Remodeler: Robert Earl, CR

Company: Casa Linda Remodeling, San Antonio

Product: KraftMaid Cabinets, www.kraftmaid.com.

Cabinet Position

KraftMaid Cabinets are available in more than 110 door styles, seven wood species, a variety of laminates, 22 furniture finishes, and more than 150 optional features -- such as feet, moldings, and accents -- to customize any cabinet anywhere in the home.

This wide range of options is why remodeler Robert Earl likes using the brand in his projects. "I really like the new glazed finishes: chocolate, ginger, and taupe," he says. "KraftMaid has found what the consumer wants and has made it available. You can get a real custom look for a moderately priced product."

KraftMaid's customer service is also a selling point, Earl says. "They have been very service-oriented for us. Anytime there was a glitch, we would call the service rep and he would work to the best of his abilities to resolve the problem." Solid-wood 3/4-inch dovetailed drawers are standard on all KraftMaid cabinet drawers, and most styles come with optional full-extension glides. The company's limited lifetime warranty covers construction and finishes.

Remodeler: Diane Ausavich, CR

Company: Carl Krueger Construction, Milwaukee

Product: Broderbund PrintShop ProPublisher, www.broderbund.com.

In-House Print Shop

Diane Ausavich produces a quarterly newsletter, invitations, awards, and banners for her company. To do that, she uses PrintShop ProPublisher by Broderbund. The software allows anyone to create newsletters, business cards, Web pages, brochures, letterhead, labels, envelopes, forms, and fax covers, as well as to manipulate digital graphics and photos. "I really like the versatility of the program," Ausavich says. "Previously, I had to use two different programs to complete my quarterly newsletter and now with this program, I only need the one."

Ausavich appreciates the program's professional capabilities, as well. "We hold seminars for our insurance clients," she says, "and we like to send out nice invitations that promote our professional image."

PrintShop ProPublisher is easy to use, according to Ausavich, which is an important feature for the busy contractor. "It took me about 20 minutes to figure out most of the features and how to run the program."

Remodeler: Eric Borden

Company: ESB Contracting, Toms River, N.J.

Product: LWO Corp.'s Woodway Deckrail, www.woodwayproducts.com.

On Deck

LWO Corporation makes a pre-assembled deck rail system that Eric Borden says is "pretty much put together for us." Woodway Architectural Deckrail panels are manufactured of clear, kiln-dried and molded Western red cedar that coordinates with several different deck rail accessories -- posts, balusters and top, sub, and bottom rails.

Made by contractors for contractors, Woodway's deck rails come in pre-assembled panels in 6- to 8-foot lengths that the installer cuts to fit.

Most of Borden's customers specify wood railings. "The Woodway system offers the best value in terms of the quality of construction, materials, and style vs. site-constructed railings," he says. "We don't use a lot of vinyl systems because a vinyl railing looks like a vinyl railing."

The deck rails are available in five styles, and they paint and stain easily, Borden says.