Remodeling Magazine

VIEW POINT

FIRST WORD

Heed the Signs

Regardless of whether you still have work, the market is changing, and to ignore those changes is dangerous for your company.
Fine Print

Most people reading the Cost vs. Value Report skip the fine print and go right to the data, leading to questions and misunderstandings. Here's some clarification.

Dot Comment

You're Not Alone: Online Resources for Remodelers

In a tough economy, turn to the Remodeling Online blogs and forums for advice and industry insights from your peers.

News + Notes

First Lead Deadline Looms

If you work in homes built prior to 1978, EPA lead paint regulations affect you.
Design Regulation Showdown

The American Society of Interior Designers is pressing for laws throughout the country that will regulate who can and cannot design kitchens, baths, and cabinets.

MARKET WATCH

December 2008 Figure This

Facts and figures about the remodeling industry.
LIRA Shows Continued Decline in Spending

The third-quarter release of the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) predicts that homeowner improvement spending will decline at an annual rate of 12% by the second quarter of 2009.
LIRA Re-Benchmarking

In re-benchmarking the LIRA (Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity), the Joint Center for House Studies at Harvard University now provides smoother estimates of homeowner improvement spending.
November 2008 Figure This

Facts and figures related to the remodeling industry.
Sobering Realities Take Hold Along the Florida Gulf Coast

Michael K. Walker, a veteran remodeler in Sarasota, Fla., points out two danger signs along the horizon: permitting lag time and new wind-zone insurance requirements.

Local Forecast

Local Forecast: In Las Vegas, Foreclosures Offer a New Market

In Las Vegas, a veteran remodeling company is working with real estate agents to tap into the foreclosure market.

COMMENTARY

LINDA CASE

Leadership Is the New Black

Linda Case identifies strategies for surviving 2009 by developing a realistic budget and targeted marketing plan.

MARK RICHARDSON

Make Change a Priority — Now

There is opportunity in today's tough economic climate if you proactively seek new ways of going to market.

SHAWN MCCADDEN

The Power of Confidence

Remodeling consultant Shawn McCadden outlines the key psychological advantage that helped his company emerge stronger from the last major remodeling recession.

GUEST COLUMNIST

Advisory Role

Help clients see their remodeling project as an important long-term investment

YOUR BUSINESS

Ways + Means

ByLaw: Act Now

Be wary when using the "free-gift" sales methodology and be aware that state laws about free gifts vary.
Alternative Path

It's possible to swing a hammer and still run a thriving, profitable business without going crazy.
Dollars and Sense

What to expect when you're seeking a financial planner and how to find one that's a good fit for your company.
People + Skills: Performance Review

Victoria Downing of Remodelers Advantage Roundtables asks remodelers whether they discuss compensation with employees during the performance review or hold it for a second meeting.
Frontline Relationships

It is essential that your employees put their best foot forward when connecting with clients.
Ask the Expert: Joy Kilgore

Build trust along with processes before delegating responsibility to key employees.
Working for Hire

A working interview can help you find the best employees for your company.
Sink or Swim

Using an on-boarding process for new employees can take the guesswork out of hiring.
Strength in Numbers

"Competing" remodeling businesses learning from one another benefits companies and clients.

BOTTOM LINE

Reaching Out

Mining your most reliable source — your past clients — for potential leads.
Fast Cash — at a Price

Factoring companies allow small businesses to get cash within a matter of days, but you must consider the risks, too.
Active Role

For Massachusetts remodeler Tom Mitchell, keeping his company healthy in a slow economy has meant expanding into both new markets and existing markets he had not previously tapped.
Insurance Savings

It is possible to be proactive about insurance without being foolhardy or putting your company in jeopardy.

Sales & Marketing

Delivering the Good News

Successful strategies for creating positive news that gives homeowners the confidence to remodel.
Sales School 101

Sandler Systems CEO, Dave Mattson, explains the psychology behind, and antidotes to, slower remodeling buying decisions.
Strength in Diversity

How one design-savvy remodeler sees growth opportunities in selling design services to other contractors.
Eye vs. Eye

Don't let these photography mistakes drive prospects away. Before you use that "portfolio" photo, vet it from the homeowner's perspective.
The Micro-Marketer

Low-tech marketing keeps this small remodeling company on the right radar screens.

