Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Takeaway: When the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) consolidates cases and transfers them to a single, multidistrict litigation (MDL) court, the process is in a very important respect coercive. Counsel for the plaintiffs not only lose their chosen venue, but may also lose control of their cases. The overriding purpose of multidistrict litigation is efficiency, including avoiding duplication of effort by different plaintiffs counsel. Accordingly, MDL courts assign the lions share of the litigation work to appointed counsel, such as a Plaintiffs Executive Committee, who need to be compensated for that work. A recent decision by the Eleventh Circuit shows how these issues played out in the fractured Chinese drywall MDL, where the appointed MDL counsel secured a major portion of settlement funds generated after a group of cases had been transferred out of the MDL court and back to the district court where they had been filed. Amorin v. Taishan Gypsum Co., Ltd., --- Fed.Appx. ---, No. 20-12100, 2021 WL 2349920, at *1 (11th Cir., June 9, 2021).

In the Chinese drywall MDL, thousands of plaintiffs mostly from Florida and Louisiana sued Chinese manufacturers of drywall and other businesses involved in its production and sale, alleging claims for property damage (and some personal injury) resulting from the installation of the allegedly defective drywall.

The JPML consolidated the cases and transferred them to Judge Eldon Fallon of the Eastern District of Louisiana for pretrial proceedings. While the case was pending before Judge Fallon, he appointed a group of attorneys (Class Counsel) to prosecute the cases before the MDL court.

In 2018, after about a decade of litigation, Judge Fallon remanded over 1,700 of the Florida cases back to Judge Marcia Cooke of the Southern District of Florida. After this remand, counsel for the individual defendants negotiated a settlement with a group of defendants that resulted in agreements being reached with almost 500 individual plaintiffs, with settlement payments to this group totaling over $40 million (the $40 million fund). Counsel for these plaintiffs were compensated from the $40 million fund under contingent fee agreements with the individual plaintiffs.

In 2019, Class Counsel filed a motion in the Southern District of Florida to recover common benefit attorneys fees and costs from the $40 million fund, contending that their work prosecuting the cases as lead plaintiffs counsel before the MDL court contributed to that settlement. In particular, Class Counsel claimed that they were entitled to recover 20% of the $40 million fund. Counsel for the individual plaintiffs opposed the motion.

In January 2020, Judge Fallon of the MDL court approved a global settlement between the same defendants and all of the remaining class members (other than the Florida plaintiffs), awarding Class Counsel 60% of the fees paid under the global settlement. Class Counsel then amended their motion before the Southern District of Florida to increase their request to 60% of the $40 million fund, consistent with Judge Fallons 60% award. 2021 WL 2349920, at *2.

In May 2020, Judge Cooke granted Class Counsels amended motion in part, finding that the settling Florida plaintiffs benefitted from Class Counsels litigation efforts before the MDL court, including their efforts to secure the global settlement, and awarded Class Counsel 45% of the $40 million fund. Counsel for the settling plaintiffs appealed this ruling to the Eleventh Circuit under the collateral order doctrine, as the amount of the disputed fees [was] fixed, the district courts allocation of that amount [was] completely separate from the merits of the underlying action, and the appeal [was] unaffected by further district court proceedings. Id.

Reviewing Judge Cookes order for an abuse of discretion, the Eleventh Circuit affirmed. The panel relied on the common fund doctrine, which rests on the perception that persons who obtain the benefit of a lawsuit without contributing to its cost are unjustly enriched at the successful litigants expense. Id. at *3 (quoting Boeing Co. v. Van Gemert, 444 U.S. 472, 478 (1980)). Such awards, the panel reasoned, need not satisfy rigid eligibility requirements given that common benefit fees are grounded in the courts equity power. Id. Accordingly, and [p]articularly in complex litigation, courts have broad managerial power that includes significant discretion in awarding fees, and thus are authorized to compensate appointed counsel for their significant duties and work in multidistrict litigation. Id.

The panel concluded that the $40 million fund constituted a common fund, that the Southern District of Florida had jurisdiction over that fund pursuant to the agreement of the parties to litigate common benefit fees in that court, and that the fee award was within the district courts discretion. Id. at *4.

The panel concluded: The district court rightly acknowledged that Individual Counsel worked hard to bring about the FIS [Florida individual settlements]. But their work did not exist in a vacuum. They benefitted from the decade of foundational work that Class Counsel exerted in this groundbreaking MDL, which involved evasive defendants in China, complex jurisdictional challenges requiring two trips to the Fifth Circuit, decertification attempts, and liability determinations. That Class Counsel has otherwise been compensated for this work [through the 60% global settlement award] does not prevent them from continuing to reap the rewards of their efforts. Moreover, preventing appointed counsel from recovering awards when their work leads to massive recoveries down the road would make it harder for courts to find capable and competent lawyers to take on that work in the future. Id.

Read more:
Eleventh Circuit affirmance of fee award demonstrates the long reach of an MDL - JD Supra

(This story is sponsored by .)

Similar to performing repairs and renovations, summer is also the best time to waterproof your homes basement. From June to September, we get a much appreciated break from the rain. That makes it the optimal time to that may be prone to leaking.

There are several factors that can cause a leaky basement, including the environment surrounding it. Any clay, soil, or water located around the basement can slowly put pressure on your homes walls, which can result in cracking or even a collapse. Once water or soil permeates your basement, you can experience sinking, damaged flooring, warped walls, mould, and mildew. All of these are extremely costly to repair.

To avoid your basement and wallet from taking a hit, enlist the professional team at to ensure your foundation is solid. The Ontario-based company provides homeowners with free waterproofing estimates and has been serving the surrounding Hamilton area for more than 25 years.

There are three important reasons why should be completed during the warm summer months.

When it comes to , the higher temperatures in the summer can help the sealants and protective coating dry more quickly. For basements that require excavation, its best to do this in the summer when the surrounding dirt can be shovelled.

In the winter, the ground is frozen, which makes repairs more costly, says a representative at Aquatech Basement Waterproofing. The summer and early fall seasons are when we recommend homeowners have their foundation inspected.

While its difficult to excavate during the winter, the experienced team at Aquatech Basement Waterproofing can provide other services like installing pump systems or applying coating.

