Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design
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October 23, 2020 by
Mr HomeBuilder
Nestled in an idyllic serene setting in the gated community of Falling Waters this stunning Ranch boasts 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, & open floor plan perfect for day to day living & entertaining. This custom home features a grand entrance, formal dining, cathedral ceilings, 8ft doors, TONS of natural lighting, backyard oasis w/covered porch, inground pool, private deck, & more. This carefully & thoughtfully crafted home sparing no expense is sure to help you decide, this is the one! The eat-in kitchen features beautiful soft close cabinetry, a custom backsplash, granite counter tops, & built-in SS appliances. Off the kitchen rests the hearth room, where you will enjoy the most amazing views while relaxing by the fireplace. Retreat to the master bedroom, w/a beautiful executive style en-suite bath, & private access to porch. The finished basement includes a study, 4th bedroom, bath, wet bar, & amazing recreational space. 2x6 wall construction, Andersen Windows, 3 zone HVAC, & irrigation.
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30 of the Most Expensive Homes for Sale in Northwest Indiana - nwitimes.com
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October 23, 2020 by
Mr HomeBuilder
Picking a new mattress can feel confusing, overwhelming, and downright expensive. But, its still important to make a great decision that suits your individual needs as a sleeper and its surprisingly possible to do so on a budget.
Many mattress companies offer mattresses with a luxurious feel at an affordable price point. We researched the best on the market to help you find an amazing mattress at an amazing price.
Pricing for mattresses depends on what size youre looking for. We based our price comparisons on a standard queen size mattress.
The Nectar Memory Foam mattress packs in a bunch of luxury features at a great price, such as a quilted cover made from super soft and sustainable Tencel fibers, as well as a gel memory foam layer to promote airflow and keep you cool. Its great for nearly every sleep position since the gel memory foam provides close body contouring and great pressure relief. The all foam construction is also good for motion isolation, so you wont get woken up by a partner or pet.
Not to mention, Nectar has an industry-leading 365-day trial period and a lifetime warranty, a huge perk when selecting a new mattress.
Buy the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress online.
A 2015 study found that medium-firm mattresses can help reduce back pain and promote sleep comfort. Most mattress companies call their medium-firm mattresses luxury firm or say they fall between a 5 to 7 on a 10-point firmness scale. The Saatva Classic Mattress has a luxury firm option, making it a good choice for those with back pain.
Even better, Saatva mattresses are specifically designed for a pain-free sleep, and this hybrid mattress is even approved by the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations. It has a unique memory foam layer designed to relieve lumbar tension. Reviewers with back pain and arthritis say this mattress balances softness and support.
This mattress is one of the more expensive options on our list likely due to the hybrid construction and different materials used. Even so, its still priced lower than many luxury hybrids on the market.
Buy the Saatva Classic Mattress online.
Side sleepers need a balance of pressure relief and support for their ideal mattress. Both the Helix Midnight and Midnight Luxe are made specifically with side sleepers in mind and have targeted support for the hips, shoulders, and neck.
The top memory foam layer relieves pressure and keeps your spine aligned, while the middle wrapped coil layer is designed to cradle and support your body. The result is an award-winning, but still affordable mattress.
Buy the Helix Midnight online.
Casper is a leader in the affordable bed-in-a-box marketplace, and their entry-level mattress is a simple, yet versatile, option. The top layer of foam in the Casper Element is perforated, promoting airflow to reduce heat. The second layer is a dense base to provide support.
Reviewers rave about the unbeatable price and smart packaging of the Casper Element, as well as the great motion isolation. But, this mattress may be too soft for stomach sleepers, who might feel extra pressure in their hips and lower back when sinking into a softer mattress.
Buy the Casper Element Mattress online.
The Cocoon Chill is a bed-in-a-box option from Sealy, one of the oldest and most reputable mattress brands. Its unique stretch-knit cover is designed to respond to temperature changes, dissipating heat when your body feels hot and retaining heat when it feels cool. This three-layered mattress adapts to your body and sleeping style while still bouncing back and allowing movement.
The medium-soft option is best for combination or side sleepers, while the extra-firm option is best for back sleepers. Even though this mattress gets great reviews, some reviewers complain that this mattress doesnt have the best edge support which is how supported a mattress feels when you sit on or lie near the edge of it.
Buy the Cocoon by Sealy Chill Mattress online.
