Professional Builder (1993) articles from January 2008

Professional Builder (1993) archives from January 2008

The Housing Affordability Crisis.
January 1, 2008... By Felicia Oliver, Senior Editor Builders have found ways to work with cities and states to build affordable homes âa[logical not]'without losing their shirts. Affordable housing is in crisis, and it looks like there's no end in...

A Score Worth Keeping.
January 1, 2008... By Paul Cardis, Avid Ratings Co. Though the widely used Net Promoter Score has come under attack, there are good ways to adapt this customer loyalty metric to the home building industry. In a December 2003 article in Harvard Business...

Eden Redefined.(Edenglen)
January 1, 2008... By Susan Bady, Senior Editor, Design An ambitious 20-year development plan for Ontario, Calif., lifts off with the opening of Edenglen, a neotraditional neighborhood with a mix of housing. As grazing cows give way to new homes, parks...

Renew and Invigorate.
January 1, 2008... Paul Deffenbaugh, Editorial Director To participate in the Professional Builder Giant 400, go to www.probuilder.com/400survey to download the survey form. By now, you have recognized that something about Professional Builder has...

Flooring.
January 1, 2008... Staff EverTech, Evergreen Staff Hardwoods such as ebony, rosewood and walnut are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. A low-cost alternative called Alowood by EverTech uses plantation-grown, sustainable lumber that's...

Guess who's buying your houses?
January 1, 2008... By Susan Bady, Senior Editor, Design Sometimes, despite what market research indicates about potential buyers, a very different group shows up at the sales office. Here's how builders can take out some of the guesswork by using research...

New Releases.(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Staff Stopping Waste Staff RT Series Time Switches from Watt Stopper/Legrand replaces standard light switches with the ability to control either lighting or motor loads. Users turn the switch on by pressing the illuminated on/off...

Testing, Testing.
January 1, 2008... By Nick Bajzek, Products Editor The construction industry accounts for some 20 percent of work-related deaths. The leading causes of these deaths aren't dramatic in nature - most of the time it's a collapsed wall, improperly assembled...

Think About It.
January 1, 2008... Staff 30 How many times your employees are likely checking e-mail during the day, according to a study by the University of Glasgow and Paisley University in Scotland. 4.7% The unemployment rate in the United States in...

Ignore the Mainstream Media; Just Sell Homes.
January 1, 2008... By Felicia Oliver, Senior Editor It's a frontal assault: many news outlets are confidently advising - and sometimes screaming - that now is not the time to buy a new home. New home sales consultant Gian Hasbrock's advice is to ignore the...

Dashboard Confessional.
January 1, 2008... By Mark Jarasek, Senior Editor, E-Media Launched in September 2007, the Reed Construction Dashboard (www.reedconstructiondashboard.com ) is being used by home building firms across the U.S. as a tool to benchmark their performance against...

Builders Sound-Off on LEED-H and NAHB Green.(National Association of Home Builders)(dialogue with Michael Chandler at Chandler Design-Build and Steve Glenn at LivingHomes)(Interview)
January 1, 2008... By Susan Bady, Senior Editor, Design Two builders debate the merits of two major green building programs: PB: Michael, you've worked with both the LEED-H program and the NAHB program, correct? MICHAEL CHANDLER: Yes, we score our...

Market Leader's Advice: Stick to Your Niche.(The Olson Co)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... By Sara Zailskas, Assistant Managing Editor Seven years ago, Professional Builder editors chose The Olson Co. as its Builder of the Year. The firm attacked the infill market with an approach it called "in-town" and had a knack for strong...

House Rules.(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... By Felicia Oliver, Senior Editor It's a new year. A new session of Congress is as good a time as any to take a look at the legislative and regulatory agenda items for the housing industry in 2008. Bill Kilmer, vice president of advocacy...

New Rapport.
January 1, 2008... By John Rymer, New Home Knowledge Invest in rapport to increase your sales. Think about the last time you were in a restaurant and the chef came out to ask each customer how they liked the meal. What did you say in the 10 second...

How Do You Sell a Dream?
January 1, 2008... By Erin Erickson, Group Managing Editor Charlotte-based Simonini Builders tries to allure buyers to Heydon Hall with a dream-like ad. Does it work? Marketing experts weigh in. Gian Hasbrock The first thing I noticed was the subtle...

Knocking Down the Contingency Objection.(dialogue with Jim Deitch)(Interview)
January 1, 2008... By Jennifer Powell, Staff Writer The housing downturn means you have to be creative and smart with your financing options. A big obstacle right now is the contingency objection. Jim Deitch, co-founder, chairman and CEO of American Home...