Humidity goes hand-in-hand with damp, mould-filled basements. In the summer, humidity levels increase, making your basement more prone to excess moisture and mildew. Instead of using fans to circulate the stuffy and smelly air, have your basement waterproofed so it can handle humid conditions.

Depending on your basement situation, the offers a handful of services that can keep your home dry.

Aquatech Basement Waterproofing offers interior and , basement underpinning, foundation crack repair, wet basement repair, leaky basement repair, and sump pump repair and installation. The services that your home requires will be determined by a professional contractor upon consultation.

Homeowners who wish to fully waterproof their basement will have the flooring removed, drainage system updated, corrugated siding and drywall installed, and a new basement floor poured. This waterproofing process should be performed every 25 years to avoid expensive leaks and damage from occurring.

Aquatech Basement Waterproofing also provides dependable waterproofing services to homes without basements, ensuring that nasty weather conditions never enter your humble abode.

To book your free phone consultation and waterproofing estimate, visit

Read more here:
Why summer is the ideal time to waterproof your basement - The Georgia Straight

by Mick Rhodes | mickrhodes@claremont-courier.com

In Part I How Much is Too Much?, the COURIER described how an elderly Claremont couple, the Roberts, came to be mixed up with Rooter Hero, a California and Arizona plumbing company with 10 locations.

We delved into scathing reviews from consumers and former employees detailing allegations of fraud, and into a revealing 37-page California State Contractors License Board document detailing scores of accusations of wrongdoing with respect to the companys business practices.

Yes, online reviews are to be viewed with a jaundiced eye; its common to game the system and attempt to discredit your competitors with fraudulent negative reviews.

So, the COURIER went to the source and talked to two ordinary consumers who came to be entwined with the company.

One, 34-year-old Glendora resident Jenna Tennyson, had some less than flattering lasting impressions of Rooter Hero.

Part one: How much is too much?

Next week part 3: Gaming the System

Listen to the PODCAST

Its not our problem

If I left a review, it was prior to the job being done and I would retract it if I could. They are awful, Ms. Tennyson told the COURIER through Facebook Messenger.

Ms. Tennyson was referencing a Google review she posted about Rooter Hero. She went on to describe a repair job involving a backup prone, leaky toilet. Rooter Heros tech said the toilet was faulty, and charged Ms. Tennyson $1,000 to replace it with a new one.

But before she was allowed to pay, the tech told her she needed to leave a Google review for the company.

And they didnt leave until I did, Ms. Tennyson said. Actually, if I remember correctly, it was part of the process upon payment. You couldnt pay until you left the review. It was all on their system, on their tablet.

Heres her Google review from a year ago: Did a wonderful job repairing our massive plumbing issue at work. Thank you so much guys!

Honestly, I dont even remember what I wrote, Ms. Tennyson told the COURIER. I remember it being so rushed and weird. Like I had to leave a review in order to get to the screen to pay.

Days later the new toilet was still having the same issues, so she called another plumbing company. That tech removed the newly installed toilet to reveal it was mounted on a wax ring that was sitting over a 4 drain that was half-occluded by a protruding concrete foundation, Ms. Tennyson said.

A reasonable person would assume this kind of glaring, obvious problem would surely have been noted by Rooter Heros tech once he saw it. And, if not, once the tech learned the customer was aware of it, one would think he would have returned and fixed the problem, or offered another solution. That was not the case.

Ms. Tennyson reached out to Rooter Hero after the second plumber pointed out the obvious reason the toilet wasnt functioning properly, and then they didnt cover the problem because it wasnt their problem, she told the COURIER.

Ill throw something in for you

Rooter Heros detractors also include Roseville, California residents Erin and Tim Malispina, who posted a cautionary review on Facebook in February, warning potential customers away after very nearly spending $2,500 on a simple repair another local plumber ended up doing for $180.

Like the Roberts, the Malispinas Googled 24-hour plumber near me the evening of February 18 after their shower would not stop running, and Rooter Hero popped up at the top of the search.

A Rooter Hero tech arrived, Then he takes a look and after maybe 10 minutes, hes like, Yeah we cant fix this. This has to be all ripped apart. Weve got to go into the back wall and tear out the drywall, re-do the entire [shower plumbing], and then fix it that way, Mr. Malispina said. Then he pushes that little piece back on extremely tight, and he tells me its going to be $1,800.

The Malispinas didnt have that much liquid cash on hand.

And he said, Well, we can finance it. But I cant finance anything less than $2,500, Mr. Malispina recalled. I was like, Why would I finance $2,500 if its an $1,800 project? And he said, I tell you what, Ill throw something in for you; do you need a sink or a toilet?

Tired and startled by the sudden prospect of going into debt to the tune of $2,500 to repair what seemed to them to be a simple fix, the Malispinas nevertheless reluctantly agreed to have the tech return the next day to do the job.

But something just didnt sit right, and Ms. Malispina phoned her aunt, whos knowledgeable about such things. She referred her to a Rocklin outfit, Whest Koast Plumbing, that sent out its tech Joseph Rippley the next morning.

He was in there for maybe 20 minutes, and hes like Oh yeah I can fix this right now. Ive got the part inside my truck, Mr. Malispina said of Mr. Rippley. He has this little puller to the get the piece out. He said, Man, that guy really jammed that in there. I had trouble pulling it. He got it out, and in 30 minutes tops he was in my house, finished the project and done for $180.

Mr. Rippley installed a new shower valve cartridge, a part that cost about $40. He saw no water damage, dry rot or mold, conditions which could have prompted the removal of drywall.

This job was a simple, obvious thing, and [checking the cartridge] is one of the first things youd look at, said Whest Koast owner Charlie Hopkins. This is typical fare of misdiagnosis, overpricing the consumer and hard pressure sales. People just cant say no sometimes. I cannot believe how many times I tell people, You have a resource with the contractors state license board. They will do everything. Theyll help you file the paperwork. Theyll return your money or fine them, and keep them from doing that stuff. But people will not do it.

Clearly though, some have.

Following an investigation into numerous consumer grievances filed with the California State Contractors License Board, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra filed a formal complaint against Rooter Hero on March 19, 2021.

