Professional Builder (1993) articles from August 2003

Professional Builder (1993) archives from August 2003

Deep and insightful.(Letters)
August 1, 2003... I commend Dean Horowitz on his excellent point of view in the May Publisher's Letter: "Often we pay for research for perspective and insight when one-on-one dialogues into deep places could help us more." As a former construction engineer,...

Top 'dog.(Letters)
August 1, 2003... I just finished Scott Sedam's June article, "Housing's Underdogs Live On: Part 3." How close the article hits the nail on the head. We are an old, highly respected builder. Three years ago we refocused our attention away from building with...

Invest in human capital.(Letters)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... It is hard to narrow down the best article in the June issue. Suffice it to say that human resources and other management professionals in our industry should keep this issue as a handy reference. Regardless of which discipline you...

Correction.
August 1, 2003... "The Value in OVE" (July) incorrectly stated that Brownsville, Texas, is the nation's poorest community, according to the 2000 census. It should have said the Cameron Park colonia is the poorest.

Learning by trial or terror.(Perspective)(good managers)(Editorial)
August 1, 2003... Getting smart and staying smart conflict. Getting smart starts with, most often, a self-centered goal. As children, we work for good grades to please our parents or at least stay out of trouble. As teens, we understand that learning leads to...

Defining the best and the worst.(Publisher's Letter)(leadership qualities in builders)(Editorial)
August 1, 2003... Some say desire is a bad thing. Truth is, like most things, it is only good for you in moderation. But when we look at what makes builders great, desire drives the quest to stand out. It flows throughout their teams, their language, their...

How to avoid storm-water limbo: steps thousands of builders need to take to cover themselves as states await federal approval of storm-water procedures.(Outfront)
August 1, 2003... New federal storm-water regulations threaten to send thousands of home building projects in 13 states into regulatory limbo through no fault of builders or developers who operate the sites. On March 10, Environmental Protection Agency Phase...

Supply imbalances trigger ever higher prices.(Land Issues)
August 1, 2003... Fast-growing, land-constrained regions dominate the ranks of states with the most million-dollar homes, telling a story of supply imbalances in many parts of the country. Three-quarters of the million-dollar homes are in just 10 states,...

The growing cost of regulation compliance.(Outfront)(storm-water regulations)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... In April, the NAHB filed its best estimate of the cost of complying with storm-water regulations, specifically the preparation of the notice of intent (NOI) and the storm-water pollution prevention plan (SWPPP). The results of an informal...

How to check references.(The H.R. Dept.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Secure written permission from the candidate. The best way is to incorporate it on your application. Provide room for three to five names, phone numbers and relationships of recent work-related references. Ask the candidate to contact the...

Jim Candelaria: fighting forest fires.(Off Hours)(Brief Article)(Biography)
August 1, 2003... Jim Candelaria of Candelaria Construction in Cortez, Colo., builds custom homes in the mountains of southwest Colorado. In his off hours, he protects them from the forest fires that sometimes sweep through the area during dry summers. As a...

Can robots solve labor crunch?(Outfront build)(automated construction)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Berokh Khoshnevis, an engineering professor at the University of Southern California, thinks he just might have a solution to three critical housing issues: lack of skilled labor, low construction quality and job-site injuries. His answer?...

Humidity no problem for MemBrain.(Outfront build; from CertainTeed Corp. Insulation Group)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The benefits of a vapor barrier are indisputable--it retards moisture penetration into insulated cavities, thus reducing the chances of moisture buildup, rot and mold growth. As the weather changes from cold and dry in the winter to hot and...

Of note.(Outfront build)(research centers at Residential Moisture Management Network; Tyrell Gilb Research Laboratory; American Architectural Manufacturers Association)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Research: Spearheaded by the U.S. Forest Service's Forest Products Laboratory and APA, The Engineered Wood Association, the Residential Moisture Management Network is a coalition aimed at sharing information, research and best practices....

The Color report.(Outfront build)(forecasts and trends in design color)
August 1, 2003... In a few months, the Color Marketing Group, an international, not-for-profit association, will predict the color directions for the next few years and identify some of the strongest continuing trends. Meanwhile, CMG member Doris Pearlman,...

Beware 'pseudo-species'.(Hardwood)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... New home buyers seem to be enamored of the beauty of hardwood for their cabinets, floors, woodwork and even walls and ceilings. A number of nonnative species available today, however, have come on the scene, borrowing familiar American...