3 Minutes/3 Easy Lessons.
January 1, 2008... By Kelly Cutchin, PATH Partners The trim is on, the site cleaned up. The tools are packed away. Few feelings are more rewarding than stepping back and looking at a job well-done. But is that job really done well? Your crew may have...

Rail Rally.
January 1, 2008... By Ann Matesi, Senior Contributing Editor We examine the components of successful developments near rail hubs and offer 10 guidelines builders and planners should consider. Housing designed and built around rail stations has become an...

Structural.(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Staff iLeveling Off Staff Subcontractors have a new option in unprotected exterior applications or where structural framing will be exposed to elevated moisture conditions: the new Trus Joist Wolmanized Parallam Parallel Strand...

A City Within A Village.
January 1, 2008... By Erin Erickson, Group Managing Editor and Mark Jarasek, Senior Editor, E-Media If you've ever considered infill, look no further. We've got it covered. The overriding theme for the 2008 Show Village is City Environments, which in...

Don't Take It Personally.
January 1, 2008... By Bruce Tulgan, Rainmaker Thinking You'll build a better rapport with employees if you keep your workplace conversations focused on business. You spend a lot of time talking with your employees about everything under the sun. Maybe...

The New Empty Nester.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)
January 1, 2008... By Mario Aiello, Dahlin Group Architecture Planning At Dahlin Group, we are designing for an increasingly significant segment: the affluent, confident and articulate empty nester. This group's lifestyle demands new design parameters. ...

Artist At Work.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)
January 1, 2008... By Bill Lurz, Senior Editor, Business Suburban Houston builder Stephen Hann invests long hours in client consultation before bringing together a design team to carve his custom gems. Stephen Hann bills his Houston company, Hann...

Home Theater on Stage.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)
January 1, 2008... By Mark Jarasek, Senior Editor, E-Media Media rooms make a major debut. It isn't exactly the family room, but it certainly is a place where family and friends can gather for an ultra-comfortable movie theater experience or high-impact...

Really Simple Marketing.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)
January 1, 2008... Susan Bady, Senior Editor I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that you too believe the expression "Think outside the box" has been used so often that it's become a cliche. So it was refreshing to hear custom builder Deborah Malone...

Garage Doors.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)
January 1, 2008... Staff Chateau Stylin' Staff Available with optional decorative hardware, the Chateau from DoorTech Industries is a deeply embossed carriage-style door with a variety of glazed window designs. Section heights will be 21 inches and...

Can't Beat the View.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Staff Wayne-Dalton's Aluminum Full-View garage door can give homeowners a modern, Asian-inspired look in a variety of colors. Window can be luminescent and clear. The virtually maintenance-free and weather-resistant door is available in...

Modern Milan.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Staff In addition to new construction and modern homes, wrought iron garage doors also work well with historic architecture. With this in mind comes the Milan C from a partnership between Amarr and Phoenix-based Dynasty Iron Doors . The...

'Sammiched' In.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Staff The Gallery Collection by Clopay now has three-layer construction options. The doors are available in two thicknesses, 1 and 2 inches, and come in both long and short grooved panels constructed from heavy 24-gauge wood grain textured...

Man of Steel.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Staff The SteelLite doors made by First United Door are manufactured in sections of 23-gauge steel. The high-definition embossments are recessed and beaded. Vertical and horizontal beaded panels come in 8- and 20-inch widths. The company...

Warm Up the Garage.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Staff If you want the look of wood and all the charm that comes with it, Garaga's Eastman Estate is your choice. Made of galvanized steel, the doors have finely pressed grain patterns and are insulated with polyurethane to reduce noise....

A Carriage for All Occasions.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Staff The carriage style is all the rage in the garage door market. For those who want a little more differentiation, Jeld-Wen's Estate Series can be customized with decorative iron handles, strap hinges, knockers and clavos (metallic...

Cliff Dwelling.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)
January 1, 2008... By Susan Bady, Senior Editor, Design The lot was steep, rocky and jammed against a hillside, but Estes Builders took it on confidently, delivering a home with incredible views. A home site in Sequim, Wash., with a million-dollar view...

Nature Walk.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Staff This restful scene comes to you courtesy of Mother Nature and the efforts of the homeowner, builder and architect to preserve the beauty of a desert site. Rock outcroppings form a scenic natural walkway to the pool deck, while the...

