Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Joe and Julie Bielawski believe theyve found a permanent home for their business, Knowledge Services.

The software solutions company moved into its new headquarters at 9800 Crosspoint Blvd., Fishers, in January 2021. Months of renovation work preceded the move. The building previously housed the Marsh headquarters.

Fishers residents for decades, the Bielawskis had long planned to move Knowledge Services headquarters from Indianapolis to Fishers, but they didnt know exactly where in Fishers until the building on Crosspoint Boulevard went on the market.

We had identified Fishers as a growing market and had an interest in moving to Fishers, said Joe, the companys president. We originally bought property on I-69 and planned to build a building, but then this became available out of bankruptcy just as we were designing the other building.

This was a faster path and offered a lot more amenities than we wouldve built on our own.

Julie, the companys founder and CEO, said because constructing a new building is expensive, the couple decided to pursue the former Marsh headquarters.

The new building wouldnt have been as large or have as many amenities as this one offers, Julie said. It was built as a corporate headquarters, so its an unusual building. Its not your typical building for office space.

The building has two atriums, which allows light to flood in.

Theyre not usable square footage, but it brings a different perspective of behavior in the building, Julie said. We love that the light comes through, and really wanted to embrace that in the renovation. It gave us an opportunity to be a little different.

However, the renovation was still expensive. The total investment was $27 million. The couple was scheduled to close on purchasing the building in March 2020 on the same day most of the COVID-19 lockdowns began.

We had some sleepless nights, Joe said. We didnt know if the business would survive. We didnt know if 90 percent of the population would pass away. We didnt know anything other than everybody was going to work from home, and we were taking on a debt we never even would agree we would ever do.

So, during a time where most construction projects were put on hold, the Bielawskis took a leap of faith.

As it turned out, it was good timing because a lot of the people we needed, like architects and plumbing and electrical and carpenters, were having other projects cancel and delay, and we were full-steam ahead, Joe said.

No part of the building was left untouched during the 10-month renovation.

It looked like World War III in this atrium, Joe said.

Some renovation work is still ongoing. Knowledge Services moved into its space in January 2021. The 165,000-square-foot building also allows Knowledge Services to welcome other tenants in the spare space. So far, one tenant has moved into the space and a second tenant is in the process of moving in.

The couple still owns the 20-acre property between 106th Street and 116th Street on Interstate 69. They said although it is listed on the market, they are in no rush to sell it.

For more, visit knowledgeservices.com.

One special amenity Knowledge Services new headquarters has is the ability for President Joe Bielawski and CEO Julie Bielawski to create a coworking space on the second floor, which spans 35,000 square feet. The COVID-19 pandemic influenced that decision.

All these big corporations were sending everybody home, Joe said. (In spring 2020), Julie and I worked from home, and Julie was on our kitchen island and Im sitting in our room thats our office. Were thinking, Wow, we live in Fishers and in a nice area, but what houses have two offices for those who have dual income? So, somebodys working off the coffee table or in the basement on a card table. And then theres the engagement. We are humans. We like to talk to people and learn about experiences and build culture.

Youre going to work from home, and everything is one dimensional. We thought this is a great opportunity to share with people in those circumstances.

Branded as The Club at Crosspoint Center, the coworking space will start accepting tenants this month. Besides offering a variety of space sizes scaling from what the Bielawskis call a hot desk in a typical coworking setting to executive suites The Club also provides members access to a fitness center, auditorium, conference space, a recreation room with a golf simulator and concierge-style amenities.

Besides the coworking space, Knowledge Services new headquarters also has other unique amenities, like a mothers suite for employees who are returning from maternity leave. New mothers can bring their babies to work and have a safe, quiet space to nurse or pump breastmilk.

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Permanent home: Knowledge Services owners move business to new headquarters in Fishers Current - Current in Carmel

When we penned the intro for this piece last year, little did we know that in many ways wed still be deep in it by the time 2021s feature rolled around. Amid another holiday season marred by a new variant, seemingly the more things change well, you get the picture.

Surprisingly, however, in spite of the fact that were still very much in the throes of a global pandemic, 2021 hasnt been punctuated by as many high-profile losses in the startup world as the year prior.

Perhaps the first year of the pandemic was simply the final straw for so many companies that were already treading water or maybe an influx of capital sources has kept heads above water. Some companies successfully pivoted and others were born as a direct result of a world forever changed because of COVID-19.

2021 also largely lacked the kind of blockbuster crashes we saw last year, courtesy of names like Quibi and Essential. But even in a non-pandemic year, keeping a startup afloat is still an enormously difficult task, and not everyone managed to make it to the New Year unscathed.

Total raised: $12 million

Image Credits: Abundant

This is a major sputtering in what has been an otherwise remarkable year for robotic startups. In a certain sense, Abundant was ahead of the curve on agtech robotics, which can often be more curse than blessing. Barely two years after rolling out its first commercial deployments, the apple-picking robotics firm quietly closed up shop. Over the years, the company managed to raise $12 million, including a $10 million Series A led by GV (Google Ventures) back in 2017.

