Employee Spotlight: Bruce Carrade

Employee Spotlight: Bruce Carrade

As a leading general contractor, we understand the importance of having a solid team who instill our core values and qualities in their everyday lives. For this employee spotlight, we sat down with Bruce Carrade who is a Project Manager based at our office in Truckee, CA.

How did your career start at Huff Construction?
Bruce was introduced to Huff Construction during his sophomore year of high school. He continued to work at Huff during his summer vacations while he attended college at the University of Colorado Boulder. After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Bruce was a corporate sales intern for the Oakland A’s. Bruce later came back to Huff Construction in 2013 to work full time as a Project Engineer. After working as a Project Engineer for four years, Bruce was promoted to Project Manager.

What is your role as a Project Manager?
As Project Manager, Bruce is responsible for bidding on projects, creating budgets, facilitating the field crew, superintendents, and the interactions between the architect, design team, and building department.

How has Huff Construction helped you in your career development and what have you gained?
Huff Construction has provided Bruce with the opportunity for growth and taking on new roles within the company. Bruce has gained confidence in his ability to manage large projects and develop his project estimating skills, communication skills, and management skills.

What types of training have you done for your position?
The company encourages optimal performance and growth opportunities by providing Project Managers with innovative project management software training which allows them to manage projects efficiently.

How would you describe Huff in three words?
“Collaborative, Accountable, and Excellence.” As a leading general contractor, it is important that our employees possess the qualities and skills that contribute to our mission and vision of providing clients with personalized construction services built on quality and integrity.

What do you like most about Huff Construction and how do you help make Huff Construction a great place to work and play?
Bruce enjoys the company culture and his coworkers. Bruce makes Huff a great place to work by bringing a positive attitude and outlook every day. Bruce also has a great sense of humor and is fun to pass by in the hall.

What are some upcoming trends or challenges that you see in your field?
Some upcoming trends or challenges Bruce sees in the construction industry is the increase in material prices, a shortage of skilled labor, and increasing interest rates.

What do you feel is the most important aspect and challenging aspect of your job as a Project Manager?
The most important and challenging aspect of Bruce’s job as a Project Manager is holding and maintaining budgets and schedules for projects.

What piece of advice would you give to a new employee?
If Bruce could give advice to a new employee, it would be to document everything and keep your paperwork in order.

What do you like to do for fun outside of the office?
When Bruce isn’t in the office he enjoys skiing, mountain biking, sailing, golfing and traveling.

Breaking Ground: Home2 Suites – Alameda

Breaking Ground: Home2 Suites – Alameda

We are pleased to announce that Ridgemont Hospitality has selected Huff Construction to build the new Home2 Suites by Hilton in Alameda, CA. Ridgemont Hospitality is a family owned development group ran by Peter, Sima, and Dhruv Patel. This 4-story, 53,485 square foot extended stay hotel is being built over a 1-acre site near the San Francisco Bay and Oakland International Airport. Fun fact: this hotel is being constructed next door to the Hampton Inn & Suites that we built for Ridgemont Hospitality back in 2008.

This project marks the second Home2 Suites built by Huff Construction. The first Home2 Suites that we built was finished last May in Livermore, CA. The Superintendent at this project is Jeff Smith who recently completed the new Lucky California grocery store in Dublin, CA. Stay tuned for more updates on this project as the Huff Team continues building excellence.

The Man Behind the Camera

Employee Spotlight: Fernando Arteaga

At Huff Construction we thrive on quality, commitment and having a solid team of people who instill these qualities in their everyday lives. For those of you who do not know the man behind the camera, let me introduce you to our Marketing Coordinator, Fernando Arteaga.

Fernando was born and raised in Modesto, CA where he attended Modesto High School as an IB Student. After graduating Modesto High, he attended MJC for two and a half years and transferred to Stanislaus State to finish his college degree. Originally, Fernando started college with the mindset of becoming an engineer, however, after taking an economics class, and further discussions with his professor he decided to become a business major. In 2016, he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Stanislaus State and graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Where did you work before joining Huff Construction?

Prior to joining the Huff team, Fernando worked as a Service Specialist and Concierge at Save Mart Supermarkets. There, he had the pleasure of meeting his girlfriend and gaining two and a half years of customer service experience. While working at Save Mart, Fernando was also attending Stanislaus State University full time.

