Message from Doug -- Atlanta and the Improving Markets Index

The NAHB has teamed up with First American to create the NAHB/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI). The index identifies metropolitan areas that have shown improvement in housing permits, employment and house prices for at least six consecutive months.

40 new metro areas were added to the list in January. The list now includes 76 improving markets. The only Georgia market that is currently on the list is Athens. Atlanta is not on the list.

In spite of this scientific, numbers-based research, I can tell you through firsthand experience that things are improving here in metro Atlanta.

“In spite of this scientific, numbers-based research, I can tell you through firsthand experience that things are improving here in metro Atlanta.”

I belong to a group of fellow Trade contractor friends (you know who you are) that regularly get together to discuss home building in metro Atlanta. Together, we represent the majority of the construction phases of a home.

It’s true that those meetings usually occur at a drinking establishment. And yes, beer may be involved. Nevertheless, the information discussed remains credible.

At our recent meeting, all members reported increased bidding and construction activity. The general consensus among the group was that there is a very deliberate upward trend in building activity.

There are some interesting pockets of activity – and inactivity – in a housing market as big as Atlanta.

A number of my custom builder friends are still dead in the water, with only a few projects to bid, where “winning” the job often means doing the work at break-even prices at best.

However, the majority of our clients and friends are seeing an increase in both bidding and building homes. Many of our high-end custom builder friends are very nicely busy with multiple projects. A handful of our semi-custom builders have had steady sales for quite some time.

We see the most activity in Cobb County, Alpharetta, Roswell, and pockets inside the perimeter. We even see builders probing and testing the outer limits of the Northwest suburbs, venturing into the once apocalyptic no-man’s lands of Paulding and Bartow counties.

Will Atlanta show up on the NAHB/First American Improving Markets Index in February or March? We’ll see. I’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, we at Herbert Construction Company will continue to find those pockets of activity and stay busy building basements.

Happy New Year,

Concrete Homes Magazines

Barry Herbert and Doug Herbert have been asked to be regular columnists for Concrete Homes Magazine, a national publication based in Austin, TX.  Their articles feature topics regarding below-grade foundations and above-grade concrete homes.

• The November 2011 issue includes Barry’s article, “How to Increase the Value of Your Concrete Home.”
• Doug’s article, “Safe Rooms,“ is in the World of Concrete convention issue, for Dec. ‘11/Jan. ‘12.
• The Feb./Mar. ’12 issue, the International Builder’s Show issue, will be on newsstands soon.  It includes Barry’s article, “Technology Past and Present.”

Recent Referrals

Our clients and friends play a huge part in our success by consistently referring our company to others.  We would like to thank these three outstanding people for referring our company.   Thank you.  Your trust and belief in our company is invaluable

Alton Keown, Keown Enterprises — Residential Designer and Construction Technology Consultant, Auburn, AL

Ron Carter, Homes of Atlanta — Architect  www.HomesofAtlanta.com

Keith Kirkpatrick, Excavator — C.H. Kirkpatrick & Sons Welding, Cartersville, GA

Feature Interview: Jacklett Construction, Inc.

Leanord Jacklett, President of Jacklett Construction, Inc.

Herbert Construction Company recently completed a massive single-family home foundation for Jacklett Construction, Inc. (JCI).  The Equestrian Estate is in the heart of North Alpharetta. When most builders were slowing down for the Holiday Season, Leonard Jacklett and the JCI team were busy at work. The project itself will not be completed for another 15 months or so, but this project and the land that it sits on has been a labor for love for Leonard for quite some time.

Leonard’s career started before he even graduated from High School in Southern California in the late 70’s.  He was known as the “Guy with the tools and the truck”. As a teenager, he started out by cutting grass and learning the landscaping trade. His company eventually became known for custom hardscapes, water features, and swimming pool construction. His “can do” attitude and willingness to take on new projects quickly opened doors for him in other areas, such as site work, remodeling, and ultimately new home building.

 

A Higher Calling

Four-stall equestrian barn, with living quarters above.

In 1990, while enjoying immense success in the construction field, Leonard felt a calling. And  so, he and his family left California and moved to North Carolina so that Leonard could attend Bible School. But, it seems there were other plans in the works for Leonard!

Within 3 months of arriving in NC, Leonard had his first construction contract. While continuing his Bible School education and working to become an ordained Minister, Leonard’s construction business exploded, and soon he was employing more than 30 Bible School Students. His business would expand to include even more areas of expertise such as grading, large site work, utility construction, electrical contracting, foundation work, and much larger building projects. Before long, the company started doing commercial, municipal and Parks and Recreation work as well.

CAD plan of main house and garages.

Same Mission, Different Locale
In 2005, Leonard felt another calling and moved to Atlanta. And, while Leonard already had multiple contractor licenses in four States, he decided to pursue heavy grading and site and utility work as well as custom residential building.  He purchased a piece of property in 2007 and began developing it with plans for 13 custom home estates. But, once again, it seemed that God had other plans. Before the first lot was constructed, Leonard was approached by an individual who wanted to purchase all 36 acres for their own private estate.  