Farmers are taking a long, hard look at robotics and automation to help ease the strain of continued labor shortages. Companies like John Deere are investing a lot in homegrown solutions and acquisitions. It seems very much within the realm of possibility that well see more widescale picking robots deployed sooner than later, but the main question at the moment is from whom?

In October, it was reported that Waverly Labs had acquired Abundants IP, meaning that its technology may still live on in some form.

Image Credits: Chanje

In November 2018, TechCrunch reported that FedEx was working with a relatively new and unknown startup as it ramped up its efforts to electrify its fleet of delivery vans. The company announced plans to add 1,000 electric delivery vehicles from Chanje Energy, a California-based and China-backed startup founded in 2015. In subsequent years, Chanje came to be known for its practice of importing electric delivery vans from China and selling them to companies like FedEx, Ryder and even Amazon. FedEx and other customers were left in the lurch when the electric vehicle company reportedly quietly folded sometime this year, The Verge reported on December 15. CEO Bryan Hansel (described by some employees as both charismatic and narcissistic, had partnered with a Chinese company that went bankrupt. Hansel reportedly worked hard to convince investors to buy pieces of that company so that Chanje could keep operating, but to no avail. According to The Verge, he fired the last of Chanjes employees the Friday before Memorial Day weekend.

Chanje reportedly still owes many of its former employees months of back pay and promised bonuses, with at least four having filed suit against the startup. Ryder also sued the company for more than $3 million after Chanje did not deliver most of the vans it promised to the fleet company. Meanwhile, FedEx never got the 1,000 electric vans it expected from Chanje from that 2018 deal. That led to the delivery giant being forced to abandon a project to build out charging infrastructure at FedEx depots across California. While FedEx is also suing the company in an effort to get back some of the millions of dollars it had spent on that charging infrastructure, its prospects are bleak.

Image Credits: Dark Sky

In March of 2020, Apple acquired the Dark Sky weather app, which was popular for its hyperlocal focus. Clearly the tech giant was interested in its features, many of which it incorporated into the iPhone weather app. From the get go, Apple had made clear that the Android app would shutter that July. The fate of the iOS app and API service, however, remained fuzzy. (The API service allowed other developers to tap Dark Skys database of weather forecasts and historical weather data.)

By June of 2021, the iOS app and API service officially had expiration dates, with co-founder Adam Grossman writing: Support for the Dark Sky API service for existing customers will continue until the end of 2022. The iOS app and Dark Sky website will also be available until the end of 2022. While this was not an explicit shutdown announcement, it was certainly implied.

Total raised: $2 billion

Image Credits: Katerra

There was a time that Katerra was considered the darling of the construction tech world. Some argue it made prefab construction more mainstream and cool. As it grew, Katerra ambitiously wanted to own the tech stack around a construction project, whether it be office buildings or apartments. But by the end of 2020, signs of serious problems emerged. The startup was said to be on the verge of filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy when Japanese investment conglomerate SoftBank swooped in with a $200 million bailout. But it was too little, too late. Katerras vertically integrated approach couldnt keep up with rising labor and construction costs and the company was struggling with delays and cost overruns on some projects, while the COVID-19 pandemic delayed others. Irregularities that the company discovered in accounting practices also added to headaches, according to The Wall Street Journal.

So it was not a huge shock when on June 1, 2021, Kattera was reported to be officially shutting down (The Information broke the news) after burning through more than $2 billion in funding. Founded in 2015, Katerra had at one point been valued at $4 billion and employed more than 8,000 people. When it shuttered, it was believed to have had around 2,400 employees. The failure marked the second high-profile SoftBank-backed proptech that struggled in recent years (WeWork was the first). While there were concerns that Katerras implosion might affect faith in the construction tech industry as a whole, the year still saw a number of large fundings in the space.

Image Credits: Alphabet

Alphabets Loon flew high over the course of its nine-year run, only to come crashing back down to earth earlier this year. Two-plus years after spinning off the X graduate, the company grounded the project aimed at bringing internet connectivity to underserved areas via balloon. Loon CEO Alastair Westgarth noted in a blog post that the project simply wasnt able to achieve profitability.

While weve found a number of willing partners along the way, we havent found a way to get the costs low enough to build a long-term, sustainable business, he wrote. Developing radical new technology is inherently risky, but that doesnt make breaking this news any easier.

Loon said its technologies would continue to live on, having already been adopted by outfits like Project Taara, another Alphabet X moonshot aimed at delivering high-speed internet through light transmission. In September, Alphabet passed an additional 200 patents along to SoftBank, which plans to execute on them as part of its High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) business. Fellow high-flying moonshot Wing, on the other hand, continues to gain steam.

