Wow!! How Time Fly's..

Sorry for my absence. My office has been in a bunch of boxes sense the big move to our new building. I have also been out in the field brushing up on my Project Management skills. I will still be out in the field a few more weeks, so my entries will be far and few between.

Moving On Up.........

I will be leaving my small dark cave of an office for a new 3 times the size suite with 2 windows. I will miss my old close quarters, but I will be able to open a full set of blue prints without moving my desk chair and shutting the door. Now the hard choice, paint colors.

HBAPro

It's that time of the month again. The HBApro is holding there monthly round table meeting and contractor breakfast. It gives us contractors a chance to see who the economy is doing, who each other is doing, and talk about topics related to our field of work. On top of all this they have an awesome breakfast. Good people, good food, and construction talk. Count me in.

Change Is Good

There are a lot of changes going to be made around our office in the upcoming weeks. People moving, work areas getting a face lift, storage and tool rooms getting a remodel. On top of this were getting more space. I will post pictures and keep you all updated on our process. Thank You,
Also if you have a chance check out livelocal2009.com it's a cool web site.

Word of the Day........

Wainscoting:
A matched boarding or panel work covering the lower portion of a wall.
Fitted or decorated panels attached to lower sections of a wall.
Usually Wainscoting is painted wood with a bottom and top trim piece covering the panel sections.
Originally Wainscoting was tongue and groove boards attached together to make the panel sections.

The NKBA: National Kitchen and Bath Association

Aspen Ridge is proud to say that we are now officially members of the NKBA. The National Kitchen and Bath Association is a Association dedicated to bussiness men and women in the remodeling trades that specialize in Kitchen and Bathrooms. They offer classes and on going training courses for business professionals. The NKBA also has a section for consumers, it gives them remodel tips, and thing to be aware of when starting a remodel. You can check out there web site at http://www.nkba.com/.

I start my on-line classes this Thursday to get my AKBD: Associated Kitchen & Bath Desinger Degree.

The ARC Monthly

The ARC Monthly is a news letter we put out every month. It's put together by are team here at Aspen. We started the news letter 3 months ago, so it's still a work in progress. You can get are newest news letter by emailing me and signing up for it at travish@aspenridgeco.com or you can download it from our web site. http://www.aspenridgeco.com/. You can also check out past newsletters there as well. I hope one day this news letter grows into a popular paper that people look forward to reading every month. But as for now it is just another one of are passions, growing more and more every day.

Hot off the press by the 15th of every month.

Oh Yes.. The Cupola!

We finished installing the Cupola a few days ago. The project turned out awesome. I got to give it to the guy's. I was a little curious how we where going to pull this one off, on time and on budget. yeah I'm the numbers guy, it keeps the lights on. Here are a few pictures of the Cupola. Also the definition of what a Cupola is and where you can pick one up yourself.

Definition of a Cupola:

It's a Latin word meaning, little dome. A Cupola is usually a four sided light structure mounted on a roof. A Cupola is for ornamental purposes, but can enclose a light or hide a roof vent. Now a day's Cupola are mainly used for cosmetic purposes. They are made out of wood, metal, copper, shingles, with a weather vain to finish them off.

You can pick one up on the Internet at a dozen different sites, but here are two of them that I found.

http://www.weathervane.com/

http://www.ecoastweathervanes.com/

You can read the full article about are installation of the Cupola and check out more pics at http://www.aspenridge.blogspot.com/

Word of the Day........

Flashing:
A material used to prevent seepage of water around any intersection or projecting material in a roof, wall, dormer, valley.
Installed around pipes, above windows, doors, and vents.
Flashing in usally a L shaped or Z shaped product, but it comes in any size and shape you need.

What is a Cupola you ask?

Find out Friday, as we are starting a new project tomorrow installing a Cupola on a house. It is a four sided shape that is installed for looks. Stay tuned for before and after pic's. I will also be giving the correct definition of a Cupola and places where you may purchase one yourself.

Word of the Day!

Egress Window
-A window whose clear dimensions are large enough that it can serve as a fire exit
-Required by State and Local codes for at least one window to meet egress in a room to be considered a bedroom in a dwelling

Word of the Day!

