Best of the BestBest Kitchen WinnerTru-Built Construction, LLC

To see a color version of the photo, visit www.hbal.org/rc/events.

Congratulations to Tru-Built Construction, LLC on being the first “Best of the Best” winner with their kitchen entry. Next month features basements, so be sure to submit your photo of the best basement remodel you have done or been a part of in the past year to the HBAL office no later than February 15, 2012 to be considered as the Best of the Best! So you can get a head start on planning for the rest of the year, below is the list of all the “Best of” projects we will be looking for this year. Photos can be submitted to Kayla@hbal.org or drop them by the HBAL office and we will scan a copy of them. Recognition will include a picture of the project along with your company name in the Step by Step publication and a spot on the HBAL website for one month.

Published by the Remodelers Council of Lincoln • February 2012 • Vol. 15, No. 2 • Editor Jennie Korth

Chairperson’s Message

by Molly Johnson

Remodelers After HoursFebruary 2, 2012

4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and

Lighting Gallery5001 S. 19th Street

Please send your RSVP to info@hbal.org or call 402-423-4225 by January 31.

Door PrizeBring your business card along to enter to win a

door prize. Bring a guest and you can enter twice!

Food Bank HouseThe Remodelers Council is still seeking volunteers

to help with the Food Bank House at the

Home & Garden Show. If you are interested in

helping, contact Kayla at Kayla@HBAL.org or by calling 402-423-4225.

We started the New Year with our first lunch meeting at Hy-Vee. Becky Guittar, Hy-Vee Wellness Coach did a terrific job as our guest speaker. She had several healthy eating tips and statistics that were motivating to be healthier in 2012.

The Home & Garden show will be held February 9-12. I look forward to being a part of the Home & Garden show again this year. It’s a lot of work to get setup, but well worth every minute! The Remodelers Council Food Bank House will be in a different location this year with hopes to have better recognition. If you are willing to donate time to help with the Food Bank House please contact Kayla at the HBAL office. We appreciate everyone’s time and donations.

Don’t forget to stop by Ferguson, Kitchen Bath & Lighting Gallery on February 2 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Ferguson is hosting After Hours at their showroom and will have good food and drinks for everyone to enjoy while networking and touring the showroom. Please RSVP to the HBAL office if you will be joining us!

Please remember to submit pictures of your best “Basement” project for the February “Best of the Best” competition. This is a great opportunity to show other members your finished work! All pictures can be sent to Kayla at Kayla@hbal.org!

I look forward to seeing you at the Ferguson After Hours and the Home Show this month!

March – BathroomApril – Windows

May – Outdoor KitchenJune – Addition

July – Deck

August – LandscapingSeptember – Garage

October – Interior RemodelNovember – Custom CabinetryDecember – Bar/Wine Cellar

What to Expect When You’re Remodeling By Dan Bawden, CGR, GMB, CAPS, of Legal Eagle Contractors, Co in Houston

