5 Ways to Make Your Bathroom Look Bigger

The Northwest Herald of McHenry County, Illinois published an article yesterday titled "5 Ways to Make Your Bathroom Look Bigger." Read a few excerpts here: 

1. Set the Scene 

Jason Urrutia of Urrutia Design says if it’s a bathroom you are going into every day, you might get tired of it. In that case, you’ll want a classic, timeless design or elements that can be easily swapped out. But if it’s a space for guests, he says it’s acceptable as a place for fun. Stephan Sardone of Sardone Construction agrees. “Some of my clients say that it just needs to look great,” he said. “They don’t need space for towels and soap because it’s a guest bathroom where people go in during a party for a minute or two and then leave.”

2. Save Space

Once you know how your bathroom will be used, designers agree that you should prioritize storage. It may seem counterintuitive to think about storage when you’re trying to maximize space, but without planning ahead, your room could end up feeling smaller if it’s cluttered and disorganized. What makes storage successful is if it fits your individual needs, Sardone explains. “For guys, a medicine cabinet is all you need. But for women, more cabinet and counter space is often required,” he said.

3. Lighting

Another way to make a small bathroom feel bigger and bolder is by bringing in light. “With the right kind of accent lighting, you can make a space very playful,” Bethke said. “I use more shiny surfaces — a lot of mirrors and patterns. As a result, you notice the scale of the items. You don’t notice it’s a small powder room.” A lighter color palette can also make a space look larger by keeping the space bright and airy.

4. Accent Walls

Once you’ve set the scene and maximized storage and lighting in your bathroom, it’s time to think about aesthetics. “You can go minimalistically, or you can focus on one particular area,” Bethke said. “I highly encourage people to go a little bit hog wild. It’s a small space, so do that fixture you are scared to do in the living room. Amp it up and be fearless.”

5. Spend Money Where it Counts

Despite the tendency to be frugal in order to save remodeling dollars for larger spaces in the home, designers agree that it’s precisely because of a bathroom’s small size that you can spend more.

“You can be playful without spending the farm,” McLaughlin said. “You don’t need to cover 150 square feet of floor with tile. Instead, you can cover just 20 to 30 square feet of wall.”

Read the full article here.

Facts About Water Damage You Probably Didn't Know

Did you know that the bathroom is the most susceptible location for water damage in your entire house? We found a great list of 10 Bathroom Water Damage Facts that are helpful to think about for any bathroom.

Bathroom Water Damage Facts Most People Don't Know

Ever wonder what can be lurking in your toilet? Or where all of that water went when your sink overflowed? What could be growing behind the walls? Keep reading to learn some interesting bathroom facts you probably didn't know.

• Did you know that the bathroom is the most susceptible location for water damage in your entire house? There are so many little bits of information and facts you may not know that could possibly save your bathroom from potential water damage. Read on below for nine more bathroom water damage tidbits we bet you didn't know, but would love to find out!
• Invisible plumbing problems such as clogged drains can stop your bathtub and shower from completely drying after usage, and can signal severe problems underneath the bathtub. To prevent further bathroom water damage, these inconspicuous plumbing troubles should be inspected by a professional as soon as possible.
• The toilet is one of the household fixtures that can cause the majority of bathroom water damage in the home. Never ignore any water found around the toilet. The toilet lines should constantly be checked for leaks, and the toilet rims, seats, and the toilet tank should be regularly checked as well. Also inspect the seal of the toilet. If the seal does not work anymore, there will be leakage from the toilet, causing disastrous bathroom water damage.
• If the bathroom floor is soft, damage may already be in the process of occurring.
• The exhaust fan is an essential bathroom asset for the maintenance of low humidity levels. Assisting to keep the area dry and ventilated, the exhaust fan is an added security against the destruction that bathroom water damage causes. Be sure to turn on the fan during and following a warm/hot shower or bath to prevent moisture accumulation. Routine cleaning and inspection can ensure that your exhaust fan is always operating properly. Is it suggested to wire the fan to automatically function when the bathroom is used. 
• Hanging deodorants in the toilet bowl can increase the chances of a clog, especially in low-flow toilets. Skip the fancy deodorizers if you want to keep your bowl clog-free and lessen your chances of bathroom water damage.
• Blisters along caulked areas, or discolored floor stains can suggest water leakage. Although these blemishes may seem small to the naked eye, do not underestimate the extent of the water damage in your bathroom. Just a tiny leak can be a sign of an enormous problem on pipes and drains that are not exposed and cannot be seen. Furthermore, the water that penetrates into the floor encourages growth of mold, fungi, and other microorganisms that feed on the wood, causing more bathroom water damage.
  