Image Credits: TechCrunch

Before Houseparty sunsetted, it soared. In the early innings of the pandemic, the social video chat app claimed that it was landing 50 million new signups a month, as humans sought virtual connection amid quarantine. Fast-forward to today, and it seems that Housepartys pandemic bump didnt help the company stay relevant. In September, Epic Games announced that it was shutting down Houseparty in October, a little over two years since it first acquired the company for a reported $35 million.

There are a variety of potential reasons as to why the once-booming app was shut down, from the rise of Clubhouse to the inevitable fatigue from Zoom. In a thread announcing the shutdown, Houseparty CEO and co-founder Sima Sistani hinted it was simply a strategy shift.

The metaverse vision and products were working on at [EpicGames] are also about shared experiences, but in a more rich form than 2D video one thats better positioned to shape the next generation of the internet, Sistani wrote.

Houseparty will live on as the core of Fortnites voice chat and within larger projects in the Epic Games metaverse.

Pearl Automation, an automotive accessory startup, shuttered just a year after launching out of stealth mode. Founded by former Apple engineers, Pearl debuted with a wireless rear-view camera and already began shipping out its products, which cost $499.99.

Once connected, the RearVision app in landscape will show you a full-screen view of what the cameras in the license plate holder is seeing, with a 175-degree viewing angle, reporter Darrell Etherington wrote in a 2016 review of the product. You can toggle between the full fish-eye experience, or a warp-corrected view that fills the display corner-to-corner with the space behind your car. You can also pivot the view up or down to get a better look at more of the sky, or more of the ground as needed.

While Etherington liked the industrial design and minimal software of the product, he noted that it is a premium device which needed upgrades: Its still for a specific subset of users those who value quality and craftsmanship and are willing to pay for it, but who also dont have a modern vehicle with its own backup camera, and dont plan on getting one anytime soon. This year, it seems like that subset wasnt enough to keep the company going.

Per Axios, the shutdown was a result of disappointing product sales and a high burn rate, despite the fact that Pearl Automation had raised $50 million in venture capital funding. Investors included Accel, Venrock, Shasta Ventures and Wellcome Trust, according to Crunchbase.

DALLAS, Feb. 26, 2021 A closed Frys Electronics store is seen in Plano, Texas, the United States, Feb. 25, 2021. U.S. electronics store chain Frys Electronics is permanently closing all of its stores, the company announced Wednesday. The company said in a statement on its website that it made the difficult decision to shut down its operations and close its business permanently because of changing consumer shopping habits and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Frys Electronics had 31 stores across nine U.S. states. (Xinhua/Dan Tian via Getty Images)

Mea culpa. This ones not a startup, but it would still feel weird to do a list without it. The Februrary closure of the Bay Area-based electronics chain left a massive Egyptian (or, perhaps, Mayan) pyramid-shaped hole in the hearts of many who grew up wandering its aisles. For me, it was the Fremont store, whose 1893 Worlds Fair theme didnt make for a particularly exciting exterior, but the indoor Tesla coil did the trick.

In an Amazon-ruled world devoid of Circuit Cities, where RadioShack is a shadow of its former self, its frankly amazing that this strange, beautiful beast held on for as long as it could. At its peak, Frys boasted 34 giant stores across nine states. But ultimately, COVID-19 was the final nail in the already troubling environment of brick and mortars. Its a testament to just how big these big box stores were that their former homes are dealing with zoning headaches in their wake.

Image Credits: Joan Cros/NurPhoto / Getty Images (Image has been modified)

Unlike other pandemic-fueled losses over these past two years, the death of LGs mobile division was a long time coming. The South Korean electronics giant simply couldnt keep up in a market dominated by Samsung, Apple and, increasingly, manufacturers in China. In April, LG announced its exit from phones in order to spend more time with TVs and other smart home products.

Image Credits: Bryce Durbin / TechCrunch

And so rare its vision truly was. When founders Jacob Claerhout and Boris Gordts launched Visionrare, they combined two trends: the gamification of investing and the surging interest around NFTs. The end result was a platform in which users could bid for NFT shares of different startups, stacking up a fake portfolio that they could then compete against others with. It even got some Y Combinator startups on board.

Crypto angle aside, Visionrares pitch was interesting. The fake stock market could get non-accredited investors a track record in betting on startups, and one day serve as a signal for VCs looking for their next hires.

If you think it sounds buzzy, some entrepreneurs and investors had a different word: illegal. Some questioned whether the platform was legal or if it was an investment security, pushback that ended up causing the co-founders to shut down the paid marketplace due to underestimating the legal complexities with selling novelty NFT shares in real startups.

Crypto marketplaces arent controversial, but Visionrares approach to the burgeoning sector rang alarm bells. And that doesnt happen as often as youd think. Nonetheless, the founders promised to relaunch the company soon. Their LinkedIns show that they are continuing to work together, and are building something new.

Nearly a decade ago, Friendsters Jonathan Abrams launched Nuzzel, a social news reading service that highlights headlines that are being read and shared by friends in your network. The simple yet savvy startup soon attracted a loyal user base, especially for Twitter users who wanted a more personalized timeline. According to Crunchbase, Nuzzel had raised $5.1 million from investors, including Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff.

