Professional Builder (1993) articles from September 2003

Professional Builder (1993) archives from September 2003

Higher education.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2003... I read Dean Horowitz's June article, "Being Selfish, With the Best Intentions," and wanted to thank him for sharing his strong belief about the importance of education in our industry. So many excellent tools are available today that the excuse...

'Shocked and let down'.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2003... While I do not consider myself a radical or an activist, I was truly shocked and let down with your article "Donald Allen: In the Great Outdoors" [July Outfront]. Who is this guy, and in a builders' magazine, who cares about his killing of...

Priorities in order.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2003... Re: Heather McCune's "An Entrepreneur's Tale" in the July issue of PB. While I have, from a distance, always felt she had a clear perspective of us creatures, it is clear to me now that she might understand us better than we do ourselves. Thank...

On the right path.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2003... I thank Maureen McNulty and Professional Builder for such a wonderful job of writing. I have never seen a better job of reporting on the things we have done. My hope is that these "things" we do will make a difference for the quality of life...

Flash points.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2003... I found your article on step flashing ["Roof Flashing Guidelines," July Outfront] to be informative but missing a few key components. I know that an engineer, an architect, a designer, etc., will beg to differ on what I offer as a suggestion,...

The dumb tax.(Perspective)
September 1, 2003... Not knowing costs a lot. Time expended, dollars wasted, morale ruined, employees lost, customers disappointed. Measure it how you will, but no matter which variable you choose, the costs add up fast. Not knowing happens to individuals,...

Whose brand delivers customers?(Publisher's Letter)
September 1, 2003... Do new home buyers purchase a home constructed with their preferred brands of building products and assembled by a preferred builder, or do they buy a home from a branded builder and made with quality building products? This is a pivotal...

Tune up your web site: tweaks and tactics to boost your share of the surging ranks of Internet home buyers.(Outfront)
September 1, 2003... Traffic on Robben Development's Web in the past year, driving dozens of additional buyers to the company's sales office better informed and more prepared to buy. CEO Paul Robben credits steps his company took to improve the site and capitalize...

Arson attacks spur calls for increased job-site security.(Eco-Terrorism)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Petty theft and juvenile vandalism used to top the list of job-site security threats. Now, a campaign of destruction by a radical faction of the environmental movement might force builders to rethink their security procedures. The Earth...

When bad is good.(The H.R. Dept.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Look past the accomplishments on a job candidate's resume and explore the stuff that never gets bullet-pointed: failures, mistakes and bad decisions. A good candidate should be able to recite them just as quickly as his/her accomplishments....

Jonathon Retzlaff's wildlife woodcarvings.(Off Hours)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... North American wildlife has been Jonathon Retzlaff's muse for more than 20 years. His art? Meticulously detailed woodcarvings, from floating decoy ducks used for hunting to a detailed great blue heron perched on a log. All bear a striking...

Tax-credit bills on right track.(NAHB Opinion)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Tax credits for energy-efficient home construction are closer now that the Senate passed energy legislation that includes builder incentives. Companion legislation passed the House in April. A committee should start hammering out differences in...

Bilingual guides aid job sites.(Outfront_build)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... According to 2003 U.S. Department of Labor statistics, more than 1.7 million people of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity work in construction or extraction occupations. That means job-site communication can be a problem if workers, foremen and...

ACQ and aluminum don't mix.(Building Materials)(alkaline copper quarternary)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... As the industry phases out wood pressure-treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) in preparation for the Jan. 1, 2004, ban, keep in mind that the high level of copper in the alternatives--alkaline copper quarternary (ACQ) and copper azole...

Preformed arches save time, labor.(Outfront_design)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... A California company is making a name for itself with a product that lets builders and architects specify preformed steel arches rather than have crews build them on site, making the move from concept to execution easier and faster. The...

