ReNews -- Remodelors Council News - May 12, 2005 (Print All Articles)Little Consolidation in Remodeling IndustryRemodeling Firms Overview at Joint Center for Housing Panel at Harvard University The remodeling industry has seen little consolidation according to the Joint Center for Housing at Harvard University. In 2004, the top 500 contractors provided 3.9% of all remodeling jobs compared with 3.7% in 2001, showing the continued fragmentation of the industry. These findings were presented in a panel discussion at Joint Center for Housing, highlighted by Remodelors™ Council members providing a big picture snapshot of the remodeling industry. Over 800,000 people in the U.S. provide remodeling services, most as self employed contractors. Approximately 170,000 firms that provide remodeling services have payrolls, though only 62,000 of those firms are general remodeling contractors — the rest are specialty firms. Panelist Mark Richardson, CEO of Case Design/Remodeling, pointed out the ease of entry in the remodeling industry, which is reflected in the large number of self employed contractors and the 60% fail rate within the first five years of work. Richardson also noted that while nine in 10 remodelers are honest and hardworking, all are not savvy in their business practices. Panelist Bill Owens, CGR, CAPS and former chairman of the Remodelors Council, divided remodeling firms into three size categories: small ($500,000 or less in sales), medium ($500,000 to $2.5 million), and large ($2.5 million plus). He noted that over 80% of remodeling industry contractors and agencies have less than $500,000 in sales. Owens, who provided an overview of small and medium-sized remodelers, mentioned that many in the industry purposely keep their sales below the $500,000 mark in order to stay “lean and mean,” easily managing volume and profits. Once a business exceeds $1.5 million in sales, strong business systems need to be in place to manage the volume or the business risks failure. Fred Case, president of Case Design/Remodeling gave an overview of a large firm. Case is a Washington, D.C.-based remodeling business founded in 1961 and now has 280 staff. It does about $40 million in revenue per year. Case also has a Handyman Services franchise, with 68 franchise partners and $40 million in revenue. Other panelists included Doug Dwyer, president of DreamMaker Kitchen & Bath and Seymour Turner of Airoom Architects & Builders. Ohio Remodeler is Named May 2005 Remodelor of the MonthTerry Bennett, CGR, CAPS, of Terry Bennett Builders & Remodelers,in Westlake, Ohio, is the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodelors™ Council May Remodelor of the Month. Bennett, selected through a stringent judging process of Remodelors Council leadership, exemplifies the best in the remodeling industry. Bennett joined NAHB in 1975 and the Remodelors Council in 1995. Bennett is a member of the North Coast Building Industry Association (BIA), the Ohio Home Builders Association (HBA), the Ohio HBA Remodelors Council, and was selected from seven local Remodelors Councils in four states. “It’s a great distinction to be honored by your peers in the industry, and to have it reflect some of the hard work you’ve done,” said Bennett. Terry Bennett Builders & Remodelers has been a fixture in the Cleveland area for 29 years, focusing mostly on residential building and remodeling. Bennett has earned the Certified Graduate Remodelor (CGR) and Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designations. Bennett has served in many leadership roles, including the first two-term president of the North Coast BIA, chairman of the Ohio HBA Remodelors Council, and director of the Ohio HBA. He is also a leader in his local community. In addition to donating his “handyman for a day” service to various school charity auctions, Bennett has given his time and time of his employees to build six different community projects including wheelchair ramps, recreational park deck and walkways, and a playhouse for special needs children His numerous awards include being chosen as the North Coast Building Industry Association Remodelor of the Year six times since 1996, named to Remodeling Magazine’s Big 50 in 1996, and recognized as one of the top 300 remodelers in the country by Qualified Remodeler magazine. Don’t Miss Your Opportunity for Recognition! Do you live in Indiana, New Jersey or Virginia?
This is a great opportunity for local councils and members to get involved and submit their “best of the best” members to compete with other councils. The national Remodelors Council will send out press releases and highlight each winner in ReNews. Each Remodelor of the Month winner will be automatically included in the nominations for the 2005 Remodelor of the Year award. Qualified Remodeler magazine is the sponsor of the Remodelor of the Year award.
