Professional Builder (1993) articles from February 2002

Professional Builder (1993) archives from February 2002

Letters.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... `The image a company portrays is as important as the quality of its work.' Sedam Makes Sense Gory Mason I have seen the phenomenon Scott Sedam described as the "day-shift mentality" (October 2001), and his observations concur...

The elements of leaders. (Perspective).(home building)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Enthusiasm is more contagious than the common cold, and a whole lot more pleasant. On this particular Saturday morning, senior editor Bill Lurz can't contain his enthusiasm. That means my cell phone rings early (the morning after my 12-year-old...

The language of our companies. (Publisher's Letter).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... We never spend enough time ensuring that the language we use to describe our individual companies communicates our message clearly. Our words and our actions represent to others what our company is and what it will become. Buddhist...

The crisis scenario: Navigating through the shock and the inevitable business setback. (Outfront).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks changed life and business as we know it. Today, CEOs across America are taking the time to learn a skill few ever thought they would need: how to handle a crisis. "It doesn't matter whether it's a...

Telecommuting flattens. (Outfront).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... At the height of the dot-com and e-commerce manias, leading thinkers predicted a day when knowledge workers would stay home for work. But now come data showing that from 1997 to 2001, the number of fulltime telecommuters stayed roughly the...

In my communities. (Outfront).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Jim Previti, founder and chairman of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.-based Forecast Homes, sold the 30-year-old company to New Jersey-based GIANT K. Hovnanian Enterprises in January. Previti is exiting the day-to-day home building business to focus on...

Sun-powered slabs. (Outfront).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Concrete construction and solar power are proving to be a potent combination. Near Chico, Calif., a home built with insulated concrete forms (ICF) and powered by solar panels might never have a utility bill, general contractor Steve Ferreira of...

APA's Growing Smart: The good and the bad. (NAHB Opinion).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The American Planning Association's Growing Smart Legislative Guidebook could prompt states to review and change planning and land-use laws. The guidebook covers many things affecting a builder's day-to-day activities: processing development...

A premium on premiums. (Outfront).(construction insurance)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... As if cost-side pressure on margins was not high enough, builders this year face higher insurance premiums, exclusion or denial of coverages offered in their previous policies, and in some instances policy termination. Higher premiums are...

Setting stone. (Green Builder[R]).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... As we walked toward the back of the vast storage yard, I must have been in something of a zone. I get that way sometimes. The winter sun was about to set, and it had stained the late-afternoon sky with colors that caused the nearby mountains to...

Watch those interest rates. (Outfront).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Construction loan debt is typically variable and tied to the prime rate, so the big drop in interest rates during the past year has benefited many builders and developers. But if the party hasn't already ended, it will soon. If you have...

Online typesetting. (Outfront).(real estate marketing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Web sites area a company's clearest link to not only new customers, but also its staff in the field. At least one builder has found a way to enhance that link. Rich Ohmann, vice president of Charlotte, N.C.-based St. Lawrence Homes,...

The big get bigger. (Outfront).(home building industry)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... Home building is and probably always will be a local operation in which strong personal connections matter most. But this does not preclude the industry's largest builders from continuing to capture chunks of market share. Many of the top 10...

Squeegee-Free windows. (Outfront).(PPG Industries Inc.)(Pilkington PLC)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
February 1, 2002... This spring, glassmakers will offer builders and window buyers another feature to consider: self-cleaning glass. The glass incorporates a hydrophilic and photocatalytic coating. The result is a window that allows the sun's ultraviolet rays to...

Striver drivers. (Outfront).(striving nature of Generation Xers)(Statistical Data Included)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Despite conventional wisdom, Generation Xers are more like the rest of us than anyone suspected. As of last year, more Xers than baby boomers planned to buy homes, says American Demographics magazine. In recent years, the stereotype of the...

Recruitment and integration 201. (The Department of Labor).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... So you just did everything right in hiring a new employee: identified hard and soft skills, evaluated potential, and orchestrated a carefully executed interview process -- all resulting in an ideal employment decision. From there, most...

America the diverse. (Outfront).(minorites' influence on housing demand)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Now more than ever, builders must cater to the cultural needs, practices and preferences of emerging consumer groups, and two new reports are shedding more light on the subject. Racial minorites will shape two-thirds of all housing demand...

