During the fleeing summer months, the backyard deck is a Minnesota tradition. It's the perfect place to grill out, spend time with family, or keep an eye on your kids as they play in the yard. If your deck is starting to show signs of age, it may be tempting to look at it as a potential DIY project. However, there are a few things to know before you start buying lumber.Choices, Choices These days, there are plenty of options for materials when it comes time to building a new deck. We talked to Derrick
Most of us don't think much about our roof unless something goes wrong. But under the surface, there's a lot more going on that you might think--and some of those details can spell dollars for you.Anatomy of a Roof These days, residential roofs generally consist of three layers:The decking or roof sheathing, which is a flat layer that goes over the framed portion of your roof and supports the weight of the rest of the roof. These days, it's often made of OSB (oriented strand board) or plywood sheathing,
See below for the latest Rochester Area Builders' Newsletter, "Foundations". <div style="position:relative;padding-top:max(60%,326px);height:0;width:100%"><iframe allow="clipboard-write" sandbox="allow-top-navigation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation allow-downloads allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-modals allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-forms" allowfullscreen="true" style="position:absolute;border:none;width:100%;height:100%;left:0;right:0;top:0;bottom:0;"
If you're hiring a contractor, you've probably seen people refer to themselves as 'licensed.' But what does that mean, and how can you check to make sure that the contractor you choose has the license they need? In Minnesota, there are different types of license that are required for different types of contractors. Although there are more types than we can cover here, there are two general groups of licenses:Residential building licenses, which enables a company to do a broad range of work on
It might be garbage to some, but Habitat for Humanity turns one home's trash into another family's home. Construction waste takes up a massive amount of space in landfills. Nationwide, there's twice as much construction debris (sometimes shortened to C&D) as normal trash generated every year. To give you some sense of scale, in 2018, that means that 145 million tons of C&D went into landfills—as much as 150 Golden Gate Bridges! Most of us might think of recycling drink cans or plastic bottles, but not
As the skilled trades industry continues to grow, more employees will be needed to continue the success of the past and present. The burning question is, where do we find skilled trade talent? At RAB, we are committed to helping the skilled trades industry thrive by inspiring students who are entering the workforce, offering scholarships for students to consider the trades, and educating the community about career opportunities. Read on to learn about several RAB initiatives to increase interest in skilled
Your home is your biggest investment, it’s your shelter, and it requires continual maintenance to retain its value. If you’re living in Minnesota, it’s important for you to take care of a few tasks to prepare and maintain your home throughout the longest season – winter. Read on for our top considerations for your winter home maintenance check list. 1.Test and Inspect Your Heat Sources Let’s face it, winter in Minnesota can be brutal. Your home is your safe haven, so take steps to ensure that you stay
When it comes to business, there always seems to be a long list of things to do. It’s rare, however, that networking officially makes the list. In the building industry, networking may naturally fit into your day as you meet with clients, sub-contractors, or partners; but with a few easy steps you can increase your industry connections, create lasting relationships, and bring your business to the next level. Be Active with Trade Associations Trade associations such as the National Association of Home
At Rochester Area Builders, we’re proud to have members of all ages and together we accomplish a great deal for the construction industry and our community. This month, we’re proud to highlight our 40 Below networking group. This group is comprised of young business professional members under the age of forty who volunteer their time and talents for the benefit of our community. This group promotes the perfect balance of personal and professional growth. We build relationships while focusing on volunteerism
Building a new home is an exciting adventure that takes a lot of time to plan and implement. One of the first steps is to make sure you budget correctly for the project. We have put together a list of things to make sure to consider when budgeting for your new home, and what they all entail. Things to consider when starting a budget for building your new home: Architect Fees Hiring an architect is very beneficial to the building process. An architect can help choose the correct materials and find
RAB is dedicated to continuing to educate our youth on the importance of the skilled trades industry through several initiatives. One of them is awarding scholarships to graduating students that plan to attend a post-secondary program in a construction-related field including technical school, trade school, or college. Let us explain a few of the benefits to having a skilled trades career. Benefits of a Skilled Trades Career Attending a trade school is less expensive.You won’t be starting off your
Home building is a complex, multilayered process. The pipeline from blueprint to finished product can be riddled with the potential for complications and hiccups that delay completion dates or render certain options unavailable. But no matter the complications, the best way to keep the process moving is through effective, prompt communication. At Rochester Area Builders (RAB), we help connect prospective Rochester, MN, families to seasoned construction experts who can provide the skills you need to bring
Finding the right builders for your commercial needs in Rochester, MN, is perhaps the most important step of any commercial building project. Selecting a professional building team that does not meet your expectations can lead to revenue loss, business loss, and legal strife. Rather than flying blind during your search for the perfect commercial builder, Rochester Area Builders (RAB) can help you determine what characteristics to look for and how to determine if a builder is the right fit for your
From the report: "According to the recently completed Olmsted County Comprehensive Housing Study, commissioned by the Coalition for Rochester Area Housing, over the next decade, Olmsted County will need over 18,000 new housing units, including over 5,400 new senior housing units. Many seniors live in single family homes, which are in short supply for the overall housing market. Seniors need more housing options that meet their needs and desires, and the local housing market will benefit from seniors
Four Reasons Why a Custom Home is the Right Choice for You Have you been thinking about building a home? Are you stuck between a custom build or a stock build? Rochester Area Builders is here to help you decide if a custom build is the best decision for the home you want. Here are four reasons that a custom build is the right choice for you: You have a unique lot that you plan to build on. A unique lot can mean the size won’t allow for a stock plan to fit appropriately; therefore, you will