What is your role as a Marketing Coordinator?

The role of the Marketing Coordinator is everything marketing – all marketing material is created in-house. Fernando oversees internal & external website management, brochures, proposals, e-blasts, newsletters, social media, vehicle & job site signage, photography, videography, and more. He is also in charge of creating and organizing fun events for Huff employees to enjoy in and outside of the office.

How did you first hear about Huff?

The Stanislaus State Business School webpage displayed a list of local companies looking to hire students to fill a position. Once Fernando filled out the application, Naomi Layland (Director of Marketing & Business Development) reached out to schedule an interview which led to his career at Huff Construction.

How has Huff Helped you grow within your career?

Huff has helped Fernando start his career as a Marketing professional, gaining marketing experience in the architecture, engineering and construction industry, working with different age groups, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds.

How would you describe Huff in three words?

“Building Excellence & Quality! The most important aspect of his job is keeping the company brand consistent. When you think of Huff, you think of a quality general contractor that is a regional leader in construction.”

What types of training have you done for your position?

Fernando has learned to use software such as Adobe Photoshop, In-Design, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, Mail Chimp, Hootsuite and more. To create the highest quality of marketing content, Fernando stays up to date on new software, applications and has completed courses needed to become a certified drone pilot. He has also acquired HTML editing and coding skills while working on our company intranet, Huffnet.

What has been your favorite Marketing project at Huff Construction?

Fernando has worked on several Marketing projects but his favorite project he’s has worked on would be Huffnet. Huffnet was designed and built to support our team today and as we continue to grow and expand in the future. Fernando worked with the Developers at Tiv Branding and the managers at Huff Construction to ensure that the platform made processes more efficient while reducing labor time. Fernando was the idea behind the manpower scheduling and the weekly safety meetings, implementing these resources on Huffnet was a way to create accessibility for employees at any given time.

What is the coolest thing you have posted on Huff Constructions social media?

Fernando has created several cool social media posts, but he would say the coolest one he has done is the time lapse of Huff’s Jelly Belly project in Fairfield, CA. It was one of the first time-lapses Fernando did for the company and the time lapse showcased the concrete pour process. The post has gone viral, with over 98,000 views!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajM8cU9RJ6E

What do you like to do for fun outside of the office?

Outside of the office, Fernando enjoys camping, mountain biking, hanging out with his dog, playing Xbox, working on cars and drinking a citrus IPA.

 

Lucky California Grocery Store is Now Open

Lucky California Grocery Store Dublin

LUCKY CALIFORNIA GROCERY STORE IS NOW OPEN

Construction for Lucky California in Dublin, CA is complete. The Save Mart Companies held its grand opening for their first ground-up Lucky California grocery store on Wednesday, March 14th. The store is a 51,365 square foot concrete tilt building which began construction last summer. We’d like to thank Superintendent Jeff Smith, the Huff Team, and all subcontractors who worked hard to get this store ready for the grand opening.

This Lucky California store features a coffee bar, a grab-and-go meal section, and a Golden Gate market area which features groceries from the San Francisco Bay Area. “I’m excited to open our doors and offer our customers the all new shopping experience Lucky California brings,” said store manager Ann Bradford. “With this new location, Dublin shoppers will have a one-stop shop for all their meal solutions.”

Lucky California is inspired by the Bay Area’s unique food culture and aims to bring people together around that shared love of food. Here, Lucky California will introduce customers to an entirely new grocery shopping experience that makes each trip an opportunity for discovery. From the fresh salad and hot soup stations to the ready-to-eat meals and fresh juice bar, Lucky California is infused with unique flavors, organic and better-for-you items.

If you are around Dublin, CA, we encourage you to visit Lucky California as it transforms the grocery shopping experience by embracing California’s spirit, identity, and flavors.

View more photos of Lucky California by visiting its project page here: http://www.huffcon.com/projects/lucky-california-dublin/

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Repair or Replace? What to Consider When Your Business is Damaged

Once a disaster has occurred, a business owner’s goal is to get back to pre-disaster status. Unfortunately, when disaster strikes, your business could be left with long-lasting damage and in need of a restoration contractor. In order to help you make the most informed decision, here are some tips to consider when deciding whether to repair or replace your damaged property.

