Update Your Knowledge Base ? Attend a Homebuilding Trade Show

As a professional contractor, promoting your business to potential clients is a big part of the job ? so is keeping up to date on changing construction methods, developing technologies, code changes and the latest in equipment.

But where can you forge new contacts and seek out service providers and products for your developing company? You probably already subscribe to one or more trade magazines in order to stay as current as possible.

Every year, thousands of local and national trade shows offer opportunities for contractors, potential customers and product developers to meet face-to-face. The beauty of a trade show is that you can not only compare numerous companies? products, prices and services, you have the opportunity to develop mutually beneficial relationships with new customers and fellow contractors.

Trade shows also present an environment in which vendors compete for your business. As you walk around, you can immediately see business-related solutions firsthand by actually using various products. This affords you the opportunity to discover how easy a product is to work with, how the specs come together to create a final product and more confidently compare the performance of the products.

To Go or Not to Go

So, should you pack a bag, head to the airport and fly to a destination city like Las Vegas, Chicago, or Orlando? Considering the travel and hotel expenses, the actual cost of being away from your business and the fact that most, if not all product information is available in a trade mag or online, why attend a trade show?

Like most trade experts, professional contractors fall into patterns in the way work gets done, the way you access information and where you go to learn about products and techniques. These routines eventually become familiar and even efficient.

Eventually, there's no figuring out how to do things or having to concentrate on every little detail. Routines are important, even vital, but following the same habits day after day inevitably turns into a rut you may not even notice.

Being stuck in a rut in such a competitive industry can easily become a recipe for disaster ? especially since new technologies are increasingly changing the way much of the industry works. The remedy is not to abandon your routines ? just expand them by using new ways to learn, work and communicate.

Walking the floor of a trade show and attending conference sessions can introduce you to varied and relevant products, ideas and people you've never considered. Here are a few tips on making a trade show a positive experience:

Be Prepared

Have a clear idea of what you're looking for before crossing the threshold. Do some research so you have a basic understanding of the products or services in which you're most interested. Consider making a list of needs and wants you feel would be effective additions to your business, but be prepared to be flexible.

There may be new technologies or products you were unaware of that will fit into your business budget that will provide you with a better solution that the products you originally listed.

Bring Business Cards

Most experienced trade show exhibitors and attendees use business cards to keep track of who they?ve talked to and take note those who warrant further contact.

Figure out how many business cards you think you should take, then double that amount just to be safe. you'll no doubt collect quite a few cards, so create a system to keep them organized. Consider writing a note directly on the business card as a reminder of who to call following the show.

Attend Presentations

Daily scheduled presentations are a held at most trade shows. it's a good idea to attend one or two, especially if a company selling an interesting product is giving a presentation. Contrary to what you may have heard, most presentations are very informative, providing a lot of general knowledge on the product or subject.

Follow up questions will always be welcomed by the presenter in his or her booth after the talk or demonstration.

Don't Hesitate

Strike up conversations with both exhibitors and other attendees ? you never know when you'll find someone looking for the same type of product or solution as you. Fellow contractors are great folks to compare notes with and discuss common ideas or problems. You might even meet someone who already owns a product you're interested in and can give you their honest opinion.

Take Notes

Make sure to bring a few pens and plenty of paper to take notes with ? and Don't limit your note-taking to presentations. This is the perfect opportunity to network with hundreds of people involved in the same business and you're going to absorb a ton of information, a lot of which can be forgotten if you Don't take detailed notes. When you'return to your office, all those notes can play a key part in the decision making process for you and your team.

Trade shows in the residential construction industry not only provide you with the latest information on trends and innovations in your every-changing niche, they provide the opportunity to touch base with other professionals who may be facing some of the same issues. By attending a trade show, you're investing your time and money in the future of your company and making an effort to stay ahead of your competitors.

Should You Specialize in Drywall?

If you're looking to branch out from general contracting into a specialty, drywall may be the way to go. Since drywall is fairly ubiquitous in modern buildings, there's rarely a lack of work, barring slumps in the economy. With a background in general contracting and a specialization in drywall, you're nearly guaranteed to always have work available.

