After years of trimming jobs in the wake of the Great Recession, contractors and subcontractors say the pendulum has swung the other way, and now they are looking to hire skilled workers who are no longer available in the job market.
“I said this two years ago, if we have a full-speed recovery in the construction industry, we will not have the available workers to fill the jobs,” said Henry Goudreau, CEO & Founder of HG & Associates, Inc., and http://www.contractorcoaching.com. “The only way to correct this is by a grassroots effort by contractors in offering training, or convincing high school candidates to take construction training courses. It is in our best interest to start working on this now rather than later.”
To make up the shortfall, builders are training workers themselves, recruiting from outside the area and working with local technical schools on a slate of new training programs expected to begin in the fall.
Goudreau offers a report for contractors on how to increase sales and drive more money to their bottom-line. It is free for contractors by going to http://tinyurl.com/me78v37.
Henry Goudreau is known as the most sought-after business-building coach, speaker, and author for contractors. He is famous for turning around the problem plagued construction business, building profits, freeing up the owner’s time, and streamlining processes that build success, brand, and loyalty.
He offers business-building advice to contractors at his web site, and works with owners mastering and implementing his proven business model. This virtual road map for contractors helps them to build powerful niches and a true understanding of what it takes to be profitable.
GW supplies are a Dartford based plumber’s merchant providing quality plumbing materials to the trade and public. They are concerned that many UK households are not aware of the anti scald products on the market and the damage hot water from the tap can do to your skin.
Every year 20 people die and 600 are badly injured from scalds caused by hot water. The Elderly and very young are most at risk from scalding. To prevent the growth of harmful legionella bacteria, hot water must be stored at 60°C or above. Unfortunately at this high temperature, healthy adult skin can be scalded with third degree burns in only five seconds.
The new Part G of the Building Regulations comes into force on 1st October 2009 and aims to help reduce the number of incidences of scalding by requiring that all baths and showers in new dwellings or new dwellings created by a change of use of an existing building have a device fitted that limits the temperature to 48°C. This is considered a safer temperature for adults and will help prevent these unnecessary deaths and injuries.
What’s the best way to limit water temperatures?
The most effective way of delivering safe hot water temperatures is by using a thermostatic mixing valve (TMV). A TMV will take the stored hot water and mix it in the correct proportions with the cold water supply to deliver a safe, stable temperature at point of use, whether it is a bath or basin.
TMVs are available in 15mm or 22mm pipe sizes.
While the legislative requirements of the new Part G only cover new dwellings or new dwellings created by a change of use of an existing building, Gurney & White Ltd and gwsupplies.co.uk believe in the interest of safety not only for the young and old, but for the safety of all. The installation of a TMV, either through the use of thermostatic bath shower mixers, or an under bath/basin thermostatic blending valve, should be standard practice for ANY bathroom refurbishment. Thermostatic mixing valves can also be added to existing plumbing to save an accident from happening.
Another advantage of fitting TMV blending valves is that of saving energy by not wasting hot water and thereby reducing the household’s carbon footprint.
GW Supplies stock a range of Intamix TMV blending valves in 15mm and 22mm sizes, and Inta, Bristan and Hansgrohe thermostatic bath shower mixers.
On May16th, from 7pm to 9:30pm Harmony in the Garden, will be held at the St. Augustine Water and Stone Gallery. The event is hosted by businesses that offer top of the line products and services for homes and gardens. This evening offers discerning homeowners the chance to view ideas for their homes while in a luxurious setting with live music, wine, and cocktails, tastes of “Galanga†Fine Cuisine as well as door prizes from the Jacksonville area business hosts. Homeowners will also be able to enjoy renowned artists’ works displayed in a beautiful Zen garden. Collette Vale is reservations by phone at 904-808-8784. More information about the Water and Stone Gallery and their distinguished artists can be found at www.waterandstonegallery.com.
NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Jacksonville provides the latest in energy efficient LED lighting technology, custom lighting design, professional installation, and outdoor lighting repair. NiteLites outdoor lighting fixtures are weather resistant as they are made of copper and brass and are acid-etched for a durable design.