Read the rest of the facts here.

How to Clean Your Bathroom Quickly

Now that we're on the cusp of Fall, it's time to give your bathroom a good cleaning to scrub away the end of Summer. With back-to-school events and football games, it's not always easy to find the time to give your bathroom a thorough cleaning. Here's a few time-saving bathroom tips we found at RealSimple.com:

Every Day:

• Wipe out the sink
• Wipe the toilet seat and rim
• Swoosh the toilet bowl with a brush
• Wipe the mirror and faucet
• Squeeze the shower door
• Spray the entire shower and the curtain liner with shower mist after every use

Every Week: 

• Scrub the tub
• Scrub the tiles
• Mop the floor
• Wipe the switch plates, door knobs, and doorjambs
• Empty and wipe out the wastebasket

Every Season: 

• Take down the shower curtain, then launder it according to the care instructions. 
• Empty, weed, and clean the medicine cabinet. 
• Thoroughly clean the sink and tub.

Read the entire article on Real Simple here.

Bath Planet Featured in Journal of Business

Bath Planet was recently featured in an article in the Journal of Business on Wednesday, August 15th. The article featured Bath Planet dealer Charles Hartshorn. The article focuses on Charles' Bath Planet showroom and how he caters to senior clients with aging-in-place solutions. The article also talks about how the Valley shop's service area included all of Eastern Washington and extends into Northern Idaho and a few counties in Northeast Oregon.

Bathroom remodeler opens store in Valley

"Charles Hartshorn, a longtime contractor specializing in bathroom remodels, has opened a Bath Planet dealership and workshop in Spokane Valley.

Bath Planet occupies 2,400 square feet of space at 17702 E. Sprague. A portion of the space is a showroom, and the rest is contractor shop space.

The company focuses on bathtub and shower modifications and installing walk-in tubs and showers, Hartshorn says. It also sells and installs grab bars and safety accessories, he says.

"We have a lot of senior clients," Hartshorn says, adding that Bath Planet's products and services can help aging, mobility impaired, and disabled people function more independently in their bathrooms.

The store employs six people, including three installers who can handle most bathroom remodel jobs, Hartshorn says. The Valley shop's service area includes all of Eastern Washington, North Idaho, and a few counties in northeast Oregon.

Hartshorn says Bath Planet can complete most jobs in a day. Bath Planet's products come with a lifetime guarantee, he says."

-Mike McLean

Bath Planet Featured in Buffalo Grove Countryside

Bath Planet was featured in an article in Buffalo Grove Countryside that ran on Wednesday, July 17. The article begins by focusing on the Executive of the Year award that Vice President Rick Hirschhaut received at the American Business Awards 11th annual banquet in Chicago. The article focuses on Bath Planet's attention to customer satisfaction and doing the little things to ensure a 97 percent satisfaction rating from their customers. Furthermore, the article discusses Rick's gold Stevie award for Bath Planet next year, after receiving the silver award for the second time this year.

Award-winning exec closes service gap

BUFFALO GROVE — The hole in Rick Hirschhaut’s industry was gaping: 47 percent wide. He has closed it 44 percent, and his efforts earned him national recognition.

