Piney Creek Airpark is a residential aviation community located in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee. It is located in the largest remaining forest and plateau in the continental United States. It consists of a 303 acre residential development, surrounded by a hardwood forest, centered around a 3000’ x 50’ wide paved, private runway with…
Ridge Landing Airpark sits near Frostproof, Florida about an hour’s drive from both Tampa and Orlando. It consists of 99 sites, running from 1 to 2 acres each, with grass taxiways and a 3000 foot long by 60 foot wide paved runway. It is a gated community and is unique in the fact that an…
One of the most frustrating things contractors face is the expectation from the public that estimates are free and are a necessary first step to any possibility of a serious dialogue. It has become part of the culture to expect this valuable service from the contractor. It is common that a prospect will contact several…
Remember the old purple 1985 Code Book (for those of us operating in 80’s)? That was the entire Code – and, quite adequate by many accounts. The picture to the right is my own copy which I still keep up on the shelf for occasional reference. Most recognize that the Codes prior to 1992 were…
This article was written in early 2012. I want to make it clear that I know and work with many Architects and have found them to be a fine and often talented and knowledgeable group of folks. The Architectural profession is to be admired, especially those who produce fine works and operate by high professional standards. This article…
The Building Profession is traditionally slow to change and adapt to new methods and materials. One example is the use of OSB sheathing verses the “good-ol” CDX plywood. I still find, in 2011, some builders who have never used nor plan to use OSB. When asked why, their answers seem to boil down to a…
Imagine this: You are building a home with either on your own or with the help of a general contractor. The project is finished and you take possession and move in as a happy owner of a brand new custom home. You have faithfully paid every bill that was due. You finally pulled…
I am often asked by my clients if we should use a masonry exterior wall or one that is framed in wood. Masonry walls consist of concrete blocks stacked up from the slab to the full height of the wall. They are placed in beds of mortar and strengthened with embedded reinforcing steel and hollow…