The Things We Do: Timber Framing

Author: J. Jerrald Hayes; Published: Apr 24, 2007; Category: The Things We Do; Tags: None; No Comments

Timber Frames Honor the Structure by Displaying It as Artwork for All to See

Timberframing is perhaps one of the most satisfying and rewarding carpentry disciplines to a tradesperson and one of the most beautiful and dramatic construction methods in the eyes of homeowners too.

In fact in his seminal book on the subject Building the Timber Frame House Tedd Benson quotes J. Frederick Kelly writing: –"The massive framing of our early houses is thing to delight anyone possessed of the smallest amount of architectural sense. A feeling of boundless strength, of security and steadfastness, as well as a notable kind of dignity, is inseparable from the ponderous timbers which go to make up these mighty frames."—

Yes, timber framing can inspire the poetic spirit in both builders and owners alike.

If you’re thinking of a timber frame home or addition we can work with you as project managers assisting you in either finding the right frame producer for your project or even cutting and fabricating the components your project needs ourselves given the experience some of our key personnel have had with cutting timber frames themselves. We can plan, organize, budget, and contract your project from foundation to the last pint of paint used to finish your home.

We’ll put together the team of artisans and craftspeople and supervise and coordinate their actions so everything can come together in a satisfying and exhilarating experience for your and your family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Call us at 914-239-3635 to arrange for a Free Consultation
to discuss your Timber Frame dreams.

Helpful Reference Materials & Book Recommendations
Timberframe: The Art and Craft of the Post-and-Beam Home	The Timberframe Way: A Lavishly Illustrated Guide to the Most Elegant Way to Build a Home
Timberframe Interiors	Timberframe Plan Book

Call us at 914-239-3635 to arrange for a Free Design Consultation

The Things We Do: Finished Basements

Author: J. Jerrald Hayes; Published: Apr 24, 2007; Category: The Things We Do; Tags: None; No Comments

Designing a Better Basement Space

For years builders in the northeast have built their homes on basement foundations as standard operating procedure and often leave them unfinished for the homeowner to decide on the space’s use later.

Some of the important elements you need to consider in finishing a basement that apply to any project regardless of it intended use are:

• Lighting is essential to make the space comfortable and useful. Large well insulted windows or sliding glass doors (with a secure three pronged locking system) in a walkout basement can do a lot to help in accomplish that goal (while also helping to satisfy the building code’s requirement for a suitable means of egress from the space). In lieu of and in addition to windows and doors a well thought out lighting plan is essential.
• Keep the space as open as you can. It ’s very likely that the total finished height of the basement space will be typically lower than the spaces through out the rest of the house since ceiling height will be lost at times too beams and hiding the services such as electrical, plumbing, and duct work that are channeled through the space so closing the space in with too many walls will tend to make the space feel more confining.
• Keep the basement dry. Before doing anything develop a plan to keep the basement dry. Spraying asphalitic or fiberglass waterproofing material on the foundations exterior is on way to go or if that’s impractical a french drain and sump pump system in conjunction with a DRIcore sub flooring and a dehumidification system may be the way to go.
• Keep the basement climate controlled. Make sure the temperature and humidity don’t vary from the other rooms in the house by installing the appropriate heating and air conditioning system.

Call us at 914-239-3635 to arrange for a Free Design Consultation

Some Thoughts and Common Wisdom Regarding: ‘Going With the Low Bid’

Author: J. Jerrald Hayes; Published: Apr 21, 2007; Category: Business Philosophy, Estimates, Working With a Contractor; Tags: None; No Comments

“It is unwise to pay too much, but it is worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money—that is all. When you pay too little you sometimes lose everything because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do … If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better.”
— John Ruskin (1819-1900)

Collect bids until you find contractor (not a bid!) you like!
— Author Unknown

The Design/Build Process

Author: J. Jerrald Hayes; Published: Apr 13, 2007; Category: Methods of Work; Tags: None; No Comments

…Our Preferred Method of Work

• Design/Build
  – What does it mean?… An Overview
• Defining
  the Design/Build process or paradigm *
• Why
  Not Just Get 3 Free Bids?
• The
  Design/Build Process
• The
  Advantages of Design/Build
• What
  Design Build Is Not

• The
  Other Alternative Processes of Contract Work:

Design/Build
– What does it mean?… an Overview

While in recent years the term has seemingly swept the country, You
may wonder, is it just a marketing slogan,… a buzz word,… a hot
button,… or does it really mean something? The concept is really
the reincarnation of a way that things used to be done. For the better
part of history builders were often designers and vice versa and it
was only around the turn of the century that found themselves splitting
apart.

