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.

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

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.

Knob & Tube with Splices

During almost every remodeling project Levco does, especially in Boise’s historic North End, we encounter Knob & Tube Wiring. It was the craze back in the late 1800′s to the early 1900′s, it was relatively safe ( compared to kerosene or gas lamps) and it was cheaper to install than the armored cable alternative.

Knobs are the porcelain insulators that are nailed in and keep the wires from touching. Tubes are the porcelain insulators that were stuck in holes that the wires would run through.

Danger occurred when splices were done improperly because poor connections caused heat and heat caused fires. Other problems included a fused neutral conductor and the ease for homeowners to add larger fuses when they continuously popped. Heat was dissipated through open air and truly the wires should have breathing room. Overloaded circuits are not uncommon in older homes because there were no previous requirements for the number of outlets.

Proper Junction Box

Knob & Tube was a system where single wires, a hot and a neutral, were run to each outlet and switch. When a wire came close to or was required to go through a wood member, it would also be attached to or go through a porcelain insulator. Splicing was done anywhere. The insulation was carved back, the new wire was wrapped tightly and ideally soldered, and then covered with electrical tape, which,in those days, was different and called friction tape.

The truth is that if your home has Knob & Tube wiring, and it still works well you are doing OK. With age, the insulation around the wires becomes brittle and is often disturbed during renovations. Aggravation occurs when a wiring problem crops up because the connections could be anywhere.

Rough Electrical

Take a complicated three way switch, for instance, with connections of other wires anywhere in line and power allowed to come from different circuits. You can see how solving a problem could be a nightmare.

These days all connections must be made in an accessible electrical box.

What is missing from knob & tube wiring is the ground wire which is an added safety element that has been an added feature to the code. There have been lots of upgrades in electricity delivery since those early days of electrifying homes.

Since the end of World War II, electrical gadgets have become common. These days we have far more electrical conveniences (necessities) in the home, which  requires more circuits, at least 4 in a modern kitchen.

At Levco, we only use licensed electricians to provide our electrical work.

Andy the Electrician

Most electricians are fluent in the old time wiring techniques. The ones we use  specialize in remodeling and don’t mind the intricacies of adding to an existing system or in some cases ripping out the old stuff back to where it is safe and going from there.

Like anything difficult, it takes a special subcontractor who has a passion for remodeling. If your wiring requires updating during the course of a remodeling project, you can rest assured, Levco will take care of any problems and upgrades your electrical system may need. Our motto is to “do as much as necessary yet as little as possible” to make you home safe and functional for years to come.

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.

Al Davis

Although winning isn’t everything, it feels pretty good when you do.

I recall vividly as Al Davis, former owner of the Oakland Raiders said “Just Win Baby” It got me thinking about what Levco and the remodeling industry in general has in common with the game of football.

I also got caught up in the frenzy of college football this year and celebrate another fantastic BSU football season.

From my armchair, “Remodeling is much like a football game, except when it is done correctly, there are only winners, no losers”.

• Both teams develop a game plan based upon reviewing tapes and having faced similar challenges. Although we don’t use tapes we review previous projects to learn from them.
• We have owners that agree to play each other. In our case the opponent is in the form of a remodeling project.
• We both use lots of illustrations to plan out what we will do.
• Football uses a coach and we use a Project Manager who calls the plays.
• We both take a break at milestones to review the plan for the next phase.
• We both believe that we are the best despite there being other teams out there that do the same thing just a little differently.
• 

  Kellen Moore

  There is a set of rules that we are all supposed to play by, some teams do a better job of it.

• Occasionally we both drop the ball. We always pick it up and keep playing.
• When we take a break, we rehydrate for the next set of downs.
• Football has players that specialize in all areas of the game from running and passing, to kicking. We have employees with overall knowledge of the game and employ specialty subcontractors for those complicated tasks.
• We both plan ahead and use the best resources and are always on the lookout for the best talent available.
• A fumble isn’t always a bad thing.
• We make progress and have setbacks on a regular basis.
• We both keep track of statistics.
• Occasionally we punt.
• Extra points are scored on clever plays.
• We both celebrate small victories and have occasional setbacks.
• In the end we all celebrate the game and in our case the completion of the project.

After looking at the similarities between football and remodeling, I was left at the threshold of trying to describe what winning means to me.  I borrowed a phrase frequently that was created at Flying Pie Pizza,  “We Always Win”.  As I see it, the only way to have our interests aligned is to let everyone know how we measure our success. As I open the door here is what I see.

