Tag Archives: education

Advocate for the Trades Early – #ConstChat Recap

This week’s chat topic was chosen by guest host is @HilineBuilders — future of tradesmen.

He says: “I’m curious to know who’s feeling it the most right now. We on the west are seeing a sharp increase in the work flow. And I think we’re just now dealing with the challenge of accommodating our labor needs.”

Thanks Bridget for letting me be a part of it. And Thank You All for joining in #constchat

— Phil Vanderloo (@hilinebuilders) February 19, 2015

Read: Three Ways Builders can Attract Millennials

“‘Often, a worker’s fate would depend on whether he was skilled or unskilled,’ said Cindy Creighton, the executive director of the Nevada Subcontractors Association. ‘Many unskilled workers would refer family members or roommates to jobs, and then they all would be dramatically affected during job cutbacks,’ Creighton said. There is a certain irony, though, that so many people had to leave construction, though, since the industry is now so short-handed. ‘Everybody’s just screaming for labor—you can literally go door-to-door, fill out your application, do your e-Verify, and go to work,’ she said.” ~ Alana Semuels “Where Have All The Construction Workers Gone?” The Atlantic 2/13/15

Q1: What region are you from and what’s your work flow like?

@RigginsConst On the west coast and work flow is constantly changing, increasing, and motivating. #constchat

— Zircon Corporation (@ZirconTools) February 19, 2015

A1: In the Southeast. Work flow slowly picking overall but soaring in South Florida #constchat

— Tony Booth (@anthonybooth) February 19, 2015

Q1 I'm in Sacramento Ca and things are really picking up. #ConstChat

— Phil Vanderloo (@hilinebuilders) February 19, 2015

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It’s No Mystery Why Design-Build is Your Best Bet

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Winchester Mystery House 001 by Cowgirl Jules, on Flickr

Growing up in Central California, I was always fascinated by the stories I had heard and read about San Jose’s Winchester Mystery House. To this day, I haven’t been inside, but its fascination lingers.

Mrs. Winchester orchestrated construction on her house, interior and exterior, continually, until she died. To most of us that is the making of a nightmare. But it’s her methods that are most curious.

The website describes her building design:

Winchester Mystery House by InSapphoWeTrust, on Flickr

“According to legend, Mrs. Winchester enacted a nightly séance to help with her building plans and for protection from ‘bad’ spirits. While she sometimes drew up simple sketches of the building ideas, there were never any blueprints….or building inspectors! In the morning, she would meet with John Hansen, her dutiful foreman, and go over new changes and additions.”

Her unorthodox methodology explains the random building anomalies – chimneys, roof lines, hidden passageways, doors that open to brick walls, and stairs that go nowhere. Was she really confusing the spirits, or just confused?

Traditional Design & Construction:

Mrs. Winchester’s building method is, by no means, traditional. Most building owners and tenants hire an architect or space planner, go through the (sometimes long) design process. After the drawings are submitted to the City, the client (or their construction manager) invites three (or more) general contractors to bid, collect and sometimes answer RFIs, and award the contract to the lowest bid, presuming that bid has everything covered.

As an owner, you can go that route. But we think there’s a better way.

“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” – Steve Jobs

It’s no secret that Riggins Construction & Management, Inc. specializes in design-build tenant improvements and new building construction, especially since Tom Riggins has a construction engineering degree from Cal Poly. Our approach to construction from an engineering background allows us to streamline the entire process for you, our client. Continue reading →

Community Project: National Children’s Forest Visitor’s Center