If not new, at least renewed: New construction down, but remodeling up

If not new, at least renewed: New construction down, but remodeling up

These are trying times in the construction industry. Just as people encounter difficulty in selling their homes, so do people who make a living building new homes. With a glut of homes on the Mesa County market with listing prices below levels of three years ago, there’s little incentive to build. “I’m involved in 83 […]

Flooring: Local preferences don’t always follow national trends

Like any other business, the carpet and flooring business requires owners to stay abreast of current national trends while also realizing local trends might not follow suit. Such is the case in Grand Junction, where Mark Ledebur, owner of Carpetime, keeps an eye on national trends, but also strives to meet the needs of his […]

Bathroom remodeling: The price is right and timing could be, too

While many homeowners focus on remodeling jobs instead of searching for a newer home, they might be reticent to take on an expensive project — like redoing a kitchen. For such people, it might be a good time to consider a less expensive job, such as remodeling a bathroom. “It’s the right price point,” said […]

Solar systems increasingly popular

“Spring is a good time,” said Andy Whipple, sales and design representative for Atlasta Solar in Grand Junction. Indeed, the season can be a good time for the solar business for many reasons. As daylight hours increase, so does the potential to generate electricity from the sun. People can also be more aware of the […]

What’s hot and what’s not: “Green” systems help

The green energy wave is helpful for businesses and homeowners looking for tax incentives as a means to offset the costs of heating and cooling their buildings. One of the more popular items these days is the geothermal heat pump. “There’s a big push on a commercial level, and we’re getting several residential inquiries,” said […]

Group exercise classes latest step in evolution of fun fitness

In 1980, aerobics was introduced into health clubs in a class style format. It’s best remembered by the dress code: leotards, brightly colored tights and leg warmers. This fashion statement was complimented by feathered hair styles and high-top tennis shoes. More specialized aerobics classes made their way into the scene by 1990, including step aerobics, […]

Uncertain times require experienced accountants

The hottest topic right now in the accounting industry is how new regulations and changes will affect businesses. Hopefully, I can provide a little clarity on how best to proceed now that tax season is officially here. As an audit principal at Dalby, Wendland & Co., I work in several disciplines within the accounting and […]

It pays to offer rewards for referrals

Referral partners are a powerful thing for any business, especially during times of economic slow down. It is the power of the testimonial and the spoken word that directs a person to buy something from a particular store or vendor. To capitalize on this power, many businesses offer rewards for referrals. Do you know how […]

Commercial real estate investments make sense — and dollars

The crash of the markets in 2007 and subsequent economic recession left many investors with money on the sidelines. But the smart money says it finally could be time to get back in the game. Market conditions have become quite attractive compared to recent years, and the commercial real estate market is no exception. For […]

Markets signal economic expansion maturing

The stock and bond markets have been moving in different directions for the past several months. This divergence could offer a clue we’re entering the late stages of an economic recovery. The correlation between stocks and bonds isn’t a foolproof signal of where we are in the cycle, but it’s possible to make some generalizations. […]

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