The HTRC

The Homeowners & Trades Resource Center

ACECET’s Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting

Ah what a great day for a ribbon cutting ceremony at Calhoun Community College. Today they officially opened the doors for the new Alabama Center for Excellence in Clean Energy Technology (ACECET). The 11,000 square-foot ACECET building was originally constructed in the 1960’s & was extensively remodeled and earned LEED Platinum status. It is now […]

Faceoff – The “Energy” Plans

It really is quite amazing listening to people describe the two different “energy” plans. Leaving all the vitriolic comments aside how about we actually compare them side by side. The Romney/Ryan plan is called “For A Stronger Middle Class: ENERGY INDEPENDENCE” while the Obama/Biden plan is called “ALL of the ABOVE.” I really can’t stress […]

Securing Equipment & Deterring Theft on the Job Site

Equipment theft is big business with estimates topping a billion dollars a year which doesn’t even begin to include small tools or material theft. Most understandably, the most common time is after a site closes down on Friday & before everyone shows up on Monday. For smaller jobs it generally isn’t an issue to load […]

Common Sense Building: Designing for Everyone (Interior Checklist)

Last week we focused on this simple question; do we keep with the status quo of basically designing houses with a 30 year shelf life, or design them to last & be used for generations? While the question might appear “simple,” just how do you design for multi-generations where everyone is comfortable, and one is […]

BS4D: NFRC Labels (Windows, Doors, Skylights)

The NFRC or National Fenestration Rating Council basically tests & labels glass products used on buildings like doors, windows, and skylights. The label will include who the manufacturer is, a brief description of the product, and the official ratings for one or more of performance characteristics for that product. The NFRC’s also has an online […]

Common Sense Building: Designing for Everyone (Exterior Checklist)

When you design something, you look at its intended purpose, ease of use, durability, and who will be using it (target market). When you start dealing with houses the purpose is simple; to provide a healthy, safe, and comfortable place to live so that people will be glad to get home. While the purpose might […]

Labor Day and the PR Campaign for Work

In 1882, over 10,000 people flocked to New York to participate in America’s first Labor Day parade. While it was seen as a celebration it was also a time to discuss strategies for securing not only better jobs but safer working conditions. That movement became so successful that for many now just seen as one […]