Survey Archives
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Page 1 of 10
October 2009
LOWER MATERIALS COST?
State and local government agencies are reporting that their stimulus-package construction dollars are stretching farther because construction bids are coming in lower. How about the residential industry, though? Are your material costs and other budget items coming in lower these days, and is that affecting your estimates on jobs?
September 2009
CHANGING ENERGY CODES
Energy codes are written by national organizations, but they are adopted at the state level, and so the code varies from state to state. But Congress is considering a requirement for all states to meet a common energy standard. How do energy codes affect your business? Would you approve of a national energy code for homes, or do you prefer leaving things the way they are?
August 2009
THE STIMULUS PROGRAM
The federal stimulus package includes tax credits for building-envelope improvements, HVAC retrofits, and renewable energy systems, plus money for home weatherization and incentives for first-time home buyers. Are stimulus dollars having any effect on your business or your town?
July 2009
GETTING THE FINAL PAYMENT
Have you ever had trouble collecting the final payment from a client? How did you resolve the situation and what have you done to prevent similar problems in the future?
June 2009
ALL PART OF THE JOB
How much time do you spend pounding nails and supervising on the job site vs. attending to business tasks like estimating, bill-paying, and bookkeeping? Which type of work gives you greater satisfaction?
May 2009
GREEN BUILDING
Media reports indicate that green building is rapidly gaining traction in the marketplace, but many builders and remodelers say otherwise. Have you done any green projects? If so, what was the project and what rating system did you use?
April 2009
LAYOFFS
Has the industry-wide slowdown forced you to lay off staff or cut costs in some other manner? If so, please explain.
March 2009
KEEPING BUSY
With recent slowdowns in the building sector, many contractors are using the extra time to streamline their business procedures and tackle in-house projects. Do you have any in-house business or construction projects scheduled for future downtime? What are they?
February 2009
BUSINESS ADVICE
What is the best business advice you've ever gotten and where did you hear it?
January 2009
LOWER PRICES
Economists say the stalled economy has resulted in lower prices on everything from fuel to fasteners. Are the economists right? If so, do you think lower prices will make it easier for your business to stay afloat in the coming year?
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Page 2 of 10
December 2008
HOLIDAY WISHES
Now that the gift-giving season is almost upon us, have you added any new tools or pieces of equipment to your holiday wish list? What are they?
November 2008
EARNING GOOD MARKS
Given the rise of Web-based operations like Angie's List, it's easier than ever for consumers to check up on the professional standing of contractors. In your opinion, what are the most important steps builders can take to ensure that they get a solid report from such services?
October 2008
ADAPTING TO A SLOWER ECONOMY
How has the slowing economy affected your business? Have you, for example, taken on a greater percentage of smaller remodeling projects, or expanded your geographic coverage? Or perhaps you’ve specialized or created a handyman division? Let us know what you are doing to survive the downturn, and how your company is faring.
August 2008
YOUR FAVORITE CLIENT
When contractors get together they often exchange war stories about problem clients — but the good ones seldom get mentioned. So who are your best clients and what made them so great to work with?
July 2008
THE ECONOMY
Do economic concerns have you tightening your belt or adjusting your business plan? If so, how?
June 2008
FUEL PRICES
With the prices of gas and diesel climbing almost daily, what are you doing to reduce your fuel costs?
May 2008
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Remodeling and construction companies have traditionally been family businesses passed on from one generation to the next. But changes in the industry have many contractors steering their offspring toward other careers. Do you enourage your kids to take over the family construction business? Why or why not?
April 2008
SEEING GREEN
Consumer surveys suggest that homeowners and home buyers are increasingly interested in green-building methods. Do you offer your clients eco-friendly building options? What are they?
March 2008
JACK OF ALL TRADES OR MASTER OF ONE?
Some contractors believe that a specialty niche is the key to bigger profits and more interesting projects; others think a general focus is wiser, especially in tough times. What's your business model and how did you decide which path to pursue?
