Hello readers, in print and online. Fall is here again and with it comes our annual collaboration with the good folks at the long running and popular PBS TV show ‘This Old House’ What makes this year unusual is we are also recognizing the show’s featured home builder Tedd Benson, from New Hampshire based Bensonwood Homes.

Now more than ever nervous home buyer’s are looking for quality and assurances they are buying a well built home from a reputable builder. One of the ways a small volume production or custom builder or remodeler can promote their businesses through participation in a HomeAid chapter Project Playhouse event. Get involved with a playhouse build.

These wonderful little homes are auctioned off and the proceeds go toward building bigger shelters for transitionally homeless in our communities around the country. Go to www.homeaid.org to learn more about this fantastic organization. Whether it is HomeAid, Habitat or through some other charitable outreach, you and your staff will benefit from the team building experience and your reputation will not suffer either!

As the markets begin on the path to recovery and our banks get back to making mortgages available for well deserving American individuals and families who need a new home, be assured the business of building homes will always be a strong pillar of our national economy and a rewarding and honorable enterprise for those involved. Enjoy the Fall, work hard and I will see you in the marketplace, or at the BIS Show in Long Beach California!

Slainte,

Nick Slevin
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
nslevin@penpubinc.com

Tedd is our first annual Residential Contractor of the Year. A long standing tradition of building exquisite custom homes for discerning home buyers has landed Tedd Benson much recognition and praise and now two visits to the PBS TV series, as their featured builder. Mr. Benson can now add this nod from our little magazine to his long line of career accomplishments. Special thanks to the professionals at Bensonwood Homes and the pros at the TV show for their kind assistance in preparing this article for your perusal. Our congratulations to Tedd and his staff on the great homes they are building and the craftsman approach they take to their business.

Our annual Building Products Brand Survey Results are now out. A few surprises here, although a lot of the more popular products continued to make your selection for this third annual survey. Most of these brands invest heavily in their marketing and PR and it shows, with consistent results in surveys like ours. There is a lesson here for all of us. Most of the readers of Residential Contractor magazine are owner operator small to mid size home builders. It is important to invest in your company’s brand and build on your reputation.