Reprinted with permission from NAHB.I could tell it was an exciting kitchen addition project just from glancing at the plans, and I wanted this job. I knocked on Mrs. Anton’s door. “Nice to meet you, Dan,” she said, then immediately blurted out “I am scared to death do this project. My best friend is totally stressed out about the kitchen re-do she’s in the middle of at her house. I may not even do this”. “What are you fearful of, exactly?” I asked. “I know it will be noisy and dusty at times,” she said calming down a bit, “but I just don’t know what to expect going through the process. What if I hate it so much I just want to quit midway through?” This scenario frames a universal dilemma for professional remodelers: how do we prepare clients realistically for the remodeling process without scaring the dickens out of them? How can you comfort them when you are about to tear their home asunder, often while they are living there? You are already well aware of the kinds of horror stories our client’s hear from their friends and family. If you tell them too many “Well, the following bad things could happen while we have your roof off during framing…” stories and they’ll decide to move instead of improve. So what can you do?“I think I can help you!” I said reassuringly. Let me show you my “Funk Chart.” In my presentation materials I carry letter-sized copies of a cartoony chart that lays out the emotional states of the various players in a project as they pass through the remodeling process, from design to the last doorknob party. The players who’s joy and pain are depicted include: the homeowners, you the contractor, the architect or designer, the children and even the family dog (could be a cat). It shows when they will be thrilled (framing stage ~ real progress -yeah!), and when they will be depressed (real cost of the project is revealed). When the kids will be excited (Demo! ~ Cool! Can we help?), and when things will seem to slow to a crawl (why do drywall paint and finish work take sooooo long?). Look over the Funk Chart yourself and see how you might use in your sales presentation.“By the way”, I tell her, “you can’t quit a remodeling project half-way along - you have to see it through. It’s like the childbirth process.” (A pregnant pause ensues). Mrs. Anton, who has spent the day dealing with her twin-toddler tirades, gives me a glowering “How dare you” look. “No really!”, I insist.“At the start of the process, you are very excited. A beautiful creation is underway! You are filled with ‘happy endorphins’ and feel certain things will be rosy throughout the process. As things progress, a few hickies occur (let me rephrase that)…few bumps crop up (that’s not much better), but you work through them, knowing the final result will be worth it. Dealing with the tough spots is easier with an experienced and understanding partner. In the last 20 percent of the process, things get more uncomfortable. Everyone just wants it to be over and done.” She nods, clearly getting the picture.“In the final days, things are pretty stressful, and you swear to God you will never, ever do this again. Then, suddenly… you have this beautiful creation. You show it off to all of your friends and family. As you share your new creation, you eventually you forget the unpleasant parts of the process, and will even consider doing it (remodeling) again! The setting of client expectations has begun…The Funk Chart is funny but full of truth about the roller-coaster ride of remodeling one’s home. It is a modified version of a chart done many years ago in one of our trade magazines. The Funk Chart is a great way to set client expectations in an entertaining way, without scaring clients to death. Have fun with it.

Greg ShinautPhone: 402-437-1717Cellular: 402-416-5067Email: greg.shinaut@blackhillscorp.com

Ruth HietbrinkCellular: 402-430-7617Email: ruth.hietbrink@blackhillscorp.com

www.BlackHillsEnergy.com

OSHA 10 Hour, First Aid & CPR TrainingMarch 21-22, 2012

8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

HBAL Office • Trade Center6100 S. 58th Street, Ste. C • Lincoln, NE

Cost: TBD / pending grant approval

For more info or to register, call the HBAL office at 402-423-4225 or email info@hbal.org.

# Cost # Cost # Cost # Cost # Cost # CostJan. 19 333,000 7 87,400 9 1,364,460 2 52,000 6 152,980 3 80,100Feb. 13 426,676 4 314,300 9 141,600 5 125,240 3 99,500 7 178,700March 34 613,750 33 1,283,155 36 589,154 10 206,900 11 317,000 18 452,005April 52 560,472 56 539,511 62 1,208,366 10 198,413 19 706,474 15 908,366May 57 907,924 55 818,301 52 809,323 9 183,000 9 148,500 20 340,080June 59 520,942 62 481,374 19 543,997 14 297,872 12 460,740 16 603,388July 49 645,103 46 728,615 11 212,984 17 554,070 15 697,500 9 248,618August 44 433,967 56 807,215 13 583,602 8 244,470 11 219,300 12 478,200Sept. 43 585,123 32 558,017 14 556,083 15 407,066 15 375,278 16 1,011,333Oct. 41 621,817 47 1,150,309 18 490,847 19 793,181 11 333,693 13 220,423Nov. 24 384,690 23 747,848 12 776,208 11 990,184 11 230,395 10 573,100Dec. 14 480,951 17 693,600 4 152,860 2 18,000 5 92,000 6 593,785Total 449 6,514,415 438 8,209,645 259 7,429,484 122 4,070,396 128 3,833,360 145 5,688,098Avg. Cost

Remodeling Permits: AdditionsCity of Lincoln - Detached Single Family - 6 - Year Table

