Builder articles from June 2005

Builder archives from June 2005

Beat the crowd: consolidation is causing some builders fits as big players gobble up more market share.(EDITOR'S NOTES)
June 1, 2005... DOES IT SOMETIMES FEEL LIKE YOU ARE RUNNING out of elbow room in your market? Like every time you pursue a piece of land, someone else got there first? Like when you open a community someone across the street begins at the same time and sells...

P.A. Blasi Construction, Inc.: this upstate NY Builder says weather is no match for Integrity[R] windows and doors.(INTEGRITY CELEBRATES ITS RED DIAMOND ACHIEVERS)(Advertisement)
June 1, 2005... Business is steady for Paul Blasi, president of EA. Blasi Construction, Inc. A custom builder who finishes about five new homes each year, Paul is the self-described "face of the company". He offers personalized service and believes it is...

Dollars and sense.(B MAIL)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2005... I OFTEN GET A LOT FROM YOUR FEATURED articles. The perspective on cost-saving initiatives ("CSI: Cost-Saving Initiatives," April 2005, page 88) was right on with the current market conditions. The timing was great, as we all try to keep a pulse...

Callback.(B MAIL)(Correction Notice)
June 1, 2005... IN "YOU'RE HIRED!" (APRIL 2005, PAGE 112), the roof shingles and windows used for The Residences at Trump National Golf Club were incorrectly attributed. The slate-style roof shingles are Royal Building Products' Dura Slate Roofing System; the...

Calendar.(BOOK IT)(Calendar)
June 1, 2005... JUNE 23-26 Elder Cohousing "Getting Started" Workshop, Boulder, Colo. This event offers the opportunity to learn how to create a new type of old-fashioned community, where neighborliness, friendship, an active lifestyle, and...

A leaky feeling: specialty contractors in California say the copper plumbing you are using in your homes is a costly problem.(MATERIAL WARS)
June 1, 2005... A COALITION OF SPECIALTY CONTRACTORS IS alleging that the chloramine compounds California uses to treat its water is causing pinhole leaks to develop in copper pipes. The group is calling on the state to allow builders to use plastic pipe...

Reforms needed.(HOUSE BLEND: TRENDS, TIPS, COOL STUFF)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Describing the home building industry as an "astonishing panorama of waste, fraud, and abuse," a statewide probe of home building in New Jersey called for a series of legislative and regulatory reforms. The independent State Commission of...

Budget busters.(HOUSE BLEND: TRENDS, TIPS, COOL STUFF)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... In the San Diego area, developers who oversee construction projects are experiencing sticker shock as bids are coming in higher than they estimated. Compared with the 2 percent to 4 percent increases in construction costs that were typical in...

Call 811.(NICE DIGS)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has authorized the designation of 811 as a national, toll-free "all-before-you-dig" number. The goal of having the three-digit number is to make it easy for contractors to give advance notice of...

Bumper crop.(HOUSE BLEND: TRENDS, TIPS, COOL STUFF)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Builders looking to hire recent college graduates with real estate degrees have more candidates from which to choose, thanks to an increase in the number of colleges offering the degrees. Nationwide, 63 accredited colleges have real estate...

Growth spurt.(HOUSE BLEND: TRENDS, TIPS, COOL STUFF)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... A report by the nonprofit group Downtown St. Louis Partnership says that downtown St. Louis is in for a housing boom next year with the opening of more than 1,500 new residential units. Residential development has focused on the renovation of...

Grant's goodwill.(HOUSE BLEND: TRENDS, TIPS, COOL STUFF)(Grant Hill )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Basketball star Grant Hill has a good side gig going in commercial and residential development. His newest project isn't geared toward the fat cats who sit courtside at his Orlando Magic games, though. He's paired with another Orlando, Fla.,...

Big boom theory: senior housing giant Greystone Communities hedges its bets on a new model for urban retirement.(SENIOR HOUSING)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... CHICAGO'S GOLD COAST DISTRICT WILL SOON be flashing a little more silver with the construction of The Clare at Water Tower, the first continuing care retirement community to break ground in a downtown urban setting. Slated to open in fall...

Plastic prognosis: manufacturers of "pure" plastic materials say their products are superior to wood-plastic composites, but composite makers contend that buyers prefer the look and workability of composites.(PLASTIC VS. COMPOSITE)
June 1, 2005... RECENTLY, CHICAGO-BASED U.S. Plastic Lumber (USPL) stopped making composite products, citing problems with staining and other issues. Instead, USPL has turned all of its energies toward making "pure" plastic products made with 100 percent HDPE....

