Under the Radar

As a professional residential remodeler, I feel that it is my job to ensure that all of the other remodelers are playing by the same set of rules. So when I see a project that requires proper permits to accomplish, naturally I get nosy. It is not that I am the only one that is qualified to do the work, but there are folks that have no business doing intricate structural projects, or those jobs in the historic district, without the proper approvals.

That being said, I noticed a fairly involved remodeling project occurring in the neighborhood without a sign indicating that it might be another remodeler attempting to do a project “under the radar” so to speak. Of course, I checked to make sure that a permit was taken out. I noticed several trucks with out of county license plates, so I figured it was just a couple of friends doing the work. To my surprise, there was a permit. The project involved bearing walls and a rather substantial addition on a pre 1978 home. When I asked which contractor was doing the work, it became obvious what was happening.

Boise City

The home owner had taken out the permit. Stunned, I got to thinking: in whose best interest is it to have the home owner take out the permit?

This is not the typical situation That we have seen over the years, where a “trunk slammer” handyman that gets the work for cheap and never even gets a permit. This is a new twist and a seriously disturbing case. First off, it minimizes the importance of the remodeling profession. It also opens up the home owner to a boatload of potential problems that I am sure are underappreciated by all parties.

Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

• Can you represent yourself in a court of law? Yup. Is it a wise move? Who knows? If you win, you might say so.

• Can you read about how to surgically remove an appendix? Are you prohibited from taking your own out? Nope, Is it a wise move? I suppose if you survive without complications you would save a bunch of money.

• Take home birth, however. What could go wrong? It is a game of odds, I suppose. I have delivered lots of healthy babies, and there were minor complications, that I dealt with. Despite that fact, I chose to not take a chance on my own children.

So why not remodel your own home?

BENEFIT

1. 

   Building Permit

   You get to save a few bucks, because there is no markup on materials or labor.

2. You are ultimately responsibility or the quality of the project yourself.
3. You have no one else to blame if something goes wrong.
4. Everyone is an hourly laborer, so you can yell at them when they go to the bathroom for too long or are taking excessive cigarette breaks.
5. You can fire the lazy ones and just hire other people when you want.
6. The permit cost is the same whether you are a contractor or home owner
7. It may have taken longer, but getting an architect to draw the the plans will be comparable.
8. Your time getting the permit is free. Or is it?
9. You as a home owner are not responsible for doing LSWP (lead safe work practices) and can easily con some guys into taking the risk.

PITFALLS

Framing

In a recent case, I took over for an owner that had hired a masonry contractor who was working beyond his capabilities and was about to do something that made no sense to the owner. He was fired and I was hired to complete the work. There was additional cost involved and a wasted several weeks not to mention the confrontation and the anxiety.

• The home owner most likely had no lead testing done. Odds are that the home that is leaded will be remodeled the old fashioned way and poisoning the family and workers will be a crap shoot.
• This does not exempt the workers from being responsible for taking all the same lead safe work practices that I have to take. If there is any compensation, you must be a lead safe firm and have at least one lead safe certified worker as well as document the lead safe work practices and do clean verification.
• There is no general contractor, so they most likely just hired some guys that build homes to come do the work for an hourly wage.
• One of my clients had a heart attack doing this (fortunately it was a small one)
• There is no contract so if anything goes wrong there is a enormous liability to the owner.
• There is no schedule, so it is anyone’s guess as to what is happening. There is  a fairly steep learning curve as to when required inspections are due, but with some help it can be done. The inspectors are reasonably helpful in this area. It is the ones that don’t have inspections that are at a greater risk.
• Ordering time sensitive materials can be a problem, but with some planning ahead it can be done.
• Once the place is framed in and sheeted anything on the inside can be done be a handful of other subcontractors out of the phone book. And before you know it, you have completed your first remodeling project.

Here is my take on why this is happening: money is tight, so why pay someone like me to do anything? If cost was not an issue, sure, have the work done by a professional.

RISK

How Much Risk Do You Want?

Those of you that are risk adverse should not consider this. Here are some of the real life concerns that I have:

1. None of the carpenters have workman’s compensation insurance. If one falls from the roof of cuts a hand off. Who are they going to go after?
2. Say one of the subcontractors who you pay decides not to pay their concrete bill for instance. Who is going to get the bill?
3. Say they cut into a water line and flood your home? Who is responsible for that?
4. Say the roof is done, you’ve saved some money, and the guy seemed really nice, but the roof leaks into your nice new room. So you call the roofer and they say it is the framers fault, who is responsible for that?
5. Say that a year from now, the addition starts to sink into the earth and the doors don’t fit right anymore.

The point is that I can go on and on. Is the up side of flying under the radar really worth it?

Disclaimer: Some of these images came from the WEB. If they are yours, and you object to them being used, please claim them and I will gladly remove and replace them at once.

Multigenerational Living

There is a time in most of our lives where a decision needs to be made about elder care. My (state the relationship) wants to stay in their home and avoid the retirement home, convalescent facility, or old folks home you know, the raisin ranch.

This is a common question that keeps coming up during my one hour clients meetings, and in the media regularly.

What we are dedicated to, is understanding the aging process and infusing intelligent design into our projects. When you do the math it is an obvious choice. Upgrading your home is cheap compared to living in a facility. The art in this type of remodeling project dwells in producing projects that to do the work without ruining the resale value.

The other huge group of folks that are in need are those with issues related to acute injury or chronic illness rehabilitation. If you could recuperate better at home, everyone I know would prefer that. Often it is all about making some subtle changes around the bathroom and the kitchen that will make all the difference.

Universal Remodeling is something that will benefit everyone.

My Grandpa & Grandma

The “Cradle to Grave” concept of UD a worldwide movement based on the idea that all residential environments and products should be easily used and accessed by all members of the family, regardless of their age, size, or physical abilities throughout their life span.

According to AARP “The majority of people prefer to stay in their home as they age”

Mufti-Generational Housing. As housing prices increase it is becoming more of a necessity rather than an option.

As I was growing up mt Grandma Fortune Levitch “Tuni” lived with us after several of her hip replacement’s. That time together made a very powerful positive impression in my life. In talking with friends, that was a common occurrence a generation ago, and still is all over the world.

Let’ face it, I believe that our home should be adaptable to the needs of our family changes in our lives. Moving is always an option but not necessarily the most practical one. With our new mobility the entire concept of living in the same village for life is a thing of the past. Our lives have changed dramatically, our life expectancies have increased as well.

The best example of UD according to my instructor is the luggage with wheels. Folks of all ages us them now rather than schlepping the luggage in you arms everyone from children to grandmas have gone to the wheeled units.

