Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

The owner of an Elmhurst-based construction company faces 17 felony charges that accuse him of defrauding customers, engaging in money laundering and other financial crimes.

On Tuesday evening, Edmund Kavanaugh, 51, of the 600 block of South Washington Street in Elmhurst was arrested and jailed in Will County after he was charged with committing crimes through his business, Goliath Construction Corporation.

Kavanaugh has been the subject of numerous complaints throughout the Chicagoland area by many agencies, according to a Will County Sheriffs Office news release.

The detectives that worked this investigation are certain that additional unknown victims of Kavanaughs home repair schemes exist, officials said. The Will County Sheriffs Office is urging those victims to come forward and report these crimes to your local police jurisdiction.

The sheriffs office, Romeoville police, Illinois Department of Revenue, Will County States Attorneys Office and Elmhurst police participated in the investigation of Kavanaugh.

Kavanaugh faces multiple charges of home repair fraud, money laundering, continuing financial crimes enterprise, structuring and theft by deception.

He remains in jail as of Wednesday on a $1 million bond.

A criminal complaint alleged Kavanaugh entered a contract with two Romeoville residents to install a new roof, siding, windows, driveway and garage when he was prohibited by a court order from engaging in home repair work, was not a licensed roofer and knew he would not complete the work.

Kavanaugh was charged with obtaining a certificate of liability insurance by providing false information to an insurance agency.

The structuring charge alleged Kavanaugh made multiple deposits to JPMorgan Chase Bank that were lower than $10,000 to avoid the banks federal reporting requirements.

Goliath Construction Corporation was incorporated on Aug. 8, 2018, and failed to follow the states reporting requirements for corporations, according to the Illinois Secretary of States website.

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Construction company owner defrauded Romeoville customers: records - The Herald-News

SiteAware (formerly Dronomy), a startup developing a verification platform for construction, today closed a $10 million funding round co-led by Axon Ventures and Robert Bosch Venture Capital GmbH. The company says the funding will be used to accelerate its expansion in the U.S. market as construction resumes post-pandemic-related delays.

Housing construction is gaining steam as developers sprint to meet demand. According to the U.S. Commerce Department, housing starts occurred at a 1.19 million seasonally adjusted annual rate in June, representing a 17% increase from May. While thats down 4% year-over-year, construction activity for both single-family properties and multifamily buildings saw double-digit rises.

SiteAware employs AI to enable corrective action during construction to eliminate rework and provide a record of work performed. Customers get real-time actionable insights verifying layout, workmanship, and omissions of things like concrete forms and steel and curtainwall embeds. In addition, they receive a detailed breakdown of masonry installation and detailing, waterproofing and sealants, siding elements, and finishes and exterior elements verified in real time by SiteAwares digital twin technology.

Digital twin approaches to simulation have gained currency in other industrial domains. For instance, London-based SenSat helps clients in construction, mining, energy, and other industries create models of locations for projects theyre working on, translating the real world into a version that can be understood by machines. GE offers technology that allows companies to modeldigital twinsof actual machines and closely track performance. Oracle has services that rely on virtual representations of objects, equipment, and work environments. And Microsoft itself providesAzure Digital Twinsand Project Bonsai, both of which model the relationships and interactions between people, places, and devices in simulated environments.

As for SiteAware, it autonomously captures job site data and 3D design files entered into the platform for verification. Off-the-shelf drones and software supplied by the company create a virtual replica that can be accessed via a web browser. As the drones fly over a site, the 3D model is updated and uploaded to remote servers. Using digital twinning, SiteAwares photogrammetry tech superimposes models from consecutive scans to verify against design documents. AI algorithms trained on over 100,000 databases of construction elements compare the twin to the documents and feed into analytics dashboards, providing an overview with performance and risk metrics.

