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C o n s t r u c t i o n M a r k e t p l a c e W e d n e s d a y, J a n u a r y 2 1 , 2 0 1 5 2 4 HOW TO USE THE INTERNET TO WIN JOBS AND GROW YOUR BUSINESS An interview with Chris Terrill, CEO, HomeAdvisor. CM: Why should contractors use the Internet to grow their business? CT: It's somewhat disheartening, but a listing in the Yellow Pages just doesn't make the phone ring the way it used to. These days, consumers are looking to the Internet to find everything they need and want, and service providers have little choice but to adapt to their evolving pref- erences. To thrive in the modern market- place, business owners must create, main- tain and manage an Internet presence. Fortunately, there are a number of tools available to help busy contractors increase visibility, connect with homeowners, and monitor and respond to reviews and requests while making a living in the field. CM: What can contractors do to increase their online visibility? CT: While the Yellow Pages aren't what they used to be, directories continue to play an important role in helping cus- tomers find you. Getting your business to show up at the top of their search results, however, can require some help or expertise. Directories like HomeAdvisor's LiveDirectory™ allow you to effectively promote your business online by helping you create a personal- ized profile that includes your direct con- tact information, project photos and veri- fied customer ratings and reviews. HomeAdvisor also lists your business on some of the most recognized sites in the home improvement industry – such as BHG.com (Better Homes and Gardens), ThisOldHouse.com and Build.com. If project-ready homeowners are looking for you, they are going to find you with a HomeAdvisor LiveDirectory listing. CM: How can the Internet help contractors connect with homeowners? CT: Like all consumers, homeowners have come to expect some level of instant fulfillment. Fortunately, tools such as HomeAdvisor's ProFinder make it easy to give them want they want. HomeAdvisor's ProFinder instantly connects interested homeowners with up to four qualified and available local service professionals in their area free of charge, and it offers them access to contact information for thousands of additional pre-screened professionals as well. As a pro, you have the option of receiving targeted leads through HomeAdvisor's ProLeads solutions, allowing you to specify the type and volume of leads you want to receive. HomeAdvisor's Pro solutions make it easy for homeowners to connect with you when it's most convenient for them, and you can rest assured that you're not missing out on credible new business opportunities and the chance to gain long-term customers and referrals. CM: Does Internet mar- keting really make sense for contractors busy in the field? CT: The work of contractors requires focus on the task and hours in the field, leaving little, if any, time to dedicate to sitting in front of a computer. Fortunately, tools like HomeAdvisor's free mobile app and business operation solution make it easy to stay on top of your business operations. You can respond to inquiries, generate reviews, track your profile, access your customer list and even create estimates and invoic- es directly from your mobile device, allowing you to manage your business at the same time you're doing the work that makes you money. Visit HomeAdvisor at booth #C3065. For more information, go to www.homeadvisor.com. INSULATION SOLUTIONS' NU-AGE FILM 6+ RECEIVES ICC-ES LISTING Nu-Age Film ® 6+, manufactured by Insulation Solutions Inc., recently received a building product listing ESL# 1009 from ICC Evaluation Service (ICC- ES), providing evidence that the engi- neered film/vapor retarder meets consen- sus standards requirements in the I- Codes. ICC-ES President Shahin Moinian explains why ICC-ES Building Product Listings are so important. "Insulation Solutions Inc. can now reference the building product listing to ensure build- ing officials and the building industry that the product meets the requirements of consensus standards referenced in the I-Codes," Moinian said. "Building departments have a long history of using evaluation reports and can now also rely upon ICC-ES listings. ICC-ES operates as a technical resource with the highest quality of product review for the building department. A nonprofit, limited liability compa- ny, ICC-ES is the United States' leading evaluation service for innovative build- ing materials, components and systems. ICC-ES Evaluation Reports (ESRs), Building Product Listings and PMG Listings provide evidence that products and systems meet requirements of codes and technical standards. Building offi- cials, architects, contractors, specifiers, designers and others utilize ICC-ES Building Product Listings to provide a basis for using or approving