Hurricanes' Impact Spreads Nationally

A survey of the Milwaukee chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry finds that many are already feeling the effects of higher prices and tighter supplies as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Contractors and suppliers are anticipating, and in many cases have already experienced, price increases in any petroleum-manufactured products, especially in vinyl siding, roof coatings, tar paper, asphalt shingles and PVC. Most of the nation's PVC resin and additive material suppliers are located in the Louisiana and Texas Gulf Coast region.

"Leading indicators that we measure in the home improvement business seem to indicate that home improvement is going to remain solid," says David Pekel, CR, Milwaukee/NARI marketing committee chairman and owner of Wauwatosa-based Pekel Construction & Remodeling, Inc. "However, there will be a demand for materials when rebuilding New Orleans and surrounding areas, and local distribution channels may be challenged to maintain inventory. Contractors may be factoring in some additional lead time. We've already seen the effects on drywall, roofing, siding and windows.

Typically, we see one or two price increases a year," says Pekel. "This year, we've already seen as many as four on certain materials. We've actually put specific language in contracts that we can only guarantee our contract costs for 20 days as a result of fluctuating fuel and material costs."

Providers of building supplies have been receiving notifications from manufacturers since late September, alerting them of price hikes. "We've seen price increases due to the Gulf weather when vinyl plants shut down, resin shipping slows and fuel surcharges," says Ron Hager of Quality Building Products, Inc. in Milwaukee. "Alcoa has notified us of 15 percent increases beginning in October, and continuing through the end of the year. Roofing materials are also up by about six percent."

Lumber may be one of the few products that isn't going to be impacted by the weather. The hurricanes had an effect on sheet goods, Southern Yellow Pine, and some drywall. But manufacturers are back on line and material prices, which initially did increase, have dropped by 25 percent, says Gerry Remshek of General Lumber and Supply in Milwaukee. Remshek adds that pricing has not impacted his business and he sees no slowdown in contractor purchases.

Green Building

Top 10 Green Building Products Announced by Publisher

Environmental Building News announced its 2005 selections of the Top 10 Green Building Products.

They are:

• BioNet Erosion — Control Mats from North American Green
• PureBond Hardwood Plywood and Agrifiber – Core Panels from Columbia Forest Products
• Nybacker — recycled carpet tile-backer from Nycore, Inc.
• Stonescape from American Biltrite Canada, Ltd.
• Terratex biobased textiles from Interface Fabrics Group and Carnegie
• Uppercut Dual-Flush Flushometer Valve from Sloan Valve Company
• Aquia dual-flush toilet from TOTO USA, Inc.
• Ice Bear thermal energy storage system from Ice Energy, Inc.
• UltimateAir RecoupAerator 200-DX ERV from Stirling Technology, Inc.
• Enbryten LED and pendant downlighting luminaires from Permlight Products, Inc.

Three of BuildingGreen's winning products this year save energy, and all three also offer other environmental benefits. Two products save water. Three products are green in part because they are made from recycled waste or biobased material. Rounding out the list are a biodegradable erosion-control mat and a brand-new flooring alternative for commercial buildings.

New ‘Specialty Remodeling' Section

Four issues to be presented in Qualified Remodeler in ‘06

In this issue of Qualified Remodeler, we present the first of four Specialty Remodeling sections to be published within the magazine this year. Focusing on the particular business information needs of exterior contractors, -the section will also appear in March, July and November.