NBN Online for the week of January 9, 2006

(Plain Text Version) for full graphical version, click here.

In This Issue:

Front Page
New Year Rings in Housing Shift to a Buyer’s Market
Special International Builders’ Show Issue
Nation's Building News Will Not Be Published Jan. 16
Onerous Lead Paint Rule Won’t Solve Health Problems
Coast to Coast
In New Orleans, Housing Sales Are Bright Spot
Politics & Government
Howard Lays Out Housing Concerns to Business Execs
Economics & Finance
Eye on the Economy
Tips
A Dust Mask for Your Circular Saw
IBS
The New American Home: Photos and Floor Plans
It Takes Solid Relationships to Build the New American Home
New Options Merchandising Technology Yields Higher Profits
NAHB’s Council Headquarters Suites Are Your Path to Success
Special Breakfast, Networking Events at IBS Just for Associates
BuilderBooks.com Launches New Books, Forms, Software at IBS
Learn How to Boost Your Association's Membership
Business Management
Take a Free Test Drive of Latest Builder Software at IBS
Learn How to Compete With the Industry's ‘Giants’ at IBS
Attend Estimating With Microsoft Excel Seminar at IBS
50Plus Housing
Learn More About the Emerging 50+ Market at IBS
Focus Group to Address Section 8 Vouchers in Assisted Living
Remodelers
Remodelors™ Council Schedule at IBS
Certified Graduate Remodelors™ Events at IBS
Building Systems
Breakfast and Networking at IBS Just for Systems Builders
Find More About Building Systems on NAHB Web Site
Women
NAHB Women's Council Offers Student Scholarships
Women’s Council Headquarters at IBS Open Tuesday-Saturday
Commercial
‘How-to Manual’ for Light Commercial Building Released
Disaster
Builders Show Panel Focuses on Rebuilding Gulf Cost
NAHB to Work With Charity on Building Material Donations
Environment
2006 Storm Water Permitting Guide Available at IBS
Are Consumers Buying Smart Growth? Let NAHB Know
Education
Learn More Before: Pre-Show Education at IBS
Grill Giveaways, Education Planning at IBS Education Booth
Pre-National Designation Month Kick-Off at IBS
Education Calendar
Green Building
New Green Building Guidelines Available at Builders’ Show
Take Online Survey to Assess Use of Green Building Material
Regulation
Awards Recognize Energy-Efficient Homes
Builders Can Help Guide New Product Development
OSB Certification Program Launched at Builders’ Show
ToolBase Provides Information on Building Technologies
Quality Sessions Focus on Profits, Customer Satisfaction
Sales
A New Year’s Resolution: Re-Evaluate Your Ad Agency
Online Home Buyer Behavior Research Revealed at IBS
Strike Sales and Marketing Gold at IBS
Workforce housing
Nominate Communities That Promote Workforce Housing
Labor
HBI Announces Job Corps Award Winners
Lowe’s, Student Chapters Showcased in IBS Events
Building Products
Distressed Wood a Hot Trend in Flooring
Windows Resist Breaking in Severe Storms
Fiberglass Insulation Cuts Moisture in Walls
Bathroom Products Feature South Seas Look
Home Awareness System Responds to Water Leaks
Hydrogen-Burning Fireplace 100% Efficient
Six Glazes Created for Popular Kitchen Door
Blind Slats Motorized With Battery Power
Decorative Panels Introduced for Windows, Patio Doors
Retractable Door, Window Screens a Design Solution
New Lighting Designs Meet Home Owner, Builder Needs
Work Clothing Made of Tear-Resistant Cotton Fabric
Builders Framing With Steel See Risk Premiums Slashed
Most Complete Home Fire Sprinkler System Unveiled
Refrigerator Boasts the Greatest Capacity in the Industry
‘Paperless’ Wallboard Panels Resist Mold Growth
Products Manage Moisture in New American Home
Interior Finish Provides Energy-Efficient Insulation
Impact-Resistant Windows a Defense Against Hurricanes
Copper and Bronze Finishes Added to Windows, Doors
Project-Driven Financing Spurs Development
Two-Panel Plank Interior Door Has Shaker Look
LP Offers Sheathing, Floor System, Vented Soffits
Software Improves Construction Supply Chain Management
Builder's Engineer
Do You Solve Problems or Make Them?
TV
NAHB Programs on HGTV & DIY This Week
Association News
Ed McGowan, Remodeling Hall of Fame Inductee, Dies at 69
Visit BuilderBooks Store at IBS for Books, Savings, Giveaways
Your NAHB Membership Can Take You for a Great Ride
Calendar of Events

Related Articles

Learn How to Compete With the Industry's ‘Giants’ at IBS

Attend Estimating With Microsoft Excel Seminar at IBS

Take a Free Test Drive of Latest Builder Software at IBS

More than a dozen free, interactive computer labs, where attendees can “test drive” the latest builder software and decide whether a particular application or solution is a good fit for their business, are being offered at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla.

