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Doesn’t need fixing
METRO active in Austin
FWB Rentals opened a Kyle location last March to replace the smaller Austin location. (L-R) Brandon Jenniches and Branch Manager Steve Spence are ready to serve customers.
L-R: Metropolitan Contracting (METRO)’s Taylor Jordan, Chris Carruth, and Tyler Guest are excited to expand the company into Austin.
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ark Munson remembers when equipment and tool rental, service and repair company FWB Rental had the same ownership as Fort Worth Bolt and Tool. With particular fondness, Munson recalls its late founder, James Russell. “Our original owner was probably one of the best men I’ve met,” Munson says. “We had about 80 employees total. Every Friday, he would walk around and, for everybody he personally could, he would hand them their check and shake their hand and ask them about their family. He knew I was married, knew my kids’ names and he would shake my hand and ask how my wife and kids were doing every Friday. He was a very good man.”
Though Russell and his wife Lee, who also ran FWB, both passed, Munson says the company has stayed within the same family, whom he says treats the employees equally well. “We’ve been in business for 26 years as a company,” Munson says. “We started in Fort Worth in 1995, we opened our Carrollton store in 2001 and we started in Austin in October of 2009.” Darby Posekany, who opened the Fort Worth location with the original owner and is still with the company, hired Munson as a mechanic 21 years ago. Within a year of working there, Munson was tapped to be a manager for the Carrollton store.
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an Antonio-based Metropolitan Contracting (METRO) recently expanded into Austin, bringing with it a solid reputation and its full range of contracting services to serve Central Texas. Founded in 1986 by President Steve Schuetze and Chairman Tim Swan, and led with the assistance of CEO Jane Feigenbaum, the company offers tenant improvement and ground up construction with a specialty in tilt-wall construction. METRO focuses on the private market industry and recently expanded into the public market in selected instances. “We have long recognized that Austin is one of the fastest growing cities in
continued on Page 14
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uthorized Leica Geosystems dealer G4 Geomatic Resources recently united four Texas and Oklahoma surveying, engineering and construction businesses under one unified brand. The new entity combines G4 Spatial Technologies helmed by Donnie Steele, Geomatic Resources led by Rodney Walsh, Easy Drive Stake Inc. run by John Clark and Leica Geosystems Houston, which is overseen by Jeff Ryall. The new company was announced in October at the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors’ (TSPS) 70th Annual Convention and Tech Expo in Houston G4 Geomatic Resources offers surveying, engineering, building construction and laser scanning/reality capture technology. It also provides supplies, technical support, training, and certified Leica Geosystems technical service from five Texas locations, including two in Austin. To complement the arrangement, a
the United States,” METRO Strategic Development Officer Chris Carruth explains. “Moreover, there is a significant amount of tenant improvement and renovation opportunities in Austin because of the size of the downtown office market. We also have clients that have asked us if we would consider working for them in Austin. That is also true with architectural firms and so, by demand, we recognized an opportunity in Austin to serve existing clients as well as serve a larger market.” METRO Managing Partner Taylor Jordan agrees, noting that the company’s San Antonio markets, reputation and client base mirror Austin’s. continued on Page 14
G4 force
L-R: Donnie Steele, John Clark, Craig Martin (Leica Geosystems, President, US/Canada), Jeff Ryall and Rodney Walsh
new office and service center in Houston will led by Ryall, who joined G4 as a Principal and Technical Sales Manager, and Head Service Technician Ronald Enamorado. Ryall says that uniting under a single entity assures the company’s Texas and Oklahoma clients that they’ll be fully supported and have consistent experience wherever they work and the same service after the sale. Walsh, President of G4 Geomatic Resources, says each of the company’s owners has a long and respected history in the industry of serving professionals in the region, and that a full team of desidicated resources on staff is in place. “With our combined resources, we have the right experience to serve professinals throughout Texas and Oklahoma and help them optimize their success in surveying and building construction,” continued on Page 14
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Austin Construction News • NOV 2021
A few more news notches
The Sunbelt Waterproofing & Restoration LLC team is evolving and adding a San Marcos location.
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unbelt Waterproofing & Restoration LLC recently added some exciting notches of news to its ever-expanding business belt. The June retirement of Mark Ostrander, who founded the company in Dallas with Calvin Carter in 2010, has caused change to trickle down throughout Sunbelt. After serving as Vice President of Operations since the company’s beginnings, Carter was formally appoint-
ed Chief Executive Officer in June. Ben Grandbois, who started the company’s Houston location, will assume Carter’s former role to serve as Sunbelt’s Vice President of Operations. A financial leader, Adam Henning, has also been brought on board to complement the recent promotions. The addition of Henning is a welcome one, as Ostrander and Carter were taking on that role in their off-hours and needed someone dedicat-
ed full-time to the task. Sunbelt isn’t just experiencing a change of command and growth within; it is also enjoying impressive expansion in Texas. In response to Central Texas growth that is impacting the company, Sunbelt recently announced the addition of a third location at 4768 SH 123 Building 7 in San Marcos. Even with Sunbelt’s many changes, the company continues to provide and
install below grade waterproofing systems, joint sealants, damp proofing, and water repellents. Also included in its construction-related services are masonry and façade restoration, structural repairs, waterproof coatings and sealants, sealant replacement, roof repair and maintenance, and fire-stopping. Sunbelt Waterproofing & Restoration LLC has locations in San Marcos, Dallas, and Houston. –mjm
Brendon Aselton, Austin Cabinetry
Nate Peterson, Texas Disposal Systems
Josh Hadden, The Roof Joker
Trent Bryan, Professional Building Supply
Hair and hope spring eternal
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cross the country, guys are opting not to shave to raise awareness for Movember, a men’s mental health and suicide prevention, prostrate cancer and testicular cancer movement. To acknowledge this magic “mo”-ment, here are a few notable construction-style ‘staches and beards recently spotted in our industry. –mjm
Matthew Jetmore, Lauren Concrete
Ben Parker, Suncoat of Texas
2: 3:
Austin Construction News • NOV 2021
Page 3
Urban sprawl
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Davit Barseghyan and Nick Keran moved from Urban Structure’s Dallas office to launch the firm’s civil engineering department in its Austin office. –mjm
n only a decade, structural and civil engineering company Urban Structure has quickly grown to serve both the booming Dallas and Austin markets, and it continues to expand. Founded in Dallas in 2011 by engineers with deep roots in the local engineering community, Urban Structure only needed four years to establish itself before opening a second office in Austin. Meanwhile, the Dallas office kept expanding. In 2017, the firm added a civil engineering department by teaming with an established civil engineering leader in the area. Three years later, a survey department was created in the Dallas office. Now, it’s the second office’s turn to expand: In October, Urban Structure expanded its civil department to Austin. Project Engineers Davit Barseghyan and Nick Keran have moved from Urban Structure’s Dallas office to Austin to add the firm’s Civil Engineering department to its Structural Engineering department. Barseghyan, a University of Texas at Austin graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, joined Urban Structure
as a Project Engineering Intern in 2018, and transitioned to Project Engineer in 2020. Keran joined Urban Structure’s Dallas office as a Project Engineer in February of this year. He previously worked as a Design Engineer and Staff Engineer for a Frisco Civil Engineering firm and a Project Engineer for a Dallas/Fort Worth area firm. Keran graduated from Louisiana State University with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. The civil department, founded by Principal Douglas Barrilleaux, hopes to add a survey department in Austin that mirrors the one recently created for the Dallas office. “We look forward to applying the same principals that allowed us to grow so rapidly and become so involved in the DFW market to our new and existing clients in the Austin area,” Barseghyan says. “By now having a multi-discipline office in Austin, we are able to provide a onestop shop for Civil and Structural design.” Structural and civil engineering firm Urban Structure is located in Dallas and Austin. –mjm
Cheers to that!
Page Southerland Page Inc. celebrated the topping out of 44 East Ave. in Austin on Sept. 24 with project partners including Flintco LLC Michael Hsu Office of Architecture and dwg. –mjm
Pick up artists
Texas Concrete in Cedar Park not only paves roads, but they keep the roadways beautiful as well! On Sept. 24, the team spent their morning picking up trash along the company’s adopted highway. –mjm
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Austin Construction News • NOV 2021
Matthew Lamz
President Dimensional Roofing & Diagnostics Austin, TX
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cience was Matthew Lamz’s first love, but his Army service separated him from his textbooks and the lab. His stint as an insurance adjuster caused further separation – until it didn’t. Deciding he could roof as well – if not better than- the next guy, he realized he could marry his love of imaging with roofing, and establish his own company, Dimensional Roofing & Diagnostics, which just celebrated its tenth year in business.