Hirschhaut, a 52-year-old Buffalo Grove resident, is the senior vice president of Palatine-based BathPlanet, and on June 17 earned the Executive of the Year Award in the Consumer Products and Durables category of the American Business Awards’ 11th annual banquet, in downtown Chicago.

His company makes products that can cover up your bathroom’s 1970s look and 1990s mold, but he won his award because he prioritized customer service in an industry that leaves half its customers disappointed.

“Half the people in America wish their contractor never stepped on their property,” but Hirschhaut said that almost every Bath Planetcustomer felt like they had been working with a professional. “If we say we’re going to be there at 9 o’clock, we’re ringing the doorbell at 9 o’clock.”

Bath Planet custom-makes acrylic liners that fit over old bathtubs and showers, covering out-of-date looks and scrub-defeating scum with a modern appearance. When Bath Planet’s parent company, BCI, hired him four and a half years ago, his job became to position the company in a customer-service gap that had eluded so many others.

Hirschhaut said home remodeling industry studies he’s seen indicated that 47 percent of homeowners end up dissatisfied with what their contractors’ work. His approach: become known for arriving and finishing on time and supplying a strong warranty.

“Everybody seems to have a bad experience with home remodeling,” Hirschhaut said.

Doing the little things to change that experience changed Bath Planet’s bottom line, he said. He boasted that 97 percent of his customers ended up satisfied with their work.

“Without question, we’re taking market share,” and he said his firm had seen 36 consecutive months of one-year-later growth. “To me, there’s nothing more exciting than business growth.”

BCI created Bath Planet three years ago, and Hirschhaut said one of his first objectives was to make the company successful enough to qualify it for consideration for the American Business Awards. He achieved that goal last year, when they brought home the second-place “Stevie” (the AWA’s title for its trophies) in Consumer Products and Durables.

Last month, Hirschhaut won the top individual honor in that category.

“I was stunned, to be honest,” he said. “Although my name is on it, it’s a team award. Without the hard work of a whole lot of people, I would not have been there.”

But his next objective eluded him: He wants a gold Stevie for Bath Planet, but his company brought home a silver for the second time. The key could be in further closing the industry’s gaping customer-service maw.

“We’re going to keep trying,” he said.

Read the full article here. 

20 Ways to Update Your Bathroom

Are you planning a bathroom renovation this summer? Before you move too quickly, read through Real Simple's list of 20 Easy Ways to Upgrade your Bathroom:

1. Old wooden crates make smart holders for extra toilet paper and rolled bath towels.
2. Turn an unused nightstand into storage for small towels, makeup, hair tools, and toiletries.
3. A sink skirt hides a multitude of sins. You can easily make a no-sew one from a pretty bedsheet.
4. When your tub lacks wide ledges where you can store bath products, hang a multilevel fruit basket for additional space.
5. A shelf rack with hooks is a great answer to the storage problems posed by smaller spaces.
6. Separate cosmetics by category--lip colors, shadows, blushes, etc.--and store them in small drawer organizers that you can easily rearrange.
7. Make a long soak in the tub even more luxurious with bath salts, lush towels, and aromatic candles within easy reach.
8. Think of an unused sugar bowl as a decorative container, perfect for cotton balls and Q-tips.
9. Something as simple as an over-the-tub wire rack devoted to bathroom goods adds a nice touch, along with extra convenience.
10. Unused, mismatched serving pieces act as great countertop organization to keep toiletries looking neat.
11. A woven basket holds an ample supply of toilet paper, eliminating the need to hunt when you're down to the end of the roll.
12. Another approach: repurpose a tall cylindrical vase to hold extra rolls of TP.
13. A retractable mirror is a practical solution on walls that won't allow for a conventional mirror.
14. A bouquet of flowers in a bathroom feels unexpected and fresh. Even a small vase of yard-cut greens adds freshness to the room.
15. A perfumed tablet of preserved cranberries and orange slices adds a delicious note when slipped into a vanity drawer.
16. A calming color on the walls, like a rich blue-green, gives the room a sense of tranquility.
17. One lower cost solution to old bathroom tiles: blunt the behind-the-times feeling by painting the walls a complimentary color for a cheerful scheme.
18. One attractive option for window treatments is faux-wooden blinds, which offer all the elegance of real wood and none of the worries of water damage or warping.
19. On the other hand, you can let the sun stream into your bath through an oversized picture window - especially if you've got a view to show off.
20. Towel bars have been replaced by hooks next to the shower, eliminating the need for folding and just-so draping. An extra hook allows a space for the bath mat to dry.

