FEATURES

Cost vs. Value Report

VIEW POINT

FIRST WORD

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    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.

     

News + Notes

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    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

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    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.

     

COMMENTARY

GUEST COLUMNIST

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    Facing the Downturn

    Take a good, hard look at your company. To prosper and grow — even in a slow economy — your company may need a full makeover.

     

LINDA CASE

MARK RICHARDSON

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    Paralyzed

    When numbers are down and anxiety is up, it's more important than ever for small-business owners to keep an even keel and stay positive.

     

SHAWN MCCADDEN

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    Pay Now, or Pay Forever

    Being "too busy to plan" and map out strategies to rework structural shortcomings within your business will see you paying the consequences for a long time to come.

     

YOUR BUSINESS

Sales and Marketing

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    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.

     
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    The Micro-Marketer

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

     

BOTTOM LINE

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    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.

     
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    Insurance Savings

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

     

BY DESIGN

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    SketchPad: The Useful Attic

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

     

FIELD NOTES

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    Deep-Freezing Danger

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

     
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    The Volatility Defense

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

     

GOOD FORM

  • Pinpointing Slippage

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

     

Tech at Work

Ways + Means

  • Frontline Relationships

    It is essential that your employees put their best foot forward when connecting with clients.

     
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    Ask the Expert: Joy Kilgore

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

     
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    Working for Hire

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

     
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    Sink or Swim

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

     
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    Strength in Numbers

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

     

BIG50

CLOSE UP

  • 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: David Heaney

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

     

SOLUTIONS

KITCHEN AND BATH

DESIGN CLINIC

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    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.

     

SPEC BOOK

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    Bath Lighting

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

     

Management

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    Show Enough

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

     

REPLACEMENT

SIDING

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    The Big Payback?

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

     

PRODUCTS

FIRST LOOK

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    November 2008 First Look

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

     

IN FOCUS

TRENDS

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    A Fine Mesh

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

     
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    Bright Ideas

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

     

LAST WORD

Bench Mark

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    Power of One

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