In 2019, Nuzzel was acquired by Scroll, which wanted to bring aggregation and curation to its subscription service. While no one from Nuzzels original team joined Scroll in a full-time capacity, the app continued to function as is until this year, of course. Twitter scooped up Scroll in May and simultaneously shut down Nuzzel. In a blog post that has since been removed, Nuzzels team explained that the product needed to be rebuilt in order to scale with Twitter.

To those of you who love Nuzzel and are disappointed that we cant maintain Nuzzel as-is in the interim, Im as disappointed as you, Scroll CEO Tony Haile said in the now-deleted post. We explored any number of Hail Marys to make that happen and just couldnt get there. Looking to the future, Nuzzels functionality has always felt like it should be a part of Twitter and Im excited to help make it so.

Months later, some good news: While Nuzzel as we know it has ceased to exist, Twitter brought back one of the apps most-loved features, Top Stories, in the debut of its premium subscription service Twitter Blue.

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Remembering the startups we lost in 2021 - TechCrunch

December is drawing to a close, ending an unusual year in Fall River history. It was a time of reckoning for some, a new beginning for others. This was the second year of the COVID pandemic that still has the world in its grip, casting a specter over every aspect of life in the city. And yet there were some positive developments too.

We looked back at the past 12 months of Herald News stories and came up with a list of 10 of the most important issues and stories that affect us all. Lets look at them all briefly and wed like you to choose which are the top three stories of 2021. Vote using our form at the bottom of the story.

In 2020, Taryn Camara, a Kuss Middle School teacher was fired over complaints circulated about a post she published on her Facebook page that some construed as racist. The posting was made during a period of national unrest following the death of George Floyd, and Camaras attorney later said the remarks were meant to be sarcastic. This past year, Camara sued the Fall River School Department, theFall River Educators Association and the Massachusetts Teachers Association and an arbitrator gave Camara her job back, along with back pay. The story sparked conversation about the boundaries between peoples social media accounts and their careers and if that boundary even exists.

Social media boundaries: This Fall River teacher was fired for her Facebook post. Here's what an arbitrator ruled.

This past year was a rough one for former Superintendent Matt Malone. In January, the School Committee disciplined him after an investigation revealed he harassed district staff members, including calling a disabled employee the R-word and using inappropriate language toward female employees. He also faced heat for declining to appear before the school board to discuss capital improvements, exchanging testy emails with City Council President Cliff Ponte in a feud that turned public. In June, Malone resigned effective Nov. 1, ending a career that started in Fall River in 2016.

Schools chief steps down: Embattled Fall River Superintendent Malone announces resignation

Six days into the new year, a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump marched in protest to the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., and caused politically-motivated mayhem on a scale not seen in our lifetimes. Hundreds of people stormed the building, damaging property, ransacking offices, disrupting a joint session of Congress, and threatening lives. Mike St. Pierre, a Fall River grocery store owner, livestreamed himself from Washington participating in the march, and was videotaped hurling an object inside as a door was broken open. St. Pierre was questioned by the FBI. His grocery store has since closed, and he has opened another, similar business.

'Caught up in the moment': Fall River store owner Mike St. Pierre regrets his actions at Capitol riots

In the pandemics second year, not just one but three COVID-19 vaccines were developed with incredible speed, with some form of vaccination eventually rolled out to everyone ages 5 and older. At first with limited supply, vaccines were rationed by age group and medical condition, but by now, vaccines are widely available, some without an appointment, and public clinics are held nearly every day. Thanks to vaccinations and perhaps a seasonal lull, COVID was on the ropes in the summer but with vaccination rates too low and mutations spreading, the virus is raging again as winter starts.

Take your shot: Experts say the COVID vaccine is safe for kids as cases spike across Greater Fall River

Fresh off the release of "Jungleland" in 2020,the cable channel Epix debuted Fall River, a four-part documentary series on a handful of murders in the late 1970s and 1980s, and the Satanic panic that followed. The series won over audiences and critics. Later in the year saw the debut of the Netflix comedy blockbuster Dont Look Up starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence and Meryl Streep, with scenes shot on the Battleship Massachusetts in 2020. The film headed to theaters before finding its way to Netflix for Christmas.

'Don't Look Up' review: Fall River's Battleship Cove looks good, but McKay's film is a smug mix of angry comedy

After a stratospheric rise to power, Jasiel Correia II fell to earth in 2021, facing a four-week trial of fraud and extortion tied to schemes he orchestrated before and during his tenure as mayor. He maintained his innocence in the face of over 30 witnesses testifying to shocking displays of extravagant luxury spending, misuse of investor money, and shameless coercion of business owners into paying bribes, but was convicted and sentenced to six years in federal prison for his crimes. Hes awaiting a date to report to prison.