Latex mattresses are known for their bounce and responsiveness, conforming to your bodys contours while also snapping back to shape when you roll over or get up. They can also be great for reducing pain: A 2017 study showed that latex mattresses can be better than foam mattresses at reducing pressure on the torso and backside.
The Elements Latex has impressive features at a stellar price point for a latex mattress. It comes in two thicknesses and three firmness options, all made with OEKO-TEX class 1 certified Talalay latex over a dense foam base. Reviewers liked this alternative to an all foam mattress for its firmness and gentle bounce.
Keep in mind that this mattress does not have an inner-spring system, so some people with higher body weight may not get the support they need.
Buy the Dreamfoam by Brooklyn Bedding Elements Latex here.
A high quality, affordable mattress with Prime shipping? Say no more. This adaptive foam mattress has over 10,000 reviews on Amazon with a 4.5 star overall rating. Its proprietary foam adjusts to your sleep position throughout the night and helps distribute weight evenly, making it an excellent choice for back sleepers. This medium firm option provides good support for your back, shoulders and neck.
Tuft & Needle offers the same 100-night sleep trial on Amazon that they offer through their site, which isnt always the case among other mattress brands.
Buy the Tuft & Needle Original Mattress online.
Every Avocado mattress is Greenguard Gold certified, meaning that they meet strict third-party emissions standards for chemical exposure and pollutants. The Green Mattress also features organic latex, cotton, and wool and comes in a vegan option without wool.
This hybrid mattress has a latex top layer and a second layer of individually pocketed coils, arranged in five ergonomic zones. Both the latex and coils provide bounce and support for your shoulders, hips, spine and knees.
The Green Mattress comes in a standard 11-inch style and a 13-inch pillow top version, which many reviewers say adds the necessary cushioning for side sleepers.
This is also another higher-priced option on our list this tends to be typical of organic mattresses, due to the high quality nontoxic materials used in their construction.
Buy Avocado Green Mattress online.
Hybrid mattresses are made with both foam and innerspring elements. These are great for all body types because the springs offer more support than a simple all foam mattress.
The Allswell Luxe Hybrid is made of two top foam layers designed to relieve muscle and joint pain. The top memory foam layer is even antimicrobial and infused with copper to reduce heat. The third layer is made of 8-inch individually wrapped coils that provide great support, including exterior rows for extra edge support.
This mattress could be an excellent option if youre a back or stomach sleeper, since the firmness will help to keep your back and hips elevated and help with alignment. Reviewers also say it works well for combination sleepers and partners with different sleeping styles.
Buy The Allswell Luxe Hybrid online.
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9 Best Affordable Mattress of 2020 - Healthline
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October 23, 2020 by
Mr HomeBuilder
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 21, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Meritage Homes Corporation (NYSE: MTH), a leading U.S. homebuilder, reported third quarter results for the period ended September30, 2020.
Summary Operating Results (unaudited)(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
MANAGEMENT COMMENTS
"Our third quarter of 2020 results continued to outperform and reflect the current strength in the homebuilding market. Meritage had many remarkable achievements this past quarter: We delivered our highest quarterly sales orders, our strongest absorptions since 2005, record quarterly home closing revenue, and our best quarterly gross margin since 2014 - while also achieving our lowest net debt to capital in our company's history, said Steven J. Hilton, chairman and chief executive officer of Meritage Homes. These strong results are the combination of existing favorable market factors including historically-low mortgage interest rates and increased demand for healthier, safer homes, and Meritage's strategy of focusing on affordable entry-level and first move-up homes that allowed us to capitalize on that demand.
Our sales orders of 3,851 homes this quarter were 71% more than the third quarter of 2019 and surpassed our previous quarterly record set in the second quarter of 2020. Over just the first nine months of this year, we sold a total of 10,550 homes - well over the full year 2019 sales volume. We also closed 24% more homes than we did in the same quarter of the prior year. Home closing revenue increased 21% year-over-year to $1.1 billion for the third quarter of 2020, which combined with a 21.5% home closing gross margin to drive a 56% increase in our net earnings compared to the third quarter of 2019."
He continued, "To meet the surge in demand we are experiencing, we are investing significantly for additional growth. We spent nearly $300 million on land acquisition and development and put a record near 9,000 new lots under control this quarter, bringing the total lot supply to nearly 48,000 lots, as we increase our market share in our existing geographies and push toward our 300 community count goal by early to mid 2022."
