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Concrete Construction: Concrete Tilt-Up & Masonry Block

Posted on by Arte Design & Marketing

Concrete construction is versatile and comes with many advantages. Concrete buildings resist fire, withstand tornadoes and hurricanes, and even take on earthquakes. These buildings are also flexible with their design and are built to last. When we build with concrete, there are two types of processes that we use which are masonry block and concrete tilt.

The building cost, time, and practicality for masonry and concrete tilt depend on a few factors. Masonry construction can be more affordable in areas where there isn’t a lot of expertise in concrete tilt construction and also where there is an abundant masonry labor source. Another factor is building size. For buildings smaller than 10,000 square feet, masonry construction is most likely a preferable choice. This is because the floor space may not be enough to cast panels and the expense for the crane to tilt the panels may not be economical. The size of the building also applies to the height. For buildings over 24 feet, tilt-up is more economical and practical as the depth of the walls only need to be slightly larger while masonry requires larger block units.

When constructing with masonry block, the block is usually joined together by a mortar that is a mixture typically made of sand, cement, and water. Brick by brick, masonry block construction stacks up to be very popular for retail buildings and shopping centers. An advantage of masonry construction is that it is easier to set over uneven grades than tilt-up panels. Tilt-up generally needs an even graded slab to stand the panels upright.

In concrete tilt-up construction, the building’s walls are created at the job site by pouring concrete into horizontal wood forms to create panels. After about a week, the concrete gains sufficient strength for lifting and the forms are removed. When ready to lift the panels, cables are attached to inserts and a crane lifts each panel in a sequence until all exterior panels are set into their desired position. Today, concrete tilt construction is very popular for warehouses, distribution centers, offices, shopping centers, schools, and other types of industrial/commercial facilities.

A variation of tilt-up construction is using precast concrete walls. In this process, the concrete panels are not created at the job site. Instead, these panels are cast in a manufacturing facility and shipped to the job site. After the panels arrive at the job site, the process of lifting/tilting the walls is the same. This construction process provides a huge advantage in cold climates because it can be expensive and difficult to cast concrete panels when the temperature drops below freezing. A disadvantage of having precast panels is that their size will be limited because they have to be transported to the site.

Two of our projects that are currently under construction are concrete tilt buildings. The first project is the new Jelly Belly Warehouse which is over 100,000 square feet. We recently did a time-lapse video of a huge concrete pour and tilt-up process. You can check out the latest video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQJkW6uNlUg. The second project is a new Lucky California Grocery Store in Dublin, CA which uses precast concrete panels. Overall, concrete construction is versatile and can be used for any type of building. We have built grocery stores, retail stores, warehouses, offices, a car dealership, and even a clubhouse for a country club with concrete construction processes.

If you have any questions or if you’re interested in building in the future, please give us a call or email. We hope you’ll consider Huff Construction for your next project. Let’s build excellence together.

The Huff Commitment to Safety

Posted on by Arte Design & Marketing

Commitment to Safety

At Huff Construction, we recognize the need for a comprehensive safety program and we believe our commitment to safety benefits both our employees and our clients.  I am thrilled to be back at Huff, after a short tenure away in health care. As our Safety Manager, I bring my 20+ years of experience to the table. My job is to make sure we have the right safety program implemented to ensure we are performing at a high level of safety that we always expect.

I think Gary Huff, our CEO, said it best, “Safety and health are a top priority at Huff Construction and are every bit as important as productivity and quality. In fact, they go hand in hand. We want our employees to observe our safety program to stay safe, healthy and able to work, play and enjoy life to its fullest.”

Over the years, I have learned that safety can only be achieved as a team, and my job as our Safety Manager is to put the ingredients in place to help make our team successful, to create individual accountability and then to cheer on our successes.

Here are some of the key areas we focus on at Huff, when it comes to safety:

Communication

In my experience, every successful safety program I have seen has included a strong communication system, meaning every employee must know how we are doing when it comes to safety.  This communication can be as simple as sending out an update on how many days we have gone accident free, celebrating when we reach milestones like 50 days/100 days/150 days accident free, and posting updates on job sites and at the office or on our intranet site.

Communication should also be encouraged back from employees to management. As our Huff Safety Policy states: Safety demands cooperation on everyone’s part. Thus, it is important that communication is kept open at all times between management and employees. Workers who notice hazards or potential safety problems, or feel that they need additional training must notify their supervisor.

