COMMERCIAL
Design/Build Team Is Versatile
Cary & Associates Builders, Inc. is in the completion stage of an office building remodel project at 825
North Gravenstein Highway in Sebastopol, in which they plugged in their design/build team
to tackle the job. The project included gutting 90% of the interior structure for 7,000 square feet of remodeling in the 14,000 square foot, two-story building with upgrades to offices, common areas, 8 restrooms and ambient lighting design and installation by Knights' Electric, Inc.
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Corey Cleeland,
Project Manager for Cary & Associates
Builders, favors his design/build team
because it is "enjoyable and efficient".
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Conference room with chandelier and recessed lighting, some of
which is set up for art lighting
on the wall.
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"About 80% of our work is design/build, where we negotiate, design and build the project," says Corey Cleland,
Project Manager for Cary & Associates Builders, Inc., "This job was well-suited for us even though we don't take on many remodel jobs and we were able to use the team of subs that
do all of our design/build work." |
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Cary & Associates has worked with a design/build team over the years that includes Knights' Electric, Inc.,
LeDuc & Dexter Inc.
for plumbing, Cal-Air, Inc. for HVAC, Humphrey Construction for steel studs and drywall and Natilini Tile & Stone for tiling and wainscoting.
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Entryway to offices at
825 North Gravenstein Hwy.
in Sebastopol is a great
example of "a clean,
well-lit place to work".
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The ambient lighting design
creates a very comfortable yet
professional look and feel even
though the hall and offices are
not yet furnished.
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Cleland is quick to point out the advantages of his design/build team, "Everyone is on a first name basis. I
don't have to stand on top of anyone because I already know what everyone can do. For instance