Remodeling Magazine

FEATURES

Iris Harrell: The 2009 Fred Case Remodeling Entrepreneur of the Year

Self-taught, self-made, and a leader in the green remodeling and universal design communities, Iris Harrell has built a remodeling company whose innovation will outlast her tenure at its helm.
Iris Harrell's 10 Business Commandments

The "10 business commandments" of Iris Harrell, winner of the 2009 Fred Case Remodeling Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
About the 2009 Fred Case Remodeling Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Iris Harrell is the winner of the third Fred Case Remodeling Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

VIEW POINT

FIRST WORD

Not Buying It

When there is no "business as usual," how are you adapting to the current economy?

Local Forecast

Colorado Remodeling Company Survives Third Economic Decline

ABD Design/Build had to cut its budget and some staff, but is now seeing positive signs in the local economy.

MARKET WATCH

Home Equity, Foreclosures, and Remodeling Loans: A Statistical Glimpse

Home equity, foreclosures, and remodeling loans: a statistical counterpoint to MarketWatch article, "In Foreclosures, An Opening."
Remodelers Spot Opportunity in Little-Understood FHA Renovation Loans

Remodelers, realtors, and lenders take a new look at renovation loans as banks offload foreclosures and homeowners scramble for renovation funds.

COMMENTARY

LINDA CASE

Remodelers' Enduring Lessons from a Bruiser of a Downturn

Consultant Linda Case gathers case studies from remodelers who are pulling out the stops to survive.

MARK RICHARDSON

Learning to Cope in a Down Economy

Don’t let tough times turn your business habits upside down. It is more crucial than ever to keep thinking ahead, improving, and planning for the future.

SHAWN MCCADDEN

The Not-So-New Production Realities of Smaller Remodeling Jobs

Some "old-school" tips for avoiding costly mistakes and maintaining profitability in a climate of shrinking job sizes and margins.

YOUR BUSINESS

Sales and Marketing

Remodeling Sales School: Tighten Up the Money Talk

Sandler Sales trainer Chip Doyle explains how to preempt budget objections long before presenting a project proposal.
Mid-Process Remodeling Events Draw Big Crowds

Meadowlark Builders and HartmanBaldwin Design/Build are at the forefront of remodeling tours that show what's "behind the drywall."

BOTTOM LINE

Remodeling on Layaway

A remodeler uses a layaway plan to help clients complete smaller projects and ride out the recession.
Meet Your New Competitors — and Bid Like Them

How to bid against production and custom builders who have entered the remodeling market.

BY DESIGN

Bathroom Design for Men vs. Women

When it comes to bathroom design, men and women want different things.

FIELD NOTES

Strong Safety Record Can Keep Insurance in Check

Strict safety protocols have given Mark IV Builders a strong safety record and a great relationship with its insurance company.
Lookalike Products, Trying Times: Tips for Remodelers from a Building Materials Pro

Short-sighted efforts to save money and install products quickly can get remodelers into trouble. Building supply dealer Craig Coleman offers these timely insights for residential remodelers.

GOOD FORM

Trade Partner Bid Sheet

A trade partner bid sheet can help you compare apples to apples.

Tech at Work

Making the Right Decisions When It Comes to Technology for Your Company

Joe Stoddard outlines how to make savvy software and technology decisions for your company.
BIM Software and More

Envisioneer, created by Cadsoft, is building information management software (BIM) that, unlike other BIM software, focuses on residential building and remodeling.

Ways + Means

Hone Your Leadership Skills for Better Times

Build your leadership skills now to inspire your employees and be positioned to take advantage of opportunities once the economy improves.
ByLaw: Lead-Safe Laws Grow More Burdensome ... Again

Beginning April 2010, it looks like the EPA is going to increase the burdens placed on contractors dealing with lead paint.
Insurance 101

In a tough economy, it may be tempting to cut corners on insurance spending, but that may not be the best idea.

BIG50

CLOSE UP

Big50 CloseUp: Bob Tilghman

Tilghman Builders restructures to ride out the economic downturn and maintain profitability.

SECOND LOOK

Big50 SecondLook: Delbert Adams

After 22 years of building Ilex Construction into a remodeling and custom-home powerhouse, Delbert Adams starts anew. Year one was a winner.

KITCHEN AND BATH

SPEC BOOK

Franke Farm House Faucets

In response to research findings on Americans' taste for the traditional, the maker's new Farm House Faucets launch with a family of styles and finishes.
Delta Addision Bath Collection

With a scalloped shape and high-arc spout, the Addision bath collection was inspired by seashells to complement any bath.
Watermark Designs Classic Contemporary Collection

From Frank Lloyd Wright to Le Corbusier, each handle in the Classic Contemporary Collection was inspired by a legendary architect.
Cleveland Faucet Group Capstone Family

The Capstone product family offers three kitchen faucet options, including a two-handle high-arc model with or without side spray, and a single-handle pullout faucet.
Symmons Ballina Collection

Styled with flowing ballet movements in mind, the water-efficient Ballina collection includes a widespread lavatory faucet, Roman tub faucet, hand spray, and tub/shower system.

SUSTAINABILITY

GREEN SPEAK

Trends in Green Flooring

Cork, FSC-certified wood, and linoleum are popular flooring options with consumers seeking sustainable flooring materials.
Affordable Solar Installation

Gayler Construction forms a community group to help provide cost-effective solar installations.

GREEN SPEC

Panasonic WhisperComfort Spot Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV)

The WhisperComfort Spot Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) is the first ceiling-insert ERV available in the U.S.
DriTac 7700 Easy Clean Green Hybrid Urethane Wood Flooring Adhesive

New 7700 Easy Clean green hybrid urethane wood flooring adhesive incorporates a range of adhesive technologies to offer a product that cleans up easily when wet or dry.
Kirei Coco Tiles

Create a tropical and tactile wall covering with Coco Tiles.
Gavin Historical Bricks Reclaimed Bricks, Pavers, and Cobblestones

The maker's bricks, pavers, and cobblestones originated on historical buildings and roads.

PRODUCTS

IN FOCUS

Ilva, S.A. Athena Stone Collection

The Athena Stone collection comprises a range of glazed porcelain tile that recreates the aesthetics of natural stone.
RotoZip Tile Dock

Achieve quicker, more accurate cuts with fewer broken tiles using the Tile Dock cutting station.
Tile Redi Redi-Niche Pre-Formed Niches

Make shower niche installation easy with Redi-Niche pre-formed niches.
Anchor Bay Tile Solana Glass Subway Tile

Solana 3-by-6-inch glass subway tiles are available in a variety of colors and are ideal for backsplashes, showers, and bathrooms.
Behr Premium Plus Ultra Paint + Primer in One

New Premium Plus Ultra Paint + Primer in One eliminates the need to prime separately, and covers completely in fewer coats, even for difficult reds and magentas, the maker says.
Masterchem Industries Kilz Clean Start Primer

Block stains and seal walls without introducing harsh fumes by using Kilz Clean Start primer.
YoLo Colorhouse Interior Coatings

All YoLo Colorhouse interior coatings are zero-VOC, and free of carcinogens, toxic solvents, formaldehyde, phthalates, odor-masking chemicals, and ozone-depleting compounds, the maker says.
Olympic Paint Zero-VOC/Low-Odor Premium Interior Paint

For a green painting experience from start to finish, the maker offers its Zero-VOC/low-odor Premium Interior Paint formula, as well as a water-based, zero-VOC, low-odor primer.
Bercom Handy Paint Tray

Able to hold up to a gallon of paint, the Handy Paint Tray features a deep well and a built-in magnetic brush holder.