A New Urbanist surge. (Outfront).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... For the many builders who view New Urbanism as a passing fad, evidence to the contrary is pouring in. According to New Urban News, 375 such developments were built, under construction or in advanced stages of planning as of October 2001, a...

The lowdown on lots. (Outfront).(Ryland Homes)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... A phone call, a fax and a drive out to the site are the usual ways builders commonly track the progression of land development. Not so at Ryland Homes' Washington, D.C., division, where a technology tool keeps the data on dirt flowing. ...

Cracking the codes, online. (Outfront).(International Code Council)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The effort to merge the three major building codes -- BOCA (Building Officials and Code Administrators), ICBO (International Conference of Building Officials) and SBCCI (Southern Building Code Congress International) -- under one umbrella, the...

How do you keep your best people happy? (Outfront).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Mark Upton President Engle Homes/Arizona, Phoenix Pay them fairly and make a work environment in which there is ownership and authority along with responsibility. There also needs to be a high level of respect for people in all...

Good news Up: Knowing only the positive can be a huge negative. (Lessons Learned).
February 1, 2002... Not long ago, I heard a speech by the president of a large building company at a building industry forum. I listened as he extolled the virtues of the company. He cited three areas in particular as standouts: training, a focus on customer...

The house that LP built. (Special Advertising Supplement).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Behind the Walls House is back and bigger than ever. Spanning approximately 2,200 square feet in the parking lot of the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, this edition at the International Builders' Show is more than 30% larger than...

Thought leaders. (Cover Story).(Statistical Data Included)(Cover Story)
February 1, 2002... After you have the right people in place, understand your market's desires and deliver the highest-quality product, you're left with only one missing element -- killer ideas. These ideas aren't unique to the high-tech world; they exist in our...

Smooth sailing: Sailhouse honors the roots at Corona del Mar. (Sell).(California)
February 1, 2002... Sailhouse is not a story about traditional neighborhood development and New Urbanism, even though this recently opened neighborhood in Corona del Mar, Calif., has been touted as such. "Sailhouse is a great example of product design that...

Soliciting satisfaction: Paying for customer satisfaction scores could be costing you too much. (Sell).
February 1, 2002... We've all heard it or even said it: "You get what you pay for." Increasingly in the new home business, that means paying employees - salespeople, construction managers, warranty service representatives, etc. - for delivering high customer...

Trail blazers. (Awards Achievement).
February 1, 2002... Each of the 2002 Professional Builder Achievement Award winners casts a wide net in the new residential construction industry. While the vision and the path for creating more profitable businesses, for building more energy-efficient,...

Improving sales and marketing: Stop leaving dollars on the table. (Sell).
February 1, 2002... Remember "Wayne's World" from Saturday Night Live? Wayne and his buddy Garth did an underground television program from Wayne's basement, and Wayne frequently offered half-baked ideas that prompted Garth to tell him, "You've got to live in the...

Fidelity's first-year scorecard: Ed Caldeira takes the fledgling builders through an assessment of their first year, just as if they'd applied for an NHQ award. (Manage).(Fidelity Homes)(National Housing Quality Award)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... For many builders who seek a National Housing Quality Award, the most valuable part of the experience comes shortly after learning they haven't won a thing. That's when judging facilitator Ed Caldeira, director of quality services for the NAHB...

Touching on tradition: The home of the year reaches a harmony of 20th century styie and 21st century technology. (Design).
February 1, 2002... Strolling through the older neighborhood in Silver Spring, Md. -- one that was subdivided in the late 1920s -- you'll see a mix of houses: Cape Cods, Tudors, ramblers, 1960s International-style homes. What won't be apparent is a new house, yet...

Showcasing design solutions. (Best in American Living Award).(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... *** BEST SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED HOME UNDER 1,500 SQ. FT. * PLATINUM WINNER KTGY Group Inc. Plan 1 at Ocean Walk is designed for a high-density (12 units per acre) transitional neighborhood setting targeted to first-time and...

Habitat for humanity international 25.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... One of our basic human desires is to live a life of meaning. We all want to contribute to the world in such a way that it is a better place because we were here on earth for a time. Sometimes just keeping up with life's pace seems like success,...

