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Author Archive for Boyd Philippi

Posted by Boyd Philippi on
 April 10, 2012
 · 0 Comments

Four Tips to Schedule and Manage Construction Projects With Ease!

52_callout.jpg.mxw396.mxh298Scheduling a construction project, whether it be a home project or a construction company project, can be a big hassle and many things need to be considered, including the time lines of different contractors, material costs, material availability, and even unplanned changes and discoveries.  You can purchase an expensive software program, but you also save yourself that cost and create your own master schedule if you keep the following things in mind.

  1. Create a list of all things that will need to be completed during the project. For example, if remodeling a kitchen, you will have to plan for plumbing, interior wall work, painting and initial demolition. List each type of work and how it relates to the other jobs, and be sure to consider order necessary for things to be completed.
  2. Get time estimates! Be sure to get estimates on how long each project will take and be sure to inquire about any special circumstances, such as wait times for zoning permits and any special order materials.
  3. Mark deadlines on a dedicated calendar! Be sure to mark the deadlines that you need to meet on a calendar dedicated to the construction project only. Then, move these deadlines back a week to allow for circumstances and extra room.  If you work backwards, marking in the last part of the project and taking into account how long it will take, this will make it easier for you to stay on schedule. Go back through the calendar until ALL construction project parts are listed with deadlines.
  4. Go over and tweak your calendar each week. Sometimes a contractor or one step of the project will be completed with extra time available. Call the next contractor to see if he can start his part a few days early. Always call contractors about a week early to confirm dates and start times. If any changes need to be made, make sure to adjust the entire calendar accordingly.

If you follow these four tips, you will save yourself money and time and your construction project will stay on task until completion.  You will also be organized and be able to keep contractors happy that their schedule has been accounted for, which makes for a smoother experience and completion of project!

Dividing a construction project between architect and builder can cause problems, the process and lines of responsibility can be ignored, increasing the possibility of costly items falling through the cracks and being missed. Philippi Quality Construction’s philosophy solves that problem by accepting full responsibility for the design and construction. Design/Build means being the customer’s single point of contact with the people who are dedicated to customer’s satisfaction. Just one source will keep everything on track, on time and on budget. THIS is what gives the customers of Philippi Quality Construction more time to plan for opportunities and possibilities.

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Categories : Construction, Maintenance and Repair, Residential
Tags : construction projects, managing contractors, residential construction, scheduling
Posted by Boyd Philippi on
 April 3, 2012
 · 0 Comments

Routine Maintenance Will Extend Your Roof’s Life and Save You Money!

gutter_leavesWhy do you get your oil changed, rotate your tires, or get check-ups on your vehicle? Do you change the filter or get your heating/cooling serviceman out for an annual check-up on your furnace? Why do we do these things regularly?  The answer is for routine and preventative maintenance. We all like to prevent a problem before it occurs, right?

This same principle applies to the roof of your house. Over one million dollars a year is spent on replacing roofs, when simple routine maintenance would have extended the life of the roof.  Algae is one example of a roof issue that regular maintenance can prevent. If you notice dark spots on your roof, you may have algae. More than 75% of roofs have algae present, especially in warm and damp climates. Often, algae has been confused for sap, soot or rust. If algae staining is the only issue, you can get it professionally cleaned and it will extend the life of your roof by many years!

 

Here is a list of routine preventative maintenance to extend the life of your roof:

  • Keep your roof and gutters free of debris. When coming home from getting your oil changed in your car just take a glance up towards your roof. If you notice some trees, shrubs, leaves, and debris, take an hour out of your day and clean it off.  It’s better to only spend one hour of your weekend up on your roof verses all day.  If you wait to do it once a year, you will be spending all of your Saturday doing it.
  • Trim back any overhanging tree branches.
  • Before heading up to clean off your roof, take a pair of binoculars and do a thorough inspection of any broken or missing shingles.
  • With the help of a flashlight, inspect the wood decking under the shingles for any water stains.
  • If you see signs of leaking, don’t wait to get it repaired. The longer you wait the sooner you will need to replace your roof.

Here are a few roofing safety tips:

  • When using a ladder always make sure to have it on a level and sturdy surface.
  • Have a spotter! The spotter will hold the ladder and make sure you get on the roof safely.
  • Before getting on the roof you should make sure to have the spot cleaned off. If the surface is wet or full of debris, you have a greater chance of slipping.
  • Check the weather before cleaning or doing maintenance on your roof.

