New Construction Inspections

Within the real estate industry, there is some ongoing debate about whether new homes should have home inspections or not. This debate goes on in the minds of many buyers who want to save any cash they can. And the new home builder is, obviously, all for waiving a home inspection. So, often, the decision as to whether the house is inspected or not, comes down to what is recommended by the buyer’s realtor. As a realtor, who has found myself in that position more than once, I am going to give you my opinion on this matter.

It is my experience that, almost never, are issues found at new homes that are -deal killers.- However, that does not mean that numerous problems have not been found. Usually, the problems at newer homes are of the punch list variety — where the home inspector’s list is given to the builder and the crew or sub contractors complete their project. Here are examples of common new construction issues found by home inspectors in my market: significant standing water in the crawl space because drainage concerns were not addressed; crawl space vents that are below grade; concrete poured up over the wood trim on the home; furnace ducts that are not hooked into the system; condensate drains from the furnace and TPR drains from the water heater that are routed under the home; missing flashing or loose and improperly nailed shingles; the pressure test cap left on the main sewer vent; sinks or toilets with drains that are not plumbed into the system; gutters with inadequate slope; doors and windows that do not operate; missing or unsafe handrails at steps and guardrails on high decks; appliances not wired or plumbed in; propane appliances not converted to gas, so they operate like flame throwers; gas fireplaces not hooked to the gas; whirlpool tubs not wired into the system; dryer ducts that empty under the home; missing or failed GFCI outlets, grounding problems and other electrical issues; missing door stops and out of adjustment interior doors, cupboards or closet doors.

If you look at this list, which is certainly not inclusive, most of the significant things found are still routine and easy for the builder, or his crew with their tools, to remedy. On the other side of the coin, if the average homeowner has to fix some of these issues after closing, it is a really big hassle that will require lots of elbow grease and needlessly spending dollars out of pocket. Since those buyers are my clients, and I want them to be happy with their purchase and to refer my name to their friends and family, it is my goal to see to it that all of the significant problems have been discovered and resolved prior to closing. Let’s face it, it is only fair that all of the significant costs should be paid by the builder — whose role in the transaction was to properly build a home and supply my clients with a house that was ready to move into.

Sometimes, mistakenly so, a client who does not want to pay for an inspection, hopes that the municipal code inspectors have covered the bases. That is seldom the case because those components and systems the code inspector looks for are basic and these people seldom actually get inside crawl spaces, attics and areas a home inspector routinely views. I have written a previous article on this fallacy of the code inspector being a substitute for a home inspection.

Another thought is that the builder’s home warranty can replace the need for a home inspection. In my experience that is a big risk, and not a wise gamble, and I will be writing another article on that in the near future. For now, it should be clear from my comments here, that I always recommend that my clients, whether they are buying a new or an old home, should pay a few extra dollars and have an independent home inspection by a state licensed structural pest inspector who is also a competent residential home inspector.

This article was produced by the writing team of Eric Badgley; specializing in

Eric Badgley is a motivated and professional realtor located in beautiful Whatcom County. For information contact Eric at bhttp://www.bellingham-realestate.net

How To Get Started In The Construction Industry

The construction industry is a very appealing industry to work in right now, not only is the work varied, rewarding and well paid, you are using skills that are very valuable in the world of work. Having a trade is essential because of the high unemployment rates caused by the recession. If you can learn a trade and get one step above the other candidates going for jobs you want, then why not do it as soon as possible?

This article will discuss ways to get started in the construction industry:

Get onto a good course: just reading about construction wont just make you a very boring person to talk to at the pub, it will leave you falling far short of the standards and trade skills required to get into the industry. There are some fantastic vocational training courses out there. These courses will teach you all of the theory behind elements of the construction industry but they will also give you a chance to go out and use your skills in a real world environment. Tradesman courses are underrated, especially when all you hear is that A Levels are the only real way to educate yourself. However having a trade is so essential these days, and practical qualifications are the only way to get there.

Get your employer to sponsor you on a staff training course if you dont have the right qualifications. Everybody wins, you get a recognised qualification and your employer gets a much more diverse member of staff who will be able to enter the construction industry properly.

