PB September 2004

Think through your termination process; set mutual expectations with new employees about what you want from them - and what they want from you

Are employees robbing you blind? Many builders refuse to see the epidemic of insider crime that plagues the U.S. housing industry.

One of the most important considerations in home building and site development is deciding on an appropriate and cost-effective wastewater treatment system. Soil type, local code requirements and a range of other factors figure into the equation. When is an aerobic wastewater treatment system a better choice than a conventional septic system? Here's a look at the key issues involved in choosin...

Dominant builders create a culture that attracts and retains talent and customers.

Great design and affordability are not mutually exclusive, even in a small home. Here's how to create a great-looking community, while keeping costs firmly under control.

As with any discussion relating to design elements, an analysis of just what makes a room or area seem inviting is often quite subjective. Diverse personal preferences make it difficult to outline specific do's-and-don't's, but a few general guidelines can help increase the attraction of certain areas in a home.

This buried treasure in suburban Twin Cities, Minn., maximizes square footage while bucking conventional suburban design.

If you have written ethics policies in place for every department and think through all the gray areas and discuss them with employees regularly, you create a climate focused on ethical behavior.

This "Miami modern" design by architect Barry Sugarman was the Best of Show winner in Southeast Builders Conference's recent Aurora Awards. We think it heralds the return of modern architecture to residential prominence, a budding trend accelerated by the growing importance of urban housing and uptown lifestyles.

An alternative to a conventional septic system for environmentally sensitive and other challenging sites.