Please share about your background. I was born in Houston, but we moved to San Antonio when I was 2. I grew up, and went all the way through high school, in San Antonio. When I was in high school, I was definitely interested in science. The human genome project was being discussed and genetics was something that I thought was my calling; I really loved it and saw the power of it. I thought that was what I was going to do. I joined the Army immediately after graduation. I didn’t initially want to go, but I wasn’t quite ready or mature enough for college, and I knew that. When I took the ASVAB prior to joining, I always knew I was never going to stay in the Army. I was a combat medic, which is a requirement to being a diagnostic X-ray tech or radiographer. After I came back from the Army, I was a bio major at the University of Texas at San Antonio, but something didn’t feel right. Somewhere along the road, I had lost being plugged into a classroom setting and I had not been studying genetics. I didn’t feel I still had that passion for going down that path, so I changed myself to a business major my sophomore year. Did you graduate with a business degree? I didn’t graduate. Instead, I did one stint as an insurance adjuster because a buddy of mine had a father-in-law who was an insurance adjuster. I didn’t even know what that was, but I was an inde-
Matthew Lamz (third from left) and the Dimensional Roofing & Diagnostics team
pendent adjuster, and wherever the storm hit, I would work a certain number of claims. I made good money, but then once my claims were done, I would come back home. For me at that young age of 24, I loved that, but then another storm came, and hurricanes were in the big storms. Unfortunately, hurricanes line up with fall semester at any college, and that happened at least two years straight. I had rolled back into UTSA and the minute I got my books, a hurricane would hit. I decided to run the storm, return my books, come back four or five months later, enjoy my summer and do it all over again. Then Katrina hit, and then Rita, and Wilma, and since I had a good tenure with the adjustment firm, they told me what options I had. One was Minnesota; I worked a very large hailstorm up there, and that is what got me into roofing. That’s where I got to meet roofing contractors on residential roofs. It led me to think that if these guys can run a roofing company, I could run a roofing company, even though all I knew was the insurance side of roofing and not service and repairs, commercial or anything like that. When did you start your roofing company? I ended up coming back home to Texas, and that’s when Austin got hit by the big March 25, 2009 storm. I started my own company, Dimensional Roofing & Diagnostics, in 2010. Imaging is just second nature to me, so I got certified as a Level 1 thermographer when I started the company, and that’s one of the reasons I included “Diagnostics” in the company name. I put a close affinity between a building structure and a human body. I feel like before you can start becoming invasive and tearing things out or tearing a roof off, it’s best if you can, noninvasively, be able to diagnose the situation and determine whether or not you even need to get invasive. You can determine a lot with what’s called a thermograph as opposed
to a radiograph. I started Dimensional with the idea of becoming a more hightech company using the kind of technology the medical side uses, and I still think of it that way. My vision and philosophy of roofing come from almost 10 years of medical industry experience.
have me go out more if they could, but I’m spending 20 hours out on the water Saturday and Sunday combined. I wake up Monday and I stand up rocking like I’m still on the boat, just worn out from the sun, so it takes me about a half-day to recharge and start my week up again.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Wakesurfing. I took my son and one of his friends down to a skatepark on 9th St. and Lamar. I used to skateboard when I was a kid, and while I was down there, I ended up meeting a college kid. I told him I prefer wakesurfing as opposed to skateboarding because I’m older and it hurts a lot less. He laughed, but then he told me about the Texas Wake Program. I knew nothing of it. He asked if I would be interested in taking them out on the boat and driving for them every once in a while. I gave it a shot and I loved it. At the time, I had my own instructor who taught me a lot, so I was just regurgitating and teaching them what he was teaching me. It worked out really well. The first year, I was more of a driver, but I started teaching them, even though I wasn’t being paid. The second year, they decided to make me a coach for UT. I’m still doing it and still absolutely love it. Right now, they would probably
Share about your family. My wife stays at home, and she’s very busy. We have a 4-year-old son and a 14-year-old son that live at home. My daughter goes to OU full-time. My son plays football at Westwood and is really loving it.
Matthew Lamz enjoys sharing his love of the water with his wife and two sons.
Austin
Do they share your love of wake surfing? My wife loves surfing, but my 14-yearold does not love surfing! He was about 9 when we got the boat, and I think it was one of those things we kind of pushed on him. You are a very busy man! They understand that I love what I do. This might be my last year with Texas Wake. If I do it next year, it will be potentially on a much lighter load. I imagine things are going to be pretty busy with Bidfarm next year, a new app I have created. With the added value it brings, it will be a huge disrupter in the digital construction space! I’m really excited! It is going to be extremely useful to other estimators and construction companies that are looking for jobs and bidding on jobs. Do you think you will be in the roofing business for a while? I’m definitely winding it down, especially with what is going on – not just with the markets – but what is going on with the supply chain fragmentation. It’s not just with our industry – it’s not like I just jump out of contracting and do something else, but I do love what I do. Dimensional Roofing & Diagnostics is in Austin. –mjm
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Austin Construction News • NOV 2021
Page 5
A win at 10
Hoar Construction celebrates a decade of growth, success, and community impact.
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oar Construction’s Austin office just scored a perfect 10 – a decade of growth, success, and community impact. As part of an 81-year-old general contracting company – with 30 years in Texas – the Austin office is a standout among Hoar’s seven locations in Texas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and D.C. Austin’s growth and opportunity is what spurred Hoar Construction to open an office here in 2011. “We started small,” Vice President Division Operations Jeff Light recalls. “I remember the first trip to Office Depot to stock the office with supplies! It felt like we were back-to-school shopping and held the same sense of excitement about the future. In fact, I also built the conference table in my garage. I’m so grateful for the all-in, hands-on way we began our office; it created a strong sense of ownership within our team right from the start.” The first major project was luxury apartment development The Richardson at Tarrytown in Central Austin. The project roster now includes Paloma Ridge Office Park, and Inspire on 22nd. “When we started the Austin office,
one of the goals we set for ourselves was to work on high profile projects with some of the city’s most respected institutions – Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas was certainly on that ‘someday’ goal list,” Light says. “In 2020, Dell Children’s chose our team to build their new bed tower addition. We’re working now to apply our lean construction expertise to deliver the project as fast as possible so our client can expand their ability to serve the children of Central Texas.” By 2017, the Austin team’s size and project volume had doubled. Its early growth was so fast that remote space was added three times. A roomier office is now leased at 7320 North MoPac Expwy. The Austin team also gives back. Since 2015, the group has volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House of Central Texas and was also part of Mobile Loaves & Fishes’ Community First! Village. A company leader in community involvement, the team won the Hoar Construction Stewardship Award in 2015 and in 2017 was honored by the Austin Chamber of Commerce. –mjm
An open look
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SI Mechanical LLC hosted an open house for its new Creedmore facility.
I Mechanical LLC welcomed nearly 250 customers, engineers, vendors, and trade partners to its open house on Oct. 21. The five-hour event was a come-and-go-as-you-please affair, with Smokin’ Playas providing the pulled pork sandwiches and chicken. Attendees enjoyed washer games and DJ-provided tunes. They also toured the offices and fabrication shop showcasing S I’s work-
flow in its 24,000sf Creedmore facility at 5198 FM 1327. “The highlight of our event was reminiscing with clients and vendors who remember us when we officed out of our homes back in 2012 when we founded the company,” President Mike Irwin says. “We couldn’t have made it to where we are now without their continued support.” –mjm
Guests enjoyed the eats and musical beats at the event.
The new facility offered plenty of room for washer games.
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Austin Construction News • NOV 2021
Wishing Everyone a Safe & Happy Thanksgiving
The Resource Guide Subcontractors
Service Providers
Truck & Equip Dealers
For info: Buddy Doebbler - Buddy@ConstructionNews.net 210-308-5800
Austin Construction News • NOV 2021
Page 7
ACCOUNTING
INSURANCE
Washington Update: Comparing the Biden and House Democrats Tax Plans
Who Should Purchase Builders Risk - The Builder or the Homeowner?
