Information Blog Regarding Construction -

Reclaimed Materials: Giving Old Materials New Life in Construction

November 11, 2023

Reclaimed materials, often referred to as salvaged or recycled materials, are old components saved from previous structures and repurposed for new construction projects. This approach not only lends a touch of history and charm to new buildings but it also significantly contributes to sustainability in construction.

Historically, builders tossed aside old materials, viewing them as waste. However, as the construction industry began recognizing the environmental and aesthetic benefits of reclaimed materials, their popularity soared.

Benefits of Using Reclaimed Materials:

Environmental Benefits: Using reclaimed materials reduces the demand for new raw materials. This results in fewer deforestation activities and a decreased carbon footprint from manufacturing processes.
Durability: Many old materials, especially timbers, were harvested from ancient trees, making them more durable and resilient than some new materials.
Uniqueness: Reclaimed materials provide a unique aesthetic that can’t be replicated with new materials. They bring character and a story to a structure.
Cost-Efficient: Although the initial cost of reclaimed materials can be high, their longevity and low maintenance requirements can make them a more cost-effective choice in the long run.

The Future of Reclaimed Materials in Construction:

As more builders and homeowners recognize the value of reclaimed materials, their demand will likely continue to rise. Innovations in how these materials are sourced, processed, and used will play a significant role in shaping the future of sustainable construction.

FAQs

What types of materials can be reclaimed? Almost any material can be reclaimed, from wooden beams and flooring to bricks, tiles, and even windows.
Where can I source reclaimed materials? Many specialized suppliers offer reclaimed materials. Additionally, old buildings or structures being demolished can be potential sources.
Are reclaimed materials safe to use? Yes, when sourced from reputable suppliers. It’s essential to ensure that the materials are free from contaminants and pests.

Conclusion

Reclaimed materials are not just a passing trend. They’re a testament to the construction industry’s commitment to sustainability, preserving history, and creating unique, character-filled spaces. By choosing reclaimed, we’re not only making an aesthetic choice but a conscious decision for a better, greener future.…

Creating an Energy-Efficient Home: Tips for Homeowners and Developers

May 20, 2023

Building an energy-efficient home is a great option if you’re looking to save money on energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint. At Ally’s roofing & construction, we’re committed to helping homeowners and builders create sustainable homes that are both functional and eco-friendly. Here are some practical tips to get you started on your energy-efficient home journey. With a little effort, you can greatly impact your wallet and the environment. Check out the tips below or visit their website to learn more.

Choose Efficient Appliances

Replacing old, inefficient appliances with Energy Star models can be among the most effective ways to save money on your energy bills. Look for washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators and other major appliances that have earned the Energy Star label.

Invest in Insulation

Insulation is vital when it comes to saving energy in your home. The proper insulation helps keep warm air inside during winter and cool air during summer–saving you money year-round on heating and cooling costs.

Install Energy-Efficient Windows

Look for ENERGY STAR certified windows that feature low-emissivity (low-e) coating to reduce the amount of heat transferred between your home and the outdoors. And this can dramatically improve your home’s efficiency.

Go for High-Efficiency Lighting

Swap out old, inefficient light bulbs with LED or CFL bulbs for better illumination with significantly less power usage. Many LED and CFL lights are also dimmable, allowing you to adjust their light amount, which will help reduce energy even further.

Get a Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat lets you set temperature schedules throughout the day, so you don’t waste energy when you don’t need it. And this will help keep your home comfortable while reducing your energy bills.

Invest in Renewable Energy Sources

Installing wind turbines, solar panels, or other renewable energy sources can reduce your dependence on traditional electricity and add value to your home. These systems require an initial investment but can ultimately be a great long-term money saver.

With these simple tips, you can start making your home more energy efficient today and save money on energy bills for years. Contact a certified contractor near you for more information about creating an efficient home. They’ll have the experience and knowledge to guide you through making the most efficient and comfortable home possible.…

How to Renovate a House Like an Expert

December 6, 2022

Remodeling a home’s quality of life and increasing its worth is an excellent way to enhance it. Just like any update, it is not inexpensive. However, by using these simple strategies, you may reduce your expenses.

Set Up a Budget

Creating a realistic budget plan before any remodeling process is crucial, leaving room for unforeseen costs. A cost estimate enables you to make the home improvements you want without exceeding your budget.

