July 5, 2019
/ Posted in: Builders, Dealers, Framers
A recent survey showed that 55% of construction workers want more safety training. With labor shortages, taking time out for training can delay projects even more. 39% of people surveyed said they were more concerned for safety on the jobsite than they were last year. Not properly training staff can result in injuries on the …
Read The Full Post »
June 26, 2019
/ Posted in: Builders, Dealers, DIY, Framers
While spending a lot of money securing a home’s building envelope is a very effective way to use less energy, we also need to be cognizant of our energy usage. One effective way to cut costs is to find inexpensive ways to keep your home cool in the summer to minimize HVAC usage.
Read The Full Post »
June 14, 2019
/ Posted in: Builders, Dealers, DIY, Framers
Placing notoriously leaky HVAC ductwork into an unconditioned space will not make for an energy efficient heating or cooling system.There are a few options which locate the ductwork within the thermal enclosure of the home. Options include moving the ceiling plane to the underside of the roof with an unvented attic or placing the ductwork in a conditioned basement. A third option is the installation of plenum trusses which allow for a compact ducting system to be placed in a conditioned bulkhead.
Read The Full Post »
June 10, 2019
/ Posted in: Builders, Dealers, DIY, Framers
When renovating or building to sell, it can be difficult to know where your money will earn the greatest dividends. Here are some realtor-recommended features that help to sell homes faster and for more money. You may be surprised at some, but consult your designer and realtor to see which ones fit your budget best. …
Read The Full Post »
June 6, 2019
/ Posted in: Builders, Dealers, DIY, Framers
Construction labor shortages mean every minute counts on the jobsite. If you spend too much of your time tracking down tools, you can streamline your business and reduce lost assets by implementing a tool-tracking system. Bar-coded tracking systems These systems allow you to tag your tools with barcode stickers. This means even smaller tools can …
Read The Full Post »
June 4, 2019
/ Posted in: Builders, Dealers, DIY, Framers
Increased incidence of strong weather systems and the tragedies that follow high wind events have encouraged engineers and designers to rethink the way we build to improve wall strength. Stronger walls will keep home occupants safer during weather events and will increase the lifespan of the home. One of the problems is that the roof, wall and flooring systems are installed as separate entities. Connecting the OSB wall sheathing and the flooring system can create a continuous load path which can improve wall strength by up to 38%.
Read The Full Post »
May 23, 2019
/ Posted in: Builders, Framers
Providing quotes and estimates for clients is one of the most difficult construction jobs. Quote too much and you may price yourself out of the running, but quote too little and both you and your client will be unhappy.
Read The Full Post »
May 23, 2019
/ Posted in: Builders, Dealers, Framers
Despite the labor shortage, times are pretty good for construction firms. There is business aplenty and you may be wanting to take on more employees to increase the number of projects you can complete this fiscal year. Growing is good, but growing too fast can be disastrous. One of the symptoms to look out for …
Read The Full Post »
May 17, 2019
/ Posted in: Builders, Framers
Getting the job done quickly and efficiently means you can complete your punch list and move on to the next job. Delays can really eat into your profit margins and leave your customers feeling frustrated and unsatisfied. Here are a couple of tips on how you can move through the punch list faster. Invest in …
Read The Full Post »
May 16, 2019
/ Posted in: Builders, Dealers, Framers
A recent survey showed poor communication that results in expensive callbacks costs the construction industry $177B every year. Communication is key—we all know this but busy schedules and time constraints can lead to misunderstandings that cost money. Here are some easy steps to implement to keep communication flowing on your jobsite. Make It A Priority …
Read The Full Post »