Don’t have time or energy to do preventative maintenance on your roof? Save yourself the headache of roof maintenance and hire a professional! A local construction or roofing company has all of the tools and proper gear to work on your roof. Philippi Quality Construction is a local and experienced company that can help you with roof maintenance to ensure it lives a long life and does not need premature replacing.

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Categories : Construction, Maintenance and Repair, Residential
Tags : preventative roof maintenance, residential roofing, roof maintenance
Posted by Boyd Philippi on
 March 27, 2012
 · 0 Comments

Enjoy Spring in Wisconsin On Your New and Updated Deck

 

Applying_Deck_StainSpring in Wisconsin means the beginning of longer days in the sunlight, beautiful weather, and months ahead of spending more time outside than indoors. When the first day of spring comes, what do you think of? Enjoying the smell of the fresh air or the smell of the first time you mow your lawn? Spring is a great time to start planning your first cook out, enjoying a quiet dinner with your family after a long day of work, or even taking time out for yourself and enjoying the peaceful, brisk spring air with a good book.  Finally, you can put the snow blower and snowmobiles away, and all of the other “toys” that reminds you of winter.

What better place to relax and enjoy spring than in the comfort of your own home?

There is nothing like enjoying all of these wonderful spring activities than right on your own, custom-built deck! Now is the time to start the work on that “dream deck” you have always wanted.  Designing your own deck is exciting, and it is a dream that CAN come true, with the help of experts like Philippi Quality Construction in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.  If you already have a deck, you may want to repair it or even add on to give it a new and better look. When designing a new look for your dream deck or your existing one, you can set your limit. Constructing a deck can be simple; however, it still requires planning and preparation.  The more you take the time to prepare and plan, the more you will get out of it. Always keep in mind that a local professional can help you along with the process of designing and building your dream deck.

There are many things to consider for a deck:

  • Materials
  • Size
  • Location
  • Design

fhb181giFC-01_lgDo you want to save the time and frustration? You can have your spring in Wisconsin dreams come true and get the custom-built deck you’ve always wanted!  

 

Need and estimate? Contact  Philippi Quality Construction for your free estimate!

 

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Categories : Construction, Residential
Tags : custom built deck, residential construction
Posted by Boyd Philippi on
 March 22, 2012
 · 0 Comments

Factors to Consider in Hospital Design and Construction

sxrayroomBecause hospitals provide a wide range of services and are made up of many functional units, they are the most complex of building types. Hospitals have diagnostic and treatment functions, such as clinical laboratories, imaging, emergency rooms, and surgery; hospitality functions, such as food service and housekeeping; and inpatient care or bed-related functions. Good hospital design integrates functional requirements with the human needs of its varied users. This need for diverse functions is reflected in the breadth and specificity of regulations, codes, and oversight that govern hospital construction and operations. Each of the wide-ranging and constantly evolving functions of a hospital, including highly complicated mechanical, electrical, and telecommunications systems, requires specialized knowledge and expertise.  Hospital design is also influenced by site restraints and opportunities, climate, surrounding facilities, budget, and available technology.  All hospitals should have certain common attributes, regardless of their location, size or budget.

 

Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness

An efficient hospital layout should promote staff efficiency by minimizing distance of necessary travel between frequently used spaces; allow visual supervision of patients; provide an efficient logistics system for supplies and food (and removal of waste); make efficient use of multi-purpose spaces and consolidate spaces when possible.

Flexibility and Expandability

Medical needs and modes of treatment will continue to change. Therefore, hospitals should follow modular concepts of space planning and layout; use generic room sizes and plans as much as possible; use modular, easily accessed, and easily modified mechanical and electrical systems; and be open-ended, with well-planned directions for future expansion.

Therapeutic Environment

Patients and visitors should perceive a hospital as unthreatening, comfortable, and stress-free. The interior designer plays a major role in this effort to create a therapeutic environment.  For example, this can be accomplished by using cheerful and varied colors and textures, by allowing ample natural light wherever feasible, by providing views of the outdoors from every patient bed, and by designing a “way-finding” process into every environment.

Cleanliness and Sanitation

Hospitals must be easy to clean and maintain. This is facilitated by appropriate, durable finishes for each functional space; careful detailing of such features as doorframes, casework, and finish transitions to avoid dirt-catching and hard-to-clean crevices and joints; and adequate and appropriately located housekeeping spaces.

Accessibility

All areas, both inside and out, should comply with all standards and minimum requirements of Americans with Disability Act, and ensure grades are flat enough to allow easy movement and sidewalks and corridors are wide enough for two wheelchairs to pass easily.

Security and Safety

Hospitals have several particular security concerns, such as protection of patients and staff, hospital property and assets (including drugs), and also vulnerability to terrorism because of high visibility. Security and safety must be built into the design with these things in mind.

