Meet Jeremy | The New Guy

Jeremy started working for HA Construction in March of this year. While he may be the newbie of the crew, we see him sticking around for awhile.

Jeremy moved from Florida to the Springfield area in August of 2014 to be closer to his parents. His dad was injured in an accident, so Jeremy brought his daughter to the area to be closer to her grandparents. He discovered the job opening with HA Construction and the rest, we hope, is history in the making.

“I do whatever they ask,” he says of his work for the company.  “We’ve done a wide variety since I’ve been here: hung ceilings, worked on some floors, poured concrete, hauled bricks…” But Jeremy likes the diversity of work and the opportunity to show his skills in several areas. His background is in framing, and he’s working in construction off and on for the last decade.

“I’ve worked for a few different people. Andy here has a good heart. I think he cares and he wants to do a good job. He’s definitely involved and it’s been a joy to work for him so far. Some places it’s a number syndrome where you’re just a person coming in to work – I’ve worked in other places where you go to talk to someone and they don’t even know your name. But when Andy stops by he’ll talk to you for awhile – he’s down to earth which is nice.”

Working on the master bedroom/bathroom addition has been Jeremy’s favorite project so far. “Other then the fact that for two days I had to haul all of this brick out of here by wheelbarrow to a trailer, which pushed the limits of what I like to do,” he jokes.  “But we got through it and it’s been great framing this. I know a little about that stuff so it’s been easy, and Nick and I get along pretty well so it’s just been smooth.”

What’s Jeremy’s favorite part of working for HA Construction so far? “Seeing it come together – from the ground up, the progress – and when it’s finished, that’s the coolest part.”  

Meet Nick | HA Construction’s Framing Guy

Nick Lewis has been working for HA Construction for a little over four years now. He is our go-to framing guy, though he has a wide range of skills. Nick did custom house framing in California for 10 years before moving back to Missouri about five year ago – he had family here and was looking for a slower paced life than the California scene.

“Since working for Andy, I’ve learned a lot of different skills,” Nick says. The newest being laying hardwood floors;  he really enjoys laying tile flooring too. Every now and then, Nick fills in where he’s needed, but his framing work is unmatched in our books.

Nick says that it’s the variety of what HA Construction has to offer that makes the company stand out among competitors. “If you have a job that has a lot of different items that need to be done, we can cover it all. You don’t have to go to different contractors to get it all done. We can take care of it all and the projects don’t get dragged out – we’re efficient too. We pride ourselves on having good communication with the customers and making sure they’re informed on what we’re doing and our schedule.”

“Andy and Lisa are good people and it rubs off when you work for them,” Nick says. “Work is never an issue – Andy keeps us busy and there is definitely job security. It’s never mundane – we’re constantly doing something different. The job is always a surprise, to a point.”

One might say that last fall, Nick got the ultimate job site surprise. HA Construction acquired a job replacing over 600 windows in an apartment complex. Nick was in charge of the window project, and that’s how he met Heather, the office manager for the complex. Because of the nature of the job, the two of them worked together every day and soon started spending time together outside of the job site. On Valentine’s Day, Nick proposed and the two will be married in May of 2016. Talk about a job perk!

In his spare time, Nick is a radio-controlled gas powered racecar enthusiast. He’s pictured here with his nephew and all his racing gear. In 2013, he received forth place at the nationals in Texas, and he’s received various other trophies and awards with his racing skills. HA Construction is proud to be a sponsor for Nick’s car – we like seeing our decals on it, especially when he wins!

The Hassle of Connecting to the City Sewer System

Kelly, a Springfield, Missouri resident, received a letter from the City of Springfield a few months ago that she wasn’t prepared for. Her family was growing and attempting to move into a larger home to accommodate that, but the letter put a damper on plans. According to the letter, the city would be connecting Kelly’s northside home, and several others in the Woodland Heights neighborhood, to the city sewer lines. And Kelly’s family had few options.

Construction is to begin in October of this year, and the estimated cost per household is $16,000. While the city’s assistance program implemented in 1999 will put a cap on that cost at $8,300 (plus the expense of connecting their home to the sewer line through a plumbing service), this is still a large, unplanned expense for Kelly’s family (and likely many others).

While one would concede that connecting this homes to the city sewer line is probably a good idea, and that doing so is a strong recommendation (requirement?) through the EPA and Missouri Department of Natural Resources, it certainly isn’t without significant drawbacks. Inconvenient construction, torn up yards and a large bill make it virtually impossible for Kelly’s family to sell their home until the project is done and, even then, it will still be difficult.