NiteLites is national outdoor lighting franchise and offers additional information about landscape and architectural lighting online at http://www.NiteLites.com. Throughout the U.S. there NiteLites outdoor lighting locations in over 40 cities including: NiteLites Outdoor Lights of Asheville, Greenville, SC 29601, 29602, 29603, 29605, 29607, 29609, 29611, 29615, 29616, and 29617. NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Atlanta 30305, 30319, 30327, Alpharetta 30004, 30005, 30022, 30305, 30319, Duluth, GA 30097, Marietta 30062, Roswell 30075, and Aiken 29801. NiteLites Architectural Lighting of Augusta, SC, Blythewood, SC 29016, Chapin 29036, Columbia 29290, Elgin 29045, Irmo 29063, Leesville 29070, Lexington 29072, and West Columbia 29169. NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Charleston 29401, 29403, 29407, 29412, 29414, 29419, 29492, Daniel Island 29445, Goose Creek 29445, Hanahan 29410, Isle of Palms 29451, Johns Island 29455, Kiawah Island 29455, Moncks Corner 29461, Mt. Pleasant 29464, North Charleston 29405, Sullivans Island 29482, Summerville 29483, 29485, Wadmalaw Island 29487, and Wando 29492. Arlington 60004, Bradenton 34209, Bernardsville 07924, Brentwood 37027, Bridgewater 08807, Branchburg 08876, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Boca Raton 33433, Bonita Springs 34135, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Central New Jersey 08857, Cape Coral 33914, Centerville 45458, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Charleston 29412, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Charlotte 28269, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Chicago 60604, Chicagoland 60004, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Cincinnati 45243, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Clearwater 33755, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Columbia 29212, NiteLites Landscape Lighting of Columbus 43230, Covington 41011, East Brunswick 08816, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Dayton 45423, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Delaware 19898, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Fort Myers 33908, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Fort Lauderdale 33326, Franklin 37064, Greenville 29601, Hilliard 43026 , NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Houston 77095, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Indianapolis 46032, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach 32240, Jupiter 33458, Katy 77450, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Lima 45805, Livingston 27391, Lynchburg 24083, Madison 53707, Maryland 20854, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Middle Tennessee 37075, Millburn 07041, Morristown 07962, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Mt. Pleasant 29464, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Myrtle Beach 29597, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Naples 34109, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Nashville 37221, Newport 41076, New Providence 07974, North Augusta 29841, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Northern Kentucky 41012, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Northern Virginia 22124, Novi 48377, Oxford 45056, Philadelphia 19118, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Roanoke 24018, Sanibel 33957, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Sarasota 34243, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Southeast Michigan 48380, Spartanburg 29304, Springboro 45066, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of St. Louis 63005, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of St. Petersburg 33715, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Toledo 43699, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Tampa 33647, Valrico 33594, Venice 34293, Wilmington 19808, Washington, DC 20510, Watchung 08089, West Caldwell 07006, West Orange 07052, Westerville 43081, and NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of West Palm Beach 33414.
ServiceSpider makes the online auction process that has long been used by companies like eBay, available for homeowners and contractors to buy and sell services on the Internet.
After beta testing for a year ServiceSpider releases a new version of their auction website with many new features such as forums. On ServiceSpider.com homeowners can save time and money by letting contractors compete for their home improvement needs.
Homeowner Haye Kesteloo came up with the idea for ServiceSpider while working on a bathroom remodel project in 2006. “As I started to contact different contractors to get quotes for my project, I found it difficult to establish what a fair price should be for a job well done.†Prices, time estimates, and other factors varied from one contractor to another, and Kesteloo found himself wondering if there wasn’t a better way to navigate the Home Improvement market using the Internet. Kesteloo decided to stop wondering and to make the idea a reality, helping homeowners and contractors in the process. With that plan in motion, ServiceSpider was born.
Most homeowners know how difficult and time consuming it can be to find the right contractor for a home improvement job. Scheduling appointments, checking references and licenses and other related issues can make a job seem much more difficult than it needs to be. This is where ServiceSpider comes in. As a homeowner, one needs only to go to http://www.servicespider.com, and create a posting about the job that needs to be done. Need a leaky shower fixed? Maybe it’s time to upgrade the electrical panel? Or perhaps it’s time to replace those old windows? Whatever the home improvement needs are, once the job is posted at ServiceSpider, the service request will show up on the site’s home page, and will be automatically send to matching service providers in the area. Free of charge to the homeowner, ServiceSpider will have pre-screened contractors offering competing bids for the job. One can even read the reviews from other homeowners on different contractors and see how they are rated.
Currently, in the greater New York area alone, there are over 700 service providers, so a match can be made quickly and efficiently. The homeowner chooses how, when and where they will be contacted, be it phone, fax, or email. The homeowner is in charge!
For Haye Kesteloo, making ServiceSpider a success is a full time job. He knows that finding the right contractor for the right job and for the right price can be a challenge, especially in the current economic climate. Kesteloo offers the following advice: “Take your time when choosing the right contractor. Don’t let yourself be hurried into making a decision. Make sure the contractor you hire is licensed and insured and that you receive a written contract.â€
For additional information regarding ServiceSpider, please contact Haye Kesteloo directly or go to www.servicespider.com.