Safety Committee

The commitment to safety must come from the highest levels of the company. Our Safety Committee is comprised of our Executive Team, a couple of key field members and myself. We meet regularly to discuss our Safety Program and policies, any injuries, any on-site issues, any upcoming training and more. As the Committee’s Charter states: The primary objective of the Safety Committee is to provide support to enhance the Company’s Safety Program. In addition to this primary mission, the Safety Committee encourages Employees to participate in the safety process for the betterment of all concerned.

Safety Inspections

Safety inspections at our project sites with appropriate documentation and follow-ups are an ongoing part of our Safety Program. These inspections can be carried out by on-site personnel, Executive Team members, myself or outside resources.

Safety Meetings

There are several meetings that are part of our Safety Program including but not limited to our safety tailgate meeting which happens once a week with a different topic and our quarterly safety meetings. Our quarterly meetings give us the opportunity to bring our employees together to discuss a specific topic in depth and give an update on our current safety program results.

Individual Accountability

At Huff, we know that the entire team must be committed to safety for our safety program to succeed. At the same time, we also recognize the need for individual accountability. As our Safety Policy states: Everyone is obligated to be knowledgeable of the standards applicable to their area or job, and just as important, to abide by them… It is the duty of all employees to perform their work with maximum regard for the safety of themselves and co-workers.

To recognize the need for teamwork and individual accountability in order to reach our safety goals, we have built in celebrations at key milestones so that we can honor the hard work put in to stay accident free for 100/150/or more consecutive days. It is always our pleasure to reward our employees for a job well done, safely.

construction-saftey

When I think about our Safety Program at Huff, I am proud to see how the hard work that goes into it benefits both our employees and our clients.  As our President, Brad Ardis says, “Huff is committed to providing a safe, accident-free and healthy work environment for everyone. Safe, healthy working conditions do not occur by chance. They are the result of diligent work and careful attention to all company policies by each Huff employee.  That’s why our clients can count on Huff when they are looking for a quality commercial contractor to build their next project.”

To find out more about Huff Construction or our Safety Program contact us today!

The Huff Commitment to Safety
By Larry Gilbert, HR & Safety Manager

Why Choose Metal Buildings?

Posted on by Arte Design & Marketing

Huff Metal Buildings

Our Huff Metal Buildings division offers our customers state of the art metal buildings that provide solutions for a wide variety of industries and project types. Depending on the design, our metal buildings can be pre-engineered and can offer quick construction, saving our clients time and money. Thanks to a wide variety of exterior options, our metal buildings can be finished to look like stone, brick or stucco and dressed up with unique windows, doors and other accessories. A quick look at our portfolio reveals the diversity available with metal building projects.

LEED Certified

Metal Buildings Mark Gallo Health and Fitness CenterOver the years, our state’s energy criteria have become more stringent which is why we have a LEED Green AP and Associate on our team. We have built buildings that both enhance our communities and preserve our environment. Metal buildings can also be environmentally friendly because they are built using sustainably sourced and recycled steel. The American Iron and Steel Institute reported that 88 percent of steel is recycled and that recycling steel doesn’t lessen its performance. At the end of the day, we believe that sustainable building practices are a win-win providing both economic and environmental advantages for our clients and our future.

Our Metal Buildings Support our Communities

One of our core values at Huff Construction is to support our local communities. We do this through employment opportunities, charitable work and by building projects that add value to the communities in which they are located.  Another little-known benefit of our metal buildings is the fact that they are made with steel that is manufactured in America and fabricated in American-owned facilities by American workers. We are proud that our metal buildings support jobs while ultimately adding value to the local communities where they are built.  Thanks to their high performance and relatively low maintenance, our metal buildings are often considered lifetime buildings for business owners.

At Huff, we partner with our customers to find the ideal building solution for each project.  In recent years, our metal buildings have become a great option for a wide variety of industries and project types. That’s why we created our Huff Metal Buildings division which is led by metal building expert, Tom Cosentino. We encourage you to take a look at our Huff metal building portfolio to see just how diverse the applications for metal buildings can be. Be sure to also check out our newest metal building project, Funsport Bikes.

Metal buildings are a great option for business owners. If you’re planning to build a metal building in California or if you’d like more information, contact us today.

Huff Knows Hospitality Construction

Posted on by Arte Design & Marketing

Hospitality Construction

Hospitality construction involves a complex process with many considerations to be made throughout the project. 

