ONGOING Information Board!

Here you will find useful information about construction techniques and methods to apply immediately. You can simply start reading about patio covers construction techniques or just browse for any topic that you may need a construction solution for. You can also just jump to This Month Case Study.

Despite that we wanted to be perfectly clear about what we share here, there may be some mis-spelled words, thus we apologize for any inconvenience, but you can help us by letting us know about any error you find, just click here to submit a note for us.

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If you came this far and you are reading this, you qualify to learn about construction, because in construction there's a lot of reading involved. Here you will find useful information that you can put to practice right away. There are many ways for you to learn construction techniques and language.

One way for you to learn construction in general is to visit annually constructions / builders’ conventions. There you can easily find the latest news and information about anything related to construction. Even if you are not looking for to become a contractor or a career builder, if you do own a house/commercial building or any real estate, you will be greatly benefited of a builder’s convention.   That will be a good place to nurture and educate yourself into becoming a better informed person. 

(if you drop us line, telling us that you want to visit one of these events, we can provide you a free ticket for you to attend, just   drop us a line   and mention code # 3-77123.( hurry, tickets are limited!)

The next builder’s convention it’s to be done in January 2010 at Las Vegas Convention Center. But another way of learning fast and not quite exact methods of construction, it’s to watch TV Shows at the DIY Network Channel or visit their web site here,

Another approach will be to learn from us here, you can read and view construction samples and no-no’s in construction from our monthly case study or if the information you are looking for it’s not here, then send us a email right now, and you will receive an email back with the information you need very soon.   Back to top

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Construction Permit Process

It’s the most tedious and slowest process of the entire construction journey. The rule in California it’s that you ‘must have to have a building permit’ if: the job will be worth US $500 or more or/and if the project involves plumbing, electrical, structural work, attachment to existing house and or foundation work is involved.

Normally many cities had adopted that:

“Each permit request must be accompanied by a completed permit application form, required plans with documents and respective permit fee(s) . City staff will review the application package for completeness and adherence to city codes, standards and permit requirements. Minor permit types may be issued across the counter if they are found to meet all city requirements.

Major permit types will require more detailed review and may be circulated to various responsible city departments for review and comment. Applications will be returned for correction if the submittal package is incomplete or there are issues to resolve. Once all corrections are made, the permit(s) are issued.”-–said one public official at the city of Carlsbad California.

But the truth is that the process if you need a permit for moderate to major job, then it will be very un-pleasant, the typical process start with you paying up- front the permit fees (partially estimated cost) and submitting the application.

From there on, you begun your (snail) slow process, you have to provide a set of plans (drawings) for EACH department, One for Building and Safety, ONE for Fire Department, and last ONE for the Zoning and Planning Division; these departments work in coordination (at least that what they told you when you submitted) to speed up the process (to which normally it’s the contrary) and once they are done with the review and plans’ code compliance, then they normally will like to return ( some correction s with reasonable excuse) you the plans for a second submittal, and then after you have done the required corrections, you will take back to them the plans for a final review and hopefully you get approval this time, then here it’s when they will calculate the total cost of the permit, from there on you will be sent to another department for you to pay these (final)fees.

There may be a requirement for you to pay school’s fees BEFORE you can obtain the permit approval, these fees are paid to your School Jurisdiction that sometimes are hundreds of miles far away from your job.  -If you are lucky enough, your school’s fees office jurisdiction may be in your city. I recommend taking care of these school’s fees at the very early stage of the process to speed up your permit.(Ventura county req. these fees if the project it's more than 500 square feet).

At the end of the road only you the home owner it’s the one that can speed up the construction process, and you accomplish this by learning about how construction culture and language works, thus indeed this web site was created, to help you home owner to easy the pain to deal with that lovely and desired and most of the times needed addition and/or remodeling project.

Most of the time, there will be a requirement for a Demolition and Clean up process PERMIT.    Back to top

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Construction News

The "International Builders’ Show is THE premier industry event. As the largest building industry tradeshow in the country, this is the place to recharge your business! Get inspired with the more than 175 education sessions and network with the best in the industry! Las Vegas is the place YOU need to be in January!”- READS on the buildershow.com

Here you will find hundreds of companies gathered to entertain you and educate you in the construction trades. You really need to come to one of these events, you won’t regret it. With the most residential construction pros you'll see in one place, this time you have the opportunity to really appreciate and learn about construction, there will be every thing you ever thought or at least you ever knew existed. “Owned and produced by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) , IBS leverages the immense influence and support of one of the nation's most prominent and active trade associations.”---NAHB.

In another note;    There in case you can not make it to this one, there will be another BIG event in February 1st.to February 5th. 2010, and again this other show it’s the biggest thing in the world to this type of trade.There you will witness the “fastest brick layer in the world” competing against the very best there are in the globe! You can visit this web site for more, the world of concrete.com

"Awarded by Tradeshow Week for two years in a row as one of the Fastest 50 Winners, WOC is the industry’s only annual international event dedicated to the commercial concrete and masonry construction industries showcasing leading industry suppliers featuring innovative products, technologies, tools and equipment and unlimited networking opportunities to give you new ways to sustain and grow your business in today's changing economy."

“World of Concrete is the industry's ONLY annual international event dedicated to the commercial concrete and masonry construction industries. Featuring indoor and outdoor exhibits with the industry's leading suppliers showcasing innovative products and technologies, exciting demonstrations and competitions, a world-class education program, and the information you need to help sustain and grow your business. Start the year off strong at World of Concrete!”

Finally; if you feel that you may don’t want to travel too far away, then locally we will have another contractors' service 'convention': The home show Ventura Home & Garden Shows - 18th Annual "Spring Show" ~ March 19 • 20 • 21, 2010.  

And another one in Thousand Oaks California, at the Hyatt Hotel in Westlake Village, but these last two are more Contractor-Home Owner Oriented, rather than the former, the convention are the ones where you can get a solid knowledge about construction practices, materials and services choices, the home show are the ones where you can put into practice what you learnt when dealing with contractors. In any event if you want to know more just visit their web site to learn more.

Note: The web site for the Thousand Oaks Home Show it's coming soon.

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What Defines a 'good paint Vs. Bad Paint'?

The advantages and disadvantage of oil-based enamel vs latex paints are often debated.
"With so many choices of colors, textures, durability and finish, each paint type offers advantages and disadvantages, from ease of clean-up to drying time, from coverage to durability. Important, too, is what you are painting, indoors or outdoors. Read on to learn how to determine which paint type is the best choice for your project." --Ehow.com
But most important, the price sometimes make home owner feel that they should go for the least expensive ones.  This is a mayor mistake if you choose to do that, because believe or not,  paint quality it's very important for protection against termites, insects, mold, moisture and any other degradations that naturally occurs as the house ages.  Thus when buying paint, do not worry about the materials cost rather choose not if it latex or water base but instead go for the correct application and the type of paint required wether interior or exterior.

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