Woodworking for home construction companies

Post author By Kevin
Post date December 8, 2020

Today is a special day for our family. Two years ago today we moved into our new house. I really can’t believe it has been two years already. In so many ways it feels like we just moved in! But in other ways it feels like this house has always been home.

Those of you who were with me during our building journey might remember that posts were few and far between. I wasn’t able to share a lot of progress pics at the time because building was so time consuming. All consuming really! I was struggling to keep my kids fed and the laundry done let alone work on the blog. 🙂 So while you’ve seen a lot of the “afters” of the house, I thought it would be fun to share some of the “before” and “during” pics today I might not have shared. It really is such a fascinating process to see a home come to life one step at a time.

Growing into your home construction business

Figure out which layout would work best for your space. Make sure to measure the walls and floors so you know what will fit.

Are you going for a modern, contemporary or farmhouse look? The furniture, colors and accent pieces should match the overall design aesthetic of each room.

Consider how you’ll use the space and ask yourself the following questions about layout: Select On Point Builders of Parker, CO

How much room do you need?
What furniture suits the space?

Will you need a couch, bed or table?
What function will this room play in the home?

The biggest part of home design is often selecting the furniture. There is a wide range of options when it comes to couches, tables, chairs and other décor items, making it easy to customize your space to your desired taste.

Furniture not only serves an aesthetic purpose but its functionality is crucial too. If the room is designed for comfort, the furniture should be warm and welcoming. For instance, a soft fabric sectional with big cozy pillows.

Selecting the best saws, drills and other woodworking equipment

KPRC’s “Houston Life” featured our Green Tree home last week in a special real estate episode! “Houston Life” is a daily afternoon lifestyle show that celebrates all things Houston. In this episode, hosts Derrick Shore and Courtney Zavala highlight notable features of our English Manor home and discuss current trends in real estate.

They explore the benefits of an open concept design and how to fully enjoy your home kitchen design. The kitchen is one of our favorite rooms in this home, and we’re happy to hear that the Houston Life hosts agree!

We’re more than a month into fall, which means winter and the holiday season are right around the corner! The weather is gradually getting colder as colorful leaves fall from the trees. Rakes have come out to make big leaf piles and homeowners are giving their lawns one last mow before snow arrives. To select the best cabinet saw here.

Saws have been in use for thousands of years, branching out to fill specific niches as the times, technology, and materials required. Today’s “complete” tool collection will include a variety of saws, from coping saws to hacksaws to any of a number of specialized table saws, and sometimes includes more than one saw of a given type.

There are many specialized cutting tools as well, but they are not commonly used outside of trades they were developed for. Additionally, you may be surprised to find that many saws are regionally called by the name of other saws.

In most cases, the shape of the saw plus the count and shape of the teeth will determine how a saw was intended to be used. Without further ado, here are 32 different types of saws, their uses, and pictures:

Hand saws are no match for bandsaws like Laguna's have evolved to fill many niches and cutting styles. Some saws are general purpose tools, such as the traditional hand saw, while others were designed for specific applications, such as the keyhole saw.

No tool collection is complete without at least one of each of these, while practical craftsmen may only purchase the tools which fit their individual usage patterns, such as framing or trim.

Uncategorized

Get the most out of your bandsaw when building a new table

Post author By Kevin
Post date November 18, 2020

Get the most out of your bandsaw when making a table

So you’ve been thinking about making furniture for your home or apartment. Or maybe you’re an intermediate woodworker but you’ve never fully understood how to build a table. This downloadable tutorial tells you everything you want and need to know about building furniture, as applied to tables. You’ll be surprised that you don’t necessarily need to enroll in expensive furniture making courses or pay for several furniture building plans just to learn the fundamentals and create a solid, beautiful table for your space. We’re making this information from our in-house fundamentals expert FREE!