Our Universal Design Logo

Here are a few examples of some UD things I have done so far:

• I added a thermostats to John and Eileen’s home. They had a simple thermostat that didn’t work. They couldn’t see it anymore. Going digital for them was a big deal. A setback thermostat in my in laws house is left on hold all the time.
• Right height or comfort height toilets,
• Proper height of counter tops
• Recommending safe well designed stoves.
• Lever door handles
• Larger door openings
• Space for landing things adjacent to stoves and refrigerators.
• Counter depth refrigerators.
• Swing up appliance shelving.
• Solar tubes & Skylights
• Plenty of space between islands and fixed wall counters
• Lots of lighting, including under counter, and up lighting too some some cases.

As far as adaptive technology, a division of UD. Examples include a fold down bench in the shower or an extension I made for for my kids to use their light switch it was a pole with a metal loop. It gave them the ability to control their own lighting and it was wall received.

This is still a blossoming field of study. Frustrations of a universal remote. are they really easy to use and understand by all generations. Cell phones for the older generation include large numbers for pushing buttons.

Let’s face it some things can not be made easy for everyone with special needs but what progress has been made is significant.

Your comments are welcome. To ask questions or get more information about remodeling, email me directly or visit our contact page.

Disclaimer: Some of these images came from the WEB. If they are yours, and you object to them being used, please claim them and I will gladly remove and replace them at once.

Front Porch

The Challenge:

This is a home across from the Boise Co-op, deep in the historic North End District. The challenge was to create a separate entrance from the triplex, and provide an entry/mudroom to buffer the noise and headlights from the market that were shining into the home. Any alteration of the front facade of a home in this district requires permission from the Historic Commission, and must meet strict specific national historic guidelines.

The Idea:

Demolish the 1970′s porch and enclose it, relocating the front door to improve security. We wanted to create a functional space that compliments the historic home while creating a noise and light buffer. The key was to  still allow natural light to enter the home.

The Solution:

We came up with a great design after locating an old images of the home in the 1950′s. We then produced renderings. Our case was an uphill battle and we had to argue the merits of the plan multiple times before the commission and city council. We were able to create a convincing enough argument to be allowed to complete the project.

The Details:

Custom arched Anderson window. Hardwood floors, marble tile inlay, re-purposed front door, harmonizing stucco, arched entry and portico

Investment Range: $34,000

Time Frame: 9 weeks

All Painters are not Alike

A wise painter, Wayne Mayo once told me, ” My job, as a painter, is to make YOUR work look great!”  This “Mayo Credo” is so true that I can’t emphasize it enough. Any painter that thinks otherwise is in the wrong business. I refuse to let a homeowner give me anything but praise for the fantastic paint job.

A homeowner recently told me that if that was the quality of workmanship he received…he  would have rather painted it himself. That painter no longer works for me. I just had to rip out and replace perfectly good trim work because of a poor paint job. That painter no longer works for me. Seven scratched windows. That painter doesn’t work for me. What the hell else can go wrong?

There are so many variables that go into painting that I just don’t do it in house any longer. We use the top of the line paint from whichever vendor we use, always specify top of the line primer as well, then two coats of finish color.

Should we spray? Or roll? Or both? This is part of the painter’s domain. I expect them to know this stuff. I don’t want to get involved with how the sausage is made! I want great results for a fair price in a timely fashion. Safety and cleanliness are also part of the painter’s purview.  A messy painter is like a sloppy surgeon: useless to me, sadly they do exist.

In my opinion, there are two types of painters, those that love to paint, are continuously learning and practicing their art. Conversely, there are those that paint because they can’t do anything else.

The goofy thing is that until you get experience with both of them and see what they produce, you can’t tell the difference. This is because they all boast about how hard they work, how great they are, bla… bla… bla. Unfortunately, trial and error is the only method I know of that works.

The hand holding factor drives me crazy. Can I get an advance on my paint? I don’t have credit at the paint store, can I use your account? I’m done, can I come by and get my check? Can you write it now?  My wife needs… my truck needs a … I have to go to the dentist… ENOUGH.

The painting industry has flipped on its ear since the RRP rule went into effect. The lead paint rules have split the industry into three distinct groups.

1. Those that work on older homes ( pre – 1978)
2. Those that can’t legally. ( Not RRP certified or certified firm)
3. Those that aren’t allowed to but still do. ( They pretend the RRP rule isn’t for them).

I Love My Painter

Levco takes the RRP rule seriously. That being said, the painting parts make sense and we understand that there are parts that are onerous as well as painful to follow. It doesn’t matter,  we expect everyone to follow the rules. The sad part is that I have found that leaded work is done at a premium. The sky is the limit, as far as I can tell. The fear of being caught has caused some certified RRP firms to go crazy and balloon prices.

Frustration and aggravation were driving me to desperate measures until I got a great referral.

To my amazement, I just located the perfect fit. I say that because I now have the right guy for the job. He gets the “Mayo Credo” He understands that his job is to make my work look great! You win my admiration and everlasting praise. Mess with it, and you are going down.

WA-HOO! Finally a painter that does “Levco quality” work. You would think that I had ridiculously high expectations. well perhaps I do, why shouldn’t I? The value of a great paint job is hard to put a price tag on. It is a huge component of a lasting impression. Let the other contractors use the other guys, I love my painter.

Your comments are welcome. To ask questions or get more information about remodeling, email me directly or visit our contact page.

Disclaimer: Some of these images came from the WEB. If they are yours, and you object to them being used, please claim them and I will gladly remove and replace them at once.

Objects May be Closer Than They Look

Through my association with Boise Schools’ Adult Education program called Community Education, I have had the honor of speaking with a group I call the “Veterans of Remodeling Projects” The VRP, much like the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars), gather regularly to reflect on what they have been through together. The VRP needed a support group. I listened and they vented.

Threads of complaints articulated a colorful montage of trials and tribulations that illustrated many of the most common pitfalls of the remodeling process. As if on cue, they all agreed that they eventually got their projects completed, though not necessarily with the original contractor. It was that the process was marred by unforeseen problems. Oh, if only for hindsight.

It reminds me of having a pair of state of the art night vision goggles to use when flying at night. Now and then I flip them up and wonder what the hell I was doing for all those years without them.

Oy

The good news is that you don’t have to be a VRP to get some accumulated wisdom from those who have gone before you. There is help, and it is all around you for the asking. I have written a wonderful booklet on selecting a remodeler that is free for anyone who requests a copy. The booklet covers many of the common positive traits a great contractor will have, and applies all over the country. (It has yet to be translated into foreign languages). You may request one on the Levco Contact Us page.

I have also created a vibrant social network dedicated to sharing my wisdom, which encourages folks to ask questions and share insights into the process of remodeling. It also provides some third party suggestions about resolving issues that arise during the heat of a project.

So, in hindsight, we all wish that we had the ability to anticipate problems that crop up. Here are some of the key points I have gleaned that will help you avoid most of the biggies.

