Austin Construction News September 2021

Covering the Industry’s News

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A smart move

Ready to leave its mark

L-R: Braun & Butler President Kenton Heinze, VP of Field Operations Mack Ellis, Controller Kaci Roberts, VP of Construction Services Colin Juren, and Executive Vice President Brian Lauterjung

L-R: Chalk Line LLC Founding Partners Ryan Ritchie, Trevor Spring and Bryan Brown

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eneral contractor Braun & Butler Construction Inc.’s new Leander office location was two years in the making and opened its doors at 300 Hazelwood St., Ste. 100 in March.

“We have traditionally owned our offices throughout the years,” Braun & Butler Owner/President Kenton Heinze says. “I decided not to do that when I bought the company in 2012 in order to make things more manageable. We were in a lease space for the previous eight years and that served us well, but it definitely limited our ability to grow. We kind of had people stacked on top of each other; add COVID into that and it made it a challenge. We wanted somewhere to plant our flag and have room to grow, so this is the next chapter.

We have been working on this for two

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years, started construction about a year ago and moved in February. Now we have room to grow here, plus, we can add another building if we would like.”

Heinze says customers will benefit from the move.

“The new location is easy to jump on off of the toll road, not only north-south, but somewhat east-west. It allows our ability to navigate our territory better and get to our projects easier,” he says. “It also allows us to follow some of our growth plan that we had been squashing from not having the available room.

We’ve since added another estimator and project manager, something that we needed to do but we didn’t have the room to do.”

With the past two offices located in continued on Page 14

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revor Spring, Ryan Ritchie and Bryan Brown’s new general contracting company, Chalk Line LLC, is planning to leave its mark on Texas.

Currently serving central Texas, the Austin-based company offers general contracting services with a design build focus.

“We know what it’s like to be an owner fully developing a piece of land and see it as a strength for our future customers,” Spring says. “We also see ourselves as an asset to owners who may not have the internal resources or the time to help navigate the complexities of entitlements, design and preconstruction, which are the foundation of a successful development and construction project.”

It’s a venture for which Spring spent much of his life preparing. Playing with Legos and working with his dad on the

family farm transitioned to a summer job as a carpenter’s apprentice at age 16. His love of being outside, talking to people, making friends, and solving problems convinced him that construction was his path. He studied construction management in college and, after graduation, worked for a construction company.

“Construction gave me the ability to travel and see the world and after a few stops along the way, I ended up in the great state of Texas in 2005,” he says. “Most of my career was split between two of the best companies in the state, SpawGlass and Ryan Companies, and I count myself very fortunate for the experiences and opportunities I was given. I was lucky to be part of the growth of the Ryan office in Austin and again in Dallas; I love the startcontinued on Page 14

Welded bliss

nez Escamilla, Owner of welding company Loose Cannon Industries, is a planner. So, for her wedding to fellow welder Nic Joslyn, she planned a surprise: Instead of lighting a unity candle, the couple welded together two metal heart pieces inscribed ‘Together we have it all.

Mr. and Mrs. Joslyn.’ The bridesmaids and groomsmen, donning custom shades with protective screens, looked on as Inez, with a veil attached to her welding hat, welded her life to another’s.

For the longest time, Escamilla had accomplished it all on her own, and had been involved in welding for as long as she could remember.

“My dad was in the trade. I started holding hammers and handing him tools and flashlights at a very young age. When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a mechanic, but I never did,” Escamilla says.

“I took a bunch of different classes and graduated high school a year early. I took all of my core classes and just started playing. I did building construction and when I fell into welding, it just happened.”

She started a DBA in 2007, working alone until she found help. She graduated from Austin Community College’s welding department and worked there part time, starting her business right out of school. Escamilla says she thinks she had something to prove in her early 20s.

“I got pushback being a female in a male-dominated industry, but I think the challenge made it more interesting,” she says.

Because she was a bartender and a waitress during college, her first welding jobs consisted of bar and restaurant repairs. Then she landed a contract with Mexican food restaurant chain Chuy’s, Welder Inez Escamilla (on right end, next to husband Nic Joslyn) established Loose Cannon Industries on her own and brought on a team that feels like family.

continued on Page 14

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Austin Construction News • SEPTEMBER 2021

Boulderness runs in the family

Betting on their members

The National Association of Women in Construction’s (NAWIC) Austin chapter celebrated its 84 members with a Membership Appreciation Casino Night.

Held Aug. 4 at Norris Conference Center, the event featured networking, gambling, goodies, chapter awards and milestone anniversary gifts. –mjm

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L-R: Lisa, James, John Torrey (and Lisa and John’s daughter, who might join them in the future) think Boulder Designs by TLI is a sign they should work together.

t wasn’t too long ago that Lisa Torrey, her husband, John Torrey, and their son, James Torrey, were operating in different worlds. Lisa was using her project management and sales expertise in the corporate arena, John flew at 30,000 ft. in management and triage, and James had a great job in Arizona.

Then Lisa and John met the Boulder Design franchises owner. They were sold on the real-looking boulder/signage and bought the Montgomery and Harris franchise rights. They established Boulder Designs by TLI in 2019, and James vacated his safe bet position to move back and help out Mom and Dad.

“I never dreamed I would be working with my wife or my son,” John jokes. “So far, no one believes us when we say it’s worked out fine!”

It helps that the Torrey family believes so much in the product.

“It’s an upgraded eco-friendly product for any kind of signage rather than the traditional,” Lisa says. “In Texas, if you have traditional signage, it gets blown away in this crazy weather. Since it’s eco-friendly,

mold and bacteria won’t grow it. The maintenance is much lower than it would normally be on a different-type product.

We see it in HOA communities and in commercial and residential applications.”

They Torreys have just expanded into Austin. They are also excited to partner with One World LED to offer LED capabilities in the boulders, which should increase their work with educational facilities. Because Boulder Designs by TLI is a woman- and minority-based company, the Torreys have many opportunities to work with educational and government entities.

“We’d love to see it as a regular stream, a go-to place for HOAs as well as for general contractors,” Lisa says.

“We also would like to be throughout Texas and, when we decide to stop working, our son would inherit it and it would continue to be a family business,” John adds. In fact, CEO James hopes to convince his sister, who is living and working in San Francisco, to move and join him in Boulder Designs by TLI. “We’re just enjoying the connection with family!” Lisa says. -mjm

Door corps

L-R: Cris Garza and Becky Bednarz, Remodel and New Construction Specialists for San Marcos Iron Doors, enjoy helping customers choose doors for properties.

Austin Construction News • SEPTEMBER 2021

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Creating a spark to learn

Industry FOLKS Juan Cabrera Customer Service

Pritchard Industries Southwest Austin, TX

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elping people is what Juan Cabrera enjoys most in life, and it is what brought him to America 30 years ago at age 18. As one of 11 children in his family – six sons and five daughters – Cabrera witnessed his parents struggle to provide for him and his siblings, even though the family grew almost all of their own food. Cabrera and his brother decided that immigrating from Mexico City, Mexico to the U.S. and working hard would ensure that their siblings could graduate and “be somebody,” Cabrera says. “Now in our family, we have lawyers, computer technicians, nurses, teachers – every one of them had a choice of what they wanted to do.”

Cabrera says he initially wanted to be a doctor but started in the marble industry instead. He worked for several companies before joining Pritchard Industries Southwest, a building services company that offers construction cleaning. He doesn’t mind that medicine didn’t turn out to be his career and finds his current role in customer service a perfect fit.

“This job makes me happy,” he says with a smile. “I’m a people person.

I love customer service, meeting people, and making sure the customers are satisfied with what we do. This is our goal.”

Although Cabrera didn’t have family in the States when he immigrated, he has a created a close-knit

family in Austin. With five grown children out of the nest and two teens at home (and two newly acquired dogs), he can often be found enjoying park cookouts or going on ice cream runs with his daughters.

Cabrera laughs when he says he enjoys the cooking part every bit as much as much as the eating part.

“I am a good cook,” he says. “When my wife doesn’t want to cook, she asks me to. I can do enchiladas, chile rellenos, and carne asada. I learned to cook on my own; when you live by yourself and nobody cooks for you, you have to learn because you don’t want to eat bad food. I wish I could go on a cooking show; I watch Bobby Flay’s show every Thursday!”

When he’s not feeding others, he likes to help his neighbors enjoy their home as much as he enjoys his.

“I like to maintain my house and my yard,” Cabrera says. “I’m always looking for little repairs to do. I like when people come to my house and it looks nice, from the front yard to the backyard. I like to help out my neighbors as well. When I see that their grass is high, I ask if they would like me to cut it, at no cost.”

Cabrera has spent most of his life in Austin, and with satisfying work, a loving family and a chance to help others, he plans to stay. –mjm

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Marc Pendleton (left) of IBEW Local 520 invites electricians to learn about the organization’s educational opportunities.

nternational Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 520 is over 100 years old with branches in every state. In Austin, where IBEW is based, the organization boasts over 2,000 electrician members – 300 of them women – and close to one million electrician members overall.

Marc Pendleton, IBEW Local 520 Vice President/Assistant Business Manager/Organizer, Membership Development, says there are over 10,000 electricians in Austin, and he invites them all to learn about the benefits and programs his organization offers.

Pendleton says electricians who visit IBEW to gain more information learn about the free insurance, retirement options and pension they would receive as members.

They also learn that there are also important educational opportunities available.

“We have a five-year apprenticeship program,” Pendleton says. “Contractors pay for it, so there isn’t a student loan for apprentices to repay. You have to be over 18 and have a valid driver’s license, and an apprentice license, which is $20. You also

have to have a $39 OSHA Safety course.

Through the apprenticeship, you can get Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance for you and your family and three kinds of retirement. You get almost $3.00 raises every year guaranteed until you top out as a journeyman or journeywoman.

“We also have the Lone Star Program, a free, week-long electrical course at our training center,” he continues. “The course is taught by Darci Brennan and Rebecca Young. If people are just wanting to learn about being an electrician – they don’t have to be IBEW members – they can come and rough-in a room and put a plug or a switch in, bend some pipe or wire, and build a robot to plug a phone into that they can take home. You get your TDLR license, your OSHA-10 and a bag of Klein tools for free. The website is lonestarctt.org.”