Nu-Age Film 6+ in construction projects under the International Building Code ® . Dario Lamberti, CSI, Product Manager Insulation Solutions Inc. – Moisture Control Division said, "The ICC-ES Building Products Listing is beneficial for Nu-Age Films by showing code officials that it meets the requirements as stated in con- sensus standard ASTM D4397- 10, Standard Specification for Polyethylene Sheeting for Construction, Industrial and Agricultural Applications, which is refer- enced in the International Building Code. We are very pleased with the profession- alism behind the ICC-ES Building Products Listing program and highly rec- ommend this program for building prod- uct manufacturers seeking to show com- pliance with consensus standards refer- enced in the codes." Insulation Solutions Inc. creates cut- ting edge insulation, building products and accessories for a variety of indus- tries. The design and ingenuity of these products reflects the company's mission: to change everyday building challenges into practical solu- tions using science, research and tech- nology. ISI main- tains pride in crafts- manship and dedi- cation to quality on which the company was founded. ISI searches for the finest domestic raw materials, providing the highest caliber of products in the mar- ketplace. By turning everyday construc- tion challenges into practical solutions ISI has built a strong business with con- sistent delivery of superior quality, com- petitive pricing and service excellence. Because of this dedication, first time accounts become long-term customers. For more information, stop by South Hall booth #S1902, visit www.insulation solutions.com, email Dario J. Lamberti at dario@insulationsolutions.com or call 866.698.6562. NEW GENERAC POWERPACT GENERATOR AND SYNERGY NOW AVAILABLE The new PowerPact resets the notion of value, making it possible for virtually any homeowner to afford full-featured automatic home standby power. PowerPact combines all the benefits of automatic operation with many of the features consumers love about Generac's Guardian Series. This is an innovative, next-generation product and at $1,899, one of the most cost-effective on the market. "The 7 kW PowerPact makes it eas- ier than ever to invest in automatic back- up power for your home's essential cir- cuits," said Jake Thomas, Generac Director of Residential Products. "It's easier for our dealers to install and cost- effective for consumers to own and use." PowerPact is lightweight and has a compact footprint, allowing for easy installation. More importantly, it fea- tures a galvanneal steel enclosure. It has been independently certified, listed and labeled by the Southwest Research Institute. The PowerPact meets National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requirements for installation as close as 18 inches away from the home (unless otherwise directed by local building codes). The PowerPact also provides auto- matic backup. It protects what is most important to homeowners – refrigerators and other appliances, and well pumps – and it does so automatically. The PowerPact also features a new controller and is Mobile Link™ com- patible. With Mobile Link, owners can view their PowerPact generator 's status and maintenance needs, set the unit's exercise sched- ule, review its running and maintenance history, and receive push notifica- tions to indicate status changes. They can even arrange to send notifications to their local dealer. This makes main- tenance easier, because dealers can spot issues in advance and ensure the generator is operating smoothly, no matter where the homeowner is locat- ed. Mobile Link offers an iOS™ and Android™ app that is free and down- loadable for customers on the iTunes™ App Store, Google Play™ and Amazon Appstore. Also new from Generac is the syner- gy of exceptional fuel efficiency and uncommonly quiet operation, which con- sumes less fuel when electricity demand is light, saving you money. Generac's patented G-Flex technology delivers electricity with less than 2 percent total harmonic distortion (THD) – lower than IEEE standards for utility power – to proper- ly power modern electronics and sensitive appliances. The new Generac Synergy offers best in class clean power for these types of devices. Most generator engines have to run at a constant speed to produce electricity, regardless of the electrical demand. Generac's patented G-Flex technology changes that by allowing the engine on Generac Synergy to run only as fast as necessary to meet the electric load demand. Thus, Generac Synergy matches generator output to actual power needs. The end result is a much quieter, more fuel-efficient generator with exceptional- ly clean power output. Generac meets the power needs of consumers and businesses across the country, and around the world. To learn more, visit www.generac.com or stop by booth #C7909.