What Do Drywallers Do?

As a drywaller, you'll need a specific set of skills to get the job done. You already have most of these skills thanks to your construction experience: measuring and marking, using tape measures, straightedges, utility knives and power saws. you'll be working with glue, nails, tape and screws, as well as sealing compounds and sandpaper or mechanical sanders.

The biggest skill set you'll need to learn is working with the materials themselves: drywall board and compounds behave a certain way and knowing how to work with them is a vital part of the job.

As a drywaller, you'll be responsible for measuring, marking and cutting wallboard according to plans, fastening the panels together and to the interior wall fixtures themselves, patching, trimming and smoothing rough spots and edges, taping and sealing joints between boards and sealing and sanding it all to ensure a uniform, smooth surface.

How to Become a Drywall Specialist

Becoming a drywall installation specialist carries no additional educational requirements. You can learn on the job from an experienced drywall installer or seek an apprenticeship through a program such as the one offered by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters. you'll need no extra licensing or registration other than what you need to work as a general contractor in your area. Often being bonded and insured is sufficient, but check your local regulations to be sure.

What's the Pay Like?

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for drywall installers was $41,090 as of May 2016. The lowest 10 percent of installers earned less than $26,830, while the highest 10 percent earned more than $79,660. Compensation depends on demand for the skills and experience: if you work in a relatively small, rural area you can expect to earn less because there's less work available and it's of less value to those in the area. Those living in areas experiencing a construction or remodeling boom with a high volume of work available can expect to earn more, even as a beginner.

Is There a Market for Drywall Specialists?

While the market outlook varies by region, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts no change in the demand for drywall specialists between 2016 and 2026. Since drywall is the go-to wall covering, the demand will remain. As older members of the workforce retire, there is a projected steady need of new drywall installers to replace those leaving. Since drywall is a physically intense job, even just learning how to install drywall as a backup or secondary career to your contracting is a valuable skill. If you're wondering if you should specialize in drywall as a change from general contracting, the answer ? judging by the numbers ? is generally an enthusiastic ?yes!?

Is Vinyl Final? Pros and Cons of Using Vinyl

For decades, vinyl has been a popular siding choice for homeowners due to its relatively low cost, the fact that it is easy to care for after installation and its durability. However, it's been getting some bad press lately, with some environmentally-focused groups pointing out that it poses health risks to occupants after installation. In some instances, the anti-vinyl factions have been quite vocal about their opposition to using this material as an outside material for a home.

Cons of Using Vinyl Products

Siding Releases Hazardous Chemicals When Heated to High Temperatures

Vinyl siding is made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride), a type of plastic. it's used in construction because it's both highly durable and economical to produce. The issue with this material occurs when it's exposed to intense heat.

In that situation, it releases the chemicals hydrogen chloride, formaldehyde and dioxin into the air. All of these gases are known to cause cancer and may cause illness if inhaled. If a fire were to break out in a home, the noxious fumes from these gases may kill the home?s occupants before the fire gets anywhere near their location.

Dioxin is a Biohazard Once it is Released into the Air

Once dioxin is released into the environment through burning, it accumulates in fatty tissues in cattle who are exposed to the fumes since it is a fat-soluble compound. At that point, it has the potential to contaminate meat and dairy products, which could pass on the dioxin to humans who were not originally exposed to the original source of the contaminant.

Some homeowners choose not to buy vinyl siding, citing the potential threat to the environment in the event of a fire.

Vinyl Siding Presents a Mold and Mildew Hazard Unless Installed Properly

Vinyl siding should always be installed by a qualified contractor. If it's not installed or sealed properly, it may allow moisture from humidity or rainwater to penetrate the walls behind the siding. Once the moisture is allowed to get behind the vinyl it can start to rot the underlying material.

Rotting walls in a home is a perfect environment for allowing mold and mildew to grow. Family members who have allergies or asthma may experience health problems as a result and the elderly, infants and very young children are especially vulnerable to experiencing breathing issues. To head off this problem before it'starts, the siding should be caulked periodically to prevent moisture from entering the walls underneath the vinyl.

