Friday, January 29, 2010

Ethanol; is it worth it?

Well, as in our previous discussion, that depends. If the green mission is to reduce and not trade or increase, then ethanol is a waste of time, money, and energy.
When used in an internal combustion engine, it burns cleaner than gasoline. OK, good. But that's just what's on the surface. The cost to produce it is more. The damage done to the environment as it's produced is much more than we get back. And it takes a lot more of it to make a vehicle go the same distance (the burn rate is different).
I mean really, why should we pay the same, or more in some cases, for a product that doesn't take us as far and damages the environment more than if we just used gasoline? These arguments for "green" are really more about money than the environment. Preserving our environment is serious and we all need to do our part. But let's do things that make sense--COMMON SENSE. We, Americans, still have it but aren't using it. It's really not that difficult. But then we sit by and import human, toxic, and general waste from another country (and states) into the center of the world's largest supply of fresh water! Common sense--I think not. We are supposed to reduce how much we put in our landfills and then we go ahead import more. What the heck?! Tell me the "green" isn't about the money. I thought it was supposed to be about reducing.
Next we'll address "reuse". Thanks for following the discussion. Remember, there's a lot to be said in such a small space so we're trying to hit the highlights.
Send your comments through at www.paulsonsconstruction.com

Thursday, January 28, 2010

CFL's cost/benefit

Since I touched on Compact Fluorescent light bulbs yesterday, I thought I'd take a moment to explain.
All of these things in the green arena have a cost/benefit to them. CFL's, for instance, cost more to purchase. Supposedly they last longer and use less energy to burn. True or not is a matter of facts that won't be argued here. The light they put out is different, as we all know. Another fact but one that's lost in the glamor and the feeling good part. Having your home lit up like an office is an individual choice. It comes down to what I call the offsets. We deal with them all the time. If I see it as a benefit I might pay more or do more. If I don't, I won't. If I like the way it looks or the performance then great. If not, oh well. Everything has an offset. None of these things are perfect and they'll be different for different people.
The other part that is often overlooked in the glamor and good feelings is what is the production cost of such items as CFL's. What is the impact on the environment from the production? And so on. I mean really, these things are manufactured in China, they contain Mercury, and we are supposed to feel good about spending more money to buy the darn things. Do you really think China handles their production waste the same as we do? When did mercury become safe to put back in homes? What happens when a bulb breaks? Should children be handling them? And on and on. What I say is that all we have really done is traded the impact around the globe a little. The environment in China is damaged (and here when these things are disposed of in our landfills), we spend more money to purchase, less to operate, have an undesirable effect, and all to what gain. Have we really lessened our "footprint"?
What we should really be doing is increasing our energy efficiencies as they exist. This is what we HAVE been doing in our industry and at Paulson's. There are so many ways and things to discuss that this forum does not have room for but a few are related to energy efficient appliances, furnaces, air conditioners, dimmer switches, lower wattage bulbs, etc.
So, are you green because you changed some light bulbs? I think not. It's a lot more than that. Thanks for reading. Send your comments through at www.paulsonsconstruction.com

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Green is the word--Reduce

Well, if green isn't the word, then I don't know what is. After a couple of very busy weeks, I'd like to get back to our green discussion.
Reduce. Reuse, Recycle. The three most critical words in the green movement. They aren't new, are they? No, they have been around for years, following the "Don't litter!" campaigns and then the adding of deposits on certain beverage containers and so on. This way of thinking and doing is nothing new. But then came the reduce, reuse, recycle campaigns that were designed to cover it all and they really do.

Let's start with reduce. The main idea is to reduce consumption. Of what? Everything. Eliminate waste, improve efficiencies, and lessen our overall impact on our environment.
Not a bad concept. Sounds good. If we all pitch in and everyone does a little, the impact can be huge. Right? RIGHT.
So what am I talking about? Well, like I said this stuff is nothing new. As it relates to Paulson's Construction being a green company or even to our industry, we've been reducing for years. We have always looked for ways to reduce: using short pieces of lumber instead of cutting down a long one, using both ends of shingles and siding wherever possible, and generally making sure ALL of our materials are put to use and only TRUE scrap is discarded. This lessens the amount of materials needed to be purchased and also what ends up in the landfill. For years we have been looking at ways to become more efficient: fewer trips to the suppliers, fewer trips from them to us, and better and more efficient products (ie furnaces and air conditioners) and practices. I won't take space here touting the virtues of increased efficiencies and what that means to the environment.
These are but a few examples of reducing our impact. And we do a darn good job of it. The real point is that this is nothing new. Somehow, some glamor is being attached to being green. That's nice but that's not what it's supposed to be about. It's supposed to be about practical solutions to everyday issues and what can we do to help lessen the overall impact. "We" here is all of us. And Paulson's is part of "us".
Being green is more than saying it or putting fancy logos on some stationary. It's just common sense and we try to use it regularly. But when it's taken to extremes, where's the common sense? Compact fluorescent light bulbs, ethanol, and battery cars are three that, on the surface, seem great but that's the glamor. The WHOLE picture needs to be evaluated not just what's on the surface. Remember, the idea is to reduce not trade or increase.
More to come. Thanks for reading. Send your comments through www.paulsonsconstruction.com