John Chapman Tax Associate Manager Ridout Barrett Austin, TX
Douglas J. Lynch, Semior Vice President Brookstone Insurance Group Addison, TX
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n September, House Democrats released their proposals to raise revenue to pay for their $3.5 trillion wish list of programs, social policies, climate regulation, and infrastructure. The Biden plan proposes to raise the capital gains rate on taxpayers who earn more than $1,000,000 to 43.4%. First, I will address some of the rate changes proposed by Biden and the Democrats. The House plan proposes to raise the capital gains rate from 20% to 25% for taxpayers who earn more than $400,000. The proposal subjects both active income earned from S-corps and partnerships to the 3.8% net investment income tax, including gains from the sale of your interest or stock in small businesses. In addition, the House plan proposes to cap the qualified business income deduction at $500,000 for joint filers ($400,000 for individuals). The House proposal would raise the top ordinary income rates from 37% to 39.6%, and the top bracket would start at $400,000 for individuals and $450,000 for married couples. In addition, the House plan proposes that taxpayers who earn more than $5 million would be subject to a 3% surtax. For many business owners - under the House proposal - the new top rate for selling their business will rise from 20% to as high as 31.8%. For some business owners, their marginal rate (the rate paid on the next dollar of income earned) may increase from as low as 28% to 43.4%. Regarding corporate rates, Biden proposed to raise the corporate rate from 21% to 28%. The House proposes to rate the corporate rate to 26.5%. However, as the Tax Foundation points out, when you include the proposed tax rate on dividends, the Biden corporate tax rate (62.7%) would be the highest in the OECD. There are significant changes proposed to gift and estate tax rules. As you may know, the Biden proposal planned to eliminate the step up in basis when property is transferred in estate. The House proposal does not include this provision – perhaps a recognition that they did not have the votes for it in the Senate. However, House Democrats propose other significant changes. The House proposes to return the unified credit against gift and estate tax to $5 million from $11.7 million, which would subject many more taxpayers to estate tax. Another section of the proposal affects the use of grantor trusts. The House proposal will pull grantor trusts back into a decedent’s taxable estate and treats the sale of assets from a grantor trust to its owner as a normal sale of assets. The House Democrats have also proposed changes to retirement accounts. The proposals prohibit Roth conversions for individuals making more than $400,000 and married couples earning more than $450,000 – but only after 2031. The reason for this is due to an ac-
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counting gimmick - the government accelerates short-term revenues because of Roth conversions, which conceals the real cost of the government’s long term borrowing.
e place a plethora of builder’s risk. At times, we get asked who should purchase the coverage. Sometimes these questions driven by a builder who would rather not be bothered with getting insurance set up. Other times it is driven by the homeowner’s agent who tells them, “I can get better pricing”. A contractor of mine requested a builder’s risk quote for an 18-month remodel. The quote came back just north of $20K. The builder gave a replica to his client, who showed it to their agent. The agent told the owner that the pricing was way too high. And he could accomplish the same using a Homeowners Policy.
Another proposed change would prevent taxpayers with account balances in excess of $10 million from making retirement contributions. In addition, those with balances in excess of $10 million would be required to take minimum distributions.
It is important to note that Personal lines plans come with coverage concerns, such as restrictions on coverage for theft, breakage, or materials used in repair, construction, restoration, or remodeling. For that reason alone, this is an undesirable choice for the builder. policy See below for actual policy language.
Business owners may consider taking action this year to reduce their overall tax burden. Business owners may want to accelerate ordinary income and defer deductions if they expect rates are going to go up in 2022. However, if the increases become retroactive to 2021 – this tactic is not going to help. Another action high-net worth taxpayers might consider, especially if their estate is expected to be larger than $6 million, estate planning. Give money away to tax advantage of the current $11.7 million lifetime exemption. Taxpayers who are concerned about rates going up may want to consider a Roth conversion to take advantage of comparably lower rates – but only if the rate change is not retroactive to 2021. Much of what the House Democrats have proposed appears to be dead on arrival in the Senate. However, there is enormous cost to inertia, a federal government continuing to spend money it does not have. The American economy appears to be experiencing the beginning of demand-pull inflation. Consumption, business investment, and government spending are the three components of demand. Government spending and consumer spending spurred on by government stimulus payments are crowding out business investment. The rising prices for raw materials, components and finished goods are a very real tax created by demand-pull inflation. Unless government spending is directed toward activities that will boost productivity - for instance, real infrastructure that will abate congestion on the roads and in the supply chain – the spending is going to have an inflationary effect and is a significant tax on consumers and business. John Chapman, CPA has 10 years of experience in public accounting servicing businesses and individuals in tax. John joined Ridout Barrett & Co., P.C., in November 2017. Visit www.ridoutbarrett.com for additional information about Ridout, Barrett & Co., P.C., and the services we offer.
Any materials utilized in repair, construction, renovation, or remodeling are excluded (How much do the materials truly cost on your project?): Here is how it plays out: On the personal lines policy, the builder will not be a named insured. If the personal lines insurance has a claim, the personal lines carrier will cover it and then subrogate to the builder. However, because the project isn’t finished, the builder’s GL won’t react. … As you surely know, this is true of any GL, which is why builders get Builders Risk insurance in the first place. By agreeing with a personal lines policy providing coverage, they are essentially agreeing to operate without any insurance coverage or protection for themselves! And that Reason is Enough to make this an n unacceptable` option for The Builder Also, it has coverage issues with the personal lines policy including limitations on coverage for theft, glass breakage or for materials used in construction, renovation, or remodeling. Here is actual policy language from an HO3: Exclusion of coverage for glass if the property is vacant for more than 60 days B. This coverage does not include loss: 1) to a covered property which results because the glass or safety glazing material has been broken except as provided in. (3) above or 2) on the “residence premises” if the dwelling has been vacant for more than 60 consecutive days immediately before the loss, except when the breakage results directly from earth movement as provided in a. (2.) above A dwelling being constructed is not considered vacant C. This coverage does not increase the limit of liability that applies to the damaged property. Exclusion of theft in or to a dwelling under construction …. until the dwelling is finished and occupied Section 1: Perils Insured Against A. Coverage A – Dwelling and coverage B. Other structures we insure against risk of direct physical damage loss to property describing coverages A and B we do not insure, however, for loss: c. Caused by: 3) Theft in or wo a dwelling under construction, or of materials and supplies for use in the construction until the dwelling is finished or occupied 3. Exclusion of any of the materials used in repair, construction, renovation, or remodeling (how much do materials cost on your project? We do not insure for loss to properly
described in Coverages A and B that c aus e d any of the following. However, any ensuing loss to property described in Coverages A and B not precluded by any other in this policy is covered. However, this exclusion only applies if weather conditions in any way with a cause o r event excluded in A. 1. weather conditions. However, this exclusion only applies if weather conditions contribute in any way with A cause or event excluded in a above to produce the loss 2. acts or decisions including the failure to act or decide of any person group organization or governmental body 3. faulty, inadequate, or defective: a. Planning, zoning, surveying b. design, specifications, workmanship, repair, construction, renovation, remodeling, grading, compaction c. materials used in repair construction renovation or remodeling, d. maintenance of part or all any property whether on or off the “residence premises “ Personal lines plans are silent on, and offer no coverage for, soft expenses, items held off-site, or materials in transit, in addition to these exclusions. All these limits raise serious issues about coverage for the builder...and their customer. Unintentionally, some producers may recommend a DP policy instead of a HO policy. The HO3 is for homeowners, but the DP3 is for insurance coverage that covers a residential structure that is generally rented out. Even if a DP insurance is generally acceptable, the HO form’s coverage limits are substantially replicated on the DP form. Builders who accept stand-alone personal lines insurance in place of builder’s risk should understand that they are effectively working without coverage. The producer who puts that coverage should be aware that he or she is taking on a significant E&O risk. We’ve seen successful builders handle this problem with their clients in a variety of ways: They ensure that the customer knows why the builder must take Builders Risk. • They can transfer the expense on to the insured directly or through fees included into their contract. • They can offer to add the homeowner as an additional named insured so that in the case of a claim, the homeowner’s interests are safeguarded. There are a few instances where a personal lines coverage may be useful However, it is generally when builders risk is not available to cover the entire risk for one cause or another; for example, when a project is delayed. In closing, Agents must educate themselves and keep up with industry coverage forms. Our customers trust us to protect their company and we owe them the respect of investigating options and providing a clear understanding. Less premium is exactly that and no relation to coverage.
Douglas Lynch is a 35 year veteran of construction insurance and Senior Vice President of Brookstone Insurance Group, a Boutique Construction agency And subsidiary of Brown & Brown. Some info taken from my partners at NWC Alliance, owner Treacy Duerfeldt.
