Why A Design-Build Contractor Is Best for Home Improvement Projects!

Homeowners looking to do home remodels, additions, or other home improvement projects must start out by first finding the best contractor for the job.

Some may be surprised to find out that not all contractors handle things like design planning or even some specialized contracting like electrical work or plumbing.

What homeowners need is a design-build company that can help them every step of the way and make their home improvement project as efficient as it can possibly be.

What Is Design-Build Construction?

It is exactly what it sounds like - a contracting service that completes home improvement projects starting with the design and ending with the final execution of the improvement plans.

Design-build companies have skilled contractors who handle all parts of the home improvement process, leaving no reason for a homeowner to search for designers and other contractors to bring their ideas to life. 

Why Choose A Design-Build Contractor?

Choosing design-build contractors over independent home designers and individual contractors for each part of the process brings with it many advantages.

One main benefit is efficient communication, which is much easier when hiring a design-build company, as all contractors work under the same main company and report to the same project manager.

Another benefit is cost, which can be lower when the entire project is handled, start to finish, by just one contracting company.

Choosing an all-inclusive design-build contractor to organize and manage the entire project reduces insurance and warranty issues as well, since homeowners are protected by the policies offered by that one company. 

What Are The Benefits of Design-Build Construction?

Design-build construction companies make it easier for homeowners to stay involved and receive progress updates throughout the progression of their projects.

There is typically one project manager whose job it is to oversee the entire project and also act as a liaison between the client and the contractors actually doing the work.

Questions can more easily be answered and concerns more easily addressed through this important communication line between project managers and homeowner clients.

Most importantly, homeowners choosing design-build companies for their home improvement project benefit from the experience and knowledge of designers and contractors who are used to working as a part of the same home project team.

Designers can help clients plan the modifications they want, then easily communicate with design-build construction teams to efficiently bring those plans to life.

In Summary

When considering a major home improvement project like a new kitchen or bathroom, a home addition, or even a whole-house makeover, a design-build contractor is the best choice for receiving skilled design help, construction expertise, and a beautiful end result!

Commercial Land Clearing – Important Facts to Know!

Commercial land clearing is the process of clearing away brush, trees, and other waste material on a large scale, for a variety of purposes.

Though most might think commercial land clearing services are only used to ready building lots prior to the construction of commercial buildings and facilities, this is far from the only reason why it is done.

Hired by local and state municipalities as well as companies and private land owners, commercial land clearing companies are essential partners in the management of open lands, whether or not they will ever be used for a construction project.

When Are Commercial Land Clearing Services Typically Used?

The most obvious use for commercial land clearing is to prepare raw land that will be turned into some type of non-residential building or facility such as a retail center, office park, or some other business site.

It is also necessary for local land management such as clearing and maintaining the land along roadways, forest management, and fire management within communities. 

What Is Done During Commercial Land Clearing?

Commercial land clearing companies have the duty to remove waste vegetation, including unwanted trees and brush as well as remove large rocks, unwanted structures, and anything else that the land or project owner needs to be removed from the land.

In land management jobs, the goal is to prevent fires and promote healthy forests by removing dead material that will burn easily.

Healthy trees and bushes are left to continue growing.

For construction site preparation, the goal of commercial land clearing is to leave a clean building site that is free from other materials that will slow down the project construction process.

The ground is cleared and left ready for excavation for leveling and the installation of utilities and other site preparation tasks. 

What Is Expected of Commercial Land Clearing Services?

Regardless of the purpose for hiring a commercial land clearing service, it is important that project owners research to hire the best one.

Respected commercial land clearing companies will have all of the equipment necessary to complete the required work, be highly skilled in their use of that equipment, and be able to perform large-scale land clearing efficiently.

They can work safely while protecting the land and desirable trees and plants as necessary and will dispose of all waste materials removed as part of their service.

An experienced commercial land clearing service will also provide an accurate estimate ahead of time, allowing project owners to budget correctly. 

In Summary

Whether working on a new building project or in need of land maintenance help, local commercial land clearing services are the professionals to call for the best results.

What Type of General Contracting Services Does Your Project Need?