Backsplash:
The raised lip on the back edge of a countertop to prevent water from running down the back of the cabinets.
A Backsplash can be made out of tile, granite, Formica (laminate), Bamboo, glass, metal. Your options are endless as long as the material is water resistant or can be sealed.

Coming Soon

New pictures of projects we have wrapped up and a few of projects we are getting ready to start. Stay Tone!

Word of the Day!

Remodel:
-An instance of a modification or a redecorating
-To do over, to change appearance
-Updating or altering the functional utility of a building

I Know Times Are Tough!!! But......

I don't think this is the safest thing to be doing. I guess you do need to appreciate there determination. As long as your not behind them on the highway.

www.aspenridge.blogspot.com

What is it you ask. It is our company blog where homeowners can see daily progress on the remodels, new clients can get a glimpse into the craftsmanship we provide, and our employees can post pictures and discuss there projects. The Aspen Ridge Blog is up and coming still, some times it's hard to be in the field all day and still find time to keep it updated. We are working out all those kinks as we speak and with in a few weeks there should be a steady update of project info every few days. Check It Out!.... How knows, maybe your remodel will be featured on it next.

www.aspenridge.blogspot.com

What a day!!!!

Have you ever had that day where the phone doesn't stop ringing. I'm not saying it is a bad thing in anyway. Just sometimes you don't even get a chance to think. It can get overwhelming to point where you start to lose track of numbers and when you made what appointments. When I have days like this I just step back, take a deep breath and tell my self "Hard work pays off". I hope there are other companies out there that are having this same problem. I hope it's like this everyday from here on out. Summer is upon us and our customers are ready to upgrade, remodel, and renovate. It's a good time to be a remodeling contractor in Oregon. Well at least for us it is.

CFM what a great place....

For those of you that don't know what CFM stands for, its Contractors Furnishing Mart. CFM is a Floor and Wall coving suplier to the construction idustry. They have a huge show room in Tigard. The show room is open to the public as well as contractors. I have been using CFM for about 4 years know and it has made my estimating process a lot easyer. I can take homeowners to the show room or just have them set up an appoitment with one of the sales reps. there, and they can pick out and choose exactly what kind of Tile, Wood Flooring, Formica, even Carpet they want to use in the remodel. It allows me to give them that budget and the product they want to use. If your just thinking about a remodel or just wanted to spruce up your floor coverings you should check CFM out. There web site is http://www.cfmfloors.com/. You can also visit there showroom at>

14160 S.W. 72nd Ave, Suite 110

Tigard, Or 97224

Or if you would like to talk to my sales rep. just give her a call.

Mary Murphy

503-542-8924

The Role of an Estimator

The role of Estimator is a critical one. The ability to predict the cost of work that will be perfomed in the field and the indirect cost of that same project is paramount to being a successful Estimator. As an Estimator, you are responsible for the:

-The quanity of products and material being used
-The cost of products being used on the project
-Creating the scope of work
-The General Conditions cost of managing that project
-The application of the overhead (office cost, gas, medical, etc.) recovery to support the project
-Assist your Project Manager in balancing the budget sheet
-Setting the proposal language or “Terms and Conditions” for the written contract
-Selling the project to the consumer/homeowner

Assisting the Project Manager in initial sequencing of construction activities, outlining components such as labor, materials and equipment. They are responsible to ensure that the work environment is productive between the Project Manager, others and themselves. Finally, they are responsible for improving the Construction processes overall. They are to support that effort. Never forget that estimators make or lose money in the field. Our role is to support the field operations in the ways outlined. That is where our risk of loss and / or opportunity for gain resides.
Estimators are becoming more of the project team. This is in contrast to years ago where the take off and pricing was done in a relative vacuum and then presented to a senior manager usually the Chief Estimator for review and discussion. With the advent of increased competition and the design build concept, companies are making the estimator more a part of their on-going business process. Their tasks are more varied, such as helping to sell projects and interacting with the field including to verify effective construction techniques at the time of bid.