Case number N2019-298 lists 51 calls for discipline dating back to 2017, including allegations Rooter Hero willfully or fraudulently contracted for work that was not required and overcharged for work performed, departed from accepted trade standards for good and workmanlike construction, willfully or fraudulently overcharged for work that was not required, causing a substantial injury, made substantial misrepresentations to a California homeowner in the procurement of the contract, performed unnecessary work in replacing the plumbing system that had no indication that it needed to be replaced, requested and received payment that exceeded the value of work or materials provided to the ... project, and numerous and sundry complaints of out of code work and other questionable business practices.

Proposed actions include the suspension of the contractors licenses of Rooter Heros owner and CEO John Akhoian (aka Oganes Akhoian), CFO Tamar Akhoian (who is presumably married to Mr. Akhoian), COO John Clinton Bergeron, and William John Beyermann, the companys responsible managing employee.

A hearing date is forthcoming, according to Joyia Emard, Public Affairs Manager for the California Contractors State License Board.

Additionally, on May 7, 2018, in another California State Contractors License Board investigation into similar allegations of wrongdoing, then California Attorney General and now Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris ordered the CSLB licenses for Akhoian Enterprises Inc., John Akhoian, Tamar Akhoian, and William Beyermann be placed on probation for three years.

Case number N2015-270 stipulated each was ordered to post a $45,000 disciplinary bond or cash deposit. The order also prohibited John Akhoian or Tamar Akhoian from serving as an officer, director, associate, partner or qualifying individual on any contractors license during the period of probation.

So how is it that a company with a history of consumer complaints of fraud and abuse, one that in 2018 was reprimanded by the state contractors license board for same, and is currently under investigation for allegations of even more, still continues to rise to the top of the various online review platforms search results, with five-star ratings?

The answer is clear: its gaming the system.

View original post here:
GAMING the SYSTEM: The Scam-part 2 | Claremont Courier - Claremont Courier

Gloria Hafemeister| Correspondent

COLUMBUS, WI The Roche brothers at Columbus call themselves biological farmers.

Kevin, David and Dennis Roche and their wives Tracy, Amy, and Jacki operate a farm that has been in the family since 1852. Kevin says they are constantly striving for healthier soil and crops and he knows that everything that is done on the soil has an impact.He not only considers the basic nutrients, but the micronutrients and the role they play in the structure of the soil and the ability of the plants to utilize all the nutrients.

The Columbus farm family served as one of the hosts of the Wisconsin Cattlemens Association annual tour on Saturday, June 26.The event began with a tour of the 1,300 head feedlot followed by a description of how they manage their 3,760-acre grain operation.

The feedlot operation finishes groups of Holstein steers, dairy crosses and straight colored, which are marketed at various locations depending on market preference.

Cattle arrive at around 400 pounds, with a target market weight of 1,400 pounds. All pens of cattle are tracked for dry matter intake per day, daily gain, and profit per animal.

In the past the family did custom feeding but now they own all the cattle, which are fed ryelage, corn fines from a local elevator, distillers grain, pellets and corn silage.

The ryegrass helps them eat better and diversifies the diet," Kevin Roche says. "They have a more constant dry matter intake.We track everything every day on the computer and know it has made a difference.

MORE:Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association heads to Rio processor for annual meeting

The Roche family harvests rye when it heads out. This year they plantedhalf triticale which Kevin believes adds more nutrient value and is easier to pack .However, they did not harvestas much tonnage.

We house the cattle in a barn that is bedding pack, then they go to a flat barn with rubber Easy Fix slats, Kevin said.

He describes the flat barn as a comfort barn built back in 1972. They replaced the roof twice and installed rubber slats in 2015.The Roche's will likely replace the rubber within the next few years but believeit pays for itself in cow comfort and rate of gain.

"We monitored the animals in the beginning and noticed they all wanted the rubber slats in favor of the others, Kevin said.

The Rocheshadanother building built in 2013.Because of the roofs pitch and the angle of the building the facility stays warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

The bedded pack barn was built in 2007 and at first had no insulation. After replacing the roof in 2016 they installedbubble insulation in the roof and opened the sides, resulting in better air circulation for the animals. Kevin expectstheroof tolast longer.

The brothers estimate they provide 41 square feet per animal. The living areas are scraped and bedded twice a week. The Rochesput in a wood chip basetwice a year that is covered with corn stalks and discarded drywall scraps.

We figure these drywall scraps help prevent pneumonia, odor and flies.The hairy wart disappeared, too, Kevin says.

He notes thatthe calcium sulphate in the dry wall is not only good for the bedding pack but it is very helpful in the composting that they do with their manure.

They began composting manure about 10 years ago and have seen many benefits.

With all these animals on a feed lot, Kevin saysthey needed to look at feed-lot runoff and manure management. At the time, some of the animals were housed in a confinement barn with liquid storage under the barn. The brothers didnt like the idea of building a lagoon and liquid manure storage for the feedlot area so they developed a composting system to utilize not only the solids from that barn but also some of the liquid from the other barn.

I didnt like the idea of all that liquid manure because hauling liquid encourages compaction and there are odor issues to consider, Kevin said.

Instead, they haul manure across the road and place it in numerous long windrows. Then they come through with a turning machine as needed.

The Roches point out that nutrients in compost are mostly in the organic form and are highly resistant to leaching.Composting is a speeded-up version of a natural decomposition process.

Microorganisms feed on manure and organic waste from the plant or animal kingdoms.In the presence of air, the organisms reduce these complex compounds into a stabilized organic material similar to humus, the organic fraction of soil.

The brothers monitor the windrows with a temperature probe. It's beneficial to allow the matter to warm just enoughto kill the weed seeds but they try to avoid heating it too much. If the composted manure is hot and dry it isn't turned as much. Water is added if it becomes too dry.

Kevin describes it as a biological. The materialis applied at a low rate, not so much for the nitrogen as for its other qualities.

Our goal is to unlock the mineral nutrients and N, P and K that is already in the soil. We use less commercial fertilizer when we get the biology in the soil going, Kevin explained.

He adds, The phosphorus and potassium is in a different form in compost than in manure.Some nitrogen is used up in the composting process.With the addition of the drywall, the nitrogen is locked up in the compost.In the field, manure must also compost in order to be beneficial but it takes a year or more for that to happen.This speeds the process.