Heading for the exit is now more energy efficient and eco-friendly with the new Glo Brite® Eco Exit™ signs available to owners of commercial buildings, stores, living centers, manufacturing sites and healthcare facilities.
Unlike the old lighted exit signs, the Eco Exit signs need no electricity, wiring, bulbs or battery backup to point the way out of a building during a blackout, smoky conditions or at night. The Eco Exit signs utilize the latest photo luminescent technology to absorb and store ambient light, becoming immediately visible in dark conditions from up to 50 feet away.
Eco Exit signs consume zero energy, have zero operating costs and zero maintenance and disposal costs, while reducing the carbon footprint of the facility. They also are a safer alternative to signs using radioactive tritium technology.
A building with 100 Glo Brite Eco Exit signs can save as much as $3,500 a year in energy cost and reduce air pollution by almost a half million pounds of carbon dioxide compared with electrical signs over the 25 year life expectancy of the product.
These innovative emergency signs are available in steel or plastic models and are easy to install. They use standard brackets and may be surface, flag or ceiling mounted in new or retrofit construction.
“These Eco Exit signs are a huge improvement over traditional exit signs,†stated Dan Ruminski, president of Martinson-Nicholls, Inc, Willoughby, OH, a master distributor of the product. “They are environmentally friendly, with cost and energy savings all in one maintenance-free product that provides immediate return on investment.â€
Eco Exit signs are UL 924 listed and meet all current building codes and NFPA Life Safety Code 101 and OSHA requirements.
HHW, an electrical copper building wire, is proving to be a favorite over the more standard THHN building wire by many electrical contractors and installers.
XHHW stands for Cross-Linked High Heat Water Resistant Insulated Wire. Today’s XHHW is manufactured to XHHW-2 standard meaning it is rated in wet and dry environments up to 90C. XHHW is found both in stranded and solid constructions and various jacket colors.
THHN stands for Thermoplastic High Heat-resistant Nylon-coated. THHN is also found in both stranded and solid copper conductors but uses a nylon coating for mechanical and protection for gas and oil.
The key difference between the two building wires is XHHW utilizes cross-linked polyethylene (XPLE) and THHN uses a poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) as the insulation over the conductor. XHHW performs better in the low temperature environments and has a higher K Value, or better electrical properties.
“We continue to see more and more customers request XHHW over THHN now that copper prices have dropped again. XHHW has better current carrying capacity giving it the ability to withstand meltdown better, and even with its marginal price increase, many customers make it their choice over THNN,†remarked Bryce Huett, President of Distributor Wire & Cable in Denver, Colorado.
XHHW typically cost 10-20% more than THHN but that gap is closing as cross-linked polyethylene becomes more and more available. It is worth noting that the nylon coating on THHN wire makes it stiffer than its building wire counter part. Installers always prefer a more pliable product when trying to pull their runs throughout a structure.
Distributor Wire & Cable is a nationwide electrical wholesaler for all types of wire and cable including XHHW and THHN building wire. For more information on their products and services, call 888-439-2947 or visit www.distributorwire.com.
EPR Construction News is a new blog, part of EPR Network, that is going to be focused on and will be covering the construction news and stories from press releases published on EPR Network.
EPR Network (EPR stands for express press release) is one of the nation’s largest press release distribution networks on Web. The EPR’s nationwide network includes 12 State based PR sites, one major PR forum and a number of industry specific PR blogs and what started as a hobby on Internet years ago turned out to be a rapidly growing business today. EPR Network is also known as one of the most trusted (human optimized, published, edited and monitored, spam/scam/low quality PR content free) PR sites on the web with more than 10,000 company and individual press releases distributed per month. EPR Network is putting your press releases on top of all major search engines’ results and is reaching thousands of individuals, companies, PR specialists, media professionals, bloggers and journalists every day.
EPR Network has thousands of clients around the world including global 500 corporations like Hilton Hotels, Barclays Bank, AXA Insurance, Tesco UK, eBay/Skype, Emirates, just to name a few. The network’s PR web sites are currently reaching from 150,000 to sometimes 500,000 unique visitors per month while our viral reach could possibly go to as much as 1M people per month through our presence across various social media sites. EPR Network was established in 2004 and as of May 2008 it had more than 800,000 press releases (pages) published on its network.
Goudreau offers a report for contractors on how to increase sales and drive more money to their bottom-line. It is free for contractors by going to http://tinyurl.com/me78v37.