“We understand there are non-union electricians, but we would love for everybody to be electricians with us,” he says.

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 520 is in Austin. – mjm

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Austin Construction News • SEPTEMBER 2021

Greg Casey

Owner Casey Custom Concrete Dripping Springs, TX

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reg Casey worked in corporate America for 35 years before deciding to try out business ownership for himself. Nearly four years ago, he established Casey Custom Concrete, and has turned it into a family business that continues to grow.

Share about your background.

I grew up in southern Indiana in a farming community. I was the kid who would detail cars and mow yards and put up hay, making money to pay my way.

When I was 18 and out of high school, I started working for Kimball Office Furniture in Indiana on the factory floor. I was very blessed through that.

Some of the leadership at Kimball pulled me aside and asked me what I wanted to do with my life. When I told them I had an interest in engineering, Kimball actually paid for my education. I took night classes at Purdue and was offered opportunities to get into the engineering program. I had a lot of good businessminded people around me.

When I left 25 years later to move to Texas for another furniture job 10 years ago, I was a Director of Engineering.

Overall, I spent 35 years in corporate America, 25 of them with Kimball.

What motivated you to start Casey Custom Concrete LLC?

Greg Casey

I had never run a company for myself but for others and made other people a lot of money in my life. I thought I would try to make some for myself and my family. Penntek, our parent company, interviewed me and I interviewed them. They are familyowned and very family-centric, and it was just a good fit. I started this small family-owned business about threeand-a-half years ago. We have grown from one crew working out of our garage to two crews needing a third and a 4,000sf commercial space.

We do commercial and residential concrete coatings as a Penntek dealer for the Austin market. We’re the only Penntek dealer in Austin, so we are the only people who have this solution; we service the entire market. We’re an alternative to epoxy or decorative stain.

It’s Polyurea base coat, with a Polyaspartic topcoat – commercial, residential, interior, exterior, great physical properties, great warranty. Our claim to fame is that we can do 1,000sf in one day. It’s ready for foot traffic six hours after we leave, and you can treat it like it’s been there forever 24 hours after we leave. We’re one-day versus five-day with epoxy.

What do you enjoy about your work?

I’m no longer in an office. I get to get out and meet other people, other businesspeople, families, and it’s great to help them solve problems and bring their visions to life. It’s very rewarding.

Five or ten years ago, I never would have expected to be a business owner in a home improvement industry. If I would have known then what I know now, I would have started this much sooner.

What is a favorite memory from these first years of business ownership?

Chip and Joanna Gaines left the channel they were on to start their own channel. They have a new show they just started the new season of that is airing now, called “First-Time Flippers.”

The couples that they are working with are millennials who purchased an older home and who have no idea what they’re getting into. They have several families, and they go down the journey of bringing it up to modern standards.

We were contacted to participate, and we did the outside, the pool and the rear patio.

It was an interesting experience; they had Go Pros strategically placed so you didn’t really know you were being filmed, but they filmed you all day. Then, to get the first-person shots, they put a harness on your chest with a camera to get footage. It’s being edited now, and I’m supposed to go back before it airs so they can interview me to talk about our company and our materials. It should be aired in January. Our little business is definitely being blessed.

Cameron Casey and Greg Casey of Casey Custom Concrete

How is the Austin construction boom affecting your young company?

Right now, it’s a great time to be in Austin, and Texas in general. I’ve had this conversation with a lot of people who have come here: Because of today’s climate, even bad contractors are busy, and good contractors are really busy and in high demand. We have seven folks now and we’re in the hiring process.

We’re growing at a controlled pace so that we can continue to deliver our topnotch service. Wherever you find us – Google, Facebook, our website – all of our reviews after three-and-a-half years are five out of five. We don’t pay for those, and we’re not perfect, but we take care of our customers, and we don’t leave them unhappy.

We are trying to grow our business to where we can be a vital part of the community for years to come. It’s not a grow-and-sell approach; it’s familyowned. My son, Cameron, knows this business from the ground up. My wife, Sherry, is also involved in the business; she is an elementary school teacher, but during the summer months, she’s my Director of First Impressions. We’re a team. Most of our employees are out of the Dripping Springs area. We’re providing income for about six families now. We’re trying to grow at a controllable, deliberate pace so that we can continue to deliver quality service.

How do you think your employees would describe you as a boss?

They would say I am patient. In my 35 years in the corporate world, I went from building cabinets to Director of Engineering at Kimball, so I take a lot of pride in making other leaders. At one time with Kimball, I had 50 direct reports, supported seven factories, new product

Austin

development, ran the business, engineering changes and maintenance.

Through that progression, now at 54 years of age, there are probably six or seven other engineering managers that I hired that I mentored and trained, so I have created other leaders, and that’s the best thing I have done.

I had a customer call me after an install that told me that my guys were amazing, the product was beautiful, and said that my installers talked highly of me, that I was fair, honest and did everything with integrity. That’s the way I want people to think about me and my company.

What do you enjoy in your spare time?

I ride motorcycles; I have a Harley.

Motorcycles and work take up most of my time; I work about 23 hours a day now! But that is starting to change as we grow. I’m starting to bring other people on to help.

I’m also very involved in our church; my wife and I are the directors of our usher team at Life Dripping Springs.

We’re at a church that is about a yearand-a-half old in Dripping Springs, affiliated with LifeAustin. It’s a growing church; we set up out of three 20-ft. trailers and we tear it down every Sunday morning.

What do you hope the future of the company holds?

I hope to grow this to about five or six crews, and if Cameron is interested in taking it over and running it, it will be his. I have a daughter as well; she is a senior at Dripping Hills High School this year, so whatever the two of them choose to do, I will be able to pass it on.

Casey Custom Concrete LLC is a concrete contractor in Dripping Springs. –mjm

CONSTRUCTION NEWS

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Austin Construction News • SEPTEMBER 2021

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Innovation & new partnership

TSPS Officers installed

On Aug. 19, the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors installed new officers for TSPS Chapter 13 - Capital Area at their meeting in Austin’s County Line.

(L-R): 1st Year Directors Kevin Pata and Eddie Martinez, Vice President Bryan Newsome, President Jason Reynolds, Secretary/Treasurer Ashley Conrad, and 2nd Year Directors Shawn Trevino and Hector Salas. –mjm

WE DON’T MAKE THE NEWS, WE MAKE IT BETTER Call Construction News for Advertising 210-308-5800

Magni rotating telescopic handler

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n late July, Texas First Rentals and HOLT Crane & Equipment became authorized dealers of Magni Telescopic Handlers. The new product line of Magni rotating and heavy lift telehandlers will be available for rent and purchase at HOLT Crane & Equipment locations in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. Texas First Rentals has more than 20 locations that will rent and service the Magni equipment line.

“Our investment in Magni products signifies our commitment to providing diverse products that meet the various needs of our customers,” says Texas First Rentals Senior Vice President Don Myrick.

“The Magni Rotating Telescopic Handlers will make a valuable addition to our rental fleet. Whether you’re on a construction site, in a manufacturing facility, or on a mining location, these telehandlers are ready for any application.” Magni’s Rotating Telescopic Handlers (RTH) are versatile and flexible machines that can be used for many applications and equipped with various accessories such as forks, winches and platforms. Users benefit particularly from the 360° rotation of the RTH.

The Texas First Rental and HOLT Crane & Equipment teams are excited about this new product addition according to HOLT Crane & Equipment General Manager David Worsham. “Our partnership with Magni further strengthens our commitment to the success of our customers.

Magni’s commitment to quality and safety ensures that our customers are getting superior products backed by our legendary customer service.”

Family-owned and operated, HOLT has been associated with heavy equipment and Caterpillar for over 100 years. HOLT CAT Chief Executive Officer and General Manager Peter J. Holt and HOLT CAT President and Chief Administrative Officer Corinna Holt Richter are direct descendants of Benjamin Holt, who in 1904 developed the first successful track-type tractor which he named the “Caterpillar.”

Since 1988, HOLT has embraced Values-Based Leadership® to form its company culture, which has helped the HOLT name become synonymous with quality, integrity and commitment to customer service. -cmw

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Austin Construction News • SEPTEMBER 2021

Now see hear

Q

Iron will

Quint Berry of Austin Audio by Quint

uint Berry is a talking timeline of audio and video history. He can reminisce about how your dad’s old tower speakers and a receiver in a corner morphed into swimming pool speakers, and how a TV monitor ultimately slimmed down to four inches and could be mounted on a wall. Want to go down memory lane regarding surround sound and the movies that put it on the map?

Berry will happily walk that lane.

The Austin Audio by Quint owner could also share about his own history, growing up doing construction for different companies. It taught him how the infrastructure of a building came together and also how to run a business.

“My business kind of fell out of wanting to be around entertainment,” Barry says. “It was car audio at first and then I went into home audio after I realized my clients weren’t 18, they were 40, and needed a lot more assistance. There weren’t really a lot of audio/video in houses back in the early ‘90s. I had the experience of growing though all of that technology in the ‘80s and then in the ‘90s audio and video was getting better. Then

it became more about aesthetics and hiding wires, so I started to think about home audio as a real business.”

Berry established Austin Audio by Quint in 1996 and found that all of his years in construction came in handy.

“I had done the car audio business, which is similar in how we connect things in a stereo situation, but I had construction history. I wasn’t afraid of going into a sheet rocked wall. I knew where the wire was, how to avoid issues, and what not to hit,” Berry says.

He added commercial installations to his offerings and now has a team of five.

He anticipates always seeing his work evolve while staying in place.

“I like that technology is always changing, and the uniqueness and entertainment issue of it. I can do this all of the time. I think it’s going to get more unique, and get easier and more difficult in ways, too. I’ll enjoy seeing my business evolve, but I don’t think it will be anywhere else than in Austin.

That’s where I want to be. I’m here because of the personalities that are here. I hope that doesn’t change,” he says.

Austin Audio by Quint is in Austin. –mjm

l-R: Iron Towers’ Guadalupe Barragan, Martha Muro and Hector Caro

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ustin-based Iron Towers, a concrete, welding and steel construction company, opened in January with four partners to steer it to success.

