2016 36th Annual Obie Award Winners

Congratulations to our clients that were recent winners of the OBIE awards presented by the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and the Atlanta SMC.

Vincent Longo Custom Builders/Longo Homes Inc.

- Residential Remodeling (Silver Award) – Best Kitchen over $50,000

- Residential Remodeling (Silver Award) – Whole-House Renovation over $500,000

Windsong Properties

- Single Family – Zero Lot Line $300,000 to $399,999

- Single Family – Zero Lot Line $400,000 to $499,999

Traton Homes

- Single Family – Detached $600,000 to $699,999

- Best Interior Merchandising – Detached $700,000 to $799,999

- Best Social Media Campaign – Builder/Developer

- Best Interior Merchandising (Silver Award) – Attached $500,000 to $599,999

Principle Builders Group

 - Single Family – Detached $1 Million to $1.2 Million

FrontDoor Communities

- Single Family – Detached $400,000 to $499,999

- Single Family – Detached $900,000 to $999,999

- Best Social Media Application – Builder/Developer

- Best Interior Merchandising (Silver Award) – Attached $800,000 and above

Top Toys

Each year there seems to always be that one toy that has people lining up for miles in order to purchase. Here is a list of the most popular toys through the decades.

1920’s – Yo-Yo - An ancient invention, but made popular by Pedro Florez, who began manufacturing it in the U.S. He then sold his toy company to Don Duncan who launched the toy’s popularity into the stratosphere with his Yo-Yo Trick Contests.

1940’s – The Slinky- Created by a mechanical engineer who accidentally knocked over some ship springs and they walked instead of falling. After Christmas demonstrations at Gimbel’s Department store in Philadelphia, the first 400 slinkys sold within minutes.

1970’s – Star Wars Action Figures- Released in 1978, Star Wars action figures sold like hotcakes until 1985. They were relaunched in the mid 90’s before the release of three more installments of the space saga. Original 1978 action figures are now collector’s items worth up to $200,000.

2000’s – Wii- Holiday shoppers waited for hours for the Wii, which was cheaper than its competition (Sony Playstation 3 and Microsoft X-Box 360), and by Christmas Nintendo had sold some 3 million units.

Turkey Giveaway

For the last 5 years Herbert Construction has sponsored a Turkey Giveaway in November. The first four people who called Doug received a large Holiday Turkey personally delivered with a handshake. This has become one of our favorite traditions because it allows us to show our appreciation to our readers. Thank you all and Best Wishes for the New Year!

Scott Roark (left) of Harrison Development and 

Construction receives his holiday turkey.

Doug Herbert (left) gives a turkey to 

Jeff Neal of Neal Builders, Inc.

  

Venture Homes’ James Tillman (right) 

reserved a turkey for Must Ministries.

  

Ashley Hollifield gives a turkey to 

Rick Jackson of Jackson Contracting, Inc.

Message from Doug...

Our Founding Fathers

I’m still on cloud nine from the results of the recent election. I had resigned myself to another four or more years of Democratic torture. Incredibly, Donald Trump and the Republicans pulled off a monumental win!

I recently traveled to Philadelphia for a concrete conference and committee meetings. While I was there, I visited the incredibly historic sites where our founding fathers conceived our great nation. I walked the grounds where the men that shaped our nation walked. I saw the building where they debated, discussed, and ultimately agreed on the direction of our new nation.

Here are a few interesting facts about some of the men that founded our country:

Thomas Jefferson created the draft version of the Declaration of Independence. He could read and write in six languages. He introduced macaroni and cheese to the colonies. Jefferson died on the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration, July 4, 1826.

John Adams was a gifted politician. He wanted Jefferson to be added to the group that drafted the Declaration of Independence because he needed a Virginian on the Committee. Eventually, Adams became Jefferson’s political enemy, although they would reconcile in their old age. Adams also died on the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration.

John Hancock was one of America’s richest men in 1776. The son of a poor minister, he inherited a fortune from his uncle, a shipper and merchant. Known for his outsized signature, he was the first to sign the Declaration. Hancock was one of the few American Patriots who had a bounty placed on his head by King George III.

Benjamin Franklin had little formal education but went from printer’s apprentice to wealthy and world-renowned writer, publisher, and inventor. He was the most famous American in the world at the time of the signing of the Declaration. His many scientific and practical inventions include the stove that bears his name, fire insurance, bifocals, and the lightning rod.

Charles Carroll was unique as the only Roman Catholic to sign the Declaration of Independence. Carroll later helped found the B&O railroad (of “MONOPOLY” board game fame). Carroll was also the last surviving signer, dying in 1832 at the ripe old age of 95.

James Wilson is probably the most important signer of the Declaration many of us have never heard of. An attorney from Scotland, he was instrumental in drafting the Constitution. Wilson was one of the first Justices appointed to the Supreme Court.

George Washington didn’t sign the Declaration in July because he was busy commanding the Continental Army. When he was elected president, Washington owned the largest whiskey distillery in the country. When he died in 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte gave a eulogy and ordered a requiem that would last ten days. He only had a single tooth of his own left at his death. His dentures were made from ivory, bone and even human teeth.

James Madison was the smallest President ever. He was 5’4” and only weighed about 100 lbs.

Alexander Hamilton wasn’t born in the American colonies. He was born on the island Nevis in the West Indies. Hamilton founded the New York Post. Hamilton famously died in a duel with Aaron Burr in Weehawken, NJ. His eldest son, Philip, also died in a duel just three years earlier, also in Weehawken, NJ.