Habitat for humanity international giving families hope.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... February 2002 Dear Builder, More than 25 years ago, I had a vision to help the world's most impoverished people obtain one of life's most basic necessities -- a simple, decent place to live. From the rickety shacks of the American...

Habitat for humanity international community.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Habitat for Humanity International brings communities and families in need together with volunteers and resources to build decent, affordable houses in 83 countries around the world. Inviting people from all walks of life to work together in...

President carter. (Special Advertising Supplement).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Habitat for Humanity International's most notable volunteer is former President Jimmy Carter, who began his involvement with the nonprofit home builder in 1984 after visiting a Habitat build site in Harlem. While viewing the conditions of the...

A message from Jack Kemp, former HUD secretary and chair of Habitat for Humanity International's More than Houses: Rebuilding Communities Campaign. (Special Advertising Supplement).(Housing and Urban Development)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... I've been involved with the issue of housing for a number of years and have come to view it from two different perspectives. I recognize it as a public issue. Many of us have seen entire communities strengthen as individual families secure the...

Volunteers. (Special Advertising Supplement).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... HOW YOU CAN BECOME INVOLVED: Because Habitat for Humanity International is committed to eliminating poverty housing, the organization has developed special programs, initiatives and departments to empower volunteers who might not otherwise be...

Worldwide commitment. (Special Advertising Supplement).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... U.S. AFFILIATES CHURCH RELATIONS: Church Relations forms partnerships with churches around the world and encourages congregations to sponsor houses and volunteer with HFHI affiliates. CR organizes Building on Faith Week each year to highlight...

Propane Education & Research Council. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... A proud sponsor of Habitat@25, the Propane Education & Research Council represents propane marketers across the country. Propane, the Exceptional Energy, is a safe, efficient and environmentally sound energy source offering reliability and...

Habitat for Humanity International 2002 highlights. (Community Commitment).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL STRIVES TO OFFER PROGRAMS AND BUILDING EXPERIENCES THAT INVOLVE A RANGE OF PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND THE WORLD. THESE HIGHLIGHTS SHOW SOME OF HABITAT'S ACTIVITIES. COLLEGIATE CHALLENGE:...

Goals for the next 25 years: Since 1976, habitat for humanity has built more than 120,000 homes for people needing adequate shelter. (Special Advertising Supplement).
February 1, 2002... Looking ahead to the next 25 years, HFHI setting goals in its mission to eliminate poverty housing worldwide. By creating two new programs, the 21st Century Challenge and the More Than Houses: Rebuilding Our Communities Campaign, HFHI hopes to...

Setting homes apart with metallon[TM]. (Special Advertising Supplement).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... As every builder knows, cookie-cutter homes are dead. Builders today understand that design differentiation can be a big selling point for homes...especially those in planned communities and subdivisions How can builders set their homes...

Low maintenance urethane products perfect fit for habitat homes. (Special Advertising Section).(Style Solutions)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Whether a cost-conscious project like the Habitat at 25 homes, or a high-end development, builders agree on one thing: low maintenance urethane products are the perfect fit for all sizes and scopes of homes. Made of durable urethane, Style...

Pulte homes. (Demonstrating Community Spirit).(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... One family's dream to have a home of their own will come true in 2002 thanks in large part to Pulte Homes Inc., Professional Builder magazine's 2001 Builder of the Year. Pulte Homes will provide a strong presence before the International...

Andersen windows. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... From our founding as a lumberyard in a Wisconsin river town to our rise as the market leader in the window and patio door industry, the Andersen story is one of change and innovation inspired by customer needs. Our dedication to product...

Dow Building Materials. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Dow Building Materials is the recognized leader in extruded polystyrene insulation. Since developing STYROFOAM* extruded polystyrene insulation, Dow continues to build on its foam expertise and technical strength to broaden its offering of...

Merillat. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Since it was founded in 1946, Merillat Industries, LLC, has developed a reputation as a trusted supplier to the building industry. Now the leading manufacturer of cabinetry for new home construction, Merillat is committed to the building...

Masonite. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Masonite International Corporation -- the New Masonite -- is committed to excellence in all that we do. Masonite supports the communities where our employees live and work, which includes participation in Habitat for Humanity projects not only...

Square D. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... SQUARE D/Schneider Electric leads the industry in providing innovative electrical solutions that meet the changing needs of builders and home buyers. We offer the industry's largest service and support network of residential sales engineers and...