Husband-and-wife Martha Muro and Hector Caro teamed up with Muro’s cousin Guadalupe Barragan, and Rene Flores to bring their dream of a family construction business to life. Muro oversees business development, while Caro, who has applied his welding skills to oil refineries for over 20 years, manages operations. Senior partner Barragan, a successful restauranteur with four popular dining spots to his credit, will manage the company’s publicity. Flores brings more than 30 years of experience in concrete and ownership to the table.

“We are building a strong business with quality,” Muro says. “We’re trying to make sure people know us, what we do and we try to do our best for them, especially in our quality.”

Every new business owner can expect challenges, and Muro says she is no exception. She anticipates a learning curve and hurdles as she navigates business own-

ership. As a woman and a minority, navigating projects in Texas and not Mexico without the benefit of a construction management or engineering experience, are all obstacles she says she sees coming. Muro is confident in her business acumen, however, and her passion for her dream and desire to work with family outweigh any concerns she has.

“It’s a lot of challenges – and a challenge to myself – making this happen,” Muro says.

One challenge she and her partners are already overcoming is opening a new business during a pandemic.

“Establishing this business in 2020 would have been a challenge because we didn’t have the tools we needed,” Muro explains. “This year, 2021, was actually a good year to start. We’ve had opportunities to meet people and make connections as we go back to normal.

“I want Iron Towers to be a strong company and become a go-to household name. We want to stay on people’s minds.

Our quality will bring that to us,” Muro says.

Iron Towers is in Austin. –mjm

Austin Construction News • SEPTEMBER 2021

Page 7

ACCOUNTING

INSURANCE

Start Counting Up Your 2021 Covid-19 Deductions

The Importance of Cyber Insurance for Contractors

Steven Bankler, Owner Steven Bankler, CPA, Ltd. San Antonio, TX

Lauren Schuler, Vice President of Sales Time Insurance Austin, TX

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s the COVID-19 pandemic swept the world, tax and financial relief efforts were sped along to help business owners stay afloat. As 2021 settled in, some of those efforts trickled away. So, where do you stand as a business owner? What COVID-19 tax deductions should be accounted for before the year’s end? Here are a few areas to consider: Did you borrow Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds?

Now that round two of the PPP application process is closed, all eyes are on loan forgiveness and tax deductions. You can apply for forgiveness once all applicable loan proceeds have been used and can do so up to the loan’s maturity date.

However, if you don’t apply for forgiveness within ten months after the last day of your covered period, PPP lenders will start requiring payment. Deductions are now allowed for normally deductible expenses, even when funded by a forgiven PPP loan. If you missed that opportunity on your 2020 tax return (the decision was made late in the tax season), you can deduct the expenses on your 2021 tax return instead of filing an amended return.

Did you take out other relief loans?

The Small Business Administration (SBA) extended other loans and grants throughout the pandemic, including 7(a) loans, 504 loans for economic development, small business microloans, Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program grants, targeted EIDL advances, and more. Under certain COVID-19-era laws, many of these loans and grants are excluded from gross income and don’t increase the basis of funded assets. Many of the expenses paid with the funds are deductible, too, which is an added bonus.

Did you provide employees paid leave for reasons related to COVID-19?

In July 2021, the IRS expanded tax credits to employers offering paid time off, this time to employees who need to take a family or household member or other individuals to get vaccinated for COVID-19 or to care for them as they recover from a vaccination. The expansion applies to the same types of employers identified last year: Those with fewer than 500 employees and certain governmental employers. Although eligible employers are no longer reimbursed or required to provide leave for reasons related to COVID-19, the tax credits have been extended for those who have chosen to offer it through September 30, 2021. And if you’re an eligible employer, you can still claim tax credits for expanded family and medical leave for reasons related to COVID-19 for any leave you offered before March 31, 2021.

Did you retain employees even as you lost revenue?

The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) is a bit of a moving target right now, which may be good or bad news, depending on your previous eligibility. The qualification period has been extended to January 1, 2022, and now includes more recovery startup businesses (those that began operating shortly before or during the pandemic). A new safe harbor allows employers to exclude certain items—including PPP forgiveness amounts—from their gross receipts solely for determining their eligibility. With these and other changes affecting reporting, advance payments, and more, it’s critical to address any questions you have now before the end of the year.

Did your business expenses change?

Chances are that your business operations changed during the past year or so. Your cost of goods sold and capital expenses likely fluctuated along with demand and the supply chain. You may have also shifted how and where you conduct business—from using your own car to setting up shop at home. Employee pay (including yours), the cost of health and safety supplies, retirement plans, rent, and insurance: These factors may have all changed in one way or another. With this many moving parts, it’s essential to re-evaluate your business expenses and how you deduct them.

Did you invest in technology solutions?

As workforces shifted and supply chains tightened this year, many business owners invested in new technology and processes. For instance, in the construction field, AI/machine learning and 3D imaging increase efficiency and speed for planning and building, drones are deployed for inspections and data collecting, and remote collaboration continues as data security needs increase. Some of the expenses to adopt these innovations may qualify for research and development tax credit. Others may be immediately deductible business expenses or capital expenses that are deductible over time.

Are you unsure whether your 2019 and 2020 taxes were correct?

Just as the PPP rules changed after some business owners already filed their taxes, some other COVID-era changes may have affected your past tax returns.

Sudden net operating losses (NOLs) could affect past returns, as can asset depreciation strategies. You have every right to file an amended return if there’s an issue that affects your filing status, income, deductions, or credits. Generally, to claim a refund, you must file an amendment within three years after the date you filed your original return or within two years after the date you paid the tax, whichever is later. But some changes—like those affecting bonus depreciation—must be made before the proceeding year’s tax return is filed, so don’t put it off.

The list of considerations could go on and on. The bottom line: It’s not too early to start adding up your 2021 tax deduction, especially when PPP and large business expenses—or business expenses outside the norm—are in the mix.

Steven Bankler has more than 44 years of experience in the accounting industry. Steven’s expertise lies in consulting, planning, tax, and asset protection as well as exit strategy services for closely held businesses.

He also provides litigation support (both as a testifying expert witness and a consulting expert), business negotiations and estate planning. Visit www.bankler.com for additional tax strategy tips and to learn more about Steven Bankler, CPA, Ltd.

C

yber insurance is all the buzz in the insurance industry right now, but the benefits and coverages are still a mystery to many business owners. The first cyber policies started back in 1990s and have grown in popularity in recent years as our world has turned more and more digital.

The work-from-home boom and deteriorating political stability between the U.S., Russia and China have resulted in increased cyber-attacks from our biggest institutions, down to smaller companies and maybe your family. The continued increase of these cyber-attacks will further disrupt every aspect of life, critical supply chain systems and further lead to the crippling of our countries infrastructure. It is predicted that cyber-attacks globally will cost $6 trillion in 2021. With small to mid-size businesses being the prime targets of these attacks because of their lack of sophistication in cyber security. Some food for thought for you, CNA website claims “The average cost of a ransomware attack is $5 million, and it takes an average of 191 days for an organization to discover it has been breached. “

So what is cyber insurance? Cyber Insurance provides coverage for financial loss and expenses that businesses may suffer because of a Cyber Event, including cyber-attacks from malware or other invasive software, cyber extortion, and social engineering. It can cover network failure, dependent business income, and reputational harm among other coverages.

Let me walk you through a real-life example of a cyber breach to better understand why coverage is so essential.

You wake up and realize your company’s computer system is being held ransom for an $1 million dollar extortion. Coverage one that is going that is going to come into effect is your ransomware coverage.

Ransomware coverage is covering any attack that requires an extortion or ransom demand. This is one of the most common attacks by hackers in today’s world. The longer you wait and deliberate a plan of action you are holding up potentially jobs, bids, and result in more loss of revenue for being down for days. Which brings me to coverage number two that is going to take effect. loss of income. This is going to cover the expenses and loss of revenue during this business interruption period. Now you have paid the extortion, but word has gotten out that your systems were hacked, and sensitive information was comprised. You need to do some crisis response and hire a PR company to help. This would also be covered by your cyber policy. From this example you can see the trickle effect a cyber could have on your company and how without coverage the expenses become exorbitant and could result in financial destruction of your company if you don’t have the correct risk controls in place.

In addition to insurance coverage if there were to be a cyber-attack many companies are now offering to clients who purchase a cyber policy risk mitigation service to help a cyber attack from happening. From exploration calls to find where there are exposures in your company to educational webinars that inform the client on new malware trends. As an agent I would highly recommend putting in controls to avoid the attack from hap-

pening in the first place. Put in place two factor authentication to add an extra layer of security and prevent someone unwanted from logging into your system.

Train your employees to recognize phishing. 94% of cyber attacks start with an email. Also run background checks on your employees and make sure the people you are hiring you can trust with sensitive information. Most importantly put a plan in place to manage a date breach.

If a beach occurs, there should a clear protocol outlining which employees are part of the incident response tea mand their roles and responsibilities.

While still a very new coverage to the insurance industry cyber coverage is quickly becoming a mainstream product that every customer should consider. Insurance serves to protect you from losses that you cannot self-insure, and a cyber seven figure cyber-attack most mid-size companies would be devastated by. If it can happen to the US government, it can very much happen to you as well. As hackers evolve and become more advanced, we must also evolve and protect our companies from harm.

Time Insurance Agency with locations in Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas has proudly been serving the Texas construction industry for 60 years. With deep roots in the construction industry, we are able to serve your commercial, health, and surety needs. I am the proud third generation of Time Insurance, my grandfather started the Austin location in 1961.

As Vice President of Sales, I continue to bring in the next generation of customers to Time and evolve the agency into a more tech forward space.

I am the proud third generation of Time Insurance, my grandfather started the Austin location in 1961. As Vice President of Sales, I continue to bring in the next generation of customers to Time and evolve the agency into a more tech forward space.

Lauren Schuler, Vice President of Sales Time Insurance Agency 1405 E. Riverside Dr. Austin, TX 78741 800-365-6065 Fax 512-440-0989

Page 8

Austin Construction News • SEPTEMBER 2021

OSHA

LEGAL Damages for Fraud in Construction Cases

Accident Investigation Joann Natarajan Compliance Assistance Specialist OSHA Austin, TX

Roger Townsend, Principal Cokinos | Young San Antonio, Austin DFW, Houston

T

his paper examines where Texas courts mistook the measure of damages for fraud. Although the plane has long left the runway, it is always possible that the Texas Supreme Court will correct its mistake if someone preserves and presents the issue.