FIELD NOTES

A Clean Cut

An emerging trend in construction hiring: paid, on-the-job "try outs," with no obligation to offer the permanent position.
If the Toolbelt Fits ...

When managers return to the field after a long absence, they must respect the existing chain of command — and not undermine it.
Fair Trades

In the tighter economy, remodelers are asking trade contractors to shave costs. The key is to communicate why — and what's in it for them.
Deep-Freezing Danger

Strategies to keep crews, trades, and clients safe in and around winter jobsites.
The Volatility Defense

Tips for helping remodelers avoid the hit when prices spike and shortages loom.

BY DESIGN

Making Headway

Actual and visual techniques to make a basement feel more spacious.
SketchPad: The Useful Attic

Remodeling an attic is like adding space for free. Here are some design considerations to keep in mind.

Tech@Work

Making the Most of Mobility: MyOnlineToolbox

MyOnlineToolbox is an online application that helps organize the daily business of remodelers and contractors.
Apply Yourself

These iPhone apps are great for remodelers, architects, and other construction-related businesspeople.
Industry-Specific Software vs. Generic Software

Joe Stoddard details when it makes sense to invest in industry-specific software, and why.
Co-Construct Extends Its Reach

To increase cooperation and accountability, Co-Construct offers new scheduling features and subcontractor access to essential project information.

GOOD FORM

Lead Tracking Plus

Analyze the effectiveness of your marketing strategies using this in-depth lead tracking spreadsheet.
Pinpointing Slippage

By tracking the actual and budgeted costs of individual line items for each job, Creative Contracting is able to easily pinpoint slippage.

FEATURES

Class Work

Homeowner seminars offer a way to position yourself as an expert and to boost leads as well.

Cost vs. Value Report

Suburban Slowdown, Urban Uptick?

Remodels to close-in homes show higher ROI than their suburban counterparts.
Additional Value

Additions that are necessary and well-built are still a good investment for homeowners.
Downsizing the McMansion

More homeowners are opting to carve practical spaces out of their expansive homes.
Green Scene

Realtors and remodelers across the nation are seeing new attention being paid to energy efficiency.
Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report 2008-09

What's new in the 2008–09 Cost vs. Value Report and information about the results.
Seeing the Return

Some familiar projects are ranked at the top of the 2008–09 Cost vs. Value Report.

Wage & Benefit Survey

Surviving the Fall

Dramatic business drop-off has some remodeling companies taking extreme measures to stay solvent.
The Importance of Benefits

Comprehensive benefits packages can be the key to attracting quality employees to your team.
2008 Wage & Benefit Survey

More than 300 remodelers completed REMODELING's 2008 Wage & Benefit Survey.

BIG50

CLOSE UP

Big50 CloseUp: David Tyson

David Tyson's Charlotte, N.C., company is getting set for growth.
Big50 Close Up: Ed Castle

Since the economic slowdown reached the outskirts of Washington, D.C., remodeler Ed Castle has had to take an uncharacteristically proactive approach to marketing.

SECOND LOOK

SecondLook: Steven Whitlock

This long-lived remodeling firm mixes custom home building, remodeling, and excellent customer service to keep the company going.
SecondLook: David Heaney

This Delaware remodeler has diversified his business by providing customized space plans and estimating services for health facilities..

SOLUTIONS

Pricing Adjustment

This Q&A with Big50 remodelers asks how the economy affects their pricing and bidding.
Big50 Solutions: Teaching Customer Care

How do you teach your employees and subcontractors customer service skills?

KITCHEN + BATH

DESIGN CLINIC

Mastering the Suite

A master suite makeover creates a more cohesive bathroom and takes advantage of the view. Finishes include cherry cabinets, cedar, slate-look porcelain tile, and granite.

Management

Staying Home

New book to help designers create homes that allow homeowners to age in place.
Access to Design

A new showroom offers products and installations for aging clients and those with disabilities.
Show Enough

A new building houses a large showroom that showcases the expertise of Allied Kitchen & Bath.

SPEC BOOK

Toilets

New products from American Standard, Caroma, Kohler, and Laufen
Bath Lighting

Lighting products from WAC Lighting, Studio Italia, Kichler, and Sea Gull Lighting.

REPLACEMENT

SIDING

The Big Payback?

For homeowners who care about energy efficiency, siding replacement offers a great opportunity to boost a home's energy performance.

