Table of Contents December 2008

FEATURES

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  Homeowner Seminars

  Homeowner seminars offer a way to position yourself as an expert and to boost leads as well.

   

Wage and Benefit Survey

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  Remodelers Lay Out Strategies for Avoiding Layoffs

  Dramatic business drop-off has some remodeling companies taking extreme measures to stay solvent.

   
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  The Importance of Benefits

  Comprehensive benefits packages can be the key to attracting quality employees to your team.

   
• 

  Introduction to REMODELING's 2008 Wage & Benefit Survey

  More than 300 remodelers completed REMODELING's 2008 Wage & Benefit Survey.

   

VIEW POINT

FIRST WORD

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  Heeding the Signs of a Stalled Economy

  Regardless of whether you still have work, the market is changing, and to ignore those changes is dangerous for your company.

   

Dot Comment

• You're Not Alone: Online Resources for Remodelers

  In a tough economy, turn to the Remodeling Online blogs and forums for advice and industry insights from your peers.

   

News + Notes

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  Not to Be Ignored: EPA Lead Paint Regulations

  If you work in homes built prior to 1978, EPA lead paint regulations affect you.

   

Local Forecast

• A Las Vegas Remodeler Turns to the Foreclosure Market for Potential Leads

  In Las Vegas, a veteran remodeling company is working with real estate agents to tap into the foreclosure market.

   

MARKET WATCH

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  Industry Facts and Figures

  Facts and figures about the remodeling industry.

   
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  LIRA Shows Continued Decline in Homeowner Improvement Spending

  The third-quarter release of the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) predicts that homeowner improvement spending will decline at an annual rate of 12% by the second quarter of 2009.

   

COMMENTARY

LINDA CASE

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  Never Have Aggressive Budgeting and a Detailed Marketing Plan Been So Important

  Linda Case identifies strategies for surviving 2009 by developing a realistic budget and targeted marketing plan.

   

MARK RICHARDSON

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  New Ways of Going to Market

  There is opportunity in today's tough economic climate if you proactively seek new ways of going to market.

   

SHAWN MCCADDEN

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  Business as Usual Won't Get You Through This Recession

  Remodeling consultant Shawn McCadden outlines the key psychological advantage that helped his company emerge stronger from the last major remodeling recession.

   

YOUR BUSINESS

Sales and Marketing

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  Turn the Negative News Cycle in Reverse and Get Homeowners to Remodel

  Successful strategies for creating positive news that gives homeowners the confidence to remodel.

   
• 

  Tips for Moving Prospective Buyers Off the Fence — Quickly

  Sandler Systems CEO, Dave Mattson, explains the psychology behind, and antidotes to, slower remodeling buying decisions.

   

BOTTOM LINE

• Reach Out to Past Clients

  Mining your most reliable source — your past clients — for potential leads.

   
• 

  Factoring Gets You Cash Quickly, But at a Price

  Factoring companies allow small businesses to get cash within a matter of days, but you must consider the risks, too.

   

BY DESIGN

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  Basement Design Ideas

  Actual and visual techniques to make a basement feel more spacious.

   

FIELD NOTES

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  Field Crew "Try Outs" Minimize Costly Hiring Mistakes

  An emerging trend in construction hiring: paid, on-the-job "try outs," with no obligation to offer the permanent position.

   
• 

  Coach Your Field Staff, and Don't Dominate Them

  When managers return to the field after a long absence, they must respect the existing chain of command — and not undermine it.

   
• 

  Tips for Making Rate-Cut Requests a Win-Win with Trade Contractors

  In the tighter economy, remodelers are asking trade contractors to shave costs. The key is to communicate why — and what's in it for them.

   

GOOD FORM

• Lead Tracking Plus

  Analyze the effectiveness of your marketing strategies using this in-depth lead tracking spreadsheet.

   

Tech at Work

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  A Way to Better Connect With Customers, Subcontractors, and Suppliers

  MyOnlineToolbox is an online application that helps organize the daily business of remodelers and contractors.

   
• 

  Great iPhone Applications for Remodelers

  These iPhone apps are great for remodelers, architects, and other construction-related businesspeople.

   

Ways + Means

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  'Free Gift' Sales Method May Be Costly

  Be wary when using the "free-gift" sales methodology and be aware that state laws about free gifts vary.

   
• 

  Remodeling Company Owners Who Work in the Field

  It's possible to swing a hammer and still run a thriving, profitable business without going crazy.

   
• 

  Finding a Financial Planner

  What to expect when you're seeking a financial planner and how to find one that's a good fit for your company.

   
• 

  Performance Reviews and Compensation Questions

  Victoria Downing of Remodelers Advantage Roundtables asks remodelers whether they discuss compensation with employees during the performance review or hold it for a second meeting.

   

BIG50

CLOSE UP

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  Big50 CloseUp: David Tyson

  David Tyson's Charlotte, N.C., company is getting set for growth.

   

SECOND LOOK

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  SecondLook: Steven Whitlock

  This long-lived remodeling firm mixes custom home building, remodeling, and excellent customer service to keep the company going.

   

SOLUTIONS

• Q+A: Do You Raise or Lower Prices or Bids Based on Economic Conditions?

  This Q&A with Big50 remodelers asks how the economy affects their pricing and bidding.

   

KITCHEN AND BATH

SPEC BOOK

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  New Products From Toilet Manufacturers American Standard, Caroma, Kohler, and Laufen.

  New products from American Standard, Caroma, Kohler, and Laufen

   

Management

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  Residential Design Book About Accessibility

  New book to help designers create homes that allow homeowners to age in place.

   
• 

  Accessibility Showroom

  A new showroom offers products and installations for aging clients and those with disabilities.

   

SUSTAINABILITY

GREEN SPEAK

• Recyling Dell Computers

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

   
• 

  HIRI Green Home Improvement Survey

  Survey with insights into how green issues affect consumers' attitudes and behaviors in home improvement

   

GREEN SPEC

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  New Green Products for the Remodeling Market

  Green products from WaterFurnace, Eco-Heater, Danze, and iLevel by Weyerhaeuser.

   

PRODUCTS

FIRST LOOK

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  New Products for Remodelers From Bosch, HomeCrest Cabinetry, Atlantic Premium Shutters, and 2BenchSolutions.

  New products from Bosch, HomeCrest Cabinetry, Atlantic Premium Shutters, and 2BenchSolutions.

   

IN FOCUS

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  Jobsite Safety Products and Worker Gear

  Jobsite safety products and worker gear from Gateway Safety, Capital Safety, North Safety, and Timberland Pro.

   
• 

  Rough Hardware Products for Remodelers

  Rough hardware products from Duo-Fast, LE Johnson, Arcus, and Ridgid.

   
• 

  Trucks and Accessories for Remodelers

  New model year designs and high-tech accessories can help improve your truck fleet.

   

TRENDS

• 

  Advances in Thermostat Technology

  New technology makes thermostat operation easier and more precise for homeowners and remodelers.

   

LAST WORD

Bench Mark

• Cutting Costs

  By now your 2009 budget should be nearly complete — how does it look? Are you making the money you, as owner, need to make?