The history and age of the property

If your building was constructed decades ago, there is a chance that it was built with materials that are not commonly available anymore. In this case, it may be more cost-effective to replace these with newer and less expensive materials. There are times when purchasing a newer model of an older type of equipment can be extremely cost-effective.

The long-term cost of repairing or replacing

The cost difference between repairing and replacing can widely vary from property to property. For example, it may be in your short-term benefit to simply repair a 50-year-old electrical system, but it may be time to completely replace the whole system to avoid risk or more monetary loss.

External factors

Depending on your property insurance company, you may have to discuss your repair/replace plan with your insurance provider. Typically, insurance companies will choose the less expensive option. Local laws and building codes must also be adhered to protect the health and safety of those occupying the building.

So, do you Repair or Replace?

Huff Restoration offers damage assessments that can help you determine whether to repair or replace. Learn more about our restoration contractor services by contacting us today.

AIA Consensus Construction Forecast: 2018

Regardless of rising interest rates, labor shortages, and construction materials, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) projected nonresidential construction spending to increase by 4% this year and continue through 2019.

AIA Consensus Construction Forecast 2018

The AIA conducts a semi-annual Consensus Construction Forecast and the latest release indicates that the commercial construction sectors will lead growth this year. However, the industrial and institutional sectors will likely command the projected construction growth by 2019.

The AIA makes five key points in their forecast:

  1. Rebuilding and repairs from natural disasters
  2. Tax reform implications for construction
  3. Possibility of an infrastructure package
  4. Strong consumer and business confidence levels
  5. Leading economic indicators for the construction sector

To read the full report, follow this link.

Co-Branded Marriott Hotel Construction in San Jose

Last summer, we started construction on a very exciting project: A co-branded Residence Inn and Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in San Jose, CA. This project includes a 147-room Residence Inn and a 114-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott.

The hotel will be on America Center Court, near the America Center Office Park in the Golden Triangle area of Silicon Valley. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, one of the strongest hospitality markets in the country, the project will benefit from the surrounding tech companies such as Oracle, Cisco, and Adobe. The project is also located within one mile of the Levi Stadium and Great America Theme Park.

The-branded hotel will be 166,340 square feet and will include an outdoor pool and patio with a fire pit, a fitness center, a bar, a complimentary breakfast area, guest laundry facilities, meeting space and a business center. The Residence Inn will contain 124 king studios, 19 one-bedroom suites, and four two-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens, separate dressing areas, and a six-foot walk-in shower. The Fairfield Inn & Suites will offer 30 king rooms, 34 king suites and 50 double queen rooms with mobile desks and ergonomic chairs, refrigerators, microwaves, and coffee makers.

The project is led by our Project Manager Larry Nelson, Senior Superintendent Tim Bughi, Superintendent Guy Hacker, and Project Engineer Jesus Sanchez. We have a strong team building this project and we are excited to see their progress.

You can keep up with the project by visiting its project page here: http://www.huffcon.com/projects/fairfield-residence-inn/

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7 Benefits of Design-Build Construction

If you’re considering a building project, you’ve probably heard of design-build project delivery. One of the frequent questions we are asked is, “What are the advantages of the design-build delivery method over the traditional design-bid-build method?” As an experienced design-build contractor, we have built over 40 projects through our design-build delivery method. We put together 7 benefits of design-build construction. You can check them out below:

Here are 7 benefits of design-build construction.

  1. Teamwork: Everybody involved in the project works together. We all share the same goal, to build a project that meets or exceeds the owner’s expectations. Since everybody is on the same team, everybody works together to form solutions to any problem.
  2. Accountability: The design-builder is held accountable, including the finished building, total cost, and the entire process. Through the design-build delivery method, the design-builder pays more attention to scheduling and pricing during the design phase.
  3. Efficiency: The design-build firm is involved in the project from start to finish which creates an efficient and effective process. There is a huge advantage when the builder and designer are a part of the same team creating a more collaborative environment.
  4. Involvement: For owners that want to be an active participant in the design and construction of their building, the design-build process is the way to go. By being actively involved in their project, they are guaranteed that the outcome of the project will meet or exceed their expectations. Being a part of the entire process also gives the building owner a strong sense of pride to their building.
  5. Communication: The design-build process is transparent because clients are a part of the project from the design to completion. Having clear communication also means that the budget is defined early in the design process which provides a guideline for construction and an agreement throughout the project.
  6. Time-Saving: Design-build projects can be completed in a shorter amount of time because scheduling for the project can begin before the design is finalized, and potential problems are uncovered early. Enhanced communication also keeps everything progressing in a fluid process. The design-build process is adaptive and responsive in the field which means construction decisions can be made without change orders and sometimes without additional fees.
  7. Cost Savings: According to the Design-Build Institute of America, choosing the design-build delivery method means owners can save approximately 6% of total project costs. With fewer change orders and a faster delivery, the savings are impressive.