Labor shortage.(HOUSE BLEND: TRENDS, TIPS, COOL STUFF)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... A shortage of skilled construction workers is causing delays in completion and delivery of new homes in the Tucson, Ariz., area, according to the Southern Arizona HBA. The trade group says demand for new homes is outpacing supply and that a...

Slow growth.(HOUSE BLEND: TRENDS, TIPS, COOL STUFF)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Because local governments believe new residents put a strain on public services, Maryland builders are having a tough time getting the land they need for residential projects. Jurisdictions are limiting how many homes can be built on each acre...

Sit! Stay! New trend may be designing houses to be pet-friendly.(PURR-FECT DESIGN)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... BUILDERS OFTEN LOOK AT trend experts with skepticism, but this time we may have to throw them a bone. Trend watchers suggest that the next big thing in house design could be pet-friendly features, such as doggie showers in the laundry room and...

Slowdown hits anchorage: shortage of developable land will cause 40 percent drop in single-family home construction in 2005.(REGIONAL MARKETS)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... SOMETIMES GEOGRAPHY FORCES BUILT-IN LIMItations. That's the case in Anchorage, Alaska, where the Anchorage HBA says the city will run out of developable land in about two years. The HBA delivered this stark assessment at its annual media...

Not for public consumption: William Lyon Homes intends to go private. But shutting the door to the public can be tougher than anticipated.(WALL STREET)
June 1, 2005... ON APRIL 26, WILLIAM LYON, chairman and CEO of William Lyon Homes, announced his intention to buy the company's outstanding publicly held minority shares for $82 each and return the Newport Beach, Calif.-based builder to private status. That...

Backed up: builders must adjust their plans as Phoenix fixes sewer lines reaching capacity.(INSIDE STORY)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... A ROUTINE ASSESSMENT OF PHOENIX'S sewer system last year revealed several lines within the city's system running at or above 80 percent capacity, the design limit. It will take $60 million over three years to fix the problem lines, says Ray...

See and sign: Laurent, S.D., aims to be the first planned community for the deaf.(THE STRAIGHT DOPE: THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... When Laurent, S.D., is completely built out, it will look like any other community designed with new urbanism principles except for one thing: It will be the first town created for people who use sign language as their primary means of...

Hyper tension.(TOP SHELF: THE LATEST AND GREATEST BUILDING PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2005... A HACKSAW CAN BE AN INVALUABLE TOOL, BUT LET'S face facts: It's a one-trick pony Perhaps this is why it is used infrequently The manufacturer of the Nicholson Pro Series High Tension hacksaw says it's a four-in-one tool that contractors will...

Need to feed.(TOP SHELF: THE LATEST AND GREATEST BUILDING PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2005... BECAUSE GLASS-BASED WALLBOARD IS BECOMING MORE POPULAR, THE manufacturer has introduced an autofeed screw gun that is perfect for the material. Lightweight and ergonomically designed, the FG12 needs no tools to make countersink and bit changes...

Stone face.(TOP SHELF: THE LATEST AND GREATEST BUILDING PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2005... THE POLYSTONE PREMIER Custom Collection includes a host of styles and designs to fit most needs, from a knee wall column to a square, non-tapered pillar. Load-bearing and fire- and impact-resistant, the composite fiberglass columns are...

Stick 'em.(TOP SHELF: THE LATEST AND GREATEST BUILDING PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2005... LEAKBARRIER FAST90 IS A SELF-STICKING UNDERLAYMENT THAT can be used in all tile and slate roofing applications, the manufacturer says. It performs like a traditional hot-mopped system, but it is suitable for residential use and is faster to...

Studio 54.(TOP SHELF: THE LATEST AND GREATEST BUILDING PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2005... WITH EIGHT NEW SHADES, THE manufacturer has expanded its Studio Collection of solid surfacing to 54 colors. It includes realistic textures, recycled products, and colors inspired by glass, concrete, and precious metals. Made from a blend of...

Great wall.(TOP SHELF: THE LATEST AND GREATEST BUILDING PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2005... WALL-MOUNT FAUCETS ARE ALL THE RAGE9 and now the manufacturer has introduced its own wall-mount product: the Solace. Featuring a chrome finish, the faucet comes with either lever or cross handles. The valve can be mounted on the wall or on the...

