Equipment Today, the nationally recognized equipment magazine which serves commercial construction contractors, has selected Tuffy Security Products’ Model 334 Center Console Insert for Ford(r) F-150 XLT models as one of the favored new construction products of 2018. Editorial teams from Equipment Today and ForConstructionPros.com collected inquiries and site engagement from new products featured in Equipment Today over a 12 month period between May 2017 and April 2018. The top 50 winning products represent the leading edge of innovation, quality, efficiency and productivity in the construction equipment field today. Tuffy Security’s…
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R.D. Olson Construction, TCA Architects renovate Olive Crest residential home
R.D. Olson Construction, an award-winning general contracting firm in Irvine, Calif., partnered up with TCA Architects and local subcontractors to renovate nonprofit Olive Crest’s short-term residential therapeutic home in Santa Ana. “Demo day” occurred Saturday, Sept. 1 at 8 a.m.and kicked off the renovation of the 1954 home’s kitchen and living areas. Improvements will include new flooring, appliances, water heater, AC and other amenities to provide a more comfortable environment for the six young women living in the house. Founded in 1973, Olive Crest provides safe, residential facilities to house Orange County youth. R.D….
Read MoreImproving Construction Quality in Seven Steps
For perfect building production, all team members must have the big picture in mind by Don Neff Delivering high quality production homes on schedule and within budget, following approved plans and specs, can be achieved, but requires coordinated focus by all stakeholders. This article explores seven organizational interventions helpful to builders in minimizing defect litigation risks. 1. Organizational Reporting We recommend that the builder’s Quality Assurance/Customer Service team members report through a different chain of command such as the Warranty Department, or Sales and Marketing Department of the company, not…
Read MoreThe Evolution of Land Development
Builders need land, and land needs to be developed by Manuel Lazerov There have been dramatic changes in the land development business, especially since the financial crisis of 2008. The recent focus on land development is due to a shortage of finished lots, which is impairing a normal recovery in the housing market. At one time, the business was dominated by entrepreneurs who would buy land, take it through the review and subdivision process, and sell the lots to builders who had neither the patience or temperament for that kind…
Read MoreBuilding a Better Home
Energy efficiency takes on larger role as builders compete for buyers who value conservation By DON NEFF Designing and building an energy efficient home is not rocket science, but requires knowledge, experience, and expertise, including careful coordination of your team. According to a National Association of Home Builders survey, energy efficiency is becoming the most sought-after feature for homebuyers. In response, builders are creatively embracing new technology solutions and re-engineering old processes. Re-engineered Practices Quality construction by skilled workers is important and necessary, but alone it is not enough. Achieving…
Read MoreBIASC Building Industry Show to Highlight INNOVATION with Insights on Home Automation, Artificial Intelligence, U.S. Infrastructure and Personal Success
The Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC) will focus on the theme of INNOVATION at its upcoming Building Industry Show (BIS) set for Oct. 3-4, 2018, at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, Calif. A notable roster of thought leaders will bring attendees up to date on next-generation technologies and the latest trends impacting todays homebuilding industry.Keynote speakers will include: – Jay Symonds, Senior Manager of Marketing and Advertising for Amazon, on initiatives for home services and smart electronics in an integrated ecosystem from central control of entertainment,…
Read MoreJoin Mosaic
Mosaic is a rapidly growing provider of consumer financing for the modern home. We empower contractors with the option to offer their customers financing for home improvement projects. The net gain is a win-win for both the contractor and the customer. Mosaic makes financing home improvement easy and affordable for homeowners with the simplest borrower experience available. As the market leader in solar lending, Mosaic has originated more than $2 billion in loans to date and works directly with leading home energy companies and contractors to make solar, high-efficient windows,…
Read MoreCalifornia Growth and the Construction Paradox
As the Golden State leads the way in job opportunity, a lack of housing keeps positions unfilled By CHRISTOPHER THORNBERG, PHD It is often said that generals always fight the last war—and this applies to that still highly overused and abused political catchphrase, “jobs, jobs, jobs.” Such rhetoric about creating new jobs continues to be attached to the rollout of almost any new government policy, regardless of the veracity or relevance of the claim. Times change, as do economic realities, and creating jobs is not our challenge or problem today….
Read MoreSolutions to the Construction Labor Crisis
According to a new report from the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), half of surveyed companies are finding it difficult to fill positions in the field as well as in the office BY PATRICK DUFFY In general, it’s a great time to be working in the building industry. Annualized single-family new home sales in November 2017 rose nearly 27 percent year-over-year to 733,000 units, while construction spending for the year rose to a record high of $1.26 trillion. Annualized housing starts reached nearly 1.3 million by the end of…
Read MoreBuilding a Defense Against AB 1701
By Katherine Sandberg, Fisher Phillips A contentious new law in California is reshaping the potential liability of builders for unpaid wage claims, and contractors must be prepared. AB 1701 applies to private construction contracts that are entered into on or after January 1, 2018. The law makes general contractors liable for unpaid wages or fringe benefits that a subcontractor may owe to any worker. Under the new law, the California Labor Commissioner, unions and joint labor management cooperation committees may all bring private actions up to one year after the…
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