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Austin Construction News • NOV 2021
OSHA Construction Cranes Joann Natarajan Compliance Assistance Specialist OSHA Austin, TX
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uestion: I use an articulating knuckle-boom truck crane equipped with an automatic overload prevention device to hoist packaged building materials from the bed of a truck. The building materials are hoisted on pallets supported underneath by forks/a cradle that is attached to the boom of the truck crane. If I hold pallets of building materials, such as 2 X 4’s, plywood, shingles, or drywall, to be unloaded at elevations, like a floor (through an open window or doorway) or the roof of a structure under construction, is this activity covered by the cranes standard? Answer site. Under such scenarios, these activities are excluded from the requirements Yes, the construction activity you de- of construction standards specified by 29 scribe is covered by the crane standard. CFR Part 1926, and covered by general inFor an articulating knuckle-boom truck dustry requirements. crane to be excluded from the requirements of the crane standard, it must ei- OSHA also acknowledges that using an ther be: (1) used to perform an activity articulating knuckle-boom truck crane to that is not integral to a construction ac- hoist and hold palletized building matetivity or; (2) equipment that it is de- rials at elevations for construction worksigned, configured, and used as equip- ers to unpack/unload may often be a safment covered by Subpart O, Motor Vehi- er work practice than having them uncles, Mechanized Equipment, and Marine pack and repetitiously carry the materials Operations. An articulating knuck- from the ground up to elevated work arle-boom truck crane is considered con- eas of a structure. Any workers who unfigured and used like equipment covered pack/unload the pallets are doing so to by Subpart O only when: facilitate the performance of a construction activity and are likely subjected to • its forks/cradle are directly attached hazards typical to cranes and the roofs, to the boom (not suspended from the upper decks, and balconies of structures boom by a load line); that are undergoing construction. Subse • it is equipped with a properly func- quently, the workers must be protected tioning automatic overload prevention from those hazards by the employer’s device; and compliance with construction standards. • it is used to deliver sheet goods or Regardless of whether the construction packaged material. employer operates an articulating knuck le-boom truck crane to hoist and hold When loads are hoisted from the bed the pallets, or that employer gets anothof a truck and placed on the ground er employer (such as a delivery company) without arranging the materials in any to do so, the use of the crane for this purparticular sequence for hoisting; or set pose is considered construction and covon an elevated area of a structure (such ered by the cranes standard. as a balcony, upper deck, or roof) prior to natarajan.joann@dol.gov being unpacked/unloaded from pallets 512-374-0271 x232 is considered delivery to a construction
LEGAL Legislative Changes to Texas Mechanic’s and Materialman’s Lien Procedures: Part One West W. Winter, Attorney The Winter Law Firm, PLLC San Antonio, TX
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uring the 2021 Regular Legislative Session, more than 6,900 bills were filed and over 1,000 were enacted into law. Among these new laws, the 87th Texas Legislative Session implemented significant changes to Chapter 53 of the Texas Property Code dealing with mechanic’s and materialman’s liens. Stay tuned to Construction News in December for part two of this article discussing additional changes to Chapter 53.
These Changes May Not Apply to Your Project The changes made by HB 2237, effective January 1, 2022, apply only to an original contract entered into on or after the effective date of the Act. An original contract entered into before January 1, 2022, is governed by the law as it existed immediately before the effective date of the Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. Given that construction projects can take many months if not years to complete, it is essential to understand that the changes implemented by HB 2237 may not apply to your specific project in 2022 or beyond, if the original contract (defined as an agreement to which an owner is a party either directly or by implication of law) for that project was entered before January 1, 2022. As such, it is crucial to obtain a true and correct copy of the original contract at the beginning of the project in order to determine which lien procedures apply. Extension of Deadlines New Property Code Section 53.003(e) provides welcome relief to those last-minute situations where a lien must be filed or a notice must be sent on or before an applicable deadline. Under current law, a deadline is not extended if the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday. This new Section changes current law and states: “In computing the period of days in which to provide a notice or to take any action required under this chapter, if the last day of the period is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the period is extended to include the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.” Removal of Second Month Notice Requirements on Commercial Projects Property Code Section 53.056, dealing with Lien Notices, has been amended to simply require a claimant, other than an original contractor, to give notice as required by Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) for the lien to be valid. Subsection (a-1) provides that for all unpaid labor or materials provided, the claimant must send a notice of claim to the owner or reputed owner and the original contractor. For non-residential projects, the notice must be sent no later than the 15th day of the third month after the month during which (A) the labor or materials were provided, or (B) the undelivered specially fabricated materials would normally have been delivered. For residential projects, the notice must be sent no later than the 15th day of the second month after the month during which (A) the labor or materials were provided, or (B) the undelivered specially fabricated materials would normally have been delivered. Subsection (a-2) then specifically recites the form of the notice that must be provided. When the revisions to Chapter 53 become effective and are applicable as discussed above, it will be essential for all lien claimants to review and use the new
statutorily mandated form notices set out in Sections 53.056(a-2)(“Notice of Claim for Unpaid Labor or Materials”) and 53.057(a-2)(“Notice of Claim for Unpaid Retainage”) for their liens to be valid. While a claimant may still give the original contractor a written notice of an unpaid labor or materials invoice that is past-due under Subsection (a-4), such a notice is not required for a lien to be valid. Shortened Limitations Deadline to Foreclose Lien While it is essential to timely and properly perfect your mechanic’s and materialman’s lien, there are also strict statutory deadlines within which you must actually file suit to foreclose or enforce your lien claim. Failing to file suit within these prescribed deadlines will likely result in the loss or extinguishment of your lien rights. Suit must be brought to foreclose a lien within the limitations periods mandated by Section 53.158 of the Texas Property Code which has been amended by HB 2237 to require that suit be brought to foreclose a lien not later than the first anniversary of the last day a claimant may timely file the lien affidavit. So unless the limitations period is extended to two years by written agreement with the owner of the property pursuant to the requirements of new Subsection (a-2), lien claimants now only have one year to file suit to foreclose their liens. Consult Your Construction Law Attorney This article is not a comprehensive review of all the changes which have been instituted by HB 2237 and is not meant to be legal advice. Please consult with your construction law attorney if you have any questions about the changes implemented by HB 2237 or the best way in which to incorporate them into your collection practices and procedures. To see the text of HB 2237 or to learn more about this legislation, please visit www.capitol.texas.gov. West W. Winter is the founder and managing member of The Winter Law Firm, PLLC. West is the immediate past-chair of the Construction Law Section of the San Antonio Bar Association, and he has been repeatedly listed as one of the Best Lawyers in San Antonio for Construction Litigation. The Winter Law Firm represents owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in all phases of the construction process, from contract formation through dispute resolution, litigation, and collection. West can be reached via email: west@ thewinterlawfirm.com.
Austin Construction News • NOV 2021
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Fall Tranformation by Capt. Steve Schultz
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ith fall season in full swing now, I will migrate from water to land at the beginning of November and start my South Texas deer hunting expeditions. The change in scenery for me is greatly anticipated and gives me a chance to break-up my year from the long fishing season. This year was especially long with some of the toughest conditions caused by the freeze in February. In the 23 years I’ve been guiding, I have never struggled so much in finding fish and staying on fish. What seemed to be tough days turned into tough weeks and tougher months. By mid-summer, we started seeing what I call the start of the rebuilding of our estuary. Trout numbers started to increase as fish entered from the gulf passes along our coast. This was a welcomed scene. However, our numbers were still down and, as the weather got hotter, fishing turned tougher. Trout regulations that were put in place in April surely helped for the 180-day period and the 60-day extension thru the end of September, and was absolutely needed to continue the rebuilding process. As of now, the temporary regulations have expired and limits have gone back to the original regulation before the freeze. I’m hoping that Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission can gather more data over the winter months and will consider additional coastal fisheries management actions to accelerate the recovery of the spotted seatrout. For the past several months, we have been getting above average rainfall amounts in the coastal bend. This is no surprise since our rainy months are September and October. While rain is good for our bays and estuaries, too much can cause an imbalance to the salinity levels. Baffin bay, for instance, is a hyper salinity bay system with very little influx of fresh water through runoff and rivers so rain doesn’t hurt Baffin so much. However, further north where we have more streets, subdivisions, rivers and streams that feed our bay system, water can get too fresh with large amount of rain. Although rain is beneficial to everyone, to o much at one time can be problematic at times. Redfish seem to be bothered the least in these conditions whereas speckled trout can move to deeper water to escape the fresh conditions at
Steve Schultz Outdoors offers limited snapper trip on calm days. Limits of red snapper on this outing with long time friend Bart Johnson of Brownwood Texas. Bart was fishing with his son Blake.
Redfish have been the go to fish this year since the freeze. Art Jenness caught this 27” red on a recent trip with Steve Schultz Outdoors.
the surface. This scenario came into play on a recent outing with some very understanding clients. Fishing started out very slow at daybreak with little to no action at all. As the morning progressed, we changed our strategy and moved to deeper areas of the bay and immediately start catching fish. Surf fishing has also been on fire lately, especially when winds are down and currents in the bay are slack. Light winds make it safe to venture out the jetties and explore the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. For those of you that like to snapper fish, there’s good news. The state reopened snapper season from October 15 thru November 6, 2021 for a late snapper run. Fishing pressure has been down since Labor Day so no need to start out super early to get to your favorite fishing spot. My whitetail hunts are booking up rather quickly, so if interested give me a shout. My 2022 fishing calendar is open, so don’t hesitate in getting your dates booked. 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.
Capt. Steve Schultz Sponsored by: Waypoint Marine/Waypoint Customs, Shoalwater Boats, Mercury Marine, 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.
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Austin Construction News • NOV 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
Fishing guide or fishing god?
