T h e Remodelers C O N N E C T I O N

Transcription

1 T h e Remodelers C O N N E C T I O N A monthly publication of the Central Ohio Chapter of NARI October 2004 IN THIS ISSUE From the President Slate of Candidates for 2005 NARI Home Improvement Showcase Recap Certification BBB Business Integrity Award Winners Sample Safety Program And more... CALENDAR of EVENTS October 21st General Meeting At Radisson Hotel, Worthington 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. November 18, 2004 NARI Election Meeting DaVinci s Ristorante 6:00 8:00 p.m. December 11, 2004 Holiday Party & CoTY Awards Ohio Historical Center Certification Study Groups begin in January, 2005 Ohio Design & Construction Expo February 2 & 3, 2005 Phil Sorentino Guest Speaker Thursday, October 21, 2004 LUNCHEON Radisson Hotel 7007 North High Street Worthington, OH 11:30 a.m. Registration Noon Lunch Adjourn by 1:30 p.m. Cost: $20 each Phil Sorentino is a communicator of Action Steps on attitude management, consultative selling, employee and customer loyalty... and business and financial results. Phil co-founded Humor Consultants in The promise of Humor Consultants is to assist in the enjoyment of everything. Humor Consultants helps organizations increase their bottom line, increase sales, and employee and customer loyalty, by making work fun. Join us for lunch as we get moved and motivated for our winter selling season. Bring a prospective member to this energetic meeting as our guest. Get them to join and receive $100. Reservations required by Monday October 18th. Call (614) or fax a note to (614)

2 Page 2 The Remodelers Connection Fellow Members, Our President s Message Central Ohio Chapter 2004 OFFICERS Jim Turner President Regency Wallcraft Mike Rosati Vice President Rosati Windows Mike Lange Vice President Tradesmen International Doug Brownfield Secretary Lowe s Companies, Polaris Landa Masdea Brunetto, IDS Treasurer Landa s INTERDESIGN Ivan White, CR Immediate Past President White House Remodelers DIRECTORS Steve Edgar, CR Columbus Construction Company Frankie Foster Chapman MDSE Publishing Tim Garner Campbell Builders, Inc. Bob Quayle Clear Choice Building & Renovations Executive Director Shari Bates Thank you to those companies who joined us for our first NARI Home Improvement Showcase. What a great weekend we ended up having despite the rainy weather a few days before. I want to personally thank those companies, Artemis Design & Construction, Dave Fox Remodeling, Finish Line Custom Building, Hilfinger Remodelers, J. S. Brown Company and Michael Matrka, Inc. for all of their time, input and participation in our first Tour. We all believe it was a successful tour and look forward to even better results in future years. If your company is interested in participating in next fall s tour and would like to be involved on the committee, please call Shari at the NARI office. We just recently returned from the NARI National Board meetings which were held in San Antonio, TX. Three representatives from NARI of Central Ohio plus myself, as your regional vice president attended a weeks worth of very positive meetings. Two days of the meetings involved Strategic Planning sessions with a well-known Association Consultant, Glenn Tecker. We look forward to receiving these proposed changes for our national organization at our spring board meeting and are encouraged that many people want to move in this new direction. We will use this information at the local board level to also move our chapter forward. With regard to our region, the Greater Cleveland Chapter of NARI has recently notified NARI National that their board of directors voted to disaffiliate from the National NARI organization on September 17, They will conduct business as Professional Remodelers of Ohio (PRO), with their address and phone numbers remaining the same. With that in mind, you may receive information from this new organization. Finally this month, I want to say how proud I am to be a recipient of the BBB Business Integrity Award in the 1-10 employee category along with J. S. Brown Company in the category. Without my involvement in NARI of Central Ohio this honor may never have happened, or certainly would have taken considerably longer to receive. I encourage all of you to be proactive with presenting your company s image in the community. Jim Turner Regency Wallcraft President, NARI of Central Ohio Region 4 RVP NARI of Central Ohio Mission Statement To promote professionalism and ethical conduct within the remodeling industry in Central Ohio by; providing member education fostering sound business practices monitoring and influencing legislative and regulatory issues promoting member networking providing consumer awareness through education and community service.

