There's money to be made in kitchen remodeling

and trash containers, cutlery, spice and cookbook racks and tilt-out sink fronts.

Ease of maintenance and durability of materials are major concerns. Hardwoods are the preferred material for replacement cabinet and drawer fronts or new cabinets. Traditional style is the first choice with European or high-tech looks a strong second. Hardwood cabinets with light stains or white washes are becoming increasingly popular as is a trend to a light, airy feeling with more windows.

versatility (39.50/o), according to the Tile Council of America. Most dealers find that selling benefits will overcome any cost concerns.

Smart merchandising, good staff training, sharp looking model units and a real interest in developing rapport with your customers will help you to compete successfully for the kitchen remodeling profits, usually a gross margin of 30-45%.

These are the incentives for your customers to want to remodel their kitchen, but unless you are ready to support them they may not spend their money with you. Regardless of whether your customers are di-yers, buy-it-yourselfers or installation service users, you have a certain responsibility to them.

You must make sure that your store is knowledgeable of the ever increasing product list for kitchens and able to procure any products that you don't sell. You also must be equipped to provide innovative and problem solving designs that meet customer needs and budgets. In addition, you must deliver these designs and products in a timely and efficient manner as well as providing installation service or guidance if it is needed. Ifyou don't, you can be sure one of your competitors will get your share of the kitchen remodeling dollars.

Knowing what the homeowners in your region consider important is essential. Most homeowners opt for increasing kitchen space with more cabinets, an island work area, upgraded appliances and as many customized options as they can afford. Popular options are roll-out racks

Popular maintenance free materials include vinyl or ceramic tile for floors and ceramic tile or laminates such as Corian for countertops. Choice of color, a concern with more than half of those remodeling, tilts strongly to almond shades with white second and earth tones or natural wood sharing third place.

Cost is of less concern than function, styling and durability. Less than half of those remodeling worry about the cost of material (44.30/o) and installation (30.5%). Resale potential is of only some concern (42.4%) as is

DAINTING is the No. I home imF provement project in the country, do-it-yourself, buy-it-yourself or hired out.

In recent surveys more than half of the homeowners contacted had bought paint and paint sundries with nearly 500/o completing painting projects. Some 350/o were planning to paint; 26.7 million owner-occupied homes had been painted.

Few retailers will get rich on the slim profit margins earned by paint sales. However, the store which merchandises paint as a decorator item and keeps up with the latest trends and new products will outsell the competition.

One of the hottest items available is a computer capable of matching paint to almost anything - carpeting, wallpaper, upholstery, drapes, accessory or color swatch. This type of merchandising makes your store stand out as a paint specialist. Equally impressive in attracting business are how-to videos and computers to provide step-by-step printouts of specialized instructions. These electronic brains can answer almost any painting or refinishing question including how to deal with a piano.

Many new products are keyed to