Winning for Levco is:

Our Team

1. Creating a team approach to each project and developing relationships that are solid.
2. Knowing that we did a great job and created what the client wanted.
3. Keeping in control of the schedule and the scope of work.
4. Having Change Orders signed before additional work is started.
5. Coming in on budget.
6. Tinkering with our systems to improve our process.
7. Showing that we care.
8. Finding a better idea no matter the source.
9. Listening very carefully to each other and allowing every voice be heard.
10. Adapting to existing conditions.
11. Finding clever solutions to complicated problems.
12. Anticipating problems and special needs before they arise and handling them in stride.
13. Keeping everyone and everything up to date.
14. Getting everyone paid on time.
15. Dealing with problems swiftly and decisively in an honest upfront way.
16. Celebrating our successes.
17. Learning from setbacks.
18. Creating a fabulous remodeling project that looks like it was always there.

In closing, winning for us does not come at anyone’s expense. The beauty of remodeling in Boise, Idaho is that I have created a working model for our continued success and prosperity. The fruits of our labor go way beyond a paycheck which is why we do what we do so darn well.

Rest in peace Al, you won a lot.

Love Joe

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.

Typical Bungalow

Levco has been remodeling in Boise Idaho for the past 6 years and just renewed our registration for another year with the Idaho  Bureau of Occupational Licensing. This makes us a well established remodeling company here in Boise Idaho.

We recently had an internal focus group session on what sets us apart from our competitors, and here is one in a series of the unique things that we came up with.

Our niche is Aged Home Upgrades. I love it because it allows me to say what I do in one breath. It is not complicated or confusing and it speaks to our love for older homes and upgrading them or updating them depending upon your slant to work for these modern times.

Lets face it times have changed and so have our habits and way of life.

Typical small bath

Often times these homes are smaller in square feet than the sprawling ones of the 80′s and beyond. They were built to last in the 30′s-70′s and were state of the art at the time. many of the kitchens were boxy and had less emphasis in our lives. Products have improved as well  from the bathroom to the kitchen there have been some really good things that are available now that help us live better than those days. Not to mention the energy efficient upgrades that can pay off in a matter of a few years.

Great Lighting

From modernizing appliances like a convection oven, and comfort height toilets to better lighting and energy efficient appliances and windows, there are a bazillion ways to improve our homes. Whether you are remodeling on a dime and want to do projects one a year or interested in investing on your last remodeling project of your life, we want to be the ones that help you make the right upgrades for you and your home.

Remember you don’t need to do everything at once. Pick a room per year, get the big problems solved, then work on the other areas of concern. Prioritizing your upgrades makes the decision making process less daunting. Before you know it your home is far more functional and moving makes less sense.

Opened Kitchen

One area that we are seeing tremendous progress in is re-designing kitchens to work better. The term “opening up kitchens” means many different things depending upon your particular home. It encompasses a theme of taking down unnecessary obstacles to flow between rooms and sight lines. We have had amazing results on multiple occasions and encourage an in home evaluation.

Another common upgrade is in a bathroom. Homes built shortly after the turn of the century only had tubs. Showers were introduced later on. Many homes were upgraded with shower valves but had a large window on the shower wall. Relocating and resizing that window just makes sense.

Now that is comfort

Speaking of bathrooms, fixtures have become worth swapping out. From both a water efficiency and ease of use  perspective. Lighting upgrades and indoor air quality with proper ventilation makes the bathroom upgrade a very valuable and affordable proposition.

Additions that bump a wall out or add additional living space are usually more expensive than staying within the envelope of the home but adding an Accessory Dwelling Unit ADU makes a tremendous amount of sense. We have built and remodeled several garages to accommodate visiting guests, older parents, college students or just renting to a tenant that offsets the cost of the project.

Since this is what we love to do, please contact us for for a complementary in home evaluation. Let’s see what we can do to upgrade your home today. 208-947-7261

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.

Hey, You missed a spot!

I have had clients who love to watch the progress of a project. That pleases me. This is usually a good thing if you have the confidence of the client. Once lost it can ruin your will to press on.

Every new client is an opportunity to succeed in knocking their socks off but it is a precious thing that should never be taken lightly or for granted. Once lost it is a painful experience. No job has ever gone so smoothly to not have encountered a situation, so I anticipate it and deal with it as it happens.

The down side is, it can turn into a test of wills, who can outlast who. never mind that the project turns out great, the client may dwell on the negative experience and demoralize everyone with the negative aspects of the process.

Putting the hammer down

Every profession has it’s “You missed a spot” story and remodeling is no exception. My dad tells a story of a client that is being picky during the project so the contractor takes her over to a beautifully painted window stool and says how does this look to you. Surely the woman says that is just beautiful and proceeds to complement the contractor on how smooth and white the surface is. The contractor abruptly pulls a hammer from hits tool belt and hits the stool causing a perfectly round divot to appear. Aghast, the woman shouts out with alarm… why did you do that. The contractors calmly says “Mam when that is fixed and smooth again that is when you will know we are done”

OK, that is pretty harsh, but it is like judging anything before it is done. Remember the best cake in the world if judged before it is done is just a glob of goo. We welcome constructive criticism. There have been multiple times that clients have thankfully pointed out things in time for us to fix. We are not perfect and need everyone to pay attention, Like I always say, “Remodeling is complicated, pay attention”.