Sustainability

Hospitals are large public buildings that have a significant impact on the environment and economy of the surrounding community. They are heavy users of energy and water and produce large amounts of waste. Because of this, sustainable design must be considered when designing and building hospitals.

Philippi Quality Construction

With more than 20 years of experience as designers and builders in healthcare facilities, Philippi Quality Construction understands that expanding your current facility or building a new one is the most exciting yet challenging endeavor your organization will ever experience. A successful hospital design and building project requires careful planning. Philippi Quality Construction’s team approach to architecture and construction eliminates problems by accepting full responsibility for the design and construction, resulting in a smooth experience.  For more information about Philippi’s team approach to hospital building and design, go to www.manitowocconstruction.com.

 

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Categories : Commercial, Construction, Health Care Facilities
Tags : hospital construction, hospital design
Posted by Boyd Philippi on
 March 15, 2012
 · 0 Comments

Three Upcoming Events in Northeast Wisconsin for Builders and Contractors!

Check out three upcoming events in Northeast Wisconsin presented by the Wisconsin Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.  Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national trade association for the construction industry, which actively promotes the merit shop form of construction. ABC is an effective force in business development, education, labor relations and industry legislation.

Contractor Lien Rights:

Wednesday, March 21st  

9:30 am to 12 pm

Appleton (Location TBD)

Fee:  $90 per person

Presenter:  Attorney Brian Mullins

Contractors, subcontractors and suppliers should not have to worry about payment. If you preserve your lien rights, you can have the owner’s property sold to get you paid, even if you do not have a contract directly with the owner, and even if the owner has paid the general contractor. All too often contractors, subcontractors and suppliers lose their lien rights by either failing to properly follow the procedural requirements for preserving their lien rights, or by signing a lien waiver which has not been properly prepared. Did you know that it is illegal in Wisconsin for an owner or a title company to require that you provide a lien waiver before you are paid? Don’t let it happen to you!

During this seminar Attorney Mullins will share with you the lessons learned from representing the general contractor in Wisconsin’s key construction lien law case.  Of the 12 lien claimants in that lawsuit, only his client had properly preserved their lien rights. In addition, Attorney Mullins will discuss.

• How to preserve your lien rights

• Common pitfalls to avoid

• Value of preserving your rights

• Best practices for lien waivers

• Theft by contractor

Membership Networking & Business Development Reception:

Wednesday, March 21st at 5 to 6:30 pm

Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, 333 W. College Ave, Appleton

Free event (preregistration required 48 hours prior to event)

Join fellow ABC members for a casual networking event for an opportunity to build relationships with area members or strengthen those contacts you already have. Some of the top leaders in ABC-WI will be present. This is a free event, but ABC-WI needs to know if you are attending to be sure to have enough hors d’oeuvres available. Be sure to bring your business cards!

Fundamentals of Crew Leadership:

Tuesdays, March 27th, April 3rd, April 10th, April 17th, April 24th

Time: 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Manitowoc, Location:  TBD

Instructor: Mike Schumacher, Valders Stone & Marble

Fee:  $125 for each employee of an ABC of WI member; $195 for each non-member invited guest

A $40 book is included in the fee!  15-hour course will teach the skills necessary to be an effective leader. As a crew leader, you need to understand how to manage materials, equipment, and labor in order to work in a cost-effective manner.

Skills covered::

  • Communication skills:  verbal, written and visual
  • Listening and giving feedback
  • Tailoring messages for a particular crew
  • Overcoming communication barriers
  • Employee motivators
  • Team building
  • Implementing company policies and procedures
  • Gender and minority issues associated with a changing workforce
  • Steps in problem solving
  • Addressing poor attitudes
  • Responsibilities for jobsite safety
  • Detecting substance abuse
  • Setting daily and weekly work objectives
  • Five steps to effective planning
  • Writing daily work plans and diaries
  • Planning for equipment, tools, and labor
  • Estimating quantities of materials
  • Using SIPS – Short-Interval Production Scheduling
  • Controlling job costs
  • Causes/corrections of cost overrides

For more information about these events, or to register, go to http://www.abcwi.org/ or call 1-800-236-2224 or 1-608-244-5883.

 

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Categories : Education and Seminars
Tags : builders and contractors, business development, contractor lien rights, crew leadership
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Recent Posts

  • Four Tips to Schedule and Manage Construction Projects With Ease!
  • Routine Maintenance Will Extend Your Roof’s Life and Save You Money!
  • Enjoy Spring in Wisconsin On Your New and Updated Deck
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