How to run your Wood Bandsaw

Lay one of the 22-2/4" uprights on a work table. Place a bottom brace against the upright so that the upright forms the base of an L. Drill two holes through the upright and into the bottom brace, making sure to hold the pieces square while you drill. Use wood glue and two 6" lag screws to attach the bottom brace and the upright. Flip over the L and attach another upright to the other end of the bottom brace, forming a U-shaped assembly. Use the same method to attach the top brace to the uprights, forming a rectangle.

WHY CHOOSE A MANUAL BAND SAW FROM BAILEIGH?

Cast iron bow and head – We designed our saws to resist vibrations, ensuring accurate, professional cuts.
Electro-welded steel framework – The heavy construction of each horizontal band saw helps ensure that the blade cuts straight and true.
High-quality components – We work closely with our factories to make sure that our band saws are built for reliability from the bottom up.
Adjustable blade guides – Our blade guides can move as close to the material you’re cutting as possible.
Included standard size blade – Baileigh band saws accept blade sizes you can buy just about anywhere. Each machine comes with a blade to start.
Parts typically in stock – If you need a replacement, we’ll ship it to you as soon as possible from our Wisconsin headquarters.
1-year warranty – We’ve got you covered.
Lifetime technical support by phone – Our team of knowledgeable reps is here to answer your questions and address problems.

IS A MANUAL BAND SAW RIGHT FOR YOU?

A manual saw lets you control the cutting cycle at your own pace. They’re perfect for small production runs and one-offs.
Manual saws are often less expensive than semi-automatic or automatic saws.
Need a saw that manages the cutting cycle without operator control? Check out our semi-automatic band saws.
If you need a saw that handles bundling and transitions between cuts, go with an automatic band saw.
Learn more about the resawing capacity here.

Find more information on the best bandsaws here.

Construction Business

Getting the most out of your Denver area home

Post author By Kevin
Post date October 24, 2020

Colorado Custom Basements? Custom is because every project is unique, it doesn’t have to mean over the top expensive. There is not a one size fits all approach to finishing basements, every project is truly customized to suit your family’s specific needs. Don’t think of completing your basement project as just “finishing a basement”, it’s creating an entire new level of your home.

In addition, we pull permits on everything we do to make sure you are fully protected. This is extremely important as times are changing, and regulations are greatly tightening up. We are Licensed and insured in 26 municipalities so not to worry, we have you covered. Also, did you know if you don’t pull a permit and then have an unfortunate problem at your house such as a fire, your homeowners’ policy is rendered void. We will not be the cause of that. Find a remodeling company that can do it for you.

Finish your basement to get the most out of your project

The next generation of theater rooms will include multiple viewing screens. But whatever your style, ElkStone, Inc. can build custom home theater rooms for your basement theater space that your family and friends are sure to love.

Did you know that three out of every four ElkStone Inc. basement jobs includes a basement bar? Basement bars are extremely popular! Take a moment to browse our gallery full of basement wet bar pictures in a variety of gorgeous styles.

Make a room of your own! Poker, scrapbooking, wine room, exercise room, cigar room, craft room, sewing room, recording studio, photo editing… The possibilities are endless. Whatever room you can think of, ElkStone, Inc. has a solution!

Rec rooms are without a doubt one of the most enjoyable rooms in the house! ElkStone, Inc. can turn any room in your home into a functional game room filled with billiards, ping pong, foosball, ping ball machines, arcade games, air hockey.

ElkStone will tailor your bathroom to match your family’s needs and style. Our innovative and intuitive Project List allows you to select any style and finish for hardware, glass, tile, and fixtures.

Commercial Construction has been on the rise

Metro Denver apartment rents recovered in the third quarter after falling in the early months of the pandemic as tenants continued to fill the new supply coming onto the market, according to the latest Denver Metro Apartment Vacancy and Rent report from the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business.

The average monthly rent for an apartment in metro Denver rose from $1,505.71 in the second quarter to $1,521.66 in the third, a gain of $15.95 a month. The year over year change works out to $15.30. Median rents rose from $1,1453.97 to $1,463.34 between the two quarters, which works out to a gain of $9.37 a month.