This quote, if studied can be taken both ways which is why I love it.

There is no rule more invariable than that we are paid for our suspicions by finding what we suspect. Henry Thoreau 1817-1862

In other words, those that are spring loaded one way or the other… will be most satisfied when their expectations are met.

Our job is simple. We just take a bunch of ideas and turn it into a cool living space using lots of talented labor, great materials and subcontractors. The challenge is to orchestrate everyone and everything to get the job done on time, on budget, and have the process as well as the end result exceed expectations. No problem.

Dalai Lama, what a sweet man

I had the honor and privilege to see and hear the Dalai Lama in Sun Valley several years ago and to be honest, he moved me. I embraced his message of compassion and incorporated it into my life. Although I can always improve here are some of the tips I use and teach to my employees that make sense to me. How we at Levco deal with adversity is what makes us compassionate remodelers.

• 1, We understand that it hurts but refuse to take it personally.
• 2, We constantly reevaluate where we are and what we are doing, all the while realizing that through dealing with the process of making it better, we will learn something very valuable.
• 3, We make every effort to listen very carefully to learn what is behind the message because the majority of folks that are critical have a valid beef. They often have difficulty expressing it in a constructive way. It is up to us to translate the message into something positive.
• 4,We adapt and overcome. We always win. Even our harshest critics usually complement us at the end because we always show that we care. Through the worst of times we are resilient, If we can’t make improvements to our systems or processes we are done. I have turned every bad thing that has ever happened into a learning experience.
• 5, There are folks out there that can’t be pleased. No matter what you try or do. Unfortunately, we don’t always know who they are before we start a project, we look for the warning signs but, like shit… it happens.
• 6, I believe that the highest level of customer service and appreciation can only come from something bad happening. So I never approach bad news or adversity with apprehension. OK, I’ll admit it, “I’ve got that, I’m just looking for the pony” mentality. (That’s a story for another post)

In closing, remodeling is not easy…It is a complicated and difficult way to make a living. Those that do it well deserve accommodation and have my sincere admiration. At Levco we bring a boat load of remodeling and life experience to the table, we are up for the challenges of the industry and are not embarrassed to brag about 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 them at once.

Sagging Roof

I was looking at a home inspection book that it had a picture of a structure that had several distinct problems. The roof had peaks at each gable end and a sway back in the middle. It also had bulging walls. This turned out to be a symptom of missing ceiling joists, or collar ties which prevent this from happening. That was when it struck me that I had seen a structure just like it on a project I was in the middle of.

Sway Back Garage

I have seen multiple examples of bowing walls and collapsing gables, usually where work has been done without a permit.

The pattern goes something like this: “Hey, wouldn’t it be great if we opened up the ceiling and created a loft or vaulted area? We have all that wasted space above our ceiling.”

Structurally, the components that are being removed must be replaced to keep things together – or the roof, as well as the walls, will splay over time. At one home I was inspecting for a friend who was looking to buy, a 2 car garage had been converted into a guest house and during the remodel had had it’s ceiling joists removed to create a nice high ceiling. The only problem was that, although folks had lived in the space for some time, it was an accident ready to happen, I got the creeps and could not stay inside once I realized what they had done.

Bowed Wall

In another home, the ceiling joists had been removed from the front room, which created a nice half vault. However, the entire front of the home was bowing out towards the street and the roof line had a large sag in it. For starters, removing the ceiling joists will cause over spanning and sagging of the 2×6 or 2×8 roof rafters, and the wall then loose its top anchoring component.

Other problems are created as well, especially with lack of insulation. Unless you fill the entire 2×6 joist with closed cell foam and perhaps add an additional layer of foam board insulation, there is no way to achieve the R-38 insulation factor required. Because of that, tremendous heat loss and gain occurs over the seasons.

I have created several attic upgrades. In each case, a structural engineer has verified that the project was a sound idea, then used extremely efficient insulation to create a true thermal break.

Although it is not common to hear reports of building collapse, it is note worthy that not taking structural integrity will lead to a catastrophic failure of a structure one of these days. All it will take is a little tremor for those houses of cards to come tumbling down.

All of Levco’s work is verified by structural engineering experts to be structurally sound and done with proper city building permits.

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.

It is in my blood

Here is where it all begins, when I was 4 years old. Does it  get any better? Sunday mornings on the carpet in the front room, building tall, tall buildings was all that I needed to make me happy. I was taking the available materials and using my imagination. My brothers and I would keep busy for hours. Another fond memory: is using building scraps to build an enormous airplane / fort in the back yard with all of my brothers and cousins. There were tree houses and all sorts of small projects. There was something about this type of thing that provided pleasure.

There was everything from collecting and straightening  bent nails on my father’s job sites with Grandpa Ben to being the expediter on my summer vacations, driving trucks and working on the projects. I remember not wanting to clean up before coming home so my mom would know that I had been working hard. I have wandered and done all sorts of things in my life. I keep coming back to being creative with my hands and head.