Lighting and Electrical.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)
January 1, 2008... Staff Intelligent Power Staff The Square-D Intelligent Load Center features automatic switching between main and alternate power sources. The unit, produced by Schneider Electric in collaboration with Kohler Power Systems , lets...

A Light Touch.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Staff The Designer Icon Series is part of a new engraving option on the Metropolitan, Euro, S-Series and E-Series keypads from LiteTouch . Typically buttons are engraved with words, but now users can choose from more than 50 functional...

Under the Tuscan Sky.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Staff Meyda Lighting has a new addition: the Tuscany Collection of wine and olive bottle-shaped pendants, which have a slender profile. Offered in blue, white and green etchings, the pendants include a canopy and 72-inch wire so homeowners...

Up to Code.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Staff In response to the updated National Electrical Code, Pass & Seymour has updated its line of tamper-resistant products. The company employs a UL-listed shutter system that protects small children from electrical shock without...

Wahoo, Pahu.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Staff The Pahu family of double-glass ceiling pendants from Besa Lighting are made to spice up the ambiance above bars and dining tables. Part of the KG product family, the pendants have three different sizes in four styles. The Pahu 8...

Rejuvenate Your Lights.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Staff The design on those Edison sockets is more than 125 years old; it's high time for some innovation. The GU24 system from Rejuvenation uses a self-ballasted compact fluorescent lamp with a convenient "twist and lock" pin base. Added...

A Sure Bett.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Staff Thomas & Betts ' new line of Red Dot Universal Flip-Lid Covers are suitable for both horizontal and vertical applications. The keyhole openings on the back of the Flip-Lip Cover enable easy installation on an existing outlet, and the...

What's New.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Staff Sealin' in the Flavor Staff Dow's Window & Door 1000 Sealant keeps things nice and tight around the seams. It is specifically formulated to seal framework; exterior and interior trim; and finish joints and interfaces of most...

Classic Beauty.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(Jeffrey Court)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Staff Drawing on the classical is Jeffrey Court's Mozart Mosaics line of wall, floor and decorative natural stone tiles. Moldings, mosaics, micro-mosaics and other patterns are available in a variety of sizes. Homeowners can mix and match...

This One Did Inhale.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Staff There's a lot of power and performance in SU54's 1,200-cubic-foot-per-minute dual motors. The double-wall construction and European design help keep Sirius' latest range hood from producing less than 5.1 sones. It features...

Advantage: GE.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Staff You know what would really tie the kitchen together? This GE Advantium oven, which comes in two versions: one that cooks four times faster than conventional ovens and one that spits out food eight times faster. Who thought a...

Close to the Real Deal.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Staff You can't beat real cedar, but you can at least make something look like it. CertainTeed's CedarBoards XL insulated siding is 16 feet, 8 inches long and is made in a double six-inch clapboard profile with extruded polystyrene...

Snap into Focus.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Staff The creators of some of the world's finest cameras now have something else to brag about. The Leica DISTO D3 multi-functional laser distance meter measures runs of up to 325 feet to within 1/16 of an inch. It powers over nearby...

A Holistic Shower.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(The Wellness Shower water purification system)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Staff Employing "negative ions and rare volcanic minerals" and claiming to reduce the signs of aging, the Wellness Shower water purification system removes chlorine and heavy metals. The company says its patented process protects the skin...

Cooktop Calling the Kettle Black.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Staff The KM 5753 30-inch, four-zone and the KM 5773 36-inch, five-zone induction cooktops from Miele sport innovative and easy-to-use timing functions, multiple power boosters, cookware recognition and auto heat programs. Both are...

'Like PowerPoint on Steroids'.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)
January 1, 2008... By Nick Bajzek, Products Editor SellFolio Version 4.0 allows builders and marketing teams to make quick and slick home presentations. Most software programs catering to the building industry deal with back office or design...

Grow Your Second-Home Business.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)
January 1, 2008... By Jane Adler, Contributing Editor Here are 10 ways custom home builders can improve their company and work within the second-home market. Tapping into that lucrative second-home market can be tricky. Marketing to faraway buyers is no...

Pricing for Profit.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)
January 1, 2008... By Tom Stephani, Custom Construction Concepts At the Custom Builder Symposium last October, I spoke with several successful custom builders about how they set their margins. The discussion usually revolved around the percentage of markup...

High-Tech Help.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(Editorial)
January 1, 2008... By Ann Matesi, Senior Contributing Editor He's the one you call to connect and wire your high-tech projects and be the 007 of the design team. He's your home technology integration specialist. Being well-connected takes on a whole new...