Builder articles from March 2006

Builder archives from March 2006

Wired for profit: if you aren't actively selling digital technology, you're leaving some serious money on the table.
March 1, 2006... CONSIDERING THE CURRENT PRESSURE TO SUSTAIN margins, it makes no sense that many builders continue to leave money on the table when it comes to selling digital technology to new-home buyers. Retailers collect billions each year from the sales...

Calendar.(BOOK IT)
March 1, 2006... MARCH 12-14 National Green Building Conference, Albuquerque, N.M. Plan to attend the National Green Building Conference to find out why home builders are making cost-effective business decisions that also help the environment. The...

Callbacks.(Correction notice)
March 1, 2006... IN "LAWN AND ORDER" (OCTOBER 2005, page 102), the product description "Light Lines" (of Lane-Light in-pavement LED markers; www.lanelight.com) and its accompanying photo (of the Terra-Lume lighting system; www.lanelight.net) were incorrectly...

Class warfare: the Nevada Supreme Court knocks down a multimillion-dollar verdict against Beazer Homes.
March 1, 2006... A SIX-YEAR CONSTRUCTION DEFECT CASE IN Nevada took yet another turn last December, when the state Supreme Court overturned a district court's ruling against Beazer Homes worth close to $16 million. The high court didn't absolve the builder of...

Land grab.(Toll Brothers Inc. land acquisitions)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... A joint venture with Toll Brothers as the managing partner acquired a 5,485-acre land parcel in northwest Phoenix from DaimlerChrysler for $312 million. The Arizona Republic estimates that this is the biggest land purchase, in dollar value, in...

Pick up the pace.(Comstock Homes Inc. acquired Parker Chandler Homes)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Acquisition activity sped up after the first of the year. Reston, Va.-based Comstock Homes expanded its reach into the South with its purchase of Parker Chandler Homes, based in Atlanta and with additional operations in Charlotte, N.C., and...

Brand-new redo.(better to buy new home than renovating the existing one)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Think old-house aficionados spend more on remodeling than new-construction buyers? Think again. A 2004 study by the Home Improvement Research Institute found that 52 percent of all home buyers completed one or more home improvements within the...

Future builders.(Future Builders of America Training Center construction)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... A $550,000 donation has been made to build a 500-acre Future Builders of America Training Center in Jefferson County, Fla., about 20 miles east of Tallahassee. The donation was made by Florida HBA past president Robert Harper and his wife, Amy....

Green is good.(energy efficient buildings)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... A new international study, "Green Value," reveals a direct link between the market value of real estate and its environmental friendliness. The study, led by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and 10 government and private sector...

Pros merge.(Fidelity Capital acquired Lanoga Corp.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Boston-based Fidelity Capital acquired Lanoga Corp., a Redmond, Wash.-based pro dealer with more than 320 distribution, manufacturing, and assembly facilities in 24 Western and Midwestern states. Lanoga is being merged with Strober...

Life in the Ozone: California builders face air-pollution impact fee.(AIR FOR SALE)
March 1, 2006... HOME BUILDERS IN CENTRAL California are facing the nation's first air-pollution impact fee. The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District has adopted a new rule, set to begin March 1, that calls for developments of more than 50 units to...

Hot property: want a sustainable community? Create sustainable jobs.(eco friendly)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... FOREST CITY ENTERPRISes, the famed creator of Stapleton in Colorado, is turning its sustainability efforts up. Last October the master developer broke ground on Mesa del Sol, a 12,900-acre community on Albuquerque, N.M.'s southeast mesa. ...

Hola, buyers.(Ryland Group Inc. contract with Julie Stav)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... As part of its long-term strategy to earn Latino home buyers' trust, the Ryland Group recently signed Julie Stav (pictured)-a financial expert featured on Univision and host of the national radio show "Tu Dinero con Julie Stav"--to be its...

Panel formed: top housing experts to focus on housing for working families.(Discussion)
March 1, 2006... SOME OF THE HOUSING INDUSTRY'S BEST-KNOWN figures have joined forces to form Homes for Working Families, a new group that will research housing issues and educate lawmakers on the need for more affordable housing. The board for Homes for...

Star power: Seattle builder takes jobsite safety in the next level.
March 1, 2006... QUADRANT HOMES IS SETting a strong example for the industry when it comes to jobsite safety. The Bellevue, Wash.-based company recently became the first home builder in the nation to achieve Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star status, an...

