Warranty work is inevitable, experienced contractors say. It’s also manageable. Learn to communicate in ways that minimize potential trouble when problems crop up. More
In this tough economy, high-end clients are asking for bids and high-end remodelers are having to adjust. More
Remodeling is by its very nature a contentious process. But there is no magic bullet to protect against run-ins with customers or, worse, with their lawyers. The best protection, many remodelers agree, is as simple as establishing the rules and then making sure everyone follows them. More
High-end jobs mean costly materials and sophisticated designs, and finding and keeping “golden” subs is critical. The other end of the spectrum means job delays, warranty work, and strained customer relations. “A careless plumber can cause a lot of expensive destruction in very little time,” says Alex Dahlgren, partner at Acheron Construction in Garland, Texas. “One wrong turn of the wrench can ruin a $700 faucet.” More
The winners of this year's Renaissance Design Competition showcase projects that reflect the commitment and vision of design and construction professionals. From a row house update to a barn-to-office conversion to an oceanfront bungalow, the projects are dramatically different but have a common theme of excellence. The Best of the Year project is a dramatic town house in San Francisco that blends classic and modern themes into a warm and inviting space. More
Paul Sullivan has come up with a convenient way to spot houses needing work and then solicit prospects with postcard mailers. Sullivan, of The Sullivan Co. and maintenance repair company DOMO Inc. in Newton Highlands, Mass., has equipped his DOMO crew with microcassette recorders. At the end of each week, office employees transcribe the addresses, log them into DOMO's lead tracking system, and send them postcards advertising DOMO's services. More
