WestCon Tribune

March 2008

Westcon Membership Websites 

Each person joining Westcon receives a web link on the Westcon website. The information on the web link is usually what has been submitted as the members entry into the directory.  If you have a website for yourself or your company and it is in the directory, it will be a link on your Westcon web link.

After numerous requests, Kate Reed, who has designed and maintained our website, has developed a special rate sheet for members who would like to enhance their Westcon site. Kate has had her own graphics design firm for over ten years. She has assisted members with their personal sites and will extend a discount to any members wishing to set up or redo a current site.

Member’s Price List

Insert Company Logo                                          $5

Add up to 3 images                                             $10

   additional images after three   $5 each

Include a resume                                                $10

(A link can be created to a PDF file

or a second HTML page can be created.

Info needs to be submitted in digital format.)      

Insert additional print (digital format)

            up to two pages                                      $5

NEWS BRIEFS

U.S. construction spending down record 2.6% in ‘07

Construction spending around the U.S. dropped by a record 2.6% in 2007, according to the Commerce Department. The drop is blamed largely on big slowdowns in home building by private companies. Spending in December was down 1.1%, the largest decline in 15 months.

Construction cost surge is easing

The Turner Building Cost Index predicts a 7.09% increase over the fourth quarter 2006 and a 1.51% increase in construction costs over the third quarter 2007. Commodity prices have eased slightly over the last quarter, says the nation’s biggest general contractor, but global demand from emerging economies continues to drive prices upward.

Housing bust is a boom for apartment developers

Apartment developers say they likely will benefit from the housing downturn as more people turn to renting due to tougher lending standards for home buying. Many landlords are raising their rents as U.S. home prices decline.

Scientists worry Lake Mead could run dry by 2021

A new study from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography finds a 50% chance that Lake Mead will be unusable as a water source in as little as 13 years. Lighter snows and high evaporation levels are reducing the flow of the Colorado River, resulting in less water for the lake, which serves as the primary reservoir for Phoenix and Las Vegas.

The 32 Stages

of Construction Defects

By Bruce Mosias - Aquatech Consultancy

1.  Architect for a spec builder designs new home.

2.  Contractor builds home using plans without details for waterproofing below grade walls, decks or window installation.

3.  Home is put on market and sells during summer.

4.  Interest rates hit bottom.

5.  Purchase price is affordable.

6.  Walk thru is perfect.

7.  Purchaser is very excited about buying the new home.

8.  Owners move into dream house.

9.  El Nino.

10.  Year one: Dual-pane windows fog up.

11.  Cautious optimism

12.  Year 2:  Strange odors become perceptible.

13.  Ambiguous bewilderment.

14.  Year 3:  Dry wall and stucco cracks appear.

15.  Water from rains shows up on windowsills and floors.

16.  Homeowner panic.

17.  Customer Service rep gets amnesia.

18.  Contractor uses numerous tubes of sealant for repairs.

19.  Water begins to drip out of light fixtures.

20.  Contractor uses numerous tubes of sealant for repairs.

21.  Below grade office walls begin to leak.

22.  Contractor gives up returning to make repairs.

23.  Contractor returns calls once a week.

24.  Contractor returns calls once a month.

25.  Year 4:  Contractor stops returning calls.

26.  Owner has handyman make repairs (with sealant).

27.  Owner makes repairs (with sealant).

28.  Owner writes letter to Contractor’s State License Board.

29.  Owner calls attorney.

30.  Attorney calls Waterproofing Consultant.

31.  Consultant diagnoses multiple construction defects attributed to incomplete design by the architect and ignorance of the building contractor.

32.  Luckily the Contractor and the subs had insurance and after another 24 months of correspondence, site visits, mold remediation, blue tarp art and insurance company agreement the homeowner                            receives funds to make repairs.

UPCOMING  EVENTS

Wednesday,

April 16, 2008

Westcon Dinner Meeting

Encinal Yacht Club,Alameda

March 10-14, 2008

Associated General Contractors of America

Annual Convention, Las Vegas, NV

(800) 242-1767

 Ext. 8338

visit: www.AGC.ORG

April 22-26, 2008

2008 National Earthquake Conference

Westin Hotel, Seattle

(800) 942-4978

www.earthquake conference.org

May 11 - 13, 2008

10th Annual NAHB

National Green Building Conference

New Orleans

(800) 368-5254 Ext. 8338

NAHB.ORG

Wednesday,

May 21, 2008

Westcon Dinner Meeting

Encinal Yacht Club,Alameda

IDEAS? If you would like to give a presentation to Westcon, or have ideas or topics you would like discussed, please notify Fred Field, Program Director at (415) 485–5882. All suggestions are welcome!

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