SiteAware CEO Zeev Braude asserts the technology can be a boon for large construction projects, which rely on project managers to keep tedious manual records. These managers are often responsible for keeping tabs on countless tasks, in addition to tracking the progress of dozens (or more) contractors. Analysts like McKinsey say the intractable logistical challenges lead 98% of large projects to suffer cost overruns of more than 30%. Making matters worse, 77% are estimated to be at least 40% late.

SiteAware competes with companies like HoloBuilder, Buildots, and OpenSpace, which similarly offer AI-powered construction site-reporting solutions. But SiteAware, which was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas with 25 employees (it expects to have around 100 by 2021), says it already has a number of paying real estate developers and general contractors in the U.S. These customers have about 20 construction projects ongoing totaling a combined $5 billion, according to SiteAware.

The series A funding round announced this week brings SiteAwares total capital raised to date to $10 million. Existing investors lool Ventures, Oryzn Ventures, the Flying Object, and Power Capital Venture also participated.

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SiteAware raises $10 million to track construction zone progress using drones and AI - VentureBeat

As part of our initiative called Curious Cornhuskers, an anonymous reader asked The Daily Nebraskan, What is being built in the courtyards in front of The Courtyards?

North of 17th Street on the outskirts of campus is The Courtyards, a well-known apartment-style hall. Recognized for its convenient on-campus amenities, The Courtyards has been both a presence on campus and the home of many students over the years.

However, within the past few weeks, there has been some construction at the apartment complex. Many arent sure what University Housing is building or why they are building something in the first place, and because of this, curious cornhuskers are shrouded in mystery regarding the new construction.

The structures resemble small garages used for storage and seem to be built in the open outdoor spaces within the complex.

According to associate director of Housing Facilities Operations Larry Shippen the construction is for a new utility shed in the Poets Court region of The Courtyards. The shed was built to replace the outdoor storage that was lost when the exterior stairs in the north and south courtyards were removed over the past year.

The staircases were removed because they were deteriorating, and replacement costs were exorbitant, Shippen said in an email. The old stairs contained storage elements under the staircase its where we housed our snowblowers and other landscape and outdoor equipment.

Shippen said that construction for this utility shed began two weeks ago, and they are still waiting for siding, which is scheduled to arrive in another two weeks. Installation takes a day, and that will conclude the construction at The Courtyards. Until then, residents will have to make do with the noise.

curiouscornhuskers@dailynebraskan.com

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Curious Cornhuskers: What is being built in front of The Courtyards? - Daily Nebraskan

PALM BAY In the fall of 2019, the Palm Bay City Council, at the recommendation of its Community Development Advisory Board, approved a grant award in the amount of $527,158 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to the Parks & Recreation Department for renovations to the Greater Palm Bay Senior Center, to include ADA accessibility improvements. The Center, located at 1275 Culver Drive N.E., is a 501 (3) nonprofit organized in 1987 for the purpose of providing a safe and healthy environment for area seniors to socialize, exercise, learn, and play.

The renovation includes the replacement and repair of various systems and elements of the Greater Palm Bay Senior Center and adjacent wood-shop building. Interior renovations will include the replacement of the existing kitchen cabinets and counter-tops, flooring repairs, and the installation of hurricane-rated, insulated windows and doors as well as upgrades to facility doors, bathrooms, and drinking fountains. Exterior renovations to the facility will include the repair of mortar joints, the replacement of exterior siding, LED lighting upgrades throughout the property, the replacement of the existing pedestrian bridge, and necessary repairs to the irrigation system. A new HVAC unit will also be installed at the facility and existing ducts and grills will be repaired as needed. Existing facility features including the sidewalks, outdoor landings, indoor and outdoor access ramps, and parking areas will be upgraded to ensure ADA compliance and accessibility. Further improvements to the Greater Palm Bay Senior Center include upgrades to the woodshop facility to comply with current standards set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Following a competitive bid solicitation, the City of Palm Bay selected Archangel Engineering and Construction to carry out the renovations, with an estimated total project cost of $400,609, not including contingencies. The Greater Palm Bay Senior Center renovation project will begin on October 1, 2020 and is anticipated to last five months.