Read all the tips from Real Simple here. 

50 Ways to Brighten Up Your Bathroom

Summer's a great time to give your bathroom a bright makeover. Perking up your bathroom doesn't have to be expensive, either. Below are 50 cheap ways to update one of the most used rooms in your home, provided by StyleatHome.com:

'1. Repaint - nothing perks up a room like a fresh coat of paint.

2. Invest in new towels to replace any that are looking worse for wear.

3. If you're running out of space to store toiletries, keep the overflow in a rustic wooden bowl or wicker basket.

4. Declutter. Clearing off the surface of your bathroom counter does wonders for making the room look fresh and clean.

5. Install new faucets for a quick upgrade.

6. Add fresh flowers.

7. Opt for colorful towels if your bathroom walls are a neutral color.

8. Play with patterns without having to turn to wallpaper or a new paint job with inexpensive wall decals.

9. Floating candles in a glass bowl on the counter add warmth.

10. Toiletries in beautiful packaging can go a long way to pretty up your counter.

11. Replace your shower curtain.

12. Place a tall vase filled with dried flowers on the floor for some rustic charm.

13. Incense in an ornate holder is functional and decorative.

14. Line the counter with matching accessories (toothbrush holder, soap dispenser) ideally from the same line, for a uniform look.

15. Install a floating shelf above the toilet and line with small plants that don't require a lot of light.

16. Shampoo, conditioner, and soap dispensers eliminate clutter around the tub.

17. Place a small stool in one corner of the bathroom and neatly stack towels on it.

18. Search out some interesting hooks for bath towels.

19. Room diffusers are both decorative and do a lot to refresh the room.

20. A wall-mounted magazine rack creates space.

21. House extra rolls of toilet paper in a ceramic pot or urn.

22. Find a new use for an old chair by painting it a bright color and stacking magazines on it.

23. Line drawers with pretty wallpaper samples.

24. Fill a square, glass container with shells you or your kids have collected from various family vacations.

25. Group candles of varying sizes around the bathtub for instant ambiance.

26. Tie colorful ribbon around small groupings of rolled up neutral-colored hand towels. Display on the counter.

27. Put a small shelf behind the toilet to store books.

28. Frame a piece of corkboard and use it to house your jewelry. Chances are you're probably choosing accessories at the same time you're applying makeup.

29. Frame vacation photos of the beach or waterfalls for some aqua-themed style.

30. Clear up clutter around the tub with a simple shower caddy.

31. If there is a window in your bathroom, add plants for a nice splash of green in your space.

32. Stagger towel hooks for an asymmetrical display of bath towels, ideally in graduating shades of the same color.

33. Purge all the junk that's accumulated in the drawers of the vanity. No wonder you can't find the tweezers!

34. If you have kids, avoid countertop chaos by assigning each their own toiletries basket. There are many inexpensive options at most home decor stores.

35. Treat yourself to a bamboo bath caddy, with spots for a book, candle, and glass of wine.

36. Clean out the medicine cabinet regularly to avoid a pile-up of expired creams and capsules.

37. Do away with the ratty bath mat and replace with something plush and soft.

38. Line the back of the counter with small glass bottles and place a fresh cut flower in each.

39. Clean the bathroom from top to bottom to make it sparkle.

40. Add artwork if you have the wall space.

41. A stack of three neatly folded black or charcoal towels on a white countertop makes a style statement, so long as the counter is clear of clutter.