When planning any kind of home building or renovation project, it is essential to choose the right general contracting company that can provide all required services.

Not all general contracting services are the same, so choosing the one most suited for the project is critical.

That choice may differ depending on what the project entails and the degree of involvement the owner wishes to have in the planning and execution stages.

Finding the best general contracting company starts with understanding the types of general contractor services and matching one to the project's scope.

  • Turnkey Contracting Services - Turnkey general contracting companies take a project from A to Z, handling everything from the design and blueprinting of the home to its construction. This process involves the least amount of owner participation but also the careful scouting for a reputable contractor with a great portfolio of work behind them to be fully entrusted with all aspects of the project.
  • New Construction Contractors - New construction general contracting services build someone else’s plans. They usually work with an architect or home designer who has a plan ready and are then hired by the project owner to bring those plans to life. 
  • Build-Out Services - General contracting companies that handle build-out services turn open commercial spaces with only main walls and utilities installed into functional, usable spaces according to the project owner’s needs. 
  • Site Upgrade Contractors -  Beyond the home or building itself, site upgrade contractors work on adding improvements to the standard infrastructure and site design that a basic project includes. This might mean adding landscaping, decks, or patios, special needs access, parking lots, or other specific amenities needed outside of the structure. 
  • Remodeling Contractors - Remodeling general contracting services handle interior and exterior remodeling or renovation of existing homes or buildings to improve appearance, increase and upgrade living space, make structural improvements, and reimagine living and workspaces.

Ultimately, knowing which general contracting company to call for a particular project starts with knowing what type of project it is, what services are needed, and how involved the project owner wishes to be.

In the case of turnkey contracting services, project owners entrust their contractors to take care of everything and just hand them the key at the end.

Where other types of contractors such as remodeling contractors are involved, the work is mainly driven by project owner input of their wants and needs.

Homeowners should discuss their building and remodeling ideas with a general contracting service that is willing to work with them in whatever way is necessary to create the new home or home renovation of their dreams!

Land Grading – A Critical Step for Building Site Preparation!

The success of any building project depends on good site preparation.

Among the multiple stages of the site prep process, land grading and ground leveling are the first steps, beginning with clearing and grubbing.

After a ground leveling company removes all waste materials from the site, the real work can begin.

Only with a properly leveled and prepared building site can the construction process begin. 

Clearing The Area

What does the work of ground leveling services entail?

In the most basic of terms, it involves clearing away all vegetation, tree roots, boulders, and other waste material from the building site, then leveling the ground as required by the building plan.

After clearing is complete, the job of creating a level building surface might require simple land grading to smooth out the surface and promote drainage away from the building site or something much more complex.

Soil remediation, or the task of removing contaminants from the soil may also be included in this land grading process. 

Creating A Level Building Surface

Depending on the topography of the land at the start, a ground leveling company might be required to flatten hills by cutting soil out and then leveling it or to fill in valleys by bringing in fill dirt from other locations.

In either case, the end result must be a smooth, flat building site that is at the correct elevation as required by the building plan, with land grading directing water away from the spot where the building will occur.

The final stage of the process is leveling in new topsoil once construction has been completed and the ground around the building can be finished. 

Creating Proper Drainage

While the more obvious aspect of land grading and ground leveling is to have a solid, compact, and level piece of land on which to construct a building of any sort, drainage can be the more critical, less obvious purpose.

Ground leveling services must create just enough grade to flow water away from the building site to protect the foundation and prevent erosion that can weaken the ground surrounding it.

Improper drainage can cause extensive foundation damage, while simultaneously too-steep grading can create runoff that erodes the surface.

The perfect land grading job done by an experienced ground leveling company prevents all of that. 

The Value of Effective Land Grading

Whether building something as small as a house or garage or a

Building project owners must always choose an experienced ground leveling service to handle their land grading and leveling to achieve the best results!

Why is Impeccable Site Work So Important?

At the start of a new construction project, it is very easy to focus on the structures and the vision of the finished building.

Yet what is actually of more importance is the pre-construction site work and all the details it entails.

Hiring the right site work contractors is essential for making sure the final construction project turns out as it should.