Mr. Hilton concluded, "Based on our performance through the first three quarters of 2020 and confidence in our ability to deliver our backlog, we are projecting 11,200-11,500 total home closings for approximately $4.2-4.4 billion total home closing revenue and home closing gross margin of 21.0-21.5% for the full year 2020. We expect that to translate into approximately $10.25-10.50 diluted earnings per share, a year-over-year increase of more than 60%."
THIRD QUARTER RESULTS
YEAR TO DATE RESULTS
BALANCE SHEET
CONFERENCE CALLManagement will host a conference call to discuss the results at 8:00 a.m. Arizona Time (11:00 a.m. Eastern Time) on Thursday, October 22. The call will be webcast live with an accompanying slideshow, both of which will be available on the "Investor Relations" page of the Company's web site at https://investors.meritagehomes.com. For those unable to participate via the webcast, telephone participants can dial in to 1-800-437-2398 US toll free on the day of the call. The international dial-in number is 1-929-477-0577.
A replay of the call will be available beginning at approximately 10:00 a.m. Arizona Time (1:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on October 22 and extending through November 5, 2020, on the website noted above or by dialing 1-800-437-2398 US toll free, 1-929-477-0577 for international and referencing conference number 1805364.
Meritage Homes Corporation and SubsidiariesConsolidated Income Statements(In thousands, except per share data)(Unaudited)
Meritage Homes Corporation and SubsidiariesConsolidated Balance Sheets(In thousands)(Unaudited)
(1) Real estate Allocated costs:
Supplemental Information and Non-GAAP Financial Disclosures (Dollars in thousands unaudited):
Meritage Homes Corporation and SubsidiariesConsolidated Statements of Cash Flows(In thousands) (Unaudited)
Meritage Homes Corporation and SubsidiariesOperating Data(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
Meritage Homes Corporation and SubsidiariesOperating Data(Unaudited)
About Meritage Homes CorporationMeritage Homes is the seventh-largest public homebuilder in the United States, based on homes closed in 2019. Meritage offers a variety of homes that are designed with a focus on first-time and first move-up buyers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
The Company has designed and built over 135,000 homes in its 35-year history, and has a reputation for its distinctive style, quality construction, and award-winning customer experience. Meritage is the industry leader in energy-efficient homebuilding and a seven-year recipient of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for Sustained Excellence Award since 2013 for innovation and industry leadership in energy efficient homebuilding.
For more information, visit http://www.meritagehomes.com.
The information included in this press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include statements regarding health of the housing market and the potential adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and projected full year 2020 home closings, home closing revenue, gross margins and diluted earnings per share.
Such statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of Company management and current market conditions, which are subject to significant uncertainties and fluctuations. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. The Company makes no commitment, and disclaims any duty, to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events or changes in these expectations, except as required by law. Meritage's business is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. As a result of those risks and uncertainties, the Company's stock and note prices may fluctuate dramatically. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: disruptions to our business by COVID-19, fear of a similar event, and measures implemented by federal, state and local governments or health authorities to address it; the availability and cost of finished lots and undeveloped land; shortages in the availability and cost of labor; the ability of our potential buyers to sell their existing homes; changes in interest rates and the availability and pricing of residential mortgages; our exposure to information technology failures and security breaches; legislation related to tariffs; inflation in the cost of materials used to develop communities and construct homes; the adverse effect of slow absorption rates; impairments of our real estate inventory; cancellation rates; competition; changes in tax laws that adversely impact us or our homebuyers; a change to the feasibility of projects under option or contract that could result in the write-down or write-off of earnest or option deposits; our potential exposure to and impacts from natural disasters or severe weather conditions; home warranty and construction defect claims; failures in health and safety performance; our ability to obtain performance and surety bonds in connection with our development work; the loss of key personnel; failure to comply with laws and regulations; our limited geographic diversification; fluctuations in quarterly operating results; our level of indebtedness; our ability to obtain financing if our credit ratings are downgraded; our compliance with government regulations, the effect of legislative and other governmental actions, orders, policies or initiatives that impact housing, labor availability, construction, mortgage availability, our access to capital, the cost of capital or the economy in general, or other initiatives that seek to restrain growth of new housing construction or similar measures; legislation relating to energy and climate change; the replication of our energy-efficient technologies by our competitors; negative publicity that affects our reputation and other factors identified in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those set forth in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 under the caption "Risk Factors," which can be found on our website at http://www.investors.meritagehomes.com.
