Remodeling: Charitable Giving

Construction Industry Companies Donate to Hurricane Sandy Relief

Fri, 1 Mar 2013 01:36:40 EST

Simpson Strong-Tie and Honeywell are among the first companies to provide aid for storm recovery.

Habitat for Humanity’s ReStores: A Better Option than the Landfill

Fri, 8 Feb 2013 02:22:10 EST

Many remodelers involved in jobsite recycling partner with Habitat for Humanity and its chain of second-hand shops called ReStores.

No Real Recovery: GDP Grew Less Than 1% in First Half of 2011

Fri, 8 Feb 2013 12:12:55 EST

The weak recovery has been even more anemic than we thought. The news today should be that the nation's growth domestic product fell to 1.3%, which would have been the lowest since the recession ended. Instead, however, revisions to prior quarters' GDP darken the bigger picture. The first quarter, in particular, was just a disaster. Its growth rate was revised from a modest 1.9% to just 0.4%... The recession looks much deeper, with a 8.9% rate of contraction for the U.S. economy in the fourth quarter of 2008, instead of the 6.8% decline previously thought. The quarter that followed also looks worse than first estimated with a 6.7% contraction, instead of 4.9%.

Survey: Consumers Say Their Homes Are Only Minimally Green

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 11:57:07 EST

Three-quarters of homeowners believe that less than 25% of their home can be categorized as “green.”

May Storms Caused Up to $7 Billion in Insured Losses

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 11:54:27 EST

The thunderstorms and tornadoes that struck the U.S. at the end of May caused insured losses of $4 billion to $7 billion, according to a disaster-modeling firm.

Analysis: Insurers Face Big Losses From Weather Disasters

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 11:50:23 EST

Devastating tornadoes, floods, earthquakes overseas and a busier-than-usual hurricane season have U.S. insurance companies bracing for record losses in 2011. Insurers could suffer as much as $10 billion from weather-related losses in the United States in 2011, which is up from the average of $2 billion to $4 billion, according to EQECAT Inc., which provides disaster and risk models to insurance companies.

In Times of Trouble: Specialized Team Members a Plus for This Insurance Restoration Company

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 11:48:11 EST

A team of first-responders helps one insurance restoration company take care of more than just clients' fire-damaged homes.

Supply Chain Link in Low-Carb Construction

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 11:46:01 EST

As businesses grow and the climate in which we all work shifts, a company has to allow itself the flexibility of shifting right along with it. Think of the seismic forces of an earthquake. Buildings can be engineered to dynamically move with the forces. In a person, this can be equated to flexibility. Flexibility is a quality that allows for increased mobility. As a person ages and flexibility diminishes so does mobility. As a company ages, flexibility can diminish and mobility can shut down, sometimes completely. Companies that exercise their nature to be flexible remain mobile.

Majority of Builders, Consumers Perceive Reduced Prices on Materials Will Help Green Homes Become More Affordable

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 11:34:02 EST

"A recent survey finds that consumers and builders believe that reduced prices on building materials will help green homes become more affordable and that an increase in incentives for sustainable building and remodeling is needed. The survey, conducted on behalf of Whirlpool and Habitat for Humanity by the National Association of Home Builders Research Center, reported respondents' opinions on barriers to more affordable green building and how to overcome them." (PR Newswire)

Materials Exchange: Online Building Materials Exchange Site Looks to Expand

Fri, 8 Feb 2013 10:11:26 EST

A building materials exchange site for New York and North Carolina is looking to expand to other parts of the country.

Thinking Outside the Dumpster: Deconstruction and Recycling of Building Materials

Fri, 8 Feb 2013 10:07:07 EST

By collaborating with material-reuse groups now, remodelers can position themselves as leaders in a practice that homeowners will find increasingly attractive.

This Remodeler Is on a Community Roll

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 10:52:47 EST

Pine Street Carpenters' annual "100 Wheels Project" strengthens community ties and company spirit.

New Life for Old Building Materials

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 08:28:49 EST

Organizations say demand is up and supply down for products that can be reused and recycled.

Affordable Solar Installation

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 10:56:19 EST

Gayler Construction forms a community group to help provide cost-effective solar installations.

Solar for All

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 10:38:07 EST

A California program delivers solar power to low-income homeowners and involves local community and low-income groups in installing the product.

Boost Referrals by Making a 2% Difference

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 10:35:45 EST

Tips on building referrals from sales expert Lorna Riley at the Remodeling Leadership Conference.

30 Years of Business, 30 Days of Giving

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 10:32:03 EST

An unusual 30th anniversary celebration serves to remind the local community of one company's honesty, quality, and reliability.

Recyling Dell Computers

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 10:22:48 EST

Dell is making it easier for small businesses to donate and recycle old computers.

The Economics of Deconstruction

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 10:17:14 EST

Deconstruction prevents waste from being sent to landfills, and clients receive tax credits that may off-set the cost.

Green Kitchen Design

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 10:16:57 EST

This Tucson, Ariz., kitchen design shows that paying attention to basic principles of green design -- reusing, recycling, and repurposing -- can have beautiful results.