French colonial home. Entertaining will be easy on the convenient grilling porch and after dinner, guests can gather in the spacious great room. After guests leave, owners can retire to an...

Delightful Duplex.
June 15, 2000... First time home buyers or empty-nesters will appreciate the simplicity and convenience of this design. The main level is an open combination of living spaces. Washer and dryer on the second level make laundry easy and an attached outside...

Porch Perks.
June 15, 2000... Open spaces inside and out provide comfort. Homeowners can enjoy the outdoors on the columned front porch. Inside, open spaces abound! Highlights include gracious living area, kitchen with breakfast nook, huge master suite, and two of three...

Breathtaking Views.
June 15, 2000... High ceilings, an elegant facade, and breathtaking bayed windows make this home a timeless choice. A verandah sweeps across the rear elevation, a double-sided fireplace brightens the study and living rooms and a gallery is a decorators dream. A...