Fourteen labs — covering everything from financial management, CAD design, construction scheduling, getting the most resources from the NAHB Web site and more ― will be held Wednesday-Friday, Jan. 11-13, in the Orange County Convention Center. Each lab is 90 minutes.

No Registration Required, Seating Is Limited

No registration is required beyond regular registration for IBS. Sessions begin as early as 8:30 a.m. on all three days and seating is limited. To add the labs to your meeting schedule, use the My Show Planner tool on the IBS Web site to create an electronic calendar.

Computer labs include:

  • Introduction to Intuit Master Builder
    Wednesday, Jan. 11; 1:30-3:00 p.m.
    Room: West 309
    Speaker: Leslie C. Shiner

Learn how to move from spreadsheet, yellow-pad or QuickBooks to integrated Master Builder software. Learn how to use Master Builder to manage a project from start to finish, including estimating to project management.

  • NAHB's Web Membership System (WMS)
    Wednesday, Jan. 11; 4:00-5:30 p.m.
    Room: West 310
    Speaker: Aaron Cluka

For state and local association executive officers and staff: Review all the functionality of the NAHB Web Membership System (WMS), the free Web-based reporting tool. WMS provides Internet access to member data.

  • Sage Timberline Office and ePlan (Onscreen Takeoff) Computer Lab
    Thursday, Jan. 12; 8:30-10:00 a.m.
    Room: West 310
    Speaker: Mark Reich

Learn about Sage Timberline Office, a fully integrated financial and operations software solution that helps automate key processes and provides instant access to project information. The lab will focus on ePlan (onscreen takeoff) using electronic plans.

  • SoftPlan Interactive CAD Workshop: Take Your Design to a Whole New Level
    Thursday, Jan. 12; 8:30-10:00 a.m.
    Room: West 309

The SoftPlan interactive CAD workshop will take participants through the entire design process — from the creation of a simple floor plan to the automatic generation of elevations, cross sections, roof plans, framing diagrams, material lists and 3D renderings.

  • Construction Imaging Systems ― Chameleon
    Thursday, Jan. 12; 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
    Room: West 310
    Speaker: Larry McAdams

Construction Imaging Systems' Chameleon entry-level imaging solution, or its traditional enterprise solution, allows any size home builder to implement imaging. This includes scanning, archiving, routing invoices for approval, job docs, equipment, tickets and HR.

  • Increasing Efficiency and Profitability with Document Imaging
    Thursday, Jan. 12; 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
    Room: West 309
    Speaker: John Neidert

Test drive the OnBase document management solution that has enabled more than 5,000 organizations to improve operational efficiency by streamlining their processes and sharing information with employees, partners and customers.

  • BuildLinks I: Using the Web to Dramatically Improve Scheduling, Change Orders, Selections and Home Buyer Communications
    Thursday, Jan. 12; 1:30-3:00 p.m.
    Room: West 309
    Speaker: John Armstrong

Learn how hundreds of builders leverage the power of the Web to streamline operations, effortlessly schedule projects and have buyers approve selections and change orders online to create a competitive advantage and exceptional home buyer experience.

  • Demo the Leading Warranty Management Program on the Market — SiteOne
    Thursday, Jan. 12; 1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
    Room: West 310
    Speaker: Frank Sette

Take a hands-on interactive demo of the SiteOne, the Web-enabled, automated risk management system.

  • Construction Technologies on the Web: Finding the Best Sources
    Thursday, Jan. 12; 4:00-5:30 p.m.
    Room: West 310
    Speaker: Shawn Martin

Find building techniques and technologies that can improve your business, save time, increase efficiency and improve durability in this session that teaches you how to go online to find useful resources.

  • Software-Driven Workflow Management for Production Home Builders
    Thursday, Jan. 12; 4:00-5:30 p.m.
    Room: West 309
    Speaker: Tom Gebes

Role-based workflow is essential for builders to optimize the data available to them. This session will show how software that integrates with accounting can optimize margins and efficiencies.

  • WMS User Forum
    Friday, Jan. 13; 8:30-10:00 a.m.
    Room: West 309
    Speaker: Aaron Cluka

For state and local association executive officers and staff: The WMS User Forum will allow WMS users to network, ask questions, learn about new features and updates to WMS and discuss WMS with other users.