Guest worker debate brews; controversial immigration issue is headed to the Senate floor by the end of this month.(immigrants regulations)
March 1, 2006... HOME BUILDERS WILL BE WATCHING closely this month as the U.S. Senate is set to debate immigration policy no later than March 27. The NAHB is on record opposing the strict bill passed by the House late last year that focuses on border...

Code commotion: an HBA in Colorado pleads with local towns to enforce inspections of homes built on their outskirts.(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The HBA of Dolores, Colo., has been attempting to raise 800 to 1,000 signatures on a petition that would ask commissioners in Montezuma County to enforce building codes on new homes built outside the county's three towns, or let voters decide...

Answering opportunity's knock: a revamped organization of community development finance institutions looks to pump more cash into "overlooked" markets.(INSIDE STORY)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... A NATIONAL NETWORK OF LENDING INstitutions, armed with a $4 billion war chest, is "relaunching" itself with an ambitious strategy to direct more investment capital to markets that, according to the network's president, fall "just outside the...

Lock box.(TOP SHELF: THE LATEST AND GREATEST BUILDING PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2006... JOBSITE THEFT IS STILL ON THE RISE, SO MANUFACTURERS CONTINUE TO OFFER WAYS TO help combat the problem. The latest offering is the Weather Guard steel box. Available in white or black, the unit has a retracting lock that offers tamper...

Gun it.(TOP SHELF: THE LATEST AND GREATEST BUILDING PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2006... THE PC-12 CORDLESS AUTOEEED SCREW gun is designed to make drywall installation easy, the manufacturer says. It is lightweight and has an ergonomic design that allows users to make quick work out of large projects, the company adds. The tool...

Sinking feeling.(TOP SHELF: THE LATEST AND GREATEST BUILDING PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2006... THE LINEA SERIES SINK HAS A STREAMLINED design that is ideal for buyers who like mid-century modern design, the company says. Made from i8-gauge stainless steel, the sink measures 33 inches wide and 20 inches from front to back. It comes...

Light show.(TOP SHELF: THE LATEST AND GREATEST BUILDING PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2006... TERRA-LUME OFFERS A COOL ALTERNATIVE TO standard landscape lighting. An excellent solution for lighting pathways, driveways, or anywhere ground-level illumination is important, the system consists of an extruded aluminum track that houses...

Window wall.(TOP SHELF: THE LATEST AND GREATEST BUILDING PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2006... ACCURATELY FORMING A WINDOW OPENING IN A POURED foundation can be time-consuming and tricky: If the frame is set incorrectly; the window will not operate. The manufacturer says the Series 400 poured basement window system saves time and...

Vise squad.(TOP SHELF: THE LATEST AND GREATEST BUILDING PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2006... THE STANDARD VISE-GRIP, A FIXTURE IN EVERY TOOLbox for years, has been updated. The new FastRelease tool offers easier opening--twice as fast as old models, the manufacturer says. Moreover, the no-trigger design means there's more room to...

Help wanted: will the housing industry continue to have enough work to support an expanding workforce?(VITAL SIGNS)
March 1, 2006... FROM THE DAILY TEMPERATURES TO housing starts data, January's numbers came as a bit of a good surprise for the housing industry Substantial order backlogs at the end of 2005 already meant that the beginning of the year would be strong for many...

This just in: here are some kitchen and bath product trends that are likely to last.
March 1, 2006... AMERICANS ARE RESTIVE CONSUMERS who change their perception of what s hip and cool faster than you can say "all the rage." Yellow becomes the new beige in the blink of an eye. One minute you're installing dark-colored faucets in your baths, and...

Shimmering Textures.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
March 1, 2006... Made using the "slumping" technique that subjects standard glass to high temperatures to slump into a mold, this product comes from the manufacturer's Textures line. Shown in a subtle "linen" texture, the product measures 5/16 inches thick, but...

Amazing Glace.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
March 1, 2006... Drawing inspiration from the light-transmitting qualities of ice, the company's Glace sticks are handmade iridized glass. Each 1-inch-by-6-inch piece is made in the traditional method of ladling molten glass into steel molds and then cutting...

Royale wash.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
March 1, 2006... Sometimes a relaxing shower is preferable to power washing. For those times, a rain showerhead is the best choice. Measuring 14 inches across, the Downpour Air Royale is the queen of all showerheads. The unit's air-injection technology draws...

Flat liners.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
March 1, 2006... The manufacturer says that buyers who prefer to shower will appreciate the Ensemble shower receptor because it has a lower step-over front threshold than a tub. Moreover, the easy entrance and exit are safer for aging populations. Measuring 60...