Hospitality can be a volatile business that is dependent upon many outside factors. Of course, the economy and travel trends have a huge effect on this industry, driving and contracting growth. In addition, sports team locations and retail growth can drive the construction of adjacent hospitality sites. Change in consumer demand for the type of hospitality whether it be extended stay versus short term stay and the consolidation of chains can also drive the demand for hospitality construction. In recent years, several of these trends have lined up perfectly and the hotel industry has been booming.

For clients who are looking to build a hotel or remodel an existing hotel, Huff Construction is the partner for you. We understand the unique challenges and opportunities that are part of construction in the hotel industry. Over our 45+ year history, we have built multiple hotels of varying size and complexity. In each case, we worked closely with the owners to deliver the highest quality hotel, on time and on budget.

Hospitality Construction

At Huff, we realize that hotel owners face unique requirements as they try to offer their guests the best experience possible. Hotels often face the challenge of having to minimize the outside noise from freeways or airports and the inside noise between rooms and public areas. In the case of franchise or chain hotels, owners are attempting to offer a consistent experience from location to location to satisfy their guests’ expectations and ultimately to avoid having to offer refunds. This idea of guest comfort and consistency must be addressed during pre-construction and design. It is critical that this information is included in the up-front planning prior to the commencement of construction. At Huff, we work closely with each hotel’s design team and the owner to address any issues or challenges up front. We bring our real-world experience to the table prior to starting construction to ensure that the project ends up on budget and on time in the end.

In addition to spending time on the pre-construction design of a hotel, we also spend time finding the right team for each job. For example, as we select sub-contractors, we consider the size of the hotel and their experience to make sure that they are a good fit for the job and that their standards match ours. Our goal is always to exceed the industry standard and we believe that creating the right team is critical to getting a job done right. At Huff, we see our clients as partners and we understand the importance of maintaining their timelines and budgets. When we deliver a hotel on time and on budget to our client, they can close out their high-interest construction loan and get their hotel open so revenue can start coming in.

Since our founding, Huff Construction has built our reputation on “Building Excellence.” We are proud of the work we have done applying this core value to the hospitality industry. Above all else, we believe that our number of repeat customers demonstrates that our commitment to the quality and to partnership works! If you are considering building a hotel we hope you will consider partnering with Huff Construction. Follow the link below to view our hotel projects.

Hospitality Projects
 

Best Places to Work in the Central Valley | Huff Construction

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Huff Construction is proud to have been selected as one of the 2017 Best Places to Work: Central Valley.

The awards were presented on April 19 at Dustbowl Brewery in Turlock, California in front of a crowd of elite local businesses. Since our founding in 1971, Huff Construction has worked hard to build a reputation for quality and integrity.  Our years of proven performance have made us one of the most reliable and respected General Contractors in the areas we serve.  We couldn’t have achieved this success without our employees and the critical roles they play every single day.

The Best Places to Work: Central Valley is in its first year of program participation in our area.  It is a survey and recognition program dedicated to finding and recognizing the best employers in the Central Valley region. It identifies organizations that have excelled in creating quality workplaces for their employees. All participants receive an in-depth evaluation identifying strengths and weaknesses according to their employees. Winning companies are selected based upon both company data and the feedback provided by their own employees. “The fact that our employees’ input led to our recognition makes this award even more meaningful to us, here at Huff,” commented Brad Ardis, President of Huff Construction.

At Huff, we believe every job is important, and every employee has a role to play. We believe that the tone for the company is set at the top, which is why we believe it is important to lead by example and to treat fellow employees in a respectful, team-spirited manner. We believe in promoting from within whenever we can, and we are proud to reward hard work and a positive attitude.  Our employees truly take pride in their work and enjoy doing their jobs. They work well together and are focused and disciplined about doing the job right. That is our Huff culture, that is “The Huff Way.”

Best Places to Work: Central Valley celebrates jobs and the employers who provide them.

