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Features

  • Entreprenuer Matt Plaskoff at One Week Bath in Gardena, Calif., on Aug. 16, 2010.

    Driven to Succeed

    Plaskoff was chosen by a panel of judges based on four principal criteria: business acumen, financial strength, community and industry involvement, and entrepreneurial spirit.

     
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    Get Back to Work

    Many remodeling businesses closed during the downturn. Here's how to capitalize on those former owners' skills and experience.

     
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    High-Stakes Bidding

    In this tough economy, high-end clients are asking for bids and high-end remodelers are having to adjust.

     

Viewpoint

First Word

  • Time Is Money

    Matt Plaskoff is the 2010 Fred Case Entrepreneur of the Year Award Winner. We all have something to learn from his focus and dedication to efficiency.

     

Market Watch

  • Why the Slowdown?

    The National Association of Home Builders' Remodeling Market Index (RMI) shows that market conditions declined between the first and second quarter of 2010.

     

Figure This

Local Forecast

Commentary

Linda Case

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    High Impact

    Just how much your employees really like their jobs and find them fulfilling is up tp you, the manager.

     

Mark Richardson

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    Adapting to Changing Times

    As Yogi Berra said, "The future ain't what it used to be." How will you prepare for new ways of doing business and altered customer expectations?

     

Shawn McCadden

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    From Surviving to Thriving

    In moving your company from survival mode to thriving mode, don't feel you have to go it alone. Coaches and mentors can make all the difference for affecting change.

     

Your Business

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    Executive Dashboard

    This one-to-two page report will give you the information you need to manage your company proactively, well before crises develop.

     
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    Dust Wiping May Get More Complex

    The EPA proposes a new level of licensing and testing with its lead dust-wiping procedures.

     
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    Accelerated Shifts

    Adaptability is the key to surviving in a tough market. Les Cunningham offers tips for making company changes happen and getting employee buy-in.

     
  • Dropbox: Easier Online File Sharing, Storage, and Backup

    Managing your data just got easier with Dropbox, an online centralized file storage and backup service.

     
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    Wooing Architects

    A Pennsylvania remodeler joins the American Institute of Architects to promote his company with architects.

     
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    Bigger Sales, Just a Click Away

    After an initial effort years ahead of its time fell short, David Foster decided to try launching an online, DIY cost estimator again — with better results.

     
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    Insurance Assurance

    The Insurance Service Office has changed the coverage of the additional insured endorsement. Here's what you need to know.

     

Your Clients

  • SONY DSC

    Prize Payback

    TMT Home Remodelers uses a gift basket giveaway to draw attendees to its home show booth and to capture names and e-mail addresses for its mailing list.

     
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    Forget Tupperware

    Short design sessions, requiring a minimal investment of time and money, show homeowners how remodeling might relieve their pain.

     
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    Design Workshops

    These seminars for homeowners focus on the remodeling process and help to promote the company's expertise in design/build and distinguish it from competitors.

     
  • Creative Competitions

    Contests help a Virginia company engage with clients outside of remodeling projects and drive traffic to the company's website.

     
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    Dating Game

    At the first client meeting, speedy and accurate pricing will help keep clients' excitement level high and the process moving.

     

Your Team

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    Mind the Time

    A remodeler uses the economic slowdown as an opportunity to boost his crew's product knowledge and fine-tune company systems.

     
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    By the Book

    Documenting a company's procedures takes time, but pays off by increasing efficiency, simplifying cross-training, and ensuring consistency.

     
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    Back to the Future

    Downshifting to smaller jobs requires changes in production. The lead carpenter system is well suited to tighter budgets and smaller jobs.

     
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    A Helping Hand

    State programs help employers cutting employee hours to retain staff by offering financial aid to compensate for lost wages.

     

Your Projects

  • Neat and Trim

    Plain or fancy, there are a few basic considerations for the design of window trim.

     
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    The Big Idea

    The Aurora Dwelling Circle, in Ithaca, N.Y., is a housing cluster that will offer residents both sustainable homes as well as community.

     
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    Commercial Connections

    One Florida remodeler turns to commercial work to keep the jobs coming and provide a balance with his company’s residential side.

     

Home Performance

Sustainability

Green Speak

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    Stepping up to Solar

    Specifying and installing photovoltaic panels is a straightforward operation – after you get a home’s energy needs down and the panels' orientation worked out.

     

Green Spec

Products

In Focus

First Look

Home Performance

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    Owens Corning EnergyComplete System

    Ideal for home performance improvement projects, the Energy Complete whole-home insulation and air-sealing system is GreenGuard certified for indoor air quality.

     
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    Henry Company Permax Spray Polyurethane Foam

    Available in 2.0, 1.8, and 0.5 pounds-per-cubic-foot densities, Permax SPF offers an R-value of up to 6.5 per inch of thickness.

     
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    Enalasys Corp. eScan Wireless Diagnostic System

    The eScan wireless diagnostic system uses a patented technology that collects, analyzes, stores, and uploader performance- and energy-related data from a home or business HVAC system.

     
  • Ryobi Tek4 Digital Inspection Scope

    Ideal for plumbing, HVAC work, and other applications, the Tek4 Digital Inspection Scope helps users investigate what's going on inside walls and systems before making home performance upgrades.

     

LastWord

Good Form

  • Projects Made Simple

    Neil Parsons, owner of consulting company Design Build Profit, has created a detailed estimating system that divides a project into 47 cost categories so nothing is overlooked.

     

Other Articles

 
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