Message from Doug...

A Million, A Billion, A Trillion

I don’t usually talk about negative things like our screwed up government.  The reason for this is that it is just too depressing.

I prefer to focus on more positive topics.  For instance, if two reports come out on the same day – one about an increase in housing starts and another about rising inflation – I’m much more likely to share the positive news about the housing starts.  I guess that’s just how I’m wired.  And besides, you, my dear reader, get enough of the crappy stuff from your daily news outlets without me having to pile on.

However, this month I want to comment on (or, rant about) a few things.

I’m writing this article just after tax time, so maybe that’s why I’m in a foul mood.  When I see small businesses – the foundation of our economy – get taxed at every turn, it makes me angry. 

Small businesses are the engine that propels this country forward.  Between 1993 and mid-2013, they accounted for 63% of the net new jobs created, according to the Small Business Association’s Office of Advocacy.  U.S. Census Bureau data shows that small businesses accounted for 48.5% of all private sector payrolls in 2011.

Despite providing employment and income to tens of millions of Americans, owners of small businesses are often maligned by our government and media as “greedy” and “selfish.”

President Obama likes to say that the “rich” need to pay their fair share.  He’ll say that millionaires and billionaires can afford to pay more. 

Many small business owners fall into the “millionaire” category because their business taxes are passed through their personal taxes.  This doesn’t mean that the owner sees a profit of $1 million; only that they had revenue of $1 million.  Many small businesses struggle to make a net profit of 5% or less.

Lumping millionaires and billionaires together is idiotic.  There is a Grand Canyon-sized difference between the two. 

To really understand the difference between a 

million, billion and trillion, here’s an illustration 

using seconds as an example:

1 Million Seconds is 12 days.

1 Billion Seconds is 32 years.

1 Trillion Seconds is 31,689 years.

 

The differences between a millionaire and a billionaire are huge.  They say that in

Washington, a trillion (dollars) is the new billion.  As you can see, in the information

For the first time in many years, I was able to get down to the Florida Keys
for the Spring Tarpon migration. We didn’t get any Tarpon to the boat,
but I did pull in this Crevalle Jack from an oceanside flat.

above, the difference between a billion and a trillion is staggering.  Keep that in mind the next time our politicians talk about adding another trillion dollars to the deficit.

In spite of all of this, I need to say that we still live in the greatest country in the world.  We have many freedoms, including freedom of speech.  If I was a Russian citizen that criticized Putin, my next “Message from Doug” may be coming from Siberia – if at all.

To Your Success,

Recent Referrals - Thank You!

It is already May and the kids are almost out of school for the summer. Wow, this year is flying by for sure. Guess it’s time to fire up the grill and break out the Slip-N-Slides because another Georgia summer is headed in our direction. But first we would like to say thank you to the following customers and associates for referring others to our company.  We really appreciate it!

Brody Dernehl, The Dernehl Company – Builder  www.DernehlCompany.com

Brad Bedingfield, Sealing Agents – Waterproofing Contractor  www.SealingAgents.com

Clint Thomasino, Renewal Design-Build – Project Manager  www.RenewalDesignBuild.com

Technical Bulletin #19 – Garage Slab at Basement Wall

There are various ways of constructing the garage slab in conjunction with the basement foundation.  How the garage slab interacts with the mating wall – the concrete wall between the garage and the basement – is what we’ll discuss in this Technical Bulletin.

We’ll review the four most popular methods that are used in Metro Atlanta and North Georgia.  We’ll also mention the pros and cons associated with each method, and tell you which method we endorse.

Method #1: On Top of Wall

Some homebuilders and contractors prefer to place the garage slab completely on top of the mating wall.  Rebar loops are left out of the top of the wall and bent down into the garage slab prior to placing the concrete.

Method #1: On Top of Wall

Pros – If the mating wall was constructed in the wrong place (there can be discrepancies between the foundation plan and the Main Level plan), then it is easier for the framers to put the flooring system where it needs to be; Rebar loops provide a good connection between the mating wall and slab.

Cons – This method raises the entire flooring system 3 ½” to 4” above the top of the typical basement wall, which means the framers have to add 2x6s and half-inch boards to make up the difference on the rest of the tall basement wall.  This is an additional expense.

Method #2: Slab Ledge

This method is popular with people that are concerned about water from vehicles travelling across the slab and into the basement.  A 4” deep by 12” tall slab ledge is added to the mating wall.  The slab is placed on the ledge.

Method #2: Slab Ledge

Pros – Water can’t get under the sill plate.

Cons – This method lowers the garage slab, which requires an extra step up into the Main Floor.  In many garages, that extra step encroaches into the vehicle space; The slab ledge is an added expense; There is not an easy, clean way to install rebar in the ledge to connect the slab to the mating wall. 

Method #3: Slab/Sill Plate Combo

The top of the 10” concrete mating wall is shared between the garage slab and the floor system sill plate.  This is our preferred method of constructing this area.  It keeps costs down while minimizing the steps into the Main Floor.

Method #3: Slab/Sill Plate Combo

Pros – This method reduces the height between the slab and Main Floor.  Only one step is needed up into the Main Floor, depending on the floor system height; Rebar loops provide a good connection between the mating wall and slab;

Cons – The position of the mating wall must be exact; The flatwork contractor has to remember to form the slab correctly.

Method #4: Barrier-Free

When accessibility is important – as it is in Active Adult communities and where wheelchairs and walkers are likely to be used – this is a good method to adopt.  The top of the mating wall is raised while the floor system is supported by a stud wall inside the basement.

Method #4:  Barrier Free

Pros – This allows a smooth, step-free transition from the garage slab to the Main Floor.

Cons – The taller mating wall increases the price of the basement; The slab ledge is an added expense.

If you have questions about which of these methods is best for you, contact us at 770-795-0103.  We’ll chat about your project and offer some suggestions.

Concrete Price Increase

Citing an increase in the cost of cement and aggregates, the Metro Atlanta redi-mix concrete companies have raised their prices.  We have revised our pricing to cover this increase. 

Facts about May

• The Empire State Building opened May 1, 1931.

• Emerald is the birthstone for May.

• Amelia Earhart began the first solo flight by a woman across the Atlantic Ocean May 20th, 1932.

• The American Red Cross was founded by Clara Barton May 21, 1832.

• The Golden Gate Bridge opened in San Francisco May 27, 1937.

• Brooklyn Bridge opened to traffic, May 24, 1883.

• Hawthorne and Lily of the Valley are the flowers for the month of May.