In his time living in this home, infamous Depression-era political boss Tom Pendergast thought of the basement simply as an escape route. Fearing attempts on his life, he had a tunnel system built behind the walls. The current homeowners sought a bold, bright, kid-friendly basement inspired by two cherished art pieces.

Where new-home technology ventures, existing-home technology often follows. According to a study by the Consumer Electronics Association and the NAHB Research Center, more than 42 percent of new homes built in 2002 included structured wiring, making it the most widely incorporated technology in new homes.

Business owners are faced with information overload. How do we sort through all of it to find what we need to make our companies better.

Last month, I discussed remodeling business treasure: strong margins and quality of life. Let me ask you a question: Do you have those at the level you would like them to be? Depending on the cycle of business growth you are in, the answer is often no. It takes two sets of keys to successfully open the lock to the treasure inside.

Rising costs have affected remodeling, though not in the way you might think. Homeowners are eager as ever to remodel, but their priorities have been transformed. Investing in a large addition is not the automatic first step for most, according to remodelers and designers from coast to coast.

Part 7 of a Series on Benchmarking Setting a gross profit target — finding a pricing, staffing, operating expense and profit model that is SMART — is the key to all business success. (SMART is defined as specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-sensitive.) No one can tell you what to charge for your work or what markup to use.

PART 6 OF A SERIES Every company has an obligation to find a balance between working hard at making a profit and working hard at staying sane. The thirst for greater quantities of time off is often squashed by the workaholic's hunger for some nebulous level of success. Over time the two opposing goals can tear apart families, marriages, partnerships and friendships.

A franchised business is not right for everyone, and not everyone is right to be a franchisee. Why? Let me share two stories that I believe will help you determine the difference. The first story is about a guy named Joe Committed. (OK, that's not his real name.) Joe purchased a franchise that provides remodeling services.

One of the biggest concerns facing the remodeling industry as we close the books on 2005 and head into the new year is how to find, hire and retain top quality employees. In this issue, we explore several ways to help you strengthen your business in this area. In this month's Remodelers' Exchange, we present some great strategies for compensating employees — from benefits to flexible sche...

My wife loves to entertain; the more the merrier. She can make fettuccine Alfredo with one hand while preparing flan with the other. An intimate dinner at our house may mean 10 people in the dining room or 20 on the deck. My wife is always as cool as the ceviche, even when the event is spontaneous or the guests have never been to our home before.