The Cost

Let’s talk about the most obvious downside to a new sewer system: the wad of cash home owners have to pay out.  Upon completion of the project, the City of Springfield a tax bill to homeowners/business owner within that sewer district. The cost to each customer is calculated with the following formula: (District Cost / District Square Footage) * Property Owner Square Footage = Property Owner Cost. The City does offer repayment options, in addition to the cost cap, which are:

• Pay the tax bill in full within 30 days
• An installment plan that basically treats the tax bill like a 15 year loan, including interest. Property owners pay 1/15th of the bill once a year after the issuance of the tax bill. Payment in full can be provided at any time.
• Apply for a grant to cover the cost of the sewer line. However, if Kelly’s family qualifies for this option, they cannot sell the home within five years, or they have to pay back the grant.

The Need

As much of a nuisance as this is, if you live within the city limits of Springfield, or any other municipality for that matter, it really is to your benefit and the benefit of those around you to be connected to the city sewer system. Being a part of the city sewer system has the following benefits:

• According to the City of Springfield, it reduces the potential for health hazards and ground water contamination.
• The geology of the Ozarks is generally considered intolerable of septic systems, causing them to fail frequently.
• Scientific America points out that most people prefer to be hooked up to city sewer because, once you are, the burden of keeping the system running properly outside of your property falls on the municipalities.
• Less chance of backup (which can happen frequently with a septic system) because the water is sent to a treatment plant rather than resting in a tank on your property.
• City systems are better equipped to handle extended or heavy periods of precipitation that a septic system may not be able to bear.

Because of the risk of ground water contamination, Springfield and Greene Country require a minimum 30 acre tract size of land for septic systems and, obviously, most homes in the Woodland Heights neighborhood don’t meet that criteria. So, while Kelly and her neighbors are somewhat backed into a corner both legally (see our article on Easements) and, and the sale of their home will likely have to wait, being on a city sewer system is better in the bigger picture.

One might argue that the financial burden should solely fall on the city, with the exception of hooking a home or business up to the new system. But that is a post for another day.

Communicating With Your Contractor Effectively

Okay, so you’ve hired someone to do a home repair or remodel. You have in your mind exactly what you want the end result to look like, so it’s time to sit down with your contractor and give him all the details.

But, when it comes time to make a plan of action, you find your contractor has ideas that are a little different than yours, or tells you certain things can’t be done. And suddenly you’re wondering if maybe you hired the wrong person for the job.

Don’t fret. Don’t let the fact that your contractor knows more about construction work intimidate you. You also don’t want to get overbearing and insist upon things your way, despite your lack of industry know-how.

Instead, find a common ground. Utilize these tips to make sure you get what you want, while still allowing the contractor to give you the best possible results.

1. Pick the Right Person for the Job

Once your determine you want a project done, choose the right contractor. Don’t just hoard estimates and pick the cheapest one. Take the time to interview the top candidates in person; tell each what you’re wanting to do and your budget and see how it goes. View some of their completed projects and talk to previous clients to see what the process was like.

You want someone whose personality meshes with yours so that you can communicate effectively throughout the process. You have to be able to get along – and even laugh – because even the best projects have a hiccup or two. You also want someone that clearly listens to your ideas.

2. Be on the Same Page With Your Spouse

Your contractor doesn’t want to play marriage counselor or mediator – at least not without charging your for it. If there is more than one person making the decisions about the remodeling project, then you need to come to a consensus about what you want and your budget long before hiring a contractor. There will be moments in the process where questions come up or decisions have to be made, in which case you and your spouse (roommate, sibling, what-have-you) should take some time to discuss it in private and give the contractor an answer once you agree.

3. Make a Plan

You need to sit down with your contractor and discuss exactly what you want and allow him to tell you what can be done (and how) and what can’t. This is the time that you will address how you can’t knock out that wall to open up the kitchen because it’s load bearing – but you can put in a support beam or a pass through to open up the space and still provide structural integrity for your home.

Remember, you may not have all of the information when you envision your renovated space. Be willing to hear your contractor out and work together to make a plan that you can both live with and stick to throughout the entire process. Be sure to communicate your “must have” items and the ones you’re willing to compromise on to get the job done efficiently.

4. Be a Good Sport

Effective communication with your contractor means that you treat him the way you would want to be treated in his shoes. Be patient. Be gracious and kind (but not a doormat). Understand that delays happen. Obviously, if no one is showing up for work when they are supposed to and things aren’t being done the way you agreed without more communication, then your contractor isn’t doing his part. But if he and his team are always there on time and working hard to get you what you want, then there is no reason why you shouldn’t cut them some slack.

And bringing them lemonade and snacks every once in awhile doesn’t hurt much either.