Material Quality

Always consider whether purchasing quality materials is necessary, keeping in mind that cheap is frequently more expensive in the long run.

Self-Reliance

You can cut your remodeling costs by taking care of some smaller jobs yourself. Additionally, it gives your house a much-needed personal touch, and the cost savings make the extra work worthwhile.

Renovating

Think about quick repairs that can significantly reduce costs before you get rid of something. It comprises fixing and enhancing anything to make it more vibrant or appear brand-new. Instead of purchasing and reupholstering a sofa, you may invest in a more cost-effective slipcover and easy to customize.

Location

The price of goods and services varies by location. For instance, labor costs decrease as you get farther from large cities.

On the other hand, as one advance into more rural areas, the price of commodities like cement rises as distributors pass the transportation expense on to the customers. You should consider this and figure out a strategy to avoid the increased cost that location brings with it.

The Bottom Line

Use the advice from this article before starting the renovation process to transform your home like a pro. These tips will make your renovation project successful and ensure its timely completion.
…

Cool Features to Include in a New Home

June 27, 2022

If you’re like most people, David from Home Services Company says that you treasure the moments you spend in your home. Your home provides you with the unique space and environment to relax and feel good. Modern homes come with unique designs and features to enhance your living experience. You can include a wide range of incredible features in a new home to make it stand out for you, your family, and visitors.

Smart Technology

Modern homes are technological pieces. You will not regret adding some innovative technologies to your home. You can start by installing modern appliances such as smart TVs, smart refrigerators, and smart microwaves. Intelligent devices make your home more enjoyable by working smart. You can set your smart TV to switch off at a particular time.

You can also include innovative technology for your home security. Install modern technologies that allow you to lock and open the doors remotely using your portable smart device like your smartphone. You can open the door remotely for your mum when she visits while you are away.

Energy Saving Features

Your home consumes a lot of energy for lighting, heating, cooling, and powering electronic devices. Energy is costly. To ensure your energy cost is manageable, install energy-saving features like energy-saving bulbs and solar water heaters. Go for energy-efficient appliances only as there are many available today.

A Gym

Your health is essential. Spending more time in your living space can be an opportunity for physical fitness. Ensure that you include a gym area in your new home. And this will have different gym facilities for your physical fitness exercises at home. Your home gym will also allow your spouse, children, and visitors to exercise within the home.

Multiple Ports

Have charging and USB ports in many places, including the kitchen, the sitting room, the bedrooms, and even the outdoor living areas. And this makes it more convenient for you when you want to charge your devices or connect to the internet. Multiple ports give you more freedom to stay wherever you are in the house.

Bottom Line

When deciding the excellent features to include in your new home, your preferences should apply. You can also do more research on the internet and other places because new features are coming up each day.
…

Construction Upgrades That Are Worth Your Money

January 31, 2022

You have many decisions to make when building a house. The base price comprises the significant expenses for the project, including the standard finishes. However, you can factor in the costs for the upgrades if you want to customize your home. Nevertheless, not every upgrade is worth your money, even if you’re going to personalize your house. Here are construction upgrades that are worth your money.

Energy Savers

Investing in energy-saving upgrades will save you more money during your time as a homeowner. Therefore, consider energy-saving appliances, energy-efficient windows, and space cooling and heating devices. When you make your home more energy-efficient, you will save more on your monthly utility costs. Thus, your house will be warmer during winter and cool in the summer.

The Kitchen

Upgrading the kitchen is also worth your money. In most cases, the kitchen is a home’s focal point. Ideally, you will spend a lot of time in the kitchen, preparing meals. Also, potential buyers consider this space when deciding to purchase a home. Therefore, upgrade different aspects of your kitchen, such as countertops and appliances. Also, upgrade cabinets, LED strips for lighting, and the kitchen island. These upgrades are costly and burdensome later on. However, they will give your kitchen a more gourmet look.

Deeper Basement

Increasing your basement’s height will make your space feel more usable and open. And this is particularly crucial when you have an unfinished basement. Therefore, try to increase the depth or height of the basement to make it look and feel more open.

More Lighting

New construction has lighting. However, you can add light when upgrading your new home. Ideally, focus on rooms that need lighting the most, like the bathroom and kitchen. Lighting adds brightness, and it’s inherently functional. Upgrading your new home with extra lighting will also add warmth.

