Category: construction

Posted in construction

Try not to spill anything

Posted on by William Douthwaite

While building permit boxes on poles are at every construction site, this was the first Emergency Spill Kit I’ve seen in front of a new house going up in the neighborhood. Environmentally it’s a good idea, but what kind of spills are we talking about here?

When a dumpster shows up in a front yard, people throw in every sort of trash imaginable. Typical construction waste includes scrap wood, boxes, bags, insulation, wire, broken cinder blocks, bent nails, concrete bags, and shingles. Add to that food wrappers, empty water bottles, bags of trash, and a mattress (there’s always a mattress).

But nothing hazardous. No oil or toxic chemicals or nuclear waste or old moldy food, or a dead animal. At least, I don’t think any of those things would appear on property. It’s better to be safe than sorry, but the need for it seems remote.

I couldn’t find any local statutes requiring an emergency spill kit. Yet here it is, along with a no trespassing sign, a few old tires (there’s always a few old tires), and some discarded rebar.

Oh, and a bag of Taco Bell trash. Not that might be a problem…

Posted in construction

I think this builder might be crooked

Posted on by William Douthwaite

This is a brand new house just a few blocks away from mine. They just laid the sod and no one has moved in yet.

But the garage door looks like that.

I have to believe it was a poor install. I’ve opened and closed my garage door at least once a day for the last 29 years, and it’s never done that. I had to replace the spring and the opener, but it still rides along the track nicely.

I’m thankful that my builder hired good subs and did a great job for us. He only built eight houses a year, so he wasn’t churning them out like I’ve seen recently. It’s hard to find any sub-contractors now, much less good ones. Friends of mine had a whole year of repairs before the builder finished up fixing everything in their newly built home.

If I were a builder, I’d be embarrassed to have my name on the sign in front of this house. Isn’t your product supposed to be your best advertisement?

Posted in construction

It’s just a bit early for that, don’t you think?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
It’s 6:15 and they’r at it already

The big dog and I got out just before sunrise for our morning walk. It was worth it being out early, when the early morning clouds are painted just about every shade of pink there could possibly be.

But it was noisy. Typically at that hour the only thing I hear is bird song and a panting dog. A low roar in the distance puzzled me. When we rounded the first bend in the road, I saw what was going on. Masons had fired up a small concrete mixer, preparing mortar to finish brickwork on a house under construction. I glanced at my watch. 6:15 am.

I said out loud, “I’ll bet the neighbors love this!” I don’t know if the workers heard me. Too much noise. I always thought they couldn’t start work till about 8 am. I know it’s a lot cooler in the morning, but that’s early to crank up the power tools.

Towards the end of our walk, another neighbor was loudly trimming his hedges. I glanced at my watch. 6:45 am.

Oh, come on. Really? You don’t think any of your neighbors are still sleeping? Give me a break.

I know these are hot summer days. It’s so much better to get outdoor work done in the cooler, early morning hours. But this is ridiculous.

Posted in construction

Just a little off?

Posted on by William Douthwaite

I’m not a builder. I’ve never built a house. I know little about construction. But I have a question. Does that doorway look right to you? Does that right column look vertical?

Hey I was just walking down the street with my dog Samson, when I saw this. Is that going to pass inspection? Is the homeowner going to be OK with that? Personally, I’d be pretty disappointed. I am sure someone is paying $200k+ for the house!

The demand for housing is high. Houses are popping up on lots in days. This does not look good.