Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

(BPT) - Americans are renovating again. In fact, the remodeling market hasnt been this robust since 2004, according to the National Association of Home Builders Remodeling Market Index. Yet even the most enthusiastic homeowners-turned-renovators may hesitate when faced with certain common challenges be it adding a bathroom in a problematic location or figuring out how to bring natural light into an interior room.

But virtually every renovation challenge is solvable, and sometimes the answers are surprisingly simple and cost-effective. Here are three common issues you may encounter while renovating, and the astoundingly simple ways to overcome the obstacles:

The challenge: Adding a bathroom over concrete flooring or in a tight spot where traditional plumbing doesnt work well.

The simple solution: Up-flush plumbing. Bathroom renovations or additions offer a high return on investment as much as 56 percent of the initial investment when you resell, according to Remodeling Magazines Cost vs. Value Report. But conventional plumbing can be costly and time-consuming, even in the best circumstances. If you want to add a bathroom in a basement where the floor is concrete or in a smaller space with no room for traditional piping, an up-flush, or macerating, toilet is a simple, cost-effective solution.

Systems like Saniflos macerating toilet and plumbing technology eliminate the need to cut through a floor to install new drainage. And the systems fit easily into areas as small as a closet or dead space beneath a stairway. A macerating pump reduces waste and paper from the toilet and sends it under high pressure through piping directly into the septic or sewer system. No waste is stored, and the systems are comparatively low-cost compared to traditional plumbing. Visit http://www.saniflo.com to learn more.

The challenge: Introducing natural light in a room with no space for windows.

The simple solution: Skylights. The benefits of natural light are well-documented, from improving mood to reducing dependence on artificial lights. Yet some spaces, such as interior powder rooms or walk-in closets, dont lend themselves to windows. When you want natural light in a room where a lack of wall space precludes a window, or in which privacy is an issue, a skylight can be a great solution. Tubular skylights even allow you to bring natural light into ground floor rooms.

The cost of installing a skylight is comparable to adding quality windows in a room. Choose energy-efficient skylights and you may also reduce home cooling costs in spring and summer, and lighting costs in winter, too.

The challenge: Privacy in a doorway where a swinging door doesnt make sense.

The simple solution: Pocket doors. A swinging door may not be right for a space for many reasons. Perhaps you need to close a door in a spot so infrequently that a swinging door isnt needed. Or, maybe the space around the doorway is too tight to accommodate a swinging door, such as in a laundry space tucked into a hallway. Or, perhaps a traditional door will ruin the aesthetic of a space. In all those situations, a pocket door is a great way to achieve privacy without compromise. Because pocket doors tuck away inside the wall, you dont need to worry about having enough space to open or close a traditional door. Plus, when left open, pocket doors are hidden inside the wall so their visual impact on decor is minimal.

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Three astoundingly simple solutions for big renovation challenges

More than $12 million in renovations of operating room suites and waiting areas are included in a multiphase remodeling program at St. Luke's Hospital, in Chesterfield.

The program will increase efficiency through better location of services and improve clinical quality with technology enhancements and redesigned clinician space, a hospital spokeswoman said today.

Renovations are scheduled to begin in February on the hospital's second floor, said the spokeswoman, Rebecca Largent. Relocated and expanded lab services will be part of the work.

Construction will be phased over three years to allow uninterrupted services and to maintain patient capacity.

Projects covering 38,000 square feet will cover work on the entire second floor of St. Luke's West Medical Office Building and part of the second floor of the main hospital.

Archimages Inc., of St. Louis, is the architect. McCarthy Building Cos. is the contractor.

The primary goal of this project is to continually focus on increasing comfort and privacy for patients and their families, while enhancing operational efficiencies, Don Miller, St. Luke's vice president of operations, said in a statement.

Tim Bryant covers commercial real estate, development and other business stories for the Post-Dispatch. He blogs at Building Blocks, the Post-Dispatch development blog.

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Renovation projects set to begin at St. Luike's

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - The owner of a Dayton area roofing company admits to conspiring to bring illegal aliens to work for his company.

Gregory Oldiges, 55, owner of Williams Brothers Roofing and Siding, pleaded guilty in US District Court Tuesday.

Court documents reveal that Oldiges' company handled around 40 contracts between 2004 and 2013 that involved illegal employees working on roofing jobs.

The report says the company knew the workers were illegal aliens using aliases in order to work.

Oldiges also pleaded guilty to committing wire fraud by sending fraudulent invoices to insurance companies for work by his company.

