Professional Builder (1993) articles from February 2007

Professional Builder (1993) archives from February 2007

Personalized Service.(Farnsworth Homes Inc.; WCI Communities Inc.'s customer services)
February 1, 2007... By Paul Cardis, Avid Ratings Two companies' individual attention triggers happy buyers. Many builders say they exceed customer expectations, but the true leaders in this industry stay ahead of the pack by personalizing the purchasing...

Curly's Gold.(Human resource management)(Column)
February 1, 2007... By Rodney Hall, The Talon Group Benefits abound when employees -- not just sales staff -- promote your company's DNA. An all-time favorite movie of mine is "City Slickers." I'll trust that everyone reading this has seen it at least...

10 Tips for a Better Web Site Redesign.
February 1, 2007... By John Rymer, New Home Knowledge In this day and age, there's more to redesigning a Web site than adding pretty pictures. If your Web site is easy to navigate, has current, up-to-date information and you get multiple e-mail leads...

Positive Press.(how to get media coverage )(Editorial)
February 1, 2007... By Jane Adler, Contributing Editor How to get out the good word on a shoestring budget. Despite the avalanche of bad press about housing, it's still possible for builders -- even small ones--- to generate good news. Palmer Homes...

Unearthing a Crisis.(Site preparation )(Editorial)
February 1, 2007... By Mark Jarasek, Senior Editor What to expect when your excavation crew digs up the unexpected. Home building recently gave new meaning to the term skeleton crew: sites recently being excavated in Texas by Lennar Homes and in...

BALA Bravo.
February 1, 2007... By Paul Deffenbaugh I wish all of our readers had a chance to participate in the judging for the Best in American Living Awards. I found the process exhilarating, and the judges' discussions reinvigorated me. It's been a rough few months...

The New Democratic Congress.(Editorial)
February 1, 2007... By Martha Russis, Contributing Editor What does the new leadership mean for builders? Builders like Hugh Morton have a keen eye on the new Democratic-dominated Congress because they hold the cards for his future workforce. The...

Five Steps: Web Makeover.
February 1, 2007... By Chuck Shinn, The Shinn Group of Companies Web site looking outdated and dull? Improve your look in five easy steps. Like it or not, the Internet is a staple of modern life. Many people use it regularly for research, shopping, news...

Remington Homes.(Whirlpool Dishwashers)(Delta Faucet Allora pull-down spray kitchen faucet)(Schlage's electronic keypad locks and deadbolts )
February 1, 2007... Greg Rose, General Sales Manager, Elgin, Ill. NuTone Greg Rose Connected by Cat5 cable connections between the monitor and up to two door cameras, NuTone's Video Door Answering system features an under-the-counter, 7-inch LCD...

ProBuilder Product Report: New Products.(Robert Bosch Corp. Bosch Automation Products' ProTankles water heater)(LM800 Single-Beam Horizontal Self-Leveling Rotary Laser)(Milwaukee Ice Edge saw blades )
February 1, 2007... By Nick Bajzek Bosch Nick Bajzek ProTankless, the latest tankless water heater from Bosch, features an electronic ignition and computerized temperature control. It is available in a natural gas or propane model and boasts an...

Tax Credit Helps Builders.
February 1, 2007... By Asa Foss for the PATH Partners The government wants to thank you in cash for each energy-efficient home you build. Uncle Sam wants you to build energy-efficient homes -- and he's willing to pay you $2,000 per house to do it. This...

ProBuilder Product Report: Cabinetry.(Armstrong Cabinets )(StarMark Cabinetry)(Homecrest)
February 1, 2007... By Nick Bajzek Knape & Vogt Nick Bajzek The Lazy Susan hybrid system from Knape & Vogt features two wood pull-out drawers mounted on the company's undermount slides. Four side-mounted baskets can be adjusted to...