Several Tips to Avoid Pitfalls

1. Have a clear and concise DOW along with a thorough remodeling agreement that spells out the responsibilities of each party.
2. Having a clear and unambiguous Change Order procedure is super important.
3. Nowadays, there are many ways to communicate regularly pick the one or two that works best.
4. Make sure that both you can and your contractor can be reached in the manner that each of you prefer for the appropriate urgency.
5. Have a payment plan that uses milestones rather than percentage of completion.
6. Make sure you have a good set of plans that covers all areas that are to be addressed.
7. Make sure you have a schedule to look at and discuss, ensure it stays updated regularly.
8. If you are doing a Cost Plus Contract ( which I do not recommend), keep on top of your costs or they will run amuck.

In closing, be a savvy shopper, and choose your contractor wisely. Realize that even the best remodeling contractor can wind up in a disagreement with you. It is how you resolve it together and move on that punctuates the project. My belief is that the highest level of client satisfaction can only be reached through having a conflict resolved satisfactorily.

Your comments are welcome. To ask questions or get more information about remodeling email me directly or visit our contact page.

Disclaimer: Some of these images came from the WEB. If they are yours, and you object to them being used, please claim them and I will gladly remove and replace them at once

Our Sustainable Logo

Earth Day 2012 has me reflecting upon our green habits. It all boils down to “Sustainability.”  I believe it is the root of the green movement. This is what it means to us. It is environmental for sure, from a conserving natural resources perspective, such as leaving bare earth exposed and living in homes that have a reasonable footprint.

Sustainability also incorporates economic and social realities for instance making sure that we remain a viable vital business that creates employment in our civil society and local community, and creating enough wealth to pay the bills and have some left over for growth. It means being responsible to our clients and the less fortunate among us. It also resonates in my approach to remodeling in general.

As I stand Levco up against the sustainability yard stick, here is what I see we are doing to do our part.

• Using as little energy as possible.
• Reusing materials or removed items.
• Stipulating low VOC paints and products.
• Volunteering.
• Separating loads to the landfill.
• Steering clients into greener products.
• Repurposing as much as possible.
• Using temporary laborers when appropriate.
• Taking excess chemicals to the toxic waste disposal site.
• Recycling excess materials.
• Finally, not wasting or over consuming.

We are always looking for ways to be clever users of our natural resources and  good stewards of what the earth has provided. I read a disturbing article in Time Magazine a few weeks ago about the habits of the Y generation, and their propensity to recycle less than the boomers.

The Sawtooth Range

I suppose my high altitude look on the issue is that I am teaching my kids and employees to be conscious of the environment and their effect upon it. There are many measuring sticks that can be employed, like carbon foot print.

Some examples of practicing what I preach.

• I just delivered 2 salvaged metal window surrounds to a client who had a need for them.
• I delivered several appliances to the Idaho Youth ranch.
• I made shadow boxes out of removed windows.
• Volunteering for a project at the Boys & Girls club
• I found a used sink and installed it.
• I’ve salvaged unusual lumber to reuse elsewhere.
• I bought and installed a used water/energy saving dishwasher that required minor repairs but had little retail value
• We support Sustainable Futures  a glass recycling organization, and so much more .

I will continue to explore my thoughts on this subject and try to explain how I, as a residential remodeler in Boise, Idaho can inject sustainability and investment into green/renewable technologies and materials into my projects and still make sense to  my clients because it is obviously not intuitive to everyone.

Your comments are welcome. To ask questions or get more information about remodeling, email me directly or visit our contact page.

The Challenge:

Finished Egress

This was a 1960 home that was built well with foundations that were formed on both sides. The owner wanted to have his kids live in the basement but was worried about not having a way out in the event of an emergency. He also wanted the advantage of adding more natural light. The existing windows were placed very high, above the ceiling. Doing both windows at the same time saved our client $500.

The Idea:

Use the existing window width and extend down at the same width to achieve an egress qualified opening.

The Solution:

We found a way to use casement windows to extend low enough to meet all of the requirements and used 5′ deep metal surrounds to keep cost down as well as reflect light. Ladders were installed as part of the requirement.

The Details:

We found lots of clay to dig through. We waterproofed with a tar emulsion and used a sheet drain. The window was a tan vinyl double pane gridded low-e casement style with a double lock system and screens. The interior was left unfinished.

Investment Range $5,500

Time Frame 2 weeks

Happy in Sign

At a recent client visit, I was sharing a glass of wine and rehashing the project when I was asked a direct question that had my clients wondering: why I do like to remodel? The implication was that it is extremely difficult and challenging. They figured that there were plenty of other things a talented guy like me could be doing with my life.

The question was born out of the not so faded memories of the hardships and the tumultuous journey in remodeling their home.

I was sitting in the kitchen that we had just finished and was beaming with pride. Their home had turned out just how they had envisioned it.

We stuck it out and finished the project. We dealt with challenges, adversity, surprises and delays. We communicated pretty darn well, but there is always room for improvement.

We made some mistakes and had to fix them, we had our share of unexpectedly bad subcontractor behavior, yet in spite of it all, we completed a complicated  project with my dignity intact and a fabulously finished space.

The Art of Remodeling

Remodeling to me is an opportunity to improve someone’s living space together.

Remodeling takes many shapes, and a wide variety of sizes. The concept is all the same, it is a basic human trait that emanates from the need to improve what is around us.

1. I realized long ago that I had a special talent to extract from others what they want their home to be like, and then to create what we envisioned through communicating with the client and the trades people that do the work.
2. I discovered that people find this talent valuable and eagerly invite me and my team into their homes and trust me implicitly, which I treasure.
3. I derive tremendous pride and have a passion to do it right. I liken it to a writer that finishes a manuscript. What once was blank paper and an idea, comes to life in a story for all to read, and gets fabulous reviews for years to come.

The Wild Yeast

I feel my life is being lived in a rich and fulfilling way. I am able to make a living doing both of the things that I love in life. I surround myself with others that enjoy doing the same thing and, before you know it, work becomes fun. Problems, rather than becoming obstacles, turn into opportunities to teach us and learn from.

The Batards are Ready

I expect that every project I do will lead to referrals.

• Each new project is like a request to bring out my well cared for sourdough starter.
• What started as wild yeast flour and water when used properly, gives a little to each loaf and takes something to be used in the next.
• Each project we complete is like creating a new loaf with the overtones of the last: chock full of the richness and earthy crust, a moist crumb, healthy tough tear, and a fragrance that takes me back to my childhood.

With persistence, I expect it will keep me busy being creative for years to come.

Your comments are welcome. To ask questions or get more information about remodeling, email me directly or visit our contact page.

Disclaimer: Some of these images came from the WEB. If they are yours, and you object to them being used, please claim them and I will gladly remove and replace them at once.

Caution, Warning

Late one Saturday afternoon I received a call from a homeowner that had just fired his contractor. My first thought was :

Danger-Danger!!!   yellow flags     Warning- Warning!!!

He wanted to hire me to finish things up. It turns out he had fired his carpenter which is an entirely different thing.

