Composite Pavers

More production equals more waste, more waste creates environmental concerns both, in air quality as well as on our land and in our water sources.

We all know that a small but important partial solution to this problem is the reutilization of our waste products.

Recycling of waste materials saves natural resources, energy, reduces solid waste at the landfills and helps to reduce greenhouse gases.

The construction industry must always strive to reduce our contribution to the waste issue and utilize Green Products and methods when possible in the construction of new facilities.

Read the full article...

Subcontractor Tips

Most general contractors rely on trade contractors to assist them in successfully completing construction projects. Likewise, trade or subcontractors often depend on GCs for work. Many general and trade contractors have long-standing relationships and a mutual respect for each other. However, when trade contractors are considering working with a GC for the first time, there are some tips to be aware of. Read the full article from Construct Connect…

• Do your homework on the contractor 
• Make sure you have a contract/change orders in place before beginning any work
• Read the details and fine print of the contract
• Review payment bonds, if there are any
• Clauses to watch for:
•  Pay-when-paid or pay-if-paid clauses
•  Flow-down or pass-through clauses
•  Indemnification clauses
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   

Shipyard Renovation Project Award

We're happy to report that we were awarded a renovation project at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in building 184. 

The initiative is being conducted to accommodate the relocation of personnel from another building, which is scheduled for demolition. 

The scope-of-work will encompass select interior demolition, reconstruction of floors and utilities, lighting upgrades, the relocation of steam water and sewer systems, and the construction of a complete pre-fabricated office building within the shipyard’s current paint blasting facility. 

Brookstone Builders has enjoyed our professional business relationships with both the Navy for many years and has also collaborated on several projects with CCI, the primary contractor, of Augusta Maine.

Read press release...

General Contractor vs. Construction Manager

General contractors and construction managers play distinct roles in the construction industry and there are a number of areas which clearly set them apart from each other. 

The role of general contractor most often involves taking the helm of a construction project. They are typically responsible for assembling teams that will perform specific tasks on the construction project, maintaining personnel for administrative and or supervisory roles, and hiring sub-contractors, suppliers and other professionals for specific construction related tasks. The general contractor usually manages the schedule and project’s quality as well.

The construction manager usually serves as an agent to the owner and is solely responsible for nearly all aspects of the construction project. Unlike a general contractor, a construction manager tends to be more closely aligned with the building owner, and is essentially entrusted with making decisions on behalf of the owner. 

Read the full article...

Scheduling Pitfalls!

Scheduling is an important factor for projects of all types and sizes, as mistakes associated with timing, material deliveries and processes can be very costly.

According to a study published by Angotti Engineering of CA, three of the top project schedule risk factors include:

• Optimistic Scheduling - "tell them what they want to hear" without regard to real and practical limitations.
  
• Piling on People – All will go well if we throw people at the project, especially at crisis points.
  
• Refusing to anticipate learning curves when new people, tools or processes are introduced.

Time is Money!

People often say that "time is money," and this is especially true during construction projects of all types and sizes.

For example, a regional organization was in the process of expanding their headquarters by adding a new wing. The initial decision-making and approval process took a little longer than expected, and consequently the project began six weeks late. This delay brought-about a time-challenge for the company, as winter was quickly approaching.

In addition, the communication between site management personnel, suppliers and sub-contractors was not the best. In certain instances the main crew was unable to work productively because materials were late in arriving. In other cases sub-contractors didn’t arrive on site because they were confused about the schedule. As the frequency of these types of misunderstandings increased, the "ripple effect" became significant and it soon became apparent that the facility would not be weather-tight prior to winter’s arrival, thus bringing about a need to import additional workers and to authorize overtime work – expensive solutions to say the least!

Managing a schedule is not always easy, but the upshots associated with failure to do so can be costly in multiple ways. In addition to delay-related costs, some contracts include punitive fines if certain deadlines are missed. In other cases the negative impact on worker morale can result in safety or quality lapses, as the overall job-site culture becomes one of mediocrity. Finally, a contractor’s brand-value can be damaged once they get a reputation for missing timelines.

Brookstone Builders Inc.-Friday Funny-weather

A big welcome to this beautiful Friday afternoon.  Hope everyone has plans to enjoy the spring like temps we are enjoying this mid December.  Happy shopping too!

Brookstone Builders, Inc.-Friday Funny-Holiday stress

Happy Friday, first one of December.  Don't blink, you might miss the month.  Are you ready for the holiday? Done with wrapping, baking, shopping, decorating. O my so much to do, which brings us to our Friday Funny... Enjoy and have a nice weekend.

When Your Contractor Says, "No!"?

As a regional commercial contractor, we are first and foremost in the Customer Service Business.  We want to please our clients and be a good partner/advisor to them as well as to everyone involved on a project.

But that does not mean that we subscribe to the YES theory – i.e., were our clients are always correct even when they are not.  

In fact, as experts in the commercial construction industry one of our primary roles is to be the best possible advisors for them which sometimes mean we need to say NO – and when we do, you can bet it’s for a good reason which we will gladly explain.

Read the full article and "3 reasons to listen" when your contractor says, "No!"

Friday Funny- fall

Happy Friday and for some it is a long weekend.  The weather is looking like a beautiful New England fall weekend, time to go leaf peeping. Enjoy. We will be open on Monday.

What is it Wednesday, recycled

What is it Wednesday, recycled.  This one is certainly different and a conversation starter. 
Enjoy this beautiful day!

Brookstone Builders Inc.-Friday Funny-safety first

Hello and happy Friday once again.  Almost the weekend, hang in there.  Whatever your plans this weekend, pack an umbrella or a raincoat. Have a good weekend and we will be back next week.

Brookstone Builders Inc.-What is it Wednesday

Hello on this very soggy "What is it Wednesday"  This week our image is sort of an easy one, but we will share the answer with you tomorrow.  Until then drive safe on the wet roads, there are reports of a lot of oil on the roads due to  the long duration of no rain. Stay dry.

Brookstone Builders, Inc.-Fall greeting

Hope your week is going well!

Brookstone Builders Inc.-Friday Funny- after Labor Day

Hello and what a beautiful Friday.  Hope you can enjoy your lunch break outside.  Anyway, just a few short hours until the weekend but before we hope you will get a little laugh out of our weekly Friday Funny.  Have a great weekend all!

Brookstone Builders, Inc.-"What is it Wednesday-recycled

Hello and happy Wednesday, half way through the week.
On this "What is it Wednesday"
we are sharing an idea with you on how to re-use something old in a fun and different way.

Enjoy the day!

Brookstone Builders, Inc.-Friday Funny/tools and back to school

Hello and happy Friday!  For many this was the first week back in school and back into a different kind of routine.  We hope that adjustment went well for all.  In honor of our industry and the equipment we use and back to school we found this cartoon to share with you on this Friday Funny. Enjoy and have a nice weekend.

Brookstone Builders Inc.- NEWS-Aberdeen Renovation

We hope everyone is getting through this latest heat wave.  Don't complain though because it is September so it won't last and you know what is coming. 

We wanted to share this bit of Brookstone  Builders Inc. news with you Follow the link;
http://www.brookbuild.com/AberdeenRenovationAward080515.pdf

Brookstone Builders Inc.-Friday Funny/Labor Day

Hooray, we made it to Friday.  Wishing everyone a very nice long weekend.  We hope everyone has plans to have some down time with friends and family.  Before we share our Friday Funny cartoon with you here is our schedule.

Friday Sept. 4th open til 5:pm
Monday, Sept. 7th CLOSED
Tuesday, Sept 8th We return for normal business hours.
Ok, so here it is, Friday Funny- Labor Day weekend edition;