Crisp 'n' clean.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
March 1, 2006... The Simply PUR Water Filtration System delivers bottled-water quality via an all-inclusive filtration system that coordinates with a variety of the company's faucets, the company says. The unit filters dirt and rust, reduces 32 potentially...

Filter this.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
March 1, 2006... The manufacturer's popular Chateau faucet now comes with an integrated filtration system featuring ChoiceFlo that allows consumers to get both filtered and ordinary tap water from their kitchen faucets with no attachments. The product is...

Wide load.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
March 1, 2006... The manufacturer's new undercounter wine cellar measures an impressive 30 inches, which allows users to store more in a small space. The Chateau Collection wine cellar features glide-out shelves faced with select maple, which can be painted or...

Triple play.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
March 1, 2006... A serious party family could find a use for this 72-inch, three-door wine cooler. The cabinet has three separate compartments, each with its own door. It is available as a stand-alone design statement in stainless steel, or it can be built into...

Small fry.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
March 1, 2006... So your buyers have only a small space but still want a wine cooler? Give 'em this new 15-inch version. This compact unit holds wine in a single compartment and has the capacity to hold up to 26, 750-milliliter bottles. It has six natural...

Super cab.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
March 1, 2006... The manufacturer says its new SuperCabinet is ideal for maximum storage even if the kitchen is small. Available in all of the company's wood types, the cabinet has door storage, two wire pullout baskets, and three extension trays, each of which...

As you like it.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
March 1, 2006... The manufacturer says this multipurpose room shows the versatility of its storage accessories and pieces and can accommodate miscellaneous items and activities. The cabinetry can match the cabinets in the rest of the home to keep a consistent...

Easy does it.(PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS AND TOOLS EVERY BUILDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT)
March 1, 2006... Say goodbye to the unsightly yellow recycling bin in the corner. Timberlake now offers factory-installed wastebasket and recycling bins in its base cabinets, which allow easy and discreet access without having to sacrifice space under the sink,...

Instant entertainment: a big builder and an electronics retailer form an agreement to market audio/video systems.(electronic components marketing agreements)
March 1, 2006... ORLEANS HOMEBUILDERS HAS A new arrangement with Philadelphia-area electronics retailer HiFi House in which home buyers can opt for audio and video systems during the design center phase and have the new gear ready to go the day they move in....

Tuning in.(DIGITAL HOME: SMART TECHNOLOGY FOR NEW HOMES)
March 1, 2006... Elan Home Systems is now shipping an XM Satellite Radio receiver called the XM-R3 that will let home buyers play satellite radio in multiple rooms in their homes. The system has three outputs that let three people independently access more than...

A shade smarter.(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Smarthome is partnering with automated window shading system company Somfy to develop an interface between Smarthome's Insteon home control networking technology and Somfy's shading systems. Smarthome and Somfy will develop an interface to...

Colorado vNet's fresh sound: a new audio system cuts down on costs by using Internet protocol.(DIGITAL HOME: SMART TECHNOLOGY FOR NEW HOMES)
March 1, 2006... COLORADO vNET HAS DEVELOPED A NEW audio system that lets builders install distributed audio in four rooms for a builder cost of about $3,000 to $4,000. Ben Beierwaltes, the company's director of marketing, says the Colorado vNet system...

Star gazing.(Constellation Home-Builder Systems )(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Constellation Home-Builder Systems plans to invest $1.2 million over three years to launch a mobile device software division. The first product, OnLocation Schedule, is scheduling software for supers that runs on a BlackBerry. The initial...

Survey says.(Customer Service Best Practices)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Check out www.joeturner .com for the second annual Customer Service Best Practices Survey, sponsored by Joe Turner Customer Service Consulting and wireless application service provider Corrigo. Last year's survey found that only 16 percent of...

CoPilot alert: builder and software company develop integrated construction management software.(TECH TOOLS: TECHNOLOGY FOR THE MODERN HOME BUILDER)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... YET ANOTHER SOFTWARE COMPANY IS OFFERing an integrated system that promises to help builders manage construction more efficiently. The company is iConnect of Reston, Va., and over the past three years, it has worked closely with Comstock...

Positive track: a new service helps builders easily locate people and resources.(Wireless communications equipment for construction staffs)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... HOME BUILDERS RUNNING MULTIPLE PROJects in one geographic location always struggle with staffing their jobs properly and allocating equipment efficiently A new service from Santa Clara, Calif.-basedTeleNav called TeleNav Track lets builders use...