3 The Remodelers Connection Page 3 Member Highlight NARI Members, Regency Wallcraft, Inc. & J.S. Brown Company Win 2004 BBB Business Integrity Awards The following company has applied for membership in NARI of Central Ohio. Zeis Contracting 1209 Hill Road N., Suite 229 Pickerington, Ohio Ph Fax Represented by Don Zeis, Owner Sponsored by James Lewis of James Lewis Drywall MARK YOUR CALENDARS Holiday Party and Contractor of the Year Award Presentations Saturday, Dec. 11th, 2004 At The Ohio Historical Center Remember, there is a $100 cash incentive for bringing in a new member! Regency Wallcraft, Inc. and J. S. Brown Company have been selected as recipients of the 2004 BBB Business Integrity Award. Regency Wallcraft receives the award in the 1 to 10 employee category, while J. S. Brown Company will receive the award in the 11 to 50 employee category. The recipients will be honored on Wednesday, October 20, 2004 at the Business Integrity Award Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom in downtown Columbus. This year marks the 83rd Annual Membership luncheon and 92nd anniversary of the founding of the Better Business Bureau. Presented annually since 1994, The Board of Trustees of the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio established the Annual Business Integrity Awards to recognize those firms whose business practices and related activities in the community exemplify the BBB s mission and principles. It brings us great comfort to know that we have so many outstanding businesses that do what s right on a regular basis. Business Integrity Award honorees excel in the free enterprise system by serving their employees, investors, competitors and our community with integrity and distinction. said Kip Morse, president of the Central Ohio Better Business Bureau. An independent panel of community leaders selects the recipients, based on criteria they have established working with the BBB. NARI of Central Ohio is so pleased to say that eight of the last nine years NARI members have been awarded the Business Integrity Award. Regency Wallcraft and J. S. Brown Company join the ranks of an elite list of previous NARI/Integrity Award winners. They are Rosati Windows in 2003, Wood Werks Supply Inc. in 2002, Owens Construction Contracting Company in 2001, The Frank Gates Service Company in 2000, Campbell Builders in 1999, Dave Fox Remodeling in 1998 and Cottone Construction in This is the first year that NARI members have been awarded in two different categories in the same year. The BBB luncheon will feature keynote speaker Clifton Taulbert, president, Building community Institute. Anyone interested in joining the BBB and the business community in honoring the highest standards of business ethics and conduct, may contact the BBB at , ext We hope to see many NARI members at the event supporting these fine companies.

4 Page 4 The Remodelers Connection NARI Benefit Program Airborne Express has merged with DHL to bring NARI members a full suite of domestic and international shipping services, covering over 220 countries and territories. Members can take advantage of the complete menu of DHL services, including: DHL Next Day 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM DHL 2nd Day DHL Ground International Document Express Worldwide Priority Express Import Express...and much more! Through NARI s partnership with the new DHL, members are also eligible for saving of up to 25% on their air express and ground shipping. Members previously participating in NARI s Airborne program will be automatically transferred to the new DHL program in For your DHL benefits and to set up your account, please contact the dedicated hotline at MEMBERS ( , 8 am 7 pm, ET)

5 The Remodelers Connection Page 5 NARI CERTIFICATION Join the elite! It s time to prepare for the 2005 Certification Study Group sessions that will begin in January. Anyone interested in the next Certified Remodeler (CR), Certified Kitchen & Bath Remodeler (CKBR), or Certified Lead Carpenter (CLC) study group needs to contact Julie at (614) in order to register. You will need to order your books NOW from NARI National. It can take several weeks to get the books. Submit a letter on company stationary requesting a certification application packet, identify name of applicant and which certification you are seeking: Certified Remodeler (CR), Certified Kitchen and Bath Remodeler (CKBR), or Certified Lead Carpenter (CLC). Include a check, made out to NARI, or credit card information to cover the application and materials fees. These fees are not refundable. NARI National accepts VISA, MasterCard, and American Express. (For credit card payment, include the name on the credit card, card number, and expiration date.) Mail your letter and payment, or fax if paying by credit card, to your local NARI chapter, or you may submit your materials to NARI s national office: Education Department NARI 780 Lee St., Suite 200 Des Plaines, IL Fax: NARI National will send your certification materials as soon as your request and payment have been processed. HAVE YOU USED YOUR NARI LOGO Test your skills... CR QUESTION: In a typical set of contract documents, you would expect to find information on who is to pay for the temporary utilities in the. A. Bidding requirements B. Special conditions C. Technical specifications D. General conditions See answer on page 11. COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS The Senior Community Garden Gazebo project at Joyce & 12th Ave. is nearing final stages of completion. We are needing roofers to complete the major construction portion. If you have a carpenter that can contribute a half day to this project it would be greatly appreciated. Call the NARI office for schedule of work dates. Thanks. (614) We will also undertake redoing two bathrooms at the Unverferth House at OSU Hospital this fall. Call if you can help.