Current law “Texas recognizes two measures of direct damages for common-law fraud: the out-of-pocket measure and the benefit-of-the-bargain measure.” Formosa Plastics Corp. USA v. Presidio Eng’rs and Contractors, Inc., 960 S.W.2d 41, 49 (Tex. 1998).. “The out of-pocket measure computes the difference between the value paid and the value received, while the benefit-of-the-bargain measure computes the difference between the value as represented and the value received.”

Id. “The out-of-pocket measure allows the injured party to recover the actual injury suffered measured by the difference between the value of that which he has parted with, and the value of that which he has received.” Id. (cleaned up).

The supreme court has been adamant that this contract measure reflects, in the fraud context, tort damages: “[T]ort damages are recoverable for a fraudulent inducement claim irrespective of whether the fraudulent representations are later subsumed in a contract or whether the plaintiff only suffers an economic loss related to the subject matter of the contract.” Formosa , 960 S.W.2d at 47.

Prior law The benefit-of-the-bargain measure for fraud, however, has been a more recent invention. By 1906, the supreme court had explicitly rejected a benefit-of-the-bargain measure in fraud cases.

George v. Hesse, 93 S.W. 107, 107 (Tex. 1906). There, the court held that, “[t]his is not a case in which the plaintiff sues for the breach of a contract, for the contract has been performed by both parties. But it is a case in which the plaintiff sues to recover damages for a fraudulent representation by which he has been induced to enter into a contract to his loss. Clearly, we think, the extent of his loss is the difference between the value of that which he has parted with, and the value of that which he has received under the agreement.” Id.

This remained settled law for a long time. See, e.g., Sobel v. Jenkins, 477 S.W.2d 863, 868 (Tex. 1972).

To be sure, a plaintiff suing for breach of contract could seek benefit-of-the-bargain damages. Although inconsistent with a fraud claim, a contract claim is permissible because inconsistent theories are allowed. At the time of judgment, the plaintiff has to elect the theory allowing the largest recovery.

The goof In the 1980s, with an indisputably pro-plaintiff supreme court, a question arose whether benefit-of-the-bargain damages were available for a misrepresentation under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Because that statute allowed any measure of damages recognized at common law, the majority opinion liberally construed the Act to adopt any measure recognized for any cause of action at common law. Under this logic, the court applied a benefit-of-the-bargain measure to a misrepresentation under the DTPA. See W.O. Bankston Nissan, Inc. v. Walters, 754 S.W.2d 127, 128 (Tex. 1988).

In fairness to the court, the decision was influenced by an earlier DTPA deci-

sion that had said benefit-of-the-bargain damages were an acceptable measure for fraud—even after selectively citing George v. Hesse for out-of-pocket damages. See Leyendecker & Assocs., Inc. v. Wechter, 683 S.W.2d 369, 373 (Tex. 1984). In that case, the supreme court’s only cited authority was a court of appeals case from Waco, which had been disapproved on other grounds, in a per curiam opinion denying review.

The limited holding from W.O. Bankston was then picked up in headnotes and completely removed from its DTPA context. The result is the many Texas cases now holding that the benefit-of-the-bargain measure of damages is always available for fraud-in-the-inducement claims, e.g., Formosa Plastics, 960 S.W.2d at 49—even though George v.

Hesse’s express rejection of that measure in 1906 has never been overruled or even criticized!

An exception Reliance damages are all that’s allowed when the case is governed by the Statute of Frauds: “[T]he Statute of Frauds bars a fraud claim to the extent the plaintiff seeks to recover as damages the benefit of a bargain that cannot otherwise be enforced because it fails to comply with the Statute of Frauds.” Haase v. Glazner, 62 S.W.3d 795, 799 (Tex. 2001). The supreme court held: “[T]o the extent that Glazner seeks to recover the benefit-of-the-bargain damages related to a contract that is unenforceable under the Statute of Frauds, the Statute bars the fraud claim, but that Glazner’s fraud claim for out-of-pocket damages, if any, may survive the Statute of Frauds.” Id. at 796.

Logic should be relevant

Fraud is bad and should be deterred.

Thus, a party can sue for fraud and recover exemplary damages. But what makes sense with regard to actual damages?

A defrauded party should have two options. One is that the party can rescind the contract and recover its out-of-pocket losses, exactly as allowed by George v.

Hesse. And, as mentioned, the party can seek exemplary damages to deter and punish the fraudfeasor.

If the party chooses not to rescind the contract after learning of the fraud, then it has in effect ratified the fraud. In that instance, it should choose the second option and sue for breach of contract to recover benefit-of-the-bargain damages. Deterrence is still present: The party can recover its attorney’s fees.

What makes no sense is the current law allowing a party to sue for fraud in the inducement—in effect saying it would never have even been in the contract but for the fraud—and nevertheless recover benefit-of-the-bargain damages in tort as if the contract had been properly performed.

Roger Townsend is the co-leader of the Appeals and Legal Issues Group for Cokinos | Young. He is a past president of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers and past chair of the Appellate Practice Section of the State Bar of Texas. https://www. co k i n o s l a w. co m / a t t o r n e y / ro g e r- d townsend/

O

SHA strongly encourages employers to investigate all incidents in which a worker was hurt, as well as close calls (sometimes called “near misses”), in which a worker might have been hurt if the circumstances had been slightly different.

In the past, the term “accident” was often used when referring to an unplanned, unwanted event. To many, “accident” suggests an event that was random, and could not have been prevented. Since nearly all worksite fatalities, injuries, and illnesses are preventable, OSHA suggests using the term “incident” investigation.

Investigating a Worksite Incident Investigating a worksite incident- a fatality, injury, illness, or close call- provides employers and workers the opportunity to identify hazards in their operations and shortcomings in their safety and health programs. Most importantly, it enables employers and workers to identify and implement the corrective actions necessary to prevent future incidents.

Incident investigations that focus on identifying and correcting root causes, not on finding fault or blame, also improve workplace morale and increase productivity, by demonstrating an employer’s commitment to a safe and healthful workplace.

Incident investigations are often conducted by a supervisor, but to be most effective, these investigations should include managers and employees working together, since each bring different knowledge, understanding and perspectives to the investigation.

In conducting an incident investigation, the team must look beyond the immediate causes of an incident. It is far too easy, and often misleading, to conclude that carelessness or failure to follow a procedure alone was the cause of an incident. To do so fails to discover the underlying or root causes of the incident, and therefore fails to identify the systemic changes and measures needed to prevent future incidents. When a shortcoming is identified, it is important to ask why it existed and why it was not previously addressed.

For example:

• If a procedure or safety rule was not followed, why was the procedure or rule not followed?

• Did production pressures play a role, and, if so, why were production pressures permitted to jeopardize safety?

• Was the procedure out-of-date or safety training inadequate? If so, why had the problem not been previously identified, or, if it had been identified, why had it not been addressed?

It is essential to discover and correct all the factors contributing to an incident, which nearly always involve equipment, procedural, training, and other safety and health program deficiencies.

Addressing underlying or root causes is necessary to truly understand why an incident occurred, to develop truly effective corrective actions, and to minimize or eliminate serious consequences from similar future incidents. Additional resources are available at https://www. osha.gov/incident-investigation#additionalresources natarajan.joann@dol.gov 512-374-0271 x232

Top this!

T

he 31-story Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue Austin Hotel was topped off in August.

Designed by Duncan Miller Ullman and developed by McWhinney, the hotel offers 246 guest rooms, 3,000sf of meeting space, and 4,450sf of restaurant and entertaining space. It is slated for an early 2022 opening. –mjm

Austin Construction News • SEPTEMBER 2021

Page 9

The Passing Of A Legend

by Capt. Steve Schultz

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veryone who starts a business of any kind has some sort of mentor – whether it’s your dad, another family member, a business partner or just a good friend. When I started guiding back in 1998, I talked to several guides on what it took to be successful in this business.

One professional, whom I really looked up to long before the days I even thought of becoming a fishing guide, was Captain Ron Behnke. Over the past 25+ years, Ron became a great friend and mentor to my guiding business. On August 5th, Ron passed away peacefully from a long illness. He was surrounded by his wife, kids,

and grandkids at his home in Corpus Christi.

Over the past weeks, I have had a chance to reflect on the relationship I had with Ron. Early on, I would attend fishing/ boat shows in Houston, San Antonio and Austin. There, I had time to visit with Ron in the booth where we would talk fishing with protentional customers, product reps and retail dealers. Ron knew lots of key people in the fishing and boating industry and didn’t hesitate to introduce me to them. It wasn’t long and I was off and running. Rest in peace Captain Ron Behnke – you will be greatly missed.

Fishing in the Coastal Bend has improved more than I thought it would after the freeze. It’s obvious that there are lots of trout coming in and out of the jetties both in Port Aransas and the Packery Channel. Most of the trout are tide runners that mainly reside in the gulf waters and enter the bays occasionally for a

quick and easy meal during tidal movements. During the month of August, I was able to fish the beach front waters of Padre Island and St. Joe Island out of Port A. When conditions are right, easy limits can be caught using live croakers and piggy perch. Several schools of tarpon are also starting to show up and as of last week we have had three hook-ups but failed to land any of them. Bull reds are also starting to school in the bays of the Laguna Madre. Typically, we start seeing these herds of redfish staging along the shorelines ready to make their way to deeper waters in the fall. If you’re lucky, you may be able to catch a few of these before you are seen by another boat.

I predict fall fish will be outstanding baring we don’t have any major storms come thru the area. Our gulf waters are getting fairly warm and prime for hurricane season. Let’s pray we don’t have any major storms hit this area, for we could

really use a break for a few years. If you’re looking for a last-minute getaway or perhaps a gift certificate for someone who loves the outdoors, don’t hesitate in giving me a call so that we can set something up.

As I’m looking over my calendar for the upcoming months, here are some dates I’d like to fill. September 8,28,29 and October 12. To schedule your next bay fishing trip or hunting trip give Capt.

