Blog Archives




 

  • Passive Wine Cellars
    By Sylvain Côté, Absolute Green Homes - Monday December 19, 2011
    The very first rule is that these natural wine cellars are not for the finicky customer or the guy who wants to be in complete control of the temperature and humidity level to a precise standard. You’re a bit less in control with a naturally cooled cellar. That said, there’s no doubt in my mind that these are better designed, better thought-out and better built cellars than conventional ones. They are free, as free from energy bills and from cooling equipment breakdowns, noise pollution and power outages. They also are carbon footprint-free as well. To make a passive wine cellar, you first need a basement. Using a corner of your foundation here is a must because you need two exterior walls for ideal cellar temperature. These two...

  • The Social Component of Building Deconstruction
    By Dave Bennink - Friday December 9, 2011
    I could talk about the benefits of deconstruction all day. When I started deconstructing buildings 19 years ago, my company had to be self-sufficient and competitive because I couldn’t rely on our ever-growing role in “green” building or receiving funding to help with workforce development. Today, green building and workforce development have become important reasons to deconstruct instead of demolishing, but they are not the only reasons. When it comes to green building, if you compare new flooring to reclaimed flooring or new framing to reclaimed framing lumber, it takes about 11 to 13 times less energy for us to reclaim it than to manufacture it new, and three to five times less greenhouse gases are generated when we...

  • Water, Water Everywhere
    By Iris Harrell - Monday December 5, 2011
    Samuel Coleridge’s famous quote “Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink” came to mind recently as I sat by the edge of the Potomac River watching a dead catfish float to the surface from an unknown cause. Catfish are “bottom feeders.” If they can’t stay alive in the Potomac, this is not a good sign. I was in a boat launch area where we could see the gasoline discoloration lines on the lapping water’s edge. And when the breeze died down, I also could smell the gas fumes from boats that were anchored there. I certainly did not want to wade in that body of water, even though I was hot. Americans tend to think of clean water as ubiquitous, unending and a divine right—if not a constitutional right. This attitude has...

  • Promoting certifications and designations
    By Maureen Alley - Thursday December 1, 2011
    Industry certifications and designations help trade professionals differentiate themselves from their competition. Whether it's getting LEED approval for a project to verify it is what you say it is, or becoming a Certified Green Professional, you volunteer to go through the appropriate channels to have these added to your name and company. Having these certifications and designations isn't enough. The potential client might not know you have them, or they may not understand what they mean. How do you promote your certifications and designations?  

  • I Still Have Hope
    - Tuesday November 15, 2011
    By Stephen Shook, Rarco Contracting Inc.   I headed into the county office with a fixed determination to finally get the permit I needed to start construction on my customer’s addition. Near the end of the process, I learned that my plate was missing one tiny piece of information and I wasn’t getting the permit today. The next thing I knew everyone in the county office was staring at me, my voice was raised to near screaming and the supervisor was moving toward me and asking me to not use foul language in his office. This is not my normal mode of operation. I have been in the remodeling business for 17 years. I started from nothing and grew my business to $3.5 million annual sales. I believe in professionalism and honesty. My...

  • OSHA, EPA, HUD and Lead
    - Thursday November 3, 2011
    By Joe Levitch Oh boy is there ever a problem between three of the federal agencies that regulate how lead is handled in the residential remodeling world! The EPA’s RRP rule came out last April and my company has been all over it with training and lead-safe work practices. I knew OSHA was in existence. In fact, we’ve visited and I have heard speakers from the organization about many safety issues related to workers falling or being crushed or killed. We even implemented a safety talk and keep first-aid kits on the job. HUD and their rules are well established, too, and have similarities to RRP. However, there are glaring inconsistencies both within these organizations and between them. It wasn’t until I was attending my third...

  • Remodeling Show Recap
    - Wednesday October 26, 2011
      Christina Koch Editor One of my favorite aspects of my job is the opportunity to talk to the people who drive this industry. It helps me determine what you, the readers, want to see in the magazine (and online). This year’s Remodeling Show offered me another opportunity to do just that. Not only did I take time to chat with those people I’ve gotten to know during my 13 months as editor of QR, but I also met plenty of new people who shared great insights and predictions about remodeling in 2012. I’m happy to report most, if not all, of the people I spoke with during the Remodeling Show expect 2012 to be a good year for remodeling. One of my favorite predictions came from Mike Pierce, president of Hughes Kitchens & Bath...

  • A Well-Deserved Shout Out for America's Tradesmen
    - Friday September 16, 2011
    By Ross Porter, President of IRWIN Tools, Huntersville, N.C. There's a day to honor administrative assistants, a day to recognize bosses, and even a day to champion teachers. But what about those folks who show up at your house when the toilet is overflowing, or the air-conditioning quit and it's 100 F outside, or the rain is pouring through the kitchen ceiling? When we do say "thanks" to the tradesmen who build America and keep it running? The answer: Today. September 16th. National Tradesmen Day. It's a new initiative to honor America's tradesmen. And everyone can participate. As you're out-and-about today, and you see electricians, plumbers, roofers or carpenters at the construction site, stop by to say thanks. See how they react...

  • Offering Energy Analyses Can Create More Work for You
    - Tuesday April 5, 2011
    By Donna Shirey, CGR, CGP, CAPS Remodelers are a unique group of business people who are innovative, persistent and creative in their approach to business. Although it is important to stay focused on the core business, it is becoming evident there is a need to diversify. Diversification can create stability. With the economy in a constant state of fluctuation (the story of the last two and a half years), it is nice to be able to identify a new “division†of your company. With this in mind, my company now offers energy analysis for existing homes. This concept is introduced to clients during our initial interview. I ask probing questions about their energy bills and how comfortable they are in their home. I find people will...

  • Making the Most of an Industry
    - Thursday March 10, 2011
    by Jon Minnick, Qualified Remodeler Managing Editor The March 2011 NAHB Remodeler of the Month is Katz Builders Inc. of Austin, Texas. Headed by a husband and wife team, Joel and Lucy Katz have taken the time to run a business and be involved in the industry that supports them. This duo has sat on committees, taken leadership positions, written articles and won awards along the way. While reporting on Katz Builders in the March 2011 issue of Qualified Remodeler, I realized there was no way I could do justice in showing how rich their involvement has truly been, so I’ve decided to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit more about them. Before becoming remodelers and custom home builders, Joel and Lucy had a diverse history of...

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