6 Page 6 NARI LOGO s SEEN AROUND TOWN President Jim Turner of Regency Wallcraft poses with his new vehicle and shiny new NARI logo sported on both sides. NARI 2005 Board of Directors Proposed Slate The Remodelers Connection The 2004 NARI of Central Ohio Nominating Committee is pleased to announce the following proposed slate of candidates for the 2005 Officers and Board of Directors. President: Vice President: Vice President: Secretary: Treasurer: Director: Director: Jim Turner, Regency Wallcraft Mike Lange, Tradesmen International Mike Rosati, Rosati Windows Doug Brownfield, Lowe s Polaris Dave Marsh CR, J.S. Brown Company Ivan White CR, White House Remodelers Linda Davis, Modlich Stoneworks The floor will be open for additional nominations and the election of officers and directors will be conducted in accordance with the By-laws of the Chapter on Thursday, November 18 th, 2004 at the NARI general meeting at DaVinci s Ristorante. Additional information on the November meeting will be in the November Newsletter. Support your organization and cast your vote! Peter Robinson, CR, CKBR of Peter A. Robinson Remodeling Contractors was spotted at the JLC Live Construction Show sporting the NARI logo on the right arm of his company shirt. It looks great! This employee of Peter A. Robinson Remodeling Contractors was seen with the NARI logo being proudly worn on the back (or should I say front) of his hat. We will continue to highlight companies who sport the NARI logo. Watch for the camera flash! NEWS FLASH NARI MEMBERS 2005 HOME & GARDEN SHOW SPACE IS AVAILABLE IN THE NARI AREA ON A FIRST COME BASIS. CALL THE NARI OFFICE AT (614) FOR SHOW DETAILS.

7 The Remodelers Connection Page 7 First Annual NARI Home Improvement Showcase A Success! On September 18th and 19th NARI of Central Ohio held its first annual Home Improvement Showcase. After all is said and done, we believe it was a very successful event. Six NARI members, Artemis Design & Construction, Dave Fox Remodeling, Finish Line Custom Building, Hilfinger Remodeling, J. S. Brown Company and Michael Matrka, Inc., entered a total of 8 projects all in the northwest part of the city to comprise our first tour. 6 judges toured all of the homes and came up with winners in three different categories: Best of Show (most outstanding project in the tour) -- Finish Line Custom Building took Best of Show for their home in Worthington. A 1,400 square foot addition and full basement were added on to the existing house, including a new kitchen, family room, master suite and laundry. An office, bedroom, dining room and mudroom/study were part of the existing home s renovation. The project also included a remodeled deck, screened porch, back patio with landscaping, new windows throughout, new roof and new driveway. Throughout this huge remodel, the integrity of the traditional style and theme of the old Worthington home were maintained. This was a terrific project. Congratulations, Andy Hrynkow, CR and Dan Custer of Finish Line Custom Building. Best Kitchen J. S. Brown Company took the Best Kitchen award for their project at 2368 Southway Drive in Upper Arlington. A new kitchen and half bath were installed by removing a wall, relocating a door and adding an exterior door to the side yard. New painted cabinetry with a large mantle hood, built in appliances, granite countertops and ceramic tile backsplashes done in warm neutral tones were featured. This kitchen had a lot going for it considering its size and location in the home. Great job, congratulations J. S. Brown Company. Essence Award (project with charm) Artemis Design & Construction won this category. Their Clintonville project is a wonderful example of increasing space, adding modern amenities and improving the connections and flow while maintaining the charm of this neighborhood home. Renovations included a small rear addition that allowed the expansion and improvement of the kitchen areas including the addition of a first floor powder room and an organized desk area. The front entry was reconfigured adding a hall closet, and arched openings connecting the entry to the kitchen and living room areas. The basement cement slab was removed and replaced and many mechanicals were updated. The new rear entry with a small covered porch and fanning stairs lead to a paver patio and rear yard. Congratulations Artemis Design & Construction on this great project. CONSIDER PARTICIPATING IN NEXT YEAR S TOUR HERE S A COMMENT FROM A PARTICIPANT We were pleased to be involved in NARI s first Annual Home Improvement Showcase. The event was very well planned and organized. We gathered a number of serious leads from the people who came through our project. The Showcase is great for marketing and publicity. Involvement adds to our credibility. We ve learned from participation in similar events that this is a fantastic way to show our projects to potential clients who have not yet committed to us and to introduce ourselves to others who are just starting to search for a qualified remodeler. We are looking forward to participating again next year! Jim Racher Michael Matrka, Inc.