Boom towns: the FDIC identifies 55 markets where housing is a booming business. Will busts follow?(VITAL SIGNS)
June 1, 2005... A MAY UPDATE TO A FEBRUARY 2005 Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) report found that more housing markets are experiencing booms today than ever before, spurred on by both local-market conditions and nationwide factors, including the...

Opulent lifestyle.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
June 1, 2005... OPULENT LIFESTYLE: For home buyers who favor traditional styling, the manufacturer has introduced this Victorian-era pot filler to its Opulence Collection. The product features an articulated spout with 13- and 7-inch arms that swing out to...

High profile.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
June 1, 2005... HIGH PROFILE: The manufacturer has given its Profile dishwasher an upgrade. The unit can hold a 45-ounce bottle of detergent and dispense the right amount for each wash based on water hardness, soil level, load size, and cycle selection. A...

Pure geometry.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
June 1, 2005... PURE GEOMETRY: Known for its stainless steel kitchen sinks, the manufacturer now offers geometrically shaped products for the bath. The units marry the minimalist styling of a vessel sink and the practicality of a traditional drop-in lavatory....

Top hat.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
June 1, 2005... TOP HAT: The manufacturer reduced the toilet to its bare minimum and ended up with this hatbox-shaped unit. The tankless product features a .2-hp electric pump that fully utilizes 1.6 gallons of water per flush and has a soft-touch flush...

Top choices: hot products from this year's Kitchen and Bath Industry Show.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... AS FAR AS WE KNOW, THERE IS NO Living Room Show, nor is there a Bedroom Show. Fortunately for all of us, though, there is the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show. Everyone knows that the kitchen and the bath are the money rooms--literally They...

On the surface.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
June 1, 2005... ON THE SURFACE: LG Viatera is the latest entry in the quartz surfacing category. Like other quartz products, it is made of 93 percent quartz blended with polymer resins and colored pigments. Unlike granite or marble, it does not need to be...

Traditional turn.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
June 1, 2005... TRADITIONAL TURN: The Brianne Collection has traditional lines and a wide selection of handles. Bath faucets feature all-brass construction, copper waterways, and durable ceramic disc cartridges. Kitchen faucets boast all-metal construction,...

Four sure.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
June 1, 2005... FOUR SURE: Three-door refrigerators are hot, but the manufacturer has gone one step further with four. The units have four zones with adjustable temperature settings to allow users to convert refrigerator space to freezer space and back. The...

Ben Venuto.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
June 1, 2005... BEN VENUTO: Inspired by elements of both Northern European and Asian design, Venuto kitchen faucets feature high arcs, pull-down sprays, and optional accessories. Available in polished chrome, stainless steel, and matte black finishes, the...

Chameleon collection.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
June 1, 2005... CHAMELEON COLLECTION: Reminiscent of an old-fashioned farm basin, the Chameleon Collection sink can alter its looks to fit the decor of any room, the manufacturer says. Featuring a selection of four interchangeable, solid bronze, handcrafted...

Square pegs.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
June 1, 2005... SQUARE PEGS: The square sink, the manufacturer says, is one of today's most modern shapes. When done in glass, it is nothing short of cutting-edge. This one is made of clear, smooth glass and features thick walls that are durable and strong....

Classic style.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
June 1, 2005... CLASSIC STYLE: Bayport's bead-board detailing recalls early 20th-century paneling, the manufacturer says. The line comes in a durable white thermofoil finish that the company says is impervious to moisture and common food stains. The cabinets...

Victor Victorian.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
June 1, 2005... VICTOR VICTORIAN: This Victorian-style bridge faucet features cast brass construction; ceramic disc valves; a tall, movable spout; cross handles; and a side spray. It is shown in a light bronze finish. Harrington Brass Works. 201-818-1300....

Silent night.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
June 1, 2005... SILENT NIGHT: Measuring 23 1/2 inches wide and 56 1/2 inches tall, this wine cooler takes up about as much space as a refrigerator but has enough capacity for 160 bottles. It has a tinted, UV-resistant glass door and an absorption cooling...

Store it.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
June 1, 2005... STORE IT: The manufacturer claims that Storganize is the industry's first shower door with integrated storage. The bypass doors come in two models: a bath/shower door that fits most standard 5-foot baths and a 60-inch shower-only unit. It...

