Remodeling Magazine

Profile: Tom Glass, Glass Construction, Washington, D.C.

Tom Glass parlayed his passion for historic buildings into a specialty remodeling company.
Growing Your Company by Acquisition

Tom Kelly is no novice when it comes to buying other businesses. Two decades ago, the Portland, Ore.–based Neil Kelly Co. acquired a kitchen and bath dealership in nearby Beaverton.
Helping Employees Navigate Personal Challenges Without Undermining the Company

Troubled employees merit help, but not at the risk of the company overall.
From Nondescript Ranch to Object of Beauty

Art-world connections help transform a nondescript ranch into an object of beauty.
Modernist Makeover With Internation Flair

Ten years ago, when S+H Construction, of Cambridge, Mass., renovated the exterior of this house, the homeowners’ choice of peach paint stood out in a sea of conservative grays and browns in the Harvard Square neighborhood.

A Floor Window Captures the View Below

To capture the view of a stream, the architect of this remodel designed a glass floor that hovers above the water feature.

Acclimate to Market Shifts by Diversifying

Years ago there was a great TV commercial where a bunch of old men are sitting around a dusty table. One stands up, pounds his fist, and announces, “This is the way we have been doing it for years, and we are not about to change,” just as the head of a seated compatriot hits the table — the man...
Provide Protected Time for Your Production Managers

I recently attended a meeting of production managers from around the country and was reminded of the importance of this position. Focusing on supporting your production manager is one of the strongest moves you can make during these challenging times.
Support Your Employees

One of your most important roles as owner is managing your employees and providing the support they need to succeed at their jobs. This isn’t a touchy feely New Age concept. You don’t need surveys or evaluations to tell you that happy employees perform better.
Floor Level Changes Enhance Spatial Experience

In the last couple of decades we’ve become more sensitive to the challenges posed by steps to those who are mobility impaired, but there are still many situations in which a change of level is desirable to create a particular spatial effect.

Q&A with Michael Silverman, Criteria HiFi

Based in Naples, Fla., Criteria HiFi is a $5 million audio/video contractor specializing in high-end integrated systems. The company has 62 employees and five locations around the country. A 31-year veteran of the A/V industry, owner Michael Silverman made a foray into the interior design industry...

Using Video Ads for Recruiting

Bel Air Construction is using a novel approach in its quest to fill three sales positions. Hoping to attract more qualified, serious applicants, the Jarrettsville, Md., design/build firm created a want ad video for its Web site.
Connecting With Upscale Clients Through Art-Related Events

Philip Guarino was intrigued by an idea he read about in an Italian publication: High-end Italian retailers are showcasing work by local artists to entice customers to come into their stores.
Closely Monitoring Marketing to Generate Leads That Offer Best Fit

Five-year-old Heritage Construction Services, in Houston, has all the work it wants, but founder and president Jeff Hunt wouldn’t change his sales approach even if that weren’t the case. It’s not because Hunt tries to close as many sales as possible.

Low-Voltage Lighting

Under cabinets, on toe kicks or tray ceilings, directed at artwork, or tucked in the garden, low-voltage lights such as MR-16s can make plain spaces pop.
Using the Internet to Communicate Design Changes to Clients

When information technology specialist and homeowner Bruce Johnson and his wife remodeled their kitchen a few years ago, the couple’s busy weekday work schedules and family-centric weekends made it difficult for them to meet with the designer.
Project Mangement for Large Jobs

Many remodelers rely on a single project manager for each job, concentrating the decision-making power and supervisory duties with that one individual. But what about when a project is so large or multifaceted that there just aren’t enough hours in the day for one person to accomplish the task?
Second-Home Statistics

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), although the combined total of vacation- and investment-home sales declined with the overall market in 2007, it still accounted for 33% of all home sales, which is close to historical norms.

Upscale Kitchen and Bath Products

With sensitivity toward reuse and recycling, many companies are taking a close look at the materials that go into their products. From reclaimed wood cabinet components to artistic impressions on copper and stainless steel, these products are truly materialistic.

New Products for the High-End Remodeling Industry

Finely crafted teak countertops and islands with striking woodgrain patterns target high-end customers who appreciate the wood’s natural beauty and durability.

Retro-Style Products Make a Comeback

If an autumn chill is setting in and impending gray winter skies are getting you down, try spicing things up with a hot retro vibe. For some time now, manufacturers have been resurrecting and reinventing appliances, accents, and accessories in bright shades and curvy patterns reminiscent of the...

Company Retreats Help Build a Strong Team and Set Business Goals

Staff retreats are popular among companies of all sizes and across many different industries. Bringing managers and key employees together in a non-work setting for one or more days not only stokes teamwork and company loyalty but also allows leaders to share important facts, information, and...
Shift Management Style and Structure to Help Your Company Grow

The first big development step for many remodeling company owners is a transition from tradesperson to businessperson. They begin, as author Michael Gerber says, to work on their business not simply in it.
Lien Waivers Offer Protection for Both Contractors and Their Clients

Chances are good that most homeowners don’t know what a lien waiver is, but remodelers would do well to tell them. Subcontractors can file a mechanic’s lien on property they work on in the event of a dispute over payment, but asking subs to sign a waiver ensures that won’t happen.

Table of Contents Fall 2008