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o, you are on the boat with a fishing guide as he slides you into his chosen fishing spot beneath a painted dawn sky. He gets your baits in the water, watches the school of fish he’s on and begins to drum on the bottom of the boat. Suddenly, the rods start dipping and everybody’s reeling and dancing around each other and netting fish! Counting, counting and you are limited! Or maybe you are trolling easily along and enjoying the good company of your fishing buddies when the guide tells you to all be watching your rods because here come the fish! One by one the rods dip down, and everyone is fighting to land their fish! When you get back to the dock and the fish are being cleaned for you, you might wonder if you have been in the presence of a fishing god. I can tell you he’s just a fishing guide who knows his stuff. Can he take you back there in the morning and do it again? Only maybe. If a school of gar go tearing through the bait schools like lightning in a thunderstorm before he can get his bait netted, it’s going to be a lot harder. Or if some less experienced angler goes stomping like a toddler through the very schools of fish your guide has been following, scattering them all over, it may be back to the drawing board. And the weather! If you liked it yesterday, too bad. This is a new day, new weather, good luck!
No, not a fishing god, just a fishing guide. When you get on one of those amazing quick limit trips just realize that not every trip is like that. There are times of the year when limits are more common, but they are not a given. Complaining that a limited trip was over too soon is like griping because you won the lottery and didn’t get to spend your whole life making a fortune. Just enjoy the experience and understand that you were blessed! We see kids and younger adults come to fish with us who have grown up in our consumer society who have come to expect their time outdoors fishing and hunting to work like an online order. It takes a bit for them to understand that nobody has any control over what happens outdoors. The deer may not arrive at the blind on time, just like the charter boat may not be at the dock on time. The hunt or fishing trip may take more or less time than expected and the yield isn’t guaranteed. The outdoor experience just can’t be summed up in a product description. It may be a little unsettling to them that we humans have no control over nature, but there is a trade off here. Once a person realizes that we don’t have to control nature, that it just should be experienced, then magic begins to happen. That is when we begin to understand that we are just a small part of the vast and amazing world that is ours to explore. Thank you to all the adults who are helping find ways to get our youth off their phones and out of their heads long enough to experience the outdoors and all the wonders that are just waiting for them!
Austin Construction News • NOV 2021
A good day for clay
Parnell Engineering CEO Will Parnell (right) recently took company Vice President Devon Vo (left) to Capital City Clays to bond and prepare for an upcoming clay shooting event in Lampasas. –mjm
Seventh heaven
Wylie Engineering’s Austin branch team gathered for a photo to commemorate the firm’s 7th anniversary, which was celebrated last month. –mjm
Cheers to volunteers
Blackmon Mooring of Austin and CertaPro Painters of Austin were among the local volunteers who separated, checked, and boxed 1500lbs. worth of food for the Central Texas Food Bank on Oct. 22. –mjm
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Austin Construction News • NOV 2021
Shingle and ready to mingle
Members of construction-related companies, like Corey Construction and United Insurance, played in the tournament.
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oofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT) members recently came together to celebrate their accomplishments at a fun-themed weekend in Houston. On Sept. 30, golfers gathered for the RCAT/HARCA Golf Tournament at Cypress’ Blackhorse Golf Club. Then, on Oct. 1, RCAT hosted its casino-themed Annual Business Meeting & Awards Banquet at Marriott Marquis Houston. The meeting updated members on the association and introduced the incoming board of directors, and the awards ceremony honored members for their contributions, including Ramon Roofing Inc.’s Paul Ramon, who received the annual Curtis Blackwell Memorial Award. – mjm
Paul Ramon, Ramon Roofing Inc., received the Curtis Blackwell Memorial Award.
RCAT President-Elect Richard Koetter, Armored Roofing Co., bets on a good year ahead for RCAT, starting with the casino-themed banquet.
Austin Construction News • NOV 2021
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Association Calendar
If you could live anywhere for a year, no strings attached, where would it be and why?
Content submitted by Associations to Construction News ABC Associated Builders & Contractors Nov. 4: ABC Golf Tournament, Wolfdancer Golf Club at Hyatt Lost Pines, 575 Hyatt Lost Pines Rd., 8:30am Registration, 10am Shotgun Start. For more info, call Brian Bisgard at 512-719-5263 or email bbisgard@abccentraltexas.org ACEA Greater Austin Contractors & Engineers Association Nov. 10: Thankful and Happy Networking Happy Hour, The Flats, 205 N. Mays St., 4:30-7pm. Nov. 11: Membership Luncheon – Matt Hollo, City of Austin Watershed Protection Dept.; Norris Conference Center, 2525 Anderson Lane, 11:30am-1pm. For more info, call Silvia Pendleton at 512893-7067 or email silvia.pendleton@ aceatx.com AGC Associated General Contractors Nov. 20: AGC Rodeo & BBQ Cook-off, Mayfest Park, 25 American Legion Dr., Bastrop, TX 11am-6pm, $30 Entry, Kids 10 & Under Free. For more info, contact Toni Osberry at 512-442-7887 ASCE American Society of Civil Engineers Texas Section Nov. 16: Monthly Virtual Meeting, 11:30am. For more info, go to www.texasasce.org CTSA Central Texas Subcontractors Association Nov. 9: Monthly Lunch Meeting, Pappadaeux, 11:30am-1pm. For more info, contact Wendy Lambert at 512-255-6373
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I-LinCP Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects Nov. 9: Expert Webinar Series: Q2 Stadium with Gensler. For more info, contact Carla Bingaman at 512-263-5521 or email Carla.bingaman@i-lincp.org NARI National Association of the Remodeling Industry Nov. 5: Austin NARI Annual Awards Gala, Renaissance Hotel, 9721 Arboretum Blvd.,6-11:30pm. For more info, contact Kayvon Leath at 512-997-6274 or email kayvon@austinnari.org NAWIC National Association of Women in Construction Nov. 3: Chapter Meeting, Austin Carpenters Local 1266, 1825 S I-15, 5pm. For more info, email austinnawic@gmail.com TSPE Texas Society of Professional Engineers Nov. 3: Monthly Meeting, Trivia Night, Easy Tiger, 6406 N I-15 #1100, 5-7pm. For more info, call Claire Black at 512-4729286 or email Claire@tspe.org TXAPA Texas Asphalt Pavement Association Nov. 2: Inspector Asphalt Education - November Nov. 3: TxDOT Letting Nov. 11: TXAPA Live Nov. 30: Inspector Asphalt Education – December. For more info, contact Lauren Selvik at 512-312-2099 or email lselvik@ texasasphalt.org
Submitted to Construction News
It wouldn’t be outside the country. It would probably be in and around Big Fork, Montana. It is absolutely gorgeous. We went there last summer. I’ve been there a few times. I’ve been to Glacier National Park a few times. Anywhere in the Rocky Mountains I would take in a heartbeat; it’s just hard to find work there. Just the cost to sustain, and the cost of living in some of those places is really expensive to live. I raise cattle, and we went to a Montana ranch up there nestled between the mountains with their Angus cattle and it was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been on earth. Mark Munson, FWB Rentals I think it would be Costa Rica. Any excuse to be outdoors, that’s kind of my thing, and that’s one of the best fishing spots in the world. My wife loves the beach and so do my kids. It would be between that and Colorado; I can do either. Taylor Jordan, Metropolitan Contracting Company I’ve had opportunities to travel through places throughout the world and probably my favorite place on planet Earth would be the Exuma Islands down in the Bahamas. It’s an area that is protected by NATO and just some of the most beautiful scenery, specifically Norman’s Cay, an island that used to be owned by Pablo Escobar. You can sit there and just walk off of your dock off the back of your bungalow into crystal clear blue water. It’s absolutely gorgeous. Jeremy Gauche, The KYA Group
After 23 years with Ryan Companies, Rick Collins will step back from his role as the company’s western division president. Collins will now focus on mentoring several members of Ryan’s development and leadership teams around the country. – mjm Collin Barr will shift from central division president to president of the company’s southern and western divisions. Bringing 30 years of experience to the role, Barr will build on the vision and direction for business development in the Ryan offices he will oversee, which include Austin, Atlanta, Dallas, Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle and Tampa. –mjm
Fernando Villareal, Valor Commercial LLC Honestly, probably somewhere on the beach or on the coast. I like being outside, I like the exposure to the sun, I like being on the beach. It would be awesome to work from the beach. It’s just who I am. As a kid, I remember my mom saying, “You always want to be out and about!” and I’ve been like that since I was a little kid. I would always ask, “Where are we going today?” Francisco Lara, JE Dunn Construction Italy, because that is where I would like to visit. Colin Fletcher, G4 Geomatic Resources I think that Vancouver, British Columbia would be very interesting. I’ve always loved the Pacific Northwest. When I was in the Army training at Fort Lewis in Washington state, I spent a weekend up there with some friends, and I just thought it was absolutely amazing. There are so many islands, tons of water, lots of fishing, and amazing sushi, and I love sushi; I could eat it for breakfast! I know my wife and kids would love it there, it being port side. Matthew Lamz, Dimensional Roofing & Diagnostics
I have two places. It would either have to be by the coast – I don’t even care if it is South Padre Island. I love the coast, I
Round-Up
Ryan Companies announces the following: Jeff Smith will retire as president after 35 years with Ryan. As president, Smith oversaw the formation and execution of the company’s strategic initiatives including business development and fostering client relationships. –mjm
love the water, I love the sand between my toes. It would be there, or in the middle of the Rocky Mountains, because I love nature. I drove through the Rockies one time, and I was amazed. Words and pictures can’t express the beauty of the land that I’ve been graced by Jesus Christ and everything He’s done.