YORK International. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... As the largest independent supplier of heating, ventilating, air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment in the United States, YORK International understands that it has an obligation to use its leadership position to help build a stronger...

CertainTeed. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... CertainTeed Corporation congratulates Habitat for Humanity for 25 years of providing affordable, interest-free housing to low-income families. We are proud of our association with Habitat and look forward to continuing our affiliation and our...

Wood promotion network. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... There is one international home builder that builds 5,500 entry-level, wood-framed houses each year in the United States. Amazingly, its customers are almost always thrilled with the workmanship, and they rarely complain about delays....

James Hardie siding products. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Owning your own home defines the American Dream. A home means independence, stability, security, comfort. That is why James Hardie is delighted to participate in the Habitat for Humanity 25th anniversary project. We commend Cahners and our...

Centex homes. (Building A Better Future).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Centex Homes is no stranger to working with Habitat for Humanity. The Dallas-based builder has supported the construction of more than 200 Habitat homes across the country during the past 10 years and recently signed a commitment letter to be a...

Dow Building Materials. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Dow Building Materials is the recognized leader in extruded polystyrene insulation. Since developing STYROFOAM (*) extruded polystyrene insulation, Dow continues to build on its foam expertise and technical strength to broaden its offering of...

[0] Masonite. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Masonite International Corporation -- the New Masonite -- is committed to excellence in all that we do. Masonite supports the communities where our employees live and work, which includes participation in Habitat for Humanity projects not only...

[0] CertainTeed. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... CertainTeed Corporation congratulates Habitat for Humanity for 25 years of providing affordable, interest-free housing to low-income families. We are proud of our association with Habitat and look forward to continuing our affiliation and our...

[0] Wood promotion network. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... There is one international home builder that builds 5,500 entry-level, wood-framed houses each year in the United States. Amazingly, its customers are almost always thrilled with the workmanship, and they rarely complain about delays....

[0] James Hardie siding products. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Owning your own home defines the American Dream. A home means independence, stability, security, comfort. That is why James Hardie is delighted to participate in the Habitat for Humanity 25th anniversary project. We commend Cahners and our...

First Home Builders of Florida. (Goodwill is Good Business).(strives to make home ownership affordable)
February 1, 2002... Making a difference in people's lives is no mere cliche at First Home Builders of Florida. That philosophy drives the company, says Pat Logue, president and co-owner of the Cape Coral-based firm, which concentrates exclusively on affordable...

Dow building materials. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Dow Building Materials is the recognized leader in extruded polystyrene insulation. Since developing STYROFOAM* extruded polystyrene insulation, Dow continues to build on its foam expertise and technical strength to broaden its offering of...

Anderson windows. (Product & Materials).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... From our founding as a lumberyard in a Wisconsin river town to our rise as the market leader in the window and patio door industry, the Andersen story is one of change and innovation inspired by customer needs. Our dedication to product...

[0] CertainTeed. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... CertainTeed Corporation congratulates Habitat for Humanity for 25 years of providing affordable, interest-free housing to low-income families. We are proud of our association with Habitat and look forward to continuing our affiliation and our...

[0] Wood promotion network. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... There is one international home builder that builds 5,500 entry-level, wood-framed houses each year in the United States. Amazingly, its customers are almost always thrilled with the workmanship, and they rarely complain about delays....

Hedgewood properties. (Home Green Home).
February 1, 2002... At approximately 1,000 square feet, a Habitat for Humanity home is significantly smaller than the houses typically constructed by Atlanta-area builder Hedgewood Properties. However, when Hedgewood co-founders Pam Sessions and Don Donnelly...

[0] Andersen windows. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... From our founding as a lumberyard in a Wisconsin river town to our rise as the market leader in the window and patio door industry, the Andersen story is one of change and innovation inspired by customer needs. Our dedication to product...

XTendex. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... You can't change the weather, but you can build a deck that will stand up to it. The XTENDEX[TM] deck and fencing system provides the best value for today's outdoor lifestyles. With XTENDEX, you can enjoy a stunningly beautiful outdoor living...

Moen. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Moen Incorporated -- the No. 1 brand of faucets in North America -- is one of the world's largest producers of residential and commercial plumbing products. The company offers a complete line of single- and two-handle faucets and showering...