What makes me tick- Some say I am driven to follow in my father’s footsteps, and I believe this is true. I want to do better than him in business. It is what every father wants for his children. I believe I have many of his same characteristics about style, quality, and customer service, which are all positive attributes. I also dream big and have powerful aspirations and a ferocious work ethic. However, I am also finding that I have inherited some of the same problems he was cursed with – many of which revolve around being more artistic than focused upon the financial realities that business is difficult. Remodeling is far more expensive than I thought it would be.

My reward has been positive feedback from others, the internal knowledge that a good job has been done, and that I have followed the golden rule.

I am blessed with having him as a mentor and having many others that constantly support me through my learning curves. I have this undying belief that business success will come from being conscientious, awake, and alert, as well as being an everlasting learner.

Me Now

I believe it is up to me, not the economy, to seek out a living and fulfill my dreams. I use my time wisely by reading and writing, and clearing my head of the “garbage,” as one friend likes to say, that is somehow holding me back from being all that I can be. Some of my harshest critics say that I am remodeling as “a hobby” I like to think of it as a way to find happiness and great satisfaction in being who I am. In essence, like trying to maneuver a helicopter, I am trying to figure out a very big, complicated problem with lots of moving pieces.

What my job is- My job is to assemble a team of very talented people to make the description of work and bids I produce come alive and turn into great finished projects for my clients. Another is to bring all of my team’s talents together and deliver my A-game to the table.  I need to keep alert for a better idea, because they come from everywhere. To be flexible, and adapt to existing conditions and the needs of my clients, and make recommendations that work. It is also to sell the vision of what the project will become when we are done, and lastly, to be a good example for my peers.

What stresses me out-

1. Being disorganized.
2. Procrastinating.
3. Being indecisive.
4. Forgetting things.
5. Not doing it right the first time
6. Poor communications, no matter the reason

What Fills Me with Joy

Roots

1. Having fun.
2. Being a creative problem solver.
3. Fixing things with my tools and my brain.
4. Being relaxed.
5. Being very focused.
6. Getting great results through others.
7. Getting positive feedback.
8. Having the project’s process exceed expectations.
9. Hitting the projected cost of goods sold (COGS) on the head.

This thing called business can’t be done alone or in a  vacuum. I understand that it takes a dedicated and very talented group being lead by a passionate and equally talented and dedicated person to succeed.

Why I should be your Remodeler-

• I am the one you want because I listen and work with you to create a great plan that will meet your needs. I then help select the right components to create a great space through exceptional talent and experience.
• I am a professional remodeler with a tremendous amount of experience, and one who understands the risks and pitfalls and will avoid them to your benefit.
• I do not let any setback define me, only success.
• I will not settle for anything less than my best effort and the expertise of my team.
• I add value to homes through a collaboration of good communications of ideas and materials and techniques that, when put together, bring your dreams to life.

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 them at once.

License & Registration

For years I have listened to companies advertising/bragging that they are “Licensed and Bonded” as a sign of strength I suppose. Being “bonded” sounds strong and reputable. Truth is, being Licensed & Bonded really means something.

Here in Boise Idaho, if you are a residential remodeling contractor, no one is, “Licensed or Bonded” to me, these words are what I like to call “Weasel Words”. I am licensed by the City as a Responsible Person but that is a separate thing to do with Erosion and Sediment Control for the EPA. I am not really licensed as a contractor nor bonded for remodeling work for that matter.

Here is what I mean. As of January 1, 2006, all Contractors had to become recognized by the State of Idaho. That means we are all registered by the Idaho State Bureau of Occupational Licenses Department of Self Governing Agencies(That is a mouth full) as a  Contracting Business. This is just like Barbers, Morticians, Athletic Agents, & Cosmologists, to name a few. If you have work done for you by an un-registered company or person, you are not legally obligated to pay them. Sure there are fees and forms to become registered and it takes an investment in time (about fifteen minutes). However the truth is that we are far from regulated in the way licensing suggests. Most are, some are flying under the radar!

Bonded

Here is what Bonding means. according to answers.com

“A surety bond is a promise to be responsible for the debt, default, or failure of another. In most instances, bonds are required by federal, state, and local governments to protect the taxpayer dollars that are paying for the project. Surety bonds can also act as an element of pre-qualification. By being bonded, a company is saying that they have undergone the examination by a surety and has been qualified to do the project. It is designed to prevent any loss on the part of the obligee, and the pre-qualification process has assessed the financial strength of the principal as well as their expertise. The surety bond company is putting its assets and financial strength behind the contractor. Because of the rigorous pre-qualification, there is little expectation of loss in the surety bond relationship.”

Boiled down, it means that in the event a project couldn’t be completed by the company that was contracted… the bond could be used to hire a different company to finish the project. Bonded companies essentially do work for municipalities where a bond is required.