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Meritage Homes reports record third quarter 2020 orders 71% higher than prior year; 56% increase in net earnings with 21% revenue growth and 21.5%...
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October 23, 2020 by
Mr HomeBuilder
The Extended Warranty Service market report offers a detailed investigation of the primary growth catalysts, limitations, and constraints which are deemed critical to the progression of the industry over the forecast period. Moreover, the report offers a holistic analysis of the various market segments in order to assist readers in understanding the top revenue prospects of this industry vertical.
As per credible estimations, the Extended Warranty Service market is anticipated to accumulate notable returns, exhibiting a CAGR of XX% during 2020-2025.
Taking into the account the latest updates on the business scenario, the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has plummeted the global economy and has affected demand and production across several industries by disrupting the entire supply chain. While some of the businesses have shown signs of immunity against this crisis, others are expected to face challenges even after the pandemic ceases. Our comprehensive study of this business sphere aims to answer all the client queries, thus allowing stakeholders to make well-informed decisions and indulge in revenue generation sprees.
Request Sample Copy of this Report @ https://www.express-journal.com/request-sample/230124
Key pointers of the Extended Warranty Service market report:
Extended Warranty Service Market segments covered in the report:
Regional bifurcation: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East & Africa, South East Asia
Product gamut: Standard Protection Plan and Accidental Protection Plan
Application scope: Automobile, Consumer Electronics, Home Appliances and Others
Competitive landscape: Asurion, Allianz Global Assistance, Allstate (SquareTrade), American International Group (AIG), Ally Financial, Assurant, Endurance Warranty Services, American Home Shield, Amtrust, Automobile Protection Corporation (APCO), CarShield, CARCHEX and Corporate Warranties India
Major aspects enlisted in the report:
Influence of the Extended Warranty Service Market report:
The huge assortment of tables, graphs, diagrams, and charts obtained in this market research report generates a strong niche for an in-depth analysis of the ongoing trends in the Extended Warranty Service Market. The report also looks at the latest developments and advancement among the key players in the market such as mergers, partnerships, and achievements.
Extended Warranty Service Market Research Reports Includes PESTLE Analysis:
Extended Warranty Service Market Drivers Affecting:
In short, the Global Extended Warranty Service Market report offers a one-stop solution to all the key players covering various aspects of the industry like growth statistics, development history, industry share, Extended Warranty Service Market presence, potential buyers, consumption forecast, data sources, and beneficial conclusion.
MAJOR TOC OF THE REPORT:
Request Customization on This Report @ https://www.express-journal.com/request-for-customization/230124
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Research Report and Overview on Extended Warranty Service Market, 2020-2025 - Express Journal
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October 23, 2020 by
Mr HomeBuilder
After over a week of heavy criticism from the backcountry community surrounding potential malfunctions with the Pieps DSP Pro and Sport avalanche beacons, Pieps has released an updated statement on the matter on their Instagram channel. If you own a Pieps DSP Pro/Sport and are at all concerned about the functionality of the device, you should send it in to their warranty department and Pieps will offer an upgrade to the latest generation of their product. In North America, this will go throughBlack Diamond Equipment.There is still no official recall of the product.
RELATED: What's Going On With the Pieps DSP Pro and Sport?
We know that confidence in your equipment is key. If you have any concerns about your DSP Pro/Sport, please contact us. We will offer you an upgrade to the latest generation of our avalanche transceivers.
Contact us at: dsp@pieps.com
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Pieps Provides Update on Beacon Warranties and Upgrades - Teton Gravity Research
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October 23, 2020 by
Mr HomeBuilder
Sprinkler systems
Many existing properties across the UK could be better prepared for the risk of fire if sprinkler systems were fitted. However, with retrofit installations, pipework is surface-mounted onto ceilings and walls meaning systems can look unsightly, as well as being left open to damage. Gavin Byram, National Sales Manager at Pendock, explains more about the challenges, and how pre-formed sprinkler pipe boxing can be easily fitted by installers to ensure systems are discreet, aesthetically pleasing and well protected.