Get advice, do you know anyone in the construction industry? Speak to them, find out what they did to get where they are, and also find out from speaking to them if it really is the career for you. Ask them to give you an honest list of pros and cons.

Have faith in yourself, low self esteem has held many a person back from reach out to achieve their dream. You can do it if you put the work in. If the 21st Century is teaching us anything at all, its that absolutely anything is possible. You only one very short life, so dont let minor things get in your way.

Types of Services Offered by Construction Services

Types of Services Offered by Construction Services >

We all love our homes; we tend to spend thousands of dollars for construction or renovation of our house. Dedicated Americans love their family members so much they wanted them to feel comfortable whenever they are at home. These homeowners wanted to beautify the residence where they stay to allow their family member to be motivated and relaxed. That is the reason why most home owners don’t care spending time and money from construction. Construction industry in the states has become really massive through the years, different construction services El Paso TX offered services to their patrons to help them in their construction solution within their residence.

Before anything is sketched or anything is started, let us know about the types of services offered by a Construction Company and know if they would suit your remodeling, repair and construction need

Who needs construction companies?

Construction is the process of constructing or erecting a facility, residence or commercial areas into a land or lot. Almost all people need help from a construction company, from residential construction, commercial industries and industrial sector. They all need help from Construction Company to build their facilities. Also, construction companies are also responsible for repairs needed in specific facilities.

Types of Services

Estimating – before the blueprint is created, before the foundation is erected or even before concrete is poured, a general construction company can provide you with an accurate estimation on how much a certain project will cost. The estimation is a crucial service offered by all general construction companies to provide homeowners a clear view about the funds needed in a construction. This can determine between starting a job and cancelling it.

Design

Construction Company provides design services. Design-build is a common term among general contractor. This means that they would be responsible for the designing to building of the building. These contractors work with clients to design a building from the interior parts of it, plumbing, and electrical diagram and details along its facilities. In the design process, the general construction group will generally look and feel the project based on your specific needs, wants and budget. The contractor will provide necessary design to complete the project from your vision and based on design created by the client.

The best design plans not only include what can you see with your mind but also make the project as real as possible – the cost of the project as well as the reality given to the structure and the size of the property.

Building

Construction in a phase of the process where it includes from preparation such as excavating, the land and preparing the foundation, as well as the general build-out of the project. They would be responsible for the clearing of the property through the use of heavy machinery and utilization of subcontractors.

The phase also includes the freight of the materials and construction of all phases of the project. This phase is labor and cost intensive and would be relying on any number of variables that result in delays and overruns in the funds (shouldered by the customer). Other variables affecting the construction would include the weather, working with a diverse group of laborers from skilled to unskilled or any problems that may arise from the project.

Remodeling

Part of the construction phase would be remodeling and renovation of any specific purpose. A general contractor company can also be a remodeling company. From the demolition of the old area to the reconstruction of the facilities are responsibilities of a construction company. In residential construction remodeling are not limited to:
-Kitchen
-Bathroom
-Basement
-Garage
-Living Room

These are the general services offered by both general contractor and remodeling company. Many of the general responsibilities of the contractor do not end in here. If you wanted to know more about the services they offer, you may visit their website to see the available services they are providing.

Good Lunch Box For Construction Worker

A lunch box for construction workers should be sturdy enough to hold your food and drinks and the lunchbox can also be stylish while still looking masculine. For example, some lunch boxes are made of plate metal, while other lunchboxes look like a dome. Some lunchboxes look like attached briefcases.

Now that you purchased your lunchbox, you will need to put a healthy and hearty lunch in the box. The meals should not be too light but also not too heavy. The meal should consist of proteins, vegetables and whole grains along with a healthy snack and drink. Here are some lunch ideas for your box.