They pulled it off!
Herb Deazvedo LEED AP MBA PMP has joined White Construction Company as Director of Corporate Interiors. In this role, Deazvedo will lead an expanded team focused on interior finish-out projects. In previous positions, Deazvedo has guided interiors practices for numerous major construction firms. Deazvedo earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Concordia University and is a Certified Management Professional (PMP). –mjm Farmer Environmental Group LLC welcomes Robert Bowman as Austin Project Manager. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps in chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons defense, Bowman has extensive experience in asbestos project management, asbestos inspection, and air monitoring. –mjm Augustine Verrengia recently joined WGI as a civil engineering Market Leader. In his new role, Verrengia will lead all aspects of Austin’s largest civil engineering team. His professional experience includes mixed-use, residential, industrial, commercial, and master planned land development projects. –mjm
American Constructors hosted its annual charity clay shoot to raise funds for charity.
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ommercial construction company American Constructors did a bang up job with its 9th Annual Charity Clay Shoot on Oct. 1. Hosted at Capital City Clays in Austin, 133 attendees enjoyed shooting clays and a shotgun raffle, and raised $70,000 for the Boys and Girls Club of the Austin Area. Since 2012, American Constructors has donated more than $350,000 through the event. American Constructors is in Cedar Park. –mjm
Jonathan Saenz (American Constructors), and Sam Larkin (GlassMart Inc.) Third Place: Vanguard Fire Systems team’s Thomas Wilson, Amy Thomas, Mitchell Franklin (Texas Air), Rick Ainsworth and Cy Liberstat Photo credit: Austin Real Estate Photography
Winners: First Place: Rockin’ C Ranch team’s Jerry Conway, Tim Wilhelm, Jeff Boyd (Western Stain Co.), Brian Hill, and Phillip Tom (Tom Brothers Ranch) Second Place: Allied Electrical team’s Brian Walker, Cody Tillotson, Grant Sonnier,
A shotgun raffle added to the fun.
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Austin Construction News • NOV 2021
continued from Page 1 — FWB Rental
Winners all
“The owner of our company was on the way back from signing our lease in Carrollton, TX on Sept. 11, 2001 when the towers fell, and it was a difficult season after that; a lot of business went by the wayside. We never stopped making money, though. We’ve been profitable ever since,” Munson says. Munson now serves as an operations manager for the company. “I managed Carrollton for 18 years and now I oversee a lot of the operation of the company,” he says. “I go from branch to branch to branch, but the one I’m most predominant active in right now just because the need is there is Kyle.” The Kyle location, which opened last March, replaces the Austin branch that was located between 1-35 and the airport. Located at 241 Weldon Johnson Way, the new office gives the FWB staff room to breathe. “We had outgrown our space in Austin – that was a blessing – and we own this place,” Munson says. In addition to FWB’s leadership, the company culture has also remained the
same. “We all function as a team,” Munson says. “I believe it’s a really good working atmosphere, and I think a lot of the guys would probably tell you the same.” FWB also helps its community. “We loan tools to schools if they call,” he says. “Right now, we have some tools at the pipe fitter’s union. Rental is our number one business, but we do a lot of outside repair work for customers, and we do onsite training at times. If we have a customer who has a problem with a particular piece of equipment; we’ll go out and have training sessions with them.” FWB may repair tools and equipment, but it doesn’t need to repair its leadership or company culture. And, as far as Munson is concerned, if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. “This is a great company,” Munson says. “I wouldn’t be here for 21 years if it wasn’t! FWB Rental is located in Kyle, Carrolton and headquartered in Fort Worth. –mjm
continued from Page 1 — Metropolitan Contracting
Veliz Construction won AGC-TBB’s Outstanding Construction Award for General Contractor, Specialty Construction for the Thornberry Fire Alarms Replacement.
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ssociated General Contractors Texas Building Branch (AGC-TBB) regretfully was unable to host its Outstanding Construction Awards due to COVID concerns, but the winning projects and their companies still deserve applause! The following are the 2020 winners: General Contractor General Contractor Historic Renovation Building 2 ($2M-$5M) Commodore Perry Estate American Bank Waco, Woodway Branch Rogers-O’Brien Construction Company Built Wright Construction General Contractor Building 3 ($5M-$10M) Alliance Bank Central Texas, Woodway (Main) Branch Built Wright Construction
General Contractor Interior Finish-Out (500K-$2M) JRBT Certified Accounting Firm CWA Construction
General Contractor Building 4 ($10M-$30M) Magnolia – Silos Expansion John W. Erwin General Contractors Inc.
General Contractor Interior Finish-Out 4 (Over $5M) Travis County Probate Courts Building Renovation J.T. Vaughn Construction Company
General Contractor Design Build 2 ($10M-$30M) T.A. Brown Elementary School Rogers-O’Brien Construction Company
General Contractor Specialty Construction Thornberry Fire Alarms Replacement Veliz Construction
General Contractor Educational Facilities ($0-$10M) Jerrell ISD Auditorium Mazanec Construction
Specialty Contractor Electrical 1($0- $5M) Norman Sims Elementary Modernization Allied Electrical Services Inc.
General Contractor Educational Facilities 2 ($10M-$30M) LBJ Student Center Expansion J.T. Vaughn Construction LLC
School
Specialty Contractor Electrical 3 (Over $10M) UT Welch Hall Renovation Rosendin
“We’re known as a mid-sized contractor, but we can do large projects; we do Class A office finish-out, retail, restaurants, healthcare, and historic renovation. These are all active markets in Austin,” Jordan says. “We had been getting the question, quite frankly, from a lot of our clients saying, ‘Hey, do you guys work in Austin?’ It’s funny, because it’s just far enough where you can’t run jobs from San Antonio in Austin on a consistent basis. So, we said that it really makes sense for us to have an office in Austin and really try to get into that market.” Finding team members to ensure that METRO’s Austin office provides the same consistent, quality experience found in the San Antonio location is key. To that end, METRO is hiring local talent “that already have relationships, and also understand the subcontractor market,” Taylor says. “We’re very much a relationship, client-based contractor. We look at every job as a relationship with that owner and, in order to be successful, we feel we need to be customer service-focused. Our hope is that a project turns into the next project with that same owner because they like their experience with METRO.” Leading the expansion into Austin is Project Executive Tyler Guest, who possesses extensive tenant improvement experience. Guest will focus on building the
Austin team and METRO’s local presence. “It’s absolutely important for us, and it’s really important for any company,” Guest says. “There are just so many nuances that go on in each market, that having a local presence is important. So is a relationship with the local subcontractors. I think each market has a pool of qualified subcontractors that are great to work with and having worked in this market, you really see that and build those partnerships with the subcontractors. These partnerships are just as important as it is with a client. We truly value that and we think that it is very important.” Carruth says METRO is excited to be in the vibrant, growing Austin market. “The upside is significant; the competition is as well,” Carruth says. “Other companies have recognized the growth opportunities to serve Austin as well, and so we’re excited to be 74 miles down the road and have the chance to grow METRO and offer more opportunity to our employees through growth.” “We have resources we’re able to share because the cities are so close,” Guest agrees. “We’re very much able to have the bandwidth to help and be the partner in the Austin market clients are looking for.” Metropolitan Contracting (METRO) is in Austin and San Antonio. –mjm
continued from Page 1 — G4 Geomatic Resources Walsh says. “We’re redefining what a technology dealer should be.” G4 Geomatic Resources has locations in Austin, Dallas Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. –mjm
Trophy team
Play Ball!