In earlier years they added 100-200 pounds of gypsum per ton of manure,either by spreading it on the beds in the barn or adding it directly to the windrows.Now they have arranged to get drywall scraps from area builders, which are placed in pens where the cattle stamp them down, mixing themwith the manure.

The Rochesalso incorporate some leaves from the city of Columbus. Liquid manure on the leaves creates compost quickly.

They apply 2,500 pounds of compost every 2-3 years on approximately 800 acres of cropland.

While they have been at this a decade the Roches say they are still learning.

David describes that the missing piece in the process was the cover crops.The brothers have been active with the area Healthy Soil Healthy Water group of farmers with a keen focus on sustainability.

The currently feed some of the grain they produce and market the majority of it. The family has utilized no-tillsince the early 1990s and then moved into strip-till to better manage soil warm-up in the spring and deal with high residue.They plan to switch to raising more wheat in order to better accommodate the use of cover crops which have a longer growing season after wheat than after corn harvest

The brothers say they enjoy getting together with farmers at educational events and learning from what others are doing. They particularly follow the methods of Rick Clark and Dave Brown, both successful cover crop managers who have spoken at numerous healthy soil meetings during the last few years.

Kevin points out that these farmers became organic farmers by accident.He says the combination of compost, minimum tillage and cover crops helps to eliminate the use of chemicals on the land, especially when a crimper is used to kill off rye in spring rather than a chemical.

When the Roches started composting they developed a market for selling their compost to gardeners but have abandoned theidea due to the time it takes to manage that portion of the business. However, they see so much benefit to the compost on their farm that they now use everything they have to improve their own soil.

Read the original post:
Roche brothers of Columbus consider themselves 'biological farmers' - Wisconsin State Farmer

More than 9 feet of murky flood water rushed into the basement of the Bloomington Fire Department headquarterson East Fourth Streetthe night of June 18 and then seeped upwardthrough air conditioning vents, leaving the buildings entire ground floor soaked.

As Fire Chief Jason Moore and other emergency workers helped stranded motorists and removed garbage bags, mulch and tree limbs from blocked storm drains, water in the fire departments headquartersruined electrical systems, communication equipment and controls for the facilitys backup generator.

My office was flooded, Moore told The Herald-Times this week.

Moore, the firefighters and staff are now working out of temporary quarters three blocks west, in a former law office on College Avenue.

More: Bloomington mayor directed city's storm flood response from Washington, D.C.

The chief saidtotal damages to the building are still being assessedbut will exceed the citys deductible, which, according to city officials, is $100,000 per location, except the transit department, where it is $500,000.

Thunderstorms dumped about 6 inches of rain on Bloomington during the night from June 18 to June 19. One Bloomington resident died and numerous buildings were damaged by the flood waters, including businesses, homes and public infrastructure.

Aftermath: Downtown businesses still recovering from Bloomington flooding last weekend

The headquarters of the Bloomington Police Department also sustained significant damage to electronic and computer equipment, the department said.

Public Works Director J.D. Boruff told the Herald-Times that water rose to about 6 inches in the police departments basement, ruining most of the furniture, gear and equipment stored there. He said the water even reached past the bottom of some filing cabinets.Officials are still determining the evidentiary value of the files and are trying to dry those that by lawhave to be retained, he said.

While Boruff said he did not yet have details about the kind of claim the city would have to file for damage to the police department, he said the claim is going to be pretty substantial.

Capt. Ryan Pedigo, the police departments public information officer, told The Herald-Times via email this week police do not yet have a damage estimate, as the contractor is still locating and removing items damaged and/or contaminated by the flood waters.

It will most likely be quite some time before BPD has an idea of the overall cost to repair and replace all that has been damaged and/or contaminated, Pedigo said.

A spokeswoman for Mayor John Hamilton said total damage to the city is still being tallied.

The citys fire headquarters flooded for at least the third time in 20 years, Moore said, though this months flood was by far the worst.

Moore, who has been chief for five years, said the department now is weighing all options, including a permanent move elsewhere downtown.

Sleepless night: County firefighters kept busy during flood; IU Health Bloomington Hospital unscathed

Even before the flood damage, the department had been considering a major remodeling of the headquarters, but Moore said even if critical functions and equipment were moved out of the basement, he would still have concerns about getting trucks out of the building in another major flood.

Upgrades to equipment might mitigate some of those concerns, he said, but in preliminary discussions, the department also is weighing whether another location might offer more protections without compromising the departments ability to respond to emergencies.

Previously, city officials figured moving the departments headquarters might prove too costly, Moore said, but given the damage from the flood, the cost concerns have lessened.

Moore said the department likely will remain based at its temporary location until the damaged building has been remodeled or the department finds a new downtown location. For now, the department is keeping a fire engine at the temporary site, but only during the day, because of concerns over potentialtheft and vandalism.

After flood waters damaged the departments communication equipment, firefighters and command staff have switched to portable devices, which already played a significant role during the pandemic.

Boruff saidthough the police headquarters has flooded before, the damage generally has been so limited that city staff have been able to remove the water and make repairs. This time, however,with the drywall affected, a contractor was needed to assessand repairthe damage. The water did not rise high enough to get into the electrical system.

Boruff praised both the police and fire departments for their ability to adapt quickly and to continue to provide emergency services without interruption.

Continue reading here:
Flood damage has meant Bloomington firefighters have to work out of a temporary location - The Herald-Times

If you didnt notice your only neighbor was a concrete manufacturing facility, it would be easy to think that 1843 Middle Road in Calverton, New York, was just another new, modern suburban home with some unusual siding.

Thats kind of the point. The house is actually a prototype for residences 3D-printed using concrete. Kirk Andersen, director of operations at SQ4D, the company behind the structure, said its meant as a proof of concept to show how livable the futuristic-sounding home actually is.

This is one of the biggest 3D printed things in the world, he said. Its a 1,900 square foot home, the proof that we can put a couple bedrooms, fit you out with a bathroom and you can decorate it however you want on the inside.

Concrete construction is already popular in some parts of the country, but in many areas, its still seen as novel compared to traditional wood framing.

