Professional Builder (1993) articles from May 2006

Professional Builder (1993) archives from May 2006

Building Bench Strength in Sales.(Editorial)
May 1, 2006... By Bob Schultz, Senior Editor Selling is a contact sport, and every day is game day. We asked some of the best managers how to coach a winning team. Last November, the Philadelphia Eagles suspended All-Pro receiver Terrell Owens...

The Link Between Motivation and Loyalty.(human resource management)
May 1, 2006... By Rodney Hall, The Talon Group Among the many builders we work with around the nation, one is hands-down the leader in employee retention. For the past 20 years, this builder's ability to develop and retain exceptional talent is...

A Sales Agent Named Stella.(project superintendent management)
May 1, 2006... By Scott Sedam, TrueNorth Development It's a hot Friday afternoon in late July. As a third-year superintendent on a project that's holding its own even while sales have tapered off in your city, you have just experienced the month from...

The Importance of Time Management.(management styles)
May 1, 2006... By John Rymer, New Home Knowledge John Rymer I hear a lot of new home sales professionals talking about not having enough time to get everything accomplished. There is a lot to do: meet new clients, attend meetings, provide updates...

A Neighboring Solution.(philanthropic foundations management)
May 1, 2006... By Laura Butalla, Senior Editor The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, in concert with more than 20 philanthropic foundations, has found a solution to an age-old builder problem: create a sense of community between existing...

Top Builder Defect Data for New Single-Family Home Construction.(construction contracts)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... By Laura Butalla, Senior Editor A survey of leading construction defects identified by Quality Built, a risk management and quality assurance service, shows that building envelope/house wrap installation flaws, improper framing around...

Loyal Customer Rally.(architectural services customer service)
May 1, 2006... By Paul Cardis, NRS Corp. Create big gains for your business's top and bottom line growth. As a professional builder, you probably work hard and invest a lot of resources to ensure your customers have the most satisfying experience...

Big Builder Killers.
May 1, 2006... By Matthew Power, Senior Contributing Editor The national builders could come thundering into your neighborhood any day. Maybe one already has. With cleverness and courage, you just might beat these big builders at their own game. ...

Telling the Truth about Mold.
May 1, 2006... By Felicia Oliver, Senior Editor A new coalition gives builders and homeowners accurate information about mold and moisture control. The Responsible Solutions to Mold Coalition recently formed with the goal of providing the most...

Shea Homes Colorado.(building materials)
May 1, 2006... Chip Pennington, Community Development Manager, Shea Homes Colorado, Highlands Ranch, Colo. Trex Accents Decking Chip Pennington www.trex.com Trex Accents decking combines all the rich textures and colors of nature in a deck...

Just Add Water.(Editorial)
May 1, 2006... By Jennifer Block Martin, Contributing Editor Sounds harmless enough, until it comes to waterproofing tile applications. Good ol' H2 O is a tile setter's nemesis, with damaging results that can include mold, mildew, bacteria and...

A Home for the Ages.
May 1, 2006... By Scott T. Shepherd, PATH Partners Builders find benefits in aging-in-place design.According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, by 2030, about 20 percent of the U.S. population will be classified as elderly....

Product Review: Exterior Products.(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2006... By Rhonda Jackson Universal Forest Products Rhonda Jackson Universal Forest Products has added four new leaded-glass post caps to its Latitudes Ornamental line. These jewel-toned glass post caps are available in garnet and...

Concrete solutions for moisture lurking below the surface.(Editorial)
May 1, 2006... By Felicia Oliver, Senior Editor By combining a good drainage system and proper grading, you can build foundations that will remain safe and dry for years. In the past, basements have conjured images of damp, uncomfortable and...

More Land.(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... Staff In the March 2006 issue of Professional Builder, reader Mark Turner of Abdo Development wrote a letter to the editor regarding a November 2005 column by Contributing Editor Scott Sedam. The following is a reader's response. I...

Not Like the Others.(competition among home builders)
May 1, 2006... Paul Deffenbaugh, Editorial Director Home builders have always faced competition, but as the industry has increased in sophistication, the competition has increased significantly. It's easy to succeed against fly-by-night operators as long...

More access.
May 1, 2006... By Laura Butalla, Senior Editor This plan is offered in an age-restricted community in Winchester, Va., but the builder has encountered a few problems providing wheelchair accessibility. The problems with the plan The Brighton is...

A Zero Energy Home for the Rest of Us.
May 1, 2006... By Felicia Oliver, Senior Editor Ideal Homes builds the first affordable zero energy home and stimulates sales in Valencia, its first master planned community. Ideal Homes built the first zero energy home in the country priced under...

Florida Luxury Living.(Editorial)
May 1, 2006... By Laura Butalla, Senior Editor This Naples, Fla., model exceeded buyers' expectations by offering Florida luxury living with entertainment benefits. Empty nesters, retirees and affluent couples with expensive taste are Harwick Homes'...

Cool Roofs in Dark Shades.
May 1, 2006... Felicia Oliver, Senior Editor Manufacturers develop sun-reflective roofs in colors homeowners can warm up to. Cool roofs -- roofs that use reflective materials to limit solar heat gain -- can cut cooling loads by up to 20 percent....

Guiding Customer Expectations.(home building as per requirement)(Editorial)
May 1, 2006... By Felicia Oliver, Senior Editor Direction, anticipation and honest communication pave the way to highest quality satisfaction Potential home buyers enter a custom builder's sales office with a great deal of excitement and...

Taking the Fear Out of Final Selections.
May 1, 2006... By Felicia Oliver, Senior Editor How to give clients products and materials they want -- and keep a rein on budgets and schedules There is probably no part of custom building that has more potential for tug-of-war between clients and...

Crafting a custom landscape.(Editorial)
May 1, 2006... By Felicia Oliver, Senior Editor When builders and landscape architects collaborate on design, the result can be both attractive and cost-effective. Custom builders make a serious mistake when they don't consider landscape design until...

Desert Craft.(Editorial)
May 1, 2006... By Laura Butalla, Senior Editor Craftsman style amid an old-world look gives this custom-built desert home an innovative feel. Walking up the long, brick driveway of this custom-built home reveals a unique blend of architecture. ...

Old-World Hospitality.(kitchen construction)(Editorial)
May 1, 2006... By Ann Matesi, Contributing Editor A variety of materials gives this classic European design eclectic appeal. The massive center island that dominates the kitchen in this upscale model home north of Tampa is reminiscent of the...

Value Versus Reduction.(home remodeling)(Editorial)
May 1, 2006... By Paul Deffenbaugh, Editorial Director The easiest way to close a sale is to offer a discount. Telling a prospect that if he or she signs a contract this month they'll receive a 3, 5 or even 10 percent discount creates urgency to make a...

Plaskoff Construction.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)
May 1, 2006... Matt Plaskoff, President and Founder, Tarzana, Calif., With Contributions from Plaskoff Construction Senior Estimator Clint Whitman and Architect John Himes Jiffy Seal Waterproofing Membranes www.protectowrap.com Jiffy Seal...

Products.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)
May 1, 2006... Staff One Wire, Many Functions Staff Napco Security Group 's Securi-Smart Structured Wiring System has a dual-hinge door aluminum enclosure with a secure security compartment. These turn-key structured wiring kits combine voice...