Reclaim, reuse, repeat.(Outfront_design, reclaimed old-growth hardwood)
September 1, 2003... Hardwood competes with few other building and finish materials in its natural look and feel, its elegance (or rusticity), its design flexibility and the way it resonates with home buyers. Increasingly, buyers and builders seek out reclaimed...

Highest-paid public builder CEOs: Ryland's Chad Dreier on top.(Outfront_manage)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Attention, builders: If you're looking for metrics to measure your performance as a business executive, you might check how the dollars you take home stack up against those of the top public builders' CEOs, as reported in Credit Suisse/First...

Direct construction costs: key profit variable.(Bottom-Line Building)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... While the land buy sets the stage for profit potential, direct construction costs are the major variable that actually determines what the profit will be. Because they are variable, a reduction in direct costs of $1,000 for a...

Build brand equity with window logos.(Outfront_sell)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The small, etched logo that appears in the corner of all tempered-glass windows now can be a builder's logo. "A builder, for example, can market his homes as being safer and more energy-efficient by offering his own brand of windows that...

Urban chic sells in St. Louis.(Outfront_sell)
September 1, 2003... In Southern California or Florida, the market for new luxury condominiums might be strong enough to match the opening-day pre-sale such as the one held by Conrad Properties in April. But for the St. Louis market, which supports only 150 to 200...

Audubon-certified golf.(Outfront_land)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... To achieve the first U.S. gold-level certification from the Audubon Signature Cooperative Sanctuary Program, WCI Communities agreed to let Audubon International take responsibility for preparing and integrating an environmental master plan at...

Street connectivity required.(Outfront_land)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Don't be surprised if the next time you show a land plan to local officials, they start counting streets and intersections and putting those numbers into a calculator. In all likelihood, the number crunching will yield an index of street...

How to check market feasibility on the fly.(Acquisitions)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Above all else, determine two factors during the feasibility or "free look" period of a land purchase agreement, says Mike Timmerman, CEO of Naples, Fla.-based Feasinomics Inc: The first is an average price point for various product types...

Responding to J.D. Power.(Lessons Learned)
September 1, 2003... By the time you read this, the 2003 J.D. Power survey results on home buyer satisfaction will be public. From across the land, we hear shouts of joy, cries of anguish, gnashing of teeth and articulate expressions of denial. Last year J.D. Power...

Employee loyalty can't be bought.(Money Matters)
September 1, 2003... Like most everything in life, employee loyalty is a two-way street. For employees, the notion that they can work for one company for their entire lives is dead. I venture to say that employees believe their jobs will be on the line when money...

Controlling indoor air quality.(Building Technology)
September 1, 2003... Quality builders and remodelers provide energy-efficient homes that do a great job of keeping conditioned air in. But cooking, bathing, breathing and housecleaning introduce indoor pollutants, including additional moisture. New carpet and...

Customer service standard setters: profitable insights from this year's winners--including what makes them so good.
September 1, 2003... NRS Award in Homeowner Satisfaction These are just a few of the ways that winners of the 2003 NRS Award in Homeowner Satisfaction differentiate themselves from the competition. * Pulte Homes of Phoenix delivers 80% of its homes with...

Biggest little builder in America: Pulte's customers get personal treatment that beats that most of small custom builders. If you don't believe it, ask them in Phoenix ... we did.(NRS Diamond Award--Production Builders: Pulte Homes Phoenix)
September 1, 2003... Shocking as this might be to other builders, large and small, the numbers don't lie. Puke Homes, that bastion of bigness, had customer satisfaction scores in its Phoenix division that are better than those of every other builder that entered...

Builder-broker partnership: Barone Homes teams with a real estate firm to deliver superior customer satisfaction.(NRS Award--Custom Builders: Barone Homes)
September 1, 2003... Brothers Barry and Joe Barone would say that awarding Barone Homes with the NRS Diamond Award for custom builders recognizes more than 20 years of hard work. They also would say they make up only half of the story. A longstanding, profitable...