In asking around, there is no company that provides this service to residential remodelers even if you wanted to buy a bond. I was told that the one bond ever given to a residential project was for an Architect drawing Bill Gates home.

At Levco, we aren’t Licensed per se, or Bonded! Stick that in your pipe & smoke it! I suppose if you want to up the requirements for Contractors, it will take some lobbying of the legislators who are constantly preoccupied with other stuff. I welcome the day when it does happen. Until then we suggest doing your due diligence and checking out your contractor. In fact we created a booklet for you to do just that.

Although we are not licensed in the strict sense of the word, or bonded at all… I do run the business as if we were. Levco is insured as far as liability for 2 million dollars, as well as our personal property and equipment. Knock on wood, we have never had to use it, but it is there none the less. We are also covered for workman’s comp. That comes into play when an employee is injured on the job. It would also come into play if say someone that I have hired, that is not insured, gets injured. This is because we withhold the workman’s comp. from their pay as if we employed them.

If you are looking for a contractor and a company that takes this stuff seriously, and can separate the wheat from the chaff, then Levco is right for you.

Asbestos in the Raw

Asbestos is a mined substance commonly found in all sorts of building materials.  In the meantime it was used since the days of the ancient Greeks for its many fire resistant and its ability to be used as cloth. It has gone in and out of vogue. There had been suspicion about asbestos and health problems. It was not clinically associated with serious medical problems until the late 1920′s, when workers in the mines began to fall ill with lung disease, cancer and death at a young age, that asbestos became a known health hazard.

Here in Boise Levco brings samples to Materials Testing Incorporated to be tested. According to them they are the only lab in the region that does asbestos analysis using a special microscope and procedures that currently do this work.

Asbestos wrapped hot water pipes

Like Lead based paint, asbestos was pulled from the market in 1977 by the EPA; however existing stock piles were allowed to be used up so there may be new installations as late as 1986.

There are many building materials we come across when remodeling here in Boise Idaho that contained asbestos. The problem is that it breaks down into such minute dust particle that even HEPA vacuums can’t catch it all. Wet wiping is a better method of containing dust created during removal.

This list from the EPA website is very complete

• STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, and FURNACE DUCTS insulated with an asbestos blanket or asbestos paper tape. These materials may release asbestos fibers if damaged, repaired, or removed improperly.
• RESILIENT FLOOR TILES (vinyl asbestos, asphalt, and rubber), the backing on VINYL SHEET FLOORING, and ADHESIVES used for installing floor tile. Sanding tiles can release fibers. So may scraping or sanding the backing of sheet flooring during removal.
• CEMENT SHEET, MILLBOARD, and PAPER used as insulation around furnaces and wood burning stoves. Repairing or removing appliances may release asbestos fibers. So may cutting, tearing, sanding, drilling or sawing insulation.
• DOOR GASKETS in furnaces, wood stoves, and coal stoves. Worn seals can release asbestos fibers during use.
• SOUNDPROOFING OR DECORATIVE MATERIAL sprayed on walls and ceilings. Loose, crumbly, or water-damaged material may release fibers. So will sanding, drilling or scraping the material.
• PATCHING AND JOINT COMPOUNDS for walls and ceilings, and TEXTURED PAINTS. Sanding, scraping, or drilling these surfaces may release asbestos.
  

  Asbestos wrapped ducts

• ASBESTOS CEMENT ROOFING, SHINGLES, and SIDING. These products are not likely to release asbestos fibers unless sawed, drilled or cut.
• ARTIFICIAL ASHES AND EMBERS sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces. Also, other older household products such as FIREPROOF GLOVES, STOVE-TOP PADS, IRONING BOARD COVERS, and certain HAIRDRYERS.
• AUTOMOBILE BRAKE PADS AND LININGS, CLUTCH FACINGS, and GASKETS.

Vermiculite ore that looks like little pellets of light weight mica and was mined in Libby Montana from 1919 to 1990. It was sold under the brand name Zonolite and was used in 70% of all homes insulated with Vermiculite. Attics were stocked full of it for insulation properties and fire resistance. Unfortunately, nearly all of the Zonolite mined in the Libby Montana area was mixed with/contaminated with asbestos, which was plentiful in the region. Incidentally, we have seen this product in Boise.

As hazardous as it is, when left alone or encapsulated or contained (say with paint) and not disturbed, asbestos it is not hazardous at all. The difference is that is is not aerosolized or turned into dust, also known as being friable.

As far as federal regulations are concerned, there are strict regulations for municipal, commercial & federal projects. There are Asbestos Professionals that do abatement, however there is no mandate for residential applications from the EPA at least.