Hearty Soups

If it is a cool day, you can bring a hearty soup to work. One idea is to prepare a turkey noodle soup with some leftover turkey and egg noodles. In a medium pot place two cups of chicken broth along with three cups of vegetables, salt, black pepper, cayenne, chopped green onions, chopped cilantro and egg noodles. Another idea is to make a ham and tomato soup. In a medium pot place three cups of chicken broth, chopped yellow onions, two cups of tomatoes, green peas, and two cups of ham along with your favorite spices. Simmer over medium heat.

Fried Chicken

If you fried chicken the night before, this is a good thing to bring to work because you can eat it cold or hot. Some foods you can eat with the fried chicken include potato salad, cornbread, steamed vegetables, and brown rice with berries in it. Fried chicken is also a hearty meal that will keep you full for the remainder of the day.

Shrimp and Pasta Salad

Another idea of lunch for your lunch box for construction workers is shrimp and pasta salad. Shrimp and pasta go well together and you can use whole- wheat pasta for the salad. Instead of using high-calorie mayonnaise in the salad, use light basil vinaigrette and your favorite spices. Also include vegetables such as green peas, tomatoes.

Roast Beef Sandwiches

You can pack a roast beef sandwich on whole-grain bread for work. Put some jalapeno peppers on the sandwich along with Dijon mustard, red onions, spinach and Cheddar cheese. You can also pack some potato chips or fried vegetables with the sandwich.

Jambalaya

If you like Cajun cooking, you make jambalaya the night before and then you bring them to work with a vegetable salad. This meal is very filling and if you are a vegetarian, you should leave out the sausage. If you want to bring dessert, you can bring a praline.

Conclusion

These lunch ideas for your lunch box for construction workers are easy to fix and delicious at the same time. When you look for lunch ideas, think about your personal tastes and your health. If you are a diabetic, you want to choose foods that are low in sodium and sugar. Also avoid processed foods because these are high in calories. If you are looking for more Lunch boxes suitable for adults, get more information here!

Types of Masonry Construction, Characteristics and Common Uses

Types of Masonry Construction, Characteristics And Common Uses

Virtually, all buildings incorporate some type of masonry construction, whether it is a stone or concrete foundation, brick veneer walls, or terra cotta ornamentation. Preservation of these buildings requires a basic understanding of masonry types and their characteristics, technology and construction methodology, proper maintenance and conservation treatments.

Masonry is generally a highly durable form of construction. However, the quality of material used, together with the quality of the mortar and workmanship can strongly affect the durability of the overall masonry construction. Masonry is commonly used for the walls of buildings, retaining walls and monuments. Brick is the most common type of masonry and may be either load bearing or a veneer. Concrete Masonry Units (CMU’s) are made from concrete and are larger than ordinary bricks. CMU walls can be reinforced by filling the block voids with concrete and steel reinforcing bars. Typically, not all voids are filled, but rather those at corners, wall ends, adjacent to window and door openings, which increase wall strength and stability. Placement of steel reinforcement generally results in a CMU walls having much greater lateral and tensile strength than unreinforced walls.

The earliest material to be used was stone. It can be obtained in two ways: from natural outcroppings or scattered deposits, and by the process of quarrying. Most early buildings were constructed of stone readily available near the building site. Early stonemasons also were aware that certain stone types had more -weatherability- – able to withstand the effects of weather better than others – and they utilized each type in accordance with its properties. Stones may be laid up in their natural form, or broken and squared, or shaped, for the proper fit with other stones in the wall.

Quarrying, the industrial process of extracting stone from the earth requires substantial effort and technology. In this process, stone is drilled, blasted, fractured or cut from the quarry face, and then shaped and finished for use in construction.