That’s due to the fact that the tasks performed by site work companies affect every part of the project in one way or another.

What Important Processes Do Site Work Contractors Handle?

  • Clearing and Grubbing - Site work begins with sustainable land clearing, grubbing, and tree removal, skillfully performed in ways that maintain more of the qualities of the land without unnecessary destruction.
  • Accessways - Site work companies are responsible for planning and constructing all the accessways that will be necessary to get equipment and supplies to and from the development and construction site.
  • Site Excavation - Site excavation to remove rocks, grade land, and develop the topography as necessary requires the services of experienced site work contractors.
  • Shoring and Erosion Control - After excavation work is done, erosion control methods must be installed as the first part of stabilizing the whole developed construction site.
  • Drainage Installation - During excavation, the drainage and sewer installation part of the site work process must also be undertaken to finish off the heavy earthwork.
  • Utility Installation - Site work contractors will then dig to install utility and sewer lines from the construction site to the location where they will join the public utility.
  • Subgrade and Base Stabilization - With the land cleared, excavated, shored, and drainage installed, site work companies must then handle through compaction subgrade stabilization, base building, and base stabilization to create a safe, stable construction base that will be able to support the structures to be built at that site.

Find An Experienced Site Work Contractor For Your Building Project!

Clearly, the term site work encompasses many critical processes that, unless they are properly executed, can negatively affect any construction project after the fact.

Only once these and many other steps are completed by site work contractors and the construction base has been prepared and stabilized can the digging for the actual building foundation begin.

With this many specialized tasks to handle, there is no denying that impeccable site work performed by a skilled, experienced site work company with access to the right equipment is critical for the positive outcome of any ground-up construction project!

Important Information About Land Grading!

Land grading is a critical part of any project that involves construction and earthwork, whether the project is a huge commercial building, a home, or even just a landscape design.

No matter what the scope of the project is, at least some amount of grading services are required.

Knowing this, it is essential to hire a grading contractor with experience, as improper land grading could turn the best laid plans into a worst nightmare.

The Importance of Land Grading

Why is proper grading so important? Land grading is much more than just leveling and finishing the ground surface so it looks nice once grass is planted.

While appearance is one of the reasons why anyone would need the services of a grading contractor, that is the least important of all the reasons.

More important than appearance, skilled land grading services are critical for two main reasons; proper soil drainage and land erosion.

Proper Soil Drainage

Drainage issues can occur any time that raw land is disturbed in any way, whether by digging into it or putting something on top of it.

Excavation and the installation of a building foundation can affect how the water in the soil drains after the fact.

Allowed to flow toward the foundation and saturate the soil there, groundwater can cause extensive damage to the foundation over time, even to the point of destabilizing it and pushing it inward.

Proper Erosion Control

Erosion is another serious problem that can happen when the ground has been disturbed by grading for a construction project then not properly graded after the fact.

Erosion is also related to drainage and while a drainage issue might not be severe enough or close enough to a structure to cause foundation or flooding problems, it could cause topsoil erosion.

Topsoil erosion makes it difficult to grow grass, flushes away important nutrients from the soil, and leaves unsightly ruts in the ground.

The Role of Grading Contractors

To avoid either of these problems from happening, grading contractors will go in after the construction project has been completed, assess the shape of the land, and then grade it as necessary.

The grading process might be as simple as creating a natural pathway for water to drain away from a foundation or as complex as putting in gravel beds or french drains to promote drainage where it is now more difficult.

In either case, the end result after expert grading service should always be a building lot that drains well and does not erode, where grass and landscaping can then successfully take root and look beautiful!

What is Corrosion and Can It Be Stopped?

Corrosion is a bad word in the water tank industry, as it costs tank owners money.

It is the focus of corrosion engineering specialists who strive to design the best liquid storage vessels that are corrosion-proof, since corrosion costs companies money and can be dangerous, too.

Corrosion Definition

So, what exactly is corrosion? Corrosion engineering services describe it as the natural process in which metal, plastic, and other materials decompose when in contact with water, oil, fuel, and other chemicals.