EPA federal registry part 40 CFR 61 sub part M excerpt:

Facility means any institutional, commercial, public, industrial, or residential structure, installation, or building (including any structure, installation, or building containing condominiums or individual dwelling units operated as a residential cooperative, but excluding residential buildings having four or fewer dwelling units); any ship; and any active or inactive waste disposal site. For purposes of this definition, any building, structure, or installation that contains a loft used as a dwelling is not considered a residential structure, installation, or building. Any structure, installation or building that was previously subject to this sub-part is not excluded, regardless of its current use or function.

OSHA sees things differently, They are not concerned with the environment parse, only employees, here is the link to their regulations This is a class 1 Toxic substance and needs to be dealt with accordingly. Essentially if a contractor is going to be performing this work on a residential remodeling project, they need to do similar protection as Lead Safe Work Practices.

Common sense suggests that when doing removal or disturbing asbestos impregnated materials that proper respiratory protection is required. Preventing friable (airborne) materials is the best way to handle removal.

Wetting the entire surface and removing it in a dust free way immediately, then double bagging it, is our technique. We have removed Asbestos roofing in this way and double lined the dump truck. There are also special disposal techniques as well as disclosure forms at the Ada County Landfill that must be followed. As I like to say ” Fees & Forms” That being said this is no joke and something we take very seriously.

In the event you want to remove asbestos yourself check into proper safety techniques. Always consider a professional abatement company to protect the health of everyone involved. Just because you can’t see the darn stuff doesn’t mean it can’t reach out and touch you.

Dream Fluff

As a kid growing up in Berkeley California, there was a place that had a profound impact upon my life. It was a simple doughnut shop on Ashby near College Avenue. It was always a special occasion to go there and I am so thankful for being exposed to great stuff as a child.

My best Friend, and Flying Pie Pizza business partner Howard Olivier always said, “If you were only ever exposed to cafeteria pizza as a child, then Pizza Hut is pretty darn good”. Besides great doughnuts, great bagels, coffee, and fantastic breakfasts, to name a few of my fond memories, I learned that great is what (it) is all about.

Dream Fluff had a special meaning because of a simple poster that was up on the wall for years. I memorized the saying but until now figured I would never see it again. Dream Fluff had changed hands and when I asked about the poster, it was long gone. Fortunately, the donuts are still great.

Speaking of which we need Pastry Perfection to bring back the French Doughnut with Egg in the batter, I guess they are labor intensive and a little more expensive to produce so they rarely make them anymore.

After stopping in at DK’s Doughnuts this morning, I decided to look for the saying on line and low & behold, I found it. Many thanks to the person that posted this.

As you Ramble...

The optimist’s creed by Adolph Levitt, helped shape my being. There are many times that I have felt this way and am thankful for so much. I recall arguing with my physician director at the time, about being a half full kind of guy to which he replied that he was half empty, how sad I said.

At Levco I set out to bring all of the cool things about growing up in the bay area working for my dad in remodeling to Boise Idaho. The level of customer service and GAS (Give A Shit) is unmatched in our region from what I can tell and I feel that it is a big part of my niche.

As part of our internal evaluation process, I ask my employees to give examples of showing that they care. So, in a way, keeping an eye upon the doughnut is what this business is all about.

I was recently reminded about a cool story which I have asked my client to write up in her own words. It was about a disaster that occurred in the east end when a tree fell on her home, but another example just popped up that I need to share.

During a recent HVAC subcontractor meeting at a home, the owner happened to be listening in. We were scratching our heads on how we were going to get enough return air to her furnace. We also realized that her furnace had been starved for air since it was installed 15 years ago. She had to leave before we had settled upon our best option. Later that day, I called her to let her know that we had figured out our best option and that she would have to loose a few inches of her kitchen to accommodate the fix.

Inside

What she told me made my day. Not only did she say “OK” to the modification but she told me that she could feel that I really cared about her home. She went on to say that it was incredibly comforting and reassuring that she wasn’t the only one.

I explained that this is who I am, and these are the subcontractors and employees that I have chosen to surround myself with. This is what my company is all about. “It is like being on stage”  I tell my folks you rarely get to know who is watching but I assure them that we are always being watched.

If you are a perspective client that is looking for someone who operates a company that cares about your home, then Levco and our remodeling team is worth looking into.

As I reflect upon what I do for a living, I often ask… is everything I do satisfying and rewarding? No not always, but most of the time. Do I look for the stuff I am grateful for and celebrate it often when I hit it out of the park? Yup I do. Is this a recipe for fun and satisfaction? Yes, by golly, It is.

What does being a client advocate mean to me. It is more than just words… It involves taking decisive action sometimes.

The Depot

The design phase was done and the components were selected in a small bathroom project. The construction phase was in full swing. In an effort to save a few bucks the clients selected a mid priced bathtub from Home Depot. They left the store feeling good about being frugal.

One of my favorite rants is “Like Pizzas, all (fill in the blank) are not alike.” The bathtub came in a box that I recall feeling light but it had a nice picture of a good looking tub. In questioning the plumber after the install, he said “I thought it was flimsy but didn’t want to say anything because the owner had selected it.”