Faux stone.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
June 1, 2005... FAUX STONE; Pure Stone lavatory is a new twist on the bathroom sink. Though it looks like a single block of stone, the basin is made of porcelain. Available in two sizes--21 5/8 inches and 23 5/8 inches--the sink comes in three colors: white,...

Shao thing.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
June 1, 2005... SHAO THING: For those who want clean lines, Shao faucets come in three-hole configurations and widespread sets that allow for installation from 8 inches to 10 inches wide. Made in France, each piece of the faucet is manually poured into casts...

Mix and match.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
June 1, 2005... MIX AND MATCH: Measuring a total of 48 inches wide, this undercounter refrigeration system consists of side-by-side compartments that fit under standard cabinets. The units can be configured with freezer/refrigerator drawers, a wine cellar, a...

Clear the way.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
June 1, 2005... CLEAR THE WAY; The manufacturer's built-in gas cooktops feature a clear coating that prevents stainless steel finishes from yellowing. The coating also reduces chemical and food stains, scratching, fingerprints, and the need for cleaning. In...

Broadband City: builders, a developer, and a large telecom deploy fiber infrastructure for a new community in Colorado.(DIGITAL HOME: SMART TECHNOLOGY FOR NEW HOMES)
June 1, 2005... COVENTRY DEVELOPMENT CORP.'S vision for the RidgeGate community in Denver as a showcase for the latest in hip New Urbanism includes a forward-thinking technology component. The developer's plan is to build a "Broadband City" backed by a...

15-year warranty.(DIGITAL HOME: SMART TECHNOLOGY FOR NEW HOMES)(On-Q Home )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Structured wiring company On-Q Home and specialty cable maker Belden CDT Electronics now offer a joint marketing program in which the two companies will provide a 15-year warranty. Builders, take note: The typical warranty for structured wiring...

Elan's touch.(DIGITAL HOME: SMART TECHNOLOGY FOR NEW HOMES)(ELAN Home Systems)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Elan Home Systems has a new color LCD control panel that lets homeowners control whole-house audio/ video systems, lighting, security, and HVAC. The new model lets home buyers step up from keypads at an affordable price. The 4-inch touch panel...

Easier estimates: Timberline software integrates electronic takeoffs with estimating software.(TECH TOOLS: TECHNOLOGY FOR THE MODERN HOME BUILDER)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... FOR YEARS, BUILDERS USED A DIGITIZER TO transfer electronic linear counts for the sizes and materials they would need for a job into a digital format for use in an estimating program. But the digitizer, which essentially served as an electronic...

Online payoff: Las Vegas builder uses the Web to sell more upgrades.(TECH TOOLS: TECHNOLOGY FOR THE MODERN HOME BUILDER)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... PAGEANTRY COMMUNITIES HAS A WEB STORY few builders can tell. Bill Hoover, Pageantry's Nevada division president, says the company's upgrade sales increased fourfold in the first year the home builder used Options Online, a Web-based options...

Phone maps.(TECH TOOLS: TECHNOLOGY FOR THE MODERN HOME BUILDER)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Nextel subscribers whose phones have global positioning systems and data service plans can now sign up for MapQuest's Find Me service for $3.99 per month. Find Me lets users pinpoint their location with their phone; maps and directions are also...

Web reports.(TECH TOOLS: TECHNOLOGY FOR THE MODERN HOME BUILDER)(Buildtopia Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... BuildTopia has a new data mining and reporting engine that lets builders generate Web-based reports on job costing, schedules, variances, and options margins. The feature became a standard part of the BuildTopia service on April 19. Builders...

In the money.(NAHB BRIEFS)(National Housing Endowment)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... The National Housing Endowment has received a $1 million gift from Greystone &, Co., a leading private investment and real estate family of companies active in housing and health-care financing. Created in 1987 by the NAHB, the National...

All wet.(NAHB BRIEFS)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Testifying in April before a House small business subcommittee about inefficient regulations that unnecessarily harm housing affordability, David Pressly, first vice president of the NAHB, described the federal stormwater program as a...

The NAHB and you: membership has its rewards, and everyone benefits when you become part of the housing industry's trade association.(FROM THE PRESIDENT)
June 1, 2005... THE NAHB SETS ASIDE ONE DAY EVERY YEAR to celebrate its official National Membership Day, but the truth is that for a grassroots association such as ours, every day is Membership Day Our strength lies in each of our more than 220,000...