Tracing Jasiel Correia's fall: From entrepreneur and mayor, to convicted corruption kingpin

Correias trial, involving marijuana businesses, put a crimp in Fall Rivers burgeoning cannabis economy, with Mayor Paul Coogan promising to retool the local licensing process and make it more transparent. We looked at the state of marijuana businesses in Fall River. Meanwhile, Somerset made headlines by hosting world-famous hip-hop stars at a concert sponsored by Solar Therapeutics, a celebration known as the Cultivators Cup.

The deal with dealing pot: As the Jasiel Correia trial winds down, here's the state of marijuana sales in Fall River

The department made headlines in 2021 for the wrong reasons. The city is facing several lawsuits regarding allegations of excessive force by police officers, with one officer facing discipline for filing false reports to protect another officer. In the spring, an officer accidentally published a post critical of murder victim George Floyd on the departments Facebook page, triggering outrage and a suspension. And there was a serious investigation regarding officers mishandling evidence in outstanding cases, including stashing drugs in their desks.

More mishandled evidence?Fall River police investigate boxes found at officer's home

There was a changing of the guard on Elsbree Street, as the 1978 B.M.C. Durfee High School building was shut down for good after decades of leaks, heating issues, mold problems, construction failures and more but the city's new Durfee High opened. The building construction was on schedule for the start of the September school year, wowing students and visitors who attended open houses. The old building is in the process of being demolished.

Peek inside: What does a $263 million school look like? Check out Fall River's new B.M.C. Durfee High

Though his first term was mostly dominated by response to the COVID pandemic, voters gave Paul Coogan another term in office as mayor. The race was often ugly, getting off to a poor start when challenger and City Council President Cliff Ponte derided the job as ceremonial in a memo to his real estate company staff leaked to the press. Coogan officially starts his new term next year, with Ponte ending his tenure on the council to become a private citizen.

Another term: Incumbent Paul Coogan handily wins Fall River mayoral race

Use this form below to cast your vote for first, second, and third place.

Dan Medeiros can be reached at dmedeiros@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News today.

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What was Greater Fall River's biggest story of 2021? Use this form to cast your vote - Fall River Herald News

The council eventually agreed to let the drinks flow. The Quay Restaurant opened on March 2, 1960, with 110 seats in the main dining room, four banquet rooms and, thanks to the city council, a 60-seat cocktail lounge.

Lunch and dinner will be served, according to The Columbian, and a special late-evening supper menu will be offered dating teenagers.

The place was a hit. By 1962, there were plans to invest $100,000 to add a convention facility that could handle display of large exhibits, stage programs, dinner dancing and party-type activities. By 1965, Goodrich was proposing to add a luxury motel, and in 1971 the Inn at the Quay was expanded to 163 rooms. Two years later, it became part of the Thunderbird/Red Lion chain, a large regional hospitality company that was based in Vancouver until it was sold to Doubletree Corp., in 1996.

According to a 1974 restaurant review, the Quay was one of Vancouvers finest: river view tables, an excellent menu with an accent on seafood, interesting wine list even flaming desserts for the flamboyant. The $7.25 Lobster Cordon Bleu and the $6.25 Scampi stuffed with Crab Florentine came with a choice of soup or salad, a loaf of Quay bread, choice of potato or rice pilaf. For dessert, our reviewer chose Mocha Glo, a flaming dessert of ice cream topped with three liqueurs.

In 1977, Columbian reporter Thomas Ryll interviewed Danny Falco, an assistant manager since the day the place opened. Its the good life I love it, said the man known as Mr. Quay, who talked of serving Hollywood celebrities such as Eddie Albert (Green Acres) and Georgie Jessel.

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Final roar for Vancouver Red Lion Inn at the Quay - The Columbian

If youve been looking for ways to cool your home, but your home lacks the ducting that comes with a furnace, you can still benefit from a heat pump.

Often, homeowners incorrectly assume an efficient heat pump only works with furnace-heated homes, where warm or cool air is pushed through ducting running throughout the house.

The great news? Other options ARE available.

Mitsubishi produces effective and efficient ductless heat pumps essentially air conditioners that can also operate in reverse, so they can provide both heating and cooling, notes Allan Lake, president of Surreys Good Guys Heating Cooling & Plumbing.

These can be used in homes with boilers, since they do not require a ducting system. Instead, they have a separate indoor unit that blows out the cold air. Multiple indoor units may be installed to provide additional cooling throughout the house.

Mitsubishi is the best-selling brand of ductless systems in Canada, having built a strong reputation based on the reliability of their products.

Better yet, their indoor units produce as little as 19 decibels of sound less than a human whisper.

And with this weeks chilly temperatures, its good to note that Mitsubishi heat pumps with Hyper Heat technology can effectively heat your home even when temperatures are well below freezing, Lake adds.

But one of the greatest benefits heat pumps offer is in their energy savings savings that benefit your wallet, and the environment. Since heat pumps are much more efficient than gas furnaces, and run on electricity, up to $11,000 in government rebates are now available on new heat pump systems.