Investigators believe Williams roofing took in nearly $12-million worth of roofing business using illegal workers from 2009 to 2012. The workers were paid a total of $1.7-million.

Oldiges also financed the smuggling of some of the workers to the United States.

The schemes perpetuated by this defendant were pervasive, touching nearly every aspect of the business. These unscrupulous tactics clearly gave his company an unfair advantage over competitors, said Marlon Miller, Special Agent in Charge, HSI Detroit.

The plea agreement includes at least two years in prison, plus Oldiges must pay restitution. He will be sentenced April 8.

Another employee, Jim Honius pleaded guilty to a wire fraud charge. He too will be sentenced April 8.

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Roofer guilty of employee illegal aliens

On Jan 2, we upgraded our recommendation on Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. ( BECN ), one of the three largest roofing material distributors in the U.S. and Canada, to Neutral. While the company is likely to face challenges such as pricing pressure and general market softness, it will benefit from continued focus on acquisition and its strong balance sheet position.

Why the Upgrade?

On Nov 26, Beacon Roofing reported adjusted earnings of 56 cents per share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 (ended Sep 30, 2013), down 7% year over year. The results fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 62 cents. Despite record revenues and continued cost control, lower gross margins led to the year-over-year decline.

Revenues in the quarter increased 14% year over year to a record $683 million but missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $689 million.

The company reported cash and cash equivalents of $47 million as of Sep 30, 2013, up from $40 million as of Sep 30, 2012. Total leverage ratio was low at 1.6x compared to 1.5x at the end of 2012. Additionally, interest coverage ratio of Beacon Roofing was 15.9x compared with 15.8x at the end of 2012. These metrics demonstrate its balance sheet strength, which will benefit its growth strategy.

Beacon Roofing, a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock, remains committed to growth in core industry trends. The company opened seven new branches in the fourth quarter and is on track to open another 15 to 20 branches in fiscal 2014.

For fiscal 2014, the company expects full-year earnings per share to be at the lower end of the current published range of $1.80-$1.70 owing to lower demand and a competitive environment.

In addition, the Architecture Billings Index fell to 49.8 in Nov 2013 from 51.6 a month earlier. A score below 50 indicates contraction. The building and construction market continues to suffer due to the uncertainty in demand for commercial, industrial and institutional buildings. This in turn will affect Beacon Roofing's sales.

Moreover, higher construction costs, labor shortage, lack of funds for real estate projects and the adverse effects of sequestration are likely to remain headwinds for the company.

Other Stocks to Consider

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Beacon Roofing Upped to Neutral - Analyst Blog

Business News of Tuesday, 7 January 2014

Source: Graphic Business

Phastor Limited, a leading concrete products and roofing sheets manufacturer in the country, is to construct 120 affordable houses at Oyibi in Accra by the first quarter of this year.

The two to three-bedroom houses, which will be built on a serviced plot with water and electricity on site, will be targeted at the lower to middle income earners in the country.

The Managing Director of the company, Mr John Stephen Sam, who disclosed this to the Graphic Business, said we intend to rely on the quality but affordable building materials we produce to beat the cost of housing construction down drastically.

We will be cheaper than competition because we are already producing building materials and roofing sheets and, therefore, we will use what we produce to build the houses at cheaper costs, he said.

According to him, the company has been at the forefront of producing concrete and roofing products for many real estate developers in the country. He noted that this time, we also want to venture into that area to see how best we can contribute our quota to improving the housing stock in the country at affordable rates.

Housing deficit

Rough estimates of the countrys housing deficit stands at about 1.5 million units.

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Phastor to build 120 affordable housing units

Gregory Oldiges, the owner of Williams Brothers Roofing and Siding Co., pleaded guilty Tuesday in a plea bargain to a case where he was accused in U.S. District Court documents of a years-long conspiracy of recruiting, transporting and using illegal immigrant workers from Mexico, falsifying documents and wire fraud.

Oldiges will get between 24 to 57 months if the judge accepts the plea deal in the human trafficking case. He also will forfeit more than $2 million in cash, a $500,000 house and his pickup.

The prosecutor called it a greedy scheme that goes way beyond just hiring undocumented workers. Prosecutors allege that between 2009 and 2012, Williams Brothers charged its customers about $11.75 million for roofing-related work performed by its illegal immigrant subcontractors, for which Williams Brothers paid the illegal immigrants about $1.7 million, according to court documents.