Andersen said the 3D printing method is meant to make homebuilding more efficient, predictable and customizable.

For the prototype, Andersen said, the foundation was poured traditionally and the roof uses wood support struts, but the main body of the house was printed using a 3D concrete printer.

We start extruding concrete in an inch and a half bead. That inch and a half bead is on one side and another inch and a half bead is on the other side, with a five-inch gap between them, making up an eight inch wall, which is basically the normal size of a standard concrete block, he said. Its a gantry-based machine. We instruct it where to go. We set this thing up. All we need to do is level the ground.

The design for the house is determined by a computer program, which directs the 3D printing gantries how to move around the building site. Andersen said the floorplan can be redesigned by tweaking the computer code, leading to an almost infinite number of potential layouts.

For now, his company is focused on manufacturing single-story homes, which Andersen said are less architecturally complex than multi-story ones.

This 3D printed model shows the houses floorplan in miniature.

Zach Wichter/Bankrate

The prototype also has most of its utilities like electrical conduits on the exterior of the walls, but future models will have those pieces of infrastructure printed internally.

Concrete construction, along with other off-site building methods has some key advantages, especially in the current climate where supply chains are running tight and lumber prices are spiking.

Theres an overarching theme that builders are looking for alternatives to onsite, stick-built construction, said Devin Perry, executive director of business improvement programs at the National Association of Home Builders. Youve seen an uptick in interest due to labor and material constraints.

He added that concrete homes are already popular in areas where natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires make wood-framed houses more costly to maintain, and surging lumber prices are giving alternative building methods a further boost.

Your upfront cost with material and some of the advanced construction methods exceed the typical wood-based, stick-built construction, he said, but the cost of concrete has not kept pace with the recent increase in lumber, so its becoming more affordable.

Plus, Perry added, concrete homes tend to have lower maintenance and energy costs, so theres downstream savings for homeowners.

He also acknowledged that concrete construction can be more carbon-intensive than traditional wood frame houses, but because of higher energy efficiency, most concrete homes make up that difference after about a decade.

You think concrete: cold, because youre probably in a basement. But theres millions of people living in concrete homes in Florida and Europe and around the world, Andersen said.

Although the prototype house in Calverton doesnt have any insulation, future builds will have insulating foam injected between layers of concrete in the walls. In the photo above, you can see the space in the partially finished walls where the insulation will be installed.

You can seal concrete many ways. This is concrete, its nothing new. I would prefer it over a wood-built home, Andersen said.

This is definitely one complicating factor. Concrete homes are going to be a little more complicated to modify than traditionally-framed ones once construction is completed.

Its concrete, nobodys stopping you, but thats not where were headed, Andersen said. SQ4D is focused more on constructing affordable starter homes rather than making ones that people will try to remodel significantly over time.

Kirk Andersen, director of operations at SQ4D, points out details of the model houses construction.

Zach Wichter/Bankrate

Im trying to make something single-story, reasonable size, affordable that you can raise a family in, he said. There are affordable housing crises everywhere.

Concrete houses are durable, but will require maintenance like anything else. Concrete can and will crack, Andersen said, but if those cracks are filled with the correct material, the wall will remain stable for decades to come. The next house his company builds will have a 50-year warranty.

Plus, Andersen said, emergency repairs can be easier on a concrete home in some situations.

If a flood happens you can power wash this thing out, youre not replacing drywall, he said.

Andersens company is working on scaling up in New York and expanding to Florida and California. Theyve actually already gone into contract on their first habitable home in Riverhead, New York, where the new owners are expected to move in this summer.

Meanwhile, other companies like Austin-based ICON have already built a community of 3D printed homes in Mexico with more on the way including a contract with NASA for structures on the Moon.

The technology for 3D printing homes is still being developed, but it is getting a foothold.

Its exciting to have more options for homebuilders, and 3D printing can be one of those, Perry said.

If youre interested in exploring this method for your own housing needs, its worth a quick web search to see what companies are doing this kind of work in your area, and reaching out to see what your options are.

See the original post:
Could 3D printing be the future of homebuilding? See this demo house - Bankrate.com

CNN

A lot is unknown about the state, and fate, of the modern office worker as work-from-home orders lift and people begin a return to the traditional office. For many people, of course, that return wont happen many employers will allow employees the choice, and some will even move away from brick-and-mortar offices entirely. That means the home office will be here to stay for many people.

If your home workspace could use some help to get papers and files and charging cords and desk accessories organized, weve got ideas. We spoke to experts Nonnahs Driskill, founding organizer at Get Organized Already!, and Rachel Hoffman, a cleaning and organizing expert and the author of Unf*ck Your Habitat and Cleaning Sucks, to ask for their best tips for getting a home office in order. And we asked them to recommend the very best organizing solutions, all priced under $20.

Amazon

Clear 3-Section Vertical File

Driskill recommends these clear, vertical file folders that will keep your current projects organized but out of the way. She likes the nice, streamlined look of the translucent plastic file holder, and the versatility of the keyhole backing that allows the file holder to be mounted on the wall.

Amazon

Songmics 3-Tier Rolling Cart

A three-tier rolling cart is a favorite of organizers and small-space design experts who love the slim footprint, deep storage compartments and portability. In a home office, this cart can be used to store files or hobby supplies or, as one organizing expert we talked to uses hers for, a printer station to keep cartridges, cords and printer paper organized.

Amazon

Hongdream Wall-Mount Pegboard

The desk itself isnt the only available storage space Hoffman says to consider the space above, next to and below the desk as a place to create extra storage. She also offers this helpful tip: For people who cant install anything on their walls, leaning pegboards or magnetic boards with corresponding storage accessories help get a lot of items up off the desk and into a more out-of-the-way location.

Amazon

Kuhome Pegboard Accessories

Customize a pegboard system to fit your organizing needs with an accessories set like this one, which includes six cups with ring-style holders to attach to the board, which can be used to store pens, pencils, scissors, spare charging cords and more.

Amazon

Baskiss Cord Management Organizer

Adhesive cord managers grab onto cords, keeping them in reach rather than on the floor. This peel-and-stick adhesive cord organizing strip has seven slots and is safe to use on drywall, plastic, wood, glass, metal or rubber.

