Electrical Contractor & Systems - Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Motor Controls, Automation, Lighting | Knights' Electric, Inc. (Newsletter

There is an old adage that says, "Time is money". In the construction industry, where scheduling is so crucial to all projects, wasted time is wasting money. Design/build projects address this issue from the outset. After the project cost is negotiated, the permit process starts and it is streamlined in the design/build plan.

Knights' Electric worked with electrical engineer Ray Slaughter, of Hansen & Slaughter, Inc. on the Design/build project at Alexander Valley RV Park & Campground.
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In the commercial department at Knights' Electric, Art Knight does the legwork for the engineer by gathering the information and specifications of the project from sources like the utility, phone and cable companies. Art Knight also conducts product investigation through distributors for project components like panel boards, switchboards and lighting fixtures. This saves time and money on the engineered plans.

Engineer Ray Slaughter, of Hansen & Slaughter, Inc., then completes the permit plans. These plans are less detailed and streamlined for permit approval. "We can sometimes do a two or three day turnaround to submit plans for permits," says Knight.

There is a ten year relationship between Knights' Electric and Hansen & Slaughter. Ray Slaughter has been doing design/build for the last few years, "Depending on the type of job, design/build is usually faster and easier," says Slaughter, "we can build off the permit drawings. The less detailed permit plans submitted to the County are 30 to 40% less in cost than the fully engineered bid plans," explains Slaughter.

Changes can also be streamlined in this design/build process. When the owner wants a change, in certain cases, Knights' Electric can communicate it to Slaughter, who produces the change on an 8 ½" x 11" legal page to expedite the process. This is another advantage in having the owner involved as member of the design/build team. "Design/build keeps things moving on the fast track," says Slaughter.

To be able to save time and money while upholding the integrity and high standards of a quality project make the design/build process a worthy consideration for any owner who can visualize their "dream project".

Scott Miller of W. Scott Miller Construction has made a name for himself as a builder of equestrian facilities. He is currently building his 26^th horse arena. To go along with the newest outdoor arena, under construction in the Napa Valley, Miller is building a majestic, 18,500 square foot horse barn, a covered arena, 11 out buildings, which are run-in shelters for the horses. The horse trainer's residence is completed.

"The outdoor arena is one of the biggest arenas in California, it's 160 feet by 250 feet in size," says Miller, "the covered arena is a 90 foot round pen and there's another 60 foot outdoor round pen." One of the interesting features for horse care that is being installed is a "hot walker", an electronically driven carousel with arms that hold a connecting line to the horse's bridal in order to walk and exercise the horses.

Scott Miller (r), of W. Scott Miller Construction, explains "the big picture" to one of his 16 employees near the horse barn.
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All of the electrical lines in the
horse barn are hidden, like these in
the router hole of a 12" beam.
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The 18,500 square foot horse barn
with side stalls is under construction
and scheduled to be completed
in April 2004.
(click photo to enlarge)

The completed horse trainer residence stands behind the largest horse arena
W. Scott Miller Construction has ever built.
(click photo to enlarge)

This equine project is a design/build for Knights' Electric, which includes a 600-amp panel that is split into a 400-amp and 200-amp service. "We have miles of underground electrical lines," says Miller. Matt Sweeney, Residential Project Manager for Knights' Electric is overseeing the project. In regards to the electrical design/build plan he says, "The owner draws things right on the plans and we make it happen." Dan Beltran runs the day-to-day operations on the project for Knights' Electric and Miller says, "He's doing a really great job."

The outdoor landscape lighting will feature underground "up lighting" in the surrounding trees and in the parking area. Knights' Electric is installing post lighting around the outdoor arena. Inside the 1,800 square foot trainer's residence, which has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, Knights' Electric has installed recessed ceiling lighting and Tivoli lighting above and below the cabinetry.

W. Scott Miller Construction does not build equestrian facilities exclusively. They also build upscale homes including a 4,000 square foot residence in Freestone that Knights' Electric also worked on, featuring an ambient lighting scheme throughout the home. Of course, not far from that project Knights' Electric worked with Miller Construction on - you guessed it - one of the other 25 equestrian facilities that W. Scott Miller Construction has built.

Since the East Coast power outage last summer, generators have become a reality for homeowners everywhere. In Northern California, with the rainy season upon us, generator sales are up. With the threat of storm damage that can halt power in heavily populated areas as well as outlying communities, generators can bring a sense of security against the unpredictable elements of nature.

Knights' Electric installed this Guardian standby generator. Knights' Electric is an authorized dealer and service agent for Guardian Generators.
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Over the years Knights' Electric has installed numerous residential standby generators including the many upscale homes they have contracted for complete electrical systems and lighting. Knights' Electric is an authorized dealer and service agent for Guardian Generators in Sonoma, Napa and Marin counties. "Most of the calls we get for generator installations come directly from Guardian," says Barbara Ragsdale, CFO at Knights' Electric, "Customers can visit their website and then contact the company."

Knights' Electric offers installation, service and consultation to customers buying generators. Scott Webb, Knights' Electric's Guardian Generator Specialist, has worked with homeowners to help them determine their needs when purchasing a generator. "We want to make sure the generator isn't too small to do the job, you don't want over kill either," says Webb. When there is a power outage customers need to be aware that a generator doesn't have to power everything that was on, you can conserve energy by only using the essentials like hot water, lights and heating.

Customers can purchase a "start-up" package from Knights' Electric when they purchase a generator, which includes installation, checking the voltage and can also include changing the power source from natural gas to propane if desired. The generator set up can also feature an automatic transfer switch that monitors power from PG&E and will turn on the generator if PG&E power is lost. During the storm season everyone would feel good about having a generator.