http://www.remodeling.hw.net/management/benchmarks/benchmarks/benchmarks.aspx?view=rss&id=Query_tcm1765798http://www.remodeling.hw.net/awards/the-remodeling-550.aspx?rssLink=The+Remodeling+550Remodeling magazine's list of the biggest companies and fanchise organizations in the home improvement industry.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/net-profit/power-of-one.aspx?rssLink=Power+of+OneIncremental adjustments in critical financial benchmarks are less disruptive than drastic changes — and often more effective.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling-market-data/fine-print.aspx?rssLink=Fine+PrintMost 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.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/benchmarks/2009-budget-planning.aspx?rssLink=2009+Budget+PlanningWhich expenses do you expect to change most from 2008, and how will you offset them?http://www.remodeling.hw.net/benchmarks/production-metrics-for-peak-performance.aspx?rssLink=Production+Metrics+for+Peak+PerformanceBusiness metrics provide objective data for making decisions that help you achieve your business goals.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/tracking-job-costs.aspx?rssLink=Tracking+Job+CostsJob costs — all of the expenses for materials, subcontractors, and labor — are the primary components of gross profit.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/benchmarks/sizing-up-the-big50.aspx?rssLink=Sizing+Up+the+Big50In 2007, the first full year of the housing downturn that continues to put a drag on the economy, many remodeling companies had a rough time. Not so, however, for most members of the Big50 Class of 2008. While those around them were experiencing revenue slides of 25% or more, most of this year's Big50 enjoyed strong growth; the few exceptions managed to shrink in size while maintaining or increasing net profit. Unless otherwise noted, all data are for fiscal 2007 and for companies with less than $10 million in 2007 revenue.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/benchmarks/tim-faller-better-benchmarks.aspx?rssLink=Tim+Faller%3a+Better+BenchmarksHow much volume should your project leads produce? I'm always reluctant to give a general answer because of the endless variables within companies, markets, and projects.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/estimator/kelvin-and-susan-pierce.aspx?rssLink=Profile%3a+Kelvin+and+Susan+PierceThree years ago, Kelvin and Susan Pierce (Big50 1993), owners of Commonwealth Home Remodelers, in Vienna, Va., decided to hire a full-time estimator for the company.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/benchmarks/something-to-celebrate.aspx?rssLink=Something+to+CelebrateFour years ago, Ocean Breeze Awnings and More in Surfside Beach, S.C., hit the $1 million gross revenue mark for the first time. CEO David Powers wanted to find out which neighborhoods were spending the most money with the company, so he studied his data. http://www.remodeling.hw.net/facts-and-figures/business-benchmarks-survey/?rssLink=2007+Business+Benchmarking+SurveyHow do remodelers measure their companies' financial performance? A relative few belong to peer groups that allow them to compare their numbers to those of similarly situated companies around the country. Others have more informal relationships with colleagues who trade information over a phone call, lunch, or a beer at a local watering hole. But the great majority can only compare themselves to, well, themselves, evaluating current financial performance relative to performance in previous years.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/benchmarks/sales-process-metrics.aspx?rssLink=Sales+Process+MetricsSales are the fuel of your company. Benchmarking your sales process can help you fine-tune your fuel efficiency. Sales process metrics are especially helpful for full-service remodeling companies because they have a unique sales process.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/business/the-2007-big-50-measuring-up.aspx?rssLink=The+2007+Big+50%3a+Measuring+UpEvery year since 1986, we have devoted this issue to profiles of the Big50 -- owners of successful, growing remodeling companies of various sizes that are among the best in America. To select the Big50, we measure hundreds of candidates against an array of objective benchmarks, looking for those companies whose policies, performance, and best practices set the standards against which winning companies must compete. Meet the 2007 Big 50 inside...http://www.remodeling.hw.net/technology/automation--electronics.aspx?rssLink=Automation+%26+Electronics%3a+TVs%2c+Faucets%2c+Thermostats+and+moreAdvancements in technology are allowing myriad features in today's home to be automatically and electronically controlled, from audio systems and televisions to lighting and appliances, setting a new benchmark for convenience and comfort.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/gross-profit/a-trend-indeed.aspx?rssLink=A+Trend+IndeedA benchmark is like a line in the sand against which we measure ourselves. But comparing actual performance with a benchmark is a static measurement. Unless we've reached the goal, we have no idea whether we're moving closer to it or further away. A benchmark can help us find out where we are, but no single measurement, no matter how sophisticated, can tell us where we are going.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/benchmarks/profit-per.aspx?rssLink=Profit+Perhttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/benchmarks/whats-your-number.aspx?rssLink=What's+Your+Number%3fhttp://www.remodeling.hw.net/sales/benchmark-refer-madness.aspx?rssLink=Benchmark%3a+Refer+MadnessWho is the better referral source, a client who sends you 18 leads of which 2 become sales or a customer who sends you 4 leads of which 1 is sold?http://www.remodeling.hw.net/marketing/marketing-budget.aspx?rssLink=Marketing+BudgetBenchmarks help remodelers evaluate their company's performance. Some benchmarks are averages, some represent reasonable targets, still others set thresholds. The danger, however, is that a benchmark that is meaningful for most companies may not be appropriate for some.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/benchmarks/by-the-numbers.aspx?rssLink=By+the+NumbersIt's been three years since we published an index of Benchmarks. This updated version is organized by topic and includes dates for any Benchmark column that discusses the topic.