This program is brought to our area by Opportunity Stanislaus, Primes Shine and the Modesto Chamber of Commerce. “The organizations selected for this designation are leaders in their field without exception. Their cultures and emphasis on employee satisfaction are evident in their employee response,” said David White, Chief Executive Officer of Opportunity Stanislaus, one of the program sponsors.  This year’s award winners were: Ambeck Mortgage Associates, Community Hospice, DeHart Plumbing Heating and Air, Grimbleby Coleman CPAs, Huff Construction, Opportunity Stanislaus, PMZ Real Estate, Prime Shine Car Wash and Warden’s Office Products.  After the event, Opportunity Stanislaus will publish and distribute a ranked list of Best Places to Work: Central Valley. For more information, you can visit: http://bestplacestoworkcentralvalley.com

As Huff Construction continues to add services and grow, our team will also need to grow.  As we look for new team members, technical skills will be important but fit with our Huff culture will be even more critical.  After all, when we hire an employee it is like adding a new member to the family so we are always thinking about how they will fit in here at Huff. We hope prospective employees see this award as another great reason to want to join our Huff team.

This spring we are excited to announce that we will be looking to hire several different positions including those listed below. If you think you might be a good fit at Huff Construction we encourage you to visit our website regularly for open positions and new opportunities. 

  • Project Engineers
  • Site Staffing including: Job Site Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents
  • Project Managers

Huff Construction would like to thank Best Places to Work: Central Valley and our employees for this great honor. At the end of the day, we recognize the important role that our employees play at Huff and how critical their engagement is to our company’s ongoing success.  With this in mind, as we look to the future of Huff Construction, we will continue to focus on creating a quality workplace for our employees.

Hiring at Huff Construction

Posted on by Arte Design & Marketing

 

Apply Now
 
 
Huff Construction Hiring HeartOver the past 46 years, Huff Construction has built a reputation for quality and integrity. Our years of proven performance have made us one of the most reliable and respected General Contractors in the areas we serve.  We are a trusted construction partner valued by architects, sub-contractors, financiers and most of all – our clients. Clearly, our employees have played a critical role in our success. That is why I see interviewing and hiring at Huff Construction is one of the most, if not the most, important thing that I do as CEO.

Company Culture

I believe that the tone for the company is set at the top, which is why I believe it is important to lead by example and to treat fellow employees in a respectful, team-spirited manner. At Huff, we believe every job is important, and every employee has a role to play. We believe in promoting from within whenever we can and we are proud to reward hard work and a positive attitude.  At Huff, our employees take pride in their work and enjoy doing their jobs. They work together well and are focused and disciplined about doing the job right. Our culture is coined as “The Huff Way.”

Today, we have a large team of highly skilled employees.  As Huff Construction adds services and continues to grow in both existing and new markets, our team will also need to grow.  As we look for new team members, technical skills will be important but fitting in with our Huff culture will be even more critical. When I hire an employee, it is like adding a new member to the family so I must also think about how they will fit in here at Huff.

This spring we will be hiring several different positions here at Huff Construction including:

  • Project Engineers
  • Site Staffing including Job Site Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents
  • In-house Project Managers
  • Accountants

When potential employees ask me what traits are important for a successful career at Huff Construction there are a number that come to mind.  First, a commitment to doing the job right. Second, a sense of pride in your work. Third, strong people skills and the ability to work well with others. Fourth, excellent communication skills. Fifth, a positive attitude and the ability to build goodwill.

Some of the positions we will be filling require specific experience, background or technical skills but they all require the Huff cultural fit. If you think Huff is the right place for you and one of the positions sounds like a good fit, we encourage you to visit our careers page to view our open positions.

As I look to the future of Huff Construction, I welcome the opportunity to continue to build upon our success and grow our team in our ongoing pursuit of “Building Excellence.” After all, “Building Excellence” comes from the heart.

By Gary Huff, CEO

Apply Now

Huff Construction Wishes you a Happy Holiday Season

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This is an image of Brad Ardis at the Salvation Army Kettle Kick Off. Happy Holiday!For Huff Construction, being a successful company goes well beyond our daily operations.  At Huff, we see great value in giving back, supporting and investing in the future of the communities in which we live and work.  Our impact is even greater thanks to our employees who give the gift of their time to help a variety of organizations each year. With the year quickly coming to a close, we wanted to take a moment to highlight four local charities that hosted unique events this happy holiday season. We hope you enjoy learning more about these organizations that are doing important work here in our community.

The first organization is the Salvation Army and their Kettle Kick-Off event which occurred on November 17th.  The Kettle Kick-Off was started in Modesto 24 years ago and it kicks off the start of the kettle season. During the kettle season, the Salvation Army raises funds throughout the community by ringing bells outside of businesses and collecting funds in their iconic red kettles. Huff was proud to be a sponsor at the Kettle Kick-off this year with Brad Ardis, the President of Huff Construction, leading the Huff team in his pink hard hat. The event this year raised $214,025 which will go toward funding the Salvation Army’s work in helping the homeless, children and families.  Here in Modesto, the Salvation Army operates a 100-bed emergency shelter and the Red Shield Center which provides programs for children and seniors along with meals, food, and help with utility bills.