'Work day' works wonders: eight weeks after closing, Maryland builder Marvin Ausherman schedules a single day when all trades return to wipe out warranty list items.(NRS Award, 1st in Class--Ausherman Homes)
September 1, 2003... Building in the distant Maryland suburbs of Washington, Marvin Ausherman knows it's not wise to force buyers to stay home from their jobs for multiple warranty work appointments. His customers, primarily two-income move ups, commute long...

Immerse buyers in the process: buyers are key team members in the planning and building of their home.(NRS Award, 1st in Class--The Green Co.)(Company Profile)
September 1, 2003... Buyers at The Green Co.'s Winslowe's View at The Pinehills in Plymouth, Mass., don't just buy a home. They enter into what amounts to a planned immersion in home building and home buying. The Green Co. realized early on that setting...

Build happy customers, first and foremost: Shamrock would rather walk away from a sale than work with a client they know they won't please.(NRS Award, 1st in Class--Shamrock Builders)(Company Profile)
September 1, 2003... If you want extensive protocol and an 8-inch-thick binder of company processes, you might not find it in the Indianapolis office of Greg O'Herren and George Geiger. The cousins run Shamrock Builders with a total focus on building happy...

Referral factors: the best practices that lead to superb customer satisfaction.
September 1, 2003... Many home builders guarantee customer satisfaction, but few really know how to deliver it. Too many home builders don their customer service hat only during the final walk-through, when there's a mad scramble to please the buyer and close. But...

Hot merchandising trends.(Sell)(Industry Overview)
September 1, 2003... Builders sell more homes when buyers can see, touch and feel a model firsthand. Trends in home design and fashion come and go, and pendulums swing, so what must your about-to-open models feature for your communities to stay leaders in today's...

Little houses in big sky country: in less than a decade, transplanted Californian Perry Ashby has helped change the Missoula, Mont., new home market for the better.(Land)
September 1, 2003... Priced from $110,000 to $135,000, the homes of Canyon Creek Village, set on 35 acres 3 miles north of Missoula, Mont., represent a huge milestone in the area's home building life. With a New Urbanist land plan complete with alleys, narrow...

Psychographics 101: own the market by understanding these five values-based groupings of home buyers.(Sell)
September 1, 2003... Psychographic market research adds a powerful weapon in the arsenal of new borne marketers. The approach breaks through monolithic buckets of demography--age, income, sex and marital status--with questions designed to uncover closely held...

Front and center: the porch reclaims its position as the elevation's main attraction.(Design)
September 1, 2003... As American as apple pie, the front porch figures big into our collective sense of "home." in fact, you probably can conjure an image of a lemonade-sipping family spending a hot summer evening on the front porch faster than you can say "Country...

Benchmark 2003: Sept. 21-24, New Orleans.(Special Advertising Supplement)
September 1, 2003... Benchmark gathers the best, most dedicated professionals in the residential construction industry who are focused on establishing sustainable success processes. At Benchmark 2003, high-performance firms dedicated to learning the tools to...

Administrative metrics.(Metrics, Plaskoff Construction)
September 1, 2003... Your business begins with sales and marketing, and it ends with administration and the bottom line. Without clients and business, you not have a business. Without profit and cash, you do not have a business for long. This makes measuring your...

Building technology: systems & interior finishes: part III.(Learn, plumbing fixtures)
September 1, 2003... The plumbing fixture selection process can be handled in a variety of ways depending on the company. Typically, production and semi-custom builders offer pre-selected fixture packages along with upgrades for buyers interested in making...

Lennox hearth products.(Products)
September 1, 2003... The Reflections electric fire place projects a 3-D image a wood-burning fire. The unit comes with a built-in-heater and blower. A handheld remote control adjusts flame brightness and color audio volume and the two-speed selectable flame...

Heatilator.(Products)
September 1, 2003... Features of the redesigned Novus gas fireplace include a black firebox with refractory options of herringbone or traditional brick. Models include direct-vent as well as a top/rear direct-vent system. Choose a standing pilot of the electronic...

