Experts answer questions

(Continued from page 9) investment payback in as few as two years. Better customer service is a plus. Both contractor and d-i-y customers appreciate the time saved in pulling orders and the convenience of a covered loading area.

Q: noln can I improve the appearance of my yard?

Q: noro long does it take to retrolit a yard? Witl I be able to operate while work is in progress?

A 3 Ir4ost storage systems can be installed in about a week.

The work usually doesn't interfere with day-to-day operations.

Q: Uor" "rn I get the most for the least in modernizing Q: Wiff the expense of a new layout pay? If so, how?

A: The best way is to work with a company that offers complete in-house yard planning. A plan based on size and product movement will keep the yard orderly and clean, sending a positive message to customers. Some companies specializing in lumber and building material fixtures provide planning at no charge. my yard?

A: fio, determine stock needed to service your customers. Plan storage and retrieval of materials to allow customers to get in and out quickly. The goal is to cut down on movement necessary to pick orders and allow more customers to load their own materials to cut labor costs. If your business leans towards d-i-y and small contractor, all items should be pickable by hand.

Q: Wn", best enhances the operation and bottom line ofa yard?

A: e well sited cantilever drive-thru lumber shed can maximize loading efficiency of your delivery trucks as well as those of customers. This shed will save more man hours than any other single addition to your yard. Add the savings gained by eliminating lift truck damage to lumber and weather losses and you may have

A: ffr" expense of a new yard layout begins paying for itself inunediately by reducing waste and increasing operational efficiency. Your yard will run with fewer people who have more time to assist customers, thus increasing sales. By using cube space, you can move upward, not outward, to free usable space for future expansion or other areas of business. An important aspect often overlooked is flexibility, especially for future growth. You want to add on, not rebuild. Equipment such as racks depreciates faster than a building or shed.

Q: Wf,"t are the tax benefits of rack supported buitdings?

A! R""k "opported structures can be depreciated in seven years since they are considered equipment. Only the cement pad is exempt from this.