Amazon

Kootek Cable Management Sleeve

If your home office has been overtaken by a mass of unruly cords, a cable management sleeve can help bring some visual order to the room. This style is made of neoprene, so its flexible, and its reversible, allowing you to choose either the white or the black side depending on which better suits your decor. The sleeve is 118 inches long and can be cut into smaller pieces using scissors, or used whole to obscure a longer stretch of cord or cords.

Amazon

Cable Raceway On-Wall Cord Cover

Another way to manage and conceal cords is to use a baseboard cover. This D-Line cover comes in five colors beige, white, black, silver/gray and oak wood which will match to most baseboards. And, because theyre made of PVC, they can also be painted to match unusual wall or baseboard colors.

Amazon

mDesign 3-Tier Shelf Organizer Stand

Hoffman specifically mentioned that desks without drawers and other forms of built-in storage are trendier, and less expensive, and therefore tend to be popular in home offices. If you find that a little extra storage is needed, a desktop riser shelf adds space and keeps clutter organized.

Amazon

Desktop Bookshelf With Drawers

Creating more space on a desk can be as simple as investing in a narrow tabletop shelf that can sit atop a desk. Look for styles that offer open shelving for storing paper planners, notebooks and mailing supplies, as well as some drawers for holding smaller items like phone chargers.

Amazon

Extendable Desktop Organizer With Drawers

As Hoffman puts it, desk organizers that feature small drawers are a nice choice so not everything is out on display all the time. This desktop organizing system has open shelves and some drawers to tuck away small items when not in use.

Amazon

Office Accessories Caddy

Hoffman emphasizes using the space above, below and around a desk for storage. But if using vertical space to put up shelves isnt an option, look for a desk organizer tray with a small footprint that wont take up a lot of surface area.

Amazon

Headset Headphone Holder Mount

Desktop space is valuable and keeping it uncluttered is important, but so is keeping oft-used home office items within arms reach like bulky headsets. This clip-on headset and headphone holder attaches to the side of a desk, keeping headphones out of the way but still right there when you need them.

Amazon

Drinking Cup Holder Clip

A drinking cup holder that clips on the desk keeps that all-important water bottle, soda can or coffee cup right by your side but off of your desk, where it takes up space and threatens important papers and expensive electronics with a spillage accident.

Amazon

Desk Side Pen Holder

Even in our digital world, you still need a pen from time to time. This inexpensive pen holder clips to the side of a desk, keeping the desks surface free while ensuring theres always a pen handy when you need one.

Amazon

Desk Clamp Power Strip

Clamping a power strip to the underside of the desk means that you always have juice right when you need it. Its also nice to get power strips up off the floor, where they get in the way and collect a lot of dust.

Amazon

Under-Desk Drawers, 2-Pack

Under-desk drawers create hidden pockets of storage space for small items like pens and chargers. Just be sure to measure the height of your desktop piece to be sure the drawers will fit properly.

Amazon

Remote Control Caddy

Remote controls arent typically associated with offices, but these days everything from standing fans to lighting systems comes with a remote. If you have a lot of electronics and corresponding remotes in your home office, a 10-dollar solution will keep them all in one easy-to-locate place.

Amazon

mDesign Slim Plastic Wastebasket With Handles, 2-Pack

Sure, most home offices have a wastebasket for tossing out trash, but recyclables like cardboard boxes and soda cans are just as often found in a home office as in a regular office. Set up a small recycling center with two small, inexpensive wastebaskets for all those recyclables.

Standing bookshelves take up a lot of space and can be pricey, but a set of inexpensive, wall-mounted floating shelves can add a lot of storage in a home office. Shelves can be used for files, books or desk accessories, and theyre also a pretty way to display plants or collections.

Amazon

Y-Weave Medium Decorative Storage Basket

When it comes to storing small items in a home office, small bins can be used on floating shelves to create a streamlined look. These small, lightweight bins are perfect for stashing office supplies on floating shelves to get clutter off the desk.

See the original post:
20 products under $20 to help clear the clutter out of your home office - CNN

By Ryan Drury June 30, 2021 10:01am

All nine municipalities in Perth-Wellington will be splitting 2.1 million dollars in infrastructure funding.

In a release from Perth-Wellington MP John Nater, the funding courtesy of the COVID-19 Resilience Fund will help fund 13 infrastructure projects in his riding. The fund was created as part of the federal governmentsInvesting in Canada Infrastructure Program to help municipal governments recover from financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the release, the projects being funded were part of a $51.2 million announcement made jointly by the federal and provincial governments.

I am very pleased that projects in every corner of PerthWellington will receive funding, says Nater. Its essentialfor municipalities to receive support from the federal and provincial governments to modernize the infrastructure on which we rely.

The consistent delays we have seen locally in accessing federal infrastructure funding have placed many municipalities in difficult financial positions, Nater adds. Red tape and regulatory roadblocks should be lessened to better allow municipalities to get the job done.

The 13 Perth-Wellington projects and the funding breakdown is as follows:

Organization Project Name, Provincial Funding, Federal Funding, Total Eligible cost, Detailed Project Description

Township ofPerth EastHands FreeModification at PerthEast RecreationComplex

$ 20,000.00 $ 80,000.00 $ 100,000.00

The project will install no touchtechnology at high touch surfacesin the Perth East RecreationComplex in Perth East, Ontario toreduce the COVID-19 transmissionrisk. The work will involve installingno touch motion detectors on 31faucets, 32 toilets, 10 urinals, 20lights and 15doors.

Township ofMapletonRetrofit ofWashrooms and A/VEquipment in PMDArena

$ 20,000.00 $ 80,000.00 $ 100,000.00

The project will install audio-visualequipment and create barrier-freewashrooms at an arena.

Municipalityof WestPerthMunicipalAdministration officeUpgrade

$ 32,024.80 $ 128,099.20 $ 160,124.00

The project will retrofit the municipaloffice in West Perth, Ontario toreduce the COVID-19 transmissionrisk. The work will involve upgradingthe ventilation system andreorganizing the building layout tobetter promote social distancing.

