Professional Builder (1993) articles from December 2003

Professional Builder (1993) archives from December 2003

The means to an end.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... Congratulations on your excellent article "End Games" in the July issue. You did a thorough job of identifying the key issues and challenges that home builders, developers and other entrepreneurs face in creating exit strategies, succession...

Does quality count?(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... I read Scott Sedam's August column on Seth Godin's book Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable. I can honestly say that if I had been asked if I built great houses, I would not have raised my hand. I'll confess that I'm...

Listen up, big boys.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... "Housing's Underdogs Live On" [Lessons Learned, April-June]--terrific articles! I hope they're listening. Remember, the same is true of subcontractors. The "big" boys are creating an environment with which they won't be very happy as...

Perspective in tune.(Letters)(Brief Article)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... Every month, Heather McCune's Perspective inspires me. She always sings my song! David A. Thikoll Collaborative Homebuilding Solutions LLC

Tell the story you want told.(Perspective)(Editorial)
December 1, 2003... What a study in contrasts. In this issue, we celebrate the best--John Laing Homes, Professional Builder's 2004 Builder of the Year. Beginning on page 58, we share what makes this Newport Beach, Calif.-based builder a model for the rest of the...

Leveraging assets.(Publisher's Letter)
December 1, 2003... A new year will begin soon. This is a perfect time not only for resolutions but also to reflect on your business and consider areas that can be leveraged for new marketing and/or revenue opportunities. What got me thinking about this? A...

As housing boom plateaus, what's next?(Outfront)
December 1, 2003... Demand remains strong, though first-time affordability, tech toys and demographic changes beckon competitive builders. A record 1 million new homes will have sold by the end of 2003, but the latest numbers indicate that the decade-long...

Planning for success.(The H.R. Dept.)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The lack of succession planning in the home building industry amazes me. Few of the builders who do it go beyond the most senior-level positions. Quality people are in short supply in our industry, so keeping them is key to long-term success....

Stone countertops steal market share.(Trends)
December 1, 2003... A new study from market researcher The Freedonia Group forecasts that U.S. demand for kitchen and bath countertops will grow more than 2% annually to 467 million square feet in 2007. Although the study points to remodeling expenditures as a...

Availability of Smart Glass windows widens.(Outfront_Build)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... No major window manufacturer's product line currently includes SPD-Smart Glass technology, which allows users to control light--and therefore heat--transmittal through windows. But SPD-Smart developer Research Frontiers Inc. in Woodbury, N.Y.,...

Woodcraft launches Woodcraft University.(Continuing Education)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... In October of this year, Woodcraft Supply Corp., a woodworking supply, materials and tools retailer, launched Woodcraft University at its retail stores nationwide. By the end of the year, 1,000 students will have completed courses, which are...

AIA updates contract software.(Outfront_Design)(American Institute of Architects)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The American Institute of Architects, which has published contract documents since 1888, has released an updated version of its contract document software. The 75 available contracts and administrative forms use a Microsoft Word platform and do...

Builder tucks away tech zone.(Outfront_Design RWR Homes)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... RWR Homes, based in Van Nuys, Calif., prides itself on its ability to add a little more custom to its production homes. Klaus Mendenhall, general manager of the company's San Diego division, which will do 287 homes this year, says he tends to...

Into The Mystic: Elkay offers new curves for the kitchen.(Sinks)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Originally crafted as a futuristic concept sink, The Mystic by Elkay wowed kitchen and bath professionals in April at the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show in Orlando, Fla. "Demand for the innovative concept was so overwhelming that we quickly...

2004 looking good as well.(NAHB Opinion)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... When all of the numbers are tallied, 2003 will go on record as an excellent year for housing. New home sales are expected to reach a record of more than a million, and housing starts should show an equally healthy total in a year when housing...

Immigration to change product.(Outfront_Manage)(influence on design)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The ability of U.S. cities to compete in a global economy depends on their willingness to embrace growing diversity in population and lifestyles, Dr. James Johnson Jr., a management professor at the University of North Carolina's business...

Avoid high-leverage financing.(Bottom-Line Building)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Financing expenses include interest on all lines of credit, notes payable and construction loans (including points, fees and closing costs). The target here is 4.0% of sales, but in today's low-interest-rate environment, many builders hold this...

Hire Santa ... and other seasonal tips.(Outfront_Sell)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Richard Elkman, MIRM, president of Group Two Advertising, a real estate marketing and advertising firm with offices in Philadelphia and Delray Beach, Fla., offers these recommendations to help builders overcome the holiday home buying malaise:...

