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Flipping for fast funds: Home rehab programs on the rise
Bambi Majumdar Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesThe housing market is looking strong, and the home rehab segment especially bright. Home rehab, popularly called flipping, is slowly gaining momentum with Americans who want their dream homes to come in affordable prices. Home rehab programs are focused on bridging the gap between good and pricey homes that can hardly cater to the rising demand from upcoming homeowners across the country.
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Should you file a mechanics lien claim? 3 things to consider
Scott Wolfe Jr. Construction & Building MaterialsThose who furnish labor or materials to a construction project have the right to file a mechanics lien claim in the event of nonpayment. This is a remedy first established in America by founding fathers Thomas Jefferson and James Madison to protect suppliers and contractors against a project's financial risks, and the remedy has persisted throughout the nation's history with laws in every state.
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5 must-have home improvement apps
Bambi Majumdar Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesWith summer knocking on our doors, home renovation projects seem to have taken priority for homeowners across the country. In 2014, U.S. home improvement stores reported revenues close to $144 billion. The pace will be even faster this year especially from the third quarter on. According to the Residential Remodeling Index (RRI), every metropolis in the country will be witnessing increasing remodeling activity this year with an average growth of 4 percent.
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Building industry betting on pent-up demand to boost activity
Michael J. Berens Construction & Building MaterialsThe beginning of 2015 was "deja vu all over again" for the building industry, as severe weather conditions in much of the country once more dampened activity for most of the first quarter. New construction, remodeling and design work all lost some momentum coming off a strong fourth quarter in 2014, although growth remained positive overall compared to a year ago.
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NPE 2015 end-use regulatory impact review: Green building
Don Rosato EngineeringThe National Plastics Exposition (NPE) recently took place March 23-27 in Orlando, Florida. Let's go behind the scenes and take a look from a plastics engineering standpoint at some of the regulatory impacts in key plastics end-uses and related technologies.
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It pays to scan your contracts for lien subordination clauses
Nate Budde Construction & Building MaterialsLien waivers have an important place in the construction payment process. The parties in charge, or "at the top," of a project (the property owner, lender, construction manager or general contractor) are highly motivated to make sure the project proceeds free of any lien claims. In fact, since mechanics liens cloud the property title and negatively impact bonding capacity, they may actually prohibit the job from getting completed successfully.
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Lifestyle changes propel remodeling activity
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesRemodeling and renovation activity continues to lead the residential building sector, as the market for new home construction struggles to gain momentum. Some of this activity can be attributed to homeowners making needed repairs and upgrades to increase the value of their home for resale.
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Combating slow payment (and nonpayment) in the construction industry
Nate Budde Construction & Building MaterialsMost of the time, invoices get paid. In the vast majority of cases, invoices are paid well before they age enough to cause a significant worry. Despite this, however, there is an entire industry of credit and financial managers who are dedicated to helping companies manage, and ultimately collect, those problem invoices.
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Are you freezing at work? New studies may boost building comfort
Michael J. Berens Facilities & GroundsAnyone who has suffered in an overcooled or overheated meeting room for a day or two understands the need for improved thermal comfort. Complaints about poor thermal comfort abound in occupant satisfaction studies. Yet, to date, solutions have proven elusive or only partially satisfactory.
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Strengthen relationships through technology
Nate Budde Construction & Building MaterialsThe construction industry is based on relationships. While the same can be said for many industries, the unique nature of construction projects puts these relationships into stark focus. The construction payment structure is complex, and the extensive network of parties on every construction project means there are inevitable payment delays. Building stronger relationships, and playing fair, can result in less payment trouble and more clarity.
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