@hgonzalez7 and @theamcguy You guys are on to something that I don’t know much about. RFID tracking is something I briefly looked into, but had difficulty finding information relative to my use of tool tracking.

I know they are also starting to come out with small, sticker like gps tracking devices like http://stickr.thetrackr.com/

I am sure…[Read more]

@MJconstruction We did get far enough into the idea to create a master list of tools. Each company vehicle also has a master list of what tools are to be always in their vehicles (saws, shovels, drills, etc). We attempted to implement a “foreman is responsible” rule – where the foreman is responsible for all the tools in their trucks. The issue we…[Read more]

@supimeister You have it correct – guys are forgetting to put specialized tools back on the shelf at the end of the day. And sometimes they might forget again in the morning, which leads to the chaos.

We currently have 30 employees, all of whom have access to the tool area. We have discussed ‘caging’ the tool area off and only allowing certain…[Read more]

What a terrible way to go. Definitely makes you a think a little bit and not complain quite as much about wearing a hard hat.

@cranbook2 They may not be concrete walls you see on the trucks, but could be concrete beams, columns, and decking. Regardless, precast concrete construction is where the concrete is poured and cured at a specific location and then trucked onto the job location. There are many reasons to perform that type of construction including forming…[Read more]

Not too much creepy crawly stuff going on due to the cool weather in Wisconsin, but I did see a flock a wild turkeys this morning.

These kind of “house of horrors” projects just make me cringe. Homeowners are lucky for good, trust worthy contractors like you. Homeowners often do not know anything about building a home, let along what is right and wrong. Some contractors try to slip things past unknowing homeowners.

@kurt@welkerhomes.com What type of waterproofing membrane…[Read more]

@lakelover I will have to check out your stairs. I hope you posted some photos!

@redwood My degree ended up being a nice piece of paper 😉 Looking back, I wouldn’t change much though – I definitely learned a lot working on getting that piece of paper. In my senior year, I realized I can’t sit behind a desk ALL day and decided partial field work would be best.

@ChadM – Spot on!

@cranbrook2 Are fewer and fewer schools teaching trades? At our local high school, they do teach some trades. I think if they reached out to some local contractors, they could partner together to get students more interested in trades.

@TimelessQuality It is indeed an unusual design for a storage facility. This facility was designed specifically for this lot and takes advantage of the significant grade changes. The whole concept behind this type of facility is slightly different that what we are used to. At this facility, you drive your car into a bay (indoors, without weather…[Read more]

@supimeister We had 50 tons or rebar, 1000 sheets (100 SF/each) 6 x 6 W1.4xW1.4 wire mesh, 500 cubic yards in the footings and foundation walls, 1500 cubic yards in the floors (basement + first floor deck). The floor concrete also included these massive concrete footings that spanned the length of the building – due to the building essentially…[Read more]

Thanks for the info @dabbs – I did try to upload them in the main post, however my computer wouldn’t let me. I will have to try to go back an edit.

@skillman I think it might near impossible without some sort of pumping equipment! Even with the heavy equipment, we had some challenges with heavy rains over the Summer. You can see in the photo…[Read more]

Finished basement floor and overlooking the first floor deck.

Basement floor pour.

Footing and wall pours.

The first delivery of foundation reinforcing bar, overall site, and working with the excavation team.