Spring Board HighlightsUnable to attend the Spring Board Meetings in Washington, D.C.? Don’t worry; here are all the highlights from the meetings on April 13-17. Click here to review the detailed meeting minutes. Board of Trustees Meeting
Remodelors Council Business Associates Committee
CAPS Board of Governors
CGR Board of Governors
Remodelors Council Education & Business Development Committee
Remodelors Council Leadership Development
Remodelors Council Membership and Local Council Development
Remodelors Council Public Affairs Committee
Mark your calendar for the Fall Board meeting Sept 7-11 in Reno, Nev. Customize Your Computer’s Cursor With the NBN ‘Hammer’Show your pride in the home building industry by customizing your computer’s cursor with the “pounding hammer” cursor that is used in Nation’s Building News. The customized cursor is available free from NAHB and Nation’s Building News and will work on Windows 95 or newer operating systems. To begin customizing your computer’s cursor, first download the two hammer graphics needed to make the hammer move:
Once you have saved both hammer graphics to your computer, follow the steps below according to your Windows operating system. Customizing your computer with the new hammer cursor should take less than five minutes. Windows XP:
Windows 95, 98, 98SE, ME, 2000 users
To change your settings back to your old settings:
NOTE: NAHB is NOT responsible for misuse or any errors and problems that may be caused by the reconfiguration of the users' pc files. The user understands that he is modifying his computer setup at his own risk. 2005 Remodelors Council Award Program
Recognizing Local Council Excellence The Council Awards for Demonstrating Remodeling Excellence (CADRE) are the highest honors awarded to local Remodelors™ Councils for superior member service. The CADRE call for entries has been mailed to all local councils and is also available online at www.nahb.org/remodelors under the Awards section. The winners will be announced at the Remodelors™ Council Gala during the 2005 Remodeling Show in Baltimore (Oct 12-15). Show off your local council’s great work by submitting an application in one or all of the following categories:
The CADRE is sponsored by Remodelors™ Council Platinum Strategic Partner Pella Corporation. Enter the CADRE and win recognition for your great work! CADRE entries are due by Friday, Sept 2. For more information, email the Remodelors Council, remodel@nahb.com, 800-368-5242 x8216. Remodelor of the Year Award Recognizes the Best in the Industry The Remodelors™ Council is making the call for entries into one of the Council’s most prestigious awards program, the Remodelor™ of the Year Award. The Remodelor of the Year Award recognizes exemplary NAHB involvement at any level, superior business management, and an outstanding contribution to the remodeling industry. Councils should nominate individual remodelers, but the nominee must write his or her own entry essay. All entries in this category must come from local councils. The Remodelor of the Year application is available online at www.nahb.org/remodelors under the Awards section. The winner will be announced at the Remodelors Council Gala during the 2005 Remodeling Show in Baltimore (Oct 12-15). The Remodelor of the Year award is sponsored by Qualified Remodeler magazine. The winner will be featured in an issue of the Qualified Remodeler magazine. Award entries are due to the Remodelors Council by Friday, Sept 2. For more information, contact the Remodelors Council, remodel@nahb.com, 800-368-5242 x8216. Who Will Be Inducted Into the National Remodeling Hall of Fame? It is that time of year again when the Remodelors™ Council begins searching for the best of the best for induction into the National Remodeling Hall of Fame. This award honors those individuals who have made a significant and lasting impact on the remodeling industry whether on a state or national basis. Induction into National Remodeling Hall of Fame is open to individuals in any public or private sector entity or institution. Areas of contribution may include industry image, governmental affairs, education, business management or any other contribution that has helped advance the remodeling profession. We encourage you to nominate individuals who have made a positive impact on the remodeling industry. Self nominations are not permitted. Completed applications must be received by July 13. The induction ceremony will take place at the Remodelors™ Council Gala during the 2005 Remodeling Show in Baltimore, Oct 12-15. An application can be downloaded from the Remodelors Council Web site under Remodelors Council Awards. Contact Barbara Drobins, bdrobins@nahb.com or call 800-368-5242 x8217 with questions regarding this prestigious awards program. 2005 Remodeling ShowJoin the only national event that brings together all aspects of the remodeling industry under one roof. The 2005 Remodeling Show, owned by Hanley Wood and sponsored by NAHB and the Remodelors™ Council, offers opportunities to network with your peers and take advantage of the Council’s educational opportunities. The Show will be in Baltimore from Oct 13-25; NAHB pre-show courses begin Oct 10. Highlights of the Council activities include: Working With and Marketing to Older Adults (CAPS)
Home Modifications (CAPS)
Risk Management and Insurance for Building Professionals (GMB)
Sales & Marketing for Remodelers (CGR)
Introduction to Business Management (CGR & CAPS)
PREP: Your First Step to CGR
Quality Construction (GMB)
CGR Reception
Remodelors Council Gala