Sprinkler systems widely recognised as the single most effective method for fighting the spread of fires in their early stages can help to protect life, property and livelihoods. The National Fire Chiefs Council has found that people are up to four times safer and 50% likely to be harmed or injured in instances where sprinklers are installed. While there is currently no requirement to retrofit sprinkler systems in existing buildings in England (though this may change with the upcoming Fire Safety Bill), the list of organisations backing, recommending or campaigning for retrofit installations is long.
There have been calls for sprinkler systems to be fitted in many types of existing public sector and commercial buildings. The most well-publicised are, understandably, social housing tower blocks, following the Grenfell Tower disaster. A fire safety expert and others have said sprinklers would have stopped the fatal fire from spreading, and an independent review from the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee recommended that, where structurally feasible, sprinklers should be retrofitted to existing high-rise residential buildings to provide an extra layer of safety for residents. It also suggested that government should make funding available to fit sprinklers into council and housing association owned residential buildings above 18 metres.
Increased focus has been placed on schools too. Home Office statistics for England show the Fire and Rescue Services attended 524 fires in education premises in 2019/2020, and research from insurer Zurich Municipal suggests that schools in England are nearly twice as likely to suffer from a fire as other types of non-residential buildings. The company has also recently launched a parliamentary petition to urge MPs to change the law on sprinklers in schools. The National Fire Chiefs Council has recently reiterated its call for all schools to have sprinklers fitted, following the loss of two schools in Derbyshire (which did not have sprinklers) in early October 2020.
The installation of sprinkler systems has been recommended for many other types of public sector buildings, including care homes and hospitals, as well as commercial buildings. As a consequence, many property owners have therefore invested in retrofit sprinkler systems. In particular, we have seen local authorities and housing associations committing to fitting sprinklers in their high-rise residential properties, despite a lack of funding from government. Birmingham City Council, for example, is installing them throughout its 213 high-rise residential properties (at a cost of 31 million).
Exposed sprinkler pipework
Retrofit sprinkler installations can, however, be more challenging than new build projects, with the equipment needing to be fitted around existing structures, layouts and materials. With a retrofit installation, lengths of sprinkler system pipework are mounted onto ceilings and walls, rather than being concealed as would be the case in a new build property. As sprinkler pipework is usually made from chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), and is orange, it can be really unsightly.
Its essential for building occupants to feel comfortable with sprinkler system installations, but plans are not always met with immediate acceptance. Anecdotal evidence suggests that social housing landlords in particular can face resistance, especially in terms of aesthetics. While many tenants welcome sprinklers, some have refused to have them fitted in their homes because they believe the unattractive pipework would have a detrimental impact.
Aesthetics are also important in education environments, with it being suggested that interior design can influence learning. As for hotels, B&Bs and guest houses, the propertys interior tends to be an important factor for guests in terms of their experience, and whether they choose to return.
Sprinkler system pipework is therefore often concealed, or boxed in, so the visual impact is minimised. This goes a long way towards ensuring the sprinkler system is discreet and unobtrusive and complements the existing dcor. Concealing pipework also protects the system; accidental, or even deliberate, activation of sprinkler heads can have major consequences, including huge refurbishment costs.
Fitting sprinkler systems within live occupied sites is another challenge. In schools and hotels, installations can be carried out over holidays or during quiet periods, respectively, but social housing tower blocks will usually be constantly occupied. This makes it essential to carry out sprinkler system installations as quickly and efficiently as possible, with minimal disruption and inconvenience to tenants. In addition, the less labour-intensive the installation is, the lower the cost will be an important consideration for social housing landlords with limited budgets.
Pipework boxing is one area where savings can be made, by making a switch to pre-formed solutions. Some sprinkler system companies employ carpenters or joiners to fabricate boxing in solutions on site. This involves constructing a wooden frame around the pipework and then fixing lengths of wood or MDF to it. The materials will need to be cut to size and shape and the boxing will need to be primed and painted. This approach will usually involve a lot of measuring and adjustment; flats in tower blocks typically have different internal layouts or architypes, and sprinkler system designs also vary from one company to the next. On-site fabrication can therefore be time-consuming which can prove costly and can delay completion.
Example of pre-formed pipework boxing for a sprinkler system
The end result especially in terms of aesthetics and consistency of fit and finish are not always satisfactory (or acceptable) either. Subcontractors often find themselves under pressure to complete jobs within a fixed (and usually tight) budget and timescale, which can affect the level of quality and workmanship that can realistically be achieved.
