While new provisions in the 2009 International Residential Code should lead to... More
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has announced a new directive mandating certain fall protection requirements for residential builders. The new directive replaces an interim directive that has been in effect since 1995 and allowed residential builders to bypass fall protection requirements. More
Executives for The Home Depot announced today the launch of a new program, called "First for Pro," designed to better serve professional customers. First Pro includes new hours to better fit professionals' schedules, more point-of-sales staffing, specialty parking for pros, more loading assistance, and an easier system for product returns. More
Fortune Brands announced it will spin off its home and security division--a group that includes Moen faucets, MasterBrand Cabinets, Therma-Tru doors, Simonton windows, and Master Lock--into an independent, publicly traded company with annual sales topping $3 billion. More
Columnist Chris Rader says that creating a "Contractor Dog House"--a place at your store for contractors to relax, drink coffee, watch sports on TV, and generally relax--is a great way to build sales. More
Here's a scary Halloween story for you: In some markets, a few tract home builders... More
I believe it will be changes in the needs of dealers' customers--both the builders they sell to as well as the consumers who ultimately pay for the pros' work--that will be the primary drivers this decade in the evolution of the American home. More
A dozen years ago, architect Sarah Susanka wrote The Not So Big House, a book that... More
The Home Depot is taking steps "to be very aggressive and opportunistic" with its pro customers, a key market segment whose business isn't rebounding as fast as expected, executives for the building supply retailer told analysts. More
Here's a tidbit from The Home Depot's latest conference call with analysts that it... More