Winter calls for Perfect Timing.(Outfront_Sell)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... 'In Michigan, there are better things to do in winter than buy new homes," says Michael Bosgraaf, president of Bosgraaf Homes in Holland, Mich. So he implemented two strategies during the second week of November to boost traffic. ...

Early decorating grabs prospects' attention.(Holiday Traffic)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The Fort Worth, Texas, division of Melbourne, Fla.-based builder Mercedes Homes began battling the expected holiday traffic slowdown as early as Oct. 15. "All of our model homes were decorated for Christmas by Halloween," says Andy Bearden, the...

Fee hike worth its wait in golden state.(Outfront_Hand)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Builders faced with a permit fee hike might want to resist the urge to rush in plans before it takes effect, especially in Placer County, Calif. On Jan. 5, the county will implement its first building permit fee increase since 1988. The...

3-D software models land uses.(Outfront_Land)(CommunityViz 3-D )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... It has been compared to the video game SimCity, but at $4,995 a pop, CommunityViz 3-D simulation and modeling software is no toy. More than 100 communities have used it to develop and lobby for land plans, says the product's developer, Boulder,...

Complexity takes toll on land-need guesses.(Lot Supply)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... How much land is enough? You never can tell, but don't despair--neither can Wall Street analysts or GIANTS such as Toll Brothers, the $2.3 billion luxury home builder based in Huntingdon Valley, Pa. Toll controls roughly 47,000 lots and owns...

Taking the J.D. Power cure.(Lessons Learned)
December 1, 2003... A couple of weeks ago, I got a call from the CEO of a large builder with both a top financial performance rating and dismal J.D. Power results. "This is hurting us," he said flatly. "One way or the other, we have to fix it." ********** ...

The ABCs about the AMT.(Money Matters)(alternative minimum tax)
December 1, 2003... As secretary of the Treasury in 1969, Joseph Barr reported to Congress that 155 individual taxpayers with incomes in excess of $200,000 had paid no federal income tax in 1966. In response, Congress passed the alternative minimum tax (AMT) to...

Whole-house design.(Building Technology)
December 1, 2003... Despite years of technological innovation, seemingly simple problems such as nail pops, cracks and other drywall problems continue to plague home construction. Why can't we solve such basic problems? Perhaps it's because a house has so many...

GP: building innovation; Ideas for easy maintenance and charm find a welcoming home.(Special Advertising Section)
December 1, 2003... Innovation is right at home at the GP iHOME at the International Builders' Show in Las Vegas. From Jan. 19-22, builders from around the world will experience the latest product ideas and improvements from Georgia-Pacific, one of the most...

Different, by design: under a fun-focused management team that now owns the company, John Laing Homes is morphing into a new breed of home builder.(Builder of the Year)(Cover Story)
December 1, 2003... Look at builders that are performing well this year and then pick one to hold up as a model for how to succeed next year and the year after that. That's how we pick a winner of the American housing industry's oldest and most prestigious award,...

Coach Larry's can-do culture: Larry Webb began his coaching career in 1971. His approach hasn't changed much, and the team is still winning.(Builder of the Year)
December 1, 2003... Stroll around the headquarters of John Laing Homes in Newport Beach, Calif., and you're immediately impressed that this is no conventional home building company. The life-size cutouts of company leaders, shown as Star Trek's enterprising...

Webb walks the talk of family values.(Up Close & Personal)(Larry Webb of John Laing Homes)
December 1, 2003... The wonder of it is that anyone as passionate about teaching and coaching as Larry Webb ever found his way into managing a home building company. This Harvard Business School graduate carries much more the mark of the State University of New...

Stelmar bucks CFO stereotype.(Up Close & Personal)(Wayne Stelmar, chief financial officer of John Laing Homes)
December 1, 2003... Wayne Stelmar drives a brand-new Porsche Carrera. "My toy," he calls it. Stelmar is a car guy--quite a contrast to his partners at John Laing Homes. Larry Webb drives a 6-year-old Lexus. Bill Probert's Lexus is 15 years old. "Wayne gets me...

Retailer Probert fits a new line.(Up Close & Personal)(Bill Probert)
December 1, 2003... The teacher in Bill Probert jumps out at you, just as the teacher in Larry Webb does, but Probert's retailing background might be even more important to John Laing Homes' success. For 11 years, starting in 1974, Probert ran Tahoe Clothing Co....

