Beyond the Dream-Reflections on the Berkeley Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

 

Based on our recent association with St. Paul A.M.E. Church, I was invited by Pastor Leslie White to attend the first annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration in Berkeley, a gathering of leaders from the faith community, U.C. Berkeley,  City of Berkeley and the local business community honoring Dr. King’s memory and legacy.   Given that this was the first event of its kind, I didn’t really know what to expect.

When I arrived at the event a few minutes after 7 AM, I was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by live Jazz music as performed by the Berkeley High School Jazz Ensemble.   These talented young people could easily be perfor

ming in concert at Yoshi’s based on the incredible music they were making this morning.  What a treat!

Later in the program, we heard from the Berkeley High School Choral Group in a rousing rendition of “Oh Freedom”, another highlight of the morning.

The program was comprised of a variety of speakers, all whom had a compelling message to convey.   The three speakers who touched me the most were Rabbi Menacham Creditor who spoke eloquently of how Dr. King would speak about the problems of today had he lived; St John Dixon who spoke about his active participation with Dr. King in the civil rights movement in Alabama and Frank Barnes who was head of pilot training at  Tuskegee University during WWII and then later the held the position of President of the NAACP in Berkeley for 27 years.

It was an inspiring way to celebrate the legacy of an inspiring leader.    I left with a feeling of hope that the dream is still very much alive.  We just need to keep pushing forward, united as a community, to find our way to the mountain top.

East Bay Home Remodeling Company, HDR Remodeling Develops Renovation Plan for Berkeley Historic Church Building

East Bay home remodeling company, HDR Remodeling has been hired to develop a renovation plan for the historic St. Paul AME Church building in Berkeley. The planning work launched in September 2011 and will be completed by mid-2012.

St. Paul AME Church would like to have the original church building, which was built in the 1930′s, restored to its full potential. A new sanctuary was built in the 1990′s, leaving the original building under-utilized. HDR Remodeling has completed the first phase of the project by identifying the key structural, maintenance and repair issues that need to be addressed to secure and protect the original building. The next phase of the project will look at longer term opportunities to transform the original building into a space that will better serve the needs of the church as well as the needs of the surrounding community.

“HDR Remodeling is very proud to participate in this project with St. Paul AME Church. Our office is located down the street from the church so we see this as a way to be more involved with our neighbors and to help the church make an even greater contribution to the community,” says Jim Tibbs, Creative Director of HDR Remodeling.

The historic church building is a large and stately presence at the busy intersection of Ashby Avenue and Adeline Street, near the Ashby BART station. It is an important part of the South Berkeley community, serving the spiritual needs of a 500-person congregation and providing hundreds of free meals on a weekly basis to people in need.

For more information on HDR Remodeling, call 510-984-3755 or visit http://www.hdrremodeling-eastbay.com. HDR Remodeling is located at 2952 Sacramento St., Berkeley, CA 94702.

Benefits of Design/Build Remodeling

The Design/Build Approach

One of the keys to success in planning any remodel is to engage a team of designers, product specialists, technical experts, project managers and craftspeople who work as a seamless unit.   Ideally this team has worked together before, knows how to collaborate effectively and has established a process for working together that is cost efficient and produces an outstanding result.  Many homeowners choose to put together their own team by interviewing and hiring an architect, designer and contractor with the hope that the collaboration will be a success…and many times it is.    This approach puts the homeowner in the role of team captain which requires a significant investment of time and money to keep everyone aligned and on task.  Too often, the trade professionals involved have slightly different agendas, are competing for their share of the budget and have not had the opportunity to develop effective ways of transferring information and streamlining hand-offs.   This situation results in cost overruns, schedule delays and a lot of stress for the homeowner.   Fortunately, there is another way to organize and plan your remodel to avoid these pitfalls.

