Just how important preparation is for a successful project

February 4 / Stacey / Comments (0)

Recently I took a remodeling project in Hampton.  The property itself presents the greatest challenges.  I will be ripping the roof off of the house and building back a second floor master suite, along with a new bathroom and some minor remodeling work.  Sounds like no big deal, right.  Wrong.

The topography of this relatively small tract of land requires an immense amount of planning and preparatory work. 

Notable considerations are as follows:

The circular driveway is narrow. 

There are trees, approximately 16-18' in height that are along the driveway, towards the front of the road.  There is a very nice play set on the right side of the property in between the detached garage and the back of the house. 

There is also a ground pipe, probably an old well in front of the play set. 

There is a brick pillar at the entrance of the property, with a narrow 10' concrete culvert supporting the ROW. 

There are a number of very mature bushes on the side of the house, height of about 5'.  There is a detached garage 12'8" away from the right corner of the house. 

There is a newly poured concrete walkway and paved walkway that runs next to the right corner of the house. 

There is a carport attached on the right side of the detached garage.  This carport backs into the right side of the property where there is a good bit of vegetation. 

There are several very old pines, maybe 50' tall in the back yard.  This property's backyard has approximately 30' of frontage on the water, with the edge only being approximately 30' from the deck. 

There is an extensive, obtuse shaped custom deck in the backyard and several other considerations, like a hot tub that butts right up to the back left wall of the main dwelling.

  The front of the house has a porch and several matching mature bushes, approximately 5' tall. 

There are shutters on the house and the house itself is made entirely of CMU. 

Last but not least, all of the grass is St. Augustine grass.  Oh my!

Priorities:  

Protection of the grass, trees and bushes.  Delivery trucks, forklifts and cranes have to be able to access the back of the house.  The problem is that the detached garage and adjoining carport block the right side of the lot and are only 12'8" from the right corner of the main dwelling.  The front of the property is open, however, the grass is exposed.  Obviously the placement and height of the trees is an issue to consider.  Protecting the backyard deck and hot tub are an issue.  Material placement in a confined building area is a consideration.  Getting a new tub inside the house, along with sheetrock is a consideration.  Protection of the existing shingles is a consideration.  And the list goes on.

When you are hiring a building contractor for a project, consider the preparatory work that must be addressed.  See if that building contractor has noticed and has a plan in place for E&S control, silt fencing and equipment mobility.  A successful project is a well planned project.  There are things that a building contractor cannot control: inspections, material delays, unforeseen existing building issues and the weather. 

Call HW ENTERPRISES, INC. for your next project.  We are certified by the State of VA for E&S control.  We plan, based on decades of experience and have projects that progress smoothly because of our diligence and determination to provide the best possible building experience for the homeowner.  CALL 757-595-4562 or 757-696-1927.  You will get the best quality available in all of Hampton Roads.

Entry Doors and why they rust

January 15 / Stacey / Comments (0)

Ever have an entry rust and crumble at the bottom?  Over time, repeated raining has a way of getting to the bottom of the door and the bottom of the door jambs.  The rain hits the landing and bounces back up where it hits the bottom of the door.  The jambs over time begin to wick and hold moisture.  Where the bottom of the jambs are wet, the jamb holds that moisture up against the bottom of the door.  This is what causes rust and corrosion of the bottom of the door, even if it is wrapped in coilstock.  What can be done?  One choice is to build a stoop over the doorway which diverts the rain down that roof, instead of the top of the door.  Another way is to build a drip cap out of metal which will divert the rain out away from the door.  Sometimes this is not enough depending on which side of the building takes the brunt of every storm and cannot be stopped.  In those cases, a stoop is the only viable option.

When you are looking for a builder for a garage, addition or any accessory building, call HW ENTERPRISES, INC.  We have decades of experience and will share a myriad of information regarding successful construction.  Call 757-595-4562 or 757-696-1927 for a free estimate and we will answer your questions and provide long term answers for problem areas.  Call us today.

Extreme Temperatures and Construction

January 4 / Stacey / Comments (0)

Happy New Year!  Extreme temperatures present special considerations while building residential projects.  Currently, HW ENTERPRISES, INC. is building a brick workshop in Toano.  It has hardy plank siding on three walls and a brick facade and skirt.  While the brick facade is about to be done our current weather conditions are complicating that process.  It is prudent to wrap or cover brick in winter weather.  Rain or snow that falls onto the brick and then freezes, freezes the brick together.  When this happens, it delays masonry products installation.  Also, when building in the winter, any product that is to be painted, such as hardy plank composite siding, must wait until the temperature exceeds 50 degrees.  Paint will not properly adhere in lower temperatures.  One approach is to paint the product inside the building, however, in prolonged periods of colder temps, that isn't a viable option either.

When you are planning a garage, accessory building or an addition to your property, call HW ENTERPRISES, INC. for your building needs.  We have the experience and foresight to provide you the best quality project in a timely manner.  Call 757-595-4562 or 757-696-1927.