Selling a new process; Laing courts home shoppers with a new premise: the competition is resale homes and current residences, not other new home builders.(Builder of the Year)
December 1, 2003... John Laing Homes CEO Larry Webb pushes his teams to get better every day at everything they do. His method is process improvement, so advancement is measurable and steady, not haphazard. (This is the teacher and coach searching for a better...

'Do the right thing': from land acquisition to customer service, this simple concept drives Laing's production processes.(Builder of the Year)
December 1, 2003... A builder such as John Laing Homes, with a business model predicated on higher pricing and a design leadership position besieged by high-profile competitors, must build houses well and keep customers happy after the sale. Anything less would be...

Big growth plans: Laing's new infill and luxury divisions are in place. San Diego and California's Central Valley might be next, and that's not all.(Builder of the Year)
December 1, 2003... It's hard to call John Laing Homes' strategic plans conservative with a straight face. Hard, but not impossible. They call for entry into several new markets and two new businesses. Going from just more than $740 million in 2003 revenue to $880...

Why Laing in the city makes sense.
December 1, 2003... John Laing Homes' move into the Southern California urban regeneration and infill housing market makes perfect sense to Dan Konnor, its director of infill land acquisition. And his pitch makes sense when you understand that Laing's infill...

Why Luxury makes sense for Laing.
December 1, 2003... In most parts of the country, prices for much of California production housing would fit squarely in the luxury home category. Yet at John Laing Homes, satisfying the luxury buyer--one uninterested in enduring the usual custom home...

Weathering the storm: despite what many believe, builders can construct homes that withstand tornadoes. Here's how.(Build)
December 1, 2003... Most houses in a tornado's path don't get picked up and plopped down in a wonderland populated by little people. Despite prevailing opinion, they all don't get destroyed, either--if they are built right. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Building technology: systems & interior finishes--part VI.(Learn)
December 1, 2003... Many home builders and remodelers begin their industry training by finishing homes. Starting at the end provides valuable insight into customer expectations. Correcting problems that should have been caught sooner is an excellent way to train...

The future of builder marketing.(Special Advertising Section)
December 1, 2003... In just three years since its inception, Genesis Homes has proved that off-site construction can deliver a quality residential product with excellent curb appeal in a fraction of the time it takes to put up a conventional site-built home. The...

IBS product study guide.(Professional Builder publishes for the first time your study guide)
December 15, 2003... Professional Builder publishes for the first time your study guide to new building products. Each building product manufacturer featured in the following pages will exhibit its highlighted product January 19-22 at the International Builders'...

Reward wall systems.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... Designed to reduce labor and meet ACI 318 requirements, the xLerator makes it easier to reinforce ledge forms in insulating concrete form systems. The same one-piece welded xLerator can reinforce the ledge form for the support of masonry veneer...

Marvin windows and doors.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... Marvin's sliding patio door features 3-inch stiles and rails to enhance the look of its paintable, stainable pine interior while maximizing exposure to natural light. Other features include an Ultrex pultruded fiberglass sill, a two-point lock...

Panasonic.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... The WhisperLine remote-mounted, in-line ventilation fan can be used for single or multiple inlets. Multiple-inlet options include multiple-task ventilation inlets in one bathroom--shower, whirlpool, toilet and vanity, for example--or two...

Contact lumber.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... Wood-wrapped moldings in cherry, maple, mahogany, oak and other species come in 14- and 16-foot lengths (18-foot on request) ready for installation without pre-drilling. The dimensionally stable finger-joint substrate is wrapped in real wood...

TimberTech.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... TwinFinish 5/4 wood composite deck planks offer two surface options in one product. One side has a brushed surface with a uniform texture. The other has a wood-grain texture for the look of vertical-grain lumber. Made from a formulation of pure...

Crane performance siding.(Crane Performance Siding)(www.cranesiding.com)
December 15, 2003... The Solid Core Architectural Essentials line of decorative vinyl trim now includes window crown molding and band board. The window crown molding measures 4 1/8 inches wide, comes in 12-foot sections and 13 colors, and can be pared down to fit...

Hacker industries.(IBS Products)(www.hackerindustries.com)
December 15, 2003... Applied before or after drywall installation, Firm-Fill 3310 gypsum concrete floor underlayment flows evenly over wood or concrete subfloors to create a smooth, flat, crack-resistant surface that resists fire and controls sound in interior...

Superior aluminum products.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... Made of extruded aluminum, All-Snap columns can be used as load-bearing structural elements. The columns and matching polymer composite caps and bases are offered in five baked-on finishes--white, almond, tan, sandstone and brown--as well as a...

