Archive for May, 2010
It s all acting, it s all hacking and, it s all sales
8
I think looking at life through the lens of what we do comes pretty naturally to us. When I first started to get acquainted with tools, a whole lot of things began to make sense. I translated the hammer in my hand to any number of jobs in this world, and I realized it was all about tools. [ . . . ]
Pam Hinton :: What Makes Timber Framing Sustainable?
2May 27, 2010
The sustainable movement is like a tidal wave that is bringing change to how we live and how we do business. This has spurred a surge of interest from clients and their architects and designers to incorporate 'green' elements and techniques into their timber frame projects. The sustainable nature of timber framing is not always readily apparent to them but it is actually one of the most sustainable building methodologies available on the marketplace. Key to that sustainability is looking at timber framing as a holistic process that begins with a good, solid, complete design and carries through the selection of wood to finishing the project.
So what is sustainable about timber framing? It all starts with the wood. [ . . . ]
Shooting from the Hip, or is that Shooting Yourself in the Foot
4May 27, 2010
by Holly Bertsch
in business
Now let me tell you a little bit about my friend Jim. Jim never writes contracts. He shoots from the hip when he bids jobs, if he even bothers to bid them at all. He usually just works by the hour and makes the homeowners buy the materials for their jobs. He doesn't plan anything. He will make multiple trips to the store every day, because he fails to organize. Don't get me wrong, he does really great work. He is just not all there when it comes to the business part of running a renovation. [ . . . ]
A Signature Piece :: On Signing Work by j.bernard
13
Now, I know for myself these types of sightings almost invariably cause me to pause. Hmmm," I wonder, "Should I maybe think about leaving something a little extra behind . . . when I go to re-install this trim?" You know . . . something to say, "Kilroy was Here." But that, of course, would simply be, well . . . silly. It would need to say something, instead, like -- "jb was here." And with equal certainty, I almost always forget . . . when the time for re-install arrives. [ . . . ]
I’ll Take the Extreme Makeover; Hold the Tears
4May 25, 2010
by Holly Bertsch
in On the Job
We used to do a lot of whole house remodels before the market tanked. These are usually homes that the homeowner wants to move into, but that need some major changes first. This one I am working on for example is a complete kitchen gut, bathroom gut, and all hardwood throughout the house, new fireplace and new tiles in the sun porch. It also includes all new windows and refinished trim. It is going to be a big job, and I finally get to bring my guys to work. All of them, for a change! [ . . . ]