Township ofPerth SouthRehabilitation of theAdministrative office $ 20,000.00 $ 80,000.00 $ 100,000.00

The project will retrofit, repair, andupgrade an administrative buildingin St. Pauls, a hamlet in PerthSouth, Ontario. The work willinvolve installing a new efficientdesign that includes barrier-freeoffice space and storage, removinginterior partition walls, fixtures anddrywall, and installing energyefficient lighting.

Town of St.MarysReplacement of HVACUnits PyramidCentre

$ 25,339.40 $ 101,357.60 $ 126,697.00

The project will replace four roof-topHVAC units (two for change roomsservicing the ice rink, one for thechange room servicing swimmingpool, one for the common area) atthe Pyramid Centre in St. Marys,Ontario.

Town ofMintoInstallation ofWalkable ORStandard Sidewalks

$ 26,800.00 $ 107,200.00 $ 134,000.00

The project will promote activetransportation by constructing1,340 metres of new, accessiblesidewalks in Minto, Ontario.

County ofPerthRenovation of PerthCounty ParamedicHeadquarters

$ 14,400.00 $ 57,600.00 $ 72,000.00

The project will renovate the open-concept office space and upgrade

the HVAC system at the paramedicheadquarters in Perth, Ontario. Thework will involve adding walls andglass barriers to separate fouroffices from the hallway and fromeach other.

City ofStratford

T.J. Dolan Drive Multi-Use Trail $ 70,703.54 $ 282,814.18 $ 353,517.72

The project will construct a new,multi-use trail in Stratford, Ontario.The work will involve removing anddisposing of the existing roadway,constructing a new multi-use trail,installing bollards at entrances tolimit vehicle access, updatingconnecting sidewalks, and installingpark benches and bike racks.

Municipalityof NorthPerthNorth Perth TrailSystem Repair andDevelopment

$ 33,545.20 $ 134,180.80 $ 167,726.00

The project will develop a new trail,repair two pedestrian bridges, andinstall a portable washroom in NorthPerth, Ontario.

Township ofWellingtonNorthMount Forest andDistrict SportsComplex Generator

$ 29,000.00 $ 116,000.00 $ 145,000.00

The project will install a generator atthe Mount Forest and District SportsComplex in Wellington North,Ontario.

County ofPerthPerth CountyCourthouseRenovation

$ 16,541.00 $ 66,164.00 $ 82,705.00

The project will install a new wall,door, security access system andaudio-visual equipment at thecourthouse in Perth, Ontario.

Township ofWellingtonNorthArthur SidewalkDevelopment andExpansion

$ 10,904.20 $ 43,616.80 $ 54,521.00

The project will expand anddevelop the Arthur sidewalk inWellington North, Ontario toimprove the accessibility and extentof the active transportation network.The work will involve constructing achoker lane to calm traffic, installing10 sidewalk texturing pads andadding 350 metres of sidewalk.

County ofWellingtonUV Air Purification atCounty Facilities $ 114,005.80 $ 456,023.20 $ 570,029.00

The project will install UV airpurification systems at 33 municipalbuildings in Wellington, Ontario.

Total $ 433,263.94 $ 2,166,319.72

See more here:
Perth-Wellington municipalities to split 2.1 million in infrastructure funding - BlackburnNews.com

Hi-Low Roofing, a locally owned and operated roofing company in Orlando, has revealed to the public the reasons why a homeowner or a business owner may need to hire a roofer.

Orlando, FL Jul 1, 2021 Ben Benkiran, managing partner of Hi Low Roofing in Orlando, FL has recently listed some of the common reasons why homeowners should call a professional roofer.

Residential Roof Replacements

When a homeowner needs to have their entire roof replaced, they should always call a professional roofer in Orlando. The best roofing companies in Orlando should always provide a team of experienced and licensed technicians for your roofing job. It is important to always hire a professional roofing company for any residential roofing services to ensure your roof is properly replaced.

Many times during a shingle roof replacement, the plywood under the old shingles must be replaced. The roofing team will pull up the rotted plywood and inspect the rafters for damage. Since the rafters are an integral part of the structure of the roof, it is important that the rafters remain sturdy and intact. With so many Orlando roofing companies to choose from, a homeowner should do their due diligence in choosing a roofing company that meets the homeowners expectations for their new roof. Reading online reviews and calling to ask questions pertaining to your roof replacement project is a great way to help select a roofing company that has the experience and skills needed to successfully complete your roof replacement.

Whether the roof replacement is for asphalt shingles, clay tiles, slate, or wood shakes, the team of roofing technicians will carefully remove your current roofing system and install the new type of roof system for your home.

Commercial Roof Replacements

Business owners in the Orlando area may need to replace a roof on their commercial building for many reasons such as damage to the roof due to mother nature, age, or if the roof is experiencing water leaking into the interior.

Many Orlando businesses have opted for metal roofing. Hi Low Roofing is one of the best Orlando roofing companies with the necessary experience for installing new metal roofs for commercial businesses.

Roofing Repairs

Both business owners and homeowners have a vested interest in keeping their real estate in tip-top shape.

The number one reason why a roof needs to be immediately repaired is to prevent any damage to the interior or structure of the home or business. It is crucial for homeowners and business owners alike to have a qualified roofing company do a periodic maintenance inspection of their roofs to ensure that their current roofing system is still structurally safe and secure.

What many people dont realize is that when a wet spot in the ceiling occurs, the roofs structure and the foundation have suffered greatly from the now obvious leaking damage. This is because water has soaked through the plywood underlayment, rafters, and drywall of the ceiling to finally progress to the final outcome of water dripping onto your interior floors and walls.

This is why it is so important to hire a roofer in Orlando, FL, to periodically perform a roof inspection. The Orlando roofers will be able to find any missing shingles that may already be causing damage. They can find broken tiles that may be letting in water. Often a roofer in Orlando will find broken wooden shakes or missing slate that is causing water leaks to the building.

About Hi Low Roofing Company

Hi Low Roofing is proud to service residential and commercial roofing services to Orlando, FL, and the surrounding communities. BuildZoom ranks Hi Low Roofing Company in the top 2% of the nearly 200,000 Florida licensed contractors. Their experienced roofers are experts at every type of roofing repair or replacement job their valued customers roof may need.