  • Demo a Revolutionary Bid Procurement Platform
    Friday, Jan. 13; 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
    Room: West 309
    Speaker: Jovanna Dunham

Learn to streamline and manage your complete bidding process ― from bid preparation through bid collection and from plan distribution through contract — with bid procurement software that can save you time and money. To register, go to: http://www.bidhub.com/nahb/

  • Learn How to Use www.nahb.org to Its Fullest
    Friday, Jan. 13; 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
    Room: West 310
    Speaker: Linda Keens

Take full advantage of the educational, networking and industry resources on the NAHB Web site ― www.nahb.org — and its more than 4,000 pages of valuable information. Learn how to log in and access NAHB's exclusive content as well as set content preferences so you can get what you need ― fast.

  • BuildLinks II: Using the Web to Dramatically Improve Scheduling, Change Orders, Selections & Home Buyer Communications
    Friday, Jan. 13; 1:30-3:00 p.m.
    Room: West 309
    Speaker: John Armstrong

Learn how hundreds of builders leverage the power of the Web to streamline operations, effortlessly schedule projects and have buyers approve selections and change orders online to create a competitive advantage and exceptional home buyer experience.

  • Full Cycle Cost Control: Scheduling, Purchasing and Accounting — CDCI Computer Lab
    Friday, Jan. 13; 1:30-3:00 p.m.
    Room: West 310
    Speaker: Maggie Geoffroy

Take a hands-on demonstration of CDCI’s full cycle cost control integrated scheduling, purchasing and accounting software, available to builders, regardless of volume.

For more information, follow the Computer Lab track in the Educational Seminars listing at www.buildersshow.com.



NAHB Has More Than 170 Resources to Help You Run Your Business More Profitably

Go to NAHB's Business Management Tools Web pages (available to members only) for instant access to more than 170 timesaving, moneymaking and cost-cutting business resources to help you run your business more profitably. Get guidance on accounting and financial management, business strategy, computers and information technology, customer service, human resources and more.

Resources are added weekly, so bookmark www.nahb.org/biztools to go directly to these vital business management resources.

Local and state home builders associations can link directly to www.nahb.org/biztools from their Web site and give their members instant access to these resources. It will make your HBA's Web site the place to go for the information and guidance that members need to succeed.



Subscribe to NAHB’s Business of Building e/Source

NAHB’s Business of Building e/Source is your monthly electronic guide to the hot issues and emerging trends in home building business management. You’ll find practical advice, tricks of the trade and sound business guidance — all delivered monthly, straight to your desktop, in a quick and easy-to-read format. Business of Building e/Source is available free to NAHB members and their employees. To subscribe, visit www.nahb.org/BoB on the Members Only side of the NAHB Web site.


Estimating Software Made Simple

EstimatorPRO 5.1™,” available through BuilderBooks.com, helps you complete complex home building and remodeling estimates quickly and accurately. Its simple point-and-click design eliminates “guesstimates,” paperwork and common math errors. Designed specifically for home builders and remodelers, EstimatorPRO 5.1™ enables you to create estimating operations that are powerful and reliable enough for your most important management decisions. To view or purchase this software online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.



NAHB Launches Technology Solutions Directory

NAHB’s Business Management & Information Technology Committee recently launched the Technology Solutions Directory, an easy-to-use directory that will enable builders, remodelers, contractors and other industry professionals to find the information on software and IT solutions and services for their businesses. 

Software and technology solutions providers interested in being listed can sign up for:

  • Enhanced Listing — Listing includes company name, URL, e-mail address, mailing address, phone number, company/product description, company logo. Click here for more information.
     
  • Standard Listing — Listing includes company name and phone number. Click here for more information.


For more information, e-mail Wil Heslop at NAHB.

The Technology Solutions Directory is solely for educational and informational purposes.  Nothing in the directory should be construed as policy, an endorsement, warranty or guaranty by the National Association of Home Builders of the listed software, IT service or the software/IT vendor.  The National Association of Home Builders expressly disclaims any responsibility for any damages arising from the use, application or reliance on any information contained in this directory.


 

Sponsored by
McGraw Hill
Construction

 
 
> Click Here for Details
 
 

Sponsored by
Freddie Mac

 
 
> Freddie Mac CEO Syron Dissects GSE and Tax Reform Proposals in Speech to Home Builders
> Freddie Mac Takes an In-Depth Look at Asian Homebuyers in the U.S.
 
 

Sponsored by
NAHB

 
 
> Registration is Now Open!
> View the 2006 exhibitors
> Sign up for our mailing list