READ MORE: Rebates up to $11,000 now available on heat pumps for BC homes

Warm today, cool tomorrow

While the chill is in the air today, those remembering the discomfort of the summer heat dome may be curious about the option of ductless mini-split air conditioners. Unlike heat pumps, air conditioners only provide cooling, but they are less expensive to install (and dont qualify for rebates).

Additionally, they can be used in homes with furnaces when air conditioning is only required in a specific area.

Of course, like any heating and cooling system, your Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioners and Heat Pump is only as good as the maintenance it receives! As Mitsubishi Electric Quality Certified contractors, the Good Guys professionals are also experienced in the service and repair of these systems. Regular maintenance is required to keep your warranty valid servicing is $179 for a ductless system (if you havent used us before, a $40 new customer discount is available). Additional heads are $79 extra.

Learn more about Mitsubishi systems at 604goodguy.com/mitsubishi-air-conditioners or call 604-GOODGUY (604-466-3489) to schedule a free in-home quote today.

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Ductless mini-split systems offer air conditioning for BC homes with boilers Surrey Now-Leader - Surrey Now Leader

Mayflower Construction Group is a leading bathroom and kitchen remodeling company. In a recent update, the agency outlined what makes its bathroom remodeling team unique.

Vienna, VA December 24, 2021 In a website post, Mayflower Construction Group has outlined what sets its team apart forbathroom remodeling in Vienna.

The experts will guide clients through budgeting, material selection, and choosing a perfect layout. Once clients have planned with a design consultant, an experienced project manager will pick from there. That way, customers can be sure of a painless construction process that delivers outstanding results every time.

The agency takes charge of every aspect of thebathroom remodeling Viennaproject. Thanks to the in-house highly skilled and experienced project managers and craftspeople. Since they dont use subcontractors, they take care of everything from the initial planning and scheduling to installing the new kitchen or bathroom. The employees are experienced professionals and engage in ongoing training to stay current with the latest construction codes, installation techniques, and new materials.

Each job is assigned one of our 2-3 personVienna bathroom remodelteams. All of them are managed by a foreman who oversees every project to ensure a smooth, trouble-free experience. There are also licensed electricians and plumbers to perform specialized electrical and plumbing tasks. Even better, they use environmentally friendly materials, responsible waste disposal, and all the latest technologies and equipment.

About Mayflower Construction Group | Kitchen and Bathroom

Mayflower Construction is a leading kitchen and bathroom construction company. As a top-rated Northern Virginia contractor, the agency creates exceptional renovations, from upgrades to entirely new kitchens and bathrooms. Not only that, but they also deliver exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail. The dedicated team is ready to work with clients to create the kitchen or bathroom of their dreams.

Media ContactCompany Name: Mayflower Construction Group | Kitchen and BathroomContact Person: Alexei Arjantsev OwnerEmail: Send EmailPhone: (703) 783-9357Address:8466-B Tyco Rd City: ViennaState: VA 22182Country: United StatesWebsite: https://mayflowerva.com/

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Mayflower Construction Group Highlights What Makes Its Bathroom Remodeling Team Apart - Digital Journal

Wondering where to spend and where to save in a small bathroom? Many new homeowners start out a small bathroom project assuming that it will be cheap because of the small size of the room. But because bathroom remodels can quickly become more complex than anticipated, the costs can quickly add up. Proper advance planning is the only way to ensure you stay within budget while achieving the bathroom look you wanted.

So, to convert you small bathroom ideas to reality you need a good understanding of where to spend and where to save.

(Image credit: Bathroom Mountain)

So, where should you spend the big bucks in a small bathroom? Scrimp in the wrong place you'll create more problems for yourself further down the line; splash on everything, and you'll run out of money. Here's how to get the balance just right, according to interior design experts.

If there's only one thing you can spend your money on, our interior designers recommend investing in the structural elements of your bathroom above anything else. Interior designer Karen B Wolf told us she had to admit that 'you do have to spend on the bones of the bathroom. That means the plumbing fixtures do need to be from accredited, well-reviewed brands.'

Bathroom plumbing may not be the most exciting thing to spend money on, but, as Wolf points out, 'If you have plumbing issues down the line, it can be an expensive proposition to replace diverters in walls. (Tile has to be removed and it can become a messy job). This does not mean buy the BMW, a Subaru of plumbing is just fine, steady and secure.'

Once you've invested into high-quality plumbing, consider investing in frameless shower doors. Wolf explains that these give an 'immediate indication of high-end vs lower-end bathroom'. Andra DelMonico, the Lead Interior Designer for Trendey, agrees, telling us that 'the right shower door can mean the difference between a small bathroom feeling bigger or more closed in.' Shower doors should be the priority when calculating your shower remodel costs.