Many homeowners have discovered the benefits of hiring one company to manage the project from initial concept to final inspection including all of the phases of planning, design and construction.    This approach is called Design/Build Remodeling and is based on the premise of hiring a company that provides all of the necessary services to organize and execute your project.   The benefits of choosing this model are numerous:

• You are hiring a team with standard practices and a single objective versus independent professionals with their own agendas and priorities
• You are led through the complex process of remodeling by a team of experts rather than having to lead the team yourself.
• It is more efficient and therefore less expensive to work with a single company.
• The project budget is developed along with the design which provides more accurate information early in the process and reduces the number of budget surprises late in the game.
• The ordering and tracking of fixtures and finishes is well coordinated which reduces the chances of inconvenient delays.
• The hand-off from design to production is usually more thorough and complete which helps to keep the project on budget and on time.
• The design team remains involved throughout construction to answer questions and consult on city inspection issues that may arise.

From Fixer Upper to Fantastic Home

Today we are highlighting a project that is very close to home.  In fact, it has been our home for the last 20 years.   Our house was the epitome of the worst house on a great street when we bought it in 1992.   Since then we have slowly, carefully and painstakingly  created a comfortable home out of  a space that was tired and neglected.     Every surface has been refreshed, restored, replaced, refurbished or remodeled. Fixing up an old home can be incredibly rewarding but is not for the faint of heart.  It requires creativity, patience, collaboration, persistence and careful budget management.

My partner, Philip and I have remodeled three highly distressed properties together and have learned many valuable lessons about design, construction and healthy working relationships from these experiences.  We will be publishing a series of articles to share the wit and wisdom we have gained from converting a fixer upper into a fantastic home.

To whet your appetite for what is in store, here are a number of photographs that illustrate what we have accomplished in our most recent home.

Master Bedroom At Time of Purchase

Sketch of New Master Bedroom Closets

Master Bedroom Today

West End of Master Bedroom Before

Same View of Master Bedroom Today

Recycle, Retain, Re-purpose Your Deck Lumber

Many times when replacing an existing deck the old framing lumber is taken to the recycling center or the dump without consideration as to how it can be re-purposed.   In some cases the pressure-treated lumber that provided the infrastructure for the old deck is still in good condition even when the deck boards are worn out and rotted.

Here are two ideas for re-using your old deck lumber as a way of enhancing your garden, saving money and reducing the amount of construction debris in the land fill.

New Retaining Wall

Retaining wall constructed of recycled deck lumber

The photo at the left is an example of a retaining wall for a terraced garden that was constructed entirely of recycled lumber that was salvaged during the demolition of their old deck.   Before tearing down the old deck we assessed the condition of the pressure treated framing lumber and then calculated the lumber requirements of the new retaining wall.  As luck would have it, there was more than enough good wood from which to build the new wall.    The labor needed to pull nails and screws from the lumber before re-using it was much less than the cost of buying new materials.    This approach also saved hauling and dump fees and greatly reduced the amount of debris going to the land-fill

Raised Flower or Vegetable Beds

Another way to creatively reuse pressure-treated lumber is to construct raised flower or vegetable beds for planting.   The raised beds are easier to garden and maintain by eliminating the need to bend over or kneel to reach the plants.   They are also create focal points for the eye that are beautiful to look at and stand out from the surrounding landscape.    Raised gardens can be easily segregated for specific uses and the soil amended for raising diverse crops such as  herbs, home-grown tomatoes, vegetables and flowers for in-door arrangements.   The photos below offer up a couple of simple layout options for raised gardens that are fairly easy to construct and attractive to look at when completed.

Raised cutting garden made of recycled lumber

Two-tier raised vegetable bed

Cool-looking, Cost-efficient Deck Design

As a follow-up to our story on innovative deck and railing design I want to share a real-life example of how we met the budget, maintenance, aesthetic and space allocation needs for our clients on a recent project.  This illustrates how good design can provide solutions across a spectrum of different requirements.

The clients requested a spacious,  low-maintenance and attractive deck to complement their 1920′s Oakland home and to provide outdoor living space adjacent to the beautiful garden that is evolving from their hard work, care and attention.

