General Contractors
NM Ridge Construction specializes
in framing residential custom homes, additions
and light commercial spaces. Although we are well versed in all the production framing
techniques available, our primary focus is in doing
high quality work. We have three priorities that we
impress upon our employees in order of importance;
safety, quality and then speed.
Our philosophy is simple in terms
of a given task. All work shall be done
as though by a twenty year journeyman. If a first year apprentice is performing
a task, upon completion it shall match the quality of a skilled journeymen but
take longer. If a skilled journeyman is performing a given task it shall be done
with the alacrity of a carpenter of his experience. In either case the cost and
the quality of the product will be the same.
Our aim is to know the project that we are preparing to
undertake backward and forward before we drive a single nail. Because
of this, communication and organization are stressed as important personal characteristics
of our framers. Since our lead men are accomplished roof cutters, we are always
considering the impact that other aspects of the framing may have on the roof,
and visa versa. Also, we recruit our carpenters from the remodel and finish
end of the spectrum rather then the production end because we find it
easier to teach production techniques to a person with a steady hand, than
to teach a tract framer to do quality work.
Just as a framing contractor is required to possess a General
B License, we require our employees to fully understand the impact their work has on the
other trades we work with.
PROJECT AIMS:
Our first intention is to complete the
job for the price set forth and according
to the schedule laid down in the contract document. In our experience,
however, most jobs do not go without some kind of hitch. Often the structural
drawings don’t jibe with the architectural drawings
or some other aspects of them are incomplete.
We believe our role is to bring to your attention any discrepancies
or oversights in the plans before they become a problem and before
extra cost incur. Most
of the problems and added expenses can be avoided if they are
addressed soon enough. To begin with we insist on
installing all framing anchors in the foundations
as part of our contract. In our experience it sometimes
takes understanding of a full set working drawing
to guarantee the hold-down locations are correct.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF HIRING OUR FIRM
Our claim is that we can frame bigger projects more accurately,
faster, with fewer hang ups and for less
money than it would cost an average crew of general
carpenters.
Our company operates two or more framing crews all year
long accepting
occasional short breaks to install siding or exterior finish work. Through repetition
we have become faster and more accurate then the average journeyman carpenters
who may only see one or two frames per year.
We are regularly in contact with
the most up-to-date engineering requirements and are familiar with
the most recent tools and materials available. We have worked with many well
known architects, engineers and general contractors in the Bay Area. We hold
framing seminars 8 hours per month to teach our carpenters (and others general
carpenters) to work smarter rather than harder. Our success is due as much
to organizational skills as hustle.
HOW WE ESTIMATE:
All our estimating is done from a set of working drawings
in our office. If
we have any questions after having examined the blueprints, we will address them
before settling on a price This allows you to call the Architect, Engineer or
your client before being locked down by a price. Some General Contractors prefer
us to fax our list of concerns to the Architect or engineer directly.
If you are only giving your client a rough estimate and
don’t
want to waste time talking, we will estimate as though
the structural drawings supercede the Architectural drawings. In the case of
additions, we do not generally need to do a site visit. We may request it,
if we have questions after seeing the blueprints.
HOW WE PROCEED AFTER SIGNING A CONTRACT:
One of the first things that we do upon signing a contract
with a General Contractor is to confer with the Concrete Contractor about their schedule. Since
we install all the framing anchors at the foundations before the concrete is
poured we can judge the accuracy of the concrete forms at that time. If there
are deviations from the plans or problems with the dimensions of the foundations
we will know it before we begin. We will describe what the possible impact the
changes in the concrete could have on the framing.
After the concrete is poured and ‘signed
off,’ the floor joists
are installed. In the case of new construction some
General Contractor will send us away for a week or
so to allow for the plumbers, insulators and mechanical
contractors to get in and out. Once their job is complete
we return to finish the floors and the remainder of
the framing.
After the shear-wall inspection is passed all
the exterior doors and windows
can be installed. The last inspection that effects
us is the rough framing and this is called for after
the plumbing, electrical, mechanical work and insulation
is complete.
WHEN THE FRAMING IS COMPLETE:
When our phase of the project is complete we continue to
check in regularly. We want to make sure you remain satisfied through the finish carpentry stage
and beyond.
For our track record continued good references and
repeat business is essential.
ROOF FRAMING CLASS
Classes are held the last
Friday of each month from 8:00 A.M to 4:30 P.M. All rafter calculations
are sought by way of a steel square and through traditional
graphic methods. The beauty of these methods are that
they are easy to remember and don’t require any
complicated mathematics.
WHAT THE COURSES INVOLVE:
- For the newcomer we go over
the proper way to set up the square and the fundamentals of stepping off
common rafters. Once the carpenter has mastered the
use of the steel square to step off gable rafters
and gable studs and has built a ¼ scale model,
we begin hip and valley rafter calculations.
- At the beginning of the second
class we review what was covered the previous month and
go from there. All carpenters will be provided
roof plans and will be expected to build them under
supervision. The roof plans usually cover a full
hip with a cupola or a couple of gable dormers.
- All further classes cover
complex roof framing such as Dutch gables, Tudor
peaks, polygons, varying
plate heights and intersecting unequal pitches and
curved rafters. Once again the carpenters will be
handed roof plans and expected to calculate, cut
and assemble them with a group of other carpenters
while being supervised.
- Classes are held out doors
and all models are built with 2x4 and 2x6 Douglas fir stock.
For more information, send me a message using
the contact
email form. To see photos of our
projects, go to the NM Ridge
Construction Portfolio page.
