Features

Before + After

Cost vs. Value Report

  • Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report 2011-12

    A sluggish housing market continues to affect remodeling return on investment, but the rate of decline is slowing, and some markets are showing signs of a recovery.

     

Business How-To

  • Checks & Balances

    Business How-To: Is outsourcing payroll right for your company? Experts weigh in.

     

First Word

  • Emotional Rescue

    The Cost vs. Value Report is all about return on investment for a selection of remodeling projects. But what about the client's emotional ROI? That's what will win you repeat and referral work.

     

Dashboard

  • Outside Is In

    When it comes to ROI, these projects have held the top positions in the Cost vs. Value Report over the past decade.

     

  • Industry Snapshot

    New report from the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association tracks the size of the U.S. wood-based residential cabinet market.

     

  • RRI — Flat Forecast

    The Residential Remodeling Index from Hanley Wood shows remodeling activity will be slow in most parts of the U.S., with some exceptions.

     

  • A Cloudy Outlook for 2012?

    Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) data indicate that the short-term outlook doesn't offer a clear sense of recovery.

     

Opinion

Guest Columnist

  • Moving On?

    IRIS HARRELL: For Harrell Remodeling, an Employee Stock Ownership Plan made sense for ensuring that the company could continue after owner Iris Harrell began to ease out of the business.

     

  • Risky Business

    MELANIE HODGDON AND LESLIE SHINER: How to come up with a sale price that includes the risk calculated for the job.

     

  • Success With Subcontractors

    TIM FALLER: Communication is key to working successfully with subcontractors and keeping clients happy with your team.

     

  • Stress Buster

    VICTORIA DOWNING: In these tough times, exercise is an effective way to relieve stress. Physical activity calms the mind and helps you sleep better, feel better, and stay focused.

     

  • Adapt & Thrive

    TED CUSHMAN: Unless you are flexible, innovate, and adapt to the new economic circumstances, you risk extinction. Just like the dinosaurs.

     

  • Green From the Start

    CARL SEVILLE: It takes only a bit of extra effort to create a truly sustainable remodel. And that effort is worth it, both in terms of client satisfaction and the benefit to the environment.

     

Your Business

  • The Advocate

    Tips for remodelers working with insurance companies on disaster restoration projects.

     

  • Power to the People

    The local event spurred the creation of an advisory committee that is advocating for small-business-friendly legislation, regulation, and tax policy.

     

  • First Contact

    Content and delivery count, so take care crafting your voice mail greeting and respond quickly to all calls. These days, customers expect instant access.

     

  • Purchase Plan

    A unique arrangement provides a former company owner with an active role in the business after its sale.

     

Tech@Work

  • Apply Yourself

    Three remodeler-friendly apps for you smartphone: BuildCalc, BeamBuddy, and DesignEasy Joists.

     

Benchmark

  • Benchmark: KISS Dashboard

    Too much information and too much complexity can undermine the usefulness of your company "dashboard." It's best to keep it short and simple.

     

ByLaw

  • Next up: Installers on Strike?

    Remodelers doing over $500,000 in annual volume must post the new notice of employees labor rights in a conspicuous location.

     

Your Clients

  • Client Point-of-View: Set at Ease

    How one remodeler's top-notch customer service turned an apprehensive couple into clients for life.

     

  • Constant Contact

    Tips for keeping clients happy and coming back from more remodeling work over the years.

     

  • Reality Bytes

    More like a photo than a rendering, New England Design and Construction's use of 3ds Max for client presentations allows the remodeler to give clients an accurate idea of how their remodel will look.

     

  • Blog Jam

    Boston Green Building's revamped blog has caused a jump in site traffic. See what changes made all the difference.

     

  • A Rewarding Experience

    Gift cards make great rewards for clients and employees. Make them more memorable by adding your own company logo or job photo.

     

  • Material Matters

    Working with clients who want to purchase their own products — it can be done. More remodelers are going with the trend, but with systems in place so the process goes smoothly.

     

Your Team

  • Trade Up

    The ABC Western New York region, in conjunction with the Boy Scouts of America, has created an Explorer program dedicated to helping young people learn about employment in the skilled trades.

     

  • Cross-Training

    Time spent at other remodeling companies helps next-generation remodelers gain insight and learn more about running a remodeling business.

     

  • Contractor or Employee?

    An outline of the federal government's rules for classifying employees.

     

Your Projects

  • Privacy, Please

    Creating a cozy alcove for a small desk or hobby area on a upstairs landing.

     

  • Saving Old Windows

    An effort is afoot by the Window Preservation Standards Collaborative to create standards for repairing and maintaining old windows.

     

  • Exterior Expression

    Using Ply Gem's Designed Exterior package, Case Design/Remodeling does a total facelift for a retired Army veteran.

     

  • Grand Prize Giveaway

    For Capstone General Contracting, an online bathroom giveaway contest proves to be a creative and relatively inexpensive marketing idea to gain Facebook fans and promote the company.

     

  • Flight Flare

    Curved stairs can add a touch of modern drama to homes. Here are some examples.

     

K+B

  • Kitchen Little

    Several companies make compact kitchens ideal for lofts, apartments, or other living arrangements where space is at a premium.

     

  • Fire Seen

    A master bath remodel that combines earth, fire, and water.

     

Products

Home Performance

  • Watershed Moment

    The University of Maryland won first place in the Solar Decathlon with its WaterShed house, which is designed to also help preserve watersheds.

     

  • Spreading the Green

    For a fee, this Florida-based green building franchise offers to help remodelers go green with a strong brand and business coaching.

     

Products

  • Power Windows

    Pythagoras Solar's photovoltaic glass units combine low-E selective glass with integral PV cells and optics.

     

Products