PB February 2002

Now more than ever, builders must cater to the cultural needs, practices and preferences of emerging consumer groups, and two new reports are shedding more light on the subject.

The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks changed life and business as we know it. Today, CEOs across America are taking the time to learn a skill few ever thought they would need: how to handle a crisis.

Not long ago, I heard a speech by the president of a large building company at a building industry forum. I listened as he extolled the virtues of the company.

The company offers a line of windows and doors certified to be hurricane-resistant by Dade County, Fla. A polymer interlayer not only meets strict code requirements, it also enables larger unit sizes (up to 50 square feet), higher design pressure ratin...

Despite conventional wisdom, Generation Xers are more like the rest of us than anyone suspected. As of last year, more Xers than baby boomers planned to buy homes, says American Demographics magazine.

At the height of the dot-com and e-commerce manias, leading thinkers predicted a day when knowledge workers would stay home for work. But now come data showing that from 1997 to 2001, the number of full-time telecommuters stayed roughly the same.

Concrete construction and solar power are proving to be a potent combination. Near Chico, Calif., a home built with insulated concrete forms (ICF) and powered by solar panels might never have a utility bill, general contractor Steve Ferreira of Ferreir...

The Marcato stainless steel sink, shown with the Fairfax pullout faucet, has double basins that are 8 inches deep.

A group of building company presidents explains how they retain their top performers.

Jim Previti, founder and chairman of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.-based Forecast Homes, sold the 30-year-old company to New Jersey-based Giant K. Hovnanian Enterprises in January.