Prosecutors also claim Williams Brothers encouraged and transported illegal immigrant workers into the country and defrauded insurance providers with "dummy" or duplicate invoices.

Prosecutors also allege: Between 2004 and 2013, Williams Brothers entered into at least 39 purported subcontracts with illegal immigrants, some of whom used false names with the knowledge of Oldiges or other employees. Between 2004 and 2012, Williams Brothers employees prepared and submitted to the IRS approximately 20 materially false 1099 forms that identified the illegal immigrant subcontractors with known false names. The forms also noted payments to the subcontractors of about $1.1 million.

In April 2007, a Williams Brothers employee - authorized and paid for by Oldiges - drove to Texas to pick up an illegal alien subcontractor and his crew and drove them back to the Dayton area. That same month, Oldiges authorized $9,000 to be paid to human smugglers ("coyotes") who brought the crew from Mexico to Texas. The cost for each illegal worker was $1,000 per immigrant. Oldiges then recouped that money by withholding a portion of the amount paid to the crew during that roofing season.

Other alleged schemes were carried out in 2008 and 2011.

For example, in November 2010, Oldiges paid an illegal worker crew $3,706 while charging the customer $18,869. The $15,163 difference represented Williams Brothers' materials cost and gross profit, according to court documents.

The government seized property and money from Oldiges and his wife, Linda, after it claimed in an April lawsuit that the couple had generated millions of dollars of profit on the backs of Mexican workers they conspired to bring to the United States.

In the lawsuit, the government claimed that Williams Brothers, founded in 1937, made between $3 million to $4.5 million in 2012 during a time in which the company paid one worker $1 per hour to pick up nails at job sites as he recovered from injuries he sustained when he fell off a roof.

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Local roofer pleads guilty in human trafficking case

(PRWEB UK) 7 January 2014

Luxury tour operator Sovereign is launching the second edition of its 2014 brochure this week, featuring several new hotels which will form part of its extensive collection of luxury holidays to Europe and beyond.

With over 240 properties in 19 destinations worldwide, the second edition brochure features a wide range of luxury holiday options for 2014 and early 2015, perfect for families and couples alike.

Located in Croatia, Cyprus, Turkey, Ibiza and Majorca, the new hotels are the perfect addition toSovereigns programme and offer customers even more choice when selecting their dream luxury holiday.

We are continuously looking to update our portfolio in order to maintain the highest quality in choice and service our customers rightly expect. We added four new hotels when the 2014 brochure launched last year and have added a further five properties with this second edition as we feel each has something special to offer our customers, commented Scott Langridge, General Manager of Sovereign. Following our recent wins as the Best Holiday Company to both Hellenic Europe and the Iberian Peninsula at the British Travel Awards, these exciting additions enable us to strengthen our position as a luxury tour operator to Europe and beyond.

New to the Luxury Collection of properties is the ME Ibiza hotel. Situated in S'Argamassa-Santa Eulalia, the third largest town on the island of Ibiza, the hotel boasts a beachside location and is in close proximity to a selection of art galleries, exclusive shops and a beautiful marina. Opening in summer 2014, this brand new hotel offers contemporary accommodation - ideal for relaxing luxury holidays. The rooftop features the Skinc Spa where guests can unwind with a range of treatments and massages - complete with calming 360 views. Alternatively, guests can experience the exclusive Rooftop Beach Club, offering luxurious Bali beds, fresh seafood, delicious cocktails and live music. A seven night holiday to Ibiza starts from 489 per person, based on departures 2 May 2014. The price includes seven nights B&B accommodation in an Aura Room (book before 31 January 2014), return flights from London Gatwick with Easyjet, airport lounge access and private transfers.

The Spanish island of Majorca also sees a new addition to Sovereigns programme. A unique property, the Castell Son Claret is a converted 18th century castle style manor house and is set in the 17th century village of Es Capdella, Calvia. The breathtaking surroundings this 325 acre estate offers is perfect for those looking for peace and quiet whilst basking in the sunny Majorca weather. Indulge in culinary heaven at the Michelin star awarded and critically acclaimed Restaurant Zaranda. Sovereign is offering a saving of 265 on a seven night stay at the five star Castell Son Claret with prices starting from 1,295 per person. The holiday to Majorca includes B&B accommodation, return flights from Birmingham with Monarch, airport lounge access and private resort transfers, based on departures 6 April 2014 (book before 31 January).

