Table of Contents January 2009

Features

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  Legislation and Regulations

  Local and national bills and laws in several categories will affect how remodelers do business.

   
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  Pricing Fix

  After a year of price increases in many categories, remodelers are seeing lower prices as demand for building materials drops.

   
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  The Cost of Doing Business

  Remodelers' costs are down, finally, for building materials and fuel. But they're rising for marketing, health insurance, and more.

   

• Crunched by Credit

  As lenders cut back the funds available to homeowners and businesses alike, remodelers embrace a new fiscal vigilanteism.

   
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  Beyond the Bubble

  The big economic picture is bleak, but it's also vague. Our editors seek specifics to try to determine what lies ahead for the remodeling market in 2009.

   

• Energy-Driven Choices

  Energy costs may drive remodeling clients' project needs and decision-making.

   
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  Lay Off or Ramp Up?

  Remodelers face tough decisions on new low-volume realities for staffing.

   
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  Small and Steady

  Be prepared to market and sell small projects in a downturn.

   
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  Outlook: Hot and Cold

  What are the prospects for remodeling markets in 2009? Remodelers from across the nation weigh in.

   
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  Sold Signs of Restraint

  Remodelers and industry insiders consider the impact of dropping home prices and mortgage interest rates on a potential new sector of remodeling clientele.

   

Reader Panel

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  Economic Impact

  In a recent survey, REMODELING ReaderPanel respondents were asked to share details on how their companies fared during the turbulent year of 2008. See details and analysis of their responses in these slides.

   

View Point

• Stimulating a Building Boom

  On the brink of a new administration, remodeling insiders explore how the enormous economic stimulus package might stimulate remodeling.

   

• Timely Statistics That Relate to the Economic Stimulus Package

  Statistics about construction job losses, creating "green economy" jobs, and more

   
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  Story Time

  The economy is in a slump, but the remodeling business climate seems to be getting both better and worse. What's going on?

   

• Local Forecast: Strong Year Ends With an Abrupt Drop in Sales

  For one California remodeler, the recession has hit suddenly.

   

Commentary

Linda Case

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  Two Questions

  What causes sales, and when do you pull the trigger? Linda Case says author and consultant Kraig Kramers has some important insights for remodeling companies.

   

Mark Richardson

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  The Perfect Storm

  The right attitude and a sense of urgency will help you adapt to economic turmoil.

   

Shawn McCadden

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  Tempted

  Slow is the new normal, and ignorance is not bliss. Thoughts on staying competitive in a difficult remodeling climate.

   

Your Business

Ways + Means

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  Coddle Clients

  Tips on going the extra mile for remodeling clients

   

• Beware Self-Insurance

  Captives may save you more money than risky self-insurance groups.

   

• Hire Thinking

  A slow economy can be a good time to hire, provided that you plan well first.

   
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  Ask the Expert: Clay Nelson

  When one of your employees is dealing with a death in the family, it can affect the whole team.

   
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  Remain Calm

  Get outside help to keep stress from overwhelming your work and family life.

   

Bottom Line

• Doing Business As

  What exactly is a DBA filing and why would you want one for your company?

   
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  Tax Calendar

  The IRS offers small-business owners a handy 2009 tax calendar.

   

• Subletting Space

  One way that more businesses are using to recover occupancy costs is to sublet some of their office space.

   

Sales + Marketing

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  Socially Connected

  With marketing both increasingly critical and expensive, social networking may become an important new marketing venue for remodeling companies.

   
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  Modest Proposals

  How does a high-end remodeling company announce and market a new handyman division without jeopardizing its high-end brand?

   

Field Notes

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  Hands-On Green

  Doing their part to close the "green gap," remodelers tap into growing number of resources -- some of them free -- to make the move into green remodeling.

   

• Managing the Small Jobs

  Remodelers accustomed to managing a few large projects adapt to working on more small jobs.

   

By Design

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  In a Glass by Itself

  Glass panels can be used in utilitarian or more poetic, elaborate ways. Whatever the application, they can add interest to your design and can be used to admit natural light.

   

Tech@Work

• Reporting Realities

  Joe Stoddard describes the "starter set" of critical management reports you need to run your business

   
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  Tracking Time

  Web-hosted attendance system offers accurate timecard and job costing information

   

Good Form

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  Clearly Defined

  When embarking on a remodeling project, it helps to precisely define the homeowner's responsibilities. This form does just that.

   

Big50

Close Up

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  CloseUp: Steven Feigeles and W. Scott Cooper

  Customer communication is key to ensuring that this Big50 remodeler has satisfied customers and abundant referrals.

   

Second Look

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  Big50 SecondLook: Shorieh Talaat

  This Big50 remodeler's company went from being a design/build firm to an architecture firm.

   

Solutions

• Making More of a Living

  A multi-unit development project, a neighborhood referral service, a real estate holding company, and a solar panel installation company keep these Big50 remodelers busy.

   

K+B

Design Clinic

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  Be Our Guest

  A simple, uncluttered design maximizes space and style in this modern guest-bathroom remodel.

   
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  Mountain Modern

  Sleek materials meld beautifully with rustic beams in this Vermont kitchen remodel.

   

Spec Book

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  Countertops

  Upgrade Kitchens and baths with new countertops from J. Aaron, DuPont, Silestone, Wilsonart, and Julien.

   

Sustainability

Green Speak

• Qualified Green

  Asking potential clients about their views on green helps remodelers target sales presentations.

   
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  Buried Treasure

  The federal government offers new geothermal system tax credits for residences.

   

Green Spec

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  New Green Products for the Remodeling Market from ECR International, Viance, Zephyr, and Knauf Insulation

  New green products from ECR International, Viance, Zephyr, and Knauf Insulation

   

Products

Trends

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  Wrap It Up!

  Manufacturers add convenience and more benefits to housewrap.

   

In Focus

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  Interior Trim

  Give interiors a finished look with interior trim products from Carolina Stair, Crown Column and Millwork, and Fypon.

   
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  Software

  New construction software from Digital Canal, iLevel, Construction Calc, and Maxwell Systems

   
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  Flooring

  New products from Columbia Flooring, Amorim, Teragren, and Forbo Flooring.

   

First Look

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  A Selection of Products Introduced at the 2009 International Builders' Show

  New products from LiteSteel Technologies, CMI, Clopay, MTI Whirlpools, Trane, Ryobi, The Foundry, and Fiber Composites.

   

Other Articles

• Unkind Cuts

  A mix of layoffs and reassigned duties may be necessary to get your business through tough economic times.