Beware "hidden supply": purchases by investors/speculators help fuel the housing market but can cause trouble down the line.(SEIDERS ECONOMY)
June 1, 2005... SALES OF SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES AND CONDO units reached extraordinary heights late last year and in the early months of 2005. Historically low mortgage rates and an improving economy definitely fueled purchases of homes for owner occupancy But it...

Subdivide and conquer: nationwide HUD study will identify barriers to affordable housing.(THE NAHB RESEARCH CENTER CORNER)
June 1, 2005... JUNE IS NATIONAL HOMEownership Month, drawing public attention to issues surrounding affordable housing--issues with which the home building industry is keenly familiar. Everyone in the residential construction industry knows that there are...

Easy access.(NAHB BRIEFS)
June 1, 2005... In April, 47 members of the House sent a letter to President Bush urging the administration to eliminate duties on Canadian lumber shipments into the United States. The U.S. government imposed trade restraints on softwood lumber in May...

Crane reshapes siding industry with solid core siding.(PRODUCT INNOVATOR)(Advertisement)
June 1, 2005... Since its invention of the first vinyl siding product in 1957, Crane Performance Siding[R] has lead the way in product innovation. This commitment to progress continued in 1998, when Crane Performance Siding unveiled a new category to the...

Golden harmony: this year's Gold Nugget Awards celebrate projects that are at once singular in their execution and gracefully integrated with their surroundings.(GOLD NUGGETS)
June 1, 2005... WHAT OFTEN DISTINguishes a spectacular residence from simply a "nice" one is how it relates to its environment. Whether the home is a custom, production, or hybrid product, intuitive site plans, balanced massing, and poetic use of materials all...

Outer limits: this year's analysis of the nation's 75 largest housing markets reveals continued domination by the top builders and hot spots in the South and West. Among the trends: three of the country's top markets are being redefined as rising home prices and job migration force growth out.(LOCAL LEADERS)
June 1, 2005... LAST YEAR, BEAZER HOMES USA's Atlanta division increased its closings by about 40 percent to 697 units for its fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30. That performance vaulted the company into the ranks of the market's top 10 builders. But in...

FiberBrace[R] is more than simply an alternative to OSB... it's a better material choice.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION)(Advertisement)
June 1, 2005... Most builders are aware of the fluctuating costs and availability of OSB over the past few years. The price hikes and shortages experienced during 2003 in particular hit many builders hard, interrupting production schedules and increasing...

Memorable destinations: America's best-selling communities.
June 1, 2005... Pack a bag, pick out some tunes, and gas up the truck. We're going on a cross-country road trip to see 10 of America's 150 best-selling communities, on and off the beaten path. The old adage "you've seen one, you've seen them all" doesn't...

What's new on Builder Online: one-on-one.(MISSING LINKS)
June 1, 2005... BUILDERS KNOW THAT DEALING WITH mold is one of the biggest headaches facing home building today. A new online program, operating through BUILDER Online's Talk channel, now gives you the chance to discuss the problem--and potential solutions, as...

Builder plans: featuring new plans from the nation's leading designers.
June 1, 2005... First Impression Massive chimneys, pillars, and varying rooflines add interest to the stucco exterior. The foyer opens to the formal living and dining rooms. The living room--which could also serve as a study--features a fireplace, as does...

Kitchens and baths.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION)(Advertisement)
June 1, 2005... Kitchens and baths are the settings for the daily rituals of life, so it is imperative that these rooms look great and fraction well. When designing these rooms, be sure to choose products that create an inviting appearance, allow practical...

Flooring.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION)(Advertisement)
June 1, 2005... The importance of flooring cannot be overstated. It does nothing less than set the tone for a room's look and functionality. A flooring upgrade alone can make a whole room took as if it's received a total makeover. Today's flooring...

Computer directory.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION)(Directory)
June 1, 2005... 3DCADCO ArchiCAD P.O. Box 402244 Miami, FL 33140 305-438-0838 305-438-8830 info@3dcadco.com www.3dcadco.com AEC SOFTWARE FastTrack Schedle 8 22611-113 Markey Court Sterling, VA 20166 Phone:...

Mount Pleasant, S.C.(WALK THROUGH)
June 1, 2005... IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE 20TH CENTURY, MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C., consisted of a four-mile-long street, nine stores, a sawmill, and a brick factory. Its proximity to Charleston made it a convenient pleasure and health resort for the city's...