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Raw Land Project Development
The recent real estate boom and surge in raw land development has left some folks with a startling realization; raw land development is a formidable undertaking . The first thing one recognizes when launching a raw land development project is the enormous amount of time it takes to simply gather pertinent information and facts. The notion that collecting a return on your investment is as simple as having the land surveyed and subdivided, with building occurring shortly thereafter, followed with a swift sale is dangerous. Sad to say, raw land development promoters claims and realities are miles apart. If you have never traveled down this path before and are relying on the words of a promoter, then "buyers beware!"
The first prerequisite for a successful raw land development project is patience. If you want a good return on your investment, think strategically about the location of your future development project. Whether it is flat land, rolling hills, or precipitous hillsides, either upslope or down slope, the land's topography plays a part in the development process. In addition, the consideration of whether the land is located within a city or county's land use area is a major factor to consider. Both municipalities have particular and unique characteristics that must be married to each agency's master plan. Consideration must be given to both private and public access easements, as well as zoning ordinances. City or county staffing has an impact on the timeline for completion. Finally, the need for skilled, licensed Land Surveyors and Civil Engineers make the task an uphill climb. Raw land developers will need staying power for a minimum of one to three years as the land is successfully subdivided and recorded.
The assumption that it does not take the surveyor and or civil engineer long to perform their work is erroneous . Most good engineering firms have five to twenty clients just like you, the developer. All think their project is more important than anyone else's.
The world is full of good intentions and the road to success is littered with the bones and carcasses of the "would be millionaires. "
Before starting down this slippery slope, a one to two year fact finding mission is worth the investment. Learn the correct process and procedure for accomplishing your dream of subdividing and development. For more information on this subject contact: www.adcbuilderseminar.com
Navigating the Hot Spots of Fire Safety Compliance
By Tito Young; AIA Associate
In the last few decades, conditions such as global warming, fire devastation, urban density, property easement access, and vegetation have been contributors' to fire and loss of property. Insurance companies and state and federal underwriters have made it harder and more difficult to insure your property.
Say you live in a large house deep in an unincorporated canyon and you want to add an addition to your existing residence.
Your property design proposal is not only going to be regulated through Geology, Land Use Engineering, Planning, Roads and Airports, and Environmental Health Departments. It is likely that the Fire Marshal, upon review of your design, is going to require a written verification from recognized water purveyor that a fire-water flow of 1500 gallons per minute (gpm) at 20 pounds per square inch (psi) for 30 minutes is available from a standard fire hydrant within 250 feet of the driveway. This is fine for most types of homes; however there are many homes that are simply further than 250 feet from a standard fire hydrant. So what do you do?
We ran into exactly that situation recently. We knew that when including a submittal for a building permit, drawings needed to provide indicate of a modified National Fire Protection Agency ( NFPA) 13D residential fire sprinkler system and a secondary 3,000 gallon tank dedicated to both the domestic water and fire sprinkler systems. The Fire Marshal also, due to location of this particular property, required a secondary 10,000 gallon tank be dedicated to a properly located wharf hydrant. They wanted to see the entire access road and/or driveway with turnarounds clearly shown on the plans.
In many ways, Fire Marshal requirements are as strict as zoning or building department requirements, and in many cases more so. Such requests like smoke alarms, tempered glazing, fire resistant walls, fire rated window glazing and doors, fire resistant roofs, minimum opening sizes for emergency egress requirements and access panels all punctuate individual requirements for new construction. Fire sprinkler systems are becoming commonplace for new residential alternations and constructions. If you live in a condominium or another new development you will certainly see them in places such as bedrooms, kitchens, halls, and bathrooms.
Water tanks have certain setback requirements depending on height. If your land happens to be on a very small sized lot, setback requirements could be exempted. Under most circumstances water tanks cannot exceed 35 feet in height, including tower mounted tanks.
Check with your local jurisdiction's Fire Marshal's Office and have them provide you with their up-to-date Fire Marshal General Information Pamphlet which indicates specifications, and reference detail drawings. Make sure to pass along that material to your local fire sprinkler contractor who holds a valid C-16 Plumbing License. That contractor should have all the certifications to manage work such as ensuring sprinkler demand for 30 minute durations, and installing float actuated valves, landscaping water supplies, water storage, supply pipes and backflow, and sprinkler delivery systems. It is expected that your fire protection and water supply and delivery systems will be installed and functioning prior to framing. It is typical in most counties that the inspection of the fire sprinkler system be conducted by the building inspector when the foundation is inspected. Most Fire Marshal requirements force stop work orders if the fire protection system is not in place and functional prior to any wood framing.
As you may have already suspected, tanks, standpipes, and concrete pads can all be designed to be incorporated within the overall master plan design. For example, if your house is in a Spanish style, your 12 foot tanks could be masked beyond adobe walls trimmed with Spanish tiles.
Various kinds of sprinklers system nozzles are available, such as fully recessed, half recessed, and dropped. They vary in brands, colors, metals, sizes and spray patterns. They could be built into soffits and either triggered by breaking glass or triggered by heat melting metals. They could have full round spray patterns, half round spray patterns, or throw spray patterns such as in halls. Be sure to consult with your designer on the wide variety of items available.