42. Replace an over-the-sink medicine cabinet with one that fits tightly in the corner if you have the room. Install an elegant mirror in its place.

43. Store the little things in a pretty box or basket with a lid to avoid a tidal wave of trinkets taking over the counter.

44. House makeup in a vintage-inspired jewelry box.

45. Remove the door to one cabinet and show off your prettiest toiletries and perfume bottles.

46. Get rid of any cleaning products you have lying around. Store these under the sink in the kitchen.

47. Put a small end table beside the tub (of the same height) and use it to house your bath towel while you're soaking.

48. Install new knobs or pulls on cabinets. Brushed metal is a stylish option.

49. Put dimmers on light fixtures so you can have the option of softer lighting.

50. Try to keep clutter off your counter all the time, not just when company's coming.'

Do you think any of these options can help you upgrade your own bathroom? Follow these tips to keep your bathroom looking and feeling fresh.

Bathroom Spring Cleaning Tips

Now's the time to get your spring cleaning done in the bathroom! Read these spring cleaning tips to make sure that your bathroom is in tip-top shape for summer:

• Grab all necessary supplies (basket, mop, hamper, trash container, disinfectant wipes, glass cleaner).
• Dust the ceiling and corners of the room.
• Dust all vents and fans.
• Take down draperies, curtains, or blinds to wash or have cleaned according to the directions.
• Scrub your shower and tub.
• Scrub down the toilet.
• Wash the inside and outside of the medicine cabinet and linen closets.
• Wash the sink and other bathroom fixtures.
• Shake out bathroom rugs.
• Sweep and mop the floor.
• Empty and wash out the trashcan.

These tips will prepare you for summer and leave your home looking and feeling cleaner. 

Tips provided by About.com.

ABOUT BATH PLANET®

Based in Palatine, IL, Bath Planet® was created by BCI® Acrylic Bath Systems founders Tom Barzantny and Scott Rosenbach. BCI® recognized a need for greater consistency between manufacturers and dealers in the tub and shower liner industry, and established their one-stop-shop company in 1999. Bath Planet® is backed by BCI®, a privately held, manufacturer of tub and shower-liner systems with a network of more than 550 independent dealers throughout the United States and Canada. Bath Planet® has earned the coveted Good Housekeeping Seal, recognizing the exceptional quality of its liner systems. For more information about Bath Planet®, visit our website at www.bathplanet.com.

Bath Planet Featured in Lynchburg News Advance

Bath Planet was recently featured in Lynchburg News Advance. The article talks about Bath Planet and what the brand will offer the community. The Q&A article showcases Randy Dinwiddie as a long-tern veteran in the remodeling industry, and includes information about why he chose to open Bath Planet. This was a great introduction of the business in Lynchburg!  

Tell us the basics: Who are you, what’s your company’s name, and how long have you been at this company?

I’ve been in the home remodeling industry for 25 years, and opened a Bath Planet business in the economy to create a steady revenue stream that provides more quality products/services to current and new customers. I feel this concept will fare well in Lynchburg because the age of the properties in the area are primed for this type of product/service, and the price point is attractive to the customers.

Describe your business — what do you do?

With Bath Planet, we do bath remodeling, specializing in tub to shower conversions to make bathrooms safer for the baby boomers. We offer a private label of acrylic bath and shower liners made available through BCI Acrylic Bath Systems, a national manufacturer and distributor and Bath Planet’s parent company. Bath Planet offers stylish, cost-effective, low-maintenance and long-term bath improvements to homeowners, commercial customers and consumers seeking aging-in-place solutions. The acrylic on the shower walls give the customer the best, easy to clean, most durable product available with a lifetime warranty. Also, Bath Planet has earned the coveted Good Housekeeping Seal, recognizing the exceptional quality of its liner systems, and even received a customer recommendation rating of 97 percent by an independent, third-party company.

How did you get into this business?