Fireplace xtrordinair.(Products)
September 1, 2003... The Bed & Breakfast gas fire-place (shown with a shell of niche liner and pre-built corners hutch) is designed for corners or small, intimate settings with limited space, such as bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens. Designs range from new-world...

Napoleon.(Products)
September 1, 2003... The Builder's Deluxe 42-inch direct-vent gas fireplace now comes with 45-degree venting of takeoff for installation flexibility. Mirro-Flame porcelain reflective panels are standard, as is a glass door that's 22 inches high and 38 5/8 inch...

Heat-n-glo.(Products)
September 1, 2003... The North Star wood-burning fireplace is certified as an Environmental Protection Agency Phase II fireplace. At 78% efficiency and 51,400 BTU output per hour, it can warm up to 2,800 square feet, the company says. Burn time is 10 to 12 hours. A...

Tulikivi.(Products)
September 1, 2003... The company says its soapstone fireplaces (the TU2200 with rough veneer is shown) retain heat longer than brick conduct it quickly and withstand high temperature. An initial firing of two to four hours produces radiant heat for up to 24 hours....

Vermont castings.(Products)
September 1, 2003... Designed to be reminiscent of an open Rumford-style wood-burning fireplace, the Chateau 44 direct-vent gas unit produces 60,000 BTU. It features a glass size of 42x36 inches, cast-iron andirons and the Insta-Flame radiant ceramic burner. Stone...

Exhausto.(Products)
September 1, 2003... Mounted atop a chimney, Exhausto fans are designed to ensure a proper draft. In addition to gas and wood-burning fireplaces, they can be used with stoves, ovens and barbecues. A motor speed control allows adjustment of the fan speed from the...

Air vent.(Products)
September 1, 2003... The SolarCool solar-powered attic vent has ala adjustable tempered-glass solar panel mounted on a bracket directly onto the vent dome. The bracket adjusts so the panel can tilt or rotate for maximum sun exposure. No wiring or electrical hookup...

Therma-Tru.(Products)
September 1, 2003... Inspired by the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, Ashurst is one of three new glass styles to complement the Classic-Craft Mahogany Collection. Longford reflects a Gaelic heritage, and Arcadia already available with other Therma-Tru doors,...

Alsons.(Products)
September 1, 2003... The ShowerSpa 683 Series all-brass, multispray shower head features a volume-control knob to regulate water flow and "rub clean," which prevents mineral deposits within the head. The product comes in seven finishes, operates on standard water...

Benjamin obdyke.(Products)
September 1, 2003... Roll Vent and Rapid Ridge ridge vents now have an opening in the fabric along the bottom that lets installers see through the product as it's installed. This cuts installation time, ensures proper alignment and improves airflow by up to 30%,...

Architectural products by outwater.(Products)
September 1, 2003... Wrought-iron components can be used to create stair railings, balconies, window coverings, fences, gates and more. Unlike cast products, they're designed to be easily welded and virtually unbreakable, the company says. They can be painted,...

Republic windows & doors.(Products)
September 1, 2003... New standard screens on contour single hung and single-sliding windows have frame that's cut at a 90-degree angle and constructed with metal corner keys to ensure that every screen is perfectly square. The frame channel now fully cradles the...

Georgia-pacific.(Products)
September 1, 2003... Plytanium plywood products, including Plytanium Sturd-I-Floor (shown), sheathing, Ply-Bead panels, siding and sanded project panels, are made from southern pine plywood. The structural panels offer greater durability, stiffness and versatility...

Felker.(Products)
September 1, 2003... The TM-7 narrow-width diamond blade is designed to cut porcelain tile and other hard materials faster and cleaner. The blade's thinner com and rim increase the torque applied per square inch of surface area, so even a low-horsepower saw cuts...