ProBuilder Product Report: Hardware.(Hickory Hardware)(Baldwin)(Outwater )
February 1, 2007... By Nick Bajzek Hickory Hardware Nick Bajzek The latest appliance pulls by Hickory Hardware are designed for oversized cabinets and wood-faced appliances. They are available in 8- to 18-inch sizes in three different styles and in...

Best In American Living Award: Gold.(Bassenian Lagoni Architects)(Dahlin Group Inc.)(Looney Ricks Kiss Architects Inc.)
February 1, 2007... Staff Single-Family Detached Category: Best Single-Family Detached Home 2,401 to 3,000 square feet Project Name: Bella Fiore Location: Lake Las Vegas, Nev. Designer/Architect: Bassenian/Lagoni, Newport Beach, Calif. ...

2006 Best in American Living Awards.(Marc-Michaels and Associates' Patti Guthrie)(Allegretti & Co.'s John Allegretti )(Bassenian Lagoni Architects' Jeff Lake)
February 1, 2007... By Paul Deffenbaugh and Laura Butalla Professional Builder and the NAHB Design Committee present the winners of home building's most prestigious design awards. This year, the Best in American Living Awards reflect the tension that...

Small House, Big Idea.(Dahlin Group Architecture-Mario Aiello)(Grassi Construction-, Mark Grassi)
February 1, 2007... By Paul Deffenbaugh, Editorial Director This gem tucked into a Napa hillside evokes Tuscany and extols the outdoor life. Some houses are just plain beautiful, and others are all of that plus something more. The judges of the Best in...

Glamorous Entertainment Home.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Staff BEST SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED This four-sided brick house with terra cotta roof tiles reclaimed from France blends in with the mixed-use community of Vickery in Cumming, Ga. Designed for glamour and entertaining, this floor plan...

Group Student Housing.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Staff BEST NEIGHBORHOOD Set in a historic neighborhood, Stratford Heights, and across from the University of Cincinnati, this student housing community integrates six duplexes, seven stand-alone group homes, one apartment building...

Classic American Kitchen.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Staff INTERIOR DESIGN: KITCHEN This kitchen recaptures the form and function of an American kitchen from the early 1900s. Solid walnut tops on the center island, built-in serving buffets and a bay window booth give off the warmth of...

Western Ranch Kitchen.
February 1, 2007... Staff INTERIOR DESIGN: KITCHEN Uncommon for the Florida area, this house takes on a western ranch flare, which carries through to the kitchen. Unique in shape and layout, the kitchen design meets the owner's personal touch of...

Artistic Addition.(Frank L. Neubeck)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Staff INTERIOR DESIGN: SPECIALTY ROOM This 2,000 square feet addition to an existing home serves as an art gallery/foyer. Designed to display the client's art collection, this foyer also needed to bring the existing portion and new...

Architectural Detailing.(The Martin Architectural Group)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Staff INTERIOR DESIGN: BEST DETAIL The Exacta model displays a wide array of architectural detailing. From specialty millwork to columns, arches, trim and molding, this house is well-suited for empty nesters seeking a glamorous home....

Terrace-Level Home.(Garrell Associates)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Staff BEST SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED This terrace-level home built on a sloping mountain blends into the wooded vista. The ranch floor plan places the living room, kitchen and master bedroom on the main level. Bedrooms, social and...

Casual Functionality.(Scheurer Architects)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Staff BEST SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED An estate character with the craftsman quality of bygone eras became the design concept of this plan. Generating a custom home feel for adults and children alike, the plan organization generates...

Classic Spanish Revival.(Dahlin Group Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Staff BEST ATTACHED This 10-unit cluster celebrates classic Spanish revival architecture of the 1920s and 1930s eras. The community incorporates historic courtyards with entries facing common areas to continue the Spanish revival...

Live/Work Lofts.(William Hezmalhalch Architects)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Staff BEST ATTACHED Santiago Street Lofts is the first transit-oriented live/work loft community for California's Orange County. Built on a 4.3-acre infill lot, these lofts take advantage of the proximity to the Regional Transit...