I used to do ceramic tile showers. When I found acrylic bath systems, I knew it would be a hit after listening to my wife fuss about having to scrub the grout lines, which were hard, time consuming and messy to handle. Now I think if I put tile in our shower, I think she would leave me. Just kidding, but with the style and colors of our acrylic bath lines, it was a no brainer for me to make the jump into this business.

What’s the market like for your business?

We are remodeling the baths of the growing baby boomer generation, and making the bathing area safer. We expect our business will continue to grow as many of these people will partner with us on remodeling their bath or shower to ensure they can enjoy their lifestyle freedom in their own home.

What’s a lesson you’ve learned during the recession?

It is a tough market out there, and we must give the customer the very best value and high-quality service for their dollar.

Is there a secret to your personal success? Perhaps a piece of advice you’ve always remembered?

In the service industry, you must treat people like you want to be treated and stand behind your work.

What’s coming up in the next year for you and your company? What about in the next five years?

Our goal is to continue to grow the business, provide more jobs, and to become the best-known bath remodeling company in the community.

What’s the part of your job you dread the most? : I dread the most when something goes wrong on a job beyond my control, and I can't do anything about it. An example is when something is lost or broken in shipment. Until I get the order, I have no control. I want happy customers so sometimes this can be a struggle.

What’s the part of your job that excites you the most, the thing that makes you want to hurry to work? : The thing that excites me the most is providing bathroom remodeling solutions that help people stay in their homes longer as opposed to an assisted living home. Also, I have a great team in place, which includes my lovely wife. My team is some of the best, most-dedicated employees my wife and I have employed over the years working in this industry.

If you weren’t in this career, what would you do for a living? :  If I wasn’t working in this business, I would have to spend my time with our sister company, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, which still helps people with their remodeling and home-based solutions.

Expert Tips for Spring Cleaning in your Bathroom

Spring is the perfect time to take hold of bathroom cleaning. America Now News recently featured a few expert tips to making sure your bathroom is in its best shape for the summer:

"Don't overdo it. Avoid using too many cleaners and dilute the products you do spray in the bathroom. The fumes in cleaning products can affect the lungs, Duberg explained. It's also important to open windows or turn on a fan while cleaning to avoid breathing in fumes. "These chemicals are carcinogenic, they can affect your endocrine and nervous system," she cautioned.

Don't let things go. If basic cleaning, such as removing visible dirt, occurs regularly, spring-cleaning to remove scum, mold and lime scale, which can breed bacteria, isn't as big a challenge.

Read directions. Read cleaning product labels carefully and be sure to follow the manufacturers' directions on how they should be used. "The label will have information on how long the sanitizer needs to stay on the surface and how to dilute the product," Duberg said.

Take extra precautions. When someone is sick, surface areas should be cleaned more frequently. Paper towels should be used to dry hands rather than a cloth towel to prevent the spread of germs. Toothbrushes should also be dried and put away. "If you leave it out in the bathroom, the aerosols from flushing the toilet with the lid up (there are approximately 3 million bacteria per square inch in most toilet bowls) will float over all the surfaces including your toothbrush," Duberg said. "It's time to break the cycle of infection."

Use bleach properly. Bleach is effective against germs, but it isn't safe for children or pets. When using a 10 percent bleach solution, wash the surfaces with hot, soapy water afterwards. Bleach solution must also be made fresh and used within 24 hours.

Try vinegar. Vinegar can be an effective surface cleaner. Mix one part white distilled vinegar with nine parts water to create a safe and inexpensive cleaning product. Undiluted white distilled vinegar mixed with baking soda can also be used to remove scum. "The fewer the cleaning products, the better," Duberg said. "Vinegar is inexpensive, is not harmful to kids and pets, and always leaves a shine."

Tips from America Now News.

Bath Planet in Business New Haven

Bath Planet was recently featured in an article in Business New Haven on February 26th, 2013 entitled “Rub-a-Dub-Dub: Bath Planet Cleans Up”.  The article was coordinated with Bath Planet Senior Vice President Rick Hirschhaut and Bath Planet Dealer Brad Pompilli and reporter Felicia Hunter.