Estate tax must go.(NAHB Opinion)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... When Benjamin Franklin said "nothing is certain but death and taxes," he most likely wasn't thinking in terms of cause and effect. However, where estate taxes are concerned, his words proved prophetic. In particular, the estate tax places...

Point-of-sale attraction: homeowner's insurance.(Outfront manage)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... "The major benefit is that the builder can take people from the purchase decision to mortgage, title and then all the way to homeowner's insurance in one seamless process," Balboa president Drew Gissinger says. "That takes a lot of the stress...

Businesses thrive in mountain, Midwest States.(Survey Says)(top 10 cities for business and careers)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Given the close link between job creation and housing demand, it can't hurt builders in these 10 markets that Forbes magazine's Web site ranks their towns as the best places for business and careers. Surprisingly, mountain and Midwest...

Make video shoppers a positive tool.(Outfront sell)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Third-party monitoring of sales performance is not new. First came paper-and-pen reports, then audio and, in recent years, secret shoppers equipped with tiny cameras and camcorders. Despite the potential to hurt morale, sales managers sign up...

Models speak for themselves.(Outfront sell)(using ActRadio to broadcast information when models home are closed)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Old school: Leave a box of leaflets outside for interested buyers who drive by when your models or spec homes are closed. New school: Broadcast messages to car radios from tabletop radio transmitters within each home. With the aid of a...

Cost control software acts as design/sell tool.(Outfront_sell)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The first minutes with a client set a pattern for the relationship that follows. Unrealistic expectations at the outset lead to customer dissatisfaction down the road. With this in mind, Trelligence Inc. markets its new project control and...

Off-load your Brownfield risk.(Outfront_land)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... One of the biggest impediments to doing a deal for brownfield land revolves around future liabilities and who retains that risk. The celebrated Brownfield Reform Act of 2000 addressed many of these issues, and pricey insurance policies...

Land buy sets profit potential.(Bottom-Line Building)
August 1, 2003... Look closely at the target financial ratios in the table that accompanies this column. The key to profitable building is to keep cost of sales at 70% of the base home sales price. That's the combination of the lot and direct construction costs...

Home building's purple cow.(Lessons Learned)(quality management in the construction industry)
August 1, 2003... I go through a little routine in some of my presentations, assured to provoke the audience and maybe even aggravate it. Aggravated audiences can be fun. I ask a simple question. "Regardless of price range, how many of you build great...

Technology versus nature.(Building Technology)(hurricane resistant construction standards being developed by Mercedes Homes Inc., Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing , Federal Emergency Management Agency, University of Florida and Fannie Mae Corp.)
August 1, 2003... From California to Florida, North Dakota to Louisiana, storms pound the homes you build--to what effect? We've chosen August, the high noon of hurricane season, to focus on the forces of wind and water, research on disaster resistance in...

How to control land without owning it: five builder-developers demonstrate a few of the many ways cash-free and cash-lean deals get done.(includes related article)
August 1, 2003... Builder Tom Stephani of William Thomas Homes Inc. in Crystal Lake, Ill., walked, rode and drove past a 8.5-acre parcel of land for most of his life before the idea to build homes on it occurred to him in 1997. He credits his dog for...

Lighting design basics: what builders need to know to shed better light on the homes they build.(Design)
August 1, 2003... Good lighting falls into that vague "I can't tell you exactly what it is, but I know it when I see it" category, but lighting need not be a hit-or-miss proposition. Although a sophisticated lighting plan can get fairly complicated and...

Must-have boy toy: Dallas/Fort Worth builders coax discretionary buyers by putting a home theater in almost every model home. Will the 'man cave' work for you?(Sell)
August 1, 2003... Shop the pricey model homes in north Dallas suburbs, and likely you will get your fill of Tom Cruise. If the price tag is above $300,000, every model you enter probably has Top Gun blasting its afterburners in a second-floor home theater, set...

What's a home theater?(Sell)(description and specifications)
August 1, 2003... Interior Surfaces Walls, floors and the ceiling are dark in color. The floor is carpeted. Drapes sometimes are hung to reduce sound reflection. Fabric-covered acoustic panels often are used in the key reflective points on walls and the...