February 2008
WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?
What's the biggest problem facing the residential construction industry today? Is it a shortage of skilled labor, material costs, land prices, regulatory red tape, or something else?
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Page 3 of 10
January 2008
THE PERFECT CREW
Most contractors go through several staffing models before they find the right combination of employees. What are the ideal number of office and field employees for your business? Where do you fit in?
December 2007
WHAT A GREAT TOOL!
Have you ever come across a new or rediscoverd tool that has significantly improved your work or made your life easier? What is it?
November 2007
MARKETING AND ADVERTISING
What are the most effective or creative strategies you've found for bringing in new business?
October 2007
HEAVY LIFTING
How often do you use heavy equipemnt like skid steers, compact excavators, and material handlers? Do you own the equipment, rent it as needed, or do you hire a subcontractor?
September 2007
BUILDING MATERIAL SUPPLIERS
What is the most important aspect of your supplier relationships? Do you want the best prices, the best service, or something else?
August 2007
YOUR FAVORITE TOOL
It could be a family heirloom or maybe it’s something new. It might even be something you made yourself. No matter what it is, what’s your favorite tool, and why?
July 2007
TAKING THE GOOD WITH THE BAD
As a contractor, what's the best part of your job? What part could you do without?
June 2007
FUEL COSTS
With gasoline pushing $4 a gallon in many areas, what are you doing to reduce your fuel costs?
May 2007
THE SWEET SPOT
Once they get a few years under their belt, many contractors find that projects of a certain type or dollar amount are their most profitable and enjoyable. Does your company have a project sweet spot? What is it?
November 2006
A BAD FEELING
Builders and remodelers often claim to have a sixth sense about potential jobs and clients. Have you ever taken a job that gave you a bad feeling? What was the outcome?
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Page 4 of 10
October 2006
LOW-BALL COMPETITION
There's always somebody willing to do residential building and remodeling cheaper than you. How do you distinguish your company from the low-ball competition?
September 2006
HAS THE HOUSING BUBBLE POPPED?
With interest rates and fuel prices rising and other sectors of the economy softening, have you noticed a slowdown in new home construction and remodeling in your area?
August 2006
SIDING SOLUTIONS
What siding system do you rely on most, and what are the details that work best to keep water out of the walls? Please let us know what region you work in as well.
July 2006
SCHEDULING SUBCONTRACTORS
How do you keep your trade partners on track? What strategies work best for getting subs to show up on time and communicate their plans to job-site supervisors?
May/June 2006
TOP 10 CONSTRUCTION DEFECTS
All construction companies deal with callbacks. Some are the result of simple oversight; some are outright product failures; some result from a lack of an owner's knowledge. What are the most common callbacks that plague your company and how do you head them off?
April 2006
ENERGY ADVICE
How have your customers responded to the increase in fuel prices? Is there any noticeable increase in their interest in the energy loss of the buildings you work on? Do you have any sway steering clients to energy-efficient windows, heating and cooling appliances, kitchen appliance and lighting? Please tell us what climate zone you work in when responding.
March 2006
DETAILING DECKS
How do you detail a deck to protect against moisture damage? What decking materials do you recommend to clients? What flashing materials do you depend on? How do protect against ground moisture? Do you find it necessary to flash the tops of joists in addition to the ledger? If so, how? In your response, let us know the climate you work in.
February 2006
QUALIFYING CLIENTS
Do you qualify your clients or do you accept any job when the client wants you? How do you gain assurance that the client is qualified to pay for the job and has adequate home insurance? How do you assure yourself that this is a client who has realistic expectations, can make clear decisions when selecting options, won't be overwhelmed by a remodeling crew in his or her home, and will be available throughout the job? In short: What signs do you read and instruments do you employ to avoid job delays, added costs, and legal wrangling with difficult clients prior to signing a job?
