Table of Contents 2012

Features

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  Where's Waldo? Finding Those Homeowners Who Are Most Likely to Remodel

  The more data you have about a household and the more focused you are in marketing, the more effective your campaign will be and the more leads will flow your way.

   
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  Top 100 Markets

  REMODELING magazine's second annual forecast of the top 100 remodeling markets in the U.S.

   
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  Housing 360: Research on Attitudes to Homeownership

  A report on attitudes to homeownership shows that owning a home and remodling it are still important to homeowners, despite the down economy.

   
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  City Watch

  From the Top 100 Markets list, we take a closer look at the 20 best-performing markets in the U.S.

   

Before + After

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  Deep Green

  This LEED Platinum renovation has a long-range goal: to ensure the building's adaptability for the needs of future homeowners.

   

Business How-To

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  Show & Tell

  Tips for making exhibiting at a home show a successful part of your marketing plan.

   

First Word

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  Diving for Data

  Remodeling forecasts offer useful data, but remember: the best remodeling forecast comes from your past work.

   

Dashboard

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  Remodel Ready?

  Housing 360 research indicates that prospects for remodeling are looking up.

   

Opinion

Shawn McCadden

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  The Bigger Picture

  When it comes down to it, no one enjoys being micromanaged, and it limits employee effectiveness. Here are tips for kicking the micromanagement habit.

   

Guest Columnist

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  Avoid the Vortex

  LESLIE SHINER AND MELANIE HODGDON: Think about how you want to be notified about urgent situations and

   
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  Building on Trust

  LES CUNNINGHAM: Adjusting to the new normal of a difficult economy means work is harder to come by, but if clients trust you and your company's professionalism, the jobs will come.

   
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  What the Heck Is a Team Player?

  TED CUSHMAN: Construction requires teamwork. So what does it take to create a successful team?

   
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  Recovery Time

  BRUCE CASE: Make sure your marketing, team, sales processes, and regulatory compliance are in order for the busier times to come.

   
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  Options

  GREG ANTONIOLI: There's no one path to remodeling glory. To help close the sale, offer prospects options for their remodel, such as phasing the project.

   

• Everything New Is Old Again

  PEGGY FISHER: Contemporary design isn't for everyone. Be sensitive to your clients' needs and wants.

   
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  Occupy This!

  MICHAEL ANSCHEL: A call for remodelers to do more than passively complain; it's time to become a force of change.

   
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  Likeable Expert

  ALLISON IANTOSCA: Creating a higher profile in the community can make you better known as a "likeable expert" and lead to more clients.

   
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  Science + Building

  CARL SEVILLE: Rather than being an afterthought or sideline to a remodeling project, building science should be integral to every remodel, right from the beginning of the process.

   
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  Head Start

  PAUL WINANS: Rework, reward, renew, and remember — to get business moving again.

   

Your Business

• Orderly Change

  Collecting payment for change orders isn't difficult, as long as you have a clear process and you make clients aware of it early in the remodeling process.

   
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  Paper Chase

  It pays to keep office paperwork organized and to know which documents to keep and which to shred.

   
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  Remodeling Hieroglyphics

  A clear, consistent job ID convention can limit confusion and put a wealth of useful information at your fingertips.

   
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  RRP Compliance

  There are pros and cons to states taking on the enforcement role of the Environmental Protection Agency's lead rule.

   
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  Off the Hook

  The IRS applies some commonsense and simplifies its rules for business cell phone use, which means reduced paperwork and hassle for business owners and their employees.

   
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  Show ’em the Money

  Orderly records will help make for a smooth, quick workers' compensation audit each year.

   

Tech@Work

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  In the Flow

  Free and inexpensive webware to help you create flowcharts.

   

Benchmark

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  Benchmark: Food for Thought

  If you're looking for business principles to guide you through the new normal, food trucks offer some valuable lessons for running a lean, successful operation.

   
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  Data Dream

  Website data can show you why people look for your website, how they find it, and what they do when they get there. And using Google Analytics can get you that information — for free.