Robert Morris, was known as the “Financier of the Revolution.” Without Morris, the colonies would have failed to secede from British rule. Upon his retirement, Morris embarked on risky investments and was incarcerated in a Philadelphia debtor’s prison for 3.5 years. In his final years, his wealth was gone and he lived on a small pension that his cousin had arranged for his wife, Mary.

The events and circumstances that brought these brilliant men together at that exact time in history are truly a God-given miracle. It is because of these patriots that our nation endures to this day.

To Your Success,

Our Work in Art + Design Magazine

A concrete home that we constructed near New Orleans, LA was featured in the Spring/Summer 2016 issue of Art + Design magazine. Check out the link on our Facebook page to see this amazing masterpiece.

Recent Referrals...Thank You!

Thanksgiving plans are underway for just about all of us at this point and the excitement of getting together with family and friends for a nice giant meal is a much anticipated event. There is always something to be thankful for. One thing we are thankful for is the friends and associates that continue to refer others to our company. It really means a lot. THANK YOU!!

Keith Blond, Mike Hammersmith Contracting – Estimator  www.HammersmithAtlanta.com

Dean Vande Zande, JR Industries – Sales Representative  www.JRIndustries.net

Braxton Bohannon, Chattahoochee Enterprises – Architect  www.JWCAtlanta.com

Herbert Construction Welcomes New Customers

Cooper Jones Construction

Cooper Jones has been building and remodeling homes since 2001. After 8 years of working for another construction company, Cooper decided to incorporate his own business. In 2009, he did just that and Cooper Jones Construction emerged in Cobb County. Cooper Jones along with Vice President Roger Balko, Project Manager J.D. Komar, Estimator Michael Redman and Senior Superintendent Jay little, stay very busy with their new and existing clients.

Cooper Jones Construction hails themselves as a “boutique builder,” who specialize in building from the ground up, remodeling and/or creating custom spaces for homes and businesses. They are a very client led company that can- and do- create many custom spaces tailored specifically for each client’s purpose.

Cooper Jones was referred to our company and soon after gave us a call. They had a complex project located in White, GA and by the time we saw the plans we immediately knew we wanted to help. This project was unique in the fact that it was a basement and crawlspace combination. There was also a structural retaining wall for the backyard pool and a radius courtyard retaining wall for the driveway.

Upon completion of this project we asked Roger what he thought of the work we did, to which he replied, “You guys did a fantastic job!! The precision in which your company can layout the most crucial parts is really impressive and a huge asset for us.”
When Cooper was asked the same question, he replied, “You guys do great work! Your whole team really matches our company well in professionalism and the pride you take in the work you do. We are really a good team in that way.”

We agree with you Cooper, we really are a good team!

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BLevett & Co. 

Gregory Levett Jr. of B Levett & Company, Inc. was born and raised in the funeral home business. Four generations of Levett’s have owned and operated one of the most successful funeral home organizations in the Atlanta area.  While Gregory is very involved with the family business and serving his community, he also has an undeniable passion for building.

Gregory holds a degree in architecture and for a time worked with an architectural design firm. To expand his experience he also went to work for a construction company. By 2002, he was ready to start his own building company. Since then he has not only built many homes but has also constructed a large expansion for one of his family’s funeral home locations.

Gregory found our company while driving through an area of Avondale Estates where we were working. He noticed our jobsite sign and gave us a call regarding a basement that he had coming up.

After receiving his estimate and speaking with our senior estimator, James Armstrong, Gregory said, “You guys have made this whole process very easy, the drawing you provided of the foundation as well as suggestions for the design of the wall made it easier for me to visualize in my head. A lot of companies don’t do that and I was really impressed that you guys did.”

Once the basement was completed Gregory stated, “This project turned out exactly the way I hoped it would. It was on time, on budget and professionally managed from beginning to end. You can’t ask much more than that from a subcontractor. I was very pleased.”

Gregory’s last project was one of many that we hope to help him with in the future. It is a pleasure working with him.

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CraftBuilt

Aaron Mcginnis of Craftbuilt stepped into homebuilding in 2008, just as the market was crashing. This made things harder for him, but not impossible. After buying, renovating and selling homes he became increasingly more involved with the “sticks and bricks” of homebuilding. Before long, he was working more for third parties than on his own projects.

The business side was easy for him given his education in Business Administration. However, the complexity and technicality that comes with residential construction and how each home is put together in a different way fascinated Aaron. Hands-on experience was how he learned the complex aspects of building new homes and restoring old ones.

Aaron came across our company while searching online. He sent plans to us and we got started right way.  “It is difficult to find a foundation contractor who can handle precision and odd types of work, also one that uses efficient paperwork and scheduling procedures. Oftentimes, it is found that contractors are stretched too thin and can’t handle tricky work. That is not the case with you guys for sure,” Aaron stated.

The recent project we helped Aaron with was a floating addition, situated on top of columns. The foundation pads had to be precisely placed and helical piers were used due to bad soil which was unexpected.

When the project was finished, we asked Aaron what he thought of the completed work. To which he replied, “There was a lot of room for screw ups that would easily cost a lot of money to fix, but the whole project came off without a hitch. I was extremely happy with the timing, communication and execution of the work.”

We are glad to have helped, and look forward to working with Aaron and his team on many future projects.