(Image credit: Katie Lee/Future)

You may be wondering if you should spend good money on bathroom tile, and here our designers have slight differences of opinion. Bathroom tile ideas are probably the most noticeable element of your bathroom design, and our experts agree that it makes sense to invest in tile. However, as principal designer and co-founder of Twelve Chairs Interiors Roisin Giese told us: 'We typically spend on the finishes where things like tile and wallpaper have a big impact without requiring too much material.'

So, if you'll only be tiling a small section of your bathroom, or doing half-tile, half-paint, it may make sense to splurge on marble or another natural material. Wolf highly recommends spending extra on your tile 'you can use marble in a small space for quality and longevity (natural materials typically do not go out of style as fast as synthetic product)'.

However, interior designer at Kern & Co Chloe Spath thinks that it's more important to spend on bathroom cabinetry 'after all, it is the foundation of a bathroom.' Bathroom cabinet ideas are worth prioritizing when looked at in this way. If you fancy marble, she recommends finishing your vanity 'with a Carrara marble slab to make your small bathroom impressive.' This will cost a lot less than all-over marble, but will still give your small bathroom oomph.

(Image credit: Armac Martin)

Interior designers agree: where it comes to small bathrooms, you can save a lot by. going for cheaper bathroom fixtures likes toilets and sinks. The toilet, especially, doesn't need to be fancy it just needs to do the job.

DelMonico is emphatic about this: 'You dont need to spend a fortune on a new toilet for your bathroom. American Standard makes a quality toilet that can look modern and lovely, right out of the box.'

Wolf agrees, pointing out that it's worth looking for a toile 'from a reliable brand, but you do not need fancy bells and whistles or specialty finishes.' Chloe adds that 'when you are working with a budget dont splurge on the most expensive plumbing fixtures.' So, if you're wondering how to choose a bathroom sink, going for the respectable mid-range should always be your guiding principle.

(Image credit: The Albion Bath Company)

The other area where it's worth saving rather than spending is bathroom accessories. According to DelMonico, 'you can find great deals on towel bars, cabinet hardware, and toilet roll holders. These small touches are nice, but you dont need to spend a fortune to get the look you want.'

And as for that controversial question of marble, if you are on a tight budget, it's best to go for porcelain tile instead of natural stone. Chloe believes that 'marble floors and walls look incredible in a bathroom but can really drive up the price. You can achieve a similar look by using porcelain tile. The porcelain gives the same clean look that marble has but for a fraction of the price.'

If you're just getting into bathroom remodel ideas, and your bathroom is on the smaller side, David Mason, an interior designer and owner of The Knobs Company, recommends spending money the floor and the tile: this will give you a sense of luxury. And don't scrimp on the tile; get good quality.' If you have a mid-range budget, 'spend money on the vanity and the cabinet. It will give you so much bang for your buck.'

For truly budget renovations, Mason recommends on bathroom paint ideas and accessories: 'You can even change the feel of a bathroom by simply changing the paint color and adding some new accessories.'

If you're starting a small bathroom from scratch, Mason advises that 'you can easily save a lot of your funds by doing some or all of the work yourself.' With new bathrooms, costs can add up, so 'save on tile by using paintable tiles of a high quality.' Fixtures can also be bought at a lower price, but Mason does recommend making sure you go 'for streamlined, simple fixtures that will last a long time.' There is a line between saving and a false economy.

Overall, the advice from Mason (and other experts) is clear: 'focus on the big-ticket items like the floor and the tile; those will surely give the biggest impact to the overall texture and look of your washroom.' Whether you're subtly remodeling or building a brand-new bathroom, the floor and the walls really matter, as does quality plumbing. Everything else can be got for cheaper without affecting the style or quality of your bathroom.

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Where to spend and where to save in a small bathroom - Real Homes

A mold work order is created when:

Once you report a mold issue to NYCHA, either through the Customer Contact Center CCC, MyNYCHA app, or the website, NYCHA will schedule an inspection of your apartment. Remember! NYCHA does these inspections and repairs free of charge.

Note: Mold Service Requests are subject to NYCHAs Right of Entry.

The inspector (superintendent or assistant superintendent):

Identify the probable root cause(s) of the mold condition. This means the inspector will try to determine the underlying cause of mold and/or moisture and ensure the root cause repair is addressed. An example of a root cause may be leak from the apartment above, faade penetrating water or roof needing repairs. The inspector might take a few photographs of the reported complaint, and ask you a few questions about the mold issue in your apartment to be able to better assess the history.

If there is mold present, the inspector will also:

The timeline for taking care of the mold will depend on whether the mold condition in your apartment involves simple or complex repairs:

After completing the work, NYCHA will schedule a quality assurance inspection to evaluate the quality of the repair, ensure the mold removal work was done effectively, and that the root cause was addressed. This step is very important because it will reduce the risk of recurrence. If issues are observed during the inspection, NYCHA will correct those repairs.

What is Right to Entrythe Right of Entry?

