Features

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    Central Intelligence

    The Building America Solution Center website will provide easy to find, updated information about energy-efficiency practices.

     
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    Coming to Grips With Sandy

    Long Island remodelers took a direct hit from the hurricane. Now theyíre in the front lines of the recovery.

     

Before + After

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    Sea Change

    Breathing new life and modern convenience into an innís steam-age floor plan to bring the building in line with the needs of a single family.

     

Wage + Benefit Survey

  • * The location quotient is the ratio of the area concentration of occupational employment to the national average concentration. A location quotient greater than 1 indicates the occupation has a higher share of employment than average, and a location quotient less than 1 indicates that the occupation is less prevalent in the area than average.

    Wages on Hold

    Hourly wages and salaries begin to increase, but inflation is eating into buying power.

     
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    Wage + Benefits Survey

    Wages and benefits for employees may be down, but companies are beginning to hire again.

     
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    What’s Offered, What’s Not

    Though remodeling companies' benefit packages may have shrunk during the recession, they're still important to retain good staff.

     

Business How-To

  • Trash Talk

    Jobsite recycling is an idea whose time has come. Here are some tips to help you set up your company's recycling program.

     

First Word

  • Weighing In

    In your business -- just like with managing your weight -- what gets measured gets managed. So watch your metrics.

     

  • Seeing & Believing

    When it comes to energy retrofits, building science is key. But the business aspects are equally important.

     

Dashboard

Opinion

  • At Home With Automation

    Even features that seems small -- such as lights turning on automatically -- can make a big impact for users.

     
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    The Ideal Estimator

    Industry consultant Paul Winans discusses how to use the DISC personality profile to find the ideal estimator.

     

  • C.R.A.P.

    Blogger Paul Winans talks about how the remodeler of his home consistently paid attention to detail to deliver an outstanding remodeling experience.

     

  • The Notable & Quotable: 21 of Our Editors’ Favorite Quotes of 2012

    Our editors picks of 2012's notable quotes.

     

  • Honoring Your Employees

    DuKate Fine Remodeling office manager Kathy Shertzer suggests some holiday gift ideas on a budget.

     
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    No Debt About It

    Veteran remodeler and consultant Paul Winans blogs about ways to eliminate debt in your business.

     

  • Five Rules

    Paul Winans offers insight on keeping up your spirits, and lifting the spirits of those around you in the process.

     

Guest Columnist

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    Note the Difference

    Remodeling industry consultant Paul Winans offers some suggestions to improve your business.

     

  • Social Media Is the Softer Side of Selling

    Social media gives remodelers the chance to build their brand and talk about their work rather than about themselves. It's a softer sell, but no less effective.

     

  • The Subcontractor Relationship

    Blogger Kathy Shertzer discusses the importance of creating friendships and building trust with your subcontractors.

     

  • Making a New Year’s Resolution: Remodel!

    Paul Winans encourages remodelers to tap the New Year urge to improve by getting homeowners inspired to remodel their homes.

     

  • Celebrating Your Communities

    Paul Winans talks about the tradition of having a holiday party and the responsibility of business owners to their community.

     

  • Voted off the Island

    When remodeling, keep the client's future needs in mind -- even those needs that they don't yet anticipate (like keeping the dining room).

     
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    Protecting Your Profit

    It's OK to trust your employees, but it's more important to have systems and controls in place that will prevent employees from getting away with stealing from you.

     

  • Green Challenge

    You owe it to your clients to be knowledgeable about energy-efficient upgrades so you can offer relevant home-performance upgrades for their home.

     
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    The Sum of Their Parts

    Victoria Downing discusses what character traits successful remodeling company owners have in common.

     
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    Prime Mover

    Colette Carlson on selling to married couples -- usually it's the wife who is the heavy lifter in that sales process.

     

  • Health Care in 2013

    An outline of which Obamacare measures to be implemented in 2013 may affect your businesses.