Steve Schultz a call at 361-813-3716 or e-mail me at SteveSchultzOutdoors@ gmail.com. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @Steve_Schultz_Outdoors. Good Luck and Good Fishing.

Sponsored by: Waypoint Marine/Waypoint Customs, Shoalwater Boats, Mercury Marine, Fishing Tackle Unlimited, Shimano Reels, E-Z Bel Construction, Costa Sunglasses, Simms Fishing, ForEverlast Fishing Products, PowerPro, Interstate Batteries, MirrOlure, JL Marines Power-Pole, AFW and AFTCO Clothing.

Left Photo: Johnny Byars of Houston was pleased catching both limits of reds and trout last month fishing with Steve Schultz Outdoors.

Right Photo: Redfish have been the norm lately.

Kim Brannan-Mosman of Victoria caught her limit of trout along with this redfish on a recent outing with Steve Schultz Outdoors.

Page 10

Austin Construction News • SEPTEMBER 2021

Ken Milam’s Fishing Line Since 1981, Ken Milam has been guiding fishing trips for striped bass on Lake Buchanan in the Texas Hill Country, You can hear Ken on the radio as follows: The Great Outdoors: 5-8 am Saturday on 1300, The Zone, Austin and The Great Outdoors: 5-7 am Saturday on 1200 WOAI San Antonio The Sunday Sportsman: 6-8 am Sunday on 1300, The Zone, Austin All on iHeart Radio

Almost Fall! laxation before diving headlong into hunting, make a trip to your favorite lake or river or the coast!

We have had deer hunters opt for a fishing cabin by the lake instead of roughing it at the deer camp. Throw in a charter fishing trip and add a fish fry to the hunting camp menu. Mix it up a little and you can have the best of both worlds!

S

ummer may still feel hot, but it’s running out of time. Fall is just around the corner and sometimes you can already feel it creeping in just before dawn. I love Fall!

When you are in the fishing business you are extremely busy in the Spring and Summer. By the time Fall comes you can finally slow down and actually get to enjoy the season. Spawning time is passed for this year, school starting quiets the summer rush and the heat starts to relent. I’ve always been amazed at how we started out high school football games sweating in the hot summer sun on Friday evenings and in just a few games we ended up freezing under blankets, drinking hot chocolate. Same thing happens with hunting season. You start out with hoping you don’t get a heat stroke and wondering if the critters would mind if you took you shirt off, and end up shivering in a blind, looking like a pile of laundry with eyeballs, losing the feeling in your fingers and toes!

My favorite thing about Fall is that things quiet down around the lake. There is less boat traffic and the pressure on the fish eases up and they start to recover from the heat and get more active. Everything becomes more available. The launching ramps are less crowded. Charter fishing trips are more available as are places to stay nearby. You can see birds stop off on their migrations to the south, and the sunrises and sunsets get more and more dramatic on the way to the Winter equinox. By and large the lakes and rivers and parks are nice places to be in the Fall. You just can’t beat watching the moon rise over the water by a campfire on the beach or enjoying a mug of hot coffee as the sun comes up with the smell of bacon frying on the morning breeze.

I know, we have hunting season coming right up too! There are still blinds and feeders and things to get set up and

running as soon as possible. Take care to notice where the water sources for your game are. This time of year, water can be just as important to the animals as feeders. Tune up your bows and take the time to get you in some practice so you’ll be ready. Be sure your guns have been checked out and cleaned and test out your scope settings. Hunting season does command a sportsman’s attention this time of year, but if you find yourself just wanting to catch a little weekend re-

The reel deal

Levi Bones of Finn Wood Flooring in Austin recently caught this 6.3lb. largemouth bass on Falcon Lake, which sits on the Rio Grande River. –mjm

Austin Construction News • SEPTEMBER 2021

Page 11

Fighting battles with paddles

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ost weekend mornings when Cole E. Bland is in town, he can be found paddling standing up on Town Lake or Lake Austin. But the excursion isn’t so much for the scenery, or even his health – it’s for the health of others. Cole is logging some of his 50 miles of training for Flatwater Foundation’s annual fundraising event.

“Flatwater Foundation is dedicated to providing those diagnosed with cancer, their families and loved ones access to mental health therapy and family support,” says Cole, who is both Vice President at Joe Bland Construction and General Manager at Central Texas

Aggregate & Stone. “This includes access to both traditional and non-traditional methods of psychological counseling.

One cancer diagnosis causes waves in all directions. We provide access to mental health support for families and individuals in need, touched by a cancer diagnosis.

Through partnerships with local cancer centers and non-profits, we help families coping with a cancer diagnosis navigate therapy, and then pay the bills for those that otherwise have no access to care. We help families ‘Find their flatwater.’”

On Sep. 13, the 12th annual TYLER’S Dam That Cancer, a 21-mile stand-up paddle fundraising event, will be hosted at

On Sep. 13, Cole E. Bland and other paddlers will participate in TYLER’S Dam That Cancer event at Lake Austin.

Lake Austin. The team of paddlers will each individually raise a minimum of $3,000, but many paddlers will raise well over the minimum.

“We will start at the low water crossing on Lake Austin by Mansfield Dam and paddle the 21 miles to the Tom Miller Dam,” Cole says. “The event’s fundraising goal is $1,000,000 and in years past, the event has come in very close to that goal.

This year will look different because of COVID, but a lot of money will still be raised for Flatwater.”

Cole’s involvement began when his older brother, Collin Bland, was diagnosed with cancer in 2013.

“He was very fortunate to have caught it early on, and was blessed to overcome it relatively quickly, but the experience got him involved with the mission of the Flatwater Foundation,” Cole says. “He has paddled in the TYLER’S Dam That Cancer

event since 2014, and I began paddling when I moved back to Austin in 2018.”

Cole says Flatwater Foundation serves those affected by cancer in a unique way and does not limit help to those who were diagnosed with cancer.

“If a mother or father is diagnosed with cancer, Flatwater is there to work with them and their kids with therapy and counseling to keep them mentally strong.

If a child is diagnosed with cancer, the Flatwater Foundation provides therapy and counseling for the parent so they can remain strong for the family. It mitigates the damage a cancer diagnosis can cause in someone’s life, and it is extremely important.”

More information can be found at Cole’s page at https://www.classy.org/ fundraiser/3247160 or https://www. flatwaterfoundation.org/donate. –mjm

Page 12

Austin Construction News • SEPTEMBER 2021

Beach ready

B

ryComm LLC hosted its 2021 Volente Beach Summer Bash event on Aug. 14. It was a chance for employees to enjoy some sand, sun, food and the friendships they have made while working at the company. –mjm

Tour-rific learning experience

On Aug. 20, the Service Tech – Lighting Shades Audio Video team was treated to a full factory tour at Screen Innovations in Austin as part of ST’s Service Tech University. –mjm

Electrical class of 2021

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he Independent Electrical Contractor Center Texas Chapter (CenTex IEC) held their 4th-Year Electrical Apprentice Graduation ceremony Jul. 24 at the Norris Conference Center. CenTex IEC had 104 graduates, 35 of which have already passed their Journeyman’s test making them a licensed Journeyman.

Congratulations CenTex IEC Class of 2021! -cmw

The Resource Guide Associations & Education H General Contractors H Subcontractors H Service Providers H Suppliers H Truck & Equip Dealers

Service Providers

Suppliers

Subcontractors

Truck & Equip Dealers

For info: Buddy Doebbler Buddy@ConstructionNews.net 210-308-5800

Austin Construction News • SEPTEMBER 2021

Page 13

Association Calendar

Who is your Mentor that got you where you are today?

Content submitted by Associations to Construction News ABC

Associated Builders & Contractors

Sept. 1: Dove Hunt, Solana Ranch Wildlife, 5750 Solana Ranch Rd., Salado, TX, 3-8pm, For more info, contact Crystal Smith at 512-719-5263 or csmith@abccentraltexas.org Sept. 15: Construction Executives Breakfast Group, The UT Club, 2108 Robert Dedman Dr., 7:30-9am Sept. 16: Total Human Safety Forum, ABC Central Texas Offices, 2600 Longhorn Blvd. #105, 11am-1pm Sept. 29: Coffee & Contractors, ABC Central Texas Offices, 2600 Longhorn Blvd. #105, 7:30-9am. For more info, contact Brian Bisgard at 512-719-5263 or email bbisgard@abccentraltexas.org ACEA

Greater Austin Contractors & Engineers Assn.

Sept. 12: Membership Luncheon, Norris Conference Center, 2525 Anderson Lane, 11:30am-1pm. For more info, call Silvia Pendleton at 512-893-7067 AGC

Associated General Contractors

Sept. 11: River Cleanup, TBD Sept. 21-22: AGC of America Convention, Orlando World Center Marriott, 9701 World Center Dr., Orlando, FL. Sept. 24: CLC Clay Shoot, Capital City Clays, 8707 Lindell Ln., 9am Registration/ Breakfast, 10:30am 1st Flight, 12pm Lunch, 1:30pm 2nd Flight, 3:30pm Raffle & Awards. For more info, contact Toni Osberry at 512-442-7887 AGC TBB

Associated General Contractors Texas Building Branch

Sept. 16: AGC TBB Outstanding Construction Awards Dinner & Presentation, Georgetown Sheraton, 1101 Woodlawn St., Georgetown, TX, 6pm. For more info, contact Pauline Preston at 512-478-5629 or email pauline@agctbb.org CLC

Construction Leadership Council

Sept. 24: CLC Clay Shoot, Capital City Clays, 8707 Lindell Ln., 9am Registration/ Breakfast, 10:30am 1st Flight, 12pm Lunch, 1:30pm 2nd Flight, 3:30pm Raffle & Awards. For more info, contact Toni Osberry at 512-442-7887 CTSA

Central Texas Subcontractors Assn.

Sept. 14: Fall 2021 Kickoff/Monthly Meeting. For more info, email Wendy Lambert at wendy@ctsaonline.org or go to www. ctsaonline.org DACA

Drywall Acoustical Contractors Assn.