Another newly handpicked hotel by Sovereign is the five star Titanic Deluxe Belek. Families will be delighted with the range of services and amenities available at this all inclusive resort. Measuring over 13000sqm, the extensive facilities of the Titanic Wellness & Spa will ensure guests a relaxing experience in a calming and luxurious atmosphere. Indulge in a range of facial and body treatments, say goodbye to aches and pains away in a Turkish Hamam bath or enjoy a unique experience in a snow room. Theres no shortage of places to keep cool in the beautiful Turkish weather with 11 pools available at the hotel or choose to sunbathe on a kilometre of private beach via a picturesque boat ride across the river. Sovereign has seven nights all inclusive at the Titanic Deluxe Belek from 869 per person. The price includes return flights from London Gatwick with Thomson, airport lounge access and private resort transfers, based on departures April 2014.

New to Sovereigns portfolio in Croatia is the addition of the Hotel Dubrovnik Palace on the Lapad peninsula. With a dramatic clifftop location, all rooms and suites boast private balconies and stunning sea views. First class facilities include four swimming pools, a private beach, tennis courts and a PADI diving centre while guests can enjoy the fresh air with scenic walking routes though the woods behind the hotel.

Also new for the second edition brochure is the Alexander the Great Beach Hotel in Paphos, Cyprus. A popular destination amongst Sovereign customers, Cyprus attracts both couples and families alike with its year round sunny weather, beautiful beaches and delicious food. Part of Sovereigns Classical Collection of properties, this four star hotel has recently undergone refurbishment and boasts a great location near to Paphos harbour and castle.

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Be Inspired in 2014 with Luxury Holidays from Sovereign

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) January 07, 2014

Murray Lampert Design, Build, and Remodel, a San Diego contractor, launched a new and improved website on November 21, 2013.

The goal of the new site design is to accurately represent the companys services, present organized information, and improve user experience with user-friendly navigation.

Our old site didnt represent us well. It was cluttered and disjointed, commented Gregg Cantor, President and CEO of Murray Lampert Design, Build, and Remodel.

Our new site is efficient and easy to navigate, and clients can find everything they need to know about our architectural design, building, and remodeling servicesas well as get to know our company and process, Cantor added.

The simplified site design features pertinent information about each of the companys design, build, and remodeling services, including room additions, second stories, kitchen and bathroom remodels, 3D project modeling, architectural design, green building, outdoor spaces, and major home renovation.

Web visitors can learn about Murray Lampert Design, Build, and Remodels company history, find helpful tips and information in the blog, review client testimonials, see project galleries, learn about the team, and learn about frequently asked questions.

The company is pleased with the new website and hopes web visitors will be too. To see the new website or to learn more about Murray Lampert Design, Build, and Remodel, please visit http://www.murraylampert.com.

About Murray Lampert Design, Build, and Remodel

Murray Lampert Construction is a full-service San Diego remodeling contractor specializing in design-build packages, residential second story additions, single-story expansions, and kitchen, bath, and total home remodels throughout the San Diego area since 1975. As a BBB Torch Award winner, Remodeling Magazine Big50 winner, Kudzu Best of 2012 award winner, active member of Build it Green, and Lead-Safe Certified Firm, Murray Lampert Design, Build, and Remodel is committed to ethical business practices and enhancing the community. For more information, please visit http://www.murraylampert.com.

Originally posted here:
San Diego Construction Company Murray Lampert Design, Build, and Remodel Launches New and Improved Website

January 6, 2014 - Central Hockey League (CHL) Three Things You Need to Know

1.) Walls Closing in at the Top- After two straight wins by the Allen Americans over the Rapid City Rush this past weekend, things have tightened up significantly at the top of the conference. The Rush (22-7-0) drop back-to-back games for the second time since Christmas and are just 2-4-0 in that span. They currently have a three point lead over the Missouri Mavericks (20-9-1) who have also lost two straight contests. The movers are the Americans (19-10-2) who have won five straight games and the Denver Cutthroats (16-9-6) who have won three straight games. Quad City (16-7-5) is in fifth place but only seven points behind the leaders and they have played the fewest games of any CHL team (28). The Flock are 9-3-1 at home and they begin a three-game home stand on Wednesday versus Brampton.