Coastal Craftsman.(Foley Design Associates)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Staff BEST ONE-OF-A-KIND CUSTOM HOME (BUILT FOR A CLIENT) This second-home retreat near the emerald shores of Panama City Beach, Fla., caters to move-up buyers, empty nesters and families seeking a vacation home. Architect Bill...

Family Focus.(Urban Design Associates)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Staff BEST ONE-OF-A-KIND CUSTOM HOME (BUILT FOR A CLIENT) This second home in Scottsdale needed to accommodate a very large family -- a split plan became the solution. The master wing houses a master retreat consisting of a bedroom...

Victorian Farmhouse.(Looney Ricks Kiss Architects Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Staff BEST ONE-OF-A-KIND SPEC HOME The design of this spec-built Victorian farmhouse, located in a master-planned golf course community, is for multiple generations living together. The entry hall opens to the dining room, creating the...

Street Amenity.(Looney Ricks Kiss Architects Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Staff BEST RENTAL Backed up to two other properties and their views, this four-story, 144-unit apartment building challenged the building team. Located in a well-established, prestigious district of Houston, the design concept became...

Active-Adult Lifestyle.(Donald Powers Architects)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Staff Gold Award for Best Single-Family Detached Home 1,801 to 2,400 Square Feet BEST IN NORTH ATLANTIC REGION Set within Warwick Grove, an active-adult neighborhood, this plan follows traditional neighborhood design to match up...

Mountaintop Setting.(Cottle Carr Yaw Architects)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Staff Gold Award for Best Single-Family Detached Home Under 1,500 Square Feet BEST IN MIDDLE ATLANTIC REGION This cottage resides on Slickrock Mountain within an intimate setting. Board and batten siding, cedar shingles, stacked...

Coastal Barrier Retreat.(Stephen Herlong & Associates )(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Staff Gold Award for Best One-of-a-Kind Custom Home (Built for a Client) Up to and Including 4,000 Square Feet BEST IN SOUTH ATLANTIC REGION Located on Wadmalaw Island, this one-story home takes advantage of views and breezes...

Shingle-Style Home.(Visbeen Associates)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Staff Gold Award for Best One-of-a-Kind Custom-Built Home 4,001 to 6,500 Square Feet BEST IN MIDWEST REGION This home represents a modern version of a 1920s shingle-style home. The composite slate roof, cement fiberboard shake...

Contemporary Attached Living.(ESG Architects)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Staff Platinum Award for Best Attached Home Units Per Acre and Over BEST IN CENTRAL REGION This building features 84 single- and multi-level units in downtown St. Paul, Minn. This project represents the fourth phase of a new...

Old World Architecture.(Jauregui Architecture Interiors Construction)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Staff Gold Award for Best One-of-a-Kind Spec-Built Home Square Feet and Over BEST IN SOUTH CENTRAL REGION Recalling the classical and old-world-inspired architecture of Texas, this home also draws upon modern features and...

Mountain Peninsula Home.(Locati Architects)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Staff Platinum Award for Best One-of-a-Kind Custom Home (Built for a Client) 6,501 Square Feet and Over BEST IN MOUNTAIN REGION This second home with its 360 degree views carefully complements the natural vegetation surroundings...

Informal Resort Lifestyle.(Robert Hidey Architects)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Staff Gold Award for Best Single-Family Detached Home 4,001 Square Feet and Over BEST IN PACIFIC REGION With its courtyards and loggias defining a relationship to the outdoors, this plan feels as though you are in a resort, not a...

Green Luxury Lodge.(Richard Fisher Architects)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Staff BEST IN PACIFIC NORTHWEST The Built Green Home demonstrates a luxury lodge with the latest in energy-efficient technology. Built in Suncadia, a four-season resort community, this custom-built home comes equipped with durable,...

