By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development — Managing cash flow during a slow season can help ensure a successful year for your business. If your profession is seasonal, like landscaping, home remodeling, or construction, work tends to slow down in the winter months. Year-end cash flow planning is vital to keeping a business in

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development — After several years of solid acceleration, annual growth in home improvement and repair spending is expected to slow, then grow in 2019. According to a recent report by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, spending on home remodeling and repair will continue to increase

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development Bathroom remodels can add significant value to a home. HGTV lists a minor bathroom remodel as the number one home update that pays off.  It costs about $10,500 to replace the tub, tile surround, floor, toilet, sink, vanity, and fixtures. While a good bathroom remodel is not necessarily

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development*** The holiday season is officially here! This is the perfect time of year to make repairs, plan projects, and secure your home. Don’t put off scheduling repairs that need be completed before winter arrives! It is imperative to get on the schedule of any roofer, gutter installer, HVAC

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development Remodeling a home should be a treat, but can, One of the biggest challenges for remodelers today is rising project costs. Over the past three years, material costs have risen 5-9 percent, and trade contractors have also increased prices. When times are tight, small-business sub-contractors will lower prices

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development Remodeling a home should be a treat, but can, unfortunately, sour quickly. Renovations can go awry, but one way to ensure your vision becomes a reality is to look at examples of recent remodeling jobs through a home tour. Local professionals who showcase their work are usually on

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development The flooring industry has experienced a revival since the Great Recession. Manufacturers develop materials that mimic standard wood and stone options with without the stain, scratches, heat, and moisture. Wood and vinyl-based products account for the majority of growth, but now alternative options are steadily gaining popularity: Armstrong

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development Now is the perfect time to prepare a home for colder winter weather. Instead of cranking up the heat after the first frost, consider energy efficiency. Managing your home’s temperature, so everyone in the family is comfortable while energy consumption stays low can be challenging. Smart habits and

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development The current real estate market can be a little…whacky. Home prices are surging, and inventory is tight. A slowdown in new construction and a short supply of existing homes for sale have pushed housing prices so high; buyers are finding themselves either sitting out the sale process or

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development “The cost” is one of the first things homeowners want to know when planning a home remodel or upgrade. Determining price involves defining what work needs to be done in coordination with materials and labor. Once the cost is determined, a contractor provides a bid or an estimated