I have posted in the past about Sawmill Hollow Farm.  This is more than just a family farm, though these days that in and of itself is pretty cool.  This farm is owned and managed by the Pittz family who are agricultural pioneers.  They have returned the aronia berry, a native, super high antioxidant fruit to production in America. In addition to growing aronia berries they have also worked tirelessly to develop honest, high quality supplements and other happy health products that do not seek to deceive the consumer.  Turns out that is a pretty rare commodity.

I am proud that Sawmill Hollow Farm has been recognized as one of the 51 companies shaping the future of natural and organic products.  Given that this is an organization run by just three people and they are introducing entirely new product that is pretty amazing.  I encourage you to join me in voting for Sawmill Hollow Farms as a stand out in this group of extraordinary companies, which you can do here.

To learn more about this exceptional farm and Family you can visit their website.

What is the Design-Build process? How does it work?

The design-build process creates a single source of responsibility to take a project from concept to completion.  This not only removes the frustration of shifting blame between the design and construction phases of a project, but it also allows for a team approach to problem solving.

Once a basic concept has been developed, we arrange a charrette which is a design meeting that pulls together all of the major stakeholders in a project.  Typically this meeting will include the homeowner, the design team, the production manager, the carpenters, the electrician, the HVAC contractor, the plumber, the landscaper, and others.  This meeting allows us to identify possible problems early in the process. It also allows us to design with more detail by bringing together and harvesting the knowledge base of each trade.

What are advantages of the Design-Build process?

1. Reduced Problems – By bringing everyone into the process to work together, problems are more easily identified and solved in the design phase.
2. Reduced Frustration – In the traditional approach in which one company does the design and another does the construction, there is an ongoing ping-pong match of blame. In the design-build approach, the designer and the contractor work together as a team, resulting in a cohesive and cooperative process.
3. Reduced Resistance – With shared responsibility comes a shared motivation to solve problems. In the traditional approach, more effort goes into denying responsibility than taking it. The design-build approach allows for increased team work, reduced stress, and an easier path to problem solving.
4. Improved Designs – Designers are not construction experts. When a contractor is placed on the design team with shared responsibility, you can bet that design is going to be mindful of difficulties that can arise in construction. The design-build process allows for very detailed designs that consider fine details.
5. Cost Savings – If handled properly, savings do not come in the design phase. In fact, as designs become more detailed they can also become more expensive. The return comes from improved cost engineering and reduced problems during construction.  A designer cannot be expected to understand material and labor considerations of the construction process, much less each trade in the process.  When asked to be a part of value-engineering in the design-phase, trade contractors are often able to make recommendations that cut costs without compromising quality.

Eight key points that will help you select the right contractor for you and your remodeling project.

1. Professional Standing: A good place to start when considering a contractor is their professional standing.  Find out what professional organizations they belong to. You can also check their standing with the Better Business Bureau.  This simple first step is a great way to narrow down your choices, helping you to distinguish between contractors you might want to use and those you do not want to use.
2. Reputation: What do past clients say about the contractor?  Are they frequently recommended? Are they invested in the community in a way that demands integrity?
3. Organized Clean-up: The number one complaint about remodelers is mess.  Ask your potential contractor how they deal with dust when they are installing drywall in a home or how they deal with construction debris.  A quality contractor will have created well trained routines for these basic issues of remodeling and, without hesitation, will be able to provide detailed and reassuring answers.
4. Insurance: It is essential that any contractor you hire maintain necessary insurance to protect your home investment.  This includes general liability and workers liability insurance.
5. Longevity: How long has the contractor been in business? Unfortunately, a great deal of necessary learning comes from trial and error — You do not want your home to be the class room for a young or inexperienced contractor.
6. Comfort:  It is important that you feel comfortable communicating with your contractor.  Will you be comfortable telling this person what you are not happy with?  Do you have confidence that they will listen to you and act on what they hear? The idea of comfort may be difficult to quantify but it is crucial for a good client-contractor relationship.
7. Knowledge Base:  The average home has over two thousand different parts. Most of these parts have hundreds, if not thousands of different options. These options continue to expand and improve as our understanding of issues such as energy loss, insulation, and air tightness increase.  Despite this explosion of new information, many in the construction industry are slow to accept change.  It is important to hire a company that has a culture of intelligence and fosters a learning environment, to ensure you’ll have a contractor with a firm and every growing knowledge base.
8. Control:  All construction projects involve a lot of variables, which if not handled properly can create a bit of chaos. Strong routines, attention to detail, and discipline are characteristics you should seek in a contractor to prevent confusion during your project. To get a sense of the control and orderliness your potential contractor has, ask how they arrive at a price.  While they may not go into the details of markup and margins, they should be able to outline how they arrive at a price for a job.  Be aware that some contractors intentionally come up with an initial low price, which is later inflated with change orders.  Change orders are an inevitable part of any construction project, especially remodeling, but they should not arise because a contractor forgot to include something when bidding. Make sure that your contractor has a methodical and disciplined approach to this crucial part of the job. Usually such a contractor will return a higher bid and get the job done for less.

A vinegar-loving reader who uses it for everything writes to inquire about vinegar’s origins. She heard it may be made with natural gas or petroleum derivatives. “Ask Umbra” uncaps the nuances of vinegar here in this white vinegar  Read More »

18 years ago in December of 1993, I had just finished a degree in psychology, Linda was teaching and our Daughter, Kira, was a baby. I started taking on small remodeling projects intended to last until May when we would move to Austin for graduate school.

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Stearns Construction was named first-place winner of the 2008 Newman 10 Business Performance Award for significant contributions and economic impact on Brazos Valley.