http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/facts-and-figures/reader-panel/reader-panel-section.aspx?view=rss&id=Query_tcm1780853http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/economic-conditions/reader-panel-economic-impact.aspx?rssLink=Reader+Panel%3a+Economic+ImpactIn a recent survey, REMODELING ReaderPanel respondents were asked to share details on how their companies fared during the turbulent year of 2008. See details and analysis of their responses in these slides.http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/reader-panel-its-not-easy.aspx?rssLink=Reader+Panel%3a+It's+Not+Easy...These days, the remodeling industry is abuzz with talk of the "green" revolution. To be sure, there is much cynicism surrounding the movement - some respondents to this month's survey dismissed the trend as "hype" - but many industry leaders have embraced green remodeling as the way of the future, not simply a passing fad.http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/reader-panel-safety-first.aspx?rssLink=Reader+Panel%3a+Safety+FirstWith all the challenges remodelers face running their businesses, it’s easy to take for granted those parts of the business that seem to take care of themselves. Jobsite safety is one such issue that is commonly overlooked — especially when your field crews are experienced and trusted members of your team.http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/reader-panel-better-bidding.aspx?rssLink=Reader+Panel%3a+Better+BiddingThis month's Reader Panel survey is a continuation of our June 2007 survey, Balancing Act, which examined the successes and frustrations of remodelers entrenched in the bidding game.http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/reader-panel-liability-insurance.aspx?rssLink=Reader+Panel%3a+Liability+InsuranceThe results of this month’s Reader Panel survey show some encouraging trends in the industry with regard to liability insurance: 96% of respondents reported carrying some type of commercial liability insurance. Among these, virtually all reported carrying a general liability policy.http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/reader-panel-great-expectations.aspx?rssLink=Reader+Panel%3a+Great+ExpectationsMost remodelers will agree that the success of a remodeling project depends heavily on setting realistic client expectations early in the process. This month’s Reader Panel respondents take an array of measures to ensure that those expectations are clearly defined and are, ultimately, met.http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/reader-panel-substance-abuse.aspx?rssLink=Reader+Panel%3a+Substance+AbuseThough just 25% of this month's Reader Panel respondents submit potential or current employees to drug tests, the topic seemed to strike a chord with a majority of our panelists. Responses were strong from remodelers on both sides of the issue.http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/architects/remodeling-reader-panel.aspx?rssLink=Remodeling+Reader+Panel%3a+Working+With+Professional+DesignersIt's no secret that remodelers and architects have endured a historically adversarial relationship. http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/remodeling-reader-panel.aspx?rssLink=Remodeling+Reader+PanelThe results of this month's Reader Panel show that for the overwhelming majority of remodelers, competitive bidding is simply a part of business.http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/getting-the-job-done.aspx?rssLink=Getting+the+Job+DoneAlthough there has long been debate among remodelers over whether it is more advantageous to build projects using independent trade contractors or in-house employees, statistics show that most contractors find it necessary to use subcontractors in at least some capacity during production.http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/multicultural-clients.aspx?rssLink=Multicultural+ClientsThe results of a REMODELING survey regarding multiculturalism on the job.http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/reader-panel-certifications.aspx?rssLink=Reader+Panel%3a+CertificationsAlthough the benefits of holding professional certifications seem obvious — they serve as effective marketing tools as well as a way of ensuring job quality, among other things — many remodelers have been slow to get certification for themselves and their employees. http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/remodeling-companies-on-the-web.aspx?rssLink=Reader+PanelThis month's Reader Panel shows that remodelers are still on the on-ramp to the information superhighway. Only slightly more than half of respondents who took our e-mailed survey said their company has a Web site.http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/surveying-customers.aspx?rssLink=Surveying+CustomersSurveying customers is the best way to collect direct feedback. The information you gather can help you improve your service. That improved service, in turn, translates to repeat business and referrals. We found that 92% of Reader Panel members follow up with their clients — and that approximately 55% of them do so within one week.http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/yours-mine-and-ours.aspx?rssLink=Yours%2c+Mine%2c+and+OursThe more official your partnership agreement is, the more likely it is to last. Half of remodeling partnerships begin as informal “handshake” agreements, but only 37% of these last more than three years. By comparison, 59% of partnerships last three or more years if an attorney writes or reviews the agreement, and 51% last that long if the agreement is simply spelled out in writing.http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/handing-off-responsibilities.aspx?rssLink=Handing+Off+ResponsibilitiesDelegation — or the lack of it — is probably the biggest obstacle facing new remodelers. A young remodeling company requires a lot of attention, and 60-hour-plus work weeks certainly aren't uncommon. But if the company is going to move out of its infancy, then its owner must start to pass responsibilities on to others.http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/reader-panel-designed-built.aspx?rssLink=Reader+Panel%3a+Designed.+Built.Among respondents, a substantial number of remodeling company owners — formally trained or not — are designing projects. This is true whether a firm bills itself design/build (65.6% of respondents) or is a traditional remodeling company (34.4%).http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/reader-panel-women-in-remodeling.aspx?rssLink=Reader+Panel%3a+Women+in+RemodelingMany remodelers find that women, especially those in sales positions, more quickly and effectively establish a firm level of trust with clients. Some male employees still question women's place in physically demanding field positions. Clients, however, have been overwhelmingly positive — a sign that it may be time for remodelers to rethink the face they present to consumers.http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/reader-panel-two-decades-of-change.aspx?rssLink=Reader+Panel%3a+Two+Decades+of+ChangeMore than half of the respondents for this Reader Panel have been in the remodeling business for over 16 years. They have seen a lot of changes, some incremental but others revolutionary in ways that led them to alter their business strategies.http://www2.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/licensing.aspx?rssLink=LicensingLicensing can be a frustrating part of the remodeling process. Most remodelers believe the profession should uphold professional and technical standards, but many say licensing ensures neither because of easy, meaningless, or nonexistent tests and educational requirements.