The article talks about how Bath Planet grew during the recession and was prepared when the housing remodeling boom hit.  They talk about how Brad Pompilli’s Connecticut dealership is booming.  The article also gives information on how much certain services cost, and how much it costs to become a dealer.

"Most CEOs might consider that advice counterintuitive. But it's worked for Bath Planet Senior Vice President Rick Hirschhaut, who oversaw the opening of his company's first licensed dealership in Connecticut last year. More are welcome, he says. 'When the world took a turn in 2008 in the economy, when a lot of people went into their cocoon, we doubled the size of our manufacturing facility and added headcount (staff) instead of reducing headcount,' says Hirschhaut. The reason? 'We knew there was a wave coming and we wanted to be ready for that wave,' Hirschhaut expains. That wave swelled towards the remodeling industry, which has been a very lucrative business over the past few years, says Hirschhaut." 

Read the rest of the article here.

Bath Planet Featured in the Times of Northwest Indiana

Bath Planet was recently featured in the Times of Northwest Indiana in an article titled, "Bathroom safety design for aging generations includes grab bars and improved tubs".

The article includes several home improvement specialists in the area and talks about the rebound of the home remodeling industry.  Bath Planet Dealer Melvin Dixon mentions that his business is up 15 to 20% in 2012.  The article mentions that Dixon recently became a Bath Planet dealer and it’s helped his business since the aging population wants to live in a safer home.

Click HERE for the full article or begin reading below:

Bathroom safety design for aging generations includes grab bars and improved tubs

By: Philip Potempa 

Keeping people safe, in their homes and while out and about, is the career mission for Porter County Sheriff David Lain.

And no matter what age, education and awareness are a lifelong process, according to Lain, who has included new special programs for senior citizens.

His Porter County TRIAD, specializing in "senior citizen safety messages and programs," has been around since 2005.

Bath Planet in the Altoona Mirror

Bath Planet was recently featured in the Altoona Mirror.  The article includes several home improvement specialists in the area and talks about the rebound of the home remodeling industry. Bath Planet Dealer Melvin Dixon mentions that his business is up 15 to 20% in 2012. The article mentions that Dixon recently became a Bath Planet dealer and it has helped his business since the aging population wants to live in a safer home.

Click HERE for the full article, or begin reading below:

Remodeling firms expect robust year
By: Walt Frank

David McCloskey is not planning a vacation this summer, after going away last summer for the first time in 15 years.

"Last year was dead. I went to Maine. I always wanted to see the coastline," said McCloskey, owner of David E. McCloskey Remodeling and Building, Altoona.

This summer should be more back to normal for him, as all signs point to a strong rebound for home improvement activity, according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity released by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.

From Crash to Climb: the housing market recovers?

The one thing that hit family wealth the hardest in the past decade: the housing market crash. Not only did decreased home values force families to stay put, the impact reached far beyond a moving halt. Those who found themselves unemployed also found their job searches diminished due to the lack of mobility. Finding a job outside of a commutable range was simply out of the question.

But have we reached an end to the dark decline? Dare we say we have reached the bottom of the hill and are ready to start the slow and steady climb up? Consumption has begun to increase and values do seem to be recovering (roughly 5% greater than the previous year as of October), but with what do we measure a full recovery? Some, including The Big Picture at ritholtz.com, argue that 2012 could forever be known as the year the housing market recovered. We'll let you decide.

Begin reading the article below or click HERE.

Was 2012 the Year the Housing Market Recovered?

By: Daniel Carroll and Samuel Chapman 

On many occasions during the past few years, housing market conditions have been cited as a key factor contributing to the slow recovery. For a typical household, the largest component of wealth is house value. As house prices fell and sales were depressed, household wealth shrank. The decline in house values has been indicted as leading cause of restrained consumption, as households saved from current income to recoup the loss in housing wealth. The decline in house values has also been suggested as partly responsible for stubbornly high unemployment due to “lock-in,” where a household that is underwater on its mortgage limits its job search because it cannot afford to move.

