June 2005

Has anyone heard the phrase “New and Improved”? I’ll bet you have! I’ve heard it too. That phrase seems to appear often, especially in laundry and dish soap ads. It makes you think the store sold you an inferior product before. It’s not really their fault, since they only sell it! Maybe the manufacturer of the product should take the responsibility for this “inferior product”. But really… was the old stuff so bad? Did it not do the job? Is the new stuff really any better??

In the construction industry, Amron Homes too gets introduced to “new and improved” products. When this happens it is not always wise to immediately incorporate the “new and improved” product into the home. As I look at it, we at Amron Homes have an obligation to you, the customer, to provide you with a home that is constructed with safe, cost effective, quality products. I believe it is our responsibility as builders to ensure we make the best possible choices for our customers. After all, that is why you chose us, right? Note the disasters like aluminum house wiring and formaldehyde spray insulations.

The other question we might all ask about “new and improved” products is why they were introduced, since the old products seemed to be working just fine. For example, when TJI floor joists were introduced, it was because they were resistant to warpage, where dimensional lumber was not. Funny that in all of the years and numbers of homes Amron has built, only once do I recall having a warped floor joist! Could the reason for the change possibly be that wood chips and small pieces of laminated wood could now be used instead of being burned?

Change is a good thing, but let’s do it for the right reasons. In the meantime, as another old saying goes… “Buyer Beware!”

Call us with your building questions at 548-3137.