Framing is the single biggest contributor to the construction budget, accounting for (on average) around 18%. With rising costs and labor shortages, framing is becoming increasingly expensive. It behooves the small to medium construction firm to find ways in which to make the framing as efficient and cost effective as possible. You can mitigate some of the framing costs with careful planning, an efficiently run jobsite and the right tools.
Wall panelization or stick building homes? We asked a couple of pros for their opinions on this issue and got really great answers.
Accidents on construction sites can jeopardize the safety of your team and the public while causing delays or financial loss. While most construction sites already require safety with the use of protective gear and adherence to safety standards; reminders are never a bad idea.
It’s a sad reality that more contractors fail than make the grade. Why the high failure rate? There are certain perceptions that pervade the industry that negatively affect a contractor’s ability to achieve success. We’d like to bust some of these price-related myths and help contractors to financial success in the long term.
If your residential build occurs in building science climate zones one, two or even three, you may want to reconsider placing the ductwork for your air conditioning units in the attic, even if the attic is ventilated. Studies show you could be adding 15% or more to your energy bill with poor ductwork placement.
Painting problems can really ruin an otherwise perfect job and you get stuck with time-consuming call backs. While selecting the wrong paint for the job can cause issues, most call backs result from improper application. Whether you are spaying, rolling, brushing or using a combination of these methods, becoming adept in paint application not only saves you time and money, it also finishes your job so professionally that you will turn your customers into raving fans.
As new products flood the market and changing climates and rising water levels change the face of construction, building codes are constantly changing to keep up with the shifting landscape. Every three years, building code are updated in order to improve the way we build. For small business owners, these constant changes may prove difficult to keep up with.
The best way to design a crawlspace that accentuates your building envelope and does not allow unwanted moisture into the home is to treat them as if they were miniature basement spaces. Crawlspaces should be insulated, sealed and all exposed masonry should be covered to prevent condensation.
At a 2013 Remodeler’s Advantage Summit, attendees were asked what advice they would give to construction professionals about running their business. Business management is a facet of the construction industry that often gets neglected resulting in poor service or low profit margins. Here are a collection of the best business tips professionals in the construction industry had for their peers.
Floors expand and contract with changes in moisture, heat and season. This movement can pull tiles apart creating cracks or push them together so that they pop up or ‘tent’. Proper planning and preparation of the subflooring will help to prevent tenting and cracks in tiled bathroom floors.