For more information and updates, visit www.theremodelingshow.com. See you at the show! New Staff Has Joined the Council TeamJim Lapides has joined the Remodelors™ Council as the new Communications Manager. He will provide communications and media relations support for the Council, produce news updates and manage content on the Remodelors Council web pages on www.nahb.org. Prior to joining NAHB, he worked for Fleishman-Hillard, a marketing communications agency with clients that included the U.S. Army, AARP and the Department of Transportation among others. Previously, he also worked at Matthews Media Group providing marketing communications to the National Cancer Institute and various pharmaceutical companies. You can reach him via email at jlapides@nahb.com or phone 800-368-5242 x8451. Welcome, Jim! Tsunami Shelter Fund to Support 'Home Builders Care Villages' and Construction TrainingIn the spirit of Home Builders Care, NAHB and the National Housing Endowment have united to provide long-term shelter reconstruction support to those affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami in South Asia on Dec. 26, 2004. Formed just after the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, the Home Builders Care/National Housing Endowment-Tsunami Shelter Fund will fund permanent home reconstruction along with education and training that will enable communities to sustain and participate in the ongoing rebuilding effort, which is estimated to take decades. Nearly four months have passed since the Indian Ocean quake set off one of the deadliest tsunamis in history, killing an estimated 280,000 people in 11 countries. The March 28 earthquake reported off the cost of Indonesia may bring world attention once again to the region, however stories of tsunami tragedies, survival and rebuilding challenges for the 1.2 million people left homeless are largely absent from today’s news. For that reason, it is even more important for our industry to step up to support the ongoing reconstruction of homes and villages and to help restore a sense of community to the victims by addressing long-term housing needs. While many individuals, companies and home builder associations already have given to relief organizations that provided immediate medical and emergency needs, the Tsunami Shelter Fund picks up where that vital assistance leaves off. Beginning shortly after the International Builders’ Show, a team led by past president Bob Mitchell, conducted a series of interviews and conference calls with a number of established relief agencies to determine who could best help NAHB and the Endowment carry out its mission. At the Spring Board of Directors meeting, both the Senior Officers and the National Housing Endowment Board accepted the search team’s recommendation to partner with two organizations—Habitat for Humanity International and Shelter For Life International. Habitat for Humanity International already is working in four of the affected nations in South Asia and has set a goal of housing up to 35,000 families in its first phase effort, with nearly $39 million already raised toward this goal. NAHB will direct a portion of the funds raised by the Tsunami Shelter Fund to support the construction of a Disaster Response Technical Center in one of the affected countries. These centers provide technical expertise and assistance to families, Habitat affiliates and partners during the first stages of construction and are a resource to produce building materials, which are becoming scarce. For example, a similar center operating in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka produces 3,600 concrete blocks every day and was established five years ago to help keep building costs down, as well as provide trade skills to the native population. NAHB and the National Housing Endowment also will partner with Shelter For Life International (SFL) to build a “Home Builders Care Village” of starter homes in Sri Lanka. SFL is a 25-year-old international relief and development organization that assists people affected by conflict or disaster to rebuild and improve their lives and communities. For the last six years, SFL has been working in Sri Lanka, helping rebuild after a 20-year civil conflict displaced 10 percent of the population. In addition to rebuilding homes, SFL provides training workshops to help the local population learn to make blocks and other materials that can sustain the rebuilding effort. SFL uses local building materials and works with the beneficiaries of the homes, ensuring that they respect local traditions with the home designs. Beneficiaries provide their own unskilled labor if they are able, though no cash contribution is required to receive one of the homes. SFL is working with the government of Sri Lanka as they finalize plans for ensuring proper land use and selecting beneficiaries for homes built by SFL and other relief agencies. NAHB seeded the Tsunami Shelter Fund with an initial $250,000 contribution and an additional $56,000 has been raised thus far. NAHB is encouraging members to participate by making a tax-deductible donation to the fund to support this important rebuilding endeavor. Please direct your donation check to: National Housing Endowment
Checks should be made payable to the National Housing Endowment, and in the memo section, please note "Tsunami Shelter Fund." For more information, please e-mail Troy Patterson at the National Housing Endowment, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8483, or e-mail Kym Kilbourne in NAHB Public Affairs, or call her at x8447. GM Discount on More Than 80 VehiclesGM has begun offering preferred GM Supplier discount pricing to NAHB members on more than 80 General Motors vehicles — including Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, GMC, Oldsmobile, Cadillac, Saturn, HUMMER (except H1) and Saab passenger cars, light duty trucks, vans and SUVs — as part of NAHB’s Member Advantage discount program. The GM Supplier pricing program is available to members who purchase or lease 2004, 2005 or 2006 model-year vehicles. Through the program:
For details, go to www.gmfleet.com/nahb. The GM Supplier pricing program runs through Jan 3, 2006. Other Member Advantage Discounts
Platinum PartnersPella Corporation
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