January 2006
2006 PROJECTIONS
How do you read your prospects for the new year? Will the housing market hold firm? Will new home starts and remodeling activity continue upwards, level out or head downhill? Do you expect your expenses to change in the coming year, and how will this affect your bottom line?
December 2005
HOLIDAY BONUSES
Are year-end bonuses a good idea? How do you say "thanks" to the crew, other trades and suppliers you work with? What's the best bonus you've received yourself? Do such bonuses actually work to foster company loyalty or awareness that leads to better productivity or business commitments?
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Page 5 of 10
November 2005
ROOF VENTILATION
Do you rely on soffit and ridge vents for attic/roof ventilation? If so, what materials do you think work best? What details do you rely on to insure a free flow of air? Will the building inspector in your jurisdiction allow an unvented attic or cathedral ceiling? If so, what details does the inspector require or do you provide to avoid problems?
October 2005
WHAT SHEATHING WORKS BEST?
What sheathing do you use for roofs walls and floor decks? Do you have an opinion on OSB vs. plywood, and what experience do you have to support this view? Do the latest "advanced" sheathing materials offer any realizable value?
September 2005
LOW-SLOPE ROOFS
What roofing material do you recommend for low-slope roofs? What details for this material help avoid callbacks?
August 2005
LOW-MAINTENANCE EXTERIORS
What do you recommend for exterior trim? Do you use PVC, fiber cement, urethane foam, or other composite trim boards? How do these products perform compared with high-quality wood?
July 2005
HOW DO YOU KEEP BASEMENTS DRY?
What methods and materials do you use to ensure a dry basement? Do you depend on spray-applied membranes? What drainage systems do you recommend? Are there any products or techniques you do not recommend, and if so, why?
June 2005
EVER HAD A MOLD CLAIM?
How do you handle mold issues? Do customers ask you about mold? If so, what do you say? If not, why do you think that's so?
May 2005
WHICH CODES HAVE GOT TO GO?
Is there a building rule that you think is wrong, unnecessary or deserves to be updated? Why do you think such a rule was put in the books? Is there anything to be done about it?
April 2005
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE WINDOW?
Do you prefer wood, vinyl, vinyl-clad, aluminum, aluminum-clad or fiberglass windows? What drives your decision in making this selection?
March 2005
WHAT'S UP WITH INTEREST RATES?
As interest rates on mortgages and home equity lines of credit creep upwards, have you noticed any changes in the building and remodeling markets? Do you expect business to heat up, cool down, or stay the same in 2005? How would you rate the business climate in your local economy, and to what do you attribute this?
February 2005
WHAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT?
Contracting is no picnic. There are a hundred things that can go wrong in an average day. What are the problems that demand your greatest attention? What aspects of the job worry you the most?
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Page 6 of 10
January 2005
WHAT WEATHER BARRIER TO YOU USE?
What weather barrier do you use? Do you prefer a plastic housewrap to black paper? If not, why not? If so, what brand do you rely on and why? Please indicate the type of sidings you use, and any details you find essential for creating an effective drainage plane.
December 2004
WHAT DOES "GREEN" MEAN?
Is "green," or sustainable, building practice important to you and your business? If so, why? If not, why not? What are the hot topics that should concern green builders? Do customers really care about these issues? Why or why not?
November 2004
WHAT'S IN YOUR SUBCONTRACTOR'S AGREEMENT?
Do you include hold harmless and indemnification clauses in your subcontractor's agreements? What other insurance limitations do you specify? In your reply, please let us know which state(s) you work in.
October 2004
WHAT IS THE BEST HARDWOOD FLOOR
Had problems with hardwood floors? With floating floors? What wood floor types and brands have you had the best success with? What are your favorite choices and why?
September 2004
FRAMING HEADERS
When framing headers, do you typically use timbers, dimensional lumber, LVL, box beams, or other materials? What are typical dimensions for standard window and door headers, and how do you furr out or insulate them?