Best In American Living Award: Silver.(Dahlin Group Architecture)(Looney Ricks Kiss Architects Inc.)(Carolina Designs Ltd.)
February 1, 2007... Staff Best Single-Family Detached Category: Best Single-Family Detached Home under 1,500 square feet Project Name: Baywood--Plan 1 Location: Hercules, Calif. Designer/Architect: Dahlin Group Architecture Planning,...

2007 Color Forecast Calls for Shades of Earth.(Editorial)
February 1, 2007... By Jennifer Block Martin, Contributing Editor How the pros choose the right colors for your projects. Silvered mink. Mineralized yellow. Iguana? Although these are among 2007's hot colors, choosing the right color for a model living...

CEO Spotlight: David K. Hill: Counter Punch.(SUPPLEMENT: GIANTS)
February 1, 2007... Bill Lurz, Senior Editor, Business With quick wits and fast feet, Kimball Hill Homes Chairman David K. Hill survived the crash of housing markets in California, Nevada, Florida and Illinois during 2006. Now he's gathering his energy to...

Light at the End of the Tunnel?(SUPPLEMENT: GIANTS)
February 1, 2007... Bill Lurz, Senior Editor, Business There are signs of life in housing markets across the country. This is only anecdotal evidence, not hard data, and it's coming from builders -- known to be notorious optimists. Moreover, it's mostly about...

Mining for Green in Brownfields.(SUPPLEMENT: GIANTS)
February 1, 2007... Felicia Oliver, Senior Editor Formerly contaminated sites hold promise for profitable, conservation-smart development. Is brown the new green? It is, and in more ways than one. Untouched land is scarce and when found, NIMBYs complain...

Beyond Zoning.(SUPPLEMENT: GIANTS)
February 1, 2007... Matthew Power, Senior Contributing Editor Can our current systems of localized zoning be reformed? What should take its place, and who will lead the way? Ask any builder to list the obstacles to innovation, infill construction and...

Six Tips for Life Post-M/A.(SUPPLEMENT: GIANTS)
February 1, 2007... Jody Kahn Kline, Michael P. Kahn and Associates Ensure a smooth transition for you and your employees. After the ink has dried after a merger or acquisition, you'll want to make sure you cover all of your bases as far as transitioning...

Home Builders Face Inventory Downturn.(SUPPLEMENT: GIANTS)
February 1, 2007... John Burns, John Burns Real Estate Consulting Higher new-home inventories stunt residential building's progress. Borrowing against the future has weakened the demand for homes over the next few years. Falling interest rates and...

Moves.(retirement of Michael Cortney, GMAC Residential Funding stake in Rolling Meadows, Carl, C. Icahn stakes in WCI Communities)
February 1, 2007... Staff Michael Cortney , Standard Pacific Homes ' president, will retire on March 15 and also give up his position as a director of the Irvine, Calif.-based public builder, ranked No. 12 in last year's Giant 400, with 11,694 closings for...

7 Issues Eating at Your Bottom Line.(SUPPLEMENT: GIANTS)
February 1, 2007... Michael Dickens, CEO of BuildIQ Bad building practices could be costing you $25,000 per home. Building a higher-quality home is the source of untapped potential for boosting your bottom line. To dig deeper into this financial well, I'd...

Would You Buy from Your Sales Staff?(SUPPLEMENT: GIANTS)
February 1, 2007... Rick Heaston, R.A. Heaston and Co. It's time for a sales process checkup. How long has it been since you've mystery shopped your sales associates? If it's been a while, you might want to consider stepping up your schedule. I think what...

Indicies Close Mixed.(SUPPLEMENT: GIANTS)
February 1, 2007... Margot Crabtree, Trade Trends The Federal Reserve Board held interest rates in check at 5.25 percent, unchanged after five consecutive meetings of the federal bankers. Markets were volatile in the week before our session ended Jan. 31,...