Finding a single, comprehensive home building guide is nearly impossible thanks to the huge array of tips and tools that exist in the world of home building, but at Rochester Area Builders (RAB), we can help you start your building journey with some basics to get you moving forward. Once you understand the overarching process involved in home building, you can turn to RAB so we can match you with building professionals who can guide you through the rest of the Rochester, MN, construction experience. Step
Building a House that Best Suits Your Family in Rochester, MN In times of uncertainty, having a home to call your own can provide stability and comfort to families and individuals who are looking to set down roots. For Rochester MN, residents, building a house can be the perfect way to establish your family in the area of your dreams and begin to build a life that fits you perfectly. Rochester Area Builders’ (RAB’s) members work hard to ensure that you can make a home-building plan that suits your needs
Fall is officially here. This means it’s time to prepare your home for the colder months ahead. We put together this checklist for you that will keep your utility bills low and preserve your investment in your home. As you go through this list, look to members of Rochester Area Builders, some of the best professionals in the industry. Tune Up Your Heating System Don’t wait until it’s already cold enough to turn your furnace on before testing it out for the season. We encourage you to call a service
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” --Thomas Edison Choosing a career path is an exciting, yet often confusing and overwhelming experience. If you’re in high school and college, you probably have a lot of interests - but how many of these interests can you build a career out of? Most want a career that will bring them happiness. But how do you know, without any experience, that dedicating your life to one career path will bring them the joy that
Identifying “Green Flags” for House Builders in Rochester, MN Selecting a house builder for your Rochester, MN, home can feel overwhelming due to the sheer volume of potential builders in the construction market. But it’s possible to weed out “red flag” residential builders with a little bit of know-how and a shortlist of requirements. Rochester Area Builders (RAB) recommends looking for some of the following “green flags” when selecting a house builder that’s right for you. Professional
The Benefits of New Home Building in Rochester, MN Securing the home of your future is a process that necessitates big decision after big decision, and one of the biggest must be made right at the start of your home building journey: whether to buy an old house or build a new one. At Rochester Area Builders (RAB), we can help you make a decision that suits your goals, your budget, and your family’s core needs. Whether you’re looking to build a small family home in the city or a large generational manor in
Selecting a Residential Builder that Suits Your Home Needs in Rochester, MN Finding the right builder for your residential construction project is one of the most stressful steps in the home-building process. A bad match can result in delays, conflict, and dissatisfaction, whereas the right fit will streamline the building process and ensure a final product that you can truly call home. At Rochester Area Builders, we strive to provide that perfect final product every time. For Rochester, MN, families
Essential Priorities for Choosing a Commercial Building Contractor in Rochester, MN Finding the right commercial building team for your project can be a struggle if you’re new to the area, looking for a team you haven’t worked with before, or just fresh to the commercial building experience as a whole. But creating a shortlist of essential priorities can help trim the options and facilitate the selection of a team that will meet and exceed all your expectations. At Rochester Area Builders (RAB), we
How Do I Buy A New Home? Interest rates may be creeping higher, but home buying remains strong. New construction is booming in southeast Minnesota and with Rochester recently dubbed as a “mini mega city”, the growth shows no end in sight. For those moving into the area, newly constructed homes are in high demand. In many cases, buyers will be purchasing the home directly from the builder. We’ve provided some tips on what you need to know when you’re in the market to buy a new home. Do Your
“Love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life.” This commonly-used phrase implies that if you find a job that you are passionate about, it won’t feel like “work.” Instead, it will be fun and enjoyable every day. The reality is that even people who love their jobs have bad days, experience disappointment, and get frustrated. According to a recent Gallup survey, “71% of American workers are either not engaged or feel actively disengaged from their jobs, with highly educated and middle-aged
Those of us who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s probably heard our parents say, “Go to college to get a good job” a few dozen times in our young adulthood. This advice implicated that if you earn a four-year degree, you are guaranteed a good paying, white collar career. However, it’s no secret that universities are places of higher learning, not job readiness institutions. College May Not Be Their Best Option This misconception has resulted in monumental student loan debt and the harsh reality that –
“So, what are you going to do when you graduate?” If you are a junior or senior in high school, you’ve probably been asked that a few (hundred) times by friends and family. News flash: Attending a 4-year college is not the only choice you have when you’re deciding on your career path. If “Assistant to the Regional Manager” is not exactly your idea of career goals, we have a better solution. Here are four reasons you should consider learning a skilled trade:1. Break the cycle of debt Millennials have
As greater numbers of baby boomers retire from the workforce, the need to attract and retain younger employees is important to every industry, but in building and construction, it’s becoming more and more vital. 40 Below is a young professional’s group created as an extension of the Rochester Area Builders (RAB) to help provide personal and professional development opportunities and a dedicated space for professionals under 40 to connect. RAB’s Membership and Education Director Rebekah Nielsen believes
Medicine might be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of careers in Rochester, Minnesota, but the cranes that dot the downtown skyline pinpoint another growing opportunity that exists in the Med City. The construction industry is critical to the strength, evolution, and economic vitality of cities like Rochester. Not only is a career in the trades viable, it is both profitable and desirable. For decades, school-aged students have been encouraged to apply to four-year universities and seek
Housing is at the center of many conversations these days. But what we often see addressed is the shortage of what is commonly referred to as “affordable housing,” such as section 8 or low-income. The real challenge we face is much greater than meeting the needs of any single segment of the population. What we need to explore is how to make housing affordable for everyone. Housing is a person’s single most important – and often greatest – expense. When anyone is spending more than 30 percent of their
