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Features

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    Flexible Pricing

    Lump-sum pricing focuses on costs and can make it difficult to explain pricing to clients. In today's competitive market, consider the alternative: flexible pricing.

     

Cost vs. Value Report

  • 2010–11 Cost vs. Value Report

    Sagging home prices, tight credit, and consumer indecision trumped lower construction costs, sending the cost-to-value ratio to its lowest level in a decade.

     
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    Value-Driven Luxury

    Upscale consumers know it's a great time to buy property and remodel, but they are being more picky and want more for their money.

     
  • Sales Aid or Hindrance?

    Three remodelers talk about how they are using the Cost vs. Value Report differently since the recession.

     
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    Instant Gratification

    Replacement and repair jobs appeal to homeowners because they are relatively inexpensive and help a home hold its value.

     
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    Value Subtracted

    Lower property values coupled with restrictive lending practices is leaving more remodelers with the bulk of their sales coming from customers who can self-finance.

     
  • Price Is King

    Though overall construction costs haven't really decreased, consumers think remodeling is on sale, making for smaller margins and stiff competition.

     

Viewpoint

First Word

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    Winners & Losers

    The homeowner and the low-bidder are about to learn new meanings for the words “winner” and “loser."

     

Market Watch

  • Still Life in Remodeling

    The LIRA (Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity) shows that remodeling will continue on the upswing.

     

Figure This

Local Forecast

  • Watching Home Sales in Boise

    With home values down and home improvement loans hard to come by, Drew Construction, in Boise, Idaho, is waiting for some positive signs to restore consumer confidence.

     

Commentary

Linda Case

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    The Puzzle

    There's no one magic solution in business. Success comes from doing many things reasonably well.

     

Mark Richardson

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    Know the Competition

    We all know that competition in this market is fierce. But who are you really competing against? The answer may surprise you.

     

Shawn McCadden

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    Pent-up Demand

    Will the midterm elections bring new leadership that will stimulate the economy and help small businesses move forward?

     

Your Business

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    Back It Up

    Joe Stoddard looks at two popular online services for backing up your computer files.

     
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    Getting the Word Out

    The National Association of Professionally Accredited Contractors: A new association aims to inform building industry professionals about legal and operational issues.

     
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    The New Dashboard

    Working smarter means understanding the key elements of your business. You need to know what to measure and how to measure it.

     
  • System Smarts

    To make sure your business can survive in this economy, you need real-time information about your business's performance. Set up systems that you can expand and upgrade as your company grows.

     
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    Living History

    How one remodeler's brush with bankruptcy in 2003 has helped his business weather the current economic downturn.

     

Your Clients

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    Letting Go

    One remodeler opts to not use e-mail for client communication and says his business is better for it.

     
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    Design Challenge

    To generate leads and remind customers that the company does design/build work as well as smaller handyman jobs, The Wills Co. held a design contest. The prize: a free design consultation.

     
  • Interior views of Inde Designs new 5,000 square foot state-of-the-art Design Studio and Product Showroom located at1501 Pittsford-Victor Rd, Suite 300, Victor, New York 14564. Phone: 585-249-8100

    Designed for Business

    A new showroom helps Morrell Builders both redefine the selections process for clients and educate them about design/build, while differentiating the remodeler from competitors.

     

Your Team

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    What Makes a Great Office Manager?

    Your office manager fills a key role at your company and is the first point of contact for many customers.

     
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    It’s a (Not So) Wonderful Life

    There are ways to ensure that your absence from your company doesn't derail the business.

     
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    Morale Boost

    Keeping up employee morale while contending with staff lay-offs and pay cuts is a challenge. Small gestures can be meaningful ways to boost morale.

     
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    Staying Power

    A substantial benefits package and fair compensation help your company attract good employees and ensure that they stay.

     

Your Projects

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    Fitting Dormers

    Consider the proportions and style of the rest of the house when adding a dormer to the attic.

     
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    Selling the Mantel

    More than just adding warmth and beauty to a room, a fireplace mantel can provide a little drama and focus.

     

Home Performance

  • Building Better

    The U.S. Department of Energy is investing $30 million in energy-efficient housing partnerships.

     

Sustainability

Green Speak

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    Strategy Guide

    Looking to research green strategies for your projects? The Regreen Strategy Generator is an online tool that offers valuable information about green remodeling.

     
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    History Redux

    This historic Santa Barbara boarding house now exceeds LEED Platinum standards, but it took some creativity to make it happen.

     

Green Spec

Products

In Focus

Home Performance

LastWord

Good Form

  • First Impression

    To convert leads to sales, you should listen and learn from prospects when they call in, but you need to use a systematic approach.

     

Other Articles

 
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