Concrete Briefs . . .

Register Now for 2006 Concrete Technologies Tour - June 11-13 - Phoenix, AZ
The Concrete Technology Tour kicks off Sunday, June 11, with a golf tournament and ending with a "Introduction to Concrete" reception. Monday, June 12, begins two-days of touring manufacturing plants. Attendees will see first-hand concrete formation and the construction process for home building.

Tentative Stops Scheduled are:

• Trustone America
• Robson Ranch Sub-Division
• Southwest Architectural Precast
• Eagle Roof Tile Plant
• Superlite Block Plant
• Suncoast Post-Tension Plant

Newly added this year is a post-con eduction course: Concrete Mix Designs, Construction Guidelines and Troubleshooting (separate fee required), part of HBI's Residential Construction Superintendent program & continuing education credit for JV Designation Programs

Register today online or download the full brochure for more details.

Wanted: Builder Input on Employee Performance, Evaluation, and Compensation
Less than a third of workers who want tangible rewards—whether a special event, cash bonus, gift, or plaque—actually receive them, but more than half agree that company recognition (or lack of it) affects their job performance, according to a recent online poll.

NAHB’s Business Management Department and a Publications Work Group of NAHB members want to know whether home builders need guidance/tools on employee performance, evaluation, and compensation.

Please take a moment to complete our survey. 

Have You Checked Out the Online Engineering?
CFA now provides several online engineering applications to aid our members in design and support successful poured concrete basements, foundation and retaining walls. We have launched wBaseConc a software tool for the analysis and design of concrete basement walls and wConcRet a software tool for the analysis and design of concrete cantilever retaining walls. To access these applications online for free, contact Jim Baty or to learn more about the tools, click here.

PCA New Publication: Proper Practices and Procedures Vital to Quality Concrete Flatwork
This publication is a basic guide outlining the standard practices and procedures for planning, building, and finishing interior or exterior concrete flatwork (sidewalks, driveways, patios, floors) and steps. It supercedes PCA’s Cement Mason’s Guide. With expanded information pertaining to material selection and construction practices, it supplies the reader with a wealth of new information.

While intended primarily for concrete finishers and concrete finisher apprentices, the information contained in this guide will benefit homebuilders, contractors, architects, engineers, landscape architects, homeowners, vocational education students, specification writers, inspectors, and others. However, it must be recognized that material selection, construction practices and safety regulations for heavy commercial and industrial applications are beyond the scope of this document. Cost of the publication is $25.00 - purchase now.

Insulating Concrete Froms Association Launches New Website
The Insulating Concrete Form Association has launched a new website, allowing for better placement of member's information, increasing functionality, improving navigation and redesigning its appearance.

"It is apparent that the website is an important resource to customers and industry professionals alike. With the advanced technology used, the new website will allow the Association to feature members and their projects and establish a "members only" section to easily distribute industry information and educate its members," says Joseph Lyman, executive director of the ICFA. "The ICFA has a powerful story to tell and we believe we've created a useful experience for visitors and members."

To visit ICFA's website, please click the following link http://www.forms.org.

ARM ICF Committee Plans Statewide Concrete Open House
Plans are being made for a first-of-its-kind statewide concrete open house scheduled to coincide with Severe Weather Awareness Week.  The event, slated for April 22-23, 2006 will highlight and promote insulated concrete form (ICF)construction around Minnesota and will include existing homes as well as those under construction.  For more information, please visit http://www.chooseconcretehomes.com.

Sponsorships for the event are available.  Click here for more information. If you know of an ICF home that should be part of this event, click here. The deadline for registering a home is March 1st, 2006.

Builder-Tested Contracts and Forms Increase Profitability
Systemizing and managing your day-today business operations can make you more efficient, productive and profitable.

“Home Builder Contracts & Construction Management Forms,” available through BuilderBooks.com, is a major tool that will help you save time and money and streamline your business operation.
“Home Builder Contracts & Construction Management Forms," second edition, contains 95 documents of specific use in residential construction, including:

• Contracts
• Specifications
• Change orders
• and many other forms and checklists

These documents, which will improve your ability to manage your building business, are a compilation of business resources that have been generously donated by successful builders across the country.

To order “Home Builder Contracts & Construction Management Forms” online, click here, or call 800-223-2665. [ return to top ]