In short, our design-build delivery method offers peace of mind, cost-effective design, and construction and the ability to open for business more quickly than any other delivery method. Interested in learning more? Contact us today for more detailed information.

See Our Design Build Projects

 

7 benefits of design build construction

Winter Safety in Construction

Safety First

Winter is coming and with it brings unique challenges. Safety is always our top priority and during winter months, we take specific precautions to keep our employees safe.

Wet Conditions

Rain can cause safety hazards such as slippery surfaces and poor visibility. When slippery surfaces are present, it is important for employees to move more slowly to reduce the chance of any slips or falls. If any power tools need to be used, they need to be rated for use in outdoor/wet conditions. All employees must also be wearing hi-vis clothing that is ANSI approved. Working in wet/winter conditions can also cause Cold Stress which is a major safety concern in cold climates.

What is Cold Stress?

Temperature, wind speed and body precipitation are main contributors to cold stress. Other contributors include current health condition, poor physical conditioning, and improper attire. Cold stress occurs when the skin temperature is driven down by said factors which as a result, reduces the internal body temperature. It can happen in temperatures as high as 50° F. After prolonged exposure, the body will be unable to keep itself warm and cold related illnesses and injuries may occur. An example of these include trench foot, frostbite and hypothermia.

How Cold Stress Can Be Prevented

Anybody exposed to cold temperatures for a prolonged period of time without taking proper precautions and preparation is at risk of experiencing cold stress. One of the greatest ways of preventing cold stress is recognizing workplace conditions that can lead to cold stress. Employees should also know the symptoms, how to treat it, and how to prepare for cold, wet, and windy conditions. All superintendents and project managers should also schedule breaks in warm areas, schedule work according to the weather, have employees work in groups or pairs, and provide warm beverages and heaters.

More Considerations for Winter Construction

Snow, ice and low temperatures require increased attention to job site safety. Another important safety topic during winter weather is preventing any slip and fall hazards. Ice can form very quickly in subzero temperatures and should be taken care of immediately. Careful planning is also important for safety and the overall project schedule. While the weather is unpredictable, it’s important to recognize the decrease in productivity that goes hand in hand during winter weather.

Cold Weather Safety Information

Safety should always be everybody’s number one priority. If you’d like more information about keeping employees safe during the upcoming cold winter months, we encourage you to visit OSHA’s website or giving your local OSHA office a call.

Cold Winter Safety in Construction

3 Tips to Prevent Serious Roof Damage

Preventing serious roof damage can be easy but you need to act before any damage gets worse! During certain times of the year, wind gusts, storms and other types of inclement weather can escalate and cause havoc on your roof. The damages both big and small, if left unchecked, can cause serious damage to your roof, attic, and even the inside of your home. The process of handling storm and water damage can be time-consuming and costly.

To help prevent this kind of weather from destroying your roof, there are a couple steps you can take to protect your home:

  1. Roof Damage Inspection If you think you may have damages, hire a roofing professional to inspect your roof. They can spot those small damages and help you get them fixed before they turn into larger problems. Older roofing materials can eventually become loose over time. Small issues are usually a quick and inexpensive repair but they can end up causing a lot of damage in the event of a storm.
  2. From there, see a restoration company about fixing your roof and any other damages that it caused. If there are no damages, ask about having your roof replaced. Every so often, it’s good to have your roof replaced for
    peace of mind and also to avoid wear and tear.
  3. Tree Removal Service for Roof Damage Prevention Have professional tree removal service come and survey your property to determine if any trees will put your roof at risk. Simply removing large branches may be all it takes to prevent storms from causing them to fall and cause problems.

The time you spend maintaining your roof before disaster strikes can save you from spending thousands on interior and exterior damage. When you need restoration work due to roof and weather-related causes, call Huff Restoration to see how we can help you.