Fortunately, I stopped in at the job site for something and was pleased to see the progress and leaned up against the tub. Although it looked like a tub and acted like a tub it was the flimsiest plastic thing I had ever seen or felt. I thought to myself, in whose best interest is it to leave this tub in place. NO ONE is the correct answer. I immediately told the owners that if we allow this thing to stay it would not last and cost lots of money to replace in the future. Luckily I was able to round up an acrylic one right away so we are in the process of scheduling the replacement early next week.

The Owner is not the expert in our field, they had no idea what they were getting into. Had we built the tub into the tile wall before we brought it to their attention (or worse they brought it to our attention),  I would have felt horrible. The momentary embarrassment the client may feel and the awkwardness of the conversation is nothing compared to the potential upside of being a true client advocate. Sure, it could have gone the other way. My client may have insisted upon leaving the tub but at least they would have been made aware of the situation and made an informed decision.

Cracked Bathtub

I have nothing against The Depot, to be fair, this quality of tub is unfortunately seen in modular homes. My feeling is that it was totally out of character in this application. In my opinion, a shampoo bottle falling would crack this tub. In followup questioning, the display was 7′ up in the air and from that distance it looked like a typical bathtub that you would see in any home.

Did it hold up the project? yes for a little bit. Did it avoid a huge problem in the future YES. This was an Owner Furnished item. There was no warranty on my part other than for the installation so why should I care? Because that is who we are. I define integrity as ” once you know the right thing to do… that is what you do.”

My dream is that with my team at Levco we would have caught this prior to installation and we are working towards that but for now I am especially proud that we were acting as the experts in our field and behaving like true professionals. I often say that we are always on the lookout for examples of “showing that we care”, well this is as bold and obvious as it gets.

Perhaps I am especially sensitive to this issue because I am working on a project where both a tub and the shower are fractured in a modular home. Talk about inconvenience, we will be fixing them one at a time.

This story is especially apropos because many of my remodeling clients are looking for ways to stretch the budget. When I was looking for the replacement tub I asked my sales person at Ferguson, sell me a tub that you would not be embarrassed to sell or soak in yourself. Time will tell, but I believe this story will have a happy ending.

Incidentally, in a post script, The Depot took the tub back no questions asked.

An Old Home

I recently had the wonderful experience of providing my services to a few home inspections. No I am not a certified inspector but I know my way around a home. This all stemmed from the NARI home tour and a family that was anxious to find a home in Boise’s North End, a historic area that is loaded with charm. They had recently sold a home and were currently renting in the North End. They were pretty sure they found the street they wanted to live on and it was just a matter of keeping an eye on the MLS. I discovered through a dear realtor friend Donna Jacobson, that the technology exists to help perspective buyers keep an eye on such a narrow search parameter.

We first met at a stucco home. As I walked through, I noticed that it that had all the signs of being renovated in an unloving way and major attempts to put “makeup on a pig”. The home did not meet my “Has to have good bones” requirement nor did it have the space they needed as a family. I believe that my observations confirmed their suspicions.

The next call I received was an excited call about a potential keeper with plenty of room that they had “locked up” with a tentative offer with contingencies. Upon arrival I noticed a corner lot with a great turn of the century set of neighboring homes. This one had charm and elegance. There was a real home inspector on site too. I performed my walk through and had time to listen to the couple and ask lots of questions. I was able to point out a bunch of stuff that could be fixed and should be fixed. I mainly looked at what could be done to adapt the home to be more livable for them, add energy efficiency and maintain the charm.

An Inspector

Then I received a complimentary copy of the home inspection. Initially I was pleasantly surprised. The inspector was sensitive to the fact that the home was built in a different era and much of the deterioration and or quirks of the home were expected from a home of this age. Sure there were buckets of stuff on the list that needed attention but all in all the structure was sound. I was not as kind, but I get the sentiment. My take is that it has been poorly maintained for years and it shows. I added to the list and essentially reiterated that there are a bunch of “must fix prior to occupying” and another list of things that could be done once they settle in.

After reading the inspection again I noticed a disturbing twist. The inspector was dabbling in making subjective statements about the cost to repair the home and minimizing the severity of things that he had not completely evaluated. The inspection is suppose to be an objective evaluation of the condition at that moment in time and a list of things that should and must be repaired. Incensed by the cavalier inspection report I wrote a scathing letter to the perspective buyers discrediting the inspection. I also included a ball park price matrix to assist them in making a proper offer on the home.

Money Pit

At Levco Builders we try to be as up front and factual as possible. We have found that sugar coating things backfires quickly. Who wants to see the world through rose colored glasses when they are the financially responsible party. As it turns out this family has very little experience living in an older home and it could potentially ruin them financially. Remember the movie The Money Pit? When it comes time to evaluate a home for purchase get an objective second opinion and a third f that is what it takes. These are no times to be making foolish decisions with your hard earned cash. It is a buyer’s market and don’t you forget it.