Sept. 17: Member’s Happy Hour, Dogwood at the Domain, 11420 Rock Rose #130. For more info, email Eddie McCormick at eddie@dacaaustin.org I-LinCP

Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects

Sept. 22: 2021 I-LinCP Golf Tournament, TPC San Antonio, 23808 Resort Pkwy., San Antonio, TX, $175 Individual, $700

Foursome. For more info, contact Carla Bingaman at 512-263-5521 or email Carla. bingaman@i-lincp.org LAT

Lumbermen’s Assn. of Texas

Sept. 13-15: 135th LAT Convention, Expo & Golf Tournament, Omni Frisco Hotel at the Star, 11 Cowboys Way, Frisco, TX. For more info, contact Mireya Zapata at 512472-1194 or email mireya@lat.org NARI

National Assn. of the Remodeling Industry

Sept. 18: General Membership Meeting, Sunshine Camp, 2225 Andrew Zilker Rd., 11:30am-1pm Sept. 30: Austin NARI & Builders First Source with Andersen Windows & Doors, 2106 Denton Dr., 4-7pm. For more info, contact Kayvon Leath at 512-375-2601 or email Kayvon@austinnari.org NAWIC

National Assn. of Women in Construction

Sept. 1: 2021-2022 NAWIC Austin Chapter Installation of Officers, Maggiano’s Little Italy, 10910 Domain Dr., 5:30-8pm.

Sept. 14: NAWIC Austin Golf Tournament, The Golf Club at Star Ranch, 2500 FM 685, Hutto, TX. For more info, email Danielle Dlugosh at ddlugosh@henselphelps.com RCAT

Roofing Contractors Assn. of Texas

Sept. 30-Oct. 1: RCAT Annual Business Meeting & Awards Banquet, Marriott Marquis Houston, 1777 Walker St., Houston.

Sept. 30: RCAT/HARCA Golf Tournament, Blackhorse Golf Club, 12205 Fry Rd., Cypress, TX, 11:30am Check-in, 1pm Shotgun Start.

Oct. 1: RCAT Awards Banquet/Annual Business Mtg/Casino Night, Marriott Marquis Houston, 1777 Walker St., Houston, 6-10pm. For more info, contact Sarah Ramon at 512-251-7690 SEAot

Structural Engineers Assn. of Texas

My mother. Her work ethic and the way she worked and sacrificed to be a good mother to my family helped us all prosper.

Darrell Cooksey, Smash My Trash I’ve had a lot of mentors. I’ve had some really good mentors in the corporate world, some older guys that kind of took me under their wings when I was the kid at 18 and 19 years old in the factor building furniture.

Greg Casey, Casey Custom Concrete LLC My dad has always been a mentor, always.

Also, I would say when I moved here, I worked as a subcontractor for a couple of companies because I didn’t know anybody.

At the companies that I worked for that have been here a while, the owners gave me some good advice and showed me the ropes of how things happen around here, and that’s been huge. I had been doing wood floors the way my father taught me, and now I was able to see the way other people did it and succeeded. I took all of those things and combined them.

Levi Bones, Finn Wood Flooring I watch people who are good business people. In my earlier life, I worked in hotels and customer service. Some of the guys I met were business guys who didn’t care what the number I did last was, what did I do today? The guys I appreciated more were guys who created business and were good with customers.

Quint Berry, Austin Audio Guadalupe Barragan was the first person who brought me the idea that, instead of working for big companies, we should make our own company, telling us we knew

Sept. 23: Chapter Meeting via Gotowebinar. For more info, call 512-553-9635 or email info@seaotAustin.org

how to do the job and we had the energy.

Andy Martinez is also the one who is going to push me and give me lot of trust in myself. He made me feel that I could do this.

My husband Hector, too; he is always saying that I can do this. These people give me that energy to try and keep trying.

Martha Muro, Iron Towers I’ve had a few different mentors at this company, including my regional manager, Ken Cooper. He has helped me a lot with the managerial growth that I’ve developed such as managerial skills and organizing things, and the operational side. He’s been a good mentor.

Brendon Aselton, Austin Cabinetry I’ve had so many wonderful mentors, starting with my parents. My mom has always been in HR, so it’s been really nice having that side of the business. I had a really great teacher in college, Tim Strauss from ACC. I have a mentor who helps me on the business side; the founder of lighting company FSG. A female welder, Mary Jo Hemrick, helped me and is tremendous. She has been in the industry for years.

Inez Escamilla, Loose Cannon Industries LLC. I would talk about my mom, Susan, mentoring me because a lot of what I do now goes back to the lessons she has taught me.

It’s about how you treat people, and the responses you get. In our work, your reputation is everything, because of not only who you are but the work you perform.

That was something that was embedded in me early on daily.

Max McCauley, Allied Fire Protection

A force of nature

TexASCE

American Society of Civil Engineers - Texas

Sept. 9: 9 Critical Questions – Assessing Your Firm’s Future Potential Webinar Sept. 15-17: Texas Civil Engineering Conference (CECON) 2021 – Civil Engineering: Laying the Foundations of Sustainability, Embassy Suites Hotel Conference Center & Spa, 1001 E. McCarty Ln., San Marcos, TX. Sept. 28: Trinity Railway Express – Crossing the Trinity River Webinar. For more info, contact Jenni Peters at 512-910-2272 or email jpeters@texasce.org or go to www.TexasCECON.org TXAPA

Texas Asphalt Pavement Assn.

Sept. 1-2: TxDOT Letting Sept. 9: TXAPA Live, 3-3:30pm Sept. 21: TXAPA 46th Annual Meeting.

For info, contact Lauren Selvik at 512-3122209 or email lselvik@texasasphalt.org

Thank ‘cue

MAPP LLC’s Austin staff tucked into some yummy Franklin Barbecue during the office’s Aug. 20 team appreciation day. –mjm

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Austin Cabinetry’s Brendon Aselton

urricane Katrina caused devastating destruction for many, but it built something valuable, too. When a Louisiana flooring company (currently DL Space) received a flux of requests for cabinetry after Katrina hit, the factory switched its production to cabinets to accommodate the requests. The company’s success resulted in an expansion of three Florida locations as DL Cabinetry, and as of three months ago, it is entering the Austin market as Austin Cabinetry.

Located at 2200 Denton Drive, Suite 105, the new store is staffed by four fulltime employees and Manager and Multifamily Director Brendon Aselton.

The team is ready to assist customers with their all-wood kitchen cabinetry and bathroom vanity needs. A large, local warehouse where the company stores the cabinets ensures quick lead times – sometimes same day pick-up – ­and plenty of stock.

“Many times, people come in with their wall measurements, and we’re able to sit down and do a design with them,”

Aselton says. “We plug in what kind of cabinets they are going to need, show them what it will look like, and then give them an estimate and tell them a lead time.”

With Austin experiencing a building boom, Aselton expects the new store to be busy serving both commercial clients – including builders, contractors, installers, and countertop fabricators and plumbers – and residential clients.

“People are going to do a lot of kitchens, which is our main bread and butter,” he says. “We’re open to the public as well, so if homeowners want to come by, we welcome that.”

Aselton, who joined the company four years ago before transferring to Austin to manage the new store, predicts the company will continue to grow beyond its current locations.

“I think the main goal in the company now is to build each location as big as we possibly can and do some expanding,” he says.

Austin Cabinetry is in Austin. – mjm

Page 14

Austin Construction News • SEPTEMBER 2021

In memoriam

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im Schissler, Civilitude Vice President, passed away Aug. 17 from cancer. Schissler contributed to notable local projects including Block 185, downtown Austin’s new Google Building, Hotel Zaza and Eastlake at Tillery. He also was involved with projects including Green Water Plant Redevelopment at Seaholm, Platinum Onion Creek garden apartments, GuadalupeSaldana Net Zero Subdivision, Rio de Vida for TXI, Akins High School, Tech Ridge Business Park, Austin City Lofts, West Austin Lofts, and the Meridian Senior Living Facility.

Schissler is survived by three children. –mjm

Blooming plant

continued from Page 1 — Braun & Butler Construction Inc. Cedar Park and downtown, “We’ve kind of been migrating north,” Heinze says.

“When I bought the company, we decided I could save myself about two hours a day by moving north, and it saved travel time for every person in the office at that time.

The Leander move is no exception; it kept commutes roughly the same or shortened them.”

To celebrate the new location, an open house was held May 12.

“We had north of a hundred people.

Architects, owners, subcontractor partners, trade partners came and had a great time,” he says. “Our bonding agent did barbecue for the crowd.”

The Leander location is an important milestone in the history of Braun & Butler, which was formed in 1982 by cousins John Braun and David Butler. Heinze joined the firm fresh out of college in 1994 and worked his way up to Vice President of Operations before transitioning to Owner in 2012.

Heinze says the company has grown in its nearly four decades of operation.

“We started out working with IBM and Lockheed in the early days and have transitioned into institutional work, a lot

of K-12 and facilities of worship, nonprofits – basically anything that is run by a committee or board is what we specialize in. We went from low-bid to construction manager at risk, which is now our predominant delivery method operating in that quasi-public sector.

When I joined the company, we were doing about $4 million in annual volume; this year, we will do about $40 million to $50 million and we have 31 employees. A couple of years back, we merged with Rizzo Construction, who was also a 38-year-old local construction company.

We maintain offices in Leander and the regional Rizzo office in Westlake that give us a kind of east-west mobility that is difficult in this town.”

“We want to continue to provide coverage over the greater Austin area,” Heinze says. “We have four project managers at Leander and one at Westlake; the goal is to add more project managers from the Westlake office so that we can continue to grow south and southwest and make sure we can serve our clients in those areas as well.”

Braun & Butler Construction Inc. is in Leander and Westlake. –mjm

continued from Page 1 — Chalk Line LLC

McCar Companies has set up an additional plant at the company’s Georgetown quarry. Doing so promises to significantly increase McCar’s ability to service the Austin metroplex and fulfill customers’ limestone aggregate needs. –mjm

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Submitted to Construction News

Round-Up

White Construction Company (WCC) announces the following: Mike Leschber joins as Senior Project Manager for the company’s newly expanded interiors workgroup. Leschber brings interiors renovations/finish-outs and new groundup construction experience to his role, having managed more than 125 commercial projects totaling more than $60 million. Leschber graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Construction Science. –mjm Evan Cannaday joins the company as a Project Engineer and will assist with a notable senior living facility in Central Austin. Cannaday was educated at California’s Sonoma State University.

