April 2014

Why Are Costs on the Rise for Drywall, Plaster and Other Building Material?

5 Comments / New Construction /

As new home construction is predicted to grow by 14 percent into 2016, drywall and plaster costs are expected to follow suit and rise by 7.5 percent per year. The continued recovery of residential construction is apparent in industry metrics like building permit data. In fact, drywall and plaster costs aren’t the only building materials to […]

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The Debate Over Manhattan’s Bank of America Building, Known as the Greenest Skyscraper

Leave a Comment / Green Building/Housing /

Although it’s been dubbed the greenest skyscraper by its supporters, some suggest the Bank of America building in Manhattan is a perfect illustration of the LEED rating system’s shortcomings. Despite being loaded with eco-friendly technology and achieving the LEED Platinum rating (the highest possible), the building is still relatively inefficient.

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Lennar Homes Kick Off First Quarter of 2014 With Significant New Construction

Leave a Comment / New Construction /

Lennar Homes, one of the top general contractors in the U.S., reports significantly increased new residential construction starts in the first quarter of 2014 among its numerous regional offices throughout the United States. The Miami-based construction and renovation firm states that some of the more notable construction increases occurred in communities such as San Bernardino, CA;

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What’s Hot in Landscape Architecture in 2014 — and How It Varies Regionally

1 Comment / New Construction /

Just as with fashion trends, landscape architecture trends are influenced by local weather and lifestyle preferences that vary from one part of the country to the other. By knowing what property owners in different regions will be looking for this year, you’ll be better able to show potential clients that you’re the right contractor to

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Las Vegas Housing Market on the Rise as New Home Construction Takes Off

Leave a Comment / New Construction /

As national home prices fell again in December, the housing sector in Las Vegas defied the trend and demonstrated rises in prices of housing in that same month. Reporter Christopher S. Rugabar, writing in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, indicated that home prices increased more than 25 percent in the Las Vegas area at the end

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Denver Area Sees a Housing Boom — Is It at all Related to Recreational Marijuana Laws?

Leave a Comment / New Construction /

The Denver housing boom in residential construction may be related to a recovery in that section of Colorado’s construction industry. However, some sources speculate that the significant uptick in home construction in the city may be in response to Colorado’s recently passed recreational marijuana laws. Farmhouse Exterior by Denver Architects & Designers Chalet McGraw Hill

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Orange County Pool and Spa Installations Are Going in Ahead of the Summer Season

3 Comments / Pool & Spa /

While the rest of the country shivers under what seems to be a winter without end, pool and spa installations in Orange County are already picking up in advance of the official outdoor season. Homeowners are basking in balmy weather and looking forward to another classic SoCal summer. Many want the coming season to include

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