Style solutions.(IBS Products)(www.stylesolutionsinc.com)
December 15, 2003... Made for exterior applications, structural porch posts are designed to hold up to 12,000 pounds. Each square-profile column is reinforced with steel and surrounded by polyurethane. Circle 238 on inquiry card. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Symmons industries.(IBS Products)(www.symmons.com)
December 15, 2003... The Symmetrix S-23-BRS kitchen faucet combines contemporary styling with solid brass and copper construction plus a Radiance brass finish guaranteed against flaking. The control cartridge features corrosion-resistant ceramic disks second only...

Hy-lite products.(IBS Products)(www.hy-lite.com)
December 15, 2003... Prefabricated glass-block fixed windows come in six stock sizes, have a clear-wave block profile and are certified by NFRC, AAMA and ANSI. A vinyl spacer between the blocks keeps them aligned within the thermally broken aluminum window frame....

Klein tools.(IBS Products)(www.kleintools.com)
December 15, 2003... This 12-inch jab saw features a 6-inch, hardened, carbon steel blade with triple-ground teeth that cut drywall, wallboard, plywood and plastic on an angle or a curve in both directions--pushing and pulling. A hardened, beveled point at the...

PGT.(IBS Products)(www.winguard.com)
December 15, 2003... The WinGuard line of impact-resistant windows and doors now includes vinyl frames for customers in climates such as northern Florida's and the Carolinas' who need hurricane protection but also experience greater temperature variation than...

Kohler.(IBS Products)(www.kohler.com)
December 15, 2003... The Devonshire bathroom suite now includes a Neo-angle shower enclosure and coordinating door for smaller corner spaces. Functional features include integral shelving and a footrest for shaving. Made of gel-coat fiberglass and offered in 12...

Simpson Strong-Tie structural systems.(Special Advertisement)
December 15, 2003... NEW PRODUCTS ZMAX[TM] Offers Builders Additional Corrosion Protection for Pressure-Treated Woods Effective December 31, 2003, the commonly used pressure-treated wood, Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA-C), is no longer being manufactured...

Simonton windows.(IBS Products)(www.simonton.com)
December 15, 2003... The ProFinish Master Series includes single-hung, double-hung, picture, casement, geometric, awning, no-hinge casement and fixed windows as well as patio doors. Each window has the Intercept spacer system to maximize energy efficiency and a...

Nichiha.(IBS Products)(www.nichiha.com)
December 15, 2003... Sierra Premium Smooth lap siding comes in 7- and 8 3/4-inch profiles. Factory-primed and factory-sealed on six sides, the fibercement panels can withstand 110-mph wind when blind-nailed (ASTM E 330), Nichiha says. Their 1/2-inch thickness...

Kinetico.(IBS Products)(www.kinetico.com)(www.pall.com)
December 15, 2003... A collaboration of Kinetico and Pall Corp., the Purefecta water purifier combines Kinetico's reverse-osmosis technology and Pall's membrane technology into a non-electric, seven-stage filtration process certified to remove more than 99.99999%...

Milwaukee electric tool.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... Made for use in tight spaces, Compact Series 12- and 14.4-volt cordless driver/drills feature the Clip-Lok system, whose benefits include hands-free transportation, storage for two bits, and one-handed load and release. A single-sleeve...

Alsons.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... The GreatGrip hand-held shower works as three showers in one: a palm shower, a traditional hand shower and a fixed shower head. The 2.5-gallon-per-minute palm shower features five spray functions and a "rub-clean" face to facilitate removal of...

Weiser lock.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... The Aspen is a new, non-handed lever style in the Welcome Home Series. Choose one of seven finishes--bright brass, antique brass, satin nickel, antique nickel, bright chrome, satin chrome or Venetian Bronze. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Electrolux.(IBS Products)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... The Afuera central vacuum system features HEPA filtration that screens particulates as small as dust mites, pollen plant spores and tobacco smoke. The CleanStream filter can be returned to like-new condition by tapping it against a hard surface...

Litetouch.(IBS Products)(LiteTouch)(Brief Article)
December 15, 2003... The single-room Scenario lighting controller, a stand-alone, four-load unit, now includes a built-in IR receiver. The nine-button Scenario offers four main aspects of control--four individually dimmable lighting loads totaling up to 1,920...

White river hardwoods-woodworks.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... The company's collection of more than 100 hand-carved woodcarvings includes 11 new corbels, each individually hand-wrought from linden wood. They can be installed with screws, nails (by hand or with finish nailers) and/or construction adhesive....