Charlotte pipe and foundry.(Products)
September 1, 2003... The Quiet House system for residential drain/ waste/vent systems comprises cast-iron waste piping and plastic vent lines. The cast-iron pipe features shielded hubless couplings. The hubless system fits in modern stud walls more easily than...

Peachtree doors and windows.(Products)
September 1, 2003... The 300 Series of vinyl-clad wood windows includes double-hung, casement, awning and fixed units with dent-resistant extruded vinyl exteriors, double weatherstripping, one-piece welded jamb construction, white cellular PVC or clear finished...

Hurd millwork.(Products)
September 1, 2003... Handcrafted patio doors now include a sash'n frame option. Mounted directly above a patio door, the stationary sash'n frame provides consistent sightlines throughout. Various divided-light and hardware styles can add flair. Hurd also offers...

Chadsworth's 1.800.columns.(Products)
September 1, 2003... For applications requiring a column shorter than 8 feet, the PolyStone Series now includes a 5-foot, 6-inch column with correct taper and proper proportion. The load-bearing column comes with a plain or fluted shaft, resists fire and impact,...

U.S. gypsum.(Products)
September 1, 2003... Designed to eliminate hand masking and ensure clean, aligned intersections, Sheetrock pre-masked L-trim protects surfaces adjoining new drywall applications during gypsum board finishing and decorating. A built-in masking strip attached to a...

Window-shopping for a house.(the details, model home)
September 1, 2003... When does a 6,000-square-foot, $2 million house get built in nine weeks? When it's built into storefront space at Somerset Collection, a high-end shopping mall in Troy, Mich. Constructed as part of the Somerset Home and Garden Show, this...

The new Cerine Suite from Neo-Metro combines solid wood with 16-gauge stainless steel fixtures and includes a vanity, a two-piece toilet, a tabletop vessel and a double-wall insulated soaking tub.(the details)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The new Cerine Suite from Neo-Metro combines solid wood with 16-gauge stainless steel fixtures and includes a vanity, a two-piece toilet, a tabletop vessel and a double-wall insulated soaking tub. Wood choices include bamboo, cherry and...

Custom tiles bring images to life.(the details; by Images In Tile L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Bring the feel of Tuscany to your kitchen of Hawaiian waterfalls to your bathroom with Images In Tile's custom tile murals. Images from your photo album, from ITT's collection of images on its Web site, www.imagesintile.com from the many...

TimberGrass' bamboo floors are created with a bamboo species called Moso and come in site-finished and pre-finished strip flooring and pre-finished wide-plank floors, panels and veneers.(the details)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... TimberGrass' bamboo floors are created with a bamboo species called Moso and come in site-finished and pre-finished strip flooring and pre-finished wide-plank floors, panels and veneers. They can be used over radiant heat and use a water-based...

The Fireorb suspended hearth fireplace burns wood and can be installed in any room of the house.(the details)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The Fireorb suspended hearth fireplace burns wood and can be installed in any room of the house. It rotates 360 degrees on a stainless steel ball-bearing revolving system, creating an atmosphere where people can actually gather around the tire....

Up in the Canopy.(the details, transplanting mature trees, Architectural Land Design)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... One tends to equate Florida with palm trees, but for Home & Condo magazine's 2004 Dream Home in North Naples, Fla., the landscape architect thought oak trees--eight live oaks. "We wanted to use a very mature look," says Christian Andrea,...

Creating a crystal palace.(the details)(THG USA has partnered with Lalique )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... For truly discerning homeowners who treat their home as a prized showplace, THG USA has partnered with Lalique to offer Cristal de Lalique, a collection of high-end faucetry and bath fixtures. The handcrafted products are made of crystal,...

Which attorney is right for you?(The Business)
September 1, 2003... All builders probably can tell at least one attorney joke, but ask them who would be the first person they would call if they were to receive a letter from an irate customer. Of the first person they have called when they failed to meet a...