This doesn’t happen very often and being a contractor myself I was worried that there was a difficult client rather than an incompetent general contractor at the root of the problem.

Turns out the client was right and the carpenter was having all sorts of problems that made it reasonable to take over the project.

1. Chief among the problems was that they were not showing up.
2. The carpenter was used to working for a contractor and had no idea about what being a general contractor is all about.
3. They were giving bad advice that didn’t make sense to the client’s “common sense”

The best part about things is that the client and his contractor parted on amicable terms.

When I arrived I found a bathroom update project that was on the verge of going sideways and was easily altered to create a great finished project.

The root of the issue was that the owner decided to be his own general contractor and had depended upon others to work out the plan to begin with.

He was a veteran of a major remodel and it seemed like a fairly straight forward project. No walls to move, no stairways to build, or anything too complicated. His trades people were doing their thing but there was no leader. In a leaderless environment, everyone does what they think they should do causing commotion, confusion and a bad result.

As I have said in past articles, I applaud homeowners who call individual subcontractors to fix problems associated with their specialties IE: a Plumber to fix a faucet, or an Electrician to fix a switch.

“When it comes to several trades working together to accomplish a goal it is time to call a general contractor.”

Tools of the General Contractor

Here is what I as a General Contractor bring to the table:

1. Experience. This comes from making lots of mistakes over the years and learning from them.
2. Talent. This comes from assembling a group of talented employees that, like fairies and elves, make a lot of work seem like a little.
3. Credentials. Licenses, registrations, certifications, and insurance.
4. Subcontractors. these are the trades people that work well with the general contractor, have a relationship and communicate well together. They also guarantee their work.
5. Relationships. With vendors and subcontractors that get results.
6. Trust. This is the key to the relationship. Trust will ensure a great project.
7. A secondary guarantee. This means that it is the general contractors guarantee also covers the subcontractors work.
8. Organization. This comes from creating a structure, systems, and documentation that handle these sorts of projects year in and year out.
9. Knowing the law and having a contract. It is the general contractors responsibility to make sure the codes are followed to ensure a safe project is being done in your home.
10. Piece of mind. When I as a general contractor say “I’ve got it”, by golly that is what I mean.

At Levco Builders LLC. we are general contractors that specialize in remodeling in and around the Boise Idaho area. It is what sets us apart in the region. We make adding on to your home or upgrading it an enjoyable, collaborative, journey. Get rid of your general contractor phobias, let us show you what a great remodeling experience can be like. 

Your comments are welcome. To ask questions or get more information about remodeling, email me directly or visit our contact page.

Favorite Plum Tree

During a brief few hours the other day, I could have  sworn it was spring. There was a real sense of warmth and I could feel the heat radiating on my face. I even caught a whiff of a floral scent from the favorite fruit bearing plum tree that I parked next to.

I was able to admire a few daffodils and the forsythia was a brilliant yellow too.

It got me thinking about living in a place that experiences all four seasons. Honestly, it seems like winters and summers dominate our part of the country, but growing up in the bay area, I had to develop an appreciation.

Naturally, I began catching up on some home improvement projects of my own including raking up the yard and replacing a faulty bathroom faucet that was beyond a washer repair.

Forsythia

Here are a few of the springtime projects that are worth looking at.

• Cleaning out gutters ( a necessary evil when trees are around)
• Verifying sprinkler system status (broken heads can do lots of damage)
• Changing out HVAC air filters.  (A clogged system is wasteful)
• Opening up foundation vents ( let your crawl space breath)
• Repairing leaks and running toilets (Water adds up quickly)
• Hoses and supply lines (If you have to ask, the answer is yes)
• Inline water filters (not all places have them)
• Look at the roof (we now have a 2 roof maximum till tear off)

I get the feeling that, like me, many of us are getting up the nerve to make that call to a contractor to see about improving our living spaces.

Look it over and make a plan

Look at your kitchen. Look at your bathrooms. Do a physical inventory of your home and spaces. Look inside and out, on top and underneath. Keep a watchful eye.

Hint, (think like water)

Unlike a fine wine that gets better with age, our homes, toys, and systems deteriorate with the passing of each season.

Plan, prioritize, and budget for the repairs. What is on your list? Whether you fix it yourself or have others do it, please don’t wait until it is an emergency. Trust me, nothing good comes from procrastinating until a failure occurs.

Your comments are welcome. To ask questions or get more information about remodeling, email me directly or visit our contact page.

Disclaimer: Some of these images came from the WEB. If they are yours, and you object to them being used, please claim them and I will gladly remove and replace them at once.

Finished Kitchen

The Challenge:

This is a home on a hillside in Boise’s North Endthat had a bathroom between the tight kitchen and the view. It also had a raised platform for a dining area that was a tripping hazard. We needed to relocate the bathroom and open up the kitchen.

The Idea:

To relocate the bathroom into an abandoned fireplace chimney chase and open the kitchen up to the dining area.

The Solution:

Took out the fireplace flu and relocated a closet to a cabinet. We also re-framed several walls finding an inadequate return air chase that we also fixed. We Also replaced all of the cabinetry and eliminated the dining room platform. We relocated the person door into the garage making the kitchen wide open.

The Details:

4′ white oak 31 flooring.  A custom 2- 3/4″ reclaimed oak counter top. Multiple specialty pullouts. New tile entry. Owner tiled vanity top and back splash.

Investment Range: $53,000

Time Frame: 6 weeks

Our Logo

As I get more completed projects under my belt, there are still powerful lessons to be learned. Some are expensive, some are painful. As I say in my Selecting a Remodeler Booklet, it is wise to select a seasoned remodeler. The problem is,

“if you always do what you always did; then you’ll always get what you always got.”

This is why I love working on the business as much, or more than working in the business.

This post is about how I was able to make a systemic solution to what I discovered was a recurring nagging problem.

Working together

Remodeling is difficult enough without having to redo things. This is why there are so many “one horse show” remodelers out there. No one can do it better than the remodeler him or herself. That is all well and good but my idea of remodeling necessitates me getting results through others.

I have always been a cooperative sort of guy. Great partnerships exist in EMS (Emergency Medical Services) where on a hot call, we rarely need to talk because we know what needs to be done. We work together in harmony to save a life. Like my dad Ed Levitch used to say, in reference to working hard together… “when I come back, all I want to see is asses and elbows”.

In my mind, the entire concept of remodeling  rests on bringing a crew of very talented people working hard together to create a project. I now believe that subcontractors and specialty contractors in general get an undeserved bad reputation. I couldn’t understand why a highly recommended subcontractor could screw up a project so easily. This became painfully obvious when we did a root cause analysis of a series of situational problems. When placed side by side, to my horror, they turned out to be a pattern of identical recurring problems. There was obviously a systemic flaw, yet I had no idea where or how to fix it. I now believe that it is the contractor not the subcontractor that holds the key to making the project go smoothly.

