http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/management/benchmarks/benchmark/benchmark.aspx?view=rss&id=Query_tcm1765799http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/gross-profit/getting-it-right.aspx?rssLink=Getting+It+RightPlan for 2010 using realistic targets for volume, gross profit, and owner compensation.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/owner-issues/measuring-the-future.aspx?rssLink=Measuring+the+FutureThe recession has "reset" the economy. Does that mean a step back or a step forward for your remodeling business?http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/finance/the-comfort-of-cash.aspx?rssLink=The+Comfort+of+CashWhen credit is tight, it pays to have cash on hand. The question is, how much?http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/gross-profit/getting-busy.aspx?rssLink=Getting+BusyCarefully track your marketing and the resulting sales to ensure that you meet your gross profit goals.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/finance/stress-test.aspx?rssLink=Stress+TestBefore you borrow any more money, take a hard look at the truth of your situation. Use this worksheet to help you.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/green-policy/diversify-with-caution.aspx?rssLink=Diversify+With+CautionTax incentives make home-performance contracting look attractive, but diversification is not necessarily a magic bullet for your business.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/awards/head-above-water.aspx?rssLink=Head+Above+WaterThe Class of 2009 did not merely survive the downturn, they found ways to thrive. Here’s a look the numbers.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/gross-profit/dollars-dont-lie.aspx?rssLink=Dollars+Don%e2%80%99t+LieIn this unpredictable economy, realign your thinking toward gross profit dollars instead of gross profit margin.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/marketing/complete-the-short-pass.aspx?rssLink=Complete+the+Short+PassIndividualized personal outreach may outperform more complex marketing tactics.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/overhead/unkind-cuts.aspx?rssLink=Unkind+CutsA mix of layoffs and reassigned duties may be necessary to get your business through tough economic times.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/job-costing/cutting-costs.aspx?rssLink=Cutting+CostsBy now your 2009 budget should be nearly complete — how does it look? Are you making the money you, as owner, need to make?http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/net-profit/power-of-one.aspx?rssLink=Power+of+OneIncremental adjustments in critical financial benchmarks are less disruptive than drastic changes — and often more effective.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/finances/budget-for-profit.aspx?rssLink=Budget+for+ProfitDon’t wait for profit to happen — start planning for it now.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/benchmarks/dependable-dashboard.aspx?rssLink=Dependable+DashboardI know, you know, he knows, she knows, we know, they know: The market is tough! The remodeling industry has been flying high for quite a few years, but according to most economic forecasters, the current “dip” could last for a couple more years.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/finance/tracking-labor-costs.aspx?rssLink=Tracking+Labor+CostsOver the years I’ve asked clients and colleagues how they estimate labor costs. The answer is usually the same: They define one number that represents hourly labor costs, including burden, and apply it throughout their estimates, no matter who does the work or what the tasks are.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/tracking-job-costs.aspx?rssLink=Tracking+Job+CostsJob costs — all of the expenses for materials, subcontractors, and labor — are the primary components of gross profit.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/benchmarks/sizing-up-the-big50.aspx?rssLink=Sizing+Up+the+Big50In 2007, the first full year of the housing downturn that continues to put a drag on the economy, many remodeling companies had a rough time. Not so, however, for most members of the Big50 Class of 2008. While those around them were experiencing revenue slides of 25% or more, most of this year's Big50 enjoyed strong growth; the few exceptions managed to shrink in size while maintaining or increasing net profit. Unless otherwise noted, all data are for fiscal 2007 and for companies with less than $10 million in 2007 revenue.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/netprofit/nothing-but-net.aspx?rssLink=Nothing+But+NetMy favorite definition for “net” comes from Dictionary.com.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/overhead/over-your-head.aspx?rssLink=Over+Your+HeadVariety can be a good thing, but remodeling companies that want to measure their performance against standards need to be on the same page.http://www4.remodeling.hw.net/overhead/labor-pains.aspx?rssLink=Labor+PainsTracking direct costs looks easy, but labor presents some sticking points. What, for instance, is to be done with labor costs for a production manager who spends part of each day on more than one jobsite?