After the flood.(NAHB BRIEFS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... In February testimony before the Senate Banking Committee, NAHB president David Pressly Jr. said the association supports efforts to reform the National Flood Insurance Program (RFLP) to ensure the program's long-term financial stability. ...

Cementing the deal: the recently ended fight over U.S. tariffs on Mexican cement imports is one example of how the NAHB's strong national presence gets results.
March 1, 2006... AS BUILDERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS, WE DEAL with many situations where we are our own best advocates. For the most part, local issues--such as a zoning exception or an approval for a subdivision--demand local voices. And there is no one better...

Reality check: a recent survey finds that builders are fighting back as demand ebbs.(SEIDERS ECONOMY)
March 1, 2006... HOUSING DEMAND BEGAN TO FADE LATE LAST year, and inventories of unsold new homes grew in the process. The shift in the supply and demand has changed the housing market from a red-hot sellers' one to a cooler version in which buyers have more...

Start working.(construction industry trade shows)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The Home Builders Institute (HBO, the workforce development arm of the NAHB, launched its "Make It Happen" career outreach campaign at the International Builders' Show in January. Funded in part by a $75,000 contribution from the National...

Direct access: the 2006 Directory of Accessible Building Products simplifies product selection for builders, remodelers, and their customers.
March 1, 2006... THE NAHB RESEARCH CENter has released the 16th edition of the Directory of Accessible Building Products (DABP) to assist the home building industry in meeting the housing needs of older adults and people with special physical needs. Since...

Expert advice.(consultants service)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Homeowners looking for advice on where to turn for remodeling help now have access to a new tool. The NAHB Remodelors Council has created a free brochure, "How to Find a Professional Remodeler," to help consumers locate and evaluate...

Tech support.(NAHB BRIEFS)
March 1, 2006... NAHB members can receive discounts on essential Deli computer products, including desktops, laptops, workstations, printers, servers, and more. Visit www.dell.com/smb/NAHB for more information.

Hot sellers: sold out! Fast-moving communities.(residential construction contracts)
March 1, 2006... Value Added Somerset Landing, Stafford, Va. WHY IT WORKED: Location, value pricing, and top-notch amenities combined to make Somerset Landing, in the far suburbs of Washington, a success. * Nine different floor plans and plenty of...

Running in place: it's "hurry up and wait" at most jobsites, as cycle times stretch out. But many builders see this as a systemic problem that needs fixing fast, especially if your market starts turning downward.(Cover story)
March 1, 2006... THE PHOENIX HOUSING MARKET Letter reported recently that the average cycle time, from permit to closing, for builders in that market had expanded to 229 days in October 2005, from around 120 days five years ago. "There's very little that...

Southern comfort: gentility meets functionality in an Atlanta suburb.
March 1, 2006... FOLLOW THE BRICK-PAVED WALKWAY PAST THE COLUMNS OF TENnessee Fieldstone, the wrought-iron fence wrapped in climbing jasmine, and the blooming crape myrtles. You'd almost swear the Craftsman-style door you're about to knock on is the entrance to...

MIDAS touch: Nationals winners turn pennies into gold.
March 1, 2006... MOST SALES AND MARKETING PROS COULD probably do pretty impressive work with an unlimited budget. Yes, there's nothing quite like a blank check to unlock creative genius. But then the alarm goes off, your feet hit the floor, and it's time to...

Gold winners: not pictured.
March 1, 2006... Rookie Sales Person of the Year Rick Libsack, The Ryness Co., Bellevue, Wash. Sales Person of the Year J. Kevin Burke, Peninsula Realty, Millsboro, Del. Sales Team of the Year Franchesca Meram, Daniel Short, and Lucy...

What's new on Builder online: news as it happens.(MISSING LINKS)
March 1, 2006... SUBSCRIBERS TO OUR GROWING FAMILY of free e-mail newsletters know that they can find links to recent news articles of interest to home builders. But readers have requested a way to be alerted quickly when important events take place that can...

Builder plans: featuring new plans from the nation's leading designers.(construction contracts)
March 1, 2006... Great Room Combo Alluring details, such as embellished dormers and stone-and-brick elements, lend curb quality to this home's exterior. A formal foyer and dining room are positioned to view the covered front porch. To the rear, the family...

Delray Beach, Fla.(WALK THROUGH)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... DELRAY BEACH BEGAN AS a SMALL AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY settled by black families coming from the Panhandle of Florida in the early 1890S. A few years later, William Linton, the postmaster of Saginaw, Mich., visited the area in response to an ad...