ReNews -- Remodelors Council News - June 15, 2006 (Print All Articles)Tens of Millions Learn About the Remodelors CouncilThrough a collaboration of the NAHB Remodelors Council and local Councils across the country, an estimated 30 million people were exposed to the Remodelors Council in the news through National Home Remodeling Month — nearly one million people per day of the month of May. The Remodelors Council kicked off the media blitz nationally with a remodeling teleconference on May 2 with National Chairman Vince Butler, CGR, CAPS, GMB, and NAHB’s chief economist Dave Seiders. Dozens of journalists listened in as they discussed the state of the remodeling industry. Each week thereafter, the Council issued a press release, including maximizing return on investment, aging in place and CAPS, as well as hiring a CGR. From the Wall Street Journal in the East (the story also appeared on MarketWatch), the Los Angeles Times out West to the Chicago Tribune in the Midwest, the Remodelors Council’s messages were heard across the country.
One of several examples of a local Council’s success was the HBA of Metro Denver’s Remodelors Council. After placing their customized press release on their website, a story appeared in the Sunday Section of the Denver Post. By raising awareness of their Council, the more than 700,000 people who read the Sunday Denver Post now associate the Council and their members as a go-to source for professionals.
(If your Council or HBA has not used the National Remodeling Month materials, it’s not too late to customize them for your needs. Be sure to login at www.nahb.org/login to view the materials).
In addition, the Spring Board of Trustees meeting in Washington, DC featured two 9’x13’ banners about Remodeling Month and the growth of remodeling. A special ribbon for May is National Home Remodeling Month was created for members to wear during committee meetings and the board floor. Even NAHB staff got into the act, as the Council held a “Remodel Your Cube” contest to promote Remodeling Month.
Other examples of Remodeling Month news coverage can be found in San Diego, Charlotte, Albuquerque, Fayetteville, Anchorage, Memphis, and Amarillo (registration required), among other cities across the country. The success of Remodeling Month follows other major news coverage about the Council, including the CBS Evening News and USA Today.
The Remodelors Council will hold a workshop for local Councils on sales, public relations, and marketing at the 2006 Remodeling Show. Contact the Remodelors Council at 800-368-5242 x8216 or remodel@nahb.com to register. To learn more about the Council’s promotional efforts, contact Jim Lapides at 800-368-5242 x8451, or e-mail at jlapides@nahb.com.
Home Owners, Contractors Sound Off About Each Other
The worst nightmare for a contractor is a customer who continually asks for work to be changed or redone, and for a customer, it’s shoddy workmanship, according to surveys conducted by Opinion Research Corporation in March, on behalf of Kimberly-Clark Professional, to find out what the two think of each other.
Other nightmares for contractors, in descending order, include:
The top three complaints of customers are:
For contractors, the top-three gripes were against:
Sixty-four percent of home improvement customers said that the key determining factor in selecting a contractor was a personal recommendation from someone they trust, and 70% of the contractors said they believe they were chosen because of the quality of their workmanship or past work experience with the customer or an acquaintance of the customer. Only 2% of the customers who were polled said that they would choose contractors based on their good looks, but a small number of the contractors participating in the surveying, all of whom were male, said that customers chose them because they’re “hot and everyone knows it.”
Tied for the least favorite part of the home improvement experience for customers were negotiating prices and “feeling weird about having a total stranger in their home.” A close third was “feeling like you have to watch them all the time.”
Contractors said that the most unpleasant part of their job was dealing with customers who change their minds, followed by “constant complaints and nitpicking,” having to negotiate prices and feeling like they’re being watched.
When contractors don’t like a customer, they most commonly try to get out of the job by overpricing it, but one-third said they will simply say “thanks, but no thanks.”
The surveys delved into the issue of personal hygiene, homing in on bathroom privileges and where contractors answer nature’s call and how home owners feel about their facilities being used:
The Kimberly-Clark research also took a closer look at job site preparation and cleanup:
Results for the customer survey were based on telephone interviews with 348 adults who had a contractor of any kind do work in their home within the last few years. There were 401 participants in the contractor survey, including home remodeling contractors, painters and carpenters, electrical contractors, landscape contractors, plumbers, handymen, tile and flooring contractors, roofers, HVAC workers and others. Fifty-one percent of the respondents were owners, 34% were employees, 14% were managers and 1% held other positions.
So Many Awards, So Little TimeDeadlines approach for the Remodelor of the Month, Hall of Fame, and CADRE awards. Have you applied? Have you applied for the Remodelor of the Month award? Winners are featured in Qualified Remodeler and the award makes an excellent marketing tool for your business. Click here to learn more about the award, or contact Melissa Benik at 800-368-5242 x8323 or e-mail mbenik@nahb.com.
