Solar power can lead to financial savings in the long run as well as being beneficial for the environment. The yearly reduction in carbon from generating electricity from the average 4 kilowatt home solar power system is equivalent to the amount of carbon absorbed by half an acre of trees. There are four primary [...]
source: housingwire The current housing market in Oregon, especially in Portland, has led to an increase in house flipping. A “flip” refers to a home that is bought, usually renovated, and then sold within one year for a profit. Individuals can flip houses within limits and strict guidelines, however if a business buys [...]
The Oregon Construction Contractors Board recently conducted a survey regarding contractor continuing education (CE). Contractors that are licensed in Oregon must complete CE units for every license renewal period. Based upon feedback from the survey responses, the CCB approved a course of action to amend to the CE requirements. According to the CCB, this requires [...]
Despite the rising cost of homes for sale in Portland's red-hot housing market, there are plenty of abandoned and dilapidated houses that have been called 'zombie homes'. These rundown houses often have boarded up windows, graffiti, heaps of garbage, unkempt and overgrown lawns, and non-operable, rusted vehicles on the lawn or driveway. Neighbors are concerned [...]
Neighborhoods are more than just groups of buildings. They are where people live, work, play, shop, socialize, and learn. There are neighborhoods called ecodistricts that have this in mind while also considering resource efficiency and environmental sustainability as well as promoting health and well-being. According to EcoDistricts (formerly the Portland Sustainability Institute), these areas are [...]
An Overview of Green Residential Buildings Sustainable homes can offer benefits to everyone involved in creating and inhabiting such dwellings. Residents of green homes can breathe cleaner air indoors as well as save money on operating costs. In the building process, recycled and reused materials can be used whenever possible, which may help to save [...]
An Overview of Green Commercial Buildings Buildings can become green, also known as sustainable, in the design, building, and renovating stages. Green buildings are resource-efficient and the overall impact to the environment is reduced. Operating expenses are lowered, plus employees and visiting clients benefit from greater air quality. Qualities of green commercial buildings include: [...]
Contractors that are licensed in Oregon must complete Continuing Education (CE) units for every two-year license renewal period. All contractor license holders need at least 8 hours of CE, consisting of 3 hours of Business Law and Practices (only available from the CCB) and 5 hours of Series A courses. Series A are courses in [...]
The Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) has made changes to the continuing education requirements. The changes went into effect on January 1, 2014 and continue throughout 2015. Continuing education (CE) must be completed for every two-year renewal period. All contractor license holders will take at least 8 hours of CE which consist of 3 hours [...]
The design-build project delivery method combines design and construction services. There is one contract for the project owner. A design-build entity can vary, such as a contractor with knowledge about design, an architect that went into the construction business, or a partnership between a contractor and an architect. Our previous article on design-build includes information [...]
