Professional Builder (1993) articles from November 2005

Professional Builder (1993) archives from November 2005

Best in Class Winners Offer Competitive Advantage.
November 1, 2005... By Cheryl Cullen, Contributing Editor Product makers strive to give builders what they want, but are they succeeding? In today's highly competitive marketplace, building product manufacturers have to work hard at establishing...

Self-Development Orientation.(Column)
November 1, 2005... By Rodney Hall, The Talon Group Learning how to further improve skills and performance proficiency. I recently returned from Professional Builder's Benchmark Conference where I feasted on a cornucopia of educational seminars served up...

Land Acquisition and Development Finance Part 4.
November 1, 2005... By Rich Guerard, Principal, Wyndham Deerpoint Homes Financing can be a risky business so weigh your options carefully. The majority of real estate developers look to increase their potential investment return by using other people's...

New Prospects vs. 'Be Backs'.
November 1, 2005... By John Rymer Interviews with America's best new home sales professionals. Statistics show that "Be back" customers -- those returning for a second or third visit -- are almost four times as likely as new prospects to purchase a home....

It's Raining Profits.
November 1, 2005... By Asa Foss, PATH Partners Using rainwater to harvest new customers. Mother Nature is ironic. As one part of the country was being saturated by rain and flood waters, the rest of the country was suffering one of the longest droughts on...

Recipe for Success.
November 1, 2005... By Paul Cardis with Additional Reporting by Jack ReVelle The 2005 NRS Award winners share best practices for improving customer satisfaction ratings. If successful home building was a recipe, the ingredient list might look something...

It's About People.(Column)
November 1, 2005... Paul Deffenbaugh, Editorial Director I'm new here. I joined the magazine about three weeks ago but I've been in the residential construction industry for more than 20 years. A long time ago, I used to swing a hammer for a living, doing...

The Heights of Expectation.
November 1, 2005... By Bob Sperber, Senior Editor In century-old Houston Heights, Allegro Builders grows a modern business one period home at a time. Lambert Arceneaux is thriving on the "unofficial design revitalization" he sees taking place in Houston's...

Hale Development, Inc.
November 1, 2005... David Hale, Owner and President, Boise, Idaho Toto Washlet Toilets David Hale www.totousa.com Toto was the first to reinvent the humble toilet seat with its line of high-tech personal hygiene systems, called Washlets. In the...

Product Review.(W.A.C. Lighting)(Thomas Lighting )(Bellacor Lighting)
November 1, 2005... Staff WAC Staff W.A.C. has introduced a new track light, Precision Modules. These specification-grade, multiple recessed spotlights can be configured for specific lighting effects such as wall washing, accent spot or perimeter...

It's Sprawl or Nothing.(Column)
November 1, 2005... By Scott Sedam The real issue behind the no-growth movement. A mid-August poll published in USA Today indicated 71 percent of respondents would accept a tax hike to keep developers away from their property. I don't know who asked the...

Preparing for Hurricane Survival.
November 1, 2005... By Felicia Oliver, Senior Editor Providing peace of mind to storm-weary homeowners As builders pick up the pieces from the 2005 hurricane season, it is probable that they will be giving serious consideration to storm-proof options for...

Reflection Rooms.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)
November 1, 2005... By Ann Matesi, Contributing Editor This spec-built home in Beaverton, Ore. gets its distinctive character from a combination of polished high-end finishes, rustic outdoor materials and contemporary amenities which accent its interior...

Outdoor Experience.
November 1, 2005... By Ann Matesi, Contributing Editor This ranch-inspired custom residence in Georgetown, Texas provides its owners with multiple outdoor terraces all designed to maximize the owner's entertaining options. Included in the house are an outdoor...

Internecine Warfare.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(Column)
November 1, 2005... By Paul Deffenbaugh, Editorial Director Once I saw a builder punch an architect. Apparently, he didn't like the guy's bowtie. The architect counterpunched, saying the builder was too stupid to frame a doghouse. Okay, okay. That never...

Building the Dream Team.(Savvy builders and architects )
November 1, 2005... By Ann Matesi, Contributing Editor Having the right people in position from the start can ensure the success of a custom residential project. Savvy builders and architects know the design and construction of a custom home is a...

Kipling Homes.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(Column)
November 1, 2005... Ed Mattox, President, Shorewood, Ill. Lutron Lighting Controls www.lutron.com Lutron provides unlimited freedom to adjust the intensity of virtually every kind of lighting. Lutron's focus on product innovations, technology,...

La Cirque Du Soleil.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)
November 1, 2005... Staff Stonegate Designs has a new pendant light fixture, the LaCirque Pendant. This fabric light fixture is 331/2 inches in length with a shade diameter of 33 inches. It is hardwired and can handle a maximum wattage of 3 x 100 watts....

British in Counters.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)
November 1, 2005... Staff Cambria's newest color, Yorkshire, is characterized by its limestone look and quartz hardness. This new color is available in a polished or honed (matte-like) finish. Like other Cambria products, Yorkshire is non-porous, stain and...

Steely Ceramics.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)
November 1, 2005... Staff Weathering Steel is Corten's new ceramic tile available through Tile of Spain. This steel look-alike can be installed as flooring, wall covering and a ventilated facade system. Weathering Steel is available in 4 x 24 inches, 12 x 24...

Continental Drift.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)
November 1, 2005... Staff The Pietre Travertine series brings together South American and Italian porcelain tile design. This new series by ILVA replicates the look of crosscut travertine marble in a rectified glazed porcelain tile. The Pietre Travertine line...

Illuminating Birds.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)
November 1, 2005... Staff The Old California Lantern Company has a new lantern family, the Baldwin Avenue Series. Designed to showcase the distinctive peacock, this copper hand-crafted lantern has a bronze roof with art glass panels. There are heart-shaped...

Decorative Lights.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)
November 1, 2005... Staff Bear Creek Glass has created new, hand-blown glass pendant lights to match its glass bowl sinks. These bathroom lights are offered in solid colors or frosted designs with swirl or speckled patterns. The solid colors include ruby,...

Rainbow Lighting.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)
November 1, 2005... Staff Karnak is Derek Marshall Lighting's new wall sconce design. The Karnak wall sconce is crafted from black iridescent glass fused on top of the white opal glass, like metal armor. This sconce has a special metal coating which gives the...

Stately Lighting.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(new light fixture )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Staff Bellacor lighting has a new, old-world chandelier, the Worthington. This Victorian designed light fixture has 15 fabric-paneled mini-shades in a three-tiered layered design. The hardware is a blend of antique nickel and argent brass...

Turn Up the Lights.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(new chandelier)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Staff Jackson is Kichler's new addition to its contemporary lighting collection. This chandelier is designed with antique, umber-etched upturned shades. It has an "olde iron" finish. The Jackson lighting family is available in eight...

Scandinavian Timber.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Staff SPEKVA offers a range of solid wood worktops for the kitchen and bath. There are 22 different wood types and five product lines to choose from. The product lines, Royal, Luxus, Classic, Standard and Endgrain, vary by stave length and...

Countertop Jewelry.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(Caesarstone adds semi-precious stones )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Staff Caesarstone has added three new styles to its Concetto line: Patina, Sinopia and Indigo. The Concetto line is a handcrafted amalgamation of semi-precious stones with quartz surfaces. The Patina is crafted with apple Jasper; Sinopia...

Streets of Gold.(SUPPLEMENT: Custom Builder)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Staff Weave is Walker Zanger's new mosaic tile line. Crafted from hand-poured glass, Weave is characterized by its iridescent patina finish. This glass mosaic tile is offered in four different styles: straight set field, offset field,...