Right to of Entry is used when NYCHA needs to address environmental hazards and perform critical mold-related inspections and repairs as soon as possible. According to your lease, a NYCHA worker can enter your apartment to make repairs whether or not you are home, if you are given written notice two days prior. See the sample Right to of Entry Notice below.

If repairs were made when you werent home, the NYCHA worker will leave a tag on your door noting the repairs that were completed.

If your door lock was changed due to the repair, pick up your new keys from the property management office the day the repairs were made, up until 4:30pm. After that, pick them up at your local Police Service Area (bring your ID).

This door tag will be used to indicate the presence of NYCHA staff or completed repairs when Right to of Entry is employed.

If you are not home for a scheduled mold inspection, the NYCHA worker will leave a notice with a new appointment date for you explaining that a staff member will be back again in 48 hours to do the inspection. If the NYCHA staff member is unable to get into your apartment for the second visit, NYCHA may use its right of entry under the lease to go into your apartment. See more details about scheduling mold inspections and the right of entry at on.nyc.gov/mold-busters.

If you missed your scheduled appointment, please contact the Customer Contact Center (718-707-7771).

Residents who have already contacted the NYCHA Customer Contact Center (718-707-7771) but still have concerns or complaints regarding mold/leaks and any associated repairs can contact the NYCHA Compliance Department at compliance@nycha.nyc.gov or the independent court-appointed Ombudsperson Call Center (OCC) at 1-888-341-7152 or at ombnyc.com.

If the issue hasnt been fixed, call 311 or visit nyc.gov/health and search for mold. For more information about mold: Visit epa.gov/mold. For more information on NYCHAs Mold Busters Program, visit on.nyc.gov/mold-busters.

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mold-remediation-procedure

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Staten Islands Tunnel to Towers Foundation gathered the community of Mayfield, Ky., together and distributed more than 15,000 toys during a free barbecue Tuesday in Americas Heartland.

The foundation also made a financial commitment promising millions of dollars to help Kentucky and the surrounding states recover and rebuild from the devastating storms going forward.

A Tunnel to Towers team, including about 50 active and retired New York City firefighters, arrived with about 2,000 hamburgers, 2,000 hot dogs and 4,000 buns for the event, aimed at helping families in the wake of this months deadly and destructive tornadoes. They handed out gifts and manned the grill for the families in attendance.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation supports families with young children, and right now the families that need help are here in Americas Heartland,' said Frank Siller, of Westerleigh, the foundations CEO and chairman. After losing so much, I hope these gifts bring a little joy to these families this holiday season.'

Tunnel to Towers volunteers and more than 50 active duty and retired firefighters distribute lunch and toys to families in Kentucky on Dec. 21, 2021.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation was founded by Siller and his family to honor the sacrifice of his brother, firefighter Stephen Siller, who lost his life at the World Trade Center on 9/11 after running through the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel while off-duty to help others.

For 20 years, the foundation has supported first responders, veterans and their families by providing them and the families they leave behind with mortgage-free homes.

The foundation also has a nearly 10-year history of helping communities rebuild following natural disasters. Starting in 2012 with Hurricane Sandy, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has been raising funds and deploying teams of volunteers to assist with storm cleanup and recovery.

The foundation has raised funds and deployed volunteers to assist in the wake of hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Florence, and Tropical Storm Michael.

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the foundation gutted 1,500 homes, rebuilt more than 200 homes, distributed $5 million in strategic supplies to homeowners in need and performed mold remediation on more than 1,000 homes.

Tunnel to Towers volunteers and more than 50 active duty and retired firefighters distribute lunch and toys to families in Kentucky on Dec. 21, 2021.

Read more:
Tunnel to Towers Foundation delivers cheer and a promise to Kentucky in wake of devastating tornadoes - SILive.com

Its frozen pipes season in Park City, UT. Photo: Emily Witham

PARK CITY, Utah Frozen pipes can be a problem that will impose costly damage throughout the season. The government agency that oversees Utah counties has the following helpful tips and tricks.

Water expands as it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever contains it, including metal or plastic pipes. Pipes can freeze when temperatures drop rapidly or stay below the freezing point (32 Fahrenheit/ 0 Celsius) for an extended period. Once a pipe freezes and has expanded, the pipe can break and cause flooding.

No matter the strength of a container, expanding water can cause pipes to break, posing a significant water damage risk during the winter months. When water invades, it creeps into every crevice and crack, causes thousands of dollars in damage to clean up and repair, and even opens the door for mold and mildew growth.

Pipes that freeze most frequently are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and water sprinkler lines; water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, or garages; and pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation.

Frozen pipes and the problems they cause can be prevented by following a few basic steps:

If pipes do freeze, there are steps you can take to minimize water damage:

If you experience frozen or, broken pipes take photos of the damage, which will help make an insurance claim easier to process and prove useful. Counties have the authority to call a restoration company (i.e., Utah Disaster Kleanup) immediately to mitigate their damages.

Originally posted here:
Tis the season for frozen pipes - TownLift