Create a more oversized garage while incorporating innovative storage spaces if you have more space. Also, add carpet padding and flexible plumbing for a half or full bath in the future.
…

5 Stages of Building a House

March 3, 2021

A fellow friend of mine over at RIS, explained to me that understanding the main stages of building a house enables you to know what happens at every step of your construction project. That way, you know the preparations to make throughout your project. Here is a summary of the five main stages of a construction project.

Understanding the main stages of building a house enables you to know what happens at every step of your construction project. That way, you know the preparations to make throughout your project. Here is a summary of the five main stages of a construction project.

Base Stage

During the base stage, the contractor lays down the foundation and slab. It’s also in this stage that the contractor lays down the plumbing pipework. That’s because this pipework goes beneath the slab. This stage may not stick to your schedule because the concreter must wait for the poured concrete to cure. Also, weather conditions like rain can delay the process.

Frame Stage

In this stage, the contractor completes the frame. And this can be SIPS panels, timber, or steel. It’s in this stage that the house takes shape. If you have niches like a shower niche or recessed vanity mirror, make sure the contractor frames them out in this stage. The contractor should also frame out the built-in pelmets for curtains and blinds and anything that may impact the structure or frame of the house.

Lockup Stage

This stage can also include the “rough-in.” Lockup refers to a sizeable actual build’s piece. The contractor installs all the doors and windows in this stage. They secure these installations and external cladding. The lockup stage is essential because it’s where the contractor prepares the homeowner’s selections before installing the plaster.

Fixing Stage

In this stage, the contractor installs the internal cladding. And this can include the architraves, insulation, cabinetry, waterproofing, and doors. Everything takes shape, and different aspects of the house come together at this stage.

Completion

Completion is the final stage of a construction project, and it’s called the “fit-off.” The contractor brings back trades like the carpenter, electrician, and plumber in this stage. These professionals work on things like showers, light fittings, door hardware, and bathroom accessories. You also do the final house inspection at this stage.

Study what should happen in every stage of a construction project carefully. That way, you can ensure that the contractor doesn’t leave out anything.
…

How Many Quotes Should You Get from Potential Contractors?

January 19, 2021

Man on construction site with plans in hand

Once you’re done with your home design, planning, and budgeting, the next step is hiring a contractor. Cost is among the major factors that most people consider when hiring a contractor. You want to hire a contractor that charges the most reasonable price without compromising on the quality of your build.

Most contractors provide free construction project estimates. As such, you can get as many estimates as possible. But, what is the reasonable number of estimates should you get when hiring a contractor.

Well, three is the recommended number. Ideally, you should get quotes from three contractors or companies of varying sizes. That way, you will get a better scope to guide you when getting a reasonable price for your project. Three quotes should give you a better picture of the average price that you should pay for the project.

Choosing the Right Quote

A quote might not be what it seems when given without writing. Contractors are largely unregulated. What’s more, a contractor is not legally bound to join a quality scheme. Therefore, the construction industry has many cons. So, if somebody gives you a ridiculously low quote, ask these questions first.

Is every element included in the quote?
What payment plan does the contractor use?
How did you find the contractor?
Does the contractor belong to any professional or quality control body?
What timeframe does the contractor give for your project?
Is the work of subcontractors included in the quote?

Your answers to these questions should guide you on the best way to proceed.

Get References

Don’t forget to check references before hiring the contractor. Find out more about their past projects and what the clients they have worked with say about their experiences.

You should generally do your due diligence when getting quotes, vetting, and hiring a contractor for your project.
…

The Major Construction Trends that Are Affecting the Industry in 2020

September 3, 2020

Every year, new issues and innovations emerge and their effects are felt in different industries. The construction industry is affected by different trends every year. Here are some of the construction trends that are affecting the industry in 2020.

Technology Integration

The remodeling and building industry is implementing innovations that improve productivity while saving money. Technology is now at the core of almost every trend in the construction industry. Contractors are adopting advancements to minimize the impacts of negative construction trends. Less time is being spent on the completion of some tasks. That’s because contractors are using modern software to complete those tasks. Drones, 3D printing, cloud, and mobile applications, as well as, BIM technology, are some of the trends that are shaping the construction industry in 2020.