8 Page 8 INTEGRATED MARKETING Create a Whirlwind of Activity One of the keys to successful marketing for small businesses is constant activity-getting your company name out into the marketplace continuously through a wide variety of promotional avenues. By using many different methods of marketing, you'll find that there are two major benefits -- you'll avoid wasting money money and obtain better quality leads. You'll save money because you can incorporate both expensive and inexpensive tactics into your overall plan for wonderful results. This "averaging" helps you stretch your marketing dollars further. Your program might include newspaper advertising, home shows, job site mailings, and local publicity. While newspaper advertising and home shows can be quite costly, the investment for job site mailings can be quite low and publicity is free. With careful planning of the benefit message and appearance, each tactic supports the others and stretches the effects much further. Low-cost marketing might include donating a carpenter-for-a-day to a local fund raising auction (which exposes your company name to all who attend or are involved), writing an article for a local community newspaper, or reprinting a pertinent magazine article which you can then send out to previous customers with a note. Take advantage of the professionally created materials provided by manufacturers. By using your imagination to find these opportunities, you can save your hard-earned cash for tactics which will have a greater, immediate impact. The second advantage of integrated marketing is an increase in quality leads. Companies who have several tiers of marketing--to their previous customers, friends of the company, neighbors around job sites, and qualified prospects-- are bringing in all types of leads from many sources. While some of these leads will be shoppers, most of the people who call in will be somewhat aware of the company's quality, and therefore, willing to pay more for better service. Integrated marketing means you can't simply stick an ad in the newspaper and have your marketing efforts be over. For the most impact, keep your program active with a number of marketing tactics constantly in front of your best prospects. By keeping up a whirlwind of activity, your message will break through the clutter loud and clear. For more marketing tips, check out The Remodelers Marketing PowerPak from Remodelers Advantage from the NARI of Central Ohio library. Article Courtesy of Remodelers Advantage Inc. The Remodelers Connection Learn First-Class Business Skills at Remodelers University Want to work more productively and make more money? Remodelers University has the educational tools remodelers need, whether they re new to the home improvement industry or want to make their established businesses even more successful. Remodelers University is a new division of Remodelers Advantage Inc., a 22-yearold company dedicated to helping remodeling contractors improve their businesses and boost their profits through business coaching, consulting, networking opportunities, books, CDs, and software. Rounding out the company s wealth of business resources, Remodelers University offers educational seminars in seven must-have modules: Financial Management: Making and Managing Money Marketing, Sales, and Pricing Fast and Accurate Estimating Design as a Strategic Edge Production: On Time, On Budget, + a Delighted Client Human Resources Leadership: The Owner s True Role Each of these subject areas can boost a remodeler s business knowledge. Together, they form a skill set essential for maintaining control of a remodeler s jobs, company and profits while consistently delighting customers. After completing a free online business evaluation, remodelers can pick and choose the modules and seminars they need. Seminars consist of two to four classes that are delivered via live conference calls and simultaneous Web cast presentations. Classes are supplemented with detailed handouts and a CD of each session for future reference. Remodelers University s distinguished faculty members include expert consultants, financial professionals, marketing professionals, and award-winning remodelers who have put their mark on the remodeling industry. They know what works-and what doesn t in the remodeling business. Visit to enroll. Free course door prize at our Oct. 21st luncheon. Attend!

9 The Remodelers Connection Page 9 YOU CAN T WIN IF YOU DON T ENTER NARI CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS COMPETITION Winning an award is an excellent way to demonstrate that you are a top quality remodeler. The award is an affirmation of the efforts you re putting into your company and an opportunity for you to blow your own horn and raise your company s status in the eyes of your customers, prospects, employees, subs and suppliers. There have been a number of changes in the category structure, hopefully creating more balance. There are now 25 categories. Review them and ENTER. Residential Kitchen Under $30,000 Residential Kitchen $30K-$60,000 Residential Kitchen $60K-$100,000 Residential Kitchen Over $100,000 Residential Bath Under $30,000 Residential Bath $30,000-$60,000 Residential Bath Over $60,000 Residential Addition Under $100K Residential Addition $100,000-$250,000 Residential Addition Over $250K Residential Interior Under $100K Residential Interior Over $100,000 Residential Exterior Under $100K Residential Exterior Over $100,000 Entire House Under $250,000 Entire House $250,000-$500,000 Entire House $500,000-$1,000,000 Entire House Over $1,000,000 Residential Interior Specialty Residential Exterior Specialty Residential Historical Renovation/Restoration Universal Design Commercial Interior Commercial Exterior Commercial Specialty The Central Ohio NARI Awards program mirrors the National CotY program. That means if you enter the local competition, you can use the same entry, put inside the national entry binder for the regional and national competition. The rules and guidelines are the same. Our deadline locally is November 8th and we will have the entries back to you in plenty of time to enter the national competition. We have tried to make it simple. But you can t win if you don t enter. SO PICK YOUR BEST PROJECT TAKE THOSE PHOTOS AND ENTER! Visit our website at and download the entry materials and guidelines. Call the NARI office for an entry binder. (614) Are you an Award Winning Contractor