SUSTAINABILITY

GREEN SPEAK

Computer Recycling

Dell is making it easier for small businesses to donate and recycle old computers.
Green Improvement

Survey with insights into how green issues affect consumers' attitudes and behaviors in home improvement

GREEN SPEC

New Green Products for the Remodeling Market

Green products from WaterFurnace, Eco-Heater, Danze, and iLevel by Weyerhaeuser.

PRODUCTS

TRENDS

Thermo(stat) Dynamics

New technology makes thermostat operation easier and more precise for homeowners and remodelers.
A Fine Mesh

Excellent visibility insect screens, or EVIS, are becoming more popular options for a clearer view to the outside.
Bright Ideas

LED technology makes new flashlights a bright spot in your toolbox.

IN FOCUS

Safety Equipment

Jobsite safety products and worker gear from Gateway Safety, Capital Safety, North Safety, and Timberland Pro.
Rough Hardware

Rough hardware products from Duo-Fast, LE Johnson, Arcus, and Ridgid.
Trucks & Accessories

New model year designs and high-tech accessories can help improve your truck fleet.
Holiday Gift Guide

Great holiday gifts for remodelers and their clients.
Gypsum, Backerboard, and Underlayments

Products from Temple-Inland, Goldblatt Tool Co., Polyglass USA, Serious Materials, and WR Meadows.
New Tools for the Remodeling Market

New tools from SawStop, Cooper Hand Tools, Boar Blades, DeWalt, Task Tools, Hilti, Bosch, and Klein Tools.

FIRST LOOK

December 2008 First Look

New products from Bosch, HomeCrest Cabinetry, Atlantic Premium Shutters, and 2BenchSolutions.
November 2008 First Look

New products from Owens Corning, Tile-Redi, Johnson Controls, Ainsworth Engineered, Fisher & Paykel, Armstrong Cabinets, NuCedar Mills, and Peachtree.

LAST WORD

Benchmark

Cutting Costs

By now your 2009 budget should be nearly complete — how does it look? Are you making the money you, as owner, need to make?
Power of One

Incremental adjustments in critical financial benchmarks are less disruptive than drastic changes — and often more effective.

OTHER ARTICLES

IBS Sneak Peek

These new products from Atlantic Premium, Carlisle, Dimplex, MTI Whirlpools, and Trane will debut at the 2009 International Builders Show.
Keep on Truckin'

New Trucks and Accessories from ARE, Doran, GM, and Toyota
Best Practices for Backing Up QuickBooks Files

Automatic server backups won't necessarily protect your QuickBooks files. QB expert Diane Gilson offers tips for keeping your files safe and up to date.
Group Think

Is group intelligence a smart way to inform business decisions or does quality trump the value of quantity when it comes to opinion?
Focus on Finishing

Getting more efficient at closing jobs and tracking job costs will help you increase profitability.
Shed a Little Light

Indoor or outdoor, modern or traditional, find lighting for every job from Besa, Homestyle, Lightolier, Nora Lighting, Progress Lighting, and Studio Italia.
A Little Structure

New products from Arrow Fasteners, FibaTape, Hilti, Nuheat, and Royal Wood, add strength and structure to remodeling projects.
The Independent Designer's Liability Dilemma

An independent designer asks about his liability exposure, and a top design/build company provides strategies for minimizing risk.
Bath Benefits

A range of new product for the bath from BainUltra, Corstone, Rejuvenation, Saniflo, Swan, and TileRedi.
Hiccup in Tax Credits for Energy Savings

Congress extends tax credits for energy-saving home improvements, but 2008 upgrades will not be eligible.
WIP Your Company Into Shape

WIP reports give up-to-date financial information.
Hidden Away

Under the sink, behind the door, and beneath the floor, you'll find new products from Body Glove, Cambria, Otterbox, Steelcrest, Thermacell, and USG.
RMI Reaches Historic Lows

The Remodeling Market Index (RMI) dropped sharply in the third quarter of 2008, reflecting widespread pessimism -- and scattered pockets of optimism -- among the 500 remodelers surveyed in the Naitonal Association of Home Builders' quarterly report
Bringing Design Home

Linda Gridley, owner of Gridley Construction, in Silicon Valley, brings her design center to her clients' homes.
Around the Industry

A variety of new products from Daltile, Pure Lighting, Richard Gray's Power Company, RSI, and Swanson Tools.