Design/Build today gives you the client a seamless cost effective
functional product from one accountable source. It’s a process
that fits the time and lifestyles of today’s busy families providing
a happier solution than the more conventional " get at least
three bids" approach we hear so much about .

Over the years as I’ve learned more and more about the building and
remodeling trades I always sort of wondered about the process where
an architect or designer designs a project and then puts it out to
bid with let’s say three or more contractors for a client. To me that
always seemed the equivalent of shooting an arrow and then drawing
the target around where it hit. Many times the project would then
come in way over the clients budget and it would have to go back to
be redesigned and then put out to bid again thereby adding extra time
and money to the design phase and further delaying the construction
of the project.

To put it in a nutshell Design/Build puts the design phase and the
estimating & planning phases of a project together. Since both
processes take place concurrently the design and pre-construction
planning timeline is shortened. But this only the beginning of the
advantages to design build. With the design team working together
with the production team the design team get feedback on the cost
and time requirements their design efforts will require and the production
team having greater time to familiarize themselves with the projects
design can offer ideas and suggestions for materials and techniques
that can save the client time and money in the construction phase
thereby delivering more bang for the buck on the project. through
the cracks.

Defining
the Design/Build process or paradigm*
(paradigm 2. an example; pattern, method —;Syn.2. model, mold,
ideal, standard)

Instead of projects budget being the result or afterthought of the
project’s design with the design/build process your design is derived
as a result of your budget . A single contractor works as a team
with an architect or designer during the design phase in order to
accomplish cost efficiency and function while the design is being
developed.

A full set of plans, elevations, and other drawings necessary to
visualize the design along with an estimate, specifications, a projected
schedule, and a detailed warranty are provided to the client before
a final contractual commitment to build the project takes place. This
gives the client a more accurate and complete picture of what the
project entails well before the project starts.

The design/build process allows the contractor as project manager
to do as much preplanning as possible before the job, so that when
things are ready to proceed they done in a more efficient and orderly
manner. This enables greater cost efficiencies by more closely
integrating production procedures with the project’s intended design.

From concept to completion, you are working with one firm which manages
the entire process. This eliminates blame shifting, where everyone
claims it’s someone else’s fault, leaving the customer falling through
the cracks.

We were probably all taught to get 3 estimates and we’ve grown very
accustomed to seeing contractors offer free estimates as a way of
marketing their company. Over the years we’ve assumed that this was
the way to get the best possible price for our project and keep the
contractor honest. While there are cases in which this method has
worked well for the client-consumer there countless cases where it
has backfired in reality. Why?

Lack of Detail – Since the contractor faces the risk of not
being chosen for the job, it is difficult to spend the proper time
needed to work on anything but the price. He tends to be hasty and
skimpy on the details of paperwork, because he can’t afford to do
work he doesn’t get paid for. Unfortunately, you need to know exactly
what he is going to do for this price in order to compare it with
other bids, and be confident that the work done will be for the price
quoted.

Inaccurate Estimate – The contractor bids low in order to
obtain the job, figuring he can make it up in change orders throughout
the job because of the vagueness of his contract. Since the contractor
doesn’t get paid for his time, not a great deal of effort will be
put into researching prices thoroughly, often basing them on what
the client can pay. Usually he will not guarantee compensation for
missed deadlines, nor guarantee the price. This is not fair to you,
the client, especially if your budget is limited.

Many Conflicts – When nothing is stated in detail, either
on paper or in plans, both client and contractor have their own version
of the project. This is the beginning of many arguments, mistrust
and frustration.

Most Jobs Take Longer Than Planned – The reason should be
obvious. Until the contractor gets paid, he won’t do much. A well-managed
project must have a lot of preparation before construction begins,
or else delays may occur. Coordination problems, special orders not
arriving on time, scheduling problems with subcontractors, legal requirements,
selections not made, materials not shipped, and other problems all
cause the job to take at least 50% longer than Design/Build. This
results in the nightmare of having your house torn apart!