Subcontractor Agreement

Levco has always used a simple form to describe what we expect from our subcontractors. I figured it was worth publishing because we all need to be on the same page. I hold everyone who works for us in a subcontractor role to these standards. In the event that there are issues we go right back to the agreement. When something comes up that hasn’t been addressed, this is where it will go. I broke it up into two parts

1, Things I love

2, Things I won’t tolerate

Many companies do not even have this type of form. It was born out of frustration with the process. For years I thought this was the magic bullet to ensure my process would work. All of my subcontractors had agreed to work within the parameters, but something was still missing.

As it turned out, having this form in place was not enough. There was still a nagging problem that haunted me. The more I looked at it, the more I got stuck. Knowing full well that some of my best ideas come from being frustrated, I was not too worried. This time however, I was hopelessly paralyzed and extremely frustrated for a few weeks when I finally found a way out.

My Mentor

I was reading a self help book on business in general, when a brief paragraph recommended I seek out a mentor. It suggested that there are lots of smart people that are willing to help if you just ask. As it turns out, that was the tiny spark I needed. It reminded me that I had already developed relationships with wise, successful remodelers throughout the country, so I reached out to them. Amazingly, it was the one in my own back yard that was able to pinpoint the problem and, in a loving way, gave me a nudge in the right direction.

The problem, it turns out was deeply rooted in a flawed Description of Work document.  A pattern of small problems had turned into big problems. We were having to redo work that had already been done. In some cases work that was required had not been included in the bid. Thankfully, it appears that we have solved our problems, as I like to say, “FFN” (forever for now). Our new improved Description of Work spells out the project in a surface by surface way that explains what the finished project will look like to everyone. Perhaps this is what one previous employee was trying to tell me when she said “communication” when asked her opinion of our companies number one problem. Although I couldn’t see it then, I believe I’ve got it fixed now.

As we ring in the new year I give thanks to my mentors, my employees, my clients, and all of my subcontractors. I look forward to a year filled with clear expectations and fantastic results.

Your comments are welcome. To ask questions or get more information about remodeling, email me directly or visit our contact page.

Disclaimer: Some of these images came from the WEB. If they are yours, and you object to them being used, please claim them and I will gladly remove and replace them at once.

Can you feel the Joy?

Where is the joy and excitement in remodeling the same thing over and over? Bathrooms and kitchens are fun, don’t get me wrong, but the super creative juices only get flowing when big problems need solving. Give me a second story addition, a basement excavation on a slope, a front facade addition in the historic district, or an opportunity to fix a problem that doesn’t have a clear answer until you discover a new building technique. That is where the pure joy is found for me.

Toasted Carport

Levco was recently involved in a project that had us scratching our heads on how to solve it. It was an unbelievably over spanned set of beams used to support a carport structure that had been moderately damaged in a fire. During the demolition of the top, we noticed a propensity to deflect, or bend under the pressure of standing on it. Our gut told us that it was over spanned, but the structure had been standing for years. We immediately brought the team of Tom Trutna, our architect, and Scott Souel, our Structural Engineer, in for a high level consultation.

The bottom line is that there definitely was an issue. The beams we had were 3/4″ x 9 1/2″ and 27′ long. The rough cut 2 x 10s had obviously been re-purposed from another project and were a bit of a spectacle. Boards of this size, what we call “dimensional lumber,”  just are not available any more. From our calculations, with our typical snow load, the beams were 500%  overloaded. There is no way that this had been a permitted job.

Typical flat roof truss

I thought initially that we could easily replace them with trusses made locally at Valley Truss. After all, what better invention than trusses to use to span long distances? I started to think of projects where we have used trusses and was confident that we could come up with something. Not so lucky… I learned that a 26′ truss would need to be nearly 2 feet deep. Stunned, but not beaten or giving up, Carl Madsen, one of our Boise City plan review specialists, issued the permit. However, it came with the caveat that whatever solution we dreamed up, it would need to be blessed by an engineer. I think he knew deep down that we would find a clever solution.

Tensioning concrete structures

Tom had rushed out the day before and had the LVL solution sizing answer for us already, so I met with Scott on site at 4 pm. He studied our situation and mentioned that the easiest way would be to change a few things and go with 14″ LVL’s, but that he had something up his sleeve that would serve both masters. It is called Post Tensioning, and it is used in commercial construction all the time. It involves stringing steel cables to tension the beams, thus allowing it to span the distance and prevent the deflection that would cause them to fail. He shared a case study from a gymnasium in Ohio, where the technique was successfully used to solve a serious problem with Glulam beams and prevent a catastrophic failure. Interestingly, the charring caused by the fire was of little concern to either of them.

Elated, Ron and I agreed that this was going to be the solution we would employ. We also discovered that beyond the over spanned beams, which we thought were our primary problem, the biggest concern from a failure perspective was the possibility of a lateral twist,  This would collapse the entire structure faster that you could say boo. Scott provided us with a simple solution to that issue as well, and as always at Levco, we used our resources to create a clever solution to a complex problem. Odds are this is a technique we will rarely be needed to use, but leave it to us to keep it in our ever expanding bag of cool tricks.

Fast forward a day and I am on the phone pulling into Boise Rigging supply to get the hardware needed to pull off the engineering feat. Simultaneously, I’m on the phone with Scott, who has bad news. As it turns out, to get enough tension on the boards to support the snow load, it would require so much upward deflection that the boards themselves might fail in the tensioning phase, and/or have to have a hump in the middle.

Microlam LVLs

Disappointed and resigned to using 14″ – 25′  Microlam LVL beams, I went about gathering my supplies to shear up the structure to prevent twisting. I then had a pleasant visit with Steve Black, an old acquaintance and the Owner of Boise Rigging Supply, who set me up with what I needed.

The bottom line is that even though it didn’t work out this time, it will in the future. We were able to create a sound structure from a flimsy one that probably should have failed years ago. This is how it goes with residential remodeling and it’d why I love what I do.

Your comments are welcome. To ask questions or get more information about remodeling, email me directly or visit our contact page.

Disclaimer: Some of these images came from the WEB. If they are yours, and you object to them being used, please claim them and I will gladly remove and replace them at once.

Spin The Wheel

I just had two customer experience adventures and, being a very observant person, I thought I should quantify them. Although both were OK, one was considerably better. The stakes are higher than you might imagine once something goes wrong. At Levco, we get it!

Every bad experience is an opportunity. Let me repeat myself: every bad experience is an opportunity. At Flying Pie, we said that “There is no better way to learn from your mistakes than by paying for them.” We held ourselves to this rule and our vendors, many times.

In my mind, every interaction is neutral or zero until something happens. Then you get the chance to “knock it out of the park,”.. as Larry (the Manager of 16th and State Albertson’s) used to say. You have a chance to make “a CFL (customer for life)

We now interact with machines and computers and our vehicles, you name it. When something other than a normal transaction occurs, a high stakes roulette wheel starts to spin whether you realize it or not.