The Center is expected to reopen in early 2021.

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Extensive renovations for Greater Palm Bay Senior Center - Hometown News

No healthy, net zero energy home achieves the requisite standards of indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy use reduction without innovative products and systems, and the Ultimate Zero Energy Now (Z.E.N.) Home by Thrive Home Builders, in Denver, is no exception.

But, as the folks at Thrive will tell you, achieving the highest levels of building performance isnt enough to compete in a production-home sales environment; you also need products that will attract attention from the curb as well.

The products featured in the Ultimate Z.E.N. Home are a mix of those, in some cases serving both performance and market appeal. Theres also a local utility in the mix, a willing and able partner in helping lower and offset high-rate use times for electricity with financial incentives and tools for home builders and buyers.

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Cosmos from Panasonic uses sensors to continuously monitor indoor air quality 24/7 and remove harmful indoor toxins and volatile organic compounds. When the sensors detect unhealthy indoor air conditions, Cosmos automatically activates connected IAQ products to exhaust contaminated air and bring in fresh, filtered outside air to restore normal levelsall from a sleek, unobtrusive hub.

The homes all-electric, single-zone, heating and cooling system from Mistubishi offers a full-range variable refrigerant flow that precisely matches its output to changing indoor comfort demands to effectively provide indoor comfort. Rated at SEER-17.5, the Energy Star-certified ducted mini-split system delivers 33,000 Btu/hour of cooling power and 40,000 Btu/hour of heating capacity.

LP SmartSide Trim & Siding high-performance products protect against impact, moisture, termites, fungal decay, freeze/thaw cycles, high humidity, and more. The lightweight products have been proven in third-party testing to save time and resources on the jobsite and install 22% faster than fiber-cement lap siding. Products are certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative to minimize environmental impact, and the no-formaldehyde manufacturing process uses 99% of each log. Backed by a 5/50-year limited warranty.

Durable and non-woven, DuPont Tyvek DrainWrap allows moisture vapor to escape the home, while vertical grooves channel water away from the wall system. Self-adhered and easy-to-use, DuPont FlexWrap is a one-step solution for flashing the corners of windowsills, door sills, and larger penetrations to help seal out water and air.

Aprilaires 5000 series electronic air purifier provides an electronic MERV-13 filter designed to remove 98% of airborne allergens as small as 0.1 microns. The unit integrates with the central air system so air introduced to the return plenum is further purified by an air cleaner, then delivered to the homes supply ducts by an air handling unit programmed to run continuously at low speed.

Within a complete suite of sleek, stylish, and energy-efficient kitchen appliances, the kitchens 36-inch induction cooktop from Samsung is about as appealing as anything in the house. Not only does the companys Flex Zone induction technology automatically adapt to large, small, or uniquely shaped pot and pan sizes, it features digital touch controls, Wi-Fi connectivity to monitor activity,a power boost for each burner that boils water faster, and LED surface lights simulate a gas flame ... with the precision of induction.

Serving eight states, electrical utility Xcel Energy is working with EEBA to develop an online course to teach builders how to sell the benefits of high-performance homes and show a return on investment for them and their buyers. The company also is committed to sustainability on a utility scale with a 10-year goal of 80% carbon-free power generation that relies more heavily on renewables, such as wind and solar. It also pays builders a cash incentive for homes that exceed the local energy code by at least 10%.

For more information about the Ultimate Z.E.N. Home, including photos and videos of its construction and more product details andmaterials, go to pbultimatezen.com.

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A Closer Look at Products Innovation in the Ultimate Z.E.N. Home - Pro Builder

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) unveiled suggestions for ways to address speeding and safety concerns on Shreve Road in Falls Church during a virtual public information meeting on Oct. 7.

Possible improvements range from minor alterations, such as optical speed bars and vegetation management, to potentially complex projects, like Shrevewood Elementary School roundabouts.

