Real Estate Investing Advice & Information

A pre construction condo is a unit that has been offered by a builder, yet has not been actually built yet. This process has proven to be an excellent investment with the concept that you are buying a property for tomorrow at today’s price. This practice is a win-win situation for buyer and builder alike.

The basics of the process can only be described as ingenious! Although there are some differences in how each transaction is handled, the basic idea remains the same. There are a few steps involved, but when followed with a keen eye, the buyer and builder can expect nothing but success.

The first step is to come to a reservation agreement so that the unit is reserved and a down payment is agreed upon. Usually the builder can reserve the right to alter the price within the contract with the buyer having the right to cancel the contract and receive full refund. continue reading…

The exact origin and time of when man began working with metal is unknown, but there is no question that this monumental discovery has constantly held an extremely important place in human society. Rudimentary metalworking emerged during the earliest civilizations with the discovery of seven primary metals: gold, silver, mercury, copper, lead, tin and iron. These metals were used for decorative pieces such as jewelry and religious relics, as well as for more functional uses such as tools, currency and weapons. Using heat and tools, early metalworkers began crafting many of the objects that we could not imagine living without today. Over time, metal work became increasingly advanced and gained value in society.

Today metals and metal alloys (the combination of two or more metals) are fabricated for use in virtually every commercial industry. Metal fabrication has played pivotal roles in the advancements of technology, transportation, agriculture and construction. In general terms, metal fabrication refers to any activity involving the construction of machines and equipment from raw materials. Fabrication businesses, or “fab shops,” typically perform metal preparation, welding and assembly. The term “machine shop” refers to a business that specializes more specifically in the cutting, shaping and assembly of machine parts. Many businesses today fall under both of these categories and offer fabrication and machining services.

Examples of work done by fab shops and machine shops are the construction of structural frames, miscellaneous metals for building finishes such as stair railings, and ornamental pieces such as iron driveway gates. For large construction projects, metal fabricators generally go through a bidding process and are then awarded the job by contractors. For a metal fabrication project, there are six primary steps: engineering, cutting and burning, forming, machining, welding and assembly. continue reading…

When I first started working in the construction business, in 1978 it seemed like everyone drank alcohol on the job. These people seem to function pretty good, even though some of them were definitely under the influence of alcohol.

When I look back at all the people that I knew, who had problems with alcohol and worked in the construction industry, I can’t honestly say that there was any accidents that were alcohol related. There were plenty of people that didn’t show up the next day or showed up late, because they tied one on the night before, but I don’t remember an accident that was caused directly from the use of alcohol.

Make no mistake, alcohol doesn’t mix well in the construction business unless you’re talking to your friend about construction while you’re watching TV and you’re not planning on going anywhere. This seems to be about the extent of our alcohol and construction co-mingling with very little problems. continue reading…

Post construction clean up? It’s the last phase of construction that takes place on a project or “job site”, right before the owners take over the property. You might say that construction clean up companies are the last people on the totum pole to be considered during the actual process of construction as they are somewhat belittled to the status of Janitors & Laborers.

However, post construction clean up is a BIG business! There are lots of little “mom and pop” shops all the way up to mid and large sized, well established companies that cover large regions of the US and can handle any type of project all the way from little retail tenant improvements on up to c, affordable housing and federal prevailing wage jobs that cost millions of dollars.

One thing you might want to watch out for when looking into post construction clean up companies is whether or not they offer fair pricing across the board for all types of construction projects. Some clean up companies offer low pricing on small jobs but raise the rates considerably on jobs that are worth more to the General Contractors. This way of doing business is unethical and many companies that operate in this manner tend to get projects at one price but later slam the GC with change orders that screw up accounting. continue reading…

Construction Safety Management Plans (CSMP) must be specific to the organization and to the project, in other words you cannot have a generic CSMP; they will not be accepted by OSHA inspectors when they visit and audit your worksite.

Experience has shown that the best written CSMP are those prepared with consultation of key players of the delivery team ie coalface staff and first line management (work supervisors, team leaders and employees). Employees take ownership of the CSMP written in consultation with them and embrace them much more at the time of implementation.

Furthermore, the CSMP must reflect your organization and current work practices and not someone else work methods. What I mean is that when you write up your Construction Safety Management Plans, it must be written around your current work practices and the way you run your business. For example, for excavation works each organization may have its own way of doing the activity and some may use different type of equipment.

