Author name: davidmineer

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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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What U.S. Homeowners Are Remodeling or Adding to Their Properties in 2014

In home remodeling, the cost-value ratio expresses the relationship between the cost of a home upgrade and the estimated dollar amount it contributes to the home’s resale value.  Average cost-values are collected annually on 35 popular remodeling projects and replacements in more than 100 markets across the country. These numbers are a revealing metric that

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Single-Family Home Construction Improved in 2013, But Will It Continue in 2014?

After a significant period of suppressed activity, the housing market showed notable signs of growth in 2013. Single-family home construction especially has shown appreciable gains as demand increases and families find it more attractive and more feasible to own their homes. Industry sources suggest that the growth in single-family home construction in 2013 will continue

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How Brutal Winter Weather Is Impacting Construction Across the U.S.

The winter of 2013 and 2014 may go on record as one of the coldest and snowiest, and there’s no doubt that the winter weather impacting construction has been most severe in the northern and northeastern states. Seasonal slowdowns are normal in this industry, but as demand builds and supplies diminish, the impact of the

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