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compartmentalization of the residential general contracting industry into custom builder or remodeler tends to weaken both groups.
NAHB furthers and promotes this compartmentalization by having a council for the remodelers and a committee for the custom builders. The trade press fosters it by having separate magazines for each. And the trade shows further divide us with the Remodeling Show and the Custom Builder Symposium.
It’s just a thought, but I’d like to see more togetherness in the residential contracting industry, more looking for commonalities and less differentiation.
We all have a lot to teach each other. Why not leverage our knowledge to build a better industry? Why not combine the notion of remodeler and custom builder into an umbrella council — maybe something like Residential General Contracting?
We’ll better serve the big players in both categories, and we’ll better nurture the smaller and newer members in each at the same time. Any takers?
Finley Perry, a remodeler with more than 30 years experience, is president of F.H. Perry Builder, Inc., in Hopkinton, MA. Perry has been very active in both national and local Remodelors™ Council leadership. He currently sits on the Remodelors™ Council Board of Directors, is the vice chairman of the Remodelors™ Council Public Affairs Committee and immediate past chairman of the Remodelors™ Council Membership Committee. For more information, e-mail Perry.
Nominate the Best of the Best for Remodelor™ of the Year
Applications for the Remodelors™ Council’s most prestigious awards program, the Remodelor™ of the Year Award, are now available online at www.nahb.org/remodelors under the Awards section.
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.
The winner will be announced at the Remodelors™ Council Gala during the 2004 Remodeling Show in Chicago (Oct. 8).
Local Councils Honored With CADRE Awards
The Council Awards for Demonstrating Remodeling Excellence (CADRE) is awarded to local Remodelors™ Councils for superior member service in the categories of:
- Membership Recruitment & Retention
- Community Service Project
- Public Relations & Promotion
- Outstanding Associate Member
- Member Service/Education
- Government Affairs/Legislation
- Outstanding Council Chair
- Outstanding Executive Officer/Council Coordinator
For information, e-mail the Remodelors™ Council or call 800-368-5242 x8216.
The NAHB University of Housing Offers Courses and Designation Programs
The NAHB University of Housing offers a variety of business management courses and professional designation programs that set builders and remodelers apart from the competition. For a complete list of current offerings, click here.
Attend the 2005 Custom Builder Symposium
Expand your knowledge “Beyond the Tool Belt” at this year’s Custom Builder Symposium. This is the one event where custom builders can go for world-class education and exceptional networking opportunities. For more information, click here.
'Home Remodeler's 2004 Costbook' Available at BuilderBooks.com
"Home Remodeler's 2004 Costbook," available at BuilderBooks.com, provides material and labor costs that cover all components of house construction from the unique perspective of remodeling. Features include man-hour data for scheduling, reference tables, an extensive index and a 200-city geographic modifier chart. The costbook also includes free estimating software and data. To view or purchase "Home Remodeler's 2004 Costbook" online, click here, or call 800-223-2665 to order.
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