Corrosion is a chemical reaction that happens between two materials, especially when those materials are exposed to oxygenation.

As water and oxygen are technically chemicals that react with other chemicals, corrosion is frequently little more than oxidation, although this oxidation can be highly destructive over time.

Rusting metal is a prime example of corrosive oxidation, a chemical reaction happening between metal and water when exposed to oxygen.

Corrosion Engineering Explores How to Slow Down Corrosion

Knowing this, corrosion engineering for numerous industries focuses on slowing corrosion to avoid the loss of structural integrity that can eventually happen when materials are allowed to corrode unchecked.

Corrosion can also cause contamination, a definite problem for vessels storing anything for consumption by people or animals.

Therefore, corrosion engineering services are tasked with the development and design of products that can either withstand corrosion or be used to prevent it, like anti-corrosive sealant coatings, coatings that prevent certain chemical reactions by creating a different one, and other methods.

Can The Corrosion Process Be Avoided?

Can corrosion be stopped? Generally not, except when using corrosion-resistant materials.

While materials like stainless steel and certain types of fiberglass and plastic may not corrode in the traditional sense, they can still become damaged by age, usually due to exposure to oxygen.

That technically makes it corrosion, even to the smallest degree.

What is the Answer to Corrosion?

Corrosion engineering services research and experiment to find the best means for water tank manufacturers and their customers to protect their equipment from corrosion in a variety of ways.

Whether that involves choosing a specific material with which to build a tank, developing a specific sealant for interior or exterior protection, or even using techniques like cathodic protection, the goal is always the same.

That goal is always to reduce exposure to oxygen in its various forms so that corrosion can be slowed or prevented.

Can Corrosion Be Stopped?

Corrosion can be slowed, but in most cases, it cannot be stopped.

It is a force of nature that even the best corrosion engineering services will continue to combat as time goes on.

Weld Inspections Critical for Tower Construction and Maintenance

Telecom towers, whether monopoles, guyed towers, or self-supporting towers, require many types of inspection during construction and then frequently thereafter.

Weld inspections performed by qualified structural tower inspection engineering services are especially important for ensuring the structural soundness of the towers as they go up and throughout their lifetime.

Towers Face Phenomenal Amounts of Stress

Standing hundreds of feet into the air, these towers undergo huge amounts of stress that over time can affect the integrity of the welds holding them together, causing weld failures and other structural damage.

A critical part of reducing this stress and damage is hiring an experienced structural tower engineering firm to assist in the design and construction of highly stable, structurally sound towers.

The other essential part of keeping telecom towers safe is having routine weld inspections performed by AWS Certified Welding Inspectors (CWI).

What Do Welding Inspectors Look For?

To ensure tower fitness, welding inspectors perform visual inspections of every weld on the tower, regardless of how tall that tower may be.

Weld issues that can affect the integrity of the tower can stem from a number of causes, from poor tower design, welds that are too small for the tower, an unbalanced base, and even poor quality, brittle steel that is more susceptible to cracking.

Stress cracks and other problems are noted and visual observations used to diagnose structural problems with the tower so the right repairs can be planned.

How Often Must Towers Be Inspected?

Tower inspection requirements may differ from state-to-state, but the generally accepted requirement is every 5 years for self-supporting towers and every 3 years for others.

Weld inspections and other inspections should always be performed by a tower engineering service that is licensed to perform these important inspections.

Towers with greater exposure to decomposition such as those in coastal locations should be inspected more often.

In all cases, every weld must be viewed to confirm its condition, and that the tower remains structurally sound.

Keep Your Tower Safe With Weld Inspections

Putting up a communications tower is no easy feat and keeping it up requires careful observation by qualified structural engineers trained to recognize stress factors before they become a safety hazard.

Companies that are either investing in new towers or maintaining existing ones can best do so by first choosing the right structural tower engineering contractor to handle their weld inspections and all other tower inspections.

As every tower is only as strong as its weakest weld, it is essential to depend on tower engineering services with the training and track record for providing this important service.

Why Hire A Professional Excavating Service?