Aerial photo of curved foundation and retaining walls.

The entire subdivision was turned into the dream estate of the Kennedy family.  This equestrian estate includes a Main House with 31,000 sf under roof.  The grounds also include a 4,600 sf Carriage House,  a four-stall horse barn with living quarters above, an equipment building, post & beam pavilion, lighted arena, private lake and dock, and multiple outdoor seating areas throughout the property as well as horse paths.  The horses graze in paddocks surrounded by four-rail fencing. 

“The Kennedy’s are one of the most wonderful families I have ever worked for.  I couldn’t ask for nicer people.”  Leonard says emphatically. His love of design, and his experience in site work, landscaping, and equestrian issues such as riding arenas made him the perfect choice to head up the construction of this magnificent estate.  Leonard says that he feels very blessed to have had all the years of diversity in his career, and truly feels that this is the reason he was chosen to handle this project for the Kennedy family.

Wall heights up to 18’-0” tall were required.

Leonard’s son Lucas is his “right hand man” and is an integral part of the business. Lucas heads up the substantial Site Development division of JCI.  He is currently working on the Georgia Tech campus, handling the extensive site work and underground utilities for the new basketball arena.  Once you meet Lucas, it is easy to see that he not only inherited his father’s energy and enthusiasm for construction, but his drive, commitment and determination as well. 

Austin Lineberry is JCI’s Project Manager and works with Leonard on a daily basis to ensure that the Kennedy’s dream home becomes a reality.  Carl Hire, Herbert Construction’s Division Manager, handled the project for our company.  “Leonard and Austin were a pleasure to work with.  They are thorough, responsive, and both are very personable.” said Carl.

Extraordinary Project Requires Foundation Expertise
As Leonard studied the initial plans for the main house, he realized that this extraordinary project would require special handling.  He knew that it was beyond the abilities of most foundation contractors.  Herbert Construction Company’s unique ability to not only draw the complex foundation on their in-house CAD program, but to then layout all the footings and walls with their Robotic Total Station layout instrument, truly made them the only viable choice for this project.

“Herbert Construction Company is the only foundation contractor that could handle a project of this size and complexity.” said Leonard.

“When I met with Doug Herbert and Carl Hire of Herbert Construction, I knew right away that I could trust them,” says Leonard.  “They were so easy to work with on this challenging project.  We had a very tight schedule and they really exceeded my expectations.”

Project Highlights of Main House (Carriage House not included) Square feet under roof: 31,000 Total linear feet of concrete walls: 1,964 Linear feet of curved walls: 385 Linear feet of rebar: 69,449 (23 tons) Total concrete in footings and walls: 928 yards

“Basement of the Year” Nominee
The enormous foundation has been entered as a nominee for the “Basement of the Year” Award, which will be presented and voted on at the World of Concrete show in Las Vegas this month.  See the info box (to the right) for the projects statistics.

Equestrian Estate Specialist
It is easy to see that Leonard is passionate about building, and fast becoming the ”Go To Guy” for Equestrian Estates in North Georgia. “It appears that there are several more jobs like this one on the horizon” he says.

“The reason this job is so much fun is because of the diversity,” says Leonard of his home projects.  Architects and prospective clients recognize early on that Leonard can be trusted from the initial site work all the way through home completion. His strong work ethic is apparent in everything he does. “We will make it right, no matter what it takes!”

Aerial photo of Main House (at left) and Carriage House (at right).

Leonard’s business philosophy is a simple one. “Every job should be treated like it’s your own house or property. You’ll come out a lot better in the end.” This way of thinking has not only kept his customers very satisfied, but it has enriched Leonard’s life as well. “At the end of the job, these people are not just my clients, they are my friends”. 

Team Member Spotlight — Carl Hire

Carl Hire is our Division Manager here at Herbert Construction Company.  He oversees the estimating, takes care of our computer and phone technology, and is in charge of our Site Work/Development Division.  Carl also manages big projects for key clients, such as the Jacklett Construction, Inc. job featured above.  In addition to these duties, he is ready and willing to help out with anything that needs to be done.

Carl’s first exposure to concrete construction was the day after he graduated from High School when he took a job as a laborer with a flatwork contractor.  He later found his way into the computer industry and transferred from southeastern Michigan to Atlanta. 

After 11 years in the computer industry, he made a career change back into construction and joined Venture Homes.  While there, he managed their estimating and purchasing.

It was at Venture Homes where we first met Carl.  Seven years later, we were finally able to convince him to join us at Herbert Construction Company.

Carl Hire with daughters, before their triathlon.

Carl is married with three kids.  His wife is a special education teacher at Etowah High School in Cherokee County.  He has a daughter attending University of Georgia as a Biology major, and another daughter that will be college-bound this Fall.  His son is in High School.

When not working, Carl enjoys training for and competing in triathlons.  So far, he has participated in four triathlons with his daughters.

“Carl is that rare game-changing employee that only comes around once in ten years. He has been a huge part of our company’s success.  He is an all-around great guy and a real pleasure to spend time with.  We are a better company with Carl on our Team.”  said Doug Herbert