Lessons of a leader: Where are they now? Richard Van Schaardenburg coaxed two firms into the top five in Chicago. Now he builds custom homes high in the Colorado Rockies with his son.(Manage)
August 1, 2003... Company Profile Name: Colorado Signature Homes Location: Colorado City, Colo. Principals: Richard and Scott Van Schaardenburg Company Type: design/build custom home builder; also some remodeling, kitchen/bath design and...

Estimating metrics.
August 1, 2003... If your business begins with sales and marketing, it can end with poor--or a lack of--estimating. Without a steady flow of estimates with which Sales can sell, it doesn't matter how many leads you get or how good your sales team is, you won't...

Benchmark: the premier conference for the residential construction industry.(Reed Business Information Residential Group)
August 1, 2003... September 21-24, 2003 NEW ORLEANS, LOUSIANA BENCHMARK 2003 The Premier Conference for the Residential Construction Industry BENCHMARK gathers the best, most dedicated professional builders, professional remodelers and suppliers...

Building technology: systems & interior finishes: part II.(Learn)
August 1, 2003... We began this Learn series last month with a preliminary look at residential plumbing systems, which consist of three basic components: the water distribution system, the water disposal system and the plumbing fixtures. Part I ended with a look...

HouseGuard.(Products)
August 1, 2003... The HouseGuard system waterproofs, insulates and drains water away from basement walls. It bridges nonstructural cracks and sprays on damp and uncured walls. It features Dow Styrofoam 1-inch grooved board and the Tru-Dry membrane, a polymer...

Cosella-Dorken.(Products)
August 1, 2003... A dimpled, heavy-gauge plastic membrane, Delta-FL is laid directly atop concrete slab floors and acts as a moisture barrier. Individual sheets, cut to size, are overlapped to create a seal. To complete the subfloor, the product is covered with...

Tremco barrier solutions.(Products)
August 1, 2003... FrontLine guards exposed above-ground portions of block or poured foundations from water seepage. The acrylic elastomeric membrane can be spray- or roll-applied in temperatures as low as 50 degrees. It cures to a slick, hard finish that resists...

Tamarack technologies.(Products)
August 1, 2003... Designed to work with most high-end, variable-speed bathroom exhaust fans, Airetrak ventilation controllers come in two models. One is programmable at the installation site on a 12- or 24-hour clock. The other is factory-programmed for constant...

Protecto wrap.(Products)
August 1, 2003... Triple Guard Energy Sill Sealer peel-and-stick waterproofing membrane acts as a gasket that seals off the cold joint between the foundation and sill plate. The front flap sticks to the face of the foundation and wood sheathing. Triple Guard...

Fortifiber.(Products)
August 1, 2003... Moistop neXT flexible flashing was developed to withstand extreme weather conditions. It provides a virtually impenetrable barrier against rain-driven water intrusion, both on the job site and in finished construction. Composed of two layers of...

Mar-Flex.(Products)
August 1, 2003... The Mar-Flex 5000 waterproofing system for basement and most poured or masonry unit walls has two components. A waterproofing membrane, available in solvent- and water-based formulas, is spray-applied (over any substrate). Then, before...

Mortar Net USA.(Products)
August 1, 2003... Made for traditional steel, masonry, and wood stud cavity wall construction, Mortar Net Residential eliminates efflorescence on interior and exterior masonry walls, prevents damage caused by freeze/thaw cycles and helps prevent mold. After the...

Structural insulated panels.(Special Advertising Section)
August 1, 2003... WHAT BUILDERS WANT Builders need products that will save time and money, reduce skilled labor, lessen callbacks and are convenient to adopt. INSULSPAN responded by developing a simple, fast, high-quality building system using advanced...

Pacemaker plastics.(Products)
August 1, 2003... Manufactured with exposure 1-rated oriented strand board facers adhesively welded to expanded polystyrene cores, Pacemaker's 8x24-foot SIPs can be cut to required wall, roof and floor sizes. Each panel contains vertical and horizontal wire...

Fi-Foil.(Products)
August 1, 2003... Silver Shield radiant barrier consists of two layers that expand when installed to form a reflective air space. The outer layer includes a fire-retardant adhesive, and the product is perforated to transmit water vapor through both layers....

EnerGreen building systems.(Products)
August 1, 2003... Tru-R 8x24-foot SIPs come in thicknesses of 2 to 12 inches. Electrical chases are positioned and installed before panel laminating and manufacturing. Structural lumber is shaped and installed into all panels to allow for specified placement of...

