Thursday, June 16, 2011

WHAT MAKES A GREAT BUILDING CONTRACTOR?


What makes a great building and remodeling contractor?  Steve's got it all (and I do mean to brag!):
  • architectural training   - He can draw and read plans, knows strength of materials, strong design skills.
  • product awareness     - He can call out appliances, countertop materials and plumbing fixtures with the best of them.
  • carpentry skills           - His knowledge of carpentry is vast and deep; some others are "paper contractors", strictly businessmen
  • paperwork skills        - He has legally fine tuned and complete estimates, contracts, and clear and speedy correspondence.
  • contracting skills        - Knows how coordinate subcontractors, employees, and timelines, and treat them all well.
  • people skills              - Treats the homeowners like the king and queen of the castle.
The photo above shows Steve installing wainscotting along a wall for a bathroom remodel.  It came out beautifully because he's a perfectionist.

Friday, June 10, 2011


Despite the sprinkly, rainy weekend of June 4-5, the Sunset Magazine Weekend Celebration went underway and was a great success.  People streamed through the Sunset outdoors estate and tasted, sampled, touched and gazed their way through the myriad of vendors.

Here is Steve Schliff building the Entry Arbor designed by architect Steve Hinderberger.  This was down in San Jose.  This was a labor of love, all volunteer work, and one of the ways we keep On The Beam Remodeling visible in the Bay Area.   I'll post the finished arbor as soon as Steve H. sends me some photos.