10 Page 10 The Remodelers Connection 2005 NARI MEMBERSHIP DUES Membership dues invoices will be mailed this week and are due by the end of December. Master Card and Visa will be accepted for payment of dues. If you would like to use a credit card, please call the office with that information. (614) Dues must be current to be included in our 2005, exciting, consumer friendly NARI Remodeling Resource Guide which will be distributed at the 2005 Home & Garden Show in addition to other places. The Central Ohio NARI directory is a 4 color magazine which will show off the many works of our members in the form of CotY Awards, consumer articles and our member listing by specialty and by company with a description of each company. A Business Verification Form will accompany the dues invoice. Please be sure to complete and return this form so accurate info is included in the Resource Guide. Don t forget your specialty listings! We will again be printing 15,000 copies. This year the guides were distributed at the Home & Garden Show, in doctors offices, in real estate offices, at building departments and at the Reynoldsburg Tomato festival. They were also mailed to over 2,500 consumers for the Home Improvement Showcase and sent to consumers who called the NARI office or visited our website. We will again look at these distribution points for Ad sales have started by Chapman MSDE Publishing, so please accept their call in the near future. NEW NETWORK GROUP FOR LARGE REMODELERS If you are the owner of a company producing $1,000,000+ in annual volume and feel like you should be doing more with your company, join Remodelers Advantage Roundtables -- a think tank exclusively for owners of large-volume remodeling companies. Roundtables brings you together with 11 of your peers from around the country to share experiences, knowledge, procedures, and advice. You'll quickly come to look upon your fellow members as your company board of directors -- knowledgeable experts who know your industry and your company. Q.Who is involved in Remodelers Advantage? A. Linda Case and Victoria Downing are nationally known industry consultants and are co-owners of Remodelers Advantage Inc. They, along with an array of other industry experts and top remodelers, provide a variety of services to remodelers with the goal of enhancing their lives by improving their businesses. Q. How many members are in Roundtables? A. There are currently 174 members in sixteen groups. Q: How often will my Roundtables group meet? A: Each group meets individually twice a year and focus on a particular market segment. The newest Roundtable, dubbed the Liberty Group, will concentrate on business issues unique to remodeling companies that produce $1,000,000 or more annually in revenue. The group s first meeting will take place December 6-8 in the Washington, D. C. area. Space is limited to 15 participants; sign up today to reserve your spot and learn from some of the best minds in the business. Contact Mike Hall at or Mike@RemodelersAdvantage.com.

11 The Remodelers Connection Page 11 Referrals Your One Stop Remodeler 771 S. Hamilton Rd. Columbus Since W. Lane Ave. Upper Arlington During the last month more than 15 calls were received at the NARI office for referrals. General Contracting 10 Basement Remodeling 3 Misc. 2 Remodeling Resource Guides were also mailed. CR QUESTION THE ANSWER ANSWER: D The General Conditions cover items, which affect the entire job, rather than individual trades or products. SAMPLE SAFETY PRGRAM A sample safety program for contractors is available through the NARI office. It is an OSHA requirement to have a safety program in place. NARI has taken all the fluff out of the process and included only required elements in this sample program. The program is available on CD and/or customized for your company in binder form. For additional information, contact NARI at (614) When was the last time you brought in a new member?

12 Prsrt Std. U.S. Postage PAID Westerville, Ohio Permit No. 490 Central Ohio Chapter 2021 E. Dublin-Granville Rd. Suite 253 Columbus, OH Group Health Insurance Program Group Rated Workers Compensation Contractors Business Liability Insurance Program Discounted Payroll Program with Paychex Sample Safety Program for contractors Prospector Lead Generation Program Member to Member Program Industry Library Membership Directory Monthly local & national newsletters Use of Trademarked Logo Educational Seminars Dinner meetings, networking and education Supplier Trade Shows Contractor of the Year (CotY) Awards Program Special Events; golf, casino, holiday events Legislative watchdog Local & national websites Mentor Program Community Service involvement Specialized Legal Services available THE REMODELERS Providing Professional Solutions NARI of Central Ohio (614)