December 18, 2018
/ Posted in: Builders, Dealers, DIY, Framers
You don’t need freezing temperatures to get hypothermia. Wind and rain can drop your body temperature below 95 degrees F and then you’re in trouble. When temperatures drop on the jobsite, it’s important to manage your crew and ensure they are properly protected. Sick days can really eat into your profit margins and you need …
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December 12, 2018
/ Posted in: Builders, Dealers, DIY, Framers
It’s not what you’re thinking! But the festive season does mean blocked sinks and garbage disposals as homes try to deal with abnormally large volumes of waste. With families making enormous meals at Thanksgiving and Christmas, leftovers and grease can contribute to plumbing woes. Mr. Rooter Plumbing reports a whopping 50% increase in the number …
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November 19, 2018
/ Posted in: Builders, Framers, HOMEPAGE FEATURE
It’s tough times for construction managers—you have plenty of work, but great employees are difficult to come by thanks to the growing labor shortage in the construction industry. Retaining valuable staff members goes beyond paying more. Here are some strategies for staff retention that will help you reduce turnover, so you can maintain profit margins …
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November 15, 2018
/ Posted in: Builders, Dealers, Framers
Change comes slowly to the construction industry, but modern homeowners are a different creature. Thanks to the internet, they are better informed and more demanding. If you want to keep your clients happy, get word-of-mouth referrals and avoid expensive callbacks, you need to up your communication game. Construction projects have a nasty reputation for being …
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November 7, 2018
/ Posted in: The Ol' Sage Builder
The National Safety Council conducted a survey called “Fatigue in Safety-Critical Industries: Impact, Risks and Recommendations,” which found that 69% of US workers who occupy safety-critical jobs are fatigued. The figures for construction were much higher with 100% of workers reporting issues with fatigue. Tired workers can have disastrous consequences on jobsites. With all of …
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November 1, 2018
/ Posted in: Builders, Dealers, Framers
Investment in equipment is essential for the successful construction company, but knowing when to buy, rent, lease or borrow can really help to maximize your profits. When weighing the odds on these options, you’re really calculating risk. Buying equipment results in higher profit margins, but overinvesting can mean you actually lose money. When you are …
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September 7, 2018
/ Posted in: Builders, Dealers, Framers
The building industry has traditionally been reticent to adopt change. Construction professionals have been building homes in the same way for decades and, while they are quick to upgrade tools, they don’t usually go for every technological fad that hits the market. Drones, however, are no fad and their usefulness coupled with relatively inexpensive upfront …
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August 14, 2018
/ Posted in: Builders, DIY
Do you leave your ceiling fans on even when you aren’t in the room? Some experts argue that ceiling fans aren’t doing you any favors if left on when no one is home. Fans are a great way to cool down because they evaporate sweat. When air moves across the surface of your skin, it …
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July 31, 2018
/ Posted in: Builders, Dealers, DIY
Hardwood flooring will change as natural environmental conditions change. The humidity and heat of the summer can cause wood to expand while the dry winter conditions will result in contraction. The manufacturers of wood flooring products have studied the idea conditions for their flooring and have detailed recommendations on the temperatures and ambient humidity that …
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July 17, 2018
/ Posted in: Builders, Dealers, DIY
With these tips and tricks, you can get your AC unit to work smarter, not harder. If you have a noisy unit that creates poor indoor air quality or different comfort levels throughout the house, it may be time to give your AC some TLC. Reduce Sources of Indoor Heat If your house feels uncomfortable …
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