Best wishes on your upcoming project!
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What is Green Building ?
By Menuhaum Ayele, CPGBC
Today in the field of construction and building there is a growing movement that will ultimately have a lasting effect on how we build and design our homes, business parks, civic buildings, communities, cities, and industries for the future. The main factor contributing to this change is our over consumption of energy sources. Buildings are the primary consumers of energy. Another concern that has come to light in the building industry is indoor air quality; which has contributed to what is referred to as sick building syndrome and issues of mold build up in people's homes. Sick building syndrome results in sick people, who may display various symptoms from respiratory illness to nausea, headaches, runny noses and all kinds of allergic reactions.
Water conservation is another factor that motivates the leaders of the building industry to effect change. Water consumption has been taken for granted in this country but is becoming more of a topic of discussion as global warming changes the geography of the earth, causing water shortages.
Finally, a factor moving us all to transform the way we build and design is: waste. Think about all the wood thrown away from cut off lumber, never reused or recycled. The construction industry alone contributes to 40% of the waste in this country!
Green building is the term we have adopted to build and design better energy efficient homes, healthier homes, conserve natural resources and create livable communities. This is a tall order for a country that has prided itself on consumerism, but it is absolutely necessary that we change the way we live because 1.) It will not last and 2.) The earth is making us listen through the effects of global warming. The future of building and living is green and the sooner we begin to understand its implications, the sooner we will see how a better quality of life will ushered into our lives.
The details and the strategies of design in green building revolve mostly around building orientation, water conservation, energy efficiency, and using renewable resources as well as salvaged reusable materials.
Building orientation requires an understanding of the solar path of the sun but to be simpler; a southern orientation of where the majority of our lighting comes in.
Using the building materials to improve the building's performance in energy efficiency, water conservation and indoor air quality is increasingly being utilized with thermal mass floors to absorb heat and release it at night, living roofs (green or garden roofs), cross ventilation, breathable earthen plastered walls, solar panels (solar shingles), low, medium, and high emissive windows, and also surrounding trees to filter wind and create shading.
Other building materials like bamboo flooring and cabinets are growing in demand; cork flooring and salvaged wood have applications for reuse. Recycling is taking on a whole new meaning as more reuse centers pop up selling quality second hand supplies for homes and businesses going green. Car pooling and electric cars are also being accepted as part of being green and often considered for green design in reducing parking spaces for major developments or creating designated parking locations for electric cars. Subsequently, being aware of the carbon dioxide emitted from cars is not enough. We must also take into account in the design of buildings to avoid compromising indoor air quality.
"Green living" is becoming more of an accepted trend in mainstream America but the ability to affect the political process has been the most difficult challenge to having greater impact.
The U.S.G.B.C or United States Green Building Council is a non-profit organization that is helping to lead the transformation in codes and building practices along with city and county building departments across the country who are adopting "green guidelines" to help usher in a new era of healthier living and social responsibility.
The August issue of the ADC Limited newsletter will feature an article on Green Building Alternatives. Be sure to keep an eye out for it.
Check out this web site: www.earthblockinc.com
Ethics, Integrity, and Character Are Still Important in Business
Some people mistakenly believe that ethics, integrity, and character are antiquated and irrelevant in today's fast paced business world. Remember, these concepts contribute to the success of your business! Does character still matter in the commercial jungle? Can ethical practices help increase revenue? Does integrity impact customer loyalty and return business? The answer is a resounding YES! Let's look at how and why. But first let's look up the definitions of these words. Here's some we found on www.dictionary.com.
Ethics : A set of principles of right conduct.
Integrity : Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.
Character : The inherent complex of attributes that determine a person's moral and ethical actions and reactions.
As a person of responsibility, a leader, a manager, a community leader, a business person, it is expected that you exemplify the highest standards of good conduct. Employees expect their leaders to model appropriate behavior for them to follow. Your employees are going to do what they see you do. The results of unethical and illegal behavior will land you in court. Litigation is at an all time high and awards return millions, bankruptcies, outrageous attorney fees, and tarnished business reputations.
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Web Streaming Available
As promised, ADC Limited, LLC is now offering web-streaming for its workshops. Beginning August 1, 2006, we are offering our monthly 4.6. hour, seminar and workshop via web-stream. We will be sending out via email, August 21st, a link to view 5 minutes of the "ADC Builder Seminar Case Study". To signup or view the current ADC Semiars click here.
It is our objective to provide the maximum education through our workbook(s) and seminars. To that extent, we are starting this column with a "pre-test." We are asking our readers to take this pre-test and register at the link below to receive the correct answers to the questions. We will be using your responses to further develop and expand our educational effort to better prepare our end-user, the home owner and newly licensed contractor. This pre-test will also be used to validate our presentations via our workbook (s) and seminars. Our aim is to assist our readers by gauging their level of knowledge of the building industry and identify areas in which they need further education. It will also aid ADC Limited, LLC to provide more timely information about the industry and how newly acquired information can accelerate the readers understanding.
In no way will the test be used to deny our readers the opportunity to continue receiving the newsletter. The newsletter will be distributed monthly without bias whether or not you take the test.
The test will take on the average 5 minutes. Thanks for your cooperation in this venture.
Please click here to take the test
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