Getting Your Kids Involved with DIY Projects

We all have them… small projects on the to-do list for around the home that never seem to get done, what for all the distractions that life keeps us busy with… namely our children.

But, hold on just one second! What if we actually got the kids involved  with some of those projects? After all, it would keep their little hands busy for awhile, you’d be able to check something off your to-do list for a change, and (best of all) you’d be creating memories.

Here are a few ideas from HA Construction for including your kids in home projects, and bonding with them in new ways.

Simple Tasks

Start with the easy things to help your child build confidence. Give him or her little projects around the house such as:

• Tightening screws in the door knob
• Replacing lightbulbs (a great learning opportunity on electricity and ladder safety)
• Changing batteries in the smoke detectors
• Replacing the furnace filter

Paint a Room

Number one on the “get your kids involved” list is painting a room together. Yes, it’s messy. And, yes, they won’t have the skills of a professional painter. But you will have a blast doing it together and (bonus!) the dining room will finally get done!

Start by removing all the excess furnishings and completely covering the floor in drop clothes – you certainly don’t want to take any chances with small hands likely to splatter paint in any direction. To prevent tracking paint into other rooms, buy disposable plastic shoe covers (they look a lot like shower caps that go over your shoes). Instruct your kids to put them on when they’re in the room painting, and take them off right at the door if they have to leave the room for any reason.

Now that you have the messy aspects of the project taken care of, show your kids how it’s done. For older children, let them help you tape things off. And most all kids can handle a roller and the lower portion of the wall while you do the trim. But before you commence painting the “right” way, take some smaller brushes and draw/write on the walls with the paint. Write your names, draw pictures of each other, outline each other on the wall – anything to make it loads of fun before the serious part begins. It wouldn’t hurt to have a little paint fight if they get board later in the process either.

Landscaping

What kid doesn’t love getting his hands dirty? While we’re not talking the perfect placement of stone for a beautiful walkway, there are many parts of the landscaping process that your kids would love to get involved in. Give her a trowel and tell her where to dig holes for your annual flowers. Have him help you spread mulch around before the fall frost. Take her out once a week with you and have a contest to see who can pull the most weeds.

You can even take your kids to the plant nursery with you so that they can each pick out their own special plant to add to your landscape beauty. It will be theirs to care for and watch grow. What a special way to get them involved.

Build Something

For younger kids, take on a small project such as a window planter or bird house. Older kids and teens do well to help with larger projects, such building a shed. Have them help to spot you on the ladder when you’re up high (even if you don’t need it), and hand you the tools you need – both tasks make them feel important. There are also several ways your kids can use tools to feel like they’ve accomplished something, without the large risk for injury, including:

• Reading the bubble in the level for you
• Removing nails with a hammer
• Measure for you before you cut
• Use a manual screwdriver (great time to teach “lefty-loosy/righty-tighty”)

Creating Memories, too

Getting your kids involved with these activities is not just about knocking them off the to-do list – it’s really about building memories and teaching life skills. With that in mind, remember to be patient. Don’t put too much on your child at once. Involving your children changes the purpose of the project – it’s no longer about efficiency and perfection, but about your kids. After all, we’re learning here!

It takes a lot of patience, so you’re going to have to overcome the urge to snatch the hammer out of your daughter’s hand and do it yourself. Learning takes time, so pick your projects carefully and utilize the opportunity to build your child’s self-esteem – congratulate him on a job well done (even if it doesn’t meet your standards!).

Finally, if you’re going to invite your kids to join you at the hardware store, don’t bother telling them it will be fun – there is nothing more boring than watching you go through paint samples or chose the right sized screw. Instead, use it as a learning opportunity and then go do something fun afterward, like playing at the park.

Construction Terms Defined

Have you ever felt like an outsider – trying very hard to keep up with a conversation when terms you’ve never heard before are thrown out by the dozen? You may feel like that when you’re dealing with a construction project around your home. Generally, Andy and his crew will explain things to you in more laymen terms so that you’re all on the same page. But, you may hear them talking to each other about something during your project and want more understanding of what’s going on.

Certainly you can ask Andy and the HA Construction crew what it all means, but we thought we’d save you a little time and help you feel more in-the-loop by providing definitions for some common construction terms right here. As an added bonus, you’ll feel more attune to what’s going on in your home right from the start.