   

ByLaw

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  ByLaw: Change Order? Get It in Writing

  Remodelers can save themselves a lot of trouble by ensuring that they define a clear change-order process and closely adhere to it.

   
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  Showroom Closing

  Check your state's laws to see if you must offer a notice of rescission for a showroom sale.

   

Your Clients

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  Lead-Gen Lesson

  One remodeler is proactive in instructing his clients on how to refer their friends and family.

   
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  Local Barter

  A marketing campaign that generates buzz and benefits other businesses as well.

   
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  Taste Test

  Remodelers can face a dilemma when a client asks for a project that is tasteless or is on the verge of violating code.

   
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  Lead Equation

  How one remodeler has garnered a variety of leads for both commerical and residential work.

   
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  Taste Sensation

  Hosting wine tastings and other events at its office helps this remodeling company build brand and community.

   
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  Branding, Bag by Bag

  Spreading your brand with reusable shopping bags — not just good for branding your company, but affordable and good for the environment, too.

   
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  Lists Serve

  New homeowners can be a good source of remodeling leads. Subscribing to a new-homeowner list service can be one way to find out who they are.

   

Customer Service

• At Your Service: Unsung Heroes

  Don't underestimate the importance of building trust with your clients. Here's an example of an exemplary relationship between job superintendent and client.

   

Your Team

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  We Are Family

  ANDY HANNAN: Hiring the right employees and emphasizing customer service helps maintain company culture in the field and ensures customer satisfaction.

   
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  Mind the Gap

  At Landis Construction, teaching English to field workers has improved efficiency and boosted employee confidence.

   
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  Continuing Ed

  The National Association of the Remodeling Industry continues to help raise the bar of professionalism in the remodeling industry with its Certified Remodeler Project Manager program.

   
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  Knowledge Required

  VICTORIA DOWNING: Remodelers running shoddy businesses have done enough damage to the industry. If you don't know how to run a reputable, professional business, maybe it's time to leave remodeling.

   
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  Training Ground

  Mentoring interns is good for the industry, and good for your company.

   
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  Change Is in Order

  TIM FALLER: Should you ask your lead carpenter to estimate and present change orders?

   
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  Recession-Proof Bonus

  Even during a recession, bonuses and good benefits for employees help this remodeler retain talented staff.

   
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  Train to Gain

  VICTORIA DOWNING: Tips on inexpensive training resources that can make a difference to your business success.

   
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  Hire Calling

  Handy hiring tips gleaned from LinkedIn's Construction Business Owner's Group.

   

Your Projects

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  Digging It: Basement Remodel

  Excavation and a small addition to a basement provide light and space for all the homeowner's activities.

   
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  Getting the Picture

  Photo editing helps your clients visualize upgrades and changes and can also help with the selections process.

   

K+B

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  Goodbye, Thin Brown Line: Wilsonart Laminate Countertop Decorative Edges

  Eliminate the telltale "brown line" from laminate countertops with two new decorative edge options.

   
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  Tight Radius: VT Pencil Edge Profile

  Achieve the tight radius usually seen on granite countertops in laminate with VT's new edge finish.

   
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  Lava Lure: Pyrolave Volvic Lava Stone Surfaces

  Able to withstand high temperatures, acid, and corrosion, these enameled lava stone countertops add as much durability to a kitchen or bath as they do style.

   
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  The Look for Less

  J. Aaron introduces lower-cost traditional and DIY wood countertop options that let customers save upward of 40%.

   

Home Performance

Products

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  Pipe Dream

  Smart wireless sensors and fast-acting controllers detect water line leaks and prevent damage.

   
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  Sleeker Soaker

  Tapered inside walls are the secret to creating a bathtub that uses less water while maintaining comfort.

   
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  Efficient Comfort

  This high-efficiency humidifier evaporates 100% of the water it uses, according to the maker.

   
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  Water Better

  Upgrade your rain barrel to a water collection, storage, and reuse system from 1,000 to 10,000 gallons.