The second organization is the United Samaritans Foundation who hosted their 12th annual Legacy of Hope event on November 19th. Huff Construction was proud to participate in this event that helps to raise funds in support of their important programs. Our CEO, Gary Huff, proudly supports the mission of the United Samaritans as he is a member of the board of directors for the foundation. The mission of the United Samaritans is to deliver food to people in need in Stanislaus County and to facilitate the provision of services to assist them in a transition to a better quality of life. Currently, they operate four mobile food service trucks, delivering nutritious lunches to nine Stanislaus communities five days per week. Volunteers help staff their food pantry, clothes closet, and various other services.  In Turlock, the foundation’s facility offers homeless services including a drop-in breakfast center, laundry and shower facilities, and the use of a phone number and address to aid in connectivity and job searches. In Hughson, the Community Center complex includes a county library, medical office and pharmacy.

Thirdly, we’d like to recognize the Community Hospice Foundation who hosted its annual Fantasy of Trees event on December 2nd and 3rd. December 2nd was a holiday luncheon and boutique during which beautifully decorated trees and wreaths, created by local designers, are part of a silent auction. The following morning is the Santa Share Breakfast during which community members come to enjoy breakfast, holiday crafts and pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  To spread holiday cheer, tickets are given to local families in need who are served by various local charities. The Community Hospice Foundation raises funds and awareness for Community Hospice. Their commitment is to support the core hospice services provided by Community Hospice to patients, their families and the community including: charity care, bereavement support, education and additional resources. Huff is proud to sponsor this important local charity.

Lastly, we’d like to recognize the Letters to Santa Charity. The mission of Letters to Santa is simple: give hope to those who need it most and keep the magic of Christmas alive! Since their founding in 2008, they have done just that for 2,225 kids – so far.  They start by raising funds through their golf tournament which took place at the beginning of November at which Huff was proud to sponsor. They rely on volunteers who come alongside and help shop for the hundreds of kids who they bless each year. They realize this is a community effort and believe that it takes a village to raise a child. Their focus is to work with those in need, those who are underprivileged and those who are underserved.  As their website sums up beautifully, “Where there are children in need, we’ll be there lending a hand, a smile, and a little magic.”  Seems like a wonderful sentiment for any time of the year but particularly relevant for this holiday season.

Huff Construction is proud to partner with these amazing organizations doing important work right here in our community. We are also proud of the work that our own employees do in the organizations that they support.  We are committed to our communities not only through the projects that we build but also by giving back and supporting the work of our local nonprofit organizations.

At Huff Construction, Safety Comes First

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At Huff, safety comes first. Our commitment to safety starts with the top officers of Huff Construction and extends to all employees.  In order to instill this philosophy in all of our employees, we recognize that safety must be a part of every day’s business and actions. How do we bring this to life?
construction-site-safety
First, we conduct in-person training such as the annual CPR training we hold in March for all of our job site superintendents and management personnel.  Or the quarterly safety meetings that all employees attend.  At these meetings, we identify a new topic based on OSHA guidelines or any current issue and bring in different speakers.  We work to keep these pieces of training engaging and hands-on. Past topics have included things such as fire extinguisher training, ergonomics, CHP driving tips and forklift operation. Spending an entire day together talking about safety and making sure that we up to date and compliant is a great way to demonstrate how committed we are to safety.

Second, we support all of our training with visual campaigns at every office and job site as we work toward our goal of zero incidents on every project.  Our “Think Safety” program is part of the way we are continually building a culture committed to safety.

On a more tactical basis, in addition to following all OSHA regulations at all of our job sites and at our corporate office, the Superintendent of each job site conducts weekly meetings with our employees and any sub-contractors.  At these meetings, they review a safety topic and discuss any potential issues.  They complete daily safety topic forms, daily reports and take job site pictures in addition to making sure all safety inspections are up to date.

Our Project Managers regularly visit our job sites also conducting safety inspections.  To further ensure our commitment to providing the safest environment possible, we have a Safety Compliance group that conducts random job site inspections.

When you choose Huff Construction to be your commercial contractor you can be confident that our commitment to safety extends throughout our organization and is demonstrated at every job site.  At Huff safety comes first!