Extreme temperatures, high humidity, salt water, and major storms are welcome challenges for Apex Ultrex Siding. Read more
Rather than build a home around a window, new A-Series and E-Series options let users choose from a range of architectural styles to match their home's design. Read more
In response to increased demand for Mission-style pieces, the maker has added four designs to its line of Craftsman entry doors. Read more
Foam-backed siding isn't the only option for homeowners who want extra insulation. Read more
How to get the attention and respect of homeowners-to-be Read more
Slate roofing, doors, tiles, cameras, boots and more. Read more
More homeowners are buying solar systems, but usually not from home improvement companies Read more
The sales force clamors for leads, but leads -- good leads, at least -- have sharply escalated in cost. Wonder why? There are lots of reasons. Read more
We get a lot of jobs nobody else wants. Here's why Read more
What companies want salespeople to do and what they're willing to do are not always the same Read more
Using QR codes to connect with customers Read more
The tablet computer: indispensable for sales and marketing Read more
How often should you contact prospects and past customers? Read more
Commission is the great motivator, but other factors drive sales performance Read more
Group practice or one-on-one coaching? Most sales mangers say both are essential to building skills Read more
If you don't ask for the order, there's little hope of getting it Read more
Should your sales manager run leads? Doesn't he have enough to do? Read more
For the moment, recycling vinyl siding remains far from common Read more
When it comes to replacement, a homeowner's priority is solidity, then maybe, sustainability Read more
Surviving the home-building slump by becoming an outdoor-living contractor Read more
Last February, five window manufacturers and replacement contractors cut a deal with the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC had filed complaints against the five saying that their marketing made "exaggerated and unsupported" claims for energy savings. Read more
REPLACEMENT CONTRACTOR spoke with Ron Sherman, president of Ron Sherman Productions, in Little Rock, Ark., which has been involved in making home improvement commercials and directing advertising for home improvement companies for 25 years. Read more
The industry's premier consulting company recently polled more than 100 of its clients to discover that, among them, the average cost of an issued appointment is $299. That's $23 more than it cost in 2010. And yes, some companies pay twice that for an issued lead. Read more
In yet another indication of the growing importance of Internet marketing to companies that offer home improvement services, one of the most active providers of services in the field -- Surefire Social -- announced yesterday the acquisition of Bring Me My Leads, another leading player. Read more
In this interview, Charles Gindele, owner of Dial One Windows, in Orange County, Calif., explains how a customer service program increased his company's sales by 26% last year. Read more
A homeowner saw or heard the ad your company ran for windows on a Sunday morning. They called your office. No one was there and the phone system invited that prospect to leave a voice mail. Read more
Mike Damora is the sales manager at Roeland Home Improvers, a roofing, siding, and window company in Rockaway, N.J. Roeland employs three salespeople and has embraced the iPad in its sales presentations. Read more
Soft-Lite Closes Gorell Plant, Consolidates Manufacturing Read more
What many people in the window replacement business suspected is now official. Read more
Aaron and Harley Magden, co-owners of Window Nation, in Glen Burnie, Md., grew up working for Regency Windows, in Cleveland. Regency was founded by their grandfather, Melvin Magden, and was owned for many years by their father, Mike Magden. Read more