Media ContactCompany Name: Hi Low RoofingContact Person: Ben BenkiranEmail: Send EmailPhone: (407) 287-6171Address:13330 W Colonial Dr #110 City: Winter GardenState: FLCountry: United StatesWebsite: https://www.hilowroofing.com/

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Signs a Roof May Need to Be Replaced - Digital Journal

He uses it often.

Huffman is the construction manager for the Armory Event Center at 904 Center Ave. Its been his job to shepherd the 1915 building through its transformation from worn out to welcoming.

Sometime in September, the building should be ready for concerts, corporate events and weddings.

This ones coming. Id say another six to eight weeks, it will look different, Huffman said Thursday, June 17, as he eyed a raft of materials on the main floor of the armory interior.

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Huffman estimates the main floor will be able to hold 900 to 1,000 people for a concert, or 450 to 500 for a big wedding or corporate event.

It's going to provide a niche for events thats very unique, Huffman said. If you like historic (buildings), this is going to be a really cool place to be. The way it is set up, we can accomplish it all.

The new Armory Event Center is located at 904 Center Ave., Moorhead. The building, seen Thursday, June 17, 2021, is expected to be hosting events in September. David Samson / The Forum

The Armory Event Center is a Kevin Bartram reclamation/transformation project.

The Fargo architect didnt set out to buy the armory-turned-auto dealership for the challenge. He bought it for the parking lot that he figured would be great for the residents of the neighboring Simon Warehouse Lofts.

But the location is great, Bartram said. Once the Simon's reconstruction was finished last summer, he turned his eye and resources toward the armory.

Office space and housing didn't seem to work for the building's setup, Bartram said.

Construction continues Thursday, June 17, 2021, on the multi-level Armory Event Center in Moorhead. David Samson / The Forum

We kept coming back to its original use as an armory. Armories are really multi-function event spaces and thats what it seemed to be where it worked best. Kind of going back to its original use," Bartram said.

Bartram estimates hell have $4.5 million invested into the more than 20,000 square foot structure by the time its finished.

Work on the facility started in earnest in 2020.

Demolishing the old basement floor, digging it deeper and stabilizing the foundation were big jobs, as was installing new steel support beams, Huffman said. Two large concrete ramps that had funneled cars in and out of the basement automotive repair bay were also removed.

Push piers to stabilize the existing foundation had to be rammed 105 to 110 feet into the earth until they hit bedrock, Huffman said. Then the new, deeper foundations could be poured.

Digging the basement deeper brought the work into the water table, which required using a crane with tracks when it came time to install support steel for the building. Before drain tile was installed, walking on the floor of the basement meant sinking calf deep into muck in some spots.

Project manager Dan Huffman talks about the lower level banquet space at the Armory Event Center in Moorhead on Thursday, June 17, 2021.David Samson / The Forum

To keep the basement stabilized as the concrete was laid, it had to be done in three separate pours.

This was a challenge. The whole floor is brand new, Huffman said.

The main floor was also demolished, raised and repoured, to add to the headroom in the basement, Bartram said.

The windows throughout are new, but mirror the armorys original look. The stage is roughed out and big - taking up nearly a quarter of the first floor.

A large stage area was under construction Thursday, June 17, 2021, in the new Armory Event Center in Moorhead.David Samson / The Forum

The building was a National Guard armory until the 1930s, when it was replaced by an armory where the Moorhead library now stands.

Ironically, that newer armory was torn down in the 1960s, Bartram said.

Here was a building that was built in 1915. They said it wasnt structurally sound, and its still here in 2021, Bartram said.

The most recent business use for the armory was as the home for a Muscatell auto dealership, Huffman said.

Moorhead Mayor Shelly Carlson is impressed by the project.

I think that having another event center is going to bring more experiences downtown, Carlson said Tuesday, June 22.

What were doing with our downtown is creating areas to have experiences, to have events. Its going to help support all of the people that are moving to and living downtown, she said. Its really just about creating that buzz and creating the reason to go there. Im excited. Plus, its a really cool, old building."

A construction worker walks on the main floor of Moorhead's new Armory Event Center on Thursday, June 17, 2021. David Samson / The Forum

Derrick LaPoint, president and CEO of Downtown Moorhead Inc., praised Bartram for breathing new life into some of downtown Moorheads oldest buildings.

Kevin has been such a valued asset for the development community for downtown Moorhead. Hes done so many great projects, LaPoint said Tuesday. We lost so many of our old buildings. To be able to kind of put new life into these places that have so much history, its fun to see.

Electricians, plumbers, drywall installers and elevator technicians have been working throughout the armory the last couple of weeks.

Framing is finished and drywall is going up in the basement, where there will be preparation and serving kitchens, a dining area, bathrooms, and rooms for brides and grooms to prepare for weddings, or for bands to use as green rooms.

Is this Huffmans most difficult project?

Id say its probably the most interesting project, Huffman said.

Armory Event Center project manager Dan Huffman is looking forward to the September opening of the new Moorhead entertainment venue. David Samson / The Forum

That says a lot, since he estimates he has managed $600 million in building projects for school districts in Fargo, Grand Forks, and Centennial School District in Anoka County, Minn.

Hes also overseeing another Bartram project, the nearby Block 37 Flats, a three story 28-unit apartment complex on Main Avenue. That is on track to be completed by mid-July.

Bartram has had a lot of success revitalizing old buildings. Beyond the Simon Warehouse Lofts, he gave new life to the Kassenborg Block on Main in Moorhead. On the west side of the Red River, he rehabbed Fargos Historic Ford Building, and created Drekker Brewings Brewhalla and the Railyard complex.

Huffman praised Bartrams vision.

Youve got to really give him a lot of credit. He has an incredible eye for what these buildings are and what they can be, Huffman said.

Bartram said the Armory Event Center is on a lot of peoples radar screens.

Most of the interest out there is for 2022. We think that well get some corporate parties, holiday parties. And we have some other things that we are working on," Bartram said.

Big incentives are that parking or sharing the venue won't be problems, Bartram said.

You rent the building, you get the whole thing. We tried not to put too many fancy finishes in there. We tried to let the building be what it was and let the events speak for themselves, Bartram said

Read more here:
Moorhead's Armory Event Center expected to be ready for parties in September - INFORUM