An alternative is pre-formed, pre-finished sprinkler pipe boxing, which provides a neat, uniform finish while reducing the time and costs involved and minimising tenant disruption. It effectively covers lengths of sprinkler pipework running along ceilings and walls, with a small decorative cover plate concealing the sprinkler heads.
Its simple to fit and doesnt require painting, making it a cost-effective, quick solution. In fact, we estimate it takes half the time to fit pre-formed pipe boxing compared to on-site fabrication. In our experience, a full sprinkler system installation in a flat (including the pre-formed pipe boxing) should be completed within three days.
While boxing in was traditionally the realm of carpenters or joiners (being regarded as a specialist skill), todays pre-formed solutions mean a sprinkler system installer can carry out this work, even if carpentry and decorating skills dont come naturally. Installers can maximise their productivity and profitability on each job, which is particularly important in todays economic climate. Some installation companies report theyve been able to easily upskill their workforce, with the majority of installers being able to fit pre-formed boxing.
Sprinkler systems protect people and property, and retrofit installations have therefore been recommended for many types of existing buildings. The aesthetic impact of retrofit systems will however need to be mitigated, with exposed pipework being unsightly. Pre-formed pipe boxing is a simple, neat, cost-effective, quick solution that minimises upheaval and maximises profitability.
Pendock offers a range of sprinkler system pipe boxing and accessories, as well as assistance with drawing take offs and site visits.
Revisit this unmissable webinar to hear from ASFP's Niall Rowan, FPA's Jonathan O'Neill, FSF's Dennis Davies and FIA's Ian Moore on how COVID-19 has affected the fire safety sector. It's essential listening for the current moment.
Improving the aesthetics and appeal of retrofitted sprinkler systems with pipework boxingGavin Byram from Pendock explains how pre-formed pipework boxing can improve the aesthetics and ease of installation of retrofitted sprinkler systems.
IFSEC Global
ACM cladding remediation works begun or completed on 77% of identified high-rise buildings
October legislation update from SHP includes latest from Fire Safety and Building Safety bills
Modern methods of construction and fire performance time for a rethink?
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Improving the aesthetics and appeal of retrofitted sprinkler systems with pipework boxing - IFSEC Global
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October 23, 2020 by
Mr HomeBuilder
From sunny days and warm temperatures to anticipated overnight freezing ahead, fall weather will arrive over the next few days around the Carson City region, prompting a freeze watch by the National Weather Service and a warning for gardeners to bring in the tomato plants and other fall vegetables that haven't been harvested.
Multiple periods of widespread sub-freezing temperatures are likely the end of this week through early next week. While sub-freezing temperatures are expected Thursday night, a much colder air mass will plunge lows into the low-mid 20s in the warmest of valleys, with single digits and teens for colder valleys Sunday and Monday nights.
This is going to be quite the shock to the system after the warmth as of late, forecasters say, advising people to take the necessary precautions by protecting sensitive vegetation, prepping irrigation systems, protecting vulnerable populations, and be sure not to forget about pets.
The Freeze Watch is in effect for Thursday night through Friday morning and affects Carson City, Douglas, Lyon, Washoe and Storey counties and much of northern and western Nevada. Forecasters say to expect frost and freeze conditions that could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
The weather service warns this is the first of a series of upcoming anticipated freezes. After a warmer night Friday night, sub-freezing temperatures will return for Saturday through Tuesday nights. Lows may easily drop into the teens for valleys outside of urban centers Sunday and Monday nights.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes, they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.
Greenhouse Garden Center and Gift Shop in Carson City suggests homeowners take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.
Watering can still happen twice a week for trees, shrubs and perennials. If you have herbs, they should be OK but vegetables should be harvested now. Sprinkler systems should be shut down entirely by the end of the month.
When shutting down the sprinkler system at the end of the month, you can still hook up your hose and water by hand. People should also check weather forecasts regularly, and make adjustments if necessary.
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Carson City region braces for hard fall freeze; forecasters say bring in the pets, tomato plants - Carson Now
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October 23, 2020 by
Mr HomeBuilder
Our warm weather pattern will come to an end on Thursday. Weve had such a warm October, that this will be quite the shock to the system when this cold hits later this weekend.
