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    More content from January 2016

    Rules for remodelers when installing flexbile ductwork

    4 Rules for Flexible Ducts that Remodelers Need to Know

    All photos: courtesy U.S. Dept. of EnergyOn most projects, HVAC flexible ductwork is located in designated chases that maximize the efficiency of the airflow. But the path for...
    Jan. 16, 2016
    Tool review of the DeWalt 20V Max miter saw

    DeWalt 20V Max Miter Saw

    Images: courtesy ProToolReviews.comThere are only a few cordless miter saws on the market right now, and the DeWalt 20V Max Miter Saw is the newest. Has DeWalt looked at the competition...
    Jan. 13, 2016
    What's in store for remodelers in 2016?

    Perilous Prognostications

    Making predictions about the remodeling industry is fraught with pitfalls. For one thing, remodeling is a local business. Data is difficult to find, but even when you have it,...
    Jan. 12, 2016
    Erika Taylor ponders the future of Twitter

    Change or Die

    A few years ago, I was really into Twitter. I learned the best practices, tricked out my profile page, and tweeted multiple times every day. And why not? Starting in 2007, the...
    Jan. 11, 2016
    Industrial chic and reclaimed materials, such as the Metalli collection by Laminam

    Product Trends: Surfaces

    Photo: courtesy LaminamAs industrial design and rustic modern aesthetics gain ground in American homes, there are an increasing number of products on ...
    Jan. 8, 2016
    Reclaimed materials and industrial style in remodeling projects

    Everything Old Is New Again

    Photo: courtesy Owings Brothers ContractingUntil relatively recently, industrial design and reclaimed materials were mostly seen in converted factory buildings on the urban fringe...
    Jan. 7, 2016
    Software tools that make 3-D renderings come to life

    Software for Visual Presentation

    In the October 2015 issue, I wrote about a large bathroom remodeling project we were designing, and I included not just a standard plan view but several 3-D images as well. When...
    Jan. 6, 2016
    Schluter-Shower System is Chad Hatfield's Pro's Pick for Professional Remodeler, January 2016

    Pro's Pick: Schluter-Shower System

    Chad HatfieldPresident, Hatfield Builders & RemodelersPlano, Texas We use the Schluter-Shower System in our tiled bathroom projects instead of a conventional PVC...
    Jan. 6, 2016
    Melinda Dzinic of Euro Design Build Remodel in Texas uses video to engage website visitors

    The Value of Video in Remodeling Marketing

    For a while now, I’ve had a video on our homepage that introduces me and our company to potential clients. It was shot in our showroom by my photographer and a videographer he...
    Jan. 5, 2016
    Taking steps to make a remodeling home tour program a success

    Plentiful Payback: Awards Program Boosts Home Tour Success

    Photo: courtesy Fleming Construction A few years ago, I took a course from Robert Criner, the NAHB Remodelers chairman in 2015. In that class, he talked about the importance of...
    Jan. 4, 2016
    the labor shortage affects the remodeling industry

    The Elephant in the Room

    The following excerpt is from a speech given by National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) president, Judy Mozen, in Dallas on Nov. 10, 2015.Do you need to hire a ...
    Dec. 30, 2015
    Despite what Dirty Harry says, personnel is an essential part of your business

    Dirty Harry Got It Wrong

    In Dirty Harry, Clint Eastwood plays the part of Harry Callahan, a renegade cop with a knack for wrecking cars and shooting up everything in sight. In one scene, after a rather...
    Dec. 29, 2015
    10 costly business mistakes that remodelers should avoid

    Costly Business Mistakes to Avoid

    A successful remodeler once said to me, “If I had the money back from the business mistakes I’ve made, I would be wealthy beyond my dreams.” Mistakes are inevitable in business...
    Dec. 29, 2015
    Mrm Hero Pr0116

    Tight Fit: The Challenges of Installing Integrated Appliances

    I work in the Dallas area, and about six years ago, Texas began requiring appliance installers to get licensed. A lot of people hated that and flunked the test, but personally...
    Dec. 23, 2015
    For remodelers, offering a lifetime warranty isn't as crazy as it sounds

    Should You Offer a Lifetime Warranty?

    When Scott Siegal changed his roofing company’s warranty in 2006, most of his competitors were offering a two- to five-year guarantee on workmanship and passing through any manufacturer...
    Dec. 22, 2015
    Offering product advice to homeowners could create liability for the remodeler

    Warranty Woes for Homeowner-Supplied Products

    Many remodelers believe that because their warranty excludes coverage of owner-supplied products and materials, they’re off the hook if something goes wrong. Unfortunately, situations...
    Dec. 21, 2015