Issue Contents

January 2008

Column

You can no longer afford to be aloof when closing a sale. Professional Builder columnist John Rymer explains why building rapport is essential to the sales process.

Renew and Invigorate

Something about Professional Builder has changed. It looks different. It even feels different. In truth, we have reformulated and redesigned the entire magazine, and we did so to better serve you.

Use workplace conversation - not personal conversation - to build rapport with your employees

Author Bruce Tulgan describes why it’s better to use business conversations to build rapport with employees rather than rely on personal details.

Using a customer loyalty metric to your advantage

Though the widely used Net Promoter Score has come under attack, there are good ways to adapt this customer loyalty metric to the home building industry.

Feature

5 Common Construction Mistakes

Avoiding these construction mistakes results in a higher quality, more comfortable, energy-efficient home at little extra cost to the builder. In these days of construction litigation, can you really afford to get it wrong?

Builders Pit LEED-H Against NAHB Green in One-On-One Debate

Michael Chandler is a proponent of the NAHB’s green building program, while Steve Glenn firmly believes in LEED for Homes. Metaphors fly as the two builders engage in a lively discussion about the pros and cons of the two national...

Building housing around light rail

Residential development as part of a rail network can be a beneficial opportunity for cities, builders and homeowners alike when it is planned as part of an overall community vision. Contributing Editor Ann Matesi examines the components of...

Discussing the contingency objection and your options

You face hard decisions every day in every aspect of your job. When it comes to the contingency objection, it’s enough to make a person insane. Find out what you can do to overcome the contingency objection.

Edenglen's opening signifies big changes for Ontario, California

Traffic is strong at Edenglen, the first neighborhood in Ontario, California’s New Model Colony -- part of a 20-year plan to expand the city’s housing stock, retail and commercial space. Edenglen pays homage to old Ontario with a variety...

Five things you didn't know about Reed Construction Dashboard

Home builders across the country are using RCD to benchmarks their performance against others in the industry. Read on to find out five uses that they have provided.

Homebuilder's advice: Stick to Your Niche (Better Builder)

Stephen Olson of The Olson Co. shares the approaches his company takes within the California housing market.

Homebuilders' research can lead to surprises at the sales office

Market research is an invaluable tool for homebuilders as they plan new communities. But if builders overlook key variables in the marketplace or fail to look beyond the numbers, a type of buyer they weren’t expecting might show up on opening...

Ignore the mainstream media, just sell homes

New home sales consultant Gian Hasbrock says that the way to win during these seemingly dark hours of the housing industry is to keep a positive attitude, ignore the negative reports of the mainstream media, and just sell homes.

Marketing experts offer homebuilder ad critique

In our first installment of the Professional Builder marketing critique, marketing and advertising experts weigh in on Charlotte, N.C.’s Simonini Builders Heydon Hall ad.

Number Crunch: January 2008

Did you know that the asking price for the most expensive home in the United States in 2007 was $165 million? Read on for more digestable facts about the home building industry.

ProBuilder Product Report: Flooring

Check out these new flooring products from Kerfkore, Armstrong and more.

ProBuilder Product Report: New Products

All new products for your viewing pleasure from Watt Stopper/Legrand, Makita and more.

ProBuilder Product Report: Structural

A variety of new structural products from QuietSolution, iLevel and more.

Show Village 2008: A City Within A Village

Editors Erin Erickson and Mark Jarasek take you behind the scenes of Show Village 2008 and explain how you can develop your own infill projects based on this year's homes.

The Housing Affordability Crisis: How builders can address the problem

The sharp increase in home prices has made it difficult for median income workers to buy homes, threatening the markets that builders serve. But builders have found ways to work with cities and states to build affordable homes without losing their...

Top policy agenda items for the housing industry in 2008

Professional Builder spoke to NAHB Vice President of Advocacy Bill Kilmer to find out what its top regulatory and legislative items are for the new year.

Why builders should just say yes to drug testing

Safety on the jobsite has been compromised since the beginning of modern home building by workers under the influence of alcohol and illicit drugs. It is up to builders and their crews on the ground to implement and enforce a strict drug and alcohol...

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Reference Library

Professional Remodeler's 2013 Market Leaders

Professional Remodeler’s annual Market Leaders list, which identifies the top...

15 design trends for kitchens & baths

With demand for custom design, remodeling, and renovations at its highest level since 2005, ...

Project Spotlight: Kitchen countered

Normandy Remodeling converts confined kitchen into sprawling galley.

5 bathroom design trends for 2013

Each year, the National Kitchen and Bath Association surveys its members to identify the latest...

6 kitchen design trends for 2013

Each year, the National Kitchen and Bath Association surveys its members to identify the latest...

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