June 20, 2009

in a pinch, a cedar shim can serve you lunch

The other day while eating lunch at work I made an interesting discovery.

I had just reached the "yogurt stage" of lunch- that's what we jokingly refer to as, the wind up of lunch break, the point where if you have a yogurt for desert, you savor it lovingly before putting the tool belt back on... (perhaps ya had to be there)...Anyway, On this day, I didn't seem to have a plastic spoon in my lunch bucket to enjoy the fruity refresher I had before me. But this was not too unusual an event. And, when I am with out utensil, I often will grab an unused cedar shim from our supplies and carry on just fine ~ thank you very much . This time however, Rod, offered me his just used "greasy spoon" for the job. I accept thankfully, but notice that the spoon he had passed me was one I had lent him over a year earlier! How do I know this? Because it was a unique spoon that came from my son's second birthday party--- and he's three now! The spoon is red and has Lightning McQueen on it....not something just anyone has in their silverware drawer. When I pointed this out to Rod with an "ah ha!" he said, "well, how do you know for sure it's your spoon..." I said "c'mon Rod where else are you going to get a red plastic kid's spoon, with Lightning McQueen on it- He responded in his best kid voice,"Well, I like cars too you know!"
Of course it was just a silly, light moment on an otherwise mostly hard working jobsite, but it struck me later as telling about our closeness as a team and how well we work together...etc etc.

Okay, I guess you probably had to be there :')

June 13, 2009

ICF foundation by King Brothers Concrete Specialist, our favorite subs!

Recent work putting together the ICF foundation for the Scherer family residence near Trumansburg NY
 back breaking work


How many more of these things to go..


straighter than an arrow!
This eps foam form foundation filled with 6 inches of reinforced concrete has an R- factor of  22.  It makes an excellent, strong and comfortable concrete foundation/basement but it takes some skill to set it up properly and have it come out straight and plumb like the King brothers always do! 
Steve, John and Charley--you guys rock!
BTW,  The home owner saved $500 on this job by putting together the Eco Block forms himself!



On with the framing and SIP walls!

May 19, 2009

Energy efficient home started near Ithaca!



Congratulations to the Dan and Lisa Scherer family! We broke ground on their beautiful new home (designed with Rod Lambert) out near Trumansburg on this beautiful sunny morning in May. Stay tuned for construction updates on this interesting passive solar home to be constructed with ICF foundation and SIP walls.

Thanks to Geroge Van Valen and crew and King Brothers in advance for doing great excavation and foundation work!