New LowesForPros Articles & Features: June 2009

Hello Lowe’s Commercial Customers, friends and new visitors to LowesForPros.com

Summer has almost arrived and the American housing industry continues to adapt to the twists and turns of the global economic slump. Highlights of this month’s industry news include the NAHB’s assertion that the market appears to be at/near bottomed-out and “is stabilizing.” By most professional estimates, it’s all uphill from here.   

The same report indicated that new home sales hit bottom in the first Quarter of 2009 and have shown increases ever since. Housing affordability is near an all-time high, builder confidence continues to rise, and pending home sales were up 6.7% in April according to National Association of Remodelers.       

Also, the Government’s 2009 “Stimulus Package” offers some outstanding incentives to homeowners and builders:

• The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) creates tax incentives for home energy improvements and provides $8 billion to fund weatherization upgrades on certain properties
• The tax credits and weatherization upgrades sponsored by the ARRA are expected to generate $6 billion worth of business in the remodeling industry
• Changes to LEED standards Wood Credit Certification
• Learn more about Stimulus Money for Homes and the Government Weatherization Plan

While you're here, check out some of our great new LowesForPros.com articles for June:

• Perspectives and information on Drug Screening your Employees
• The first of our two part series on Eco Friendly Remodeling – Part 1: Material Selection
• Deal with the reduced flexibility in lease negotiations due to the sour economy, and establish Successful Lease Negotiations
• Photovoltaic Technology Training for electricians
• Hottest trends in Landscaping for spring and summer, 2009

> News and Advice for All Building Professionals

The Right Time to Become Your Own Boss
Ironically, a tough economy often pushes people into their lifelong dream: Self-employment. At last, they have a chance to create their own hours, choose their own clients and take all the credit for success.

Prepare for Your Company’s Future
When the economy began to plummet, Carmel, Ind.-based Heartwood Custom Homes, Inc., President and Owner Jeff Langston went into survival mode. The 10-person staff was trimmed by half and he broadened his customer base to include homes at a lower price point.

A Sustainable Investment (Part 2): "Green" Light Your Earth-Friendly Projects
Last month, LowesForPros examined how small business owners can evaluate green practices in their internal operations—replacing fleet with fuel-efficient trucks, buying CFLs and other measures—to ensure that they don’t break the budget.

> Advice for Builders and Remodelers

Natural Building for Conventional Builders
In a world where everything from snacks to clothing is “100 percent natural,” a new breed of builder is asking, “Why not homes, too?”

LEED’s Changing Certified Wood Credits
In order to qualify for LEED for Homes status, residential homebuilders must earn at least 45 out of a possible 136 points, which typically requires them to invest extra time, extra money and extra effort in the minutiae that set green buildings apart from their conventional counterparts.

The Pros and Cons of Drug Screening Employees
According to the most recent statistics published by the U.S. Department of Labor, 6.7 million full-time and 1.6 million part-time workers employed in the United States are drug users.

The 2009 Stimulus Package (“ARRA”) and Your Business: Tax Incentives
There’s a huge sale on new homes in your area, and it’s happening at your construction business. You can now offer dramatic incentives to lure buyers back into the market, and thanks to the federal government, it won’t cost you a thing.

Green Roof Construction
From hybrid vehicles to natural cleaning products, environmentally conscious alternatives have made their way into almost every industry. But according to Jim Kirby, associate director of technical communications with the National Roofing Contractors Association, sustainable alternatives, while in the works by many manufacturers, have yet to make their way into the roofing industry.

Eco-Friendly Remodeling (Part 1): Material Selection
Your customers have a lot of questions. They’re interested in “greening” their remodeling project, but they’re not sure exactly what that entails. It’s your job to answer their questions, make suggestions, determine what’s important to them and make sure you deliver.

> Advice for Property Managers

The Ethics of Property Management
From tenants who default on their rent payments to building owners who look to place the blame, property managers often find themselves at the center of disputes. But how can they deal with potential conflicts both fairly and professionally?

Successful Lease Negotiations for Property Managers
Our current economy has redefined the property manager and tenant relationship. In an effort to avoid vacant properties, property managers sometimes have less flexibility during the negotiation process, but those who have adapted are enjoying successful occupancy and low vacancy rates. Assimilating to this new leasing environment entails that several clauses be amended on lease negotiations to ensure property managers can seal the deal with potential tenants.

> Advice for Electricians

In today’s uncertain economy, it pays to be green. For some construction industry professionals, this translates to using solar energy, and electricians are turning to solar energy education to give them a leg-up in the job market.

> Advice for Maintenance Professionals

Preparing Your Building for the Summer Months

Summer signals the start of extreme weather for facilities managers across the country. In the nearby Houston community of Pearland, Texas, Stacy Colvin, a member of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), prepares his buildings for what he calls, “extreme weather season.”

Creating an Effective Human Resource Management Program
Every employee deserves the guarantee of health, security and safety. A Human Resources Management (HRM) program ensures positive welfare for workers so that they get the most out of their careers, which will, in turn, increase productivity and benefit the business.

Greening Your Cleaning Program
With the popularity of the green movement on the rise and green cleaning products becoming more affordable, many facilities managers are implementing their own green cleaning programs for the first time.  But the pressure to research, plan and successfully implement a program with a minimum of time and money lost is a daunting task for anyone.

The Future of Technology in Facilities Maintenance
Technology grows at an exponential pace, and it can be difficult to keep up with. But how do you choose where to invest your technology dollars? In this economy, you have to be careful with every step.

> Advice for Landscapers

What Landscapers Can Learn From Branding
“We see your trucks all the time,” is a comment that Anthony Pascale, president of the organic lawn care company Natural Turf in New Jersey, hears a lot. The funny part? “We only have two trucks,” says Pascale.

Trends to Watch for in 2009: Stay Ahead of the Curve to Increase Your Landscaping Business
In this economy, any edge will help a landscaping business. The best way to maintain an edge is to stay on top of developing trends that could expand your customer offerings, thus increasing sales opportunities.

> Advice for Plumbers

Propane Water Heaters: What You Need To Know
With summer heating up, your clients’ water bills are simmering down from their cold weather readings. Use the off season to research and educate your customers on the benefits of propane water heaters.  With costs for utilities such as electricity on the rise, heating water with a propane system is not only more cost effective than using electricity; it is also more energy efficient and could result in a significant tax credit and savings for homeowners.