Whether you are putting in a swimming pool, paving a driveway, or even breaking ground to build a new home, hiring the right residential excavation company is a critical part of the process.

Though there may be plenty of one-size-fits-all contractors that say they can handle all aspects of the job, unless they are trained excavation contractors, the precision with which they work may be low.

Starting any of these projects, or any others that require digging on a smaller property, it is essential to begin by hiring the best excavating service.

Why Hire A Specialized Excavation Contractor?

Why is it so important to find a contractor that specializes in excavation services?

Because one mistake made with a backhoe could affect the whole project that could cause damage to the landscaping or trees on an established home property or result in broken underground utility wires or pipes.

Unskilled digging can also create dangerous situations that injure people via electrocution, gas explosions, and other hazards and it can bring a lack of detail and perfectionism that can negatively affect the whole project.

A Specialized Excavator Is Vital

On the other hand, an excavation company that specializes in excavating for various needs is a key partner in making sure your construction or home improvement project is started correctly so it can be finished perfectly.

Professional excavation services that handle smaller jobs have access to the smaller equipment required to get into smaller spaces.

With training, licensing, and experience on various equipment, an excavation company can perform digging wonders carefully, reducing how much of the land, and landscaping is disturbed in doing so.

More importantly, they are able to work closely with utilities companies to locate underground lines, then dig gently in places where those lines are vulnerable to being damaged.

Excavation contractors are also less likely to make digging mistakes, but carry the right specialty liability insurance for those rare instances when unexpected things are unavoidable.

Always Choose The Right Excavation Contractor For Your Project

No matter what your excavation job requires, whether it is part of a home improvement project like building a pad or foundation for a building or digging for a pool or even digging to make repairs, the right excavation contractor can have a big effect on the project’s outcome.

When you choose the best residential excavation service for the job, not only will you get better and more careful workmanship, but also faster, less expensive services.

It is a winning combination when homeowners insist on the best and most experienced excavation company to handle their residential excavating needs.

How to Turn Any Bathroom Around with Beautiful Tile!

If you are looking for a way to do a bathroom makeover but are not in the position to do a complete renovation, you might be surprised to know what you can accomplish with tile alone.

A better, more artistic option than simply freshening the paint, a beautiful and stylish tile treatment is one fantastic way that bathroom remodelers can give you a brand new space without actually changing anything other than the walls.

Tile Tastes Have Changed

Gone are the days when subway tile was the norm.

Although it does still carry a degree of classic charm to it, a bathroom renovation consisting of only a tile upgrade can go to incredible creative lengths to transform the entire space from its original, traditional appearance.

Bathroom tile, now available in limitless colors, patterns, and materials from standard ceramic to semi-precious minerals and stones, are literally an art material that can be used to turn any plain bathroom into a design masterpiece.

Tile Bathroom Makeover Suggestions

Just a few of the many creative and artistic ideas on how bathroom remodelers can use tile alone as the basis of a simple bathroom makeover include:

  • Tile Patterns - Create patterned walls using herringbone placement of rectangular tiles, fish scale tiles in various shapes and sizes, animal print tiles, and others to go one great step beyond a fancy wallpaper pattern.
  • Different Shapes, Sizes, and Colors - Combine different tiles to create your own random or repeated pattern using any of the thousands of types of bathroom tiles available.
  • Genuine and Faux Materials - Tiles made from marble, onyx, obsidian, and other genuine stones and minerals can turn any bathroom more luxurious, while floor tiles made to mimic expensive woods, bamboo, and other less durable materials are another great idea.
  • Feature Walls and Surrounds - Create feature walls and bath and shower surrounds using art tiles, mosaic tiles, and tiles designed in different design styles to make a focal point, add color, and turn any plain wall into a work of tile art. Whether you create a pattern or a full image with tile, the results can be stunning.
  • Bring Nature In - Turn any bathroom into a forest complete with a babbling brook with tiles that look like natural stones, bamboo, leaves, and other foliage.

With so many types and styles of premium art bathroom tiles available today, the things you can do with them are limitless.

You may not be ready for a full bathroom renovation that includes replacing fixtures, but you can still have a new bathroom with some impressive tile work!