August 2004
HOW DO YOU SPELL PROFIT?
Do you markup labor and materials or operate on a gross profit model? What markup percentage or gross profit margin allows you to maintain a sustainable operation, yet still set prices that allow you to win jobs?
July 2004
FAVORITE DECKING MATERIAL
What deck material do you think is the best? For a balance between cost, durability, and aesthetics, which exterior decking do you prefer? How do composites, premium hardwoods, and pressure-treated materials compare?
June 2004
WEATHERTIGHT EXTERIORS
Do you prefer asphalt felt (#15 or #30) or plastic housewrap, and why? How far do you overlap pieces and do you feel it's necessary to tape? And does anyone out there actually use a rainscreen (strapping or Homeslicker) to create an airspace for siding?
May 2005
BAD BUILDING CODES
What building codes do you think need work? Are there code issues you find bewildering, misleading, or just plain wrong Are there building codes on the books you think should be changed or clarified? If so, why?
April 2004
ROOFING CALLBACKS?
What are the most common roofing callbacks? If you've had a roof-related callback, was it related to your work, a roofer's, another sub's, a product failure, or mother nature What was the outcome? How could it be avoided?
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Page 7 of 10
March 2004
SUBCONTRACTOR SCHEDULING
What's the best way to keep subs on track? What strategies work best for getting subs to show up on time and communicate their plans with job-site supervisors?
February 2004
HOW DO YOU INSULATE FOUNDATIONS?
Do you insulate the inside or the outside of the foundation? What are the advantages? What materials do you think work best? Does your method allow the wall to "breathe," and if so, how?
January 2004
GOT A BAD FEELING ABOUT THIS JOB?
Have you ever taken on a job that gave you a bad feeling from the start? What was the result?
December 2003
ECONOMIC FORECAST 2004?
Experts see another strong year ahead for the building and remodeling industry. But what about your local economy? Do you expect business to heat up, cool down, or stay the same in 2004?
November 2003
LUMBER PRICES: HOW ARE YOU HANDLING IT?
With sawn lumber going sky-high and OSB entering low earth orbit, builders are feeling the pinch. How are you adapting to this year's surging prices for wood?
October 2003
MAKING THE MARKUP MOVE
Have you ever decided to sharply boost your markup for business reasons? Why did you make the change, and how did it work out?
September 2003
DO YOU VENTILATE CRAWLSPACES?
The latest International Residential Code allows unvented crawlspaces, if certain conditions are met. Does your building department allow sealed crawlspaces, and do you build them that way?
August 2003
HOW DO YOU FLASH WINDOWS?
Window openings are prime leak points, and some contractors are turning to window "pan flashings." How do you flash windows and window rough openings?
July 2003
IS IT WET ENOUGH FOR YOU?
Stalled highs and lows are locking parts of North America into a rainy cycle. Has the wet weather affected your business, and how are you adapting?
June 2003
WHO DOES THE CONCRETE WORK?
Concrete subs can be hard to schedule in for smaller jobs. When do you handle your own concrete work?
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Page 8 of 10
April 2003
LIABILITY INSURANCE
Has the price of your liability insurance gone up, the coverage been reduced, or is insurance just impossible to get? If so, how are you coping with the problem?
March 2003
ON-THE-JOB INJURIES
Have you or an employee ever been seriously injured on the job? What lessons did you learn from the experience?
February 2003
YOUR ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
A year ago we asked Update readers to rate your local economy based on your own business data (leads, sales, contracts, et cetera). Nationally, housing finished out 2002 strong, but some local real estate markets are reporting soft conditions. How do things look this year in your neck of the woods?
January 2003
CALLBACKS: WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON CAUSES
Callbacks can suck up profits and sour relationships. What are the most common causes of callbacks for your company? (Post anonymously if you like -- just don’t sign your competitor’s name.)
December 2002
DO YOU BUILD FROM STOCK HOME PLANS?