33,364

2006 2007 2009

18,743

2008

28,68514,509

2010

29,948

2011

39,228

# Cost # Cost # Cost # Cost # Cost # CostJan. 89 1,007,372 88 1,163,863 81 907,619 71 784,232 57 502,454 69 988,395Feb. 87 967,125 78 909,207 76 947,505 76 706,588 69 600,743 79 893,584March 100 1,147,674 107 1,280,089 89 800,412 72 946,927 125 1,229,150 104 900,086April 87 706,214 88 1,031,776 82 877,275 85 813,112 154 1,386,859 133 1,292,245May 120 1,042,668 115 1,578,971 79 723,878 65 617,270 124 931,223 111 946,242June 97 985,229 97 736,760 76 662,915 89 766,615 117 754,480 112 819,225July 94 1,072,119 117 1,258,848 77 1,143,624 96 1,172,764 161 1,181,825 99 1,104,259August 44 433,967 110 1,138,598 92 1,264,374 77 790,319 119 1,006,147 129 1,032,748Sept. 92 674,348 94 1,070,733 83 962,319 78 778,464 124 976,777 106 928,466Oct. 96 966,277 96 868,251 80 750,551 79 552,852 141 929,354 122 1,298,243Nov. 66 423,155 88 961,501 62 1,071,515 81 890,150 118 827,222 93 703,129Dec. 74 871,566 61 686,991 58 474,216 60 743,974 134 2,823,358 74 647,016Total 1,046 10,297,714 1,139 12,685,588 935 10,586,203 929 9,563,267 1,443 13,149,592 1,231 11,553,638Avg. Cost 10,29411,137

Remodeling Permits: AlterationsCity of Lincoln - Detached Single Family - 6 - Year Table

2006 2007 20092008 2010

9,845 11,322 9,113

2011

9,386

Remodelers SpotlightName: Jennifer Bombeck

Position: Showroom Consultant

Company: Ferguson Enterprises

Phone: 402-328-8589

Email: Jennifer.Bombeck@ferguson.com

Company Information: Bath & Kitchen Gallery

Favorite Book: Heaven is for Real

Favorite Movie: Bridesmaids

Favorite TV shows: The Big Bang Theory, Teen Mom, Undercover Boss

Find rewarding: Spending time with my nieces and nephew

Biggest challenge in life: My mom’s battle with breast cancer

What inspires you: My family and friends

What did you want to be when you grew up? Artist

Pet Peeve: Parallel parking

Bad Habit: Eating too much chocolate

First thing I do in the morning: Drink a gallon of coffee

Favorite vacation spot: Jacksonville, Florida

Greatest Hero: My parents

Childhood fear: Tornadoes

Spare time: Spend time with family and friends

Family: My Husband Derek and miniature dachshund Jackson

Greatest accomplishment: Graduating college and finding a career I truly enjoy

My goal in life is to be as good of a per-son my dog already thinks I am.

- Author Unknown

Mar. 2 Parade of Homes Final Deadline

Remodelers Council of Lincoln6100 S. 58th Street, Suite CLincoln, NE 68516

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Calendar of Events

faucets. fixtures. appliances. liGHtinG.

COUNT ON US1,350 locations. All 50 states. 300 showrooms. 17,000 associates.

59 years in business.

© 2012 Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.

FERGUSON.COMLincoln: 5001 S 19th St, Ste 101 (402) 328-8589

Nobody expects more from us than we do®

Feb. 2

Remodelers After HoursFerguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting Gallery5100 S. 19th Street4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 9-12

Nebraska Builders Home & Garden ShowLancaster Event Center • 84th & Havelock Ave.Thurs. & Fri.: 5-9 p.m., Sat.: 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun.: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.Cost: $6 or $5 with non-perishable food item, kids 12 years and under are FREE

Feb. 24 Parade of Homes Early Bird Deadline April 21-22, 2012Contracts will be mailed this month.

Entry deadline: March 16