Concrete masonry units (block and concrete brick are available in sizes, shapes, colors, textures, and profiles for practically every conceivable need and convenience in masonry construction. In addition, concrete masonry units may be used to create attractive patterns and designs to produce an almost unlimited range of architectural treatments of wall surfaces. The following are some more prominent uses:

Exterior load-bearing walls (below and above grade)

Interior load-bearing or non load bearing walls

Fire walls, party walls, curtain walls

Partitions, panel walls, solar screens

Backing for brick, stone, stucco, and other exterior facings

Veneer or nonstructural facing for wood, concrete, or masonry

Fire protection of structural steel members

Firesafe enclosures of stairwells, elevator shafts, storage vaults, or fire hazardous work areas

Piers, pilasters, columns

Bond beams, lintels, sills

Floor and roof systems

Retaining walls, slope protection, ornamental garden walls, and highway sound barriers

Chimneys and fireplaces

Catch basins, manholes, valve vaults

Paving and turf block

Solid brick masonry is made of two or more layers with the units running horizontally (called -stretcher- bricks) bound together with bricks running transverse to the wall (called -header- bricks). Each row of bricks is known as a course. The pattern of headers and stretchers employed gives to different bonds such as the common bond, with every sixth course composed of headers, the English bond, and the Flemish bond, with alternating stretcher and header bricks present on every course. There are no real significant utilitarian differences between most bonds, but the appearance of the finished walls is affected. Brickwork, like unreinforced concrete, has little tensile strength, and works by everything being kept in compression.

There are many brick laying patterns, the following are but a few:

Stack Bond The brick laying patterns described by this term are not structurally sound and are used only for decorative purposes. The stack bond is a run of stretchers with each stretcher stacked centered on the stretcher below it. All joints run vertically down the entire wall.

Running Bond brick laying patterns are a run of stretchers with each stretcher placed in the center of the stretcher below it. This pattern gives a reasonable amount of structural soundness.

English Bond is made up of alternating courses of stretchers and headers. This is the strongest bond for a one-brick thick wall.

Brick Terminology

Bat is a brick cut in half or quarter along the short face

Closer A queen closer is brick cut in half down the long face. They are used in corners of English or Flemish Bond.

Header Brick is laid in a wall, usually connecting two rows of a double wythe wall. The smallest end of the brick is horizontal, aligned with the surface of the wall and exposed to the weather.

Quoins are groups of brick that project slightly from the face of a wall at the corner of a building. The pattern often alternates with several courses projecting bricks, and several courses that are aligned with the wall. The pattern of projecting quoins often alternates with the brickwork on the other side of the corner.

Rowlock is a complete course of brick laid on its side, with the shortest end of the brick exposed and vertical. Commonly used on the top course as a coping for a garden wall.

Sailor Brick are laid on its end with the largest, broad face exposed.

Shiner Brick laid on edge like a sailor, but the broad face is set horizontally.

Soldier Brick often is a complete course of brick laid on end vertically, with the narrow side exposed in the face of the wall.

Wythe is a single vertical wall of brick.

Clay Brick vs. Concrete

The formula for brick making has not changed for hundreds of years. The primary ingredients are clays and shale. It is these ingredients that give natural brick its colors and hue.

The natural color of concrete is gray. In order to give concrete bricks color, additives are necessary to create the variety of colors. Weather and the ultraviolet rays of the sun can cause concrete bricks to fade over time.

Concrete bricks have a tendency to shrink. During the concrete curing process, if the bricks are not properly cured prior to being delivered to the jobsite, shrinking and cracking will appear at the mortar joints and can allow water to enter the wall cavity.

According to a recent survey of architects, designers, engineers, and environmental planners and managers conducted by the Portland Cement Association (PCA), 77 percent chose concrete as a sustainable material. Overall, respondents ranked concrete favorably for its energy efficiency, durability and reduced maintenance. Over 500 individuals participated in the blind survey presented in an Internet survey form by a third party web host.

According to PCA President, -buildings with exterior concrete walls utilize less energy to heat and cool than similarly insulated buildings with wood or steel frame walls-. Additionally, -the superior insulation, air tightness, and mass of the walls can reduce energy for heating and cooling by up to 40%.

Alan Trauger is a Building Consultant that performs property condition assessments for residential and commercial properties. An experienced and knowledgeable problem solver, understanding processes and issues related to building structures and their systems. An expert witness, trainer, and educator. To review Authors Bio, qualifications, and interest in receiving future email newsletters http://www.alantrauger.com

To learn more about how your real estate tax assessment is prepared and how to appeal your property taxes. Property Tax Reduction Manual