February 2013 Table of Contents

Features
Business How-To: Measure and Analyze Leads

Key to sustaining, and growing, a remodeling business is a balanced mix of past and future customers. Tracking your lead sources is essential to your business health and marketing plans. Read more

RRI Forecast: Nearly One-Third of U.S. Markets Will See Remodeling Prospects Top '07 Peak

Metrostudy's analysis finds better-than-2007 conditions in 105 of 366 markets. Read more

First Word
Framing the Argument: It's Time To Upgrade Your Verbal Toolbox

Finding the right words can make the difference between a sale and a missed opportunity, especially as aging in place becomes more important to your clients. Read more

Dashboard
California's New Building Codes Pushes Energy-Efficient Windows

Tougher new requirements take effect in 2014. Read more

Southern Pine Gets New, Lower Design Values

Changes in Southern pine's values will affect trusses, joists, and rafters. Read more

NAHB Cost of Doing Business Survey Finds Remodelers' Numbers Fall Short of Ideal

The average remodeler posted a 3% net profit in 2011 and took home 6% in owners' compensation, NAHB finds. Read more

IRS Makes It Simpler To Figure a Deduction for Your Home Office

The Internal Revenue Service has created a simple option to replace the 43-line form now used. Read more

IBS, KBIS To Co-Locate in 2014

The International Builders Show and Kitchen and Bath Industry Show agreed to both take place in Las Vegas on Feb. 4-6, 2014. Read more

Opinion
You Don't Need No Satisfaction: You Can Always Find Something To Improve

Running a successful company doesn't give you the luxury to just maintain the status quo. There's always something you can do better. Read more

Six Tips to Better Advertising for Remodelers

You may have survived for years on referrals, but they're not the only way to build business ó especially if your company is relatively young.†There are other options you should explore. Darren Slaughter offers pointers for developing a marketing strategy that doesnít get lost in the crowd. Read more

Warning Lights: Using a Business Dashboard to Alert You to Problems

Allison Iantosca describes the business metrics she closely watches to alert her to problems. Read more

Are You up for It? Challenging the Online Review Sites

GuildQuality president Geoff Graham argues that Yelp isn't working well for the remodeling industry. Is there a solution? Read more

Your Business
NARI Member Survey Reveals Industry Trends

The 2012 Member Profile Survey conducted by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry indicates a 14% increase in average sales compared with 2011. Read more

Buy, Fix, Sell, Profit: Flipping Homes Can Be Lucrative, But It's not for the Timid

Advice from remodelers in various parts of the country on the best way to flip houses to generate additional income. Read more

Design/Build Your Business: Remodeling Your Company

Applying the design/build strategy you use on projects for clients to improve your company. Read more

Stake Your Claims: Planning for the Bad Stuff Is Good Business

Attorney Richard Feeley discusses the importance of having the right -- and right amount of -- insurance to protect your company. Read more

Your Clients
The Sandwich Generation: Know Your Demographic

Forty seven percent of middle-aged adults are "sandwiched" between their parents and children, which affects their approach to remodeling needs. Read more

Talk First, Measure Later To Get the Most From Your Showroom

Carlos Ponte of AyA Kitchens offers advice on showroom sales. Read more

Third-Party Interference: Create Policies To Keep Clients From Changing Their Minds Mid-Project

Kitchen designer Jeff Kida suggests ways to keep clients on track with their project choices to help avoid cost overruns. Read more

Paying to Stand Out: Inside Houzz.com's New Pay-for-Play Service

Houzz.com has launched Pro Plus, a service that enables a customer to pay to get a prominent spot on search results. Read more

Your Team
5 Tips for Successful Use of Subcontractors to Manage Jobsites

Asking subcontractors to manage jobsites can help you in tough times by increasing production without adding the burden of hiring additional employees. Read more

Avoid a Hiring Hassle: Run Background Checks by the Book

Non-compliance could leave a company open to a lawsuit, so follow these rules when running a background check. Read more

Work Tunes: Songs With a Remodeling Twist

Ken Kanline puts your jobsite stories to music in Measure Once, Cut Twice: Songs From the Jobsite. Read more

Small Business and the Affordable Care Act in 2014

Ten takeaways from a recent webinar about the coming changes to health insurance. Read more

Your Projects
The Sun: Beautiful but Brutal

It can warm your house in the winter, but UV rays can cause overheating and will decay building materials on the south side of the building. Read more

What I Like: Co-Construct Software

Neal Fiske of TriplePoint Design Build talks about how Co-Construct has helped his business be more efficient and communicate with clients and trades more effectively. Read more

K+B
Universal Appeal: Merillat Universal Design Options

Improve kitchen usability with new universal design accessories from Merillat. Read more

Endless Options: WalzCraft Custom Cabinet Doors

Design custom Shaker and Arts & Cafts cabinet doors from a wide variety of options. Read more

A Softer Touch: Soft-Close Hinges

Timberlake Cabinetry introduces a new soft-close door hinge. Read more

Out in the Open: A Master Suite with an Open Toilet Tailored for a Client's Needs

This bathroom layout provides a disabled client with some independence. Read more

Buy and Boost: Buying a Kitchen and Bath Company

To grow the company, remodeler purchases a kitchen and bath company, moves its showroom, and enhances product lines. Read more

Four Great Kitchen & Bath Design Ideas to Steal

They don't call it a concept house for nothing. Check out these design ideas that easily translate from a luxury home to your market. Read more

NKBA Shares Results of 2013 Kitchen and Bath Design Trends Survey

White-painted cabinets and glass backsplashes gain ground, while gray becomes the new black -- again! Read more

Home Performance
Act Responsibly: Spray Polyurethane Foam Installation Requires Care

Ed Voytovich discusses the hazards of insulating with SPF and the importance of being clear with your clients about the hazards. Read more

Online Tool for Energy-Efficient Construction

Site offers guides for energy-efficient construction Read more

Energy Codes as They Apply to Existing Homes

Using the International Energy Conservation Code as a guide for improving existing buildings. Read more

Back to Life: Barnwood Industries Reclaimed Wood From Weyerhaeuser

Weyerhaeuser is now distributing Barnwood reclaimed wood. Read more

Crate & Bleacher: Viridian Reclaimed Engineered Wood Flooring

Broken down crates and gym bleachers are put to good use in this new product. Read more

Called on the Carpet: NyloDeck Decking

Without wood or PVC, this company uniquely makes decking from recycled carpet fibers. Read more

Products
Flame Out: New Fire-Blocking Sealants

Try these foam products to stay code-compliant where fire-blocking is necessary. Read more

Cabinet Compassion: Canyon Creek Cabinet Co. Helps Hurricane Sandy Victims

Discounted pricing is extended to victims in need of cabinets for their rebuilding projects. Read more

Take on Torque: Porter-Cable 20 Volt Max Compact Drill/Driver

A two-speed gear transmission helps the 20 Volt Max Compact Drill/Driver solve problems in a range of applications. Read more

Finish Strong: Paslode Cordless Finish Nailing System

A compact cordless finish nailer lets users get into tight spaces easily. Read more

What I Like: DaVinci Roofscapes Bellaforte Shake

One homeowner discovered a big benefit not built into the product: savings on his homeowner's insurance. Read more

Good Form
Hiring: Pre-Interview Telephone Script Helps Sort Through Job Candidates

These questions, suggested by Grant Mazmanian of Pinnacle Group International, will help you filter candidates for hire. Read more

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