Lennox’s Adam Simkins (center, holding trophy) was recently recognized as Territory Manager of the Month but says he couldn’t have done it without his Austin team (L-R) Erik Hinojosa, Gail Jewitt, Simkins, Katelyn Meacham, Grace Rocha, and Daniel Arnold. –mjm
On Oct. 14, East View High School of Georgetown ISD hosted a dedication ceremony for their new baseball field completed by KYA. Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan was present to commemorate the special occasion, with his son Reid Ryan also in attendance. –mjm
Austin Construction News • NOV 2021
Industry FOLKS Francisco Lara
Assistant Superintendent
JE Dunn Construction Austin, TX
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t’s no surprise that Francisco Lara’s dad nicknamed him “King” as a boy: Last month, Lara was crowned the winner of Real Estate Council of Austin (RECA)’s KnockOut Night. The Houston-born, Spring Branch-raised Assistant Superintendent represented his company, JE Dunn Construction, in his second boxing match in as many years. Lara found his passion for the sport at his alma mater Texas A&M, where he graduated with a Construction Science degree. As an Aggie, he represented his school twice in boxing competitions. However, a busy post-graduate life and a budding career at JE Dunn‘s Houston office began to take priority over boxing practice. “I figured boxing was done for me,” Lara says. “I worked out of the Houston office for about a year and a half and saw there was an opportunity in Austin for a job that I am working on now. When I moved to Austin, I got put on a job to close out the buildings’ punch lists we were working on. I was fortunate to run into Project Manager Michael Craig, who works for JE Dunn, who said I should try out for the RECA event. I was out of shape since my A&M days, and I said, ‘I only have two fights under my belt, so if this is an elite event, I am definitely not doing this. This has to be an amateur event!’” He checked it out on Craig’s recommendation and was soon training at Richard Lord’s gym three times a week. In the four months before the 2019 boxing event, Lara slimmed down from 190 to a dehydrated 170; Lara admits it wasn’t a healthy weight loss, and he lost his bout. Still passionate about the sport, Lara vowed to continue his boxing training and weightlifting for the 2021 match. By adding 25-30 mile cycling jaunts to his weekends, he was able to power through his second competition and claim his victory. “Training for this actually was a starting point to get back to where I was at mentally and physically, and it gave me a shot at being healthy again, which was the best part of this whole experience,” he says. Lara felt honored to compete on behalf of JE Dunn Construction and says their support during the process meant everything to him. “I’m fortunate to work for a company that supports work-life balance and being mentally healthy,” Lara says. “Everybody on the job understands how critical it is. If physically and mentally we’re not ‘there,’ we’re not going to perform well on the job, and JE Dunn stresses that. It makes it super easy to do these types of things with support from my project and leadership teams. It’s an overall great experience, and to have people that support you is just awesome.” –mjm
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Austin Construction News • NOV 2021
Texas State Cemetery Caretaker’s Cottage
few blocks east of the State Capitol, the serene Texas State Cemetery offers a final resting place for governors, senators, legislators, congressmen, judges, and other notable Texans who have left their mark and legacy. The cemetery’s history is a rich one: Efforts to establish the cemetery began in 1851 upon the death of General Edward Burleson, who served with Sam Houston in the Battle of San Jacinto and was also the Vice President of the Republic of Texas. Since it was built, it has undergone many changes, including an extensive restoration project from 1994 to 1997, initiated by Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock. The caretaker’s cottage on the property had seen its share of years, and the roof on the 1,600sf structure had fallen into disrepair. Family-owned R.B. Hash & Associates Inc., which specializes in roofing, waterproofing and sheet metal, was brought in to correct the issue marring this historical building.
R.B. Hash & Associates was brought in to replace the caretaker cottage’s roof in the Texas State Cemetery.
Beginning last August, the team, led by Raul Estrada, Bryan Hash, John Garza, and Bob Edwards, performed a complete roof replacement including deck
installation, underlayment, and standing seam roof panels. This involved a removal of the existing panel system down to open slats, installation of plywood deck-
The procurement, fabrication, and installation of the tin matte panels proved challenging.
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law firm was in need of a 4,963sf, Class A office build-out on the Colorado Tower’s 20th floor. A glossy reception area, innovative workspaces and meeting rooms with breathtaking views were all part of the firm’s sophisticated vision. To bring it to life, general contractor Harvey-Cleary, which has 64 years of experience in high-rise construction and building for every sector, was brought in to install the interiors. The challenges of this project were the high-end finish materials and logistics including the wood floor from the Netherlands, the glass office front system from Italy, and the stone for the reception desk from France. All materials had a 10to 14-week lead time and the job was only 13 weeks long, so materials were bought and released a month prior to beginning work. The space is highly symmetrical. Reveals in the ceiling travel through multiple materials, light fixtures, and glass walls to get from the ceiling to walls to the floor. This required the team to coordinate months in advance with all trades in the field and shop drawings to make sure everything was perfect. The architect, Gensler, designed an intricately detailed, contemporary wood ceiling to define the firm’s main lobby. Harvey worked directly with its local subcontractors to turn the design into a 3D drawing. The ceiling was converted to individual pieces, sized and labeled accordingly for the ceiling manufacturer. The manufacturer delivered the custom-sized, precut pieces to the site, where each was installed per the architect’s design, fitting together perfectly to form the finished ceiling.
ing, high temp ice and watershield, tin matte stainless steel standing seam roof panels, tin matte flat seam roof panels, round gutters and downspouts. The most challenging part of the project was the procurement, fabrication, and installation for the tin matte panels. Fortunately, R.B. Hash & Associates Inc.’s 30 years of experience on a range of projects across Texas, Louisiana, Colorado, Florida and Alabama helped the team create appropriate solutions. Despite these challenges, the project was completed by September and to the satisfaction of the client. Now, the caretaker’s cottage is a complement to the rich history in which the Texas State Cemetery is steeped. Founded in 1991, R.B. Hash offers roofing, waterproofing, architectural and sheet metal fabrication, and maintenance and repair services. –mjm R. B. Hash & Associates Austin, Texas
The 1,600 sf cottage’s roof was completed in September.
Law Firm The final result is a sleek office for a discerning client. Harvey-Cleary is in Austin. –mjm Harvey-Cleary Austin, TX
Harvey-Cleary completed a 20th floor build out for a law firm, including a sophisticated reception area.
The wood ceiling was an elaborate undertaking, installed per the architect’s design.
The high-end stone used for the reception desk is from France.
The firm’s work area showcases wood flooring from the Netherlands.
Austin Construction News • NOV 2021
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hen Valor Commercial LLC Chief Operating Officer Fernando Villareal and his team won a bid to perform drywall finishing, painting, and coatings on Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, they planned to begin the process last February. But like most group projects, their work depended on others doing their part. When seven out of ten subcontractors didn’t finish their portion of the demo and rebuild of the 25,000sf. space, Villareal and his team committed themselves to finishing parts of the project they had not signed up for. “I guess because of the building being existent, a lot of upgrades had to be done on the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems,” Villareal explains. “Because of that, costs were up for everybody and, unfortunately, we can’t start until inspection is passed and it is covered up with sheetrock. It was a domino effect. They weren’t problems, just challenges because of the age of the building. “We ended up starting around April or May and we wrapped it up in October,” Villareal continues. “We focused on satisfying the customer, whatever it took. All of the delays and stuff added on some extra costs that we had not foreseen. However, we were able to finish with one of the original contractors that initially got started with that job.” In addition to the drywall, painting, finishes, and coatings, the team installed maple boards on the ceiling and walls inside the funeral home and under the steel porte cochère, which the Valor team also painted. They also installed several maple beams inside the Austin funeral home. “They didn’t have anybody to do the wood, so we took it on. I got the change
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Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home
Valor Commercial LLC went beyond the work they bid on a funeral home project, including cladding the underside of a porte cochère with wood.
The Valor team installed maple boards on the ceiling and maple beams in the space.
In addition to drywall, finishing, painting and coatings, Valor clad the walls with wood for a polished look.