Effortless escape.(the Tour, lakeside vacation home)
September 1, 2003... IN THE TRADITION OF THE EAST COAST COMPOUND where family gathers with friends for test and relaxation, this 6,824-square-foot vacation home will beckon its fortunate future owners lakeside with the promise of weekends--or longer--spent enjoying...

Technology-friendly.(the Tour, luxury home)
September 1, 2003... CUSTOM BUILDER DAVE BREWER IS A "SMART" GUY when it comes to developing the luxury homes that have made his residential construction company one of central Florida's leaders. Every one of his projects, including this award winning. $1.54...

Delightful illusion.(the Tour, custom-built home evokes Tuscan villa)
September 1, 2003... THE OWNERS OF THIS CUSTOM RESIDENCE IN KENWOOD, Calif., can transport themselves from the urban setting of their primary residence in San Francisco into surroundings that were painstakingly planned and crafted to evoke the charm and character...

Personal touch.(the Tour, speculation-built home )
September 1, 2003... "THE PROBLEM WITH MANY SPEC-BUILT HOMES," SAYS second-generation builder Barry Rutenberg," is that they're not 'loved' like a custom-built one. Without an actual homeowner involved in the process, they often don't get that same kind of...

Lily pad.(the Products)
September 1, 2003... Designed to resemble the calla lily, the Calia line of bathroom furnishings from CAPIZZI includes a one-piece pedestal lavatory, a vessel lav (not shown), a one-piece toilet and a bidet. The pedestal lav stands 36 inches high. The toilet...

Silvery Moon.(the Products)
September 1, 2003... The Italian-made Moon Series of bath fittings from HASTINGS TILE & IL BAGNO COLLECTION includes a single-hole basin mixer that combines state-of-the-art engineering with aesthetic harmony. It comes in polished chrome and has a curved silhouette...

Taproom.(the Products)
September 1, 2003... Forget bottles and cans--your home buyers can treat guests to beer straight from the tap with the undercounter draft beer dispenser from MARVEL INDUSTRIES. Kegs are hidden while the chrome draft tower remains convenient. Thanks to the condenser...

Coordinated kitchen.(the Products)
September 1, 2003... Decorative pewter hardware from PREMIER HARDWARE DES1GNS includes knobs, pulls, appliance pulls and backsplash tiles that can coordinate throughout the kitchen. Collections include Victorian, Shaker, Nautical, Contemporary and several inspired...

Wire service.(the Products)
September 1, 2003... Accessories available in HETTICH AMERICA'S new wire program of interior fittings for kitchen and bath storage include a corner rack, a saucepan grid, spice racks, a cleaning supplies basket and a bathroom column. Units available for cabinetry...

Not-so-plain geometry.(the Products)
September 1, 2003... PORCHER'S Geometrique Collection of glass sinks comprises a cube, a rectangle, a cone, a half-sphere, a pyramid and a circle. The company says its casting technique creates resiliency while allowing each shape to be created without scams. Also...

Soft touch.(the Products)
September 1, 2003... The OmniTouch touch screen's icons facilitate control of lighting, small appliances, security, temperature, ventilation and other items under control of HAI's Omni family system. Changes made on the system automatically show on the screen,...

Farm-fresh.(the Products)
September 1, 2003... SIEMATIC'S Cottage Modern kitchen cabinetry combines modern convenience with the charm of a country farmhouse. Shown is the SC 46 Series in magnolia white with a structured lacquered finish and soft formed edging. Details include traditional...

Smart glass.(the Products)
September 1, 2003... The key to IQ Glas, a radiant heating window system from GLASS CONSULT, is its two-pane structure. The inner pane has a thin metal oxide coating that helps disperse heat equally. The outer pane has a coming that keeps heat inside while...

Fairy nice.(the Products)
September 1, 2003... Fairies sculpted in the bark and knots highlight the solid-bronze Fairytale Oak Collection by ELITE BATH. The pedestal lavatory is designed to look like an oak tree. The limited-edition collection also includes a vessel sink and a coordinated...