The
Typical Design/Build Process

The
Advantages of Design/Build

You Can Save Money- I’d like to stress the word can because
when design/build is properly executed and the design and project
management teams are working together in the design process, cost efficient
means of construction can be designed into the project from the beginning.
It’s amazing how you find was to do things on a budget when you have
to. The security of the client’s commitment to the project in the
early stages helps the contractor to reciprocate with reduced costs.
Since the contractor has intimate knowledge of cost effective construction
techniques and materials design concepts can be developed from the
beginning that reflect a realistic understanding of construction costs
and the budget guidelines established by the client. Additionally
contractor as a design/builder has more time to gather the best prices
from vendors, as opposed to the short time commonly allowed in the
competitive bidding process.

Collaborative decision making between the design and construction
staff as opposed to the hierarchical approach found in competitive
bid, saves time and ensures the most cost-effective, maintenance-free,
energy saving building possible. While the design staff focuses on
what should be built and how it will look, the construction staff
focuses on how it will be built and what it will cost.

It Takes Less Time – From concept to completed project the
design/build approach requires less time than the competitive bid
approach. Several events may occur simultaneously, such as design,
regulatory approvals, financing, price planning and scheduling. Paradigm
having singular control of the schedule and is therefore in a better
position to expedite the whole process. Your home is torn up for a
shorter period of time, since a good portion of the work is done before
construction begins. The direct communications between the client
and Paradigm can also prevent delays caused by unanswered questions
or slow information transfer. Change orders can be implemented quickly
at a minimum cost.

More Cost Efficient Design- Since the project being designed
is going to be built by workers and trade contractors that are all
included as part of the planning process, the plans and specifications
need not be as comprehensive as they would ordinarily be in a competitive
bid project . The cost of architectural work typically ranges from
2 to 5 percent of the total project cost with Paradigm design/build,
as opposed to the 5 to 12 percent architectural firms often charge
in competitive bid arrangements.

Better Craftsmanship – Since the project manager has a hand
in the design, construction materials and methods with which the company
and crew are familiar are designed into the project. This means better
management and a more efficient use of skills and company expertise.
Because the Paradigm staff is so fully in control, we have a strong
incentive to make certain that all details-from design through construction
are properly addressed.

Reduced Hassles – The client’s administrative role is dramatically
reduced, for he or she must no longer facilitate communications between
an architect and a contractor. In addition, the design/build approach
requires only one set of financial and communication records. Since
Paradigm assumes all responsibility for planning, design, pricing,
and constructing the project coordination and oversight activities,
as well as inter-party communications, are all enhanced.

Passing the Buck Is Eliminated- By limiting the number of
"chiefs," the client is exposed to less buck-passing than
often occurs in competitive bid projects. Questions pertaining to
the clarity completeness, or "constructability" of the plans
and specifications are eliminated along with the legal exposure posed
by multiple parties.

Less Conflict – Most contractors strive for excellence. When
details aren’t spelled out and addressed in advance, conflict
between the contractor and client usually ensues. Since most contractors
"wing it," these decisions are made in a forced context
where a contract is already signed. With Design/Build, a commitment
to do work takes place after these items are discussed.

A Friendly Relationship With Your Contractor – Since there
is plenty of time for the contractor to demonstrate character in advance
of the actual construction the potential for conflict is reduced,
there is a much better opportunity to become friends before work ever
commences. You’d rather have a friend working on your house,
wouldn’t you?

What
Design-Build Is Not:

It’s not a panacea. The success of a design/Build project is predicated
upon initial trust in the abilities of the Design/Build team. Any
advantages that there might be to the traditional competitive bid
are eliminated.

The
Other Processes of Contract Work We Work With:

While Design/Build is our preferred method or work there are other
formats which depending on the project might be better suited to a
particular clients needs.