–mjm Kelly Pollet joins WCC as Superintendent. Pollet brings 19 years of construction management experience, including technical specialty projects in aviation and high-tech industries and utilization of Building Information Modeling. Pollet earned a degree in Construction Management Technology from Oklahoma State University. –mjm

Sam Smith joined Structure Tone Southwest as the Austin office’s new Director of Business Development. Smith brings 20 years in the AEC industry, having served as a business development manager with a background in account and construction management. His expertise includes ground-up construction, corporate interiors, higher education, healthcare, industrial, government, public, and mission critical sectors. –mjm Stroud Evans joins WSB as Vice President of Strategic Growth. Evans brings over 30 years of experience delivering multi-disciplinary professional services in the AEC industry. In his role, he will collaborate with senior leadership on long-range goals, expansion strategies, operations plans and policies.

Stroud will also, throughout WSB’s 15 offices, align company resources. –mjm Norris Design promoted Joe Williams to Senior Associate in its Austin office. Williams, who joined the firm in 2014, focuses on multifamily housing, single family residential design and drone photography. He is currently working on multifamily developments with Slate, Alliance Residential, Oden Hughes and Embry. –mjm

up feel and being the underdog.”

It was at Ryan Companies that Spring met Ritchie and Brown. As a Project Director, Ritchie led construction teams on large projects. Brown, who served as a Director of Preconstruction, has an Architecture degree as well as extensive experience as a mechanical systems specialist.

Realizing they had a great fit for a partnership and valuable design advice for clients, the trio formed Chalk Line LLC.

“After successful careers at Ryan, we all wanted to give it a go for ourselves,” Spring says. “We are all very appreciative of the time we spent at Ryan, and it was great to leave with their confidence in us to succeed. This decision is not just about us, but also for our families. There is no plan B; we are going to do everything we can do to succeed.”

The team plans to build throughout Texas.

“We have all built projects in San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, and Houston.

Depending on what our customers need,

we can operate in any of those markets,” Spring says. “A good construction company is all about our trade partners and we have very deep roots with the best companies in Texas to get the job done.”

“We want to set this company up in a manner similar to companies we all have had the luck of working for,” Spring says.

“For us, culture is everything. If we create a fun place to work where people get to be part of decisions and enjoy every day, it’s a win-win for everyone. “ R i g h t now, we are getting the plane off the runway and building it as we fly,” he adds.

“We are in hot pursuit of a couple of key projects. But, like when we talked to our bonding and insurance providers, it’s a place where every construction company has to start. It’s fun to be on the start line; I have received some good advice from folks that have built companies and they say that the early days are best, enjoy the process. That’s what we will do, no question.”

Chalk Line LLC is in Austin. –mjm

continued from Page 1 — Loose Cannon Industries LLC and made thousands of little metal tacos that shipped nationwide. She transitioned into high-end residential and now does commercial construction with her Project Manager husband and eight employees to help.

“We do CNC plasma cutting, architectural high-end residential and structural steel for commercial,” she says. “Our shop is on our home property, so my son, who is almost 2, goes down there. It is definitely a family setting.”

Escamilla hopes to partner with a local company to grow Loose Cannon.

“I would like to see us grow to where we’re not working seven days a week,” she says. “With the shop being at home, sometimes it’s hard to get Nic to come out of the shop.”

Joslyn can hardly contain his pride when talking about his wife.

“The best part is that we tell people we’re fabricators, and people look at me, and I tell them that she started the company long before I came along in 2016. She did all of it,” he says. “My background is in industrial, so we have different backgrounds, which allowed us to grow in directions that she wouldn’t have otherwise. With her being from Austin, we can’t go anywhere without her seeing someone she knows. She has friends and business connections and over time, I’ve made connections.

Everything we’ve done has come organically. We let our work speak for itself, and it’s worked out wonderfully.

We’ve been together six years and the adventure has just started.”

“We’re very blessed,” Escamilla says.

Loose Cannon Industries LLC is in Cedar Creek, TX. –mjm

Austin Construction News • SEPTEMBER 2021

Page 15

Flooring and family

New store, more floor

Floor & Décor is opened a new South Austin location, the company’s 150th store nationwide.

A young Levi Bones (pictured) grew up learning luxury flooring installation from his dad before growing up and establishing Finn Wood Flooring.

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evi Bones, Owner of Finn Wood Flooring, learned the business from the ground up – literally.

“Growing up, I worked summers in my father’s business, installing, sanding and finishing luxury wood flooring in the Aspen, CO area when I wasn’t at school,” Bones says. “My brother worked with us, and my dad taught us all he knew.”

Bones considered other career paths but doing the grunt work during installations set his young mind turning.

“I thought from the beginning, ‘How can I do this a little bit better?” Bones recalls. “I didn’t want to do that when I was 50 years old, so how can I make it so that it’s a little easier and fine tune it?”

Bones had a chance to test his fine tuning when his dad prepared to retire.

“He left an option up: Did we want to leave and do our own thing, or would we like to run the business?” Bones says. “My wife, Elizabeth, and I preferred to stay. We liked where we lived, so we thought, ‘Let’s run a business and see how it goes.’

We took it over, it continued to grow, and we found that it was a niche for us. “ The couple moved to and resumed the business in Maui, HI before coming to Austin in 2017 and starting Finn Wood Flooring. With the move came inspiration to try a new approach.

“The important change was going back to basics,” he says. “I went to flooring schools, even though I’ve done this my whole life. I re-educated myself about the equipment, the finishes, and humbled myself to say, ‘Can I still learn in this?’ By doing that, I reinvigorated my joy for it and ignited a passion for it. I look at it in a different way. It got more exciting the more I educated myself. I think that was a helpful thing, and it has steered us in the direction we’ve gone with the addition of the manufacturing.”

Today, Bones’ team consists of five full-time employees and a few installation

subcontractors. Just like the one he grew up working in, Bones has a true family business: Elizabeth helps out as needed, Bones’ sister Laisha Nielsen handles the company’s sales and marketing, and his brother-in-law Dylon Nielsen serves as Project Manager. Bones makes sure the team plays as much as it works.

“We love being on the lakes, bass fishing, and water sports. We’re avid golfers; Dylon, my 6-year-old son, Brody, and I love golf,” Bones says. “We all have similar sports, so we like to do that; it mixes things up, so it’s not always work. It refreshes you and keeps things fun. We work hard, play hard, and try to enjoy all of it.”

“I love creating and trying to adapt and keep it fresh. This side of it that we’re doing now where we manufacture it in the shop, I think there is an element to that that is really fun. Being on your hands and knees and doing the installation work gets daunting after a while. This is an easier approach to that, but also brings more attention to the actual product itself, so we’re able to deliver this really high-quality product. We sell it and you can install it, or if you want a turnkey package, we can do the whole project for you.”

Bones is excited about the company’s future.

“I want to continue to learn about and do new looks and finishes that other people aren’t capable of doing. Also, I want for us to grow. I’d say our five- to ten-year plan is to sell in Austin, San Antonio, Houston and Dallas. If it extends beyond that, great! I think that’s how we’re set up now, having a shop that we can manufacture in. We’ve got delivery trucks that can go anywhere, but we want to stick with Austin. We want it to be a homegrown Austin company first before we expand out.”

Finn Wood Flooring is in Austin. –mjm

Sage advice

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) Austin Chapter organized the Austin Associated General Contractors’ annual Leadership Forum. Hosted Aug. 20 at Bartlett Cocke General Contractors’ Austin office, panelists from The Demo Company, JE Dunn Construction, Bartlett Cocke, Chamberlain Roofing & Waterproofing and Peckar & Abramson PC answered young leaders’ questions about the commercial construction industry. –mjm

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hat 150th, 20th and 3rd? It’s Floor & Décor’s newest location in South Austin. Not only is it the 150th Floor & Décor store nationwide, but it is also the 20th store location in Texas and the third store in the Austin market.

The 80,000sf Floor & Décor warehouse store and design center is located at 9315 IH 35 North Bound Service Road in Austin. Chief Executive Merchant Daniel Kuck leads the new store, which opened with a team of nearly 50 full-time and part-time associates.

A grand opening was held to celebrate the milestone on Aug. 18. As part of the grand opening festivities, the South Austin location is hosting a $5000 Floor Makeover giveaway, which is scheduled to end Sep. 10. Even though the grand opening has taken place, pros can still schedule a personal tour by texting 737PRO to 26786.

Based in Atlanta, Floor & Décor celebrated 20 years in business last year, and now operates 147 warehouse stores and two design studios in 33 states. The stores offer the broadest in-stock selections of flooring, including tile, natural

Joe Miller (left) welcomes guests to the new location’s grand opening Aug. 18.

wood, natural stone, laminate and luxury vinyl plank. The company also offers tools, decorative materials, wall tile, and related accessories needed for hardsurface flooring projects.

“Our client base is general contractors, installers, home buyers and real estate flippers,” Joe Miller, Pro Sales Manager at Floor & Décor, says. “Our main goal as a pro premier manager is to make their life easier.” –mjm

Page 16

Austin Construction News • SEPTEMBER 2021

Gnar Bar

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hinking back on when he first saw the state that the Chuggin’ Monkey was in, Tyler Walbridge couldn’t help but be honest: “The whole thing was in shambles.”

Walbridge, a Managing Member of Novium Group LLC, and his team had been enlisted to transform the old, run-down Austin venue into a new 6th Street watering hole, Gnar Bar. The fact that the space was in such poor condition would have given anyone pause.

Walbridge, Novium Project Manager John Klebs, and Superintendent Victor Romero, however, assessed the situation, rolled up their sleeves and prepared themselves for anything and everything as they got to work.

“Getting into this space, you just didn’t know the amount of mess we were getting into, and to try to keep the price down and still have a good-looking space, that was the challenge.

“The client had previous bars before, but he didn’t have plans for this one drawn out, since he just got this spot at the last second,” Walbridge adds. “He had his own vision, but it wasn’t on paper, so I designed it with my team and we knocked it out in a couple of a months.”

The Novium team did a deep clean and renovation of the space, repurposing what they could to keep costs down.

Thanks to Novium Group LLC, the former Chuggin’ Monkey venue is now the clean and colorful Gnar Bar.