Led by VDOT and the consulting firm Kittelson & Associates, the Shreve Road Corridor Study team emphasized that its goal is to give the City of Falls Church and Fairfax County options to consider, not to make decisions on funding or construction.

This is a planning-level study, VDOT transportation planning manager Amir Shahpar said. The purpose of this study is to develop proposed improvements for localities to apply for funding for some or all of the recommendations.

VDOT launched the Shreve Road Corridor Study on Mar. 25 in response to the advocacy efforts of the Shreve Road Community Working Group, which formed after a woman was killed in a hit and run at the intersection with Hickory Street in August 2019.

The study focuses on the two-mile section of Shreve that connects Route 29 with Route 7. That stretch averages up to 10,000 vehicles a day, according to VDOT, raising concerns about traffic speed and pedestrian and bicycle safety in the surrounding neighborhoods.

To address the Hickory Curve, the study team proposed adding optical speed bars, enhanced signage, and other means of slowing traffic ahead of the curve; moving the pedestrian pathway; clearing vegetation to improve visibility; or creating a barrier curb and gutter.

VDOT also considered installing additional guardrails to shield pedestrians from motorists but found that they are not warranted for that particular location, Kittelson engineering associate Amelia Martin says.

Options for improvements outside Shrevewood Elementary include building roundabouts or removing the street median, but the areas topography, the presence of utilities, and other factors would make those complicated undertakings.

Recommendations for other areas along the corridor include:

Shahpar says his team looked at the possibility of bike lanes along Shreve Road, but those would require major capital improvements, since many areas are currently too narrow. They also believe most cyclists would prefer to stay on the Washington & Old Dominion Trail, which runs parallel to Shreve north of the elementary school.

VDOT will continue developing its recommendations throughout October and plans to release a final report by late November.

Shreve Road Community Working Group co-founder Jeremy Hancock says he finds it encouraging that VDOT is working with residents and local officials to create a comprehensive plan for improving the Shreve corridor, but he worries about the time it will take to implement some of the proposals.

We cant lose sight of the need to address safety now, said Hancock, who also represents Providence District on Fairfax Countys Transportation Advisory Commission. VDOT hasnt fully addressed the feasibility of plans that should be done in the meantime.

Community members can give feedback on the study until Oct. 19 by mailing VDOTs Northern Virginia office, emailing [emailprotected], or filling out an online survey.

I think we have some good options, but we know funding is going to be a challenge, Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik said. So, [the more] input we receive from the community, I think the better we will be able to work with the state to prioritize the recommendations for the short-term and the long-term improvements.

Image via Google Maps

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VDOT Shares Options to Improve Safety on Shreve Road - Tysons Reporter

Chores like a Saturday spent cleaning gutter debris might not be as exciting as other renovation projects. However, there are benefits to having your gutter system installed properly. For example, if you have put time or money into landscaping, gutters can help protect your investment. Notably, without guttering collecting and diverting runoff water from your roof, water can drain towards the home causing damage to the foundation. Without proper gutter systems, erosion can result in damaged walls, and siding, flooding, or uneven floors.

Modernize can help you find trusted contractors for your gutter project. When considering materials, homeowners will primarily be presented with gutters made from aluminum, vinyl, copper, or steel. Aluminum is the most popular choice thanks to easy installation, low cost, and a range of available colors. However, there are some drawbacks from improper maintenance and failure to effectively clean gutter systems. Vinyl is another low-cost option but comes with some durability issues.

Most homeowners spending about $1,225. The average cost of installing gutters is based on the anatomy of the gutter system needed and materials selected. Prices range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. Most gutter systems can last several decades with proper cleaning and occasional maintenance upkeep. Reportedly, gutter guards are available in different sizes and styles depending on your homes foundation. However, they can be more expensive than copper or steel. There are also options for half-round gutterings.

The gutter guards discussed above can prevent debris buildup and reduce cleaning times. Guttering is a great way to protect your homes foundation and ensure other home elements like walls, siding, and landscaping are kept safe from water damage. Let Modernize help you find an experienced contractor who can help with your gutter needs.