Another day another happy customer

We have been very fortunate here at Aspen Ridge Construction. We have doubled are team in the last 3 months with some of the best remodelers out there. I feel all of their hard work and determination is what has got us to this point. We are a real full service remodeling company that cares about what kind of product we turn out and our home owners. I can honestly say it's not about the money for me or my team. Yeah we all have families and bills to pay, who doesn't? But each and every one of us see the big picture, everyday. We will continue to strive and grow this company until we are one of Oregon's top ten remodeling companies. It is my goal each and everyday I wake up and get into that work truck, and some day's it overwhelming, and stressful, but the support I have around me from my team can get me through anything. If you do quality work and are proud to put your name on it when your done, and didn't screw over your client with a dozen change orders that weren't necessary your phone will keep ringing with customers that need projects done.

New name same great remodeler

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Metro Paint "Paint made from recycled paint"

Yeah that's right 100% recycled paint, at a fraction of the cost. Why wouldn't you use Metro Paint. Metro Paint has came out with a whole new line of colors. You have 15 options to choose from greys, reds, yellows, even greens. The cost runs from $6 to $10 dollars a gallon, and $24 to $44 dollars per 5 gallon bucket. Wow! That's a huge saving, and your doing a little part to help out the environment. You can check out there web site at www.metro-region.org/paint for all the colors, prices, and locations. Metro offers drop off donation spots for that extra paint you got floating around in your attic or deep min those shelves in the garage. Metro Paints can be used on your interior and exterior projects, they are certified green, and environmentally friendly. Metro Paint is not tested on animals so you can feel good about using it. Myself as a contractor have used Metro Paint sense they first started, back when they had only 2 to 3 monthly paint colors and a whole line of off whites. The quality of there paint is very exceptional. I have used it on rental houses to $500,000 plus estates. Please take some time to check Metro Paint out the next time you have a small project or are thing of changing a room color.
Come Pick Up Your Paint:
Swan Island Metro Paint
4825 N. Basin Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97217
Posted by Mr. T at 1:00 PM 0 comments
Sunday, March 22, 2009

Is Your Bath Water Green

Going Green in your bathroom, It's really not that hard to do. There are many simple things you can upgrade to that will lower your water bill and reduce water waste. Home Depot offers a whole line of products in there Eco Options products. Most supply stores carry these same brands as well. Look for the Water Sense label on products you buy.
HET's (high efficiency toilets) reduce water flow and usage by 30% without sacrificing performance. The Water Sense label on these toilets let you know that they use 1.1gpf (gallons per flush) that is a substantial decrease compared to the standard 1.6gpf or high in most homes. There are also Greywater systems you can add to you existing sinks and toilets you are already using. The Greywater system takes the used water from your sink and reuses it to flush your toilet, this can save thousands of gallons annually. You can find suppliers of the Greywater system on line or at http://www.watersavertech.com/

When it comes to your faucets for you sinks or fixtures for your shower and tub they also make a Watersense line of products. These fixtures also use 30% less water than the standard ones already installed in your home. These new faucets use 1.5gpm (gallons per minute) and still provide 60 psi. Unlike the old standard faucets which use 2.2gpm's. So your not giving up any performance value and doing your part to conserve water waste and lower your monthly water bill. There are also a lot of incentives and rebates for upgrading to these energy efficient water conserving products. The Portland Water Bureau has down loadable rebate forms for sinks and toilets, as well as incentives for using other products with the Energy Star logo. You can also check with your local city or water district for any other rebates they may offer. Check back soon for the Bathroom Remodel Checklist. You can also check out our other blogs at www.aspenridge.blogspot.com and http://www.aspensiding.blogspot.com/
Posted by Mr. T at 12:40 PM 0 comments
Thursday, March 5, 2009

Tigard Water Customers
Here's some cool news in Tigard, the water district will give you a $75 credit towards your account for updating your toilet to an energy efficient model. ( Limit 2 ). All you need to do is purchase some new toilets 1.28 gallons per flush is the requirement. Contact Jennifer Joe at 503-718-2599 with any question you might have.Did you no at 5 flushes a day the standard toilet uses 6,388 gallons a year, and with the new 1.28 model it drops down to 2,336. WOW! that a big difference." Just doing our Part "
Posted by Mr. T at 7:07 AM 0 comments
Labels: Aspen Ridge Construction, City of Tigard, Green, Remodeling, Water useage

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Blog Archive
▼ 2009 (3)
▼ April (1)
Metro Paint "Paint made from recycled paint"
► March (2)
Is Your Bath Water Green
Tigard Water Customers

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Travis Henry View my complete profile