Commercial Tire

Commercial Tire

The first story involves tires. I bought 4 new truck tires at Commercial Tire in Meridian. First off, it was a lot of money, so I was paying close attention. The store said I got a free alignment check with the purchase, which established my ability to have the new tires warranted. Made sense. I fully expected that they would naturally find that the vehicle was out of alignment (although it didn’t seem off) and that I would have to pay more to have that done. Sure enough, it was out, and I authorized the additional work. They did fix a rubbing sound by grinding a mud flap, which was a bonus.

Upon picking up the vehicle later that day, I drove off only to find that I had to keep constant pressure on the wheel turning to the left to maintain a straight line. Upon lifting my hand from the wheel, the vehicle would start to arc to the right. Pissed off, I called the shop and explained what was up. Without an apology, the nice lady told me to bring it back and they would gladly repair it. “Fine,” I thought, ” that was an unfortunate waste of time. Did they have the new guy do the work? was their machine out of whack?”

It took a week but I got it back over there and explained the situation. No apology, (Missed opportunity again.) I left my vehicle and got a lift to work. Upon picking up the vehicle, I had to explain why I was there again and told the guy who was holding my key hostage that there was surely no charge, After checking to verify my story, he handed me my key back, completing the transaction, pointing to where my car was. (Missed opportunity Number 3.) The car works fine now. I was left with a blah feeling; I wasted my time as a result of their screw up, and  Commercial Tire surely did not knock my socks off, or learn anything from this series of events.

Results: -5

If zero is a neutral interaction, this was a -5. We had a problem, and they missed all sorts of opportunities to impress me. I left with a low opinion of them. Although they fixed the problem they caused, I am angry that it happened, and I wish they had come up with something clever like, “I’m really sorry Joe, we don’t feel right charging you for this,” or some other spontaneous creative idea)  Am I a loyal customer now? NOPE. Are there other tire stores out there? YUP. Will I ask around next time I need tires? YUP, Will I tell the story if prompted? Yes, I will.

Rembrandts

Rembrandts Coffee House

Later that same day, I dropped into a coffee shop in Eagle called Rembrandts, which was created out of an old church. I had gotten a cup off coffee in a hurry perhaps 8  weeks ago, and when I was on the road noticed that it was only warm. That being a pet peeve of mine, I immediately called the store to complain and to warn them that the pot they had just made was not going to please anyone else. The nice lady apologized and invited me to return right away. That was not possible for my schedule, so she said to let them know when I returned and they would replace it.

I had hung on to that offer for a few months. Returning, I stepped up (during a rush) and ordered a cup of coffee. I then said, ” This is a little embarrassing,” as I pulled out my wallet, “I’ll have that muffin too.” I explained my story and the server said, “Put your money away, your breakfast is on us today.” ” No, I insisted, to which she gave me that look. “Put it away. Thanks you for coming back and letting us know.”

Results: +10

If zero is a neutral interaction, Just the act of replacing the coffee would have been a zero. But no, she gave me a muffin and apologized and, in essence, gets it. We are on the same team. I am now crowing about a +10 interaction. She cares about her reputation and my experience. Are there other coffee shops in Eagle, Idaho? YUP. Am I going to go to any of them? NOPE. I will tell the story spontaneously!

My Name Peggy

Help me teach businesses how to do this right! Don’t just keep quiet, especially if you like the business. Take heed of how important handling problems is. Pay attention to how you are treated, and try some of these techniques yourself. If you are a business owner or manager, see if you are capable of putting yourself in your customer’s shoes. Occasionally, it is painful to pay for your mistakes. Use it as a learning and teaching opportunity, Trust me, the value of a well handled problem resolution far exceeds the cost.

Your comments are welcome. To ask questions or get more information about remodeling email me directly or visit our contact page.

Disclaimer: Some of these images came from the WEB. If they are yours, and you object to them being used, please claim them and I will gladly remove and replace them at once.

If you only knew what could go “Rong” (I think wrong should be spelled r o n g, don’t you?)  in a remodeling project. Anyone who says this sort of thing doesn’t happen on their projects is either lying, hasn’t been remodeling long enough, or has been fired by a client and never got the chance to fix their mistake.

Oh No!

This is a tale of  dismal results that spiraled sideways nearly impacting the ground before we finally pull it out at the last second.

I recently had the misfortune of dealing with the fallout of a very bad paint job.

We were this close to finishing our project and the painting was basic stuff, it was only going to take an afternoon to complete.

The next thing I get is a 5:50PM phone call from my client reporting that the painter had just left but “the paint job didn’t look very good”. I suggested we wait till morning and look at it together.

Next morning I showed up bright and early expecting to see a single fixable flaw.  It turns out that “not looking good” was the understatement of the year. There were runs, streaks and rough spots throughout the project.

The New Mantra

My gut reaction was to have the painter return and fix it immediately. My client was willing and I showed the painter the deficiencies. ” No problem he said” ” I’ll fix it up right now” That triggered  my second visit to check up on how the fix went, still shabby. The pattern continued. The painter was not happy with his results either but I’ll be darned if he could fix it.

This next time he assured me, it is under control, “Joe don’t worry I will come back and make it great, I’m not happy until you’re happy”.

The third time out, I brought my new Project Manager, Josh with me. “Rip it out, we need to start over” he whispered to me.

Being one to give the benefit of the doubt to the professional painter, I allowed him one last time to fix his problem. That is when the client called and said she had had it with the painter. She went as far as to prohibit him from returning.

This could have easily been the end of the project for me. Thankfully, our client gave me one last chance to take care of the problem.

Bottom line is, Levco decided to rip it out and replaced the finish work. We employed a different painter to do the job and it all looks great now. Turns out, there were some valuable pearls of wisdom to be learned.

Let's Start Over

1. Even professionals make mistakes they can’t fix.
2. I could have saved time, and money, had my tolerance been lower.
3. We eventually found a great painter.
4. I got to see what kind of finish carpenter Josh is. (great and fast!)
5. Josh has the personality trait I lack and is not bashful about telling it like it is and getting results.

I have always said, “the highest level of customer service can not be achieved unless there is a problem”.  I am especially proud that we eventually turned this catastrophic failure into a happy ending. In other words, “we always win”  We also got to “show that we care” to our client who is very happy with the results of our problem resolution.

Your comments are welcome. To ask questions or get more information about remodeling, email me directly or visit our contact page.

Disclaimer: Some of these images came from the WEB. If they are yours, and you object to them being used, please claim them and I will gladly remove and replace them at once.

My Enthusiasm

During a recent visit with a potential client they were clearly interviewing me when they asked this excellent question. They appreciated my attitude and eagerness to get the work.

“How do you pass your enthusiasm on to your staff?”