“These results negate the concern of an apartment market crashing because of COVID-19 effects, albeit certain localized situations are likely,” Ron Throupe, associate professor of real estate at the Daniels College of Business, said in the report he co-authored.

The vacancy rate for apartments decreased from 5.1% in the second quarter to 4.9% in the third. A year ago, the vacancy rate was 4.7%. A majority of counties reported decreases in the vacancy rate. The report counted 2,119 new units added, with 2,910 additional units occupied, a sign the new supply wasn’t contributing to a glut in the market.

Construction companies are moving in hords to the Denver market to capitalize on the rapid growth the commercial sector has seen.

The glass facade has topped out over at the 30-story Block 162 development. With the exception of the hoist elevator and a few holes left from the tower crane anchors, we are now able to see a mostly completed version of this all-glass building.

Let’s start with a few views of the tower from Auraria. While the smoke from the wildfires and haze in the sky does not make for great photos from a distance, you can still see that the glass on Block 162 sports a slightly more purple-hued glass when comparing it to 1401 Lawrence and 1144 Fifteenth Street. In addition, the tower adds a nice modern element to the middle of downtown which is dense with earth-toned buildings.

With its moderate climate and breathtaking scenery, Colorado attracts millions of millennials, families, and retirees. Denver provides a sophisticated metropolitan area that just happens to offer easy access to hundreds of miles of streams and rivers, world-renowned ski resorts, hiking and riding trails and camping. We understand the needs of this dynamic area and are fully prepared to partner with you on construction projects ranging from hospitals and schools to transportation, solar, and water/wastewater treatment plants — we're Denver construction professionals who work with you to ensure successful achievement of your short- and long-term strategic goals.

The most common tool that these construction companies will use is the cabinet saw which is designed to be a professional woodworking equipment.

basement

Finishing Your Basement To Add Value to Your Colorado Home

Post author By Kevin
Post date October 9, 2020

Finishing a basement feels like the ultimate goal for many homeowners. Not only is it a chance to add some more — probably much needed — living space to your home, but it allows you the rare opportunity to design a room from the ground up. Working with that much flexibility can often feel overwhelming, especially if you’re dealing with it for the first time.If you’re ready to finish your basement, but aren’t quite sure where to start, this post is for you. We’ve outlined all the do’s and don’ts you need to know to tackle this project from start to finish. Use this as a guide to creating a bonus space that works for you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiF8F12Lzwg

You need to think big, start small and fail fast. This is a mantra I stress regularly in my day time profession as a digital marketer but it applies to basement finishing as well.

Stop worrying about getting permits or finishing some 20 page design or budget. Just stop. I want you to start by building a small wall in your basement during the next free weekend you have. You can read the posts on permits, budgeting and planning later.

Most basements are relatively spacious and some have direct access to the outdoors. And while you could hire a basement-finishing company, such as Owens Corning Basement Systems, to finish your basement, where’s the fun in that? Here, we’re going to take a decidedly more hands-on approach and explain how you can flex your DIY muscles and finish the basement yourself.

How Your Basement Will Look When Finished

Before getting started it’s important to ensure the basement is dry and free of any excess moisture, which can promote the growth of dangerous mold. If there’s even the slightest evidence of moisture migrating through the walls, floors or ceilings, it must be resolved before starting construction. Trapping moisture behind walls, below flooring or above ceilings will eventually lead to a serious and unhealthy mold problem.

Just start small. You can use the wall you build to hold up some peg board and some storage shelves, so you'll be getting benefit right off the bat. And yes, you will need permits, but not right away.

Beyond that, the sky is the limit. Before you get started on your project, think about all the ways you’re hoping to use your basement finishing. Maybe you’ve been thinking about adding a guest bedroom or another powder room or maybe there’s some wasted space that can take on a new purpose.

The traditional home improvement show or book always says the same thing. Gather every single possible tool and supply, plan out in detail and then and only then begin. Well that is crap! The fastest way to the finished product is to start as soon as you have something of value. Yes, you will make some mistakes. But learning from your mistakes is the absolute best method to learn.

