Remodeling: Design Workflow

Visual Aides: How to Present Design Ideas

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 01:59:44 EST

Let TV and movies be your guide to some creative approaches to presenting your next design plan.

Third-Party Interference: Create Policies To Keep Clients From Changing Their Minds Mid-Project

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 09:11:52 EST

Kitchen designer Jeff Kida suggests ways to keep clients on track with their project choices to help avoid cost overruns.

Pinterest: Another Social Media Marketing Option for Remodelers

Fri, 8 Feb 2013 01:40:23 EST

Pinterest, a social media site, connects remodelers and potential customers and enables them to share design ideas with each other and with a wider audience.

Seeing Is Believing: Design Sofware Helps Clients Picture the Remodel

Fri, 8 Feb 2013 12:27:20 EST

Softplan and ProKitchen software offer handy tools for presenting your clients with drawings and 3-D renderings of their project.

Virtual Ease: Using 3-D PDFs to Convey a Design to Clients

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 11:32:44 EST

Using 3-D images can help clients better understand and experience their remodeling project, making for clearer communication and a smoother process.

Designed for Business: There Are Benefits to Creating a Showroom — Even During the Recession

Fri, 8 Feb 2013 01:39:20 EST

A new showroom helps Morrell Builders both redefine the selections process for clients and educate them about design/build, while differentiating the remodeler from competitors.

Streamlining Design: Eliminating Redundancies and Implementing Technology

Fri, 8 Feb 2013 01:36:57 EST

Remodelers are streamlining their design processes and implementing new technologies to boost efficiency.

Integrating Design: Working With Interior Designers

Fri, 8 Feb 2013 01:36:54 EST

An interior designer offers her perspective on what makes a successful partnership with a remodeler.

Product Bonanza: Virtual Selection Center Helps Both Remodeler and Client

Fri, 8 Feb 2013 10:07:31 EST

Working with online retailer Bellacor, remodelers and design professionals can create a Virtual Selection Center on their website and better control the selections process.

Q&A: How Has the Recession Affected Your Design Department?

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 10:57:28 EST

Recession leads remodelers to new ways of using a design staff, such as sharing designer subcontractors with other remodleing companies.

Using the Internet to Communicate Design Changes to Clients

Mon, 5 Apr 2010 03:40:23 EST

When information technology specialist and homeowner Bruce Johnson and his wife remodeled their kitchen a few years ago, the couple’s busy weekday work schedules and family-centric weekends made it difficult for them to meet with the designer.

Pipeline Management

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 10:12:02 EST

Every Monday, the sales and design teams at Kiernan Remodeling + Design, in Bradenton, Fla., meet to discuss their upcoming sales appointments for the week. Every attendee at the meeting comes armed with this Pipeline Report, which details project leads that are at various stages of the sales process.

Addressing Selections Early Keeps Projects on Schedule

Mon, 5 Apr 2010 04:23:19 EST

Addressing selections early has helped Washtenaw Woodwrights keep projects on schedule.

Tips on Setting Realistic Expectations

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 09:41:32 EST

For Steve Tinter, president of Cook Bros., a design/build remodeling company in Arlington, Va., “Good communication begins with setting realistic expectations.”

Kitchen and bath designers succeed by connecting with clients

Thu, 8 Apr 2010 02:45:58 EST

Design is a skill that you can study, practice, and educate yourself about. However, the missing ingredient is "style." Skill can be learned, but style can only be acquired through years of practice and paying attention to details.

Design Aid

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 08:39:03 EST

Until about a year and a half ago, we solely drafted by hand. We now use AutoCAD LT for everything except hand-renderings or quick conceptual plans/elevations that give a sense of personalization to the project and keep it in the “idea” phase.