Wow, I had to stop and think.

“Well, I said, I meet with my employees regularly, I have lunch with them occasionally. I celebrate our success stories and share my BLOG.” That was my off the cuff answer. Realizing that I had just been given a pearl of wisdom, I later took the opportunity to explore the question further.

The Emperor has no Clothes

The way I took the question, my perspective clients were wondering if the emperor had any clothes.  A keen observer of business often finds a charismatic leader without an enthusiastic or knowledgeable crew. This common mismatch is an accident looking for a place to happen.

That is when I realized that I had a bunch of additional ways of ensuring that I am being a good example to my people. For one thing, I seem to attract positive people to surround myself with. The Eeyore type folks just don’t fit. So, like Good to Great, I hire the right people and put them in the right places on the bus.

In many cases the companies leaders are so far removed from the front line that the culture is set by edict, decree, and a heavy handed top down way.  I also have had the misfortune of working for companies that practiced this behavior, Thankfully, I had the means to move on.

My Style of Culture

All this thinking got me to explore the root of my enthusiasm.

As Eckhart Tolle says in his book “A new earth” my enthusiasm is deeply rooted in who I am and how I approach my life. I am alert and conscious about what I do. I find myself full of creative juices and in an effortless way, find abundant energy to do what I enjoy. I like to think I am a bit contagious in that way.

A story I like to relay is about three workers each doing the same mind numbing job of moving bricks. An observer asks each one separately “What are you doing?” The first who is struggling says “I am moving bricks” the second who is distracted and exhausted says “I am working until lunch” the third is happily working away and jovial says “I am helping to build a cathedral” I am that guy.

In the case of my company, Levco Builders all we do is remodel. It may seem menial and routine to some, but I can’t get enough of the stuff. I believe that my corporate culture is set by example. In my vision of a just culture everyone pulls together to create a product or service that is the result of cooperation and everyone’s best effort and talents.

For starters, I interview my staff and only chose the ones that I feel get it.

I realize that what makes an employee great for Levco is not something that can be taught.

What I want comes from the heart. The level of attention to detail, the way we show that we care, the way that we speak respectfully and treat others with kindness, the love for how we transform confused spaces into functional dwellings is amazing.

The fact that we work as a volunteer occasionally to remember how much helping others fills you up.

The willingness to grow and learn about new materials and techniques.

The fact that they realize that there are hundreds of ways to do the same thing. The Levco way is what we do, because until a better best practice shows up, is the standard that everyone is held accountable for.

1. 

   Levco

   That being wasteful hurts everyone.

2. That successes are celebrated no matter what the scale.
3. That communicating clearly is not something to be taken for granted.
4. That an ounce of planning ahead can prevent a gallon of confusion and wasted time.
5. That sharp tools makes for easier work.
6. That everyone brings a unique perspective to the table.
7. Staying organized saves time and aggravation.
8. That a simple apology goes a long way to earning trust.
9. That trust in others is something that I start with.
10. We look out for each other and our clients, knowing full well that what is good for our clients is good for us.
11. They understand that the better idea always wins no matter who it comes from.
12. The fact that honesty and being up front is the how we roll.
13. That it is in no one’s best interest to allow substandard work or bad behavior.

Your comments are welcome. To ask questions or get more information about remodeling, email me directly or visit our contact page.

Disclaimer: Some of these images came from the WEB. If they are yours, and you object to them being used, please claim them and I will gladly remove and replace them at once.

Zen Garden

My brother, Maurice just told me a story of a park ranger that had retired but before he did he mentored his replacement. All in all the new ranger was doing the same thing the previous one did but there was something missing.

The park goers were not as happy, and missed the last ranger, they just couldn’t figure out why till someone noticed the lack of rake marks.

Sure the park was clean and neat, it just wasn’t the same, until the lack of rake marks was realized.

Rake marks left in the sand had a deeper meaning for my brother. We had a great discussion about how we can apply the story and principal into our daily lives, and add it to the culture of our companies.

Leaving rake marks is another way to express a mantra that I hold in high esteem “show that you care”. Perhaps this is easier to understand than  do, we will see.

Rake marks are simply a visible sign that you were there and that you care.

Another Zen Garden

At Levco we have employed this little tactic into our everyday conversations. It is one more way we differentiate ourselves from the pack.

Rake marks can mean a multitude of things;

• Keeping the job site safe and organized.
• Going out of your way to be helpful.
• Doing a favor without being asked.
• Anticipating needs of others.
• Being patient, respectful, and cooperative.
• Straightening out and organizing stuff.
• Making sure everyone working on the project cleans their area nightly, and the place is locked up securely.
• Fixing something that wasn’t on the list.
• Leaving notes.

Basically it boils down to leaving everything you touch better than when you found it. There I go letting my inner Eagle Scout come out again.

A client recently told me this pearl of wisdom. “When You Clean, You Find” He told me of several examples that include all sorts of things to look out for that made perfect sense. I suppose this could be used whenever cleaning is done.

So essentially cleaning is not necessarily a job to be relegated to the lowest man on the totem pole.

Things that are of special interest that have been caught since all we started paying more attention.

Gap In Floor

Framing:

• Level
• Plumb
• Gaps
• Square
• Nails not sunk all the way in
• Fire blocking & drywall backing
• Bracing and backing for grab bars and towel bars

Prior to Insulation & Covering walls:

• Disconnected duct work
• Plumbing pressure test caps still on.
• gaps in insulation.

Final Cleaning

Finish work:

• Gaps in grout, trim connections, under threshold
• Caulking
• Filled nail holes
• Toe kicks & Vents

Final Cleaning:

• Rough surfaces
• Spaces
• Appliances in place solidly
• Painting holiday (thin spot)
• Proper drawer operation
• Clogged aerators
• Light bulbs out
• Over spray
• Scratched windows

The list of examples are endless, the good news is that it even applies to cleaning up the kitchen when you are the last one to use it. Give it a try I am sure you will be impressed with how you feel about your work, never mind about how others view your work.

Your comments are welcome. To ask questions or get more information about remodeling email me directly or visit our contact page.

 Disclaimer: Some of these images came from the WEB. If they are yours, and you object to them being used, please claim them and I will gladly remove and replace them at once.

Ah, there you are

As promised in an earlier BLOG about building a cathedral, I am sharing another insight into who I am, and what I am all about.

As a glass is half full kind of guy, I often blurt, “There has got to be a pony in here somewhere” Here I lose people, because this fable is less well known than I thought. Here it is.

A man has two sons, one a hopeless pessimist and the other an unrealistic optimist. Determined to change their mindset to a less extreme position, the man buys a room full of toys for the pessimist and a room full of horse manure for the optimist. When he returns later, the pessimist is crying because his toys are already broken, or soon will be. In contrast, the optimist is happily shoveling through his gift, explaining, “With all that manure, there must be a pony in there somewhere.”