Gastite.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... Made specifically for Gastite corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST), the adjustable XR angle bracket fitting simplifies connections involving an angle-mounted termination point by creating a fixed stub-out point on a wall or floor. The...

DeWalt.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... Designed specifically for contractors, the DC500 wet/dry vacuum runs off DeWalt 12-, 14.4- and 18-volt battery packs (not included) or can be plugged into a 120-volt AC outlet. Its washable Gore-Tex filter traps 99.7% of dust particles inside...

The Foundry.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... Handcrafted shakes and shingles replicate the look of traditional cedar. The fully extruded product has a design that eliminates visible lap lines and creates a random appearance. A locking nail hem eliminates the need to line up side locks....

Arch wood protection.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... A borate-based preservative is forced into SillBor treated wood under pressure but also diffuses into it naturally for greater penetration in species such as Douglas fir that can be difficult to protect by pressure alone. Suited for sill-plate...

Certainteed.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... Prism Grid windows offer the look of custom beveled glass thanks to 3M's Accentrim film technology, which allows light to filter through the glass and produce a rainbow of colors. Prism Grid windows are available in several window and door...

Concord elevator.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... The Infinity residential elevator features materials and components similar to those found in commercial elevators for durability and reliability while meeting all applicable building and elevator safety codes and standards. The electronics are...

Keystone retaining wall systems.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... Made specifically for taller wall structures and heavy-loading conditions, the Century Wall System combines the appearance and character of a random-pattern, natural stone wall with the structural performance and environmental friendliness of...

Icynene.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... The 100% water-blown Icynene Insulation System contains no HCFCs, HFAs, HFCs or formaldehyde. The soft foam expands to 100 times its initial volume and adheres to the building material to seal all gaps and crevices that compromise airtightness....

General American door.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... The pictured Lincoln garage door is part of the Early American Collection of eight wooden, handcrafted Presidential Series carriage house doors. The series combines a hinged appearance reminiscent of swing-out or sliding doors with the...

Henkel consumer adhesives.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... The Loctite foldable caulk gun, which can be used to dispense adhesives as well as caulk, features a collapsible trigger, allowing the gun to fit inside standard tool-boxes. The gun is made of plastic, so it's lightweight and will not rust....

Vetter windows & doors.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... Wood-hinged patio doors are now available with raised panels. Single- or two-panel inserts can be placed above the door's foot rail. Both the interior and the exterior of the panels have a raised profile. Panel interiors come in pine, oak,...

Controlled Energy Corp.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... Pro Tankless by Bosch gas water heaters are available in natural gas and liquid propane configurations. The 635 ES model (below left) can produce more than 6 gallons of hot water per minute but can be wall-mounted in a closet, a garage or a...

Cosella-Dorken.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... The Delta Fast'ner speeds the installation of Delta-MS and Delta-Drain foundation waterproofing. Made of plastic that will never rust or corrode, the fasteners incorporate the waterproofing products' dimple pattern, allowing them to interlock...

Danze.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... An oil-rubbed bronze finish now is available on the Opulence and Sheridan faucet collections. The finish's primary appearance is that of a dark finish with a hint of aged metallic burgundy, but different lighting and settings can change the...

Syngenta.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... Designed to complement liquid termiticides, baits and borates, Impasse Termite Blockers seal cracks and crevices caused by shrinkage around utility penetrations and bath traps and thus prevent termites from entering a home in those areas. Made...

Kolbe & Kolbe.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... The Sterling double-hung wood window includes a hidden jamb liner with no visible vinyl parts. A multifunctional sash lock incorporates a dual positioning lever that with a simple turn allows the sash to be unlocked and tilted in for cleaning....

Max USA.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... PowerLite pneumatic nailers can hold 300 nails in a standard 15-degree wire coil and shoot nails from 2x.099 inches to 3 1/2x.148 inches. Features include an anti-double-fire mechanism, dial-adjustable depth control and a tangle-free swivel...

Briggs & Stratton.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... The Automatic Home Standby System produces enough power to run most items in a home in the event of a power outage. The system includes a 12,000-watt generator, a battery and built-in charger, and a sound shield. Other features include a...

Simpson door.(IBS Products)
December 15, 2003... Redi-Prime factory-primed interior doors now are available with Shaker styling, combining flat, rectangular panels and square sticking. They're offered in various interior panel door and bifold styles. Standard widths range from 1 feet, 2...