Original stairs took up prime garden space

The original deck had an awkard layout and was showing signs of wear from years of hard use.   The platform was about the right size but the railing blocked the view and the stairs consumed some of the best gardening space in the center of the back yard.

We designed a new deck approximately the same size as the original but modified the placement of the stairs to create  better flow to the ground level and more efficient use of the available space.  This allows the garden to become the focal point of the yard versus the oversized staircase.

Design for new deck and stairs

We decided on Azek PVC decking in acacia (www.azek.com) for the platform and stair treads and used pressure treated lumber for the framing. We found a photo of a cable railing system that the clients really liked but determined that cable was not a good choice for their very active dog nor did it meet their maintenance and budget requirements.  Our lead carpenter suggested using metal electrical conduit as a cost-efficient material for the railing.  I merged his suggestion with the concept of the cable railing system to come up with a stylish, low-cost, low-maintenance railing that meets all of the criteria of the project.   The clients are thrilled with the outcome.

Top view of new deck and railing

New deck, railing and stairs to garden

East Bay Remodeling Contractor Seeing Surge in Bay Area Remodeling Projects

Berkeley, CA (Vocus/PRWEB) May 01, 2011

Kitchen Remodel for a Boomer Couple

HDR Remodeling, an East Bay home remodeling contractor for over 20 years, is seeing a surge in Bay Area remodeling projects. As they meet with homeowners, they are finding that people who are remodeling now generally fall into one of three categories: those who want to avoid higher mortgage debt, Baby Boomers approaching retirement age, and younger people who are purchasing foreclosures.

“An interesting data point that was quoted in the New York Times about a month ago is that remodeling is predicted to be one of the stand-out growth industries in the coming year generating anywhere from 9 to 20% comp year increases, depending on the region,” said Jim Tibbs, SVP and creative director of HDR Remodeling. “We are definitely seeing that trend come to fruition in our own business.”

According to HDR Remodeling, many people in the East Bay who are remodeling now are doing so to avoid the risk of incurring higher mortgage debt from buying a larger home. Instead of moving, many are looking for ways to improve the home they have by updating the kitchen or bathroom, or converting underutilized space into highly functional living space. People are transforming garages, basements and attics into multifunction rooms such as a home office or media room. They are also expanding their homes by taking advantage of outdoor spaces.

“Many homeowners are increasing their living space by adding a deck that can perform as an outdoor family room, entertaining space or safe play area for the kids,” said Tibbs, “This is one of the least expensive waysto expand your home and can provide many months of enjoyment because of the temperate climate in the East Bay.”

Baby Boomers are also remodeling. Having seen the youngest of their children through college as they approach or reach retirement age, they are finally making home improvements that they have been putting off. HDR Remodeling is working with a number of Baby Boomers on kitchen and bathroom remodels that the homeowners can enjoy now and will add value to the home if they decide to downsize to a smaller place in the future. “We are also working with a number of Baby Boomer couples who have decided to stay in their current homes for as a long as possible and are making home improvements that will make it easier and safer to so throughout their retirement years,” added Tibbs.

Finally, younger people who are taking advantage of the foreclosure market to buy real estate for the first time.. After years of being priced out of the market, young people with good credit and stable jobs can afford their first home. As many foreclosed homes have fallen into disrepair due to the financial difficulties of the previous owner, they often need work—and when an area of the home requires major repairs, it is a great time to make improvements to meet the needs of the new homeowner.

For more information about home remodeling trends or any of HDR Remodeling’s services, call them at                   or visit them on the web at http://www.HDRremodeling.com.

About HDR Remodeling
HDR Remodeling is a licensed, “Build It Green” certified design and build residential East Bay remodeling contractor. They specialize in bathroom and East Bay kitchen remodeling, garage and basement conversions and creating beautiful decks and outdoor living spaces. HDR Remodeling designs and remodels existing residential structures to enhance the well-being of their clients while incorporating East Bay Green Building practices. In addition to full service remodeling, they offer on-going professional home repair and home maintenance services.