We start with our first cold front on Wednesday night through Thursday. This will unfortunately whip up the wind even more as it passes through. We have Red Flag Warnings in place for the foothills down to southern Colorado thanks to this wind and dry vegetation.
This front brings cooler temperatures and maybe a little light snow to the mountains, with just a slight chance for a few flurries in Denver.
We are cold on Friday with highs in the 40s! We rebound quickly to the 60s on Saturday, but that wont last long. Saturday will also be very windy, which again is not good for our fires.
Sunday is when we wake up to the big, major changes. Snow could start late Saturday night and will be going through the day on Sunday. Our temperatures will also plummet to the upper 20s! Ahead of this storm, youll want to at least drain your sprinkler system.
We could see snow through early Monday morning before we clear out with cold temperatures.
If youre wondering if the snow will help with our fires, the answer is yes. However, it wont be enough to put them out or really reduce their size. Any moisture is helpful, but the wind ahead of the snow will not be good at all.
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Denver Weather: Major Weather Changes Start Thursday - CBS Denver
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October 23, 2020 by
Mr HomeBuilder
By Oliver Lazenby
For the first time, the Blaine Farmers Market will continue into the fall, using the old Wolten and Montfort grocery space at 648 Peace Portal Drive to host some vendors out of the weather.
Starting Saturday, October 24, about 10 market vendors will be open in that building, which is next to the Black Forest Steak House. Depending on weather, some vendors will also set up at the G and H Street plazas, said Donna Raimey, Blaine Chamber of Commerce program and events coordinator. The market will continue to be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., she said.
The space could potentially host more vendors once its overhead sprinkler system is installed, as city code would allow vendors to get farther from the door. Mike Mulder, who owns the property through Nimbus Properties, said hed allow the market to use the space through the end of the year for free.
The Blaine Farmers Market has grown this year through the chamber of commerces effort. Raimey said the chamber put a lot of effort into the market because theres little else going on in town.
Its such a positive thing for our community to have and its a sign of life downtown that we desperately need, she said. I think everyone was just really excited to be a part of something at a time when nothing is really going on.
Nimbus bought the property in January 2019 from the Jacaranda Land Corporation and the company is nearly finished renovating. Mulder said the interior is like a Whole Foods or Trader Joes. With the Covid-19 pandemic and border closure, Mulder is waiting for the right tenant or opportunity, he said.
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Blaine Farmers Market going indoors for the rest of the year - Blaine Northern Light
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October 23, 2020 by
Mr HomeBuilder
Illustration by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters; istock, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
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The tax revolt started in California in 1978, but it never really ended.
Four decades ago mad-as-hell voters banded together to pass Proposition 13, capping property taxes, slapping a constitutional muzzle on state government and wringing local budgets like a washcloth. The electorates anti-tax fever may have broken in the years since, but the legacy of Prop. 13 is still very much with us.
Need proof? Check your ballot.
This year, Californians are being asked to weigh in on two more changes to the tax-slashing constitutional amendment that has done more than any other California ballot measure to reshape the states fiscal landscape and the politics of taxation.
Proposition 19 would pop open one new property tax loophole for older or disabled homeowners, while sewing shut another for people who inherit their parents and grandparents homes. And Proposition 15 would raise property taxes on many businesses the largest change to Californias property tax structure since Prop. 13 campaign leader Howard Jarvis was railing against high taxes and marinated bureaucrats.
If it seems like California voters are perpetually being asked to redefine, clarify, overhaul or rewrite the terms of the 1978 tax revolt, its because we are. Since Prop. 13, the state has voted 33 times on potential amendments to it. These offshoots of Prop. 13 have sprouted their own offshoots, adding additions to revisions to edits of the original text. Forty-two years later, the tree first planted in 1978 has gotten mighty tangled.
Its an evergreen story, said Jason Cohn, whose Jarvis documentary The First Angry Man, premiered last week. Cohn and his wife, Camille Servan-Schreiber, began working on the film in 2010 when voters were considering Proposition 26 a successful Prop. 13 patch that made it even harder for state and local governments to raise revenue through fees.
Its never not relevant, said Cohn.
There are few areas of California economic or political life that Prop. 13 hasnt touched. To recap, it:
In the short term, the measure gave homeowners a lasting tax cut and, amid skyrocketing real estate prices, made it much easier for homeowners to stay in their homes. In exchange, property tax payments plummeted 60% in a year, cutting $7 billion from city and school district budgets.