Do you build from stock home plans? What do you think of the quality of stock plans?
November 2002
DOES YOUR COMPANY OFFER BOTH DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION SERVICES?
Does your company offer both Design & Construction Services? If so, why have you chosen that arrangement?
October 2002
DO HAND TOOLS STILL HAVE A PLACE?
These days, it's second nature in most trades to grab a power tool, no matter what the task. Is there a place on the job any more for block planes, hand saws, or even hammers?
September 2002
ESTIMATING: WHAT SYSTEM DO YOU USE?
There are many ways to estimate costs -- estimating books, off-the-shelf software, customized spreadsheets, stick-by-stick, and the old wild guess, to name a few. What system do you use and why?
August 2002
GREEN BUILDING: DO YOUR CUSTOMERS CARE?
Polls indicate a lot of interest by homeowners in green materials and environmental issues. It’s less clear whether customers will back those feelings with their pocketbooks. Do many of your customers express an interest in green building products or a concern with environmental issues? If so, are they willing to pay extra for more earth-friendly work?
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Page 9 of 10
July 2002
WORKING HOURS: HOW MANY PER WEEK
For many business owners, the 40-hour week is just a fantasy. How many hours do you put in during an average work week?
June 2002
TOOLS: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE?
Every kid has a favorite toy, and every contractor has a favorite tool. What’s yours?
May 2002
SPEC HOUSE PLANS
Where do you get your house plans -- draw them yourself, buy stock plans, or work with a designer or architect? What makes a good spec house plan?
April 2002
LAWSUITS: EVER GONE TO COURT OVER A JOB?
It's a truism that nobody wins a lawsuit but the lawyers (for both sides). Have you ever gone to court in a construction dispute? How did it turn out in the end?
March 2002
WHAT'S YOUR NICHE?
Do you take any job that comes along or do you focus on one type of job (such as kitchens, additions, or vacation homes) or one type of customer (such as first-time buyers, seniors, or baby-boomers)? What are the attractions of your niche?
February 2002 Question:
THE ECONOMY: HOW COLD IS IT?
Expert opinions and official statistics are sending mixed signals, but businesses have data the government doesn't. What do leads, signed contracts, and customer decisions tell you about your local economy in 2002?
January 2002
DO YOU BUY TOOLS OVER THE INTERNET?
Internet tool outlets are popping up everywhere, along with auction sites that offer used equipment. Are you buying tools online? Have you had any good or bad experiences?
December 2001
HAS YOUR COMPANY EVER HAD A SERIOUS JOB-SITE ACCIDENT?
What happened, and how did you change your work habits or company procedures as a result?
November 2001
WHAT ENGINEERED WOOD PRODUCTS DO YOU USE AND LIKE?
This month's lead JLC feature article is a roundup of engineered wood technology. Do you use engineered beams and columns? Which type do you prefer, and why?
October 2001
SUBS OR EMPLOYEES?
Sub out the work, or hire a crew of your own? Each strategy has pros and cons. Which work do you sub out, and which do you keep "in house?"
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Page 10 of 10
September 2001
COMMON CALLBACKS
What are your most common callbacks? What steps have you taken to eliminate them?
August 2001
ADVERTISING FOR JOB LEADS
Do you advertise to generate job leads? What are your best sources for jobs?
July 2001
ESTIMATING SOFTWARE
What estimating software do you use? How well does it meet your needs?
June 2001
SEALING AROUND WINDOWS
How do you typically seal around flange-type windows? Please specify the type of siding and whether you use building paper or housewrap.
April 2001
CATHEDRAL CEILINGS
How do you typically frame, insulate, and ventilate cathedral ceilings? Ever have condensation or other problems?
March 2001
PAINTING EXTERIOR TRIM
What's your favorite material for painted exterior trim and how do you paint it? Do you buy pre-primed material? Do you back-prime? How does it perform?
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