Their design, of course, had to consider the pandemic that was impacting other bars.

“We were trying to come up with a bar space that was able to be open during COVID, so we were considering locations of tables and plastic partitions for the bars,” Walbridge says. “The building itself is three stories, but only two of it are the bar; there is a staircase inside, an outside back patio and an outside upper deck patio with a bar out there. We utilized outdoor space as much as possible.”

But before construction could begin, a lot of the old Chuggin’ Monkey had to be washed away and stripped down. The most unpleasant surprise awaiting the team, according to Walbridge, was old backed up water from the grease trap that hadn’t been cleaned out in ages.

“The place was old, so we went in and cleaned it up.

The major issue was that it was a lot of work to keep the price as low as possible for the space. Anything that was reusable, like refrigerators and ice machines, we used.

All of the mechanical, including the walk-in cooler, had to be cleaned and repaired.” Walbridge says. “I redid the framing of the bar, put in new countertops, provided new faucets. We renovated the bar, flooring, painting, murals, signage, stage, DJ stand, HVAC, walk-in refrigerator, FFE, and overhead door. We also brought the bar up to health

code, and helped secure permitting applications for an alcohol license and a food license. Other things we had to bring up to code were for food service, so we had epoxy floors behind the bar. We couldn’t have an open ceiling above the bar, so we had to construct a cleanable surface there.”

With the place cleaned up and some items salvaged, there were a few new items on the client’s wish list.

“He knew what he wanted for certain things,” Walbridge says. “For instance, he wanted a sink that would last and that couldn’t be destroyed because it was 6th Street. I had custom-made steel sinks installed and sprayed it with a solution that has a rust hue to it and sealed it with clear sealers. There’s no removing or damaging those things.”

With the Gnar Bar complete and looking rad, the only thing left to do was to fill the space with customers.

“The client was ‘stoked’ and found that it was as gnarly as he had planned it,” Walbridge says.

General contractor Novium Group LLC is in Austin.–mjm Novium Group LLC Austin, TX

The bar’s design utilizes outdoor space, which allowed it to operate during COVID.

Dell Inc. Parmer South Campus

Integrity Paving & Coatings repaired and sealcoated the 1,200,000sf Dell Computer lot.

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here are parking lot repairs and then there are “Parking Lots: Extreme Makeover Edition” -type projects.

Integrity Paving & Coatings was called to do a version of the latter on the Dell Inc. Parmer South Campus parking lot, which measured a whopping 1,200,000sf.

“We had done another property in Round Rock for Dell, so that was the second project we did with them. We were brought in to do some asphalt repairs, sealcoats, concrete repairs – a little bit of everything,” Integrity’s William Holmes says. “It was probably one of our biggest projects we’ve done square footage wise.”

Integrity Owner Bill Holmes, Crew

Leaders Juan Marin and Chuy Martinez and Operation Manager Jorge Marin arrived at the site, only to find more than just a large parking lot.

“When we went to the site, there were multiple competitors out there, which we run into a lot,” William says. “A lot of companies get three bids. We’re a smaller company compared to some other ones, but we went out there and met with them. The good thing about projects like that is that we can do it with fewer mass mobilizations. We can finish quicker and cut down on the cost. Our crews are fairly small. We performed the work with two three-man crews. Most

other com-panies have bigger crews, but we are a lot smaller than most companies.”

A project this size naturally had challenges for the team to resolve.

“I think the hardest thing was trying to break the work up into so many days,” William recalls. “Sometimes when we sealcoat, if it’s big enough we’ll get a 9,000 tank on site. We did it over eight days – mainly over the course of four weekends – when no one was there at the site. When we sealcoat, we shut down until 3pm the next day, since it would need to be shut down for about 36 hours.

“Weather was also a challenge because it’s Texas – wait 10 minutes and the weather

will change,” William continues. “We had rain, mainly, and we can’t sealcoat when it rains. There were also a few sections we had to wait to do because of some construction they were undergoing.”

Despite the obstacles, the Integrity Paving & Coatings team finished on time and on budget

“We fixed the cracks and made it pretty, and the client was very happy,” he says.

Integrity Paving & Coatings is in Pflufgerville. – mjm Integrity Paving & Coatings Pflugerville, TX

Austin Construction News • SEPTEMBER 2021

Page 17

Midtown Commons

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Before installation, roots and tree stumps had to be grinded to prep the surface for a flawless installation.

The project was the first in the U.S. to use completely recyclable turf.

he Midtown Commons Apartments at 810 W St. of Carlos Gonzales, Jaido Alemon, Jose Ordones, and proper drainage. Ballast was installed by drop spreaders which lay an equal layer of envirofill then power groomed Johns Avenue is located in the heart of Austin and Ivan Ordones. is within walking distance of the restaurants and To perform the 12,500sf installation, the Synthetic in order to work fill into the base of the turf allowing for entertainment the city is known for. In a community Turf World team had to remove all of the sod as well as proper weight distribution and fiber stability.

The team faced challenges, such as understanding such as this, keeping green space green through the root system. They also had to grind tree stumps and the adhesive contact – how much glue was needed – to sweltering summers and frosty winters can be a roots to below grade. challenge. But living in the middle of a bustling city A six-inch concrete footer was used as a retention correctly adhere the new backing to the seam tape.

Midtown Commons residents can now live close to means creating and maintaining those green spaces is wall to block root systems and to serve as an anchor for necessary both for recreation and better mental health. bendaboard. Tapcons were used to secure the benda- bustling, big city life while feeling like they are living in a

Synthetic Turf World was enlisted to create green board, and aggregate was compacted and pitched for lush oasis.

“The ownership group was despace at Midtown Commons using Act lighted with the usability and lifelike Global artificial turf product with presentation that the turf provided,” recyclable turf backing. Not only is the McCaskill says. “Synthetic Turf World turf environmentally conscious, but this also provides a state-of-the-art mainproject also has a special claim to fame. tenance program working to keep “This was the first use of this your grass in perfect condition as well completely recyclable turf in the U.S.” as environ-mental cleaning that kills says Synthetic Turf Council Certified 99.9 percent of germs, including Landscape Installer, company CEO COVID-19.” and STI-L Michael McCaskill, who helped oversee the project. McCaskill Synthetic Turf World is in Austin. –mjm was joined by VP Business Development STI-I Rusty Thornhill and The Synthetic Turf World team created a green oasis for Midtown Commons Director of Field Operations STI-I Synthetic Turf World using Act Global artificial turf.

Sergio Sanchez. The crew consisted Austin, TX

Sun City Texas by Del Webb Community

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Suncoat of Texas puts an additive in its overcoat to make the surface less slick, resulting in fewer slips and falls.

un City Texas by Del Webb Community in Georgetown is a destination for active adults. The community boasts a three championship golf courses, world class fitness centers, swimming, tennis and pickleball courts, fishing ponds and miles of walking trails. Residents can also enjoy four amenity centers offering art and craft studios, a woodshop, computer lab, billiards hall and meeting rooms.

The 15,000 active adults who live here take pride in the appearance of their community and depend daily on safe walking surfaces and driveways to enjoy their quality of life in Sun City. That is where decorative concrete resurfacing company Suncoat of Texas comes in.

Since September of 2018, Suncoat of Texas has performed work on the community’s walkways, driveways, back patios, garages and one of the swimming pools. Suncoat of Texas Co-Owner Randa Ruiz says that every week, her company is performing work for at least seven individual jobs at the community, and almost completely by referral.

“We pride ourselves on the personal referrals from our customer service. Our surfaces look nice, but they also help with slip resistance because we put an additive in it to help it be not as slick. They really like it because it looks so good. They don’t want any tire marks on their driveways, and it’s cooler than plain concrete.”

Almost entirely through references, Suncoat of Texas has performed decorative concrete work in Sun City since 2018.

Because most of their work is performed outside, with the exception of the garages, the Suncoat team’s challenges during these projects are unique to their work.

“Our main challenge is weather,” Ruiz explains. “Also, after we finish, people can’t walk on the surface for 24 hours. You also can’t put heavy furniture, or drive on it, for 72 hours. That is an issue sometimes. Also, not all people in the community can move their furniture so that work can be done on their areas, and they need some help doing that. Our team does not mind helping to move furniture, although we are hesitant to due to liability; we don’t want to accidentally break furniture, and so we try not to make that a standard part of our service.”

One challenge that affected all subcontractors this year was the pandemic, but fortunately because Suncoat’s work is mostly outside, they could continue with their projects.

“We had about two weeks where everyone was really scared where we didn’t do a lot of work, and then we continued as normal,” Ruiz says.

Suncoat of Texas is in Pflugerville. –mjm Sun City by Del Webb Community relies on safe surfaces for its active adult residents to walk and drive on daily.

Suncoat of Texas, Pflugerville, TX

Page 18

Austin Construction News • SEPTEMBER 2021

Building relationships

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onstruction industry members came ready to network at the 2021 Austin Build Expo, the city’s largest building and construction show. At the annual event, held Aug. 11-12 at Palmer Events Center, guests met over 130 exhibitors, learned about thousands of products and services, and attended more than 35 expert industry-related seminars and workshops – all free of charge. –mjm continued on Page 19

Bobcat of Austin

Mahadeo Insurance Agency/Farmers Insurance

Professional Building Supply.com

Integrity Paving & Coatings

Austin Cabinetry

IBEW Local 520

Allied Fire Protection

ATX Fence Supply

Suncoat of Texas

Texas Disposal Systems

iTile

Casey Custom Concrete

Ram Jack

Boss JCB

National Signs

Finn Wood Flooring

Cab Interior Design

ATX LED

Campbell’s Signs of Texas

Lauren Concrete Inc.

Bath Fitter

Boulder Designs by TLI

Leaf Filter Gutter Protection

Austin Construction News • SEPTEMBER 2021

Page 19

continued from Page 18

Texas Paint & Fabrication

Boyce Iron & Steel Inc.

Texas Block Supply

Austin Audio by Quint

Malachi Consulting

Pinnacle Geotechnical

Texture Design Studio

The Mendicant Architect LLC

Encore Stone Studio

Décor Builders Hardware

Synthetic Turf World

Loose Cannon Welding Company

Page 20

Austin Construction News • SEPTEMBER 2021