HDR Remodeling has been providing quality craftsmanship and customer service for over 20 years. HDR Remodeling serves homes in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, including Oakland, Berkeley, El Cerrito, Orinda, Piedmont, Alameda, Lafayette, Moraga and Albany.

Remodeling Leadership Conf 2011

Philip and I were very proud and honored to accept the Remodeling Magazine Big 50 Award at the Leadership Conference in Arlington, Virginia. We had the opportunity to meet many of the innovative leaders in the industry and be inspired by the presentations at the Remodeling Conference. We are anxious to implement the creative ideas that inspired us in order to make HDR a better company and to bring an enhanced remdodeling experience to our clients.

Remodeling Leadership Conf 2011

Philip and I were very proud and honored to accept the Remodeling Magazine Big 50 Award at the Leadership Conference in Arlington, Virginia. We had the opportunity to meet many of the innovative leaders in the industry and be inspired by the presentations at the Remodeling Conference. We are anxious to implement the creative ideas that inspired us in order to make HDR a better company and to bring an enhanced remdodeling experience to our clients.

HDR Remodeling-Big 50 Winner

Press Release

May 10, 2011

HDR Remodeling has been selected by Remodeling Magazine as one of the top 50 remodeling companies in the country for 2011.

HDR Remodeling has been selected out of a national field of candidates as one of the companies that is leading the industry for customer service, creative remodeling solutions and the ability to thrive in the face of business and economic challenges.

This award reinforces the credibility that our company has established over its 22 year history. We have been specifically acknowledged in the area of “partnership” based on the culture we have created within our company, the strong relationships we have forged with our loyal clients and the service that we provide to the community through our volunteer efforts.

About the Big 50 Award

The Big 50 awards were first given in 1986 to recognize the remodeling companies with the highest sales by major market. Today the award recognizes companies of all sizes that show excellence and industry leadership.

The selection process includes analysis of the company’s financial performance and profitability, a review of the website, interviews with the key company stakeholders and customer interviews done by a third-party.

The award recognizes the unique partnership of Philip Anderson and Jim Tibbs who are the owners of the business as well as being life partners for the last 32 years. Both Philip and Jim started their careers working for large corporations such as Clorox, Proctor and Gamble, Macy’s and Levi’s Strauss. They have put their marketing, sales, quality assurance and product development expertise to use in new ways to build a successful and well-respected remodeling company.

Philip and Jim will be attending the Remodeling Leadership Conference on May 12 and 13, a gathering of the industry movers and shakers from across the country that precedes the awards ceremony on the evening of May 13. The awards ceremony will be held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Alexandria, Virginia.

Client Comments

“After suffering through a really terrible contractor on my kitchen remodel, HDR made it all better. The crew was punctual, very professional, really friendly (good with dogs!), did a superb job and was in & out quickly and efficiently.”

“It’s a very human company. They understand the human aspect of situations, and the impact. I felt that everyone tries hard to do their very best”.

“The product has always been excellent. The people have been good to work with. The jobs have been done completely and satisfactorily.”

“I’m glad I have HDR Remodeling to refer to for repairs and projects. They always help me out with questions I might have and their employees are always so professional and likeable”

Quotes from Philip and Jim

“The Big 50 Award is a significant milestone for any successful remodeling company. We feel honored to be recognized as one of the leaders in the industry and would like to congratulate our co-recipients and thank Remodeling Magazine for this opportunity”

Philip Anderson, President and Founder of HDR Remodeling

“Two years ago we set out to re-position our company as a major player in this market with a value proposition that works in the new economy. This award is a testament to those efforts and helps to validate that we are delivering a quality remodeling experience to our clients”

Jim Tibbs, SVP and Creative Director, HDR Remodeling

Jim Tibbs, SVP and Creative Director, Sheila Roman, Current Client, Philip Anderson, President