• Negotiated Contracts: Usually a hybrid or combination
  of methods whereby the final construction documents and scope of
  work is modified because of budget restrictions.
• Cost / Plus: A method that has no fixed contract
  price with the possible exception of a not to exceed ceiling price.
  This procedure is best used in a situation where there are numerous
  unknown conditions that can effect the work throughout the construction
  process.
• Competitive Bid: Occasionally a client may
  approach us with a complete set of plans already in hand and they
  have real interest in us performing the work to execute the project.
  The most popular and well known method of contract work. We will
  provide limited bid proposals in a pre-qualified situation.

Paradigm Projects:
Project Management & General Contracting

Author: J. Jerrald Hayes; Published: Apr 12, 2007; Category: Project Groups; Tags: None; No Comments

Project management is project management as is project management. In other words the science and principles of managing a project are the same whether it’s whole house remodel or just a bathroom. We think Project Management can be summed up as the overall planning, control and coordination of a project from inception to completion aimed at meeting your requirements and ensuring completion on time, within cost, and to required quality standards.

It is often thought an architect will ‘do all that’ – not necessarily. In most cases involving the construction or refurbishment of buildings the real Project Manager is the Client … you.

You are there at the start; you conceive the project; you set its objectives in terms of timing, cost and quality; you monitor performance against these objectives throughout the design and construction phases; you decide upon any necessary changes.

Over the course of the project you will have had to build a team whose disciplines you may not be familiar with. You will have had to motivate this team to achieve the project’s objectives. You will have had to take decisions in relation to contractual and technical issues sometimes on the basis of conflicting advice. All this absorbs a tremendous amount of your time.

Paradigm’s Project Management service has been established to provide you with a constructive alternative.

A single point of reference well versed in the construction process, a pragmatic assessment of the strategic issues affecting your project, and a significant increase in your chances of achieving complete success.

• Obtain required blue prints and site plans
• Apply for all permits
• Provide all specifications for building materials
• Provide material take offs
• Ordering of all materials
• Provide a list of preferred subcontractors
• Obtain, analyze and organize all bids from subcontractors for your consideration
• Provide contractors statement/budget
• Schedule all subcontractors
• On-site supervision to maintain quality and schedule
• Schedule and attend all building inspections
• Make sure the construction site is kept clean and safe

Whether you are in the planning stages or half way through your home building project we can help you. We are available for construction consulting on an hourly basis or through scheduled weekly site meeting. Paradigm can be there to help you

10 Brilliant Things Homeowners Do to Create Awesome Remodels

Author: J. Jerrald Hayes; Published: Apr 12, 2007; Category: Planning & Organizing; Tags: None; No Comments

The award-winning author Kathy Price Robinson, who specializes in writing about the process of a remodel, as well as the product has written a great e-book entitled 10 Brilliant Things Homeowners Do
to Create Awesome Remodels that we can heartly recommed to anyone thinking about a remodeling project.

From the Table of Contents:

1. Be Clear About What You Want
2. Becoming Clear About Your Budget
3. Getting Professional Design Advice
4. Checking Out the Companies You’re Considering
5. Not Taking the Lowest Bid
6. Sticking to the Plan During Construction
7. Not Overestimating Your Ability to Handle Stress
8. Being Realistic About How Long Remodeling Takes
9. Respecting the Crew
10. Appreciating What Scores of Workers Have Gone Through
    to Make Your Dream Remodel Come True

• Appendix A: Where Does the Money Go?
• Appendix B: How to Get Started— Four Stories
• Appendix C: Teamwork vs. Intimidation

The Remodeling Bill of Rights for Client & Contractor

Author: J. Jerrald Hayes; Published: Apr 12, 2007; Category: Business Philosophy, Working With a Contractor; Tags: None; No Comments

Contractors are entitled to:

• Know what the budget range is up front
• A complete project profile
• A written contract
• Have their time valued – client delays cost contractors money
• Prompt payment
• Manage the process without being micro-managed
• Make up for their mistakes
• Be paid for consultative work or ideas
• Be told when they are out of the running for a job

Clients are entitled to:

• Good estimates
• Honest, constant communication
• A written contract
• Immediate notification of delays, problems, and extra expenses
• Pay only for work authorized
• Audit hours if paying by the hour
• Honest feedback regarding the progress of their project

Why We Don’t Make ‘Speculative Bids’ On ‘Imaginary Projects’

Author: J. Jerrald Hayes; Published: Apr 12, 2007; Category: Estimates; Tags: None; No Comments

First of all just what do we mean by a ‘Speculative Bid’ and ‘Imaginary Projects’ . We think of ‘Speculative Bid’ as a case where a potential client is asking us to provide them with and estimate or bid price for a project they haven’t fully envisioned or planned yet, in other words an ‘Imaginary Projects’.