Pros of Using Vinyl Siding

There are also several good reasons for homeowners to choose vinyl siding. it's important for homeowners to be aware of the possible risks of choosing this material and weigh them against the benefits.

Vinyl Siding is a Good Insulator for Homes

When installed correctly, vinyl siding helps keep the heat within homes much better than a competitor?s fiber cement siding, according to a study conducted by Newport Ventures, a research and consulting firm ? and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The researchers found that homeowners who chose vinyl siding would save on the cost of both their electricity and natural gas expenses.

Vinyl Siding May Help to Prevent Fires

Even though vinyl siding does release harmful chemicals when it does ignite, it does have fire-retardant properties. It doesn?t ignite until it reaches a temperature of more than 750 degrees. Once it does catch fire, it does not spread rapidly, unlike wooden siding, which ignit's at much lower temperatures and spreads a great deal more rapidly.

This Product is Weather Resistant

One of the reasons homeowners like vinyl siding so much is that it'stands up so well to different types of weather. No matter what type of climate the buyer lives in, the vinyl will stand up to direct sunlight, rain, snowstorms and wind without fading or cracking.

A customer can choose the product that fits their budget and get a performance guarantee for at least a few years. Better quality products are guaranteed to last longer after installation.

it's Available in Several Colors and Styles

Homeowners can transform the look and texture of their house easily by choosing vinyl siding. it's available in a wide range of colors and styles so that customers living in older homes can still keep the original look and feel of the original design without having to perform the regular maintenance that comes with wooden siding.

Vinyl has a lot of advantages over other products and it can still be a good choice for homeowners who want convenience, durability and an attractive price point.

The Consequences of Skipping Permits

Building codes tell what, where and how things are allowed to be built on a plot of land that?s situated in a certain geographical area. They are designed to make sure that buildings are constructed safely and that the community is as free from dangerous situations as possible.

Homeowners planning to remodel their homes or build an addition are required to apply to the local government to get a permit before work begins.

A permit is proof that you're planning a safe addition that?s up to building codes and that you have permission to proceed with the job. Getting a permit might seem like just one more piece of bureaucratic red tape when you just want to get to work, but the consequences of skipping permits can be serious and long-lasting.

Permits also have a shelf life, depending on the area in which you live. For example, if construction on your project does not begin within, say, six months of the issue date on a permit, the whole process may have to be repeated in order to secure legal permits.

Additionally, if significant changes are made in the plans after all the permits have been issued, it may be necessary to file an appeal for permission to use an alternate construction method or for a reduction in required yard setbacks or property zoning changes.

Why Skip Permits?

Disreputable contractors may suggest that a homeowner forget about getting a permit for the work that?s to be done. Permits take time ? and if the job can?t begin immediately some contractors feel as if They are wasting time waiting for the city to issue a permit. Other contractors may be used to cutting corners and not working to code.

Their work might look good enough to pass the eye of the average homeowner, but would never safely get through a professional home inspection. Skipping the permits allows these contractors to do shoddy work without paying for the consequences. When an inspection is performed, these contractors are often gone without notice, leaving homeowners to face the consequences.

Possible Penalties

The penalties for not having building permits can be severe, depending on the nature and extent of the work being done on the house and local building codes. Among the possible penalties are:

? Fines that cost multiple times the price of the original permit
? Having to gut a completed addition and rebuild it up to code
? Tearing down the entire structure at the homeowner?s expense

Obviously these penalties can only be handed out if city inspectors notice your new improvements, but it's difficult to hide a new addition or contractors coming and going for any length of time. it's not worth taking the chance that no one will spot you and none of your neighbors will turn you in.

In the Future

Doing major work without getting building permits opens you up to legal and financial troubles well into the future. If you ever want to sell your house, the lack of permits must be disclosed to potential buyers. This affects any building inspection required by the buyer?s mortgage company, which can result in your having to pay for new, code-compliant work. Without permits you may even have to pay to have drywall removed so the inspector can see What's inside, then pay to have it replaced.

