Pro Remodeler Wins Two Prestigious Jesse H. Neal Awards
The editorial team was honored with one of B2B journalism's most prestigious awards in the categories of Best Subject-Related Package and Best Range of Work by a Single Author
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Business Coach Cited in Attorney General Lawsuit Against Contractor
A New England contractor faces a civil suit alleging his company’s growth was tied to a business coach with a model that “encourages fraud"
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Harvard Says Remodeling Spending Downturn to Slow
Could the drop in remodeling spending from post-COVID levels regulate soon?
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Power Home Remodeling Now Offers Subsidized Childcare
The home improvement giant's move seeks to address a greater industry issue
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Manage Mobile Phone Features
Just because we've been using telephones in business much longer than we have computers doesn't mean that choosing the right cell phone and plan is any easier than choosing the right computer hardware and software. In fact, depending on your business needs, the two tasks may go hand in hand. Can I get a signal? While companies in metropolitan areas have their pick of technologies, features and ...
A Custom Approach
Farina and Sons Inc. in Orlando, Fla., specializes in whole-house renovations and new custom homes, which make up about 20 percent of the business. Second-generation president Victor Farina employs three people in the office and six lead carpenters. Joe Gradison, vice president of Gradison Building Corporation in Indianapolis, owns the 19-year-old business with his brother, Mark.
Reining in Runaway Costs
Hurricanes in the south, unprecedented levels of construction material demand in China, record oil prices and a host of other issues drove up material costs in 2004. Ongoing increases in labor, insurance and general overhead expenses squeezed margins from another angle. How do you generate an acceptable profit when pricing seems out of control?
Taking the Office to the Field
Scott Sevon, CGR, CAPS, GMB, a remodeler and custom home builder based in Palatine, Ill., uses his Palm Tungsten W handheld every day. The wireless device allows him to check his e-mail and the Internet from the road, and doubles as a cell phone. A longtime proponent of handheld devices, Sevon spent between $420 and $500 each to buy handhelds for all the employees of Sevvonco Inc.
38 Great Ways Ergonomics Can Save Time and Money
Supporting a world-class work force requires a world-class work environment — one that is safe, healthy, comfortable and productive. Adapting the workplace to meet these criteria and create working conditions that suit the worker is what the study of ergonomics is all about. Using ergonomic tools, equipment, work layouts and methods can cut remodeling firms' long-term costs by reducing in...
The Road to Referrals
Superior customer service is the number one way remodelers can (and should) differentiate themselves from inferior competition. In the ongoing battle for customers' trust and — ultimately — referrals, remodelers must distinguish themselves in everything from quality of materials and workmanship to the professionalism of sales personnel and work crews.
Specializing in small projects
How many remodelers does it take to change a light bulb? At David and Ellyn Robbins's Highland Park, Ill., house it takes one — a multi-skilled carpenter, namely Bob Stone, CLC, who has 32 years of remodeling experience. Why? For one thing, the ceiling in the Robbins's entry is 20 feet high, and climbing a stepladder to change the bulb up there is beyond what the Robbinses are comfortable...
Built to Last
Brick: It exudes warmth, character, staying power. Brick often commands a higher resale value and naturally provides thermal mass, which offers some insulation. Under normal weather conditions, it could see a century or more of use, according to Brick Industry Association estimates. But for all its durability, brick is vulnerable to external factors that can decrease the lifespan of a brick hom...
Selling Energy Efficiency
The Energy Efficient Rehab Advisor helps quantify energy savings and costs
Energy-Efficient Lighting Design
Here's how igh-performance lighting helps make homes look better, helps with visual tasks and also can reduce the home's energy use.