Energy panel structures.(Products)
August 1, 2003... EPS SIPs join rigid foam insulation to oriented strand board or plywood. The thickness of the foam is adjusted to increase R-value. CCX plywood is used when laminating aluminum, steel or FRP. Drywall is field-applied as needed. Circle 136 on...

Extreme panel technologies/insulspan.(Products)
August 1, 2003... The company now offers the option of using Potlatch OXTerminator oriented strand board as part of its SIPs. OXTerminator sheathing is engineered and warranted to prevent termite destruction and fungal rot/ decay and to provide an inhospitable...

OmegaFlex.(Products)
August 1, 2003... Several new accessories are available with the TracPipe corrugated stainless steel tubing system for natural gas and propane installations. Reducer tees in five sizes and reducing fittings in 3/4xl/2-inch and 1x3/4-inch sizes eliminate...

Murus.(Products)
August 1, 2003... Murus polyurethane SIPs have a molded tongue-and-groove edge profile, a cam-lock joining and alignment system that can shorten installation time, and built-in electrical chases. The company's support services include design/engineering,...

Chicago faucets.(Products)
August 1, 2003... The company enters the residential market with a line of faucets with various spout and handle styles for the sink, entertainment and cooking preparation areas. Choose from polished brass, polished chrome and brushed nickel finishes....

Styrofoam * insulating sheathing is #1 across the board.(Survey Says)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... When you look through a thermal-sensitive lens, it's easy to see why professional builders and remodelers keep choosing STYROFOAM #1 in rigid foam insulation. What you see is called "thermal bridging." Heat escapes in cold climates (or intrudes...

Knauf fiber glass.(Products)
August 1, 2003... Batts, blankets and Summit Blowing Insulation are Greenguard-certified for superior indoor air quality performance. Greenguard emission standards are based on criteria used by Washington state, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, OSHA and...

BioBased systems.(Products)
August 1, 2003... A spray-in-place foam insulation with a soybean-oil base, BioBase 501 can save homeowners up to 50% on energy costs, the company says. The open-cell, semi-rigid foam provides a sealed thermal envelope in one step, preventing outside air...

Icynene.(Products)
August 1, 2003... The Icynene Insulation System forms a continuous air barrier, even in hard-to-insulate areas such as cathedral ceilings, and resists moisture and mold growth. The flexible, soft foam insulation expands 100 times its size during installation to...

Owens Corning.(Products)
August 1, 2003... Made for wood-framed cavities of exterior wall assemblies, ProPINK FastBatt is a flexible fiber-glass insulation batt with a flangeless kraft facing that provides, a vapor retarder membrane. The batt is engineered for a "friction fit"...

Johns Manville.(Products)
August 1, 2003... Instead of a formaldehyde-based binder, JM's fiber-glass insulation products have an acrylic binder that eliminates binder-related manufacturing emissions of formaldehyde, easing concerns about formaldehyde in indoor air once installed as well...

DAP.(Products)
August 1, 2003... DAPtex insulating foam sealant will not overexpand like polyurethane foam, the company says, and is proven not to bow, buckle or distort window and door frames. It provides an insulating seal around pipes, vents, outlets and other large gaps....

Dow chemical.(Products)
August 1, 2003... Styrofoam extruded polystyrene foam insulation is an insulating panel used on exterior walls to provide energy efficiency and moisture management. It covers areas where cavity insulation can't be used, thereby reducing heat loss or gain through...

GAF materials.(Products)
August 1, 2003... Energy Guard Ultra ISO with UltraShield facer now features fiber-glass technology. The result, the company says, is an ISO insulation that is dimensionally stable (won't cup or warp when wet), organic-free (won't promote mold growth) and has a...

Melton Classics, Inc.: Balustrades and Columns.(Architectural Accents and Moulding)
August 1, 2003... Beautifully hand crafted from cast stone, polymer marble composite, synthetic stone or polyurethane, our low maintenance balustrade systems are engineered to reduce weight yet maintain their substantial feel. Balustrade systems are available in...

Stock & Custom Wood Carvings by Outwater.(Architectural Accents and Moulding)
August 1, 2003... With more than 750 stocked styles of paint and stain ready DECORATIVE WOOD & POLYMER CARVINGS available at the absolute lowest prices, we're pretty confident that we have just the right Wood Carving for your cabinet and furniture applications....

