Understanding the Energy Tax Credit for Doors and Windows

When you are discussing window and door replacement with your customers, are you letting them know that by making an “energy-efficient” improvement now through 2010 can help them earn up to a $1500 tax credit? There is a lot of information out there, but one of the best websites that we have found was launched by Therma-Tru www.MyEnergyTax.Com. They even created the video above that helps give an overview of what products qualify, and more importantly, how to submit for the tax credit with links to the IRS website and more.

Understanding the Energy Tax Credit and being able to offer it to your homeowner customers as an option will be to your benefit. Helping them save $1500 on their window and door replacement can really help you differentiate yourself from your competitors. Need more information?

For more information on qualifying products and links to the manufacturer websites which show qualifying products, visit our Green Building webpage.

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Register for Kuiken Brothers Monthly E-newsletter

If you have not already done so, we encourage you to register for our e-newsletter, Contractor Connection. Kuiken Brothers offers a wide range of premium content exclusively available to our professional customers, on topics ranging from new products, installation videos, articles and stories from industry experts, as well as a forum for builders to communicate with one another about different trends in the marketplace. We also offer you the ability to comment on new products.

Register for Kuiken Brothers Monthly E-newsletter, Contractor Connection

The services that Kuiken Brothers Company provides are what set us apart from any other local supplier. Our management continues to maintain a hands-on approach with all of our customers, whether you are a custom builder, remodeler, architect, designer or homeowner browsing one of our showrooms. We are here to provide you with the answers and services that ensure your remodeling or new construction projects go as smoothly as possible.

Make sure you take advantages of all of these services, and are the first one to know about these new products – register for Kuiken Brothers’ e-newsletter, Contractor Connection – it’s fast, easy, and a quick and enjoyable read.

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Roseland, NJ – Kuiken Brothers Newest Location

Kuiken Brothers Opens 9th Location in Roseland, NJ

Opened in 2008, Kuiken Brothers in Roseland NJ features a full-service lumberyard with a large selection of lumber, building materials, windows, doors, mouldings, hardware, decking, and more for the professional builder, remodeler, handyman, architect and do-it-yourself homeowner. It includes a millwork showroom for easy product selection for your home improvement and remodeling projects. Our large fleet of vehicles delivers to New Jersey’s Essex, Somerset, Union, and Hudson counties.

14 Eisenhower Parkway

Roseland, NJ 07068

Store Hours: 7am – 5pm Monday through Friday, 8am – 12pm Saturday, Closed Sundays

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Housing Trends Focus on Downsizing, Energy Efficency and Accessibility

We came across an interesting article that we wanted to share with you. Are you seeing similar trends in the northern New Jersey and southern New York markets? Feel free to let us know what you think. Send comments to info@kuikenbrothers.com

Housing Trends Focus on Downsizing, Energy Efficency and Accessibility

Source: Written by Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA
AIA Chief Economist

Published in AIArchitect Newsletter

Even With General Housing Downsizing, Energy Efficiency Options Remain Popular – Home offices are the most popular special-function room as more workers are home-based

Summary: With pressure on home sizes and prices, households are scaling back on special features in their homes. Special-function rooms like home theaters, exercise rooms, and guest wings are declining in popularity, as are upscale home features like three-car garages. However, households continue to add options for energy efficiency and management, other sustainability features, and low maintenance products.

From a business perspective, residential architects are beginning to see stabilizing conditions, with project backlogs near their low point in all likelihood. Conditions are the most positive in the Northeast and West, even though they have not yet recovered in any region. The weakest residential market at present is for second and vacation homes, with continued softness in the townhouse/condo, custom/luxury, and move-up construction sectors. The entry level market, which was the first to soften when the residential recession began in early 2006, is now seeing strong movement toward a recovery. Home improvement activity is still reported as reasonably healthy by residential architects.

These are some key findings from the American Institute of Architects’ Home Design Trends Survey from the second quarter of 2009. This survey focused on home features, systems, and products that are gaining popularity in the home. Almost five hundred residential architects, covering all facets of the residential design profession, were surveyed on emerging design preferences of households…

Read the full article here: http://info.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek09/1002/1002b_housingtrends.cfm

Kuiken Brothers Company offers a wide variety of energy efficient and low maintenance products. Check out Kuiken Brothers Green Building website. For more information, send us an e-mail to info@kuikenbrothers.com, or call Ryan Mulkeen 201.705.5373

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Kuiken Brothers offers installation clinics for builders, remodelers and architects

What is the on OnSite Roadshow? Many people have been asking Kuiken Brothers why we have been hosting these events over the past years.

Mike Sloggatt from the OnSite Roadshow team presents proper weather barrier installation for windows

I think that their website, onsiteeducation.com does a really great job of explaining their mission statement and why Gary Katz and Mike Sloggatt and the Roadshow crew are so passionate about what they do:

“We’re suffering from the first damaging waves. Jobsite apprenticeship programs have long disappeared, public schools rarely teach courses in the manual arts, and the permanent loss of valuable construction skills is at risk. Profit margins suffer more and more from errors in ordering material, incorrect installation practices, and callbacks. Poor building practices undermine the respect our profession demands and deserves.

Simultaneously, new technologies continue to create revolutionary products in the construction industry,

often requiring specialized installation tools and tech-niques; new building materials create an even greater urgency for education. We can no longer rely on tradition for training. The shortage of serious hands-on educational programs erodes the reputation of our industry.

OnSite Education, a strategic partnership of building industry specialists, provides hands-on training for builders and building product professionals including sales/marketing teams, and manufacturers who provide products and services to the trades.”

We think that pretty much explains it all. Without a doubt, there are a lot of great builders and remodelers out there, but like our friend Benjamin Franklin once said, “When your finished changing…you’re finished.” If you have some free time, make sure to register for the next OnSite Roadshow that comes to town. We are certain that it will be well worth your time!

Finally, I would like to make sure that we thank our generous sponsors of these events.  Without their support, both financially, and taking the time to meet with our customers, we would not be able to host these events!

The November 2009 OnSite Roadshow Sponsors include Major Sponsor Huber Engineered Woods (AdvanTech and Zip System Roof, Zip System Wall) and Silver Sponsors Andersen Windows and Doors, Georgia Pacific Engineered Lumber, Kleer PVC Lumber and Trim, Stanley Bostitch.

If you would like to make sure that you know when Kuiken Brothers will be hosting another Katz Roadshow event, make sure to register for our e-newsletter, Contractor Connection, or you can contact Ryan Mulkeen at rmulkeen@kuikenbrothers.com, or by phone 201.705.5375

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