Increased Off-Site Operations

The construction industry is characterized by an increase in off-site tasks like modular constructions and prefabrications. Labor market and material prices continue to tighten. But, pre-construction and off-site practices still make sense for contractors that want to reduce the overall cost, shorten construction timelines, and improve productivity. Construction safety is also improved by controlled factory spaces. This eliminates some hazards of traditional construction.

Improved Safety Equipment

The safety and standards of equipment have improved in 2020. For instance, wearable technology and work boots are now better than they were in the past. Some of these products send GPS coordinates while connecting to Wi-Fi. Some can even alert supervisors when workers get tired or fall.

More Regulatory Burdens

Regulatory burdens on lot development and purchase are affecting prices. In most places, regulations account for up to 24.3% of the total price of building a single-family house. They also account for 14.6% of the final price of a house because of the high cost of finished lots.

Labor Crisis

The current labor crisis is nothing new. However, it continues to affect the construction industry and housing affordability. This remains one of the factors that make it hard for some people to afford homes.

The construction industry is always changing. These are some of the trends to watch out for to stay updated on what’s new in the industry. Nevertheless, continuous research is always necessary before embarking on a construction project.
…

Key Floor Plan Characteristics to Consider when Building a House

February 28, 2020

A floor plan is very important when it comes to building a house. It helps in designing the furniture layout and wiring system among others. Floor plans are valuable tools in the real estate industry and for leasing companies because they help them when renting out spaces and selling houses. But, how do you tell that a floor plan is ideal for a house? Here are the major characteristics of a floor plan to consider.

Flexible and Versatile

An ideal floor plan should be flexible and versatile. It should give you the freedom to turn an office into the bedroom of your kids in the future. Therefore, have flexibility and versatility in mind when designing or choosing a floor plan whether you’re building the house for a future buyer or your family.

Ideal Layout for Rooms

Bedrooms should be more than simple entertainment spaces. They should not face common spaces for entertainment like the living rooms and dining rooms. Most people prefer having the kitchen opens to the living room or dining rooms so that when a person is cooking, they can interact with their guests with ease or even the kids that are playing in their homes.

Size

When designing a hallway or a room, think about the number of people that will occupy it at any given time. Is there a room where they can move around? Does the house have room to accommodate furniture for all planned activities?

Lifestyle and Priorities

If you value entertainment, make sure that your floor plan has a good flow from your kitchen to the living room and outside space. For a person that works from home, the office should get proper light from the outside. It should also be located in a quiet location.

Practical Considerations and Architectural Details

Think about cleaning, kids’ safety, cooling, and heating bills before you love that majestic staircase or the windows. Make sure that the architectural details of the house do not affect the heating and cooling bills of your house negatively.

These are some of the key floor plan characteristics to consider when building a house. Talk to your contractor about them to make a more informed decision.
…

Who Should Handle Cost Estimation in a Construction Project?

October 31, 2019

Anybody that has worked in a construction company has probably seen that the selling process is mostly detached from the actual estimation process. However, this is basically a costly mistake. The person that does the selling should be involved in the cost estimation process.

Here are the reasons:

Efforts duplication- When selling and estimation are separated, efforts are duplicated. This means two people are paid to do almost the same job and this can be costly for the contractor.

Fewer errors- When the person that sells is allowed to handle cost estimation, errors are reduced. That’s because they know what they told the client when selling and what to include in the estimate.

Faster process- Effective and quick interaction with clients goes a long way in enhancing the growth of a construction business. Separating selling and estimating systems creates obstacles that delay processes. This can turn clients away.

In a construction project, an experienced cost estimator should handle cost estimation. This can be a professional in a construction company or an independent cost estimator. An experienced construction cost estimator knows the costs of a construction project. They are familiar with construction blueprints and supplies. This enables them to give a more accurate and clear forecast of the amount a construction project will most likely cost before it takes off.

Why Work with an Experienced Cost Estimator

Each construction project is different. Your construction project has unique variables. For instance, each project has a unique design, labor, and material needs. These are just some of the factors to consider when providing a cost estimate. Overestimating or underestimating the cost of a construction project can have detrimental consequences.

Construction cost estimation is a practice that should answer all cost-related questions of a project. However, only an experienced cost estimator can answer these questions properly. What’s more, cost estimation techniques have improved considerably in terms of complexity and sophistication. That’s why you should get your cost estimate from an experienced cost estimator.

Talk to your contractor about cost estimation at the preconstruction stage to know who will handle it. …