Magnificent mouldings ...(Architectural Accents and Moulding)
August 1, 2003... Our new 256 page moulding catalog illustrates more than 2000 moulding profiles, bases, crowns, casings, coves, ogees, panel mouldings, flutes, reeds, rails, and more all available cut to order in any of dozens of species. Just $40, it's an...

White River Hardwoods--Woodworks, the world leader in Embellished Hardwood Mouldings--with 450 mouldings and architectural details--now offers prefinished mouldings and woodcarvings with alluring, real metal finishes by Metallon[TM] and faux marble finishes by Marblewood[TM].(Architectural Accents and Moulding)
August 1, 2003... White River Hardwoods-Woodworks, the world leader in Embellished Hardwood Mouldings-with 450 mouldings and architectural details-now offers prefinished mouldings and woodcarvings with alluring, real metal finishes by Metallon[TM] and faux...

All new! Marvin windows residential catalog.(Products and Literature Showcase)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Catalog details Marvin's complete line of wood and clad wood windows and doors. Beautiful color photographs and information on Marvin's 11,000 standard products as well as the company's ewest innovations and extensive custom capabilities....

New Fireplace Design Solutions[TM] CD from Cultured Stone[R].(Products and Literature Showcase)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... This interactive program opens up a new world of design possibilities. It helps you plan, design, draw, estimate and present the perfect stone fireplace for any application. To find out everything it can do and all the ways it call help, call...

"Tru" beauty doesn't stop at the front door.(Products and Literature Showcase)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Therma-Tru Slim-Line[TM] Patio Door Systems deliver "Tru" beauty. Slim-Line combines fiberglass durability with thermal performance and a trouble-free track system to reduce callbacks and deliver performance. Slim-Line sliding patio doors...

Grand Manor Shangle[R].(Products and Literature Showcase)(from CertainTeed Corporation)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... CertainTeed's Grand Manor Shangle[R] is a super heavyweight shingle built on two full-size one-piece shingles with random 8" tabs applied on top. Patented shadow lines and a unique color palette give Grand Manor the look and depth of natural...

Elite.(Products and Literature Showcase)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
August 1, 2003... ELITE manufactures a complete line of Slide, Swing and Overhead, commercial and residential gate operators, gate hardware and Telephone Entry systems. The Telephone Entry Code Series are available with backlit Liquid Crystal or Super Bright...

FASTSIGNS[R].(Products and Literature Showcase)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... specializes in custom signs and graphics for businesses worldwide. Whether you want to promote your services or simply bring your site to ADA required standards, the professionals at FASTSIGNS[R] can assist you from concept through completion....

Asphalt architectural shingles.(Products and Literature Showcase)(Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association launched new web site)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Visit ARMA's new web site at www.asphaltroofing.org to see a better roofing alternative to slate, metal, wood shakes, and clay tile, namely: asphalt architectural shingles. All the texture and beauty of natural materials, but with superior...

Weather Shield windows & doors.(Products and Literature Showcase)
August 1, 2003... As the flagship line for upscale homes, Weather Shield is the company's most comprehensive line of windows and doors. Weather Shield windows and doors feature wood interiors and are available with either an extruded aluminum exterior or a wood...

CertainTeed Presidential[TM] TL.(Products and Literature Showcase)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... With its patented tri-laminate technology and rugged sculptured tab design, Presidential Shake[TM] TL is a super-heavyweight shingle (450 lbs./square) designed to give the rich look and depth of wood shakes. Presidential TL is algae-resistant...

Integrity Windows offers all new catalog.(Products and Literature Showcase)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Integrity Windows from Marvin has released an all new Catalog. The Catalog details Integrity's full line of Ultrex* clad wood windows and doors. Highlights include beautiful color photographs and detailed information on the company's newest...

Warranty Express.(Products and Literature Showcase)
August 1, 2003... Residential Warranty Corporation (RWC), the nation's premier home warranty provider, has unveiled Warranty Express, a streamlined electronic enrollment process for builders. This one-step system allows a builder to enroll homes online, saving...

Weather Shield Legacy Series windows & doors.(Products and Literature Showcase)
August 1, 2003... Engineered with unique features and built for unparalleled performance, the Weather Shield Legacy Series is simply one of the best window and door lines available for custom and luxury homes. Available in tilt double-hung, casement, awning and...