Builder Blog from Integrity Windows and Doors » data

Building women

Berit Griffin — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 15:00:10 +0000

On Friday, this blogger had the chance to attend a forum at the Builders Association of the Twin Cities about women in the building industry. It was a fascinating topic about an underrepresented group. According to the National Association of Women in Construction, women make up only 10 percent of the industry. Amazing!

So why aren’t there more women in the building industry/construction? Is it because of physical limitations and strength? Is it because women are intimidated? Has the building industry not done a good enough job of educating women about the opportunities available in building? Does the industry, as a whole, not want to be accepting of women in the industry? Or are women just not interested? Why isn’t the building industry considered women-friendly?

What are some things you think can be done to increase the number of women in the industry? And if you are a female builder, what have been some of your challenges? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Image courtesy of quinn.anya on Flickr

Remodeling uptick expected in 2011

John Kirchner — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 14:00:28 +0000

By way of the Daily 5 Remodel newsletter, we learn of a report that finds “Substantive growth in remodeling spending, coming off a three-year decline, seems likely in 2011,” according to the latest quarterly Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity. The findings of that report are summarized in this release, which sums up the matter as such:

“Remodeling contactors are feeling much more positive about the outlook for home improvement projects,” says Kermit Baker, director of the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies. “Low financing costs and a wave of previously foreclosed homes coming back on the market and in need of renovation are expected to generate healthy growth over the next several quarters.”

The comments posted on the D5R article are equally positive, including this one, attributed to one Peter Feinmann:

We have seen a steady stream of potential clients looking to do work on their homes. And we are entering 2011 significantly better than we were entering 2010. The energy in our offices are much more vibrant compared to a year ago.

What are you seeing? How’s 2011 shaping up for your business?

Spending on remodeling increased 8.2 percent in 2009

John Kirchner — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:00:38 +0000

Recent data reported by the U.S. Commerce Department shows that home remodeling was a bright spot in the troubled U.S. construction industry.

Year-end figures from the Commerce Department show that spending on private, residential remodeling in 2009 totaled $125.6 billion — up 8.2 percent from 2008. Meanwhile, new residential construction spending came in at $134.8 billion — a drop of 23.5 percent from the previous year.

This has been reflected in a shift we’ve seen in our own business, as energy-efficient replacement windows and doors have outperformed our products for the new-construction market. Homeowners are more often renovating their existing homes instead of trading up to larger homes or flipping properties for a quick profit. There’s now an increased emphasis on improving the home for greater comfort, efficiency and style.

As part of that shift, remodeling grabbed a much bigger share of the overall residential construction dollar. For all of 2009, new construction accounted for 51.8 percent of residential construction spending, with remodeling at 48.2 percent. By contrast, new construction accounted for 60.3 percent of residential construction spending in 2008 and remodeling for only 39.7 percent.

The federal tax credit for energy-efficient home improvements is also giving a boost to remodeling.

Like everyone in the homebuilding industry, we’re eager to see an upturn in the new construction business, but we’re also happy to see the continuing strength of the remodeling segment.

[photo]