Friday, November 13, 2009

Chinese Drywall Update - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Chinese Drywall Report - Popular Mechanics

Hoo boy. Here's an update from the Consumer Product Safety Commission on the Chinese drywall problem in the U.S. There is still no remediation strategy, compensation plan or consensus as to the exact chemical that is causing the problem. Read on. From Popular Mechanics Magazine:

Chinese Drywall Update - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Chinese Drywall Report - Popular Mechanics:

"6 Surprising Findings from the Chinese Drywall Report The Chinese drywall scandal is now nearly a year old. And while incidents of Chinese drywall being installed in homes have all but stopped, complaints of bloody noses, sinus infections and vomiting spells for pets and people, widespread corrosion and blackening of copper tubing and wiring and 'rotten egg' smell continue to roll in. Last spring, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission conducted 44 investigations into consumer complaints about drywall. Few of the complainants provided evidence that their drywall came from China, but the report included no shortage of devastating medical reports, panicked letters written to government officials and photographs of corroded metal. Here are six surprising findings from the report:"



Click here for more.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Home Buyer Credits Extended and Expanded

On November 6, 2009, President Obama signed the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009. Among other things, the Act extends the $8,000 first time home buyer credit for homes purchased or under contract by April 30, 2010. In addition, a new smaller credit of $6,500 will now apply to families that have lived in their homes for at least five years and purchase another home between November 6, 2009 and April 30, 2010. Of course, there are restrictions and limitations on both credits. Check out NAHB’s new website Home Buyer Tax Credits for an excellent summary of both credits.

It is the President’s intention that expanding the Home Buyer Tax Credits will help to continue the sale of homes which will, in turn, reduce the inventory of unsold homes and help home prices continue to increase across the country. The White House points out that residential housing investment grew 23 percent in the third quarter, one of the contributors to positive economic growth.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Owens Corning Launches Shingle Recycling Program

Owens Corning Launches Shingle Recycling Program: "Owens Corning Launches Shingle Recycling Program
Manufacturer to simplify shingle recycling for contractors


TOLEDO, Ohio -- Nov. 3, 2009 -- Owens Corning announced through its roofing business that it will provide a new program that simplifies recycling asphalt shingles for its Preferred Roofing Contractors. The company is the first roofing manufacturer to connect contractors with convenient recycling facilities through a national strategic alliance."

Read more here.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

How to deal with your client's increasing stress levels

A new survey reveals that homeowners are becoming more stressed as the result of their remodeling projects. Read on to learn how tension surfaces in a family situation and what you, the contractor, can do about it.

Survey Shows Remodeling is Stressful: "Survey Shows Remodeling is Stressful
Routines disrupted and relationships put on edge

A recent survey shows that remodeling often increases tension between family members.
ServiceMagic.com

GOLDEN, Colo. -- October 29, 2009 -- A national survey released by ServiceMagic.com indicates a rising trend in boosted tension and heightened stress levels within the family during a home remodel within the last year. In a time when remodeling is on the rise, up 13.5% from Q3 2008, ServiceMagic.com experts looked at the current trends and found surprising results from an exclusive homeowner survey."

For the rest of the article, click here.

So how do you deal with stress from a remodeling project to ensure that you are not on the receiving end of the client's frustrations? As the article stated, there are three main sources of frustration within the family:

  1. Projects took too long.
  2. Contractors were messy.
  3. Projects went over budget.

You can easily deal with these three sources of frustration by managing the client's expectations and a little jobsite clean-up.

First, plan the job accurately and completely. Account for all phases of a job and put it down on paper. Make sure that your production team buys in on the schedule. Then, share that schedule with your client. Be sure to explain the schedule to your client, including events that could change the schedule (such as change orders). This is just as important for small jobs as it is for large ones. Never undertake a job without a written plan!

Second, clean up every day! Your production crews should put away their tools, neatly contain materials and broom sweep on a daily basis. If you are working inside the home, use plastic to contain dust and carpet/floor protection to keep flooring clean. Explain to the customer up front that any remodel will create dust but you will keep it to a minimum. And then do it! You may even consider paying for a cleaning service at the end of a job.

Third, present clients with change orders immediately if they wish to change the scope of the project. Detail the change, the cost and the impact on the schedule. If the client decides to accept the change order, make sure it is signed immediately.

The three main sources of stress for any family undertaking a remodeling project can easily be managed by you and your staff.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Moisture Management Solutions

Moisture problems can be a big issue for your clients. Want to learn more about how to deal with those moisture problems? Georgia-Pacific has created a new educational series on just that topic. And it's free. Just register, click and learn.

Moisture Management Solutions - LoginAndLearn.com: "Moisture Management Solutions CampusWelcome to the Georgia-Pacific Gypsum Moisture Management Solutions Campus. It is part of LogInAndLearn.com and is intended to be the single platform you should regularly visit for Moisture Management Solutions education, resources and associated links."

For more, click here.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Remodeling Magazine's 2010 Big 50

An award can boost your company's name and reputation in your community as well as give you a well-deserved pat on the back for a job well done. Remodeling's Big 50 is one of the most influential. Check it out and, yes, you can nominate yourself.

Think You're a Contender for the 2010 Big50? - Remodeling Magazine: "Think You're a Contender for the 2010 Big50?
What is the REMODELING Big50?"

Read more here.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Just 2% Can Make a Difference

What could just 2% more effort do for you and your company? Read on to find out . . .

Boost Referrals by Making a 2% Difference - Sales - Remodeling Magazine: "Boost Referrals by Making a 2% Difference
Sales expert Lorna Riley offers tips on building referrals"

Read more here.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Remodelers Tighten Up Labor Costs to Stay Afloat

Don't kid yourself, these won't be popular ideas to implement and they won't be easy, but sometimes we have to make tough decisions.

Remodelers Tighten Up Labor Costs to Stay Afloat - 10/1/2009 - Professional Remodeler: "Remodelers Tighten Up Labor Costs to Stay Afloat
Faced with a shortfall of new business, remodelers have been obliged to make cuts in staff, pay and benefits and bring work in house that used to be outsourced."

Read more here.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

House Passes Homebuyer Tax Credit Extension

The extension of the $8,000 first time homebuyer tax credit moved another step closer today with the passage of the House bill. Included in that bill is a $6,500 credit for existing homeowners who have lived in their home the past 5 out of 8 years to purchase a new home. Next up is President Obama's signature.

Congress Passes Homebuyer Tax Credit - UPI.com: "Congress Passes Homebuyer Tax Credit
Published: Nov. 5, 2009
By Steve Cook Real Estate Economy Watch
After the Senate gave final approval last night without a dissenting vote, the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly this afternoon to pass legislation containing an extension and expansion of the homebuyer tax credit, completing Congressional action and sending the tax credit to President Obama for his signature, possibly as early as tomorrow."

Read more here.

Learn from the best

Iris Harrell is an innovative and successful remodeling company entrepreneur. Read on to learn more about her and her successful company . . .

Iris Harrell: The 2009 Fred Case Remodeling Entrepreneur of the Year - Awards, Company Culture, Green Remodeling - Remodeling Magazine: "Fully Vested
Don’t try telling Iris Harrell that women can’t rock at remodeling — or that companies can’t continually evolve and grow stronger."

Read more here.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Senate extends $8,000 homebuyer tax credit

This is great news for the new construction industry and new home sales.

"Tax break for buying a home: The legislation also would extend the $8,000 homebuyer tax credit to contracts signed by April 30 and closed by June 30. The controversial credit, which many say has boosted home sales in recent months, was set to expire after Nov. 30."

Read more here.