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An Introduction to Gutters Modernize, An introduction to gutters - Zoram Observer

Cathy Hobbs, Tribune News Service Published 7:39 p.m. ET Oct. 8, 2020

With fall in full swing and winter soon approaching, now may be the ideal time to get any outstanding outdoor projects out of the way. There may also be the desire, with the change of seasons to execute not only necessary repairs and preventive maintenance but also upgrade to include some outdoor entertainment that can be enjoyed during colder months.

Here are some ideas as it relates to fall projects.

1. House painting. Looking to give your home a refresher? While many choose to paint in the Spring, the fall may be a good alternative season to refresh the outside of your home.

2. Outdoor Kitchens. Outdoor kitchens can be basic or elaborate. There are companies that will even create an all in one unit that just has to be hooked up with the help of professionals such as an electrician and or plumber. If you live in a colder climate, you will need to winterize your outdoor kitchen before freezing temperatures kick in.

Fall is a good time to tackle outdoor projects like installing a fire pit area.(Photo: Cathy Hobbs/TNS)

3. Saunas. With so many opting for a "staycation". Saunas, which are relatively easy to install allow for an appealing outdoor oasis.

4. Landscaping. The fall is a good time to give your landscape a "fFall cleanup". Pulling weeds and mulching can help prepare your landscape for the winter chill.

5. Fire pits. Fire pits are more popular than ever and are especially enjoyable on a chilly fall night!

6. Hot tubs. The transition from summer to Fall is typically a time when people look to close up pools and open hot tubs. Hot tubs can come in different sizes and shapes and remain a popular outdoor addition.

7. Decks and patios. Decks can be built all year round and the fall is the perfect time to prepare foundation and supports in order to build through the winter.

8. Pools. Many people looking to enjoy a summer pool often start planning and even building in the fall.

9. Repaving and resurfacing. In anticipation of winter potholes, now maybe a good time to execute any drive way or street repairs.

10. Gutter repair or replacement. This is an important part of maintaining your home.

Cathy Hobbs, based in New York City, is an Emmy Award-winning television host and a nationally known interior design and home staging expert with offices in New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C. Contact her at info@cathyhobbs.com or visit her website at http://www.cathyhobbs.com.

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Design Recipes: Now is the time to tackle fall outdoor projects - The Detroit News

Market SummaryFollow

Installed Building Products Inc. is a Installed Building Products Inc is an insulation installer serving the residential new construction market. The company operates primarily in the United States.

IBP - Market Data & News

Shares of Installed Building Products Inc. (IBP) broke into a new 52-week high yesterday, hitting a peak of $114.70. Shares closed at $113.91 after opening at $112.66 for a move of 2.63%. The company now has a market cap of $3.39 billion.

Investors and traders can learn a lot about a stocks momentum when it sets a new 52-week high. As an example, bullish investors view a company hitting its highest price in a year as a sign of momentum and may interpret it as a signal to buy. On the other hand, bearish investors could view a new 52-week high as a signal of the end of a strong run, with the stock possibly peaking out before an impending period of decline.

For Installed Building Products Inc., the new 52-week high came on volume of 163,906. The stock has a float of 29.8 million shares and average daily volume of $n/a. It has a 50-day SMA of $n/a and a 200-day SMA of $n/a.

For a complete fundamental analysis analysis of Installed Building Products Inc., check out Equities.coms Stock Valuation Analysis report for IBP.

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Installed Building Products Inc is an insulation installer serving the residential new construction market. The company operates primarily in the United States. The company installs fiberglass, spray foam, cellulose, and radiant barrier. In addition to insulations, Installed Building Products offers installation services for garage doors, rain gutters, closet shelving, shower doors, mirrors, fireplaces, and bath and door hardware.

Installed Building Products Inc. is based out of Columbus, OH and has some 8,500 employees. Its CEO is Jeffrey W. Edwards.

