Features

Before + After

Business How-To

  • Good Word

    It takes work to create a referral reward system and work to sustain it. But the experience of many contractors shows that a well-designed and consistently managed system regularly yields leads.

     

Big50 Awards

  • The 2011 Big50

    Learn from the best practices of these 50 companies, which managed to thrive, despite tough economic odds.

     

First Word

  • What & Who, Then How

    Lately remodelers have been asking about marketing. They want to know what’s working and what’s not. Good questions, but they’re about tactics, and the answers depend on your marketing strategy. And that depends on what you’re selling and who you want to sell it to.

     

Dashboard

  • Abating Chinese Drywall

    The National Association of Home Builders and the Consumer Product Safety Commission have opposing views about dealing with wiring contaminated by the drywall.

     

  • Borrowed Time

    On June 16, 2011, OSHA's temporary compliance guideline will expire. Here's what residential contractors and remodelers need to know about compliance.

     

Opinion

Guest Columnist

  • Reap What You Sow

    Victoria Downing: Building an operating budget is the first step toward making the money you want.

     

  • Press 1 for Sales

    Geoff Graham: Everything you do signals your business priorities. So don't underestimate the importance of paying attention to the little things that make for a positive experience with your company.

     

  • Affecting Change

    Allison Iantosca: A gentle nudge can be more powerful than a raised voice when it comes to getting employees to change their work habits.

     

  • Staying Nimble

    Bruce Case: In a still-shaky economy, your business agility depends on having a range of available options.

     

  • The Customer Is Not Always Right

    Paul Winans: Be flexible in your business with clients, but hold fast to your best practices.

     

Your Business

  • Flat Out Easy

    2-D barcodes are a snap to create on your own using Q-R Code Generator by Kaywa.

     

  • Early Bird

    A one-time shift in payment schedules can add to a remodeler's bottom line.

     

  • Banking on Work

    Jasco Construction Services works with banks and new owners on maintaining and completing abandoned new-home projects.

     

Benchmark

  • It’s All Relative

    We take a look at how the profitability, growth rate, and productivity (among other things) of the 2011 Big50 stack up against Big50 from years past.

     

ByLaw

  • Comply to Thrive

    Build compliance into your operations and create partnerships with regulators to minimize government interference in your business.

     

Your Clients

  • Recasting the Web

    Chris Wright and Denny Connor called in professionals to help each retool his company's website.

     

Sales School

  • Path to Follow

    Sales coach Don Cooper recommends answering these specific questions to help you create a sales road map for your company.

     

Your Team

Your Projects

  • Curve Appeal

    Follow the steps taken to create an elliptical porch overhang for a Georgian Colonial home.

     

K+B

  • Survey Says

    RICKI surveys its panel of kitchen professionals about their business in 2010 and plans for 2011.

     

  • Catering to Convenience

    Remodeler’s niche is completing bathrooms in a week, with plans to build a franchise from this business model.

     

Home Performance

  • Point, Click, Green

    Regreen's interactive online tool provides help with green building strategies.

     

Products

Home Performance

  • Imperfections Can’t Hide

    Even at an entry-level price point, the i3 thermal imaging camera doesn't skimp on features.

     

  • See It All

    Three attachments and an image rotation feature make this camera ideal for diagnosing home performance problems in tight spaces.

     

  • Hot Shot

    Locate hot spots or cold drafty areas with the 2265-20 Laser Temp-Gun.

     

  • Zip & Flip

    Seal off RRP project dust from the rest of the house with a zip of the RRP Doorway.

     

  • Warming Trend

    Low, infrared heat allows the Silent Paint Remover to help remove lead paint at a safe temperature.

     

  • Strip Search

    Test for the presence of lead or lead-chromate paint in 13 minutes or less with D-Lead Paint Test Kits.

     

Good Form

  • Taking Charge

    College City Design-Build creates goals for each salesperson and holds its salespeople accountable for achieving those goals.