Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

DES PLAINES, IL -- The National Association of the Remodeling Industry's (NARI) released its fourth-quarter Remodeling Business Pulse (RBP) data of current and future remodeling business conditions that continue to point to growth. Currently 67 percent of remodelers nationwide are seeing growth compared to only 15 percent who are reporting declines.

The current conditions rating showed a slight directional decline at 6.31, down from 6.41 in September. (Ratings above 5 indicate growth). This easing comes after two quarters of growth. While the ratings of current conditions all remain positive, marginal decreases in three of the four sub-components reflect lower growth rates. The exception was for 'sales value of jobs sold' which had a small increase.

"There has been long term improvement in sales value, which indicates that larger projects are making a comeback," says Tom O'Grady, CR, CKBR, chairman of NARI's Strategic Planning & Research Committee and president of O'Grady Builders, based in Drexel Hill, Pa. "Consumers are feeling that the economy will be good for the foreseeable future."

While postponed projects remain the top reason at 70% for growth, moving into the number two position is consumer's feelings of more certainty about the future. This driver spiked to 63% in the current survey, up from 43% recorded in September. Economic growth was seen as a driver by 62%, up five percent from last quarter, while improving home prices remained unchanged at 50%.

While all ratings of current conditions remain positive, most of the sub-components were softer than September: (Rating is from 1 to 9, where 1 is much worse than a year ago and 9 is much better; 5 is about the same as last year):

Number of inquiries was 6.11, down from 6.51. Requests for bids fell to 6.04, down from 6.41. Conversion of bids was 5.84, down from 6.01. Sales value of jobs was almost constant at 6.30, just above the 6.27 in September.

"This is indicative of the slow, steady recovery of the remodeling industry," says Tom O'Grady, CR, CKBR, chairman of NARI's Strategic Planning Committee. "The majority of remodelers are seeing growth, and are confident that the market is improving which is in line with market indicators."

Unlike the current business rating, the outlook for business three months from now had a statistically significant increase in December at 6.32 vs. September's 6.07, reversing the downward trend of the past two quarters. Increased business is expected by 73% of remodelers while only 10 percent are anticipating declines.

Comparing business conditions across different regions of the county, it is interesting to note that the West has the strongest ratings for all of the sub-measures of current conditions. The Northeast is lower on all measures except 'Conversion to bids to jobs' where it dips significantly lower versus all but the Midwest. The outlook for the future is directionally strongest in the South.

The survey also provided detailed findings regarding energy efficiency upgrades. A dominant proportion of remodelers--80 percent--discussed energy efficiency with homeowners. Cost, savings, and payback period are the dominant issues on homeowner's minds. Interestingly, 94 percent of remodelers are involved in one or more energy savings upgrades, with added insulation, high R windows and high efficiency furnaces being the most popular. Consumers are interested in finding ways to save energy usage as well as remodelers. "Unless the client brings this up early in the conversation," says one remodeler, "we initiate the thought because it's important to us and future generations."

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NARI Says Current Conditions Reflect Lower Growth Rates in Remodeling Industry

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(01-22 16:49)

British plumbing giant Wolseley wants to sell its French building materials unit in a move which would herald its exit from France, it said Thursday. The London-listed firm, which is the world's biggest distributor of plumbing and heating products, added the announcement was part of its ongoing restructuring. "The group ... and has decided to explore exit options for its remaining building materials business in France,'' it said in a brief statement to the London Stock Exchange. A source close to Wolseley, which distributes building materials and bathroom supplies, told AFP what "closure is not an option'' for the unit. Wosleley's French building materials division generated revenues of 577 million pounds and trading profit of just 7 million in the group's year to July 2014. It has net assets of about 130 million. Wosleley operates in France under Reseau Pro, Panofrance and Silverwood brands. --AFP

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British plumber Wolseley seeks exit from France

Momorangi Bay, on Queen Charlotte Drive, is the location of a partnership between Kathmandu and the Department of Conservation.

Commercial input from high-profile businesses is helping to protect and preserve more of New Zealand's assets than the Department of Conservation can do on its own.

DOC commercial partnership unit member David Ross said partnerships with businesses were a way the department could operate outside its normal budget, but they didn't mean DOC had fewer resources.

"Conservation is a big task, a big part of New Zealand, too big and important to be left to DOC itself. Partnerships are about engaging and working with other people, not about saying 'we don't have enough money'."

Commercial partnerships were not new, Ross said. The kakapo recovery programme partnership with New Zealand Aluminium Smelters dates back to 1990.

DOC had working relationships with many businesses, such as outdoor pursuits company Kathmandu which supplied equipment, and commercial partnerships often developed from these, Ross said.

"It's quite an organic process," he said. "We don't sit here with a list of companies making cold calls."

Kathmandu is one of two partners in Marlborough, working with the Marlborough Sounds Restoration Trust, mainly in the Momorangi area. The deal is worth $25,000 per year for three years with a review.

"Camping is a key part of their business and so it was natural for them to get involved in something like this," Ross said.

"We have a programme of conservation planned for Momorangi and as it develops there will be signs and Kathmandu will have opportunities to engage with the public on site. There's also media recognition and Kathmandu communicates with its customers through newsletters and its staff."

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Business backing keeps DOC on track

Concerns at how plans to move services - including bin collections - out of full council control in Middlesbrough are being handled have been expressed by unions.