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Company Retreat

We had our first annual company retreat a week ago. For two days we, as a team, got together away from the office and really got into what we are doing for 2010. Everything from job descriptions to marketing from production analysis to our values statement. It was a long but very productive time for all of us. Thanks for being patient with us.
www.paulsonsconstruction.com

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Green--it is what it was and a little different

This will be a little different over the next few days as we discuss the increasing popularity of "going Green".
Without question, this is a very popular subject. It seems as though everywhere you turn, there is a green element involved. Especially in the building industry. Who doesn't want to save trees? Who doesn't want to use less energy? Who doesn't want to lessen the impact of what we do to the environment? I mean really, are we as Americans and us as remodelers hell bent on wasting energy and destroying the environment? Absolutely not!
As Americans we are told we consume too much with what we drive, with the size of our homes and with how much waste we create. Do we use a lot? Sure, we do. But the way it's made to sound is that we do it on purpose. That is just not true. In the building industry we are told we are wasteful and don't pay enough attention to how we build and the energy consuming systems that we install. Could we do better? Of course, we could. But, again, we are made out to be the bad guys and that's not the case either.
Is what we are doing really all that bad? Are we all destroying our surroundings as fast as possible? On purpose? I think not. I know we're not. Room for improvement--of course. But is what we are already doing that far off the mark?
Over the next few days, I will try to put some perspective to this issue of "going green". The perspective that I'll take will be from a common sense and logical point of view.
In short, the current "movement" is great for raising awareness but falls short on practical and economical solutions.
Our discussion will begin soon with the first of: reduce, reuse, recycle.

Send us your thoughts at www.paulsonsconstruction.com

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Winter constructiion--A great idea!

Add on in winter? Siding, windows, etc. in winter? You're nuts--right? WRONG.
Winter in our area is a great time to get projects done because contractors are typically slower than in the Spring and Summer. This is a by product of the thinking that winter is a bad time to do work on your home. Again, quite the contrary.
Spring in when almost all manufactures put out their price increases. Like it or not, it is only getting costlier for these manufacturers to produce their products and get them to us.
Winter is usually when people don't do too much outdoors. For this reason, especially if you live on a lake for example, it's a great time to have the contracting work done. We are doing the addition or exterior remodel while you are not "using it". In the Summer, it's entertaining time and time spent outdoors. This way the noise, the workers, the extra vehicles, material staging, and clean up are all done with less impact and when Spring and Summer arrives, we are done and gone leaving you with home improvements that you will certainly enjoy and be proud to show off when guests arrive. Really, if you think about it, would you rather have us there in the Summer in the way, or have the Summer to enjoy the investment you just made to your home.
Snow is easier to deal with than rain. Once the guys get wet, it's time to "call it a day". If it's pouring in the morning, that day will be lost because once the guys have gone home or decided to "call it", it's not practical to bring them back even if it clears up. In most cases we can work with the snow. It can me moved and doesn't create the mud that rain does. The guys can work through it much easier than rain. Basically, less time is lost when dealing with snow vs. rain. There are obvious exceptions but the rule works.
Bottom line:
1 Contractors are slower and that can translate to better pricing
2 Beat product increases that are typically in Spring
3 Enjoy your investment more by having it done when it's not being used
4 Snow is easier to deal with than rain
5 Winter works

Call us today at 517-545-8651 or visit us on the web at www.paulsonsconstruction.com We're here to help and will do our best to make it work for you.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Additions, Kitchens, Baths, Finished Basements

In 2009, the last 1/2 of the year showed that many clients are doing additions to their homes. We have seen porch additions, first floor additions, second story additions, garage additions, and even small bump outs and bay additions. Going against the trend, these clients have improved their homes, improved the way they and their families function, and improved their lives. And here's the "shocker": They have also improved the value of their homes. YES--IT'S TRUE!
Right now is about the best time we have ever seen to remodel or add on. Prices are at or near lows for materials. Labor, are you kidding, we haven't had a increase in labor in three years. Winter, yes, a great time to improve what you have for many reasons (check next blog). Plus you are beating all of the price increases from manufacturers in the Spring.
Not sure what's holding you back? We talk to a lot folks who aren't sure either. It really is a great time to get those projects done and we can help. Visit our website at www.paulsonsconstruction.com and then give Paul a call. He will come out to meet with you and get the process started. Let us help from the design through completion. We've got a great team and we look forward to working together.
517-545-8651

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Happy New Year!

We, at Paulson's, wish you all a very Happy New Year! 2010 is well worth looking forward to and we can't wait to get it going. See you soon.

www.paulsonsconstruction.com