     

  • The Winter of Our Content

    Jim Rafferty stresses that, more and more, it not just about who you are, it's all about what you can deliver.

     

Your Business

  • EPA Fines Nebraska Exterior Replacement Company

    Renovation company agrees to pay $6,188 penalty for failing to notify customers about lead paint risks prior to starting remodeling work.

     
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    Crossing Borders

    Ken Bloom from Kitchens by Ken, of Philadelphia, offers advice on working with clients who live out of state.

     

  • Daily Drill

    A quick morning meeting keeps managers on track, improving communication and efficiency.

     
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    A Word to the Wise

    Nuggets of wisdome received over the years.

     
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    Email Overload

    Are consumers suffering from email marketing overload? Tips for managing your email list and making it a more effective marketing tool.

     

  • Update on Health Exchanges

    What has your state decided about the new marketplace for purchasing health insurance?

     

  • NACRA: New Industry Association Takes Shape

    The North American Contractors and Remodelers Association is a new association for small contractors that hopes to offer lead generation services and more.

     

Your Clients

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    Wire Verification

    A pre-drywall inspection confirms the location of switches and outlets on the project.

     

  • Past Imperfection

    The way a remodeler dealt with an imperfection in work just completed, helped the client trust the company even more.

     
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    Get Real

    Using this cheat sheet helps establish a protocol for discussing a realistic budget with clients.

     
  • The company sent a save the date email, then mailed about 200 invitations. One hundred and twenty five people attended the party, which took place in the companys office and on a large adjacent terrace.

    Silver Celebration

    A remodeler celebrates with a party and a new logo -- and the occasion comes to mean more than just a marketing event.

     
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    Going Viral

    Dan Glickman shows how providing memorable service will have your clients spreading the word about your company.

     
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    The Long Hello

    Make things simple for website visitors to choose you as their remodeler: build your brand as a trusted resource.

     
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    Power of Suggestion

    What to think about before your remodeling company refers a service provider over the phone.

     

Your Team

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    Clean Up Your Act for Employee Health

    During cold and flu season, take a moment to consider your office cleaning strategy and keep employees healthy.

     

  • Workflow Options

    Managing production flow to ensure less employee stress and limit your financial loss from a jammed production pipeline.

     

  • Safe House

    The steps one remodeler takes to ensure that his crews and subcontractors are safe on site.

     
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    Laws of Attraction

    Consultant Grant Mazmanian offers advice on crafting effective employment ads that get you quality job applicants.

     

Your Projects

K+B

  • Power Pop

    Solution for a GFCI electrical outlet code location requirement.

     
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    Upgrade Kitchen Knowledge

    Product and material improvements enhance projects -- and, more importantly, your clients' lives. The more you know about new products, the easier it will be to sell your services.

     

  • Cabinet Demand

    Freedonia Group study forecasts annual rise of 8.2% for cabinet sales, to reach $15.3 billion in 2016.

     
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    Measuring Up

    The Kitchen Sync's Kelly Morisseau writes that linear foot measurements should be a thing of the past.

     

Spec Book

Products

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    Game of Thrones

    New features and styles reign over the most important room in the house.

     

Home Performance

  • Great PHit

    An interview with architect Tim Eian, who designed the first North American remodeled house meeting EnerPHit standards.

     
  • Tom Kelly, company president at Neil Kelly, in Portland, Ore.

    Case Study: Neil Kelly’s High-Energy Growth

    In Portland, Ore., Neil Kelly's home performance division sees 109% annualized growth in six years.

     
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    Renewable Reach

    Though there may be an increased interest in wind turbines among homeowners, incentives are required if the market is to gain momentum.

     
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    A New Leaf

    Nature inspires an innovative new shape and installation for solar collectors.

     

Products

Products

In Focus

Good Form

  • Head of the Class

    Kevin Ahern shares his 29-page outline for a class on understanding the remodeling process that he teaches to consumers.

     
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    No Regrets

    Meeting with clients to review the position of switches, outlets, and other items before drywall is installed.

     

Other Articles