Pile of Manure

Here is what the story means to me.

If in fact you are dealing with what appears to be a steaming pile of dung, take a moment to think about this.

1. First of all, recognize it for what it is.
2. Then with the perspective of the unrealistic optimist, look for the pony! Will you find it right away? Unlikely, but it doesn’t hurt or cost anything to look.

The pony, I find, is often revealed to me in silent reflection after cleaning up, or while lying in bed awaiting slumber. Occasionally it comes years later when you are mentoring a son or daughter.

Let’s face it, life is not always fair. It is occasionally cruel and unkind. Like a friend getting diagnosed with a nasty form of cancer, or a long time coworker who dies suddenly. I struggle with making sense of it all. Rather than being crushed by the weight, though I choose to go looking for the pony.

Then I get a call out of the blue from the father of a child I cared for 6 years ago, she was nearly paralyzed from a serious auto accident I responded to. He thought I should know about a milestone in their lives. He told me that although she is only a 9th grader,  she was the only one selected from her class to the High School soft ball team.

The point is that if you behave as if a pony exists out there, then by golly, you will eventually learn something either about life or yourself. With luck, your discovery will add meaning, purpose, peace, and direction.

May you all find your ponies, my friends.

Your comments are welcome. To ask questions or get more information about remodeling, email me directly or visit our contact page.

Disclaimer: Some of these images came from the WEB. If they are yours, and you object to them being used, please claim them and I will gladly remove and replace them at once.

Neener Neener

Occasionally I get the pleasure of telling folks “I told you so”. Rarely does it cause a stir.

Here is a short story that worked out for all parties in the end.

This case involved an exhausted client and a tile setter that had real life issues.

I should have seen the warning signs, but I am/was too forgiving. The work, when actually accomplished on time, was wonderful. I was given ample warning and had several opportunities to resolve the problem or fire the tile setter, but my fault was that I was willing to overlook the mess, the missed promises, the incomplete work, as well as the crazy scheduling, and leaving several times in the middle of the day.

I “got it” eventually, and now have a real Masonry Contractor, who I love. Oops, I’m jumping ahead.

So, Levco was ending the project, turning into the home stretch of the addition, and the guest bathroom was the final part. That is when the homeowner baulked at having us do the tile work. He essentially fired the subcontractor for me and hired anther “Tile Guy” from out in front of Home Depot. The home owner proudly told me it saved him $300.00 Ah, if only all tile guys were the same, I warned him.

Ya, Sure...I Do Tile Work

I had not heard a word and assumed that everything was fine, until I was asked to return to remodel the dining room. I noticed that the pluming fixtures had not been installed in the guest bath. Confused, I asked why. As it turns out, the owners were so concerned about the shoddy workmanship that they never even put water into the shower pan for fear of it leaking into their new addition.

That was is when they contacted me again, 3 years later. Enough time had passed, I suppose, allowing him to get past the anger of making a mistake. One day, he just tore out all of the shower tile. He was calling to have us return to replace the shower completely.

The project was a huge success and we laugh about it now, but I wish it had never happened. In reality, I gave the owner no option at the time.

As I get more experienced, or the “older” I get, the more I see the big picture. This theme repeats itself with painters and all of the subcontractors, I suppose.

So, if you are an inexperienced general contractor, take my advice.

• Don’t allow a substandard subcontractor to sour your projects.
• Maintain a low tolerance for anything but perfection.

Your clients will appreciate it and your reputation will flourish. After all, the reason they hired you was to avoid gambling with their hard earned money.

Disclaimer: Some of these images came from the WEB. If they are yours, and you object to them being used, please claim them and I will gladly remove and replace them at once.

EP merit Badge

We live in a stable but fairly fragile state. Emergencies happen all the time and all over the world. Those that think we are immune are living in a Hurricane Katrina denial fantasy.

I used to joke about people living in areas that are devastated annually with floods. I also had quips (that I thought were humorous) about tornadoes being caused by mobile homes communities. I even remember a comedian joking about famines in the desert, but not anymore. Our weather is changing whether we like it or not, and the world is growing much smaller in the sense that we get natural disasters piped into our homes nightly.

Being and Eagle Scout myself, I thought it would be cool to share some of my EP wisdom with the rest of you.

Lucky Peak

I recall just hearing about a huge meteorite that just missed the earth. I used to joke about having beach front property for when California slips off into the Pacific in the next big earthquake. Haiti should be a wake up call, and the firestorm in Columbia Village of a few years  back brings it a bit closer to home. An East coast freak ice storm early this fall had some of my extended family stuck without most city services for six days. I also responded to the Challis Idaho earthquake a few decades ago, where two children died from a falling building facade, the fear was that there would be many miners stuck in mine shafts.

At Levco, we build with the thought of earthquake in mind, but the codes are far less stringent than say, California. Idaho has the honor of being the state which is the 6th most earthquake active state in the US.

I'm Not Making it Up

Here in Ada County, we have the Department of Emergency Management. They have lots of good information and links to other sites that speak to being prepared. The essence is that although our government says it is, and will be prepared it doesn’t take much to overload the system. We need to be equipped with the proper knowledge and materials to successfully navigate those first few days on our own.

Things to be familiar with their operation:

Scout's Honor

Your husband (or the mechanical one of the household) may not be there, or may be incapacitated in the moment of need.

1. Water shut off.
2. Gas Shut off.
3. Electrical shutoff.
4. Emergency meeting location.
5. Location of your emergency stash of supplies.

Things to be aware of:

When failures of a massive proportion occur, the government services are often affected too.

Are cell phones going to work? Maybe.

I recall that there was an estimate that the downtown streets would be covered in 6′ of rubble, Fires and floods are always a possibility and flood too. Lucky Peak … Hope it holds!

What to stash:

Auto Safety

Containers of stored water & food, a heat source and fuel for it, blankets, shelter, battery operated radio, flashlights, shovel, money, a weapon, first aid kit, and personal medications. The list goes on the important thing is to have the basics. It could happen at any time of year.

Automotive Preparedness:

Think about an automotive problem that leaves you stranded. There might not be a knight in shining armor out there for you. On-Star helps, but I like to say that taking a road trip off the beaten path is like doing a raft trip…If you don’t have it with you when you leave, odds are you won’t have it when you need it.

Every year, we hear about those that get stuck in storms. There once were some city guys that got stuck on horseback in the middle of winter, they killed and gutted their horses to protect themselves from the cold night. I now call horses “flat lander sleeping bags.” There are GPS units that are getting folks in trouble too. Turns out the shortest way between two places may be an impossible road for your transportation means in the given weather conditions.

My best advice is to keep your wits about you and be prepared within reason. Your best resource is your clear, calm brain, which is much more likely to perform properly when dealing with a crisis, any sort of an emergency or survival situation, rather than to reacting to one. Oh, and remember, “You don’t have to be a Boy Scout to be prepared”.

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