   
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  Power Washer

  Specially designed filters help the newest Gold series dishwashers use half the water and energy compared with 2006 models.

   

Products

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  Trim-Tex Offers Two New Finishing Solutions

  These drywall finishing accessories promise smooth finishes and crisp transitions.

   
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  Great Vintage: BR-111 Zinfandel Tigerwood Engineered Wood Flooring

  A rich finish complements the attractive Tigerwood graining of this engineered wood flooring option..

   
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  Lodge Look: Ozark Natural Paneling

  Nevermind the old plasticky paneling of decades past. Ozark Natural Paneling adds warmth with natural solid wood boards.

   
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  Tough Talk: Foam Factory Polystyrene Foam Moldings and Millwork

  Moldings, columns, and trim products constructed from strong 1.5-pound foam feature a tough finish for long-lasting style.

   
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  Stone Cold Style: Armstrong Alterna Reserve Luxury Vinyl Tile

  A range of pattern variations and advanced imaging offer a true stone look in vinyl flooring.

   
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  A Step in the Right Direction

  A new product for staircase refinishing from StairCasing is both quicker and more economical than traditional refinishing methods.

   
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  Clear View: Genova Products Genovations Glass Railing

  Add safety without impeding views with Genovations glass railings.

   
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  Burn Notice: LP FlameBlock Fire-Rated OSB

  Meet code in row houses, multifamily dwellings, and other buildings using FlameBlock fire-rated OSB for structural strength and fire protection in one.

   
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  Need a Lift? Kolbe & Kolbe Ultra Series TerraSpan Lift & Slide Doors

  Even with panels as large as 6x10 feet, TerraSpan doors are wind- and impact-rated for storm-prone areas.

   
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  Gentle Style: Kichler Arminda Collection

  Graceful lines create a delicate aesthetic for this lighting collection.

   

Other Articles

• OSHA Extends Temporary Enforcement of Fall Protection

   
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  Helping Clients Pay

  Why is it that car dealers offer financing and remodelers don't? Dino Andreakos, co-owner of Bullfrog Builders, in College Point, N.Y., spoke with Remodeling about this and other issues related to financing.

   
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  Financing Today: An Interview With Bruce Pinsler

  Remodeler Bruce Pinsler shares his insight on offering financing.

   
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  12 New Products From IBS 2012 - Day 1

  A dozen new products from chemical companies, exterior products manufacturers, interior finish and fixture suppliers, and many more.

   
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  Better Living Through Design: An Interview With Jeanne Anthony

  AARP's Jeanne Anthony discusses the challenges of universal design and how remodelers can help educate consumers and create a business niche for themselves.

   
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  Generations at Work: An Interview With Meagan & Larry Johnson

  A father-daughter team addresses workplace communication for a range of age groups.

   

• Residential Remodeling Index: Remodeling Hit Bottom in 2011

  The January 2012 Residential Remodeling Index (RRI) shows that overall remodeling activity declined 4 percent in 2011 compared with 2010. The revised data series, which is completely refreshed each quarter, reveals a slightly lower than anticipated bottom in the fourth quarter of 2011. This “second...

   
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  Universal Design: An Interview With Richard Duncan

  Richard Duncan is the executive director of the RL Mace Universal Design Institute, a nonprofit organization based in North Carolina dedicated to promoting the concept and practice of accessible and universal design.

   
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  Connect With Your Clients: An Interview With Chris Marentis

  Using social media to attract your ideal clients.

   
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  I Can(’t) Relate: An Interview With Colette Carlson

  You won’t get far trying to sell to women and men the same way. Here’s why.

   
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  Not to Be Ignored: An Interview With Attorney D.S. Berenson

  Construction law attorney D.S. Berenson highlights the top legal issues of concern to remodelers today.

   

• Positive Note for End of 2012 Remodeling Activity

  Outlook for housing industry momentum in second half of year.

   

• Two-Month Tax Cut Extension

  A temporary extension of the 2011 2% tax cut.