• Amp (ampere) – the rate of flow of electricity through wires
• Apron – (a) the flat portion of a window’s inside trim, placed between the wall and window sill; (b) the concrete slab at the end of a driveway or at the approach to a garage door
• Astragal – the molding “door stop” for French doors, attached to one of the doors to keep them from hitting each other
• Ballast – limits the flow of electricity into a light bulb (required on all fluorescents)
• Batt Insulation – insulation that is pieced together, resembling a blanket, and often made of fiberglass (see Loose Fill Insulation)
• Bearing Wall – a wall that supports the structure above it in addition to its own weight (i.e. not a wall that can be removed unless another support is put in place, such as a large beam)
• Chase – an opening for pipes and ducts made in the wall or floor
• Clinch – after hammering a nail into two items, bending the point of it to “lock” the pieces
• Cup – when a board warps so that it is no longer level
• Damper ­– a valve for controlling the flow of air
• Dormer Window – a window protruding, like a box, from a sloping roof
• Drip – a protection from a window, door frame or roof that keeps water from running back under decking, windows or doors
• Eminent Domain – the right of governments or public service organizations to claim a certain portion of private property for public use (will often come up during the building process)
• Fascia – the board that covers the end of rafters along roof eaves
• Flashing – material used around roof intersections and projections (such as chimneys or vent pipes) in order to prevent water leaks
• Girder – a beam used to support floor joists
• Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) – a safety circuit breaker, required in bathrooms, that trips the circuit instantaneously if the voltage gets too high
• Hose Bibb – a faucet outside the house for hose attachment
• HVAC – the common term used in reference to heating, ventilation and airc-conditioning
• Inlay – a design set into the surface of a material
• Joist – the supports that bear the weight for ceiling or floor that run parallel to one another, usually made of wood
• Light – a pane of glass
• MDF – “medium density fiberboard” often used for interior trim
• Moisture Barrier – paper or metal treated to help prevent moisture from getting into walls or floors in order to deter damage
• Newel – the bottom most post where the rail ends for a staircase
• OG (Ogee) – a molding that has an ‘S’ curve
• On Center – the measurement from the center of one stud ,rafter, joist, etc. to another
• Plumb – vertical or perpendicular
• Punch-out – referring to the process of adjusting minor deficiencies at the end of a project
• Rake (Rake Board) – the underside of a gabled roof that hangs over the building edge
• Rebar – shorted term for reinforced bar, which are steel robs used to reinforce concrete
• Resin – a sticky substance from tree sap or synthetically created to add color, often to a varnish or paint
• Sash – the frame of a window that holds the glass
• Scaffold – a structure temporarily erected to help contractors work for extended periods at large heights
• Setback – the distance from the front of a building to the front property line (or street)
• Subflooring – plywood nailed to floor joists to form a base for finishing the floor
• Toenail – driving a nail into a surface at an angle
• Tongue & Groove (T&G) – a method of fitting two boards together
• Turnkey – an all-inclusive project, in which the builder handles everything from the initial design plans to the moment he hands you the keys to the finished project
• Wane – a defect in lumber where the bark has not been fully removed from an edge
• Wet Wall – the wall that houses the main plumbing fixtures for a home

Of course, this list just scratches the surface of terms you might hear around the construction site. For a more extensive study of construction terms, check out these other resources:

• U.S. Department of Interior’s PDF document of maintenanceand construction terms
• Construction Jargon -- enter a term in the search box for a definition

Permit Requirements for Construction in Springfield, Missouri

Wait! Stop! Don’t shovel out one ounce of dirt for the home your having built, the addition on the back of the house, or the bathroom renovation!

While some are surprised to hear this, you actually can’t start construction on any project within Springfield city limits without first obtaining the necessary permits. If you’ve hired a contractor like HA Construction, Andy will assist you in obtaining the permits necessary before any work begins. However, if you’re tackling the project yourself, or have hired someone that insists you take care of the approval aspect of the work, then it’s a good idea to be familiar with the requirements.

When you visit the City of Springfield website, you’ll find a lot of information on what sort of permits there are and when you need them.  Here’s a little help deciphering it all.

Building Permits

Taken directly from the City of Springfield website, a building permit is required to:

“…construct, enlarge, alter, move or demolish a structure; or change the occupancy of a building or structure requiring greater strength, exit or sanitary provisions; or to change to another use; or to install or alter any equipment for which provision is made or the installation of which is regulated by the Building Code.”

The term “alter” there may seem a little bit vague. After reading those requirements, you might find yourself thinking that you need a permit for anything you do to your home. However, that’s not the case. Take it straight from Andy, “alter” here means altering the layout of a structure. Repairs to an existing structure, even if you change the materials used, doesn’t require a permit.

For example, if you were to knock out a wall to enlarge the size of a room, then you would need a permit from the city because you are changing the layout of the home and, thus, the occupancy of the room. But, if you were to, say, replace the siding on your house, then it’s considered simply a repair. You’re not altering the foundational structure of the home and, therefore, do not need a permit. Another example would be your porch: if you making it larger, you need a permit, but if you change the material from wood to concrete and don’t change the size of the porch, you do not need a permit.

