Table of Contents August 2009

Features

• The Remodeling 550

  Remodeling magazine's list of the biggest companies and fanchise organizations in the home improvement industry.

   
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  Insurance Restoration

  REMODELING's list of the biggest insurance restoration companies.

   
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  Franchises

  Franchise organizations in remodeling have grown as they’ve focused their service offering.

   
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  Replacement Contractors

  The specialty services companies of the Remodeling 550 specialize in replacing exterior components and generating leads.

   
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  Full-Service Remodelers

  The largest remodeling companies in the nation.

   

View Point

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  Not So Small a Credit

  Growing numbers of full-service remodelers are embracing the homeowner tax credits for energy-efficient work as possible segues to larger remodeling jobs. Energy audits often play a key role.

   

• New Jobs Needed for a Tulsa Turnaround

  A stagnant local economy needs job creation to give it a boost and create consumer confidence.

   

• August 2009 Figure This

  A statistical glimpse at incentives for investing in energy-efficient home improvements.

   
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  Game Change

  Waiting for things to return to "normal" in your business? Don't hold your breath because the way things were is not the way they will be, and energy policy is ushering in the new era.

   

Commentary

Linda Case

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  Change You Have to Believe In

  Remodelers who want to influence real change in their companies or lives might benefit by reading “Influencer: The Power to Change Anything"

   

Mark Richardson

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  Defining Survival

  In this challenging economy, it's critical to adopt a survival mindset toward changes in your business.

   

Shawn McCadden

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  Even a Caveman...

  Remodeling consultant Shawn McCadden says it's time for the remodeling industry to emerge from its cave and embrace professionalism.

   

Your Business

Ways + Means

• ByLaw: Are Cash Discounts Illegal?

  Be aware that semantics are important when it comes to offering a discount for clients who pay in cash.

   

• Turning Clients Into Fans

  Getting all your employees to work on providing top-notch customer service will help turn clients into fans.

   
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  Don’t Lead Me On

  With remodelers scrambling for prospects, lead-generation companies have gotten a lot more notice.

   

• Refueling the Pipeline

  It can be a challenge to keep salespeople motivated and upbeat when leads are harder to come by and contracts are less likely to be signed. Here are tips for sales team motivation.

   

Bottom Line

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  Added Value

  A Virginia remodeling company offers its employees a monetary award for ideas that save clients money.

   

• Don’t Rush to Re-Hire

  Consider these eight steps before re-hiring employees laid off during the recession.

   

Sales + Marketing

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  Kitchen on a Roll

  Minneapolis remodeling company swaps a bricks-and-mortar showroom for a fully appointed "rolling showroom."

   
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  Being the Benchmark

  Talking points for educating prospective customers about how and why to choose a qualified and experienced remodeling contractor.

   

Field Notes

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  Lead Carpenter System Returns

  Remodeling expert Tim Faller suggests that remodelers reevaluate the advantages of having an on-site lead carpenter as smaller jobs become the norm.

   
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  Whiz Quiz Genius

  A zero-tolerance program has “solved our concerns about the prevalence of substance abuse in construction,” says Neal Fiske of TriplePoint Design/Build.

   

By Design

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  The Finishing Touch

  Help your clients to choose the proper colors to bring out the best in your work and make the remodeling project pop.

   

Good Form

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  Great Expectations

  These checklists provide guidelines that help your trade contractors uphold the standards you expect.

   

K+B

Spec Book

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  Haier America Encore Laundry Line

  The Energy Star-rated Encore laundry line incorporates a Dual Drive system in the washing machine, which tumbles clothes through an efficient spin-and-rinse combination in the non-agitator tub.

   
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  Maytag Bravos Laundry Pair

  The Bravos laundry pair includes a top-load washing machine with a 5-cubic-foot capacity that allows for 18 pounds of laundry per load.

   
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  Broan Elite Trash Compactors

  Elite Trash Compactors can compact the volume of up to six 13-gallon trash bags into one bag.

   
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  Fagor America Induction Cooktops

  Three new models have been added to the maker's line of induction cooktops.

   

Sustainability

Green Speak

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  Getting With the Program

  This award-winning educational remodeling project in North Carolina follows LEED and local green guidelines.

   

Products

In Focus

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  Marvin Character-Grade Cedro Macho Entry Doors

  Previously offered in a stain-grade product, new character-grade Cedro Macho entry doors give homeowners another option for using this increasingly popular species.

   
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  Ply Gem Mastic Home Exteriors Board and Batten Siding

  Recognizing an increased interest in board-and-batten siding, the maker introduces Mastic Home Exteriors Board and Batten siding.

   
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  CertainTeed Vytec Yukon Board Premium Insulated Siding

  Yukon Board Premium Insulated Siding is now available in a double 6-inch clapboard profile.

   
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  CMI CraftMaster Green Doors

  Made with sustainable materials, low-VOC primers and adhesives, and no added urea formaldehyde, new CraftMaster Green Doors are available in all CraftMaster raised-panel, molded door designs.

   
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  Pella Corporation Pre-Finished Wood Entry Doors

  Pre-finished wood entry doors feature a factory-applied stained finish covering the door's interior and exterior.

   
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  Jeld-Wen Clad Door Frames

  New clad door frames for the Custom Fiberglass door line match the maker's clad wood windows, making it convenient to match and order entry systems and windows all at once.

   

Other Articles

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  Getting Busy

  Carefully track your marketing and the resulting sales to ensure that you meet your gross profit goals.