order for an additional amount of money,” Villareal says. “Even though that’s not what we do, I’ve been in construction long enough to where I was able to hire some people to make sure the job was done right. We also helped them out with the framing and hanging some drywall.” Even with the delays, the result is stunning. “Right now, the building is probably about 95% finished; we’re just waiting for everybody to finish,” Villareal says. “All of the other subs, like the flooring, speakers and things like that, we’re going to come in and do our final touch-ups.” Although Villareal admits the project had its challenges, he says they were mitigated by his Managing Partner Craig Fuller. Villareal also credits team member Juan “JP” Gonzalez, whom he says, “played a big part towards the end to finish that; he worked very late hours and early mornings and we owe him a great amount of gratitude.” Villareal is proud that his team was able to step in and provide an elegant, completed space for the client. “We switched our focus to satisfy the customer at whatever cost just so we could keep our integrity 100%, and so people know that we’re trustworthy,” he says. “Regardless of the money situation, we will complete work.” Villareal is also amazed at how much he learned through overcoming the challenges on the project. “After this project, there is really nothing that can be thrown at me that I won’t be prepared for,” Villareal says with a good-natured laugh. Valor Commercial LLC is in Pflugerville, TX. –mjm Valor Commercial LLC Pflugerville, TX
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Sardo solar panel patio
hen Texas Solar Integrated LLC first started, it was in desperate need of help. Texas Solar CEO Mike Sardo stepped in and made quick changes to set Texas Solar on the right path. Less than two years later, Texas Solar is now No. 11 on the list of Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private companies in America. The revenue growth was up by 22,381 percent from 2017 to 2020. While their typical projects consist of designing, developing and installing residential and commercial solar systems, Sardo recently developed an idea that he decided to implement as a trial on his own property. The project used solar modules as the roof of the structure, with
no underlying structure, other than framing. The installation process ensured a water-tight installation that has never been seen before and was a trial-and-error process for this new solar patio effort. The patio is constructed of Aptos 400watt bifacial panels that produce energy with solar exposure on the top and bottom of the solar modules. These panels are fastened to exposed rough cedar. The modules are translucent and create a one-of-a-kind patio covering that is practical and a beautiful conversation piece, all while providing substantial energy production for the homeowner. -cmw Close up of Aptos 400-watt bifacial solar panels
Completed patio covering constructed with Aptos solar panels
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arking its 45th anniversary of service to the Central Texas area, Association Builders & Contractors (ABC) Central Texas Chapter celebrated the regional Excellence in Construction winners as well as the Chapter Safety Awards of Excellence and the Safety Training and Evaluation Process (STEP) winners on Oct. 14. The 2021 Excellence in Construction Awards banquet was held at the fabulous Four Season Hotel. -cmw 2021 Merit Award winners: General Contractor Commerical $25 - $100 Million: White Construction Company, Bouldin Creek General Contractor Commercial $25 - $100 Million: Flintco LLC, Indeed Domain Gateway Phases 2 & 3 General Contractor Institutional $10 - $25 Million: Joeris General Contractors, Norman Sims Elementary School General Contractor Insitutional $25 - $100 Million: American Constructors, Stacy Danielson Middle School General Contractor Institutional $25 - $100 Million: Flintco LLC, University of Texas Applied Research Laboratories (ARL) Office Building General Contractor Insitutional $25 - $100 Million: Lott Brothers Construction Company Ltd., University of Texas Permian Basin Kinesiology Building
Austin Construction News • NOV 2021
ABC Awards Banquet General Contractor Renovation $10 - $100 Million: Flintco LLC, Texas Facilities CommissionCapital Complex Mechanical Repairs General Contractor (Residential) Single Family Project: White Construction Company, Texas Hill Country Residence Specialty Contractors (Interiors) – Acoustical, Drywall, Millwork or Plaster – All Contract Amounts: 3G Drywall, First Citizen Bank Specialty Contractors (Interiors) – Acoustical, Drywall, Millwork or Plaster – All Contract Amounts: 3G Drywall, Eastlake at Tillery Specialty Contractor Electrical Contractor $2 - $10 Million: Bergelectric Corp., Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Hotel 2021 Chapter Safety Award of Excellence Specialty Contractor winners: AIRCO Mechanical Beckett Electrical Capital Industries Fast Track Specialties LP Lasco Acoustics & Drywall 2021 National STEP Diamond Award winners: American Constructors Bergelectric Corp. BETCO Scaffolds EBCO General Contractors F.L. Crane & Sons Inc. Fast Track Specialties LP Flintco Inc.
GMI – Greater Metroplex Interiors Inc. Lasco Acoustics & Drywall MAPP LLC MAREK MK Marlow Company LLC Structure Tone Southwest LLC Trio Electric Way Mechanical White Construction 2021 National STEP Platinum winners: Austin Commercial LP BakerTriangle Austin Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing Harvey-Cleary Builders Kitchell Contractors Inc. MW Builders Inc. Rogers-O’Brien Construction Company TDIndustries Inc. 2021 National STEP Gold winners: 3G Drywall Beckett Electrical Services LLC Big D Metalworks Joeris General Contractors Lott Brothers Construction Company 2021 National STEP Silver winners: 360 Electrical Contractors Inc. AIRCO Mechanical Ltd. Cadence McShane Construction Co. LLC 2021 National STEP Bronze winners : BCS Concrete Structures LLC Biggs Plumbing Co. Inc. 2021 Chapter Safety Award of Excellence Specialty Contractor winners: AIRCO Mechanical Beckett Electrical Capital Industries Fast Track Specialties LP
Lasco Acoustics & Drywall 2021 National STEP Diamond Award winners: American Constructors Bergelectric Corp. BETCO Scaffolds EBCO General Contractors F.L. Crane & Sons Inc. Fast Track Specialties LP Flintco Inc. GMI – Greater Metroplex Interiors Inc. Lasco Acoustics & Drywall MAPP LLC MAREK MK Marlow Company LLC Structure Tone Southwest LLC Trio Electric Way Mechanical White Construction 2021 National STEP Platinum winners: Austin Commercial LP BakerTriangle Austin Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing Harvey-Cleary Builders Kitchell Contractors Inc. MW Builders Inc. Rogers-O’Brien Construction Company TDIndustries Inc. 2021 National STEP Gold winners: 3G Drywall Beckett Electrical Services LLC Big D Metalworks Joeris General Contractors Lott Brothers Construction Company 2021 National STEP Silver winners: 360 Electrical Contractors Inc. AIRCO Mechanical Ltd. Cadence McShane Construction Co. LLC 2021 National STEP Bronze winners : BCS Concrete Structures LLC Biggs Plumbing Co. Inc.
General Contractor Commercial $25 - $100 Million: White Construction Company, Porsche Austin
General Contractor Community/Public Service – All Contract Amounts Up to $100 Million: Harvey Cleary Builders, Pease Park Kingsbury Commons
General Contractor Renovation Less than $4 Million: Flintco LLC, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation Renovation
16 Specialty Contractor Mechanical – Commercial $2 $10 Million: TDIndustries, Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park
General Contractor Institutional $10 - $25 Million: American Constructors, The Lakeway Church Campus
Specialty Contractor (Interiors) – Acoustical, Drywall, Millwork or Plaster – All Contract Amounts: Greater Metroplex Interiors, Commodore Perry Estate
Specialty Contractor/Construction Commercial Less than $10 Million: Chamberlin Roofing & Wateproofing, Austin FC Stadium @ McKalla Place
Specialty Contractor Exterior – All Other Exterior Finishes – All Contract Amounts: Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing, Wursthalle Concrete Repairs
General Contractor Insitutional $5 - $10 Million American Constructors, Temple Hill School Swim Center
Austin Construction News • NOV 2021
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General Contractor Residential – Multifamily and Condominium Projects Up to $100 Million: Rogers-O’Brien Construction, Torre
General Contractor Insitutional $25 - $100 Million: Rogers-O’Brien Construction, Austin Ridge Bible Church
Specialty Contractor Electrical Commercia $2 - $10 Million: Weifield Group Contracting, St. David’s Performance Center
General Contractor Health Care $10 - $25 Million: Lott Brothers Construction Company Ltd., Dell Children’s Specialty Pavilion Medical Office Building Tenant Improvement Finish
General Contractor Renovation $10 - $100 Million: White Construction Company, Cline’s Landing Condominiums Hurricane Restoration
General Contractor Mega-Projects All Projects Regardless of Type More than $100 Million: Austin Commercial, Q2 Stadium
Specialty Contractor Mechanical All Contract Amounts More Than $10 Million: Capital Industries, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions – Indoor Water Park & Family Event Center
Specialty Contractor Mechanical – Commercial Less Than $2 Million: Capital Industries, University of Texas Student Union Renovations
Bob & Peggy Duda Chairperson’s Award recipient: Mike Irwin, SI Mechanical LLC
Pour on the topping
Address to impress
TAS Concrete Construction was one of several subcontractors celebrating the topping out of the 45-story Hanover Republic Square in Austin on Sept. 29. The final major concrete pour happened at 501 ft. above the sidewalk the afternoon of the event. –mjm
Kirksey Architecture’s Austin office has a new address. The Central Texas team is now getting their design game on at 1023 Springdale Rd., Building 11A at East Austin’s Springdale General. –mjm
New way paved to Austin
U.S. Pave Founder and CEO Nick Small
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amily-owned and operated U.S. Pave has expanded its commercial asphalt and paving services in Florida, Colorado, Ohio, Virginia and now Texas. Austin has become the newest loca-
tion of the U.S. Pave Network, which gathers esteemed paving contractors throughout the nation and offers a one stop shop for local and national commercial paving needs. U.S. Pave provides businesses with commercial asphalt and concrete paving services and parking lot maintenance. Included in its commercial, industrial, institutional and large residential paving and construction. service scope are asphalt and driveway installation and repairs, parking lot repair and striping, seal coating and sidewalk repair. The Austin team has access to a nationally-reaching supply network. The Austin team offers a va-
riety of asphalt services, concrete work, striping, and signage. All U.S. Pave Network contractors have gone through a vetting process that verifies their experience level, personnel, equipment, insurance requirements and customer service level they provide to their customers. U.S. Pave Austin designs and builds paving solutions using products that meet or exceed industry standards. U.S. Pave Austin’s full suite of paving services and solutions include ADA and wheelchair ramps, asphalt milling resurfacing and overlay, catch basin installation and repair, concrete flatwork and concrete in-
stallation repair. It also includes EV charging station installation, flow line/ curb and gutter, parking lot line striping, signage, maintenance and sealcoating and pothole repairs. Resource management is important to U.S. Pave Austin; many asphalt removals are recycled for use in other projects and the EV charging station caters to the growing electrical vehicle market. The company, which was founded by Nick Small in January of last year, boasts 35 years of experience and is excited to use that know-how to keep Austin paved. U.S. Pave has several locations throughout the country, including Austin. –mjm
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Austin Construction News • NOV 2021