Installed Building Products Inc. is also a component of the Russell 2000 Index, which is an invaluable tool for any small-cap investor. Consisting of the smaller 2,000 publicly traded companies of the 3,000 largest companies in America by market cap (which combine to make the broader Russell 3000 index), the Russell 2000 gives the most comprehensive snapshot of the small-cap market of any index out there.

What's more, the Russell 2000 is maintained by Russell Investments, a company committed to using rules-based methodologies to construct unbiased indices that differ from the committee-selected Dow Jones Industrial Average or S&P 500.

To get more information on Installed Building Products Inc. and to follow the companys latest updates, you can visit the companys profile page here: IBPs Profile. For more news on the financial markets and emerging growth companies, be sure to visit Equities.coms Newsdesk. Also, dont forget to sign-up for our daily email newsletter to ensure you dont miss out on any of our best stories.

All data provided by QuoteMedia and was accurate as of 4:30PM ET.

DISCLOSURE:The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors, and do not represent the views of equities.com. Readers should not consider statements made by the author as formal recommendations and should consult their financial advisor before making any investment decisions. To read our full disclosure, please go to: http://www.equities.com/disclaimer

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Installed Building Products Inc. (IBP) Breaks into New 52-Week High on October 08 Session - Equities.com

Mask litter is an overlooked risk for spreading coronavirus, Air Force official says

Stars and Stripes is making stories on the coronavirus pandemic available free of charge. See other free reportshere. Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletterhere. Please support our journalismwith a subscription.

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan They are everywhere in the coronavirus pandemic and easily spotted almost any place in Japan: face masks.

They fall from pockets or are callously discarded; they lie limp in parking lots or collect in gutters.

At Yokota, the home of U.S. Forces Japan in western Tokyo, littered and improperly discarded masks are an overlooked risk for spreading the coronavirus, said Senior Master Sgt. Charles Patterson, the superintendent for operations and engineering for the 374th Civil Engineering Squadron, on Tuesday.

Properly disposing of masks and other trash can stem the virus spread, Patterson told Stars and Stripes.

For example, since March any waste from new arrivals living in temporary housing at Yokota during the required, 14-day quarantine is immediately incinerated at the base recycling and disposal facility.

Anyone on quarantine who has either tested positive or may potentially have coronavirus creates a contact hazard for anything they have touched, he said.

Yokota is one of only a few U.S. installations in the region to have an incinerator on base, Patterson said. A fixture at the recycling center since 1984, the incinerator aids in disease containment.

Not just masks, but all garbage generated by quarantined personnel is burned; none of it is recycled, Patterson said. Incinerating all that trash protects the base population from viruses present even on plastic, he said.

Masks and other personal protective gear should be properly disposed of, and no one should pick up a discarded mask with their bare hands, Patterson said.

Masks, gloves and other personal protective gear need to be bagged prior to being thrown into a dumpster, Shoko Suto, the Yokota solid waste program manager, said Tuesday. If someone doesnt properly dispose of their mask, they could be exposing others to risk, Suto said.

Yokotas environmental chief, Aleksandra Kirk, said she is concerned less about mask litter as a biohazard than with improperly discarded personal protective equipment contributing to environmental problems.

Discarded masks, like other types of litter, can clog storm drains, which creates flooding and further pollution, she said.

The Yokota environmental office traditionally hosts an annual installation-wide cleanup on Earth Day in April, but the event was canceled this year because of the coronavirus, Kirk said.

Patterson said he shares Kirks concerns about masks contributing to litter on base, especially when it comes to American relations with the Japanese people.

We are ambassadors in a country that is very gracious and supportive, he said. It is our responsibility to take care of this environment.

earl.erica@stripes.comTwitter: @ThisEarlGirl

Properly disposing of masks and other trash can help stem the spread of the coronavirus, according to an Air Force official at Yokota Air Base, Japan.ERICA EARL/STARS AND STRIPES

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Mask litter is an overlooked risk for spreading coronavirus, Air Force official says - Stars and Stripes