The arrival of big box home improvement stores in New England during the 1990s reshaped the region’s lumber and building supply industry in ways that few could have predicted. When Home Depot began its aggressive expansion into the Northeast, industry analysts warned that independent lumberyards and tool dealers would be decimated. The reality proved more […]
Professional builders constantly seek products that solve recurring job-site challenges, from finishing details to structural integrity and occupant safety. This article examines eight notable products covering drywall finishing, lighting, fastening systems, adhesives, plumbing safety, ventilation, flooring, and roof venting. These products help builders improve quality and efficiency on every job. For context on material science,
History Construction New England Stone Walls reflects a region where building traditions run deep. Yet as New England and New York construction markets continue their recovery from economic downturns, contractors across the region face a growing challenge: finding skilled workers and reliable subcontractors. The January 1997 JLC New England Update captured this trend at a
Can new homes use half the energy of a typical house without driving costs through the roof? That is the question the Building America Initiative set out to answer. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), this nationwide demonstration program challenges builders to produce homes that consume
Few phases of residential construction test a builder’s coordination skills like kitchen and bath installation. As Carl Hagstrom, a veteran cabinet installer, noted in his 1996 JLC article on staying on top of the kitchen, the site mixups he encountered over the years ranged from minor glitches to major and expensive headaches. His central observation
Every construction business owner enters each project expecting a profit, but the numbers at the end of a job often tell a very different story. The Rutlidge Institute spent years analyzing construction companies nationwide and identified six recurring factors that systematically destroy profitability. Understanding them is the first step toward a more resilient business. For
Every construction budget comes with hard choices. When margins are tight, builders weigh the upfront cost of specialized products against their long-term benefits. The question of whether a premium product delivers genuine value is one every experienced contractor has faced. Some products justify their price through superior performance and durability, while others represent marketing more
The New England construction industry has long relied on the region’s abundant natural resources, particularly its timber supply from northern forests. Recent developments in Maine’s forestry regulations have created significant shifts in how builders access and price lumber, making it essential for construction professionals to understand the evolving landscape. As noted in the historic History
Every builder faces the same question at the supply house: is this product worth the money? A tool that saves an hour on every job can pay for itself in a week, while a cheap alternative that fails mid-project can cost far more. This is especially true for budget panel saw kits, plaster repair materials,
The History Construction New England Stone Walls reflects the region’s deep roots in building tradition. The New England construction economy has experienced cycles of recession and recovery that offer valuable lessons for builders and contractors. In the mid-1990s, while politicians debated the health of the national economy, the foundations of the New England construction economy