When a permit is necessary, you or the contractor must submit an application and provide plans for the project. For small projects, such as expanding your front porch, the city only requires a basic drawing of the changes. However, larger projects (such as building a new house or adding a room) require engineered blueprints from an architect for approval.

Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing Permits

While the permits are different for each of these categories, determining whether you need one is relatively simple across the board.

Anyone who does electrical, mechanical or plumbing work on your property MUST be licensed with the city. This is without question. In general, you need a permit for these things if it’s changing the current service. Under that standard, none of the following examples require a permit:

• Replacing a broken outlet
• Replacing a worn out ceiling fan
• Getting a new faucet
• Replacing or repairing a garage door
• Obtaining new flooring
• Painting
• Getting new roof shingles
• Building a portable out-building that’s less than 100 square feet in size

However, putting in an outlet where there wasn’t one before, running new HVAC lines, and changing the layout of a bathroom require permits, because they are changing the existing service. Additionally, replacing a HVAC system, sewer lines, gas lines or water lines in your home requires a permit because of the nature of the repair/replacement. Of note, only a licensed contractor can obtain a permit for these services. While homeowners may be able to get permits for other household repairs, they cannot for the replacement of these crucial systems.

Sprinkler Systems

What may surprise you is that installing a sprinkler system, whether underground or within a building, requires a separate “FIS” permit in addition to plumbing or electrical permits. According to the City of Springfield:

“Permits will no longer be issued based on the building permit submittals unless the entire system (underground and building), including the calculations, are included as part of the building permit submittals.”

The process is a bit complicated, so it’s better to read the Administrative Ruling 2007-01 on Sprinkler permits and/or call the city for more information.

Count on the City for Help

Springfield city officials are there to help you. They’re not out to fine everyone for doing things wrong and they don’t go around patrolling for problems. If you’re having a hard time obtaining a permit for a project, you can count on city officials to guide you in what you and the contractor need to do in order to get the project approved.

Get information on the permits required for a project directly from the city. Don’t trust your neighbor or even your contractor to know what the latest rules and requirements are – it’s better to simply ask the experts.

Andy and HA Construction believe that it’s important for you, the homeowner, to be informed. It makes working together to complete your project in an adequate and timely manner that much easier. Knowing the regulations regarding permits in the city of Springfield is the first step in giving you more than satisfactory results from Andy and his team.

Summer Swarms are Coming – Guard Your Home from Bug Invasion

The ants go marching...

The ants filed in many a window sill the last few weeks: creeping into sinks of dirty dishes, making their way across counter tops, and marching in the creases of pantries.

You may have also noticed a few more cellar spiders this spring, or friendly little roaches scurrying across your kitchen floor. Maybe you have an obnoxious cricket keeping you awake at night.

None of these bug problems are uncommon, but this summer they will be abnormally high in number, since our mild winter means more larvae survived the dormant season to pop into the world this spring. And while Terro poison helps get rid of ants after they arrive, and you can have a pest control service build a pesticide barrier around your home, it may not be enough to fend the creepy crawlies off this time around.

Take a Walking Tour of Your Home

It’s time to do an inspection into the condition of your home, both inside and out. Not just curb appeal or aesthetic. You really need to think like a bug for this challenge. Take a walk around the exterior of your home, and we’re talking close quarters, and look for small cracks, crevices and any opening bugs can travel through. Obviously, it’s going to be difficult to find ones that are ant size with the naked eye (and most ants gain access from underground, so that part of your interior inspection), but you need to find problem areas that give bugs free access to your dwelling.

hornet nest on soffit

After you’ve checked siding and foundation, examine the frames around doors and windows, both inside and out. Are the frames flush with your siding and walls? When you close your exterior doors, can you see any light coming in? These things aren’t only bad for your energy bill, but it’s like having a welcome mat out for the critters of this world, and they won’t likely wipe their feet when they enter.

What about your soffit and fascia (the underside of the roof where it hangs over your house – usually where the gutters are located)? If they’re not in good shape, with loose siding or rotting wood, then you’ve just invited a neighborhood of wasps to nest there.

Eliminate Access All Together

Especially this year, now is the time to get the things on your to-do list for your home’s exterior done, so the bugs stay out. Andy and his crew at HA Construction can take the stress out of the project by replacing or repairing siding, securing door and window frames properly, and making your soffit like brand new. Don’t allow your home to have communal access for the grass dwellers. Take action before the swarms hit this summer.