Longer term, Prop. 13 had a number of unintended consequences. State government assumed a much bigger role in school financing. Local governments suddenly had a bigger incentive to approve commercial real estate over residential development. Governments across California turned to other sources of revenue including income taxes, use taxes and fees to make up the difference.
The Prop. 13 campaign reverberated across the country. Jarvis, the garrulous, pipe-smoking political gadfly who had been tilting at Californias tax code, Don Quixote-like, for decades, became a magazine cover-gracing populist hero overnight. Tax-capping measures sprouted up elsewhere, augering the landslide election of Ronald Reagan. In its wake, Jerry Brown, the states governor at the time, came to rebrand himself a born-again tax cutter one of many Democrats who would see taxation and government spending as four letter words for decades to come.
The era of the tax revolt, I think, has largely ended in California, said Cohn. But Prop. 13 has its own status outside that liberal-conservative spectrum.
Of the 33 changes put before the voters, 24 have passed. They come in three varieties:
Under Prop. 13, a homes value is reassessed whenever theres a change of ownership or the property owner makes an addition or improvement. Property owners can find themselves slapped with a much higher tax bill if they opt to fix up their current place or move to a new one. As soon as Prop. 13 passed, people began scrambling for exemptions.
If someone is forced to move after a natural disaster, dont they deserve a tax break? What if someone inherits a home from a parent is California going to impose an orphans tax? And what about the responsible homeowner who installs a sprinkler system? A solar panel? A rain barrel?
Since 1978, the vast majority of the Prop. 13-related initiatives have carved out highly specific exemptions for niche investments and transactions, expanding the tax breaks protections one ballot measure at a time.
Another key feature of Prop. 13: Legislators hoping to raise taxes need to convince two-thirds of their colleagues to agree. For local taxes, two-thirds of voters are needed to approve special taxes.
But what if the taxes were used to pay off debt? If a regulator imposes a fee or a fine, is that a tax too? And whats a special tax anyway?
Eight more measures have gone before the California voter to answer such questions.
Proposition 13 makes it really hard for governments to raise revenue. That was the point. So when interest groups are particularly strapped, sometimes they go to the voters directly asking for a loophole.
Despite everything, Prop. 13 still retains its basic structure, said Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, one of the states most influential anti-tax groups. Property taxes are still capped at 1% of a propertys value, they can increase by only 2% each year and reassessment still occurs only with an ownership change or upgrade. Those are the three legs of the stool and those have not changed, said Coupal.
What makes Prop. 13 such a moving target, constantly in need of more modest revisions and clarifications, he said, is its brevity. The 1978 effort took place before California proposition campaigns became the half-a-billion-dollar, professionalized business they are today.
Overly-strict in some places and ambiguous in others, Prop. 13 was particularly poorly drafted. Darien Shanske, law professor at UC Davis
Jarvis and his co-drafters were not insiders and they wanted a quick immediate fix that was really needed at the time, said Coupal. It was sparseso there were a lot of unanswered questions. You can criticize Prop. 13 for that but remember, the United States Bill of Rights is very sparse too.
Darien Shanske, a law professor at UC Davis, agrees that Prop. 13s repeat presence on the ballot is a product of the way that it was written. But he doesnt liken its lack of specificity to the genius of the Founding Fathers.
Overly-strict in some places and ambiguous in others, the measure was particularly poorly drafted, he said, which has led to continual efforts to prune or graft modifications onto it. Thats to say nothing of the frequent court battles over its precise meaning.
Critics of ballot box budgeting contend that the Legislature is better equipped than voters to make complex taxation and spending decisions, and believe Prop. 13 has resulted in an infuriating catch-22. By making it more difficult for lawmakers to raise taxes, Prop. 13 makes it more likely that increases will require yet another ballot measure. And because constitutional amendments can only be changed through the popular vote, any direct changes to Prop. 13 have to go before the voters.
Tax policy and refined spending decisions shouldnt be done within the Constitution, Shanske said but once weve started down this road, were stuck with it because now we cant fix it except through the Constitution.
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Via the Post It, CalMatters political reporter Ben Christopher shares frequent updates from the (socially distanced) 2020 campaign trail.CALmatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.
Excerpt from:
Why Do We Keep Voting on This? Exploring the Prop. 13 Tax Revolt Family Tree - Lost Coast Outpost
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