Fortunately, over this past year there have been signs of modest, yet sustained, improvement in the housing market. According to the latest report, sales of single-family units, both of new and existing, have been up year-over-year from January to November. The latest month shows new and existing sales up by 15.3 and 12.4 percent, respectively, compared to their values in November 2011. Since April 2012, monthly sales of existing multifamily units have also been positive relative to the previous year, with the November data turning in a whopping 33 percent increase.

Bath Planet ACE Awards

At Bath Planet's recent 2013 Dealer Conference hosted at Disney's Yacht Club Resort in Orlando, Bath Planet gave out its annual ACE (Achievement in Customer Excellence) Awards for 2012.

Bath Planet describes the ACE Awards as being "given to the top Bath Planet dealers from around the world that demonstrate that they have the ability to consistently deliver an exceptional customer experience. Receiving an ACE Award is a distinct honor that demonstrates both rigorous application of customer feedback processes and outstanding performance as measured by customer satisfaction surveys conducted by Guild Quality. The ACE Award shows the world your organization's effectiveness and success in customer satisfaction and loyalty. To be eligible for an ACE Award, your organization must have conducted five or more customer satisfaction surveys during 2012 and achieved a minimum consumer recommendation rate of at least 90%."

The winners of this esteemed award included the Bath Planets of Peoria, Chicago, Reno, Little Rock, Toledo, Long Island, and Buffalo.

Congratulations to those Bath Planets for continuing to exceed customer expectations and maintaining the high standards Bath Planet has held since its beginning!

Bath Planet also bestowed two Dealer of the Year awards on Chicago (for Large Market) and Toledo (for Small Market) based on many criteria including community involvement and team spirit.

The Bath Planets of Indianapolis and San Antonio were recognized for being the Rising Stars of BP locations for their outstanding month to month sales growth and high quality operations.

The Dealer Conference was a huge success and congratulations to all of the winners. We're already looking forward to next year!

2013 Bath Planet Dealer Conference

Bath Planet is currently hosting their 2013 Bath Planet Dealer Conference at Disney's Yacht Club Resort in Orlando, FL. Bath Planet and their dealers come together at this conference to learn the best practices, network, and prepare for the year ahead.

See photos from the conference below:

The 2013 Bath Planet® Dealer Conference is being held in the Grand Harbor Ballroom South at Disney's luxurious Yacht Club Resort in Orlando from Wednesday, January 16th through Friday, January 18th, 2013. Conference registration began at 3pm (Eastern) Wednesday and the event wraps up on Friday at 4:45pm.

Bath Planet Featured in the St. George Spectrum

Bath Planet was recently featured in the St. George Spectrum in an article titled "Appealing to retirees: Company adds Bath Planet products to assist older residents with mobility issues". 

The article focuses on business owner Bruce Thompson's decision to expand his plumbing business and become a Bath Planet dealer. The article also touches on the needs of retirees and how Bath Planet is able to upgrade retirees’ existing bathrooms to be safer and more attractive at a low cost.  The end of the article also touches on plans for expansion for the Bath Planet brand. Click here to view the entire article.

“Appealing to retirees: Company adds Bath Planet products to assist older residents with mobility issues"
By Samantha Sadlier 

As an alternative to complete renovation, Bath Planet has made its way to Southern Utah and provides residents with a way to customize their shower and bath areas without having to overhaul the entire bathroom or moving residents to a new home entirely.

Rick Hirschhaut, senior vice president of Bath Planet, said when the recession and downturn in the economy hit households throughout the United States, it put a hold on some retirees’ plans to sell their homes and move elsewhere.

Because this is a trend seen throughout Utah, including the southern part of the state, business owner Bruce Thompson saw the need to expand his plumbing business to include Bath Planet as well, he said.

Click here to view the full article.