Middlesbrough Councils executive approved yesterday a proposal to form a joint venture company (JVC) with a public sector partner - Norse, owned by Norfolk County Council.

The plans would affect 1,400 workers in environment, property and commercial services.

It is part of the councils Change Programme devised to deal with budget cuts but councillors have stressed that the move does not mean the services will be privatised.

Unison branch secretary Ian Campbell said unions were aware of plans under consideration but raised worries over Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallons call for it to be implemented before he leaves office in May.

Tony Parkinson, executive director of commercial and corporate services has said the process would normally take six months but could be done in six weeks with the appropriate level of resources.

Ian Campbell, Unison branch secretary, said: We understood that given the financial circumstances, what was being considered was the best option for the town and for the staff.

We believed that this idea was at its early stages of consideration and much more work was needed before there would be a final decision - that it was too early for details to be shared with us.

The apparent report of a need for this to be done before Mayor Mallons departure in May has come as a shock and we need further details from the employer to be able to make a more informed comment.

The services to be considered for inclusion are: building maintenance, building cleaning and caretaking, bus station management, security and CCTV, pest control, bereavement services, Ayresome Industries, school catering, Tees community equipment service, waste disposal contract management, environmental education and enforcement, dog wardens, refuse collection, green waste collection, kerbside recycling, area care (grounds maintenance and street cleaning), parks management and maintenance, cemetery and crematorium maintenance, burials, highways inspection, highways maintenance, winter maintenance, fleet maintenance, vehicle maintenance, strategic property management, commercial property management and valuations. Others may be added.

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Union's fears over handling of plans to move Middlesbrough Council services out of town hall control

Deformed vegetables, organic weed control and kiwi production among topics

A pesticide used to control broadleaf weeds in hay pastures can survive in composted straw and manure for years, possibly causing injury to tomatoes and other garden vegetables, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert. (Photo by Dr. Joe Masabni, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service vegetable specialist)

Writer: Robert Burns, 903-312-3199, rd-burns@tamu.edu

NACOGDOCHES Commercial vegetable growers are facing a new problem: Some commercial composts can contain herbicide residues that will cause mutant tomatoes and other vegetables, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulturist.

The herbicide aminopyralid is primarily used for control of broadleaf weeds in pastures, said Dr. Joe Masabni, AgriLife Extension vegetable specialist, College Station. The problem arises when growers use straw mulch composted from hay pastures or composted manure from animals grazing on treated pastures.

This is a very serious concern for all growers, he said. The herbicide can survive the animal digestive system and for three years or longer in the compost pile.

Masabni is one of the featured speakers at the East Texas Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Conference, set Feb. 24 at the Nacogdoches Expo Center, 3805 NW Stallings Drive, Nacogdoches.

Registration before Feb. 20 for the conference is $30 per person, $50 for couples. There will be a $5 late fee added to registration after Feb. 20. Lunch is included with the registration. Registration will start at 8:30 a.m., with programming beginning at 9 a.m. The conference will adjourn at 3 p.m.

To register or for more information, call the AgriLife Extension office for Nacogdoches County at 936-560-7711. Checks should be made out to Nacogdoches Master Gardener Association and mailed to: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, 203 W. Main St., Nacogdoches, TX 75961.

Masabni will discuss the latest research results on using activated charcoal to neutralize aminopyralid herbicide in soils. He will also discuss how to calculate herbicide rates for a small volume like a backpack sprayer when labeled amounts are only shown for large acreages. And, he will discuss the finer points of both organic and conventional weed control. Morning topics and speakers will include:

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Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Conference set Feb. 24 in Nacogdoches

Concerns at how plans to move services - including bin collections - out of full council control in Middlesbrough are being handled have been expressed by unions.

Middlesbrough Councils executive approved yesterday a proposal to form a joint venture company (JVC) with a public sector partner - Norse, owned by Norfolk County Council.

The plans would affect 1,400 workers in environment, property and commercial services.

It is part of the councils Change Programme devised to deal with budget cuts but councillors have stressed that the move does not mean the services will be privatised.

Unison branch secretary Ian Campbell said unions were aware of plans under consideration but raised worries over Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallons call for it to be implemented before he leaves office in May.

Tony Parkinson, executive director of commercial and corporate services has said the process would normally take six months but could be done in six weeks with the appropriate level of resources.

Ian Campbell, Unison branch secretary, said: We understood that given the financial circumstances, what was being considered was the best option for the town and for the staff.

We believed that this idea was at its early stages of consideration and much more work was needed before there would be a final decision - that it was too early for details to be shared with us.

The apparent report of a need for this to be done before Mayor Mallons departure in May has come as a shock and we need further details from the employer to be able to make a more informed comment.

The services to be considered for inclusion are: building maintenance, building cleaning and caretaking, bus station management, security and CCTV, pest control, bereavement services, Ayresome Industries, school catering, Tees community equipment service, waste disposal contract management, environmental education and enforcement, dog wardens, refuse collection, green waste collection, kerbside recycling, area care (grounds maintenance and street cleaning), parks management and maintenance, cemetery and crematorium maintenance, burials, highways inspection, highways maintenance, winter maintenance, fleet maintenance, vehicle maintenance, strategic property management, commercial property management and valuations. Others may be added.

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Union expresses 'shock' at plans to develop new business model for Middlesbrough services