CertainTeed Corporation. (Products Materials).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... CertainTeed Corporation congratulates Habitat for Humanity for 25 years of providing affordable, interest-free housing to low-income families. We are proud of our association with Habitat and look forward to continuing our affiliation and our...

[0] Wood promotion network. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... There is one international home builder that builds 5,500 entry-level, wood-framed houses each year in the United States. Amazingly, its customers are almost always thrilled with the workmanship, and they rarely complain about delays....

Nailite. (Products & Materials).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... We've improved on nature's best intentions. Headquartered in Miami and in business for more than 20 years, Nailite has captured the cutting-edge technology of injection molding through its introduction of polypropylene replica siding panels....

Scheduling -- Parts I and II: A written schedule helps ensure on-time completion of a successful project. (Learn).
February 1, 2002... M.M. (Mike) Weiss Jr., We're on schedule is a universal phrase, widely understood. It paints a complete picture without providing detail. On schedule means that whatever the activity, it is as ready as it is supposed to be at this time. It...

Marvin windows and doors launches a new web site.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Marvin Windows and Doors launched a completely redesigned, restructured Web site, www.marvin.com, on Dec. 13, 2001. This site utilizes leading-edge design, exciting multimedia, easy navigation and a wealth of information unmatched in the window...

Install: Exterior doors. (Construct).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... When it comes to wear and tear, few components of the home have more rigorous requirements than exterior doors. Beyond exposure to outside elements, exterior doors have to fit snugly into their jambs to seal out cold and heat, swing freely and...

Less can be better. (Construct).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Houses are complex systems. When you change any significant house part -- say from standard double-glazed to low-E windows -- the system responds. Sometimes the house works better, sometimes worse. Trouble is, builders rarely have time to...

Pella. (Tough Glass).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The company offers a line of windows and doors certified to be hurricane-resistant by Dade County, Fla. A polymer interlayer not only meets strict code requirements, it also enables larger unit sizes (up to 50 square feet), higher design...

DeWalt. (Tough Glass).(framing nailers available)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Available in two models, one for driving clipped-head fasteners and the other for full round-head fasteners, the company's 7.5-pound framing nailers are constructed with magnesium and titanium to minimize weight and add durability. At 12 3/4...

Georgia-Pacific. (Tough Glass).(Dens-Shield tile backer)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Dens-Shield tile backer installs in half the time as conventional cement board in typical tile installations, the company says, citing an NAHB Research Center time-and-motion study. The product features an acrylic-coated surface designed to...

Delta faucet. (Tough Glass).(Venetian Bronze finish available on products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Venetian Bronze is a nonglossy finish available on both the Delta Victorian and Delta Select Providence Classic and Williams-burg Classic lines (Select Providence is shown). The look is achieved by oxidizing the plated part to chemically...

General motors. (Tough Glass).(Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light-duty pickups)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Chevrolet Silver-ado and GMC Sierra light-duty pickups are available in 1500 and 2500 regular-and extended-cab models, with short or long boxes, two-or four-wheel drive, and a variety of trim levels. Silverado and Sierra 1500HD crew-cab models...

Milgard windows. (Tough Glass).(WoodClad windows available)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... WoodClad windows are custom-built to your size and shape specifications, with various glazing options available. The windows have vertical-grain Douglas fir interiors and fiberglass exteriors. Hardware is offered in white or clay, and a brass...

Heat-N-Glo. (Tough Glass).(Crescent fireplace available for kitchens)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Crescent fireplace is designed for the kitchen. It features an arched front design and six ceramic fiber logs with an extended pan burner for glowing embers. The sealed combustion chamber works in a negative-pressure situation with no cold...

DuPont. (Tough Glass).(offers nine new colors)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... With nine new colors for 2002, Conan solid surfaces now come in 100 colors. The new offerings are Storm Blue, Stone Washed (a light blue background), Seashell (taupe), Abalone (yellow-beige), Night Sky (black), Fossil (warm beige), Oyster (cool...

Simonton windows. (Tough Glass).(Metallure windows available)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Simonton Metallure windows feature real-metal Metallon finishes -- copper, brass, bronze or nickel -- on the vinyl frames and sash. They come in casement, awning, picture, bay, bow and geometric styles. Options include bevel-cut glass, brass...