Some buyers might see this as a shady situation, possibly meaning the home might have additional, undiscovered problems. After all, if you were dishonest enough to try getting away with illegal construction, electrical or plumbing work, they'll probably wonder what else you've been dishonest about. Even if a potential buyer falls in love with your house and agrees to buy it on an as-is basis, you can be held legally liable for faulty situations that arise years in the future.

Contractor?s Responsibilities

As an honest contractor, it's your responsibility to make sure that every property owner secures permits for all the work you plan to complete. It may be the homeowner?s responsibility to get the permits and pay for them, but for insurance purposes, it's crucial that you ask to see the permits, as well as getting copies for your files.

As stated above, a lack of permits can have all sorts of financial consequences for years to come. If it's legal in your area to have the homeowner sign over the responsibility for arranging the permits on his or her behalf, consider this option ? it can safeguard your company?s records and reputation.

Beyond Drywall: Green Wallboard Options You Should Know About

Well over 100 years ago, gypsum drywall was invented ? and it's been used in the construction industry ever since. However, new innovations in sustainable and reusable materials are being rolled out on a consistent basis. This non-stop ecologically-friendly movement makes it easier than ever for general contractors to ?go green?. An increasing number of contractors are already familiar with the many alternatives to traditional construction materials. This means an increasing number of clients are enjoying the long-term savings that using green materials can provide.

Eco-friendly construction is at the top of the list in every area of design and build and continues to expand in residential and non-residential construction. No matter what you call it ? wallboard, sheetrock or drywall ? the number of eco-friendly alternatives is constantly growing.

EcoRock

This advanced green wallboard contains no gypsum, wastes no resources to produce and contains 85 percent industrial waste by-products. The recycled materials used in manufacturing EcoRock wallboard come from steel and cement manufacturing facilities. The procedure to recycle those materials into a recyclable construction product uses a low amount of energy because the curing and drying process is done naturally ? without the aid of chemicals or heat. A standard 4 by 8-foot sheet of EcoRock typically costs about $20.

The industrial materials are mixed with water until a paste is formed. That?s poured into pre-sized forms and allowed to harden. The finished product is mold- and insect-resistant and produces about 60-percent less dust than drywall during installation. EcoRock can be disposed of in landfills without harming the environment.

Durra Panels

Made of the waste by-products from rice straw and wheat, Durra Panels uses the natural polymer in the straw as a binding agent during processing. This agricultural waste is What's left after the grains go through a burning process that releases carbon emissions. The panels are formed by first heating and pressing the materials to form a core using the straw polymer.

Next, non-toxic, water-based PVA glue (the same as used in book binding) is used to securely wrap each core with lengths of recycled Kraft liner paper until a panel is formed. Durra Panels can be safely discarded in landfills, used as fertilizer mulch or recycled. They provide high thermal insulation and are naturally fire- and humidity-resistant. They are available in a wide range of widths, lengths and finishes. The plain panels take paint well and have a smoother surface than drywall. At $28 per meter, these panels are typically used on high-end construction jobs.

Homosote

Homasote, the brand name for an eco-friendly, cellulose-based fiberboard that?s been in production since 1909, is a well-known product in the industry. The acoustical panels are made of 98-percent recycled materials and are used in hundreds of applications besides wall coverings, including floors, ceilings and roofs. The manufacturing process conserves more than 750,000 trees annually and uses about 30 million pounds of solid waste that would otherwise end up in landfills. A 4 by 8-foot wall panel costs between $20 and $25.

Magnesium Oxide Board

While mineral magnesium has been being used in the building industry for centuries, magnesium oxide board was discovered more than 40 years ago during repairs to the Great Wall of China. This green wallboard is ideal for use in the same applications as drywall.

Unlike sheetrock, MgO isn?t a paper-faced wallboard, although the smooth-face grade is comparable. it's usually available in white, light gray or beige and includes several additional face textures, strengths, and densities. it's fire-, mold- and insect-resistant, waterproof and extremely durable. The cost of this material is the most comparable to drywall. Depending on your supplier and the number of 4 by 8-foot sheets you order, the cost varies between $3 to $10 or more per sheet.

There are many ways to go green in the construction industry and demand for using such materials is increasing. Staying informed about sustainable materials and applications can help you expand your expertise while benefiting the environment.