Selecting a Remodeler

I created a booklet to help folks find a remodeler that is a good fit. Rather than publishing it in print I have done the green thing and put it here on the site. It is printable and I encourage you to share it with others. Feedback is appreciated and welcome too.

In my booklet you will find lots of helpful tips and good ideas designed to assist you in finding a remodeler that’s a good fit for you.

From doing your due diligence to taking field trips. From interviewing former clients to learning what good finish work looks like. I boiled down everything I could find into what I believe will be a helpful tool.

The other fantastic thing is that  you can change the pages like a book.

Please take a moment to review the content I believe you will find some fresh and pertinent content.

Broken Tree

At Levco we are always on the lookout for opportunities to knock someones socks off.

Several years ago we had a situation where a windstorm knocked a tree  branch off a house and wiped out the power to a home in a quiet neighborhood off of Warm Springs Avenue. In the dark the Julie called Idaho Power to fix the problem. Upon arrival The lineman could do nothing until the mast that had been torn off the home was repaired. In other words, she would need to handle the problem herself. Nursing a ill husband, who would normally have handled this sort of thing, dealing with a crisis seemed like a daunting task.

As it turns out, Idaho Power can only deal with their power lines from the pole to the mast. Fortunately seeing that Julie was in despair, the Idaho Power lineman handed her my card. I had given it to the lineman a few weeks earlier after a chance conversation during a power line replacement at a different project.

Upon receiving the call I rushed to the scene and discovered that not only did the tree sheer the mast from the home but it crushed her fence and to top things off, it had a bee hive in the middle of it.  We had Julie and her husband stay in a hotel until we restored her power, and I found a bee keeper to remove the hive. We were able to have the rest of the tree removed too because the other half was threatening too fall onto the neighbors home. The fence was eventually rebuilt.

Lineman

For me, the most rewarding part of solving this crisis was developing a relationship with an amazing person I might never have met otherwise. Solving these type of problems and learning from our mistakes, is a theme that carries through my company’s existence. At Levco celebrating our problem solving abilities is legendary. Remodeling in Boise a risky business and not everything always goes as planned. Here are just a few of the situations we’ve found ourselves in over the years. heaters going out, power outage, water spraying in the basement, high water alarm going off, the tile isn’t in the right pattern, there is a leak in my roof. My slogan is “It’s what is wrong, not who’s wrong.”  Solving these real problems is a opportunity to reach that level of service that very few companies can. My subcontractors and I have committed to each other that we will solve these problems in stride. We now and have a proven track record of doing whatever it takes to make things right. How other companies handle these problems? I have no idea, I like to think that is one of the many things that set us apart in this highly competitive market.

the Cathedral

There is a classic fable that which simply and elegantly explains what I am doing, and why I am working so hard, or so much, depending upon your perspective.

It has to do with a man that observes others doing menial labor in the form of  moving rocks at a job site. He tries to figure out why, despite the fact that they are all doing the same thing, each one appears to be doing the job with different amounts of enthusiasm.

When asked, the first one replied with low enthusiasm,” I’m moving rocks from this pile here, to the next pile over there”. Obviously this person is focused on the task at hand. The second one when asked responded with a little more enthusiasm, “as soon as I finish moving this pile I can go fishing.”  This one was more interested in what he was going to do after work which helped him tolerate the work. The third one was full of enthusiasm when asked said ” I am helping to build a cathedral.” Although doing the same menial tasks, the third person understood that through his work that something great was being built that will last and become a place of great beauty and that he was creating something that had meaning beyond the structure.

No, I’m not judging others. I just happen to understand that I am a cathedral builder. No matter the menial task I enjoy working both with my hands and  my mind.

Often accused of being a work-a-holic, I prefer the monicker work-o-maniac. The difference I believe is in the way I approach the task at hand. Do I enjoy my work?  Am I being creative? Do people appreciate what I am doing? The simple answer is yes to all of them.

Sturdy rock wall

I get inspiration from the simplest things, I feel like I am figuring out a very difficult puzzle, or creating a sturdy rock wall. Right now my focus is upon creating a profitable well respected remodeling business one project at a time. Is there an end in sight …not that I can see from here. The metaphor however works for me.

Why remodeling in Boise Idaho you ask?  I suppose it could have been any line of work anywhere. I feel that the mirage of  owning and operating a successful, profitable, well run business has always been just past my fingertips. Not that I haven’t had my share of successes. Deep down, I also want to show my father Ed that I can do it. He still has an excitement about working on his remodeling business in Berkeley California with my brother Maurice and sharing his wisdom with us whenever he can.

The reward in remodeling for me is the thrill I get when I figure something complicated out, or discover a better way of doing something. I am especially happy when I am given the opportunity to improve living spaces. After all I get to work on one of the most basic needs required for life, shelter.