2.) Americans Keep Rolling- The Allen Americans (19-10-2) are the hottest team in the CHL with wins in five straight games including back-to-back triumphs this past weekend over the league's top team, the Rapid City Rush. The wins for Allen ended the Rush's CHL record 12-game road winning streak. After a 7-0-1 start to the season, the Americans struggled to the tune of a 5-8-1 mark between Nov. 3 and Dec. 13. However, since Mid-December the defending champs have been nearly unbeatable winning seven of their last nine games. Defenseman Tyler Ludwig has picked up his game with six goals over his last four contests and Kale Kerbashian has two goals and three assists over his last four games. In goal, Bryan Pitton has been hot winning six of his last seven starts while not allowing a team to score more than three goals over that stretch. Allen will look for their sixth straight win on Frida y night when they host Denver (16-9-6).

3.) Beast Trip Continues- The Brampton Beast (16-14-2) continue their six-game road trip on Tuesday with a rescheduled match-up with St. Charles (8-21-4). The game was originally scheduled for Sunday (1/5/14) but had to be rescheduled due to a snow storm in the St. Charles area. The Beast are 2-0 on their journey so far with back-to-back wins in Missouri. The trip will go through Quad City on Wednesday and then concludes with back-to-back games in Tulsa this weekend. Scott Howes had six goals and two assists in the two games in Missouri, good enough to earn him Oakley Player of the Week honors. Rob Collins has been a force as well with three goals and four assists in those contests.

By the Numbers

12: The number of times in 13 decisions that Quad City goalie Thomas Heemskerk has earned at least a point for his team. The netminder is 9-1-3 on the season with a 2.50 goals against average (second in the CHL) and a .919 save % (fourth in the CHL). Heemskerk has won four straight decisions allowing just six total goals over that span while recording two shutouts.

One-Timers

-Denver's Kent Patterson is 4-0-1 in his last five decisions facing 41+ shots in four of those five games. Over his hot streak, Patterson has stopped 194 of the 205 shots he has faced (.946 save %). He is 11-6-4 on the season with a .916 save %.

-After winning four straight games, the Wichita Thunder (11-17-4) have now dropped three straight games including back-to-back decisions over the weekend to Arizona. The Thunder do have the league's top two scoring defensemen with Jesse Dudas leading the way with 26 points (8-18&) and Andrew Martens sitting second with 24 points (5-19$).

-The Arizona Sundog (12-18-1) have gotten some pop lately with a couple new additions with Brandon Coccimiglio scoring seven goals in seven games and David Rutherford contributing six points (4-2=6) in three games. Coccimiglio was acquired from Tulsa and Rutherford was signed a free agent. Forward Kevin Baker has also been hot with goals in four straight games, three of those were wins for the Sundogs.

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Shots from the Point for January 6, 2014

Lanham, Maryland (PRWEB) January 07, 2014

Thompson Creek Window Company has earned the service industrys coveted Angies List Super Service Award, reflecting an exemplary year of service provided to members of the consumer review service in 2013.

Rick Wuest, president and CEO of Thompson Creek, was proud to be honored as one of this years Super Service Award winners. Total customer satisfaction is the driving force behind how every Thompson Creek employee performs their job, Wuest remarked. Winning Angies List prestigious Super Service Award as a result from the feedback of our satisfied customers is validation that we are succeeding in our mission.

Only about 5 percent of the companies Thompson Creek Windows competes with in Washington D.C./Baltimore market are able to earn our Super Service Award, said Angies List Founder Angie Hicks. Its a mark of consistently great customer service.

Angies List Super Service Award 2013 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include an A rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade; the company must be in good standing with Angies List, have a fully complete profile, pass a background check and abide by Angies List operational guidelines.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angies List. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality. Members can find the 2013 Super Service Award logo next to company names in search results on AngiesList.com.

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Angie's List helps consumers have happy transactions with local service professionals in more than 720 categories of service, ranging from home improvement to healthcare. More than 2 million paid households use Angie's List to gain access to local ratings, exclusive discounts, the Angies List Magazine and the Angie's List complaint resolution service.

About Thompson Creek Window Company

The Thompson Creek Window Company is a privately owned and family-operated manufacturer and installer of energy-efficient home improvement replacement products. Founded in 1980, Thompson Creek Window Company began as a manufacturer of energy-efficient, maintenance-free vinyl windows. Since that time, Thompson Creek Window Company has evolved into one of the leading specialty home improvement contracting companies in the nation. The companys product mix includes replacement windows and doors, vinyl siding and a clog-free gutter system. Thompson Creek Window Company is headquartered in Lanham, MD with an 80,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Landover, MD.

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Thompson Creek Windows Earns Esteemed 2013 Angie’s List Super Service Award