To use an analogy to illustrate the problem we would face with working under that kind of scenario lets look at this illustrative example:

Restaurant visitor: I don’t know what I want to eat, but I’ll know what I like when I taste it. I want you to make everything from your menu deliver it to my house. Keep in mind that the Chinese, Italian and Mexican restaurants will be delivering their food as well. After tasting everything, if I’m still hungry, I will choose a meal from one restaurant.

Restaurant owner: Uhhh…No.

The main product of our business is ideas — creative solutions to the home design problems facing our many clients. And good ideas — creativity — can be tough to define, or agree upon. One person’s passion is often another’s poison. So it’s no wonder that potential clients often ask us to take a project on speculation. That is, to try out our creative product in much the same way they may try out other types of products before purchasing.

Unfortunately, we must turn down such projects. This will explain why doing so actually makes us a better, more stable and reliable supplier for you to do business with.

It lets us keep our prices low

We make money mostly by selling our time. Unlike businesses that sell products, we can’t take time back and resell it. Thus, the less time we actually sell, the more we have to charge for it. So we attempt to hold our prices down by keeping constantly busy.

We also have substantial fixed overhead costs — computers, peripherals, software, etc. So the higher the percentage of our time that is productive (billable), the more we can spread these costs, and the less each individual client gets charged for them.

In addition, the only way we can recover our overhead costs is through what we charge our clients. If we accepted speculative projects, the overhead for these non-billable hours would have to be added to the factor we already charge our regular, paying clients. We don’t think this would be fair.

We want to give you only our best

We are very proud of our track record of helping many different clients with many different challenges. In doing so, we have come to understand the crucial components in producing outstanding creativity.

First, outstanding creative work requires good, complete input from our clients. It takes time and effort that’s tough for them to justify unless they are committed to awarding an assignment. Yet without it, we can’t show how good we really are. Or our best effort may well be misdirected; a great shot that hits the wrong target.

Equally important, great creativity requires enthusiasm. We need to be excited enough to pour all our energy into a project. Frankly, that’s impossible without knowing whether we will be chosen to go all the way, or even get paid.

And, finally, developing creativity is very labor intensive. Although we wish it were otherwise, it seldom comes in a flash of inspiration. Rather, it usually requires research and thinking time, then the working through of many different ideas and approaches. This makes it difficult or impossible to do good work in a compressed time frame.

Speculative projects, whether done by us or some other firm, usually require cutting every creative corner. That’s hardly in your best interests, or ours.

We’re a small firm, in business to stay
We hope our small size is what attracted you to us. It has lots of business advantages.

Because we are small, you get to deal directly with those actually doing your work; there are no "middle- men" to muck things up. It also means we’re more flexible, able to turn things around faster. We can offer better, more personal service, too. And because our overhead is lower than the big guys, so are our prices. In a business like creativity, size is seldom an advantage.

All these are reasons why we have been so successful. It may also be why you called us.

Another reason for our success is that we are good business people. We know that a small business like ours (probably yours, too) has to watch costs carefully and can’t afford to give much away. If we weren’t careful — if we did give away our time — it is likely we wouldn’t be here next time you called, which means you’d have start all over again bringing someone else up to speed learning your business. We doubt you’d want that, and we know we wouldn’t. We believe we should both be looking to build a long-term, mutually-productive and cost-efficient business relationship.

Truth is, small organizations like ours can seldom afford to accept speculative projects. If you find one that will, be skeptical. They may be desperate.

As for larger organizations and agencies, yes they can afford to do speculative projects, and often do. But that’s the very point. If they do have the volume and staff that makes it a small risk for them, they’re probably too big to give you the personal service and outstanding creativity you’re searching for.

We hope you’ll give us the opportunity sometime soon to prove just how good we really are. In the meantime, look carefully at our portfolio. The work we have done for many other clients with many other challenges speaks volumes about our abilities.