In this regard, you and only you know your own organization and the methods of work to deliver your projects, you know your costs, equipment and resources available and to comply with OSHA requirements you can always tailor your CSMP around your organization needs. continue reading…

When I first started working in the construction business, in 1978 it seemed like everyone drank alcohol on the job. These people seem to function pretty good, even though some of them were definitely under the influence of alcohol.

When I look back at all the people that I knew, who had problems with alcohol and worked in the construction industry, I can’t honestly say that there was any accidents that were alcohol related. There were plenty of people that didn’t show up the next day or showed up late, because they tied one on the night before, but I don’t remember an accident that was caused directly from the use of alcohol.

Make no mistake, alcohol doesn’t mix well in the construction business unless you’re talking to your friend about construction while you’re watching TV and you’re not planning on going anywhere. This seems to be about the extent of our alcohol and construction co-mingling with very little problems. continue reading…

Construction Safety Management Plans (CSMP) must be specific to the organization and to the project, in other words you cannot have a generic CSMP; they will not be accepted by OSHA inspectors when they visit and audit your worksite.

Experience has shown that the best written CSMP are those prepared with consultation of key players of the delivery team ie coalface staff and first line management (work supervisors, team leaders and employees). Employees take ownership of the CSMP written in consultation with them and embrace them much more at the time of implementation.

Furthermore, the CSMP must reflect your organization and current work practices and not someone else work methods. What I mean is that when you write up your Construction Safety Management Plans, it must be written around your current work practices and the way you run your business. For example, for excavation works each organization may have its own way of doing the activity and some may use different type of equipment.

In this regard, you and only you know your own organization and the methods of work to deliver your projects, you know your costs, equipment and resources available and to comply with OSHA requirements you can always tailor your CSMP around your organization needs. continue reading…

Modern construction methods are extremely efficient and safe. Many homeowners and renters enjoy the protection from the weather and the hazards that run through nearly every home, with near complete immunity. The most frequent criticism of modern construction that many people have is that the materials and substances that go into creating the modern home are harmful to the environment, and sometimes the occupants.

There are many ways to limit the risk and harm that people can be exposed to with modern construction methods and one is to use ecologically friendly construction means, as called “green construction”. Green construction is essentially the endeavor to use material that will not emit chemicals or substances that are harmful to the environment or life. One of these green construction methods is called “cord wood” construction or stack wall construction.

Cord wood construction is basically using firewood that is cut to a specified dimension as fill for a mortar supported wall. Think of it like this, instead of using bricks, you use wood. Cord wood walls vary in thickness from 8 to about 16 inches depending on the weather conditions prevalent in the area. In colder areas, a thicker wall helps insulate from the cold, but where the cold is not as big a concern your resources can be used in a more frugal manner by making 8 inch walls. continue reading…

Are you building a new house? Maybe you’re working with a builder to customize a spec house for you? Or perhaps you’re just beginning to think about building and are researching the process. If so, then this information can save you tons of cash and it could also be the reason you are the first person you know who goes through the custom home construction process stress free and ends up totally happy with the final result.

We’ve all heard of check lists and their benefits and yet still many, if not most, builders do not use them. Even when they do, they rarely share them with the homeowner, simply using them as an internal “tool” to keep track of workers or sub-contractors and what work needs to be done. I’ve met builders, well experienced builders who use check lists for some basics and yet they do not bother to share them with the homeowner. Oftentimes even those who do use them fall short of having enough detail on the lists as they are set up from the builders perspective and only address the things that are important to themselves, not necessarily the same priorities that are important to the homeowner.

I’ve heard thousands of horror stories over the years, here’s just one example: The builder installed the “upgrade” whirlpool tub into a tub deck with the faucets located front and center – there was no room to step into the tub without having to step over or around the faucets. This may not be a problem for some people, but what if you have a family member who is not so agile, this could be a huge problem and can definitely affect resale. The builders position is “Well that’s where we always put the faucets in our spec houses.” Yet if there had been discussion, supported by a documented check list and diagram, regarding the placement of the faucets there is no question what the resolution is and who should bear the cost of the replacement or switch. Remember too that change orders are a huge profit center for builders and a guaranteed budget buster for homeowners. continue reading…

Here is a chronological order of how school buildings are often built:

• An architect is hired or already retained by the school district to draw up plans for a building project based on the district wishes.
• A cost estimate is formulated.
• Money to build is made available be it by a bond issue, private, or grant monies.
• The architect brings the plans to a school board meeting for approval.
• The school board approves the plans and authorizes the architect to receive bids for the next monthly meeting.
• At the following monthly board meeting the low bid is approved and ground breaking is announced.
• The building is built.
• The staff has to move in and deal with the building ‘as built’. continue reading…