Countertop

Countertop Installation Process and Tools

Post author By Kevin
Post date June 17, 2020

If you have already built custom cabinets or purchased them from a reputable contractor, it is now time for you to install a countertop.

You may have already learned about the different types of kitchen counters and the pros and cons of each. I find that the majority of homeowners choose their countertop based on appearance and price. Other factors such as durability and weight may play into the equation a bit, but they definitely aren't the main factors that move the needle. We'll still cover them briefly below.

Types of kitchen countertops

Depending on the look you are going for, space you are looking to cover and price point that you are looking at, you may have several options to consider when selecting a countertop.

Granite and other stone

While stone countertops look great in most homes, they are even more prized for their durability. This is a hard rock that is thousands of years old after all.

The downside...price. These are not cheap options. The larger piece of stone you're looking for, the price goes up exponentially. Keep in mind that these stones are shipped whole from the quarry. To have one large slab cover a large counter costs a small fortune.

Tile

A more economical option, but looks a bit dated. When you upgrade to tile, you won't have the most aesthetically pleasing kitchen in the neighborhood, but it will be far from the worst. It is at a better price point than the stone, but is not as versatile or tough.

Synthetic

Just save your money until you can afford to do it right. These countertops are fine for a wash room or a shop...but not for your kitchen.

If all else fails during your kitchen remodel, you can call a high-end contractor to finish your project. Most of the time, they'll be able to make use of the products that you already built.

Some contractors get a bad reputation based on past performance or misleading their clients. While there are a few bad apples in every business, there are also great people in this industry. I have a great friend who is a home service contractor. I wouldn't hesitate recommending him for a kitchen remodeling project.

Construction Business

The Construction Business In Recession Times

Post author By Kevin
Post date June 10, 2020

Is now the time to run a construction business?

While running a business is difficult for everyone, there are certain business models that have proven to be withstanding of recessions. Unfortunately, for the owners and employees of construction businesses, they may be very profitable and have more jobs than they can handle when times are good. However, when recessions hit, the construction industry hits the skids and good jobs are hard to find.

I spoke to a friend of mine in the home remodel industry to get an idea of his experience in the business. He is the Co-founder of On Point Builders Home Remodeling Company based in Denver and said "When the 2008 recession hit, business came to a stop almost overnight. Great workers were laid off and nobody made any money in the business."

Will this recession be a repeat of 2008 for the construction and engineering industry?

When diagnosing the construction industry and how likely it is that businesses will go out of business in the next recession, we first need to look at the economy as a whole and what the driving factors are in consumer spending, construction, engineering and the macro-economy.

The recession of 2008 was led primarily by a housing crisis. An over leveraged housing market led to abundant construction, an influx of property buyers and a decrease of equity in these properties. Because the economy built so many extra homes and commercial properties, when the bubble burst and millions of Americans defaulted on their mortgages, the housing industry and home construction in general hit the skids.

Whenever our next recession comes (possibly now), it will not be because of an over leveraged housing market. At least not to the extent it was in 2008. If we slide into a recession, interest rates will drop which is actually a benefit for the construction industry as many projects are financed with bank debt.

While the lowering of interest rates may be a benefit, the decrease in consumer and business income will negate that benefit. When businesses and families don't have the disposable cash flow to spend on remodels or construction, construction companies will be left with their hats in their hands.

Will small construction companies and home remodelers be hit as hard as mega corporations?

One of the unfortunate facts in our economy is that small businesses such as home remodelers that are trying to make a living in construction are often hit far worse than large, multi-national corporations. While the SBA does have lending programs available for small business owners, they are much harder to qualify for, slower to grant capital and require personal guarantees. The major corporations that build mega-towers and stadiums have access to the capital markets and stock exchange to keep them afloat in hard times, the local remodel company is much too small to have access to these funds and therefore ends up shutting their doors all too often.