Read about May’s Remodelor of the Month, Greg Miedema, CGR, CAPS, CGB.
Read about June’s Remodelor of the Month, Kirk Morris, CGR, CAPS.
Do you know of someone, living or deceased, who has made a lasting contribution to the remodeling industry? Consider nominating them for America’s Best National Remodeling Hall of Fame. Criteria include:
The deadline for nominations this year is Wednesday, July 12. Visit here to learn more.
The Council Awards for Demonstrating Remodeling Excellence (CADRE) Awards deadline is September 1. Presented by NAHB Remodelors Council, CADRE is the highest national award for work at the local level. Click here to learn more.
Contact Melissa Benik at 800-368-5142 x8323 or mbenik@nahb.com for additional questions about these awards.
Are You Participating in the Remodeling Market Index?The Remodeling Market Index (RMI) is one of the leading sources of economic information about the remodeling industry. If you enjoy reading the latest economic trends in the business, why not contribute your say as well. Simply download this form in order to be a part of the survey, and either email it to remodel@nahb.com or fax it to 202-266-8390. The more remodelers who sign up, the better and more accurate picture NAHB can provide to you about the current state of the industry (view the latest RMI here). Remodeling Show EventsTime to plan for the 2006 Remodeling Show. Exhibitors and attendees may now begin making hotel accommodations from our website at www.TheRemodelingShow.com. There are six hotels to choose from in the hotel block with rates starting at $129/night. The Palmer House is the "official" Remodelors Council hotel. Council Events:
Fall Board Schedule
Below is a tentetive schedule of Remodelors Council events at the Fall Boart Meeting in Salt Lake City, UT. Events are subject to change. Click here to learn how to register.
Thursday, September 14
8:00 to 10:00 a.m. CAPS Board of Governors
8:00 to 10:00 a.m. Membership & Council Development Comm.
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Public Affairs
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Business Associates Committee
1:00 to 3:00 p.m. CGR Board of Governors
3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Leadership Committee
6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Remodelors Night Out
Friday, September 15
7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Remodelors Council Board of Trustees
3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Remodelors Council General Session
Saturday, September 16
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CADRE & ROY Awards Judging
BuilderBooks Offers Free Shipping on Books that Build Your BusinessStart your summer off with super savings. BuilderBooks, the publishing arm and official bookstore for NAHB is offering free shipping for the month of June when you order online. Free ground shipping is available on all sales over $25! This is a great opportunity to buy in bulk and save even more.
Stock up on these great titles to give your customers—“Your New Home and How to Take Care of It,” “Residential Construction Performance Guidelines, Consumer Reference”, and “How to Find a Professional Remodeler.” Not only will you receive special bulk pricing, but the shipping is free.
Free ground shipping is available only when ordering on the BuilderBooks.com website June 1-30, 2006. Orders must be at least $25 or more. This offer is not good on prior purchases and does not apply to express shipping. International orders are excluded.
You Can Influence the Remodeling Industry!Do you have news, stories, or opinions to share? ReNews and Nation’s Building News are looking for writers to give their insight on the remodeling industry. If you are interested in contributing or learning more, contact Jim Lapides at 1-800-368-5242 x8551 or email jlapides@nahb.com. Platinum Strategic PartnersPella Corporation
Pella Corporation continues its tradition of support of the Remodelors Council as the first Platinum Level Strategic Partner under the new sponsorship program. Pella Corporation is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of premium-quality windows and doors. Pella offers a full range of residential and commercial products under three distinct product lines — Architect Series, Designer Series and ProLine. Pella’s Precision Fit windows are high-quality wood replacement windows. Extensive information about the company and its products is available at www.Pella.com.
Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances. The company markets Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Brastemp, Bauknecht, Consul and other major brand names to consumers in more than 170 countries. Understanding the unique needs of customers and translating those needs into products and services that build long-term loyalty is the fundamental approach of Whirlpool. Whirlpool’s portfolio of brands offers solutions to the diverse needs of their customers in every home ... everywhere. Visit the company web site at www.whirlpoolcorp.com.
GE Consumer Finance
With more than $163 billion in assets, GE Consumer Finance, a unit of General Electric Company, is a leading provider of credit services to consumers, retailers and auto dealers in 47 countries around the world. GE Consumer Finance, based in Stamford, Conn., offers a range of financial products, including private label credit cards, personal loans, bank cards, auto loans and leases, mortgages, corporate travel and purchasing cards, debt consolidation and home equity loans, and credit insurance. More information can be found at www.geconsumerfinance.com.
Lowe's
With fiscal year 2005 sales of $43.2 billion, Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a FORTUNE® 50 company that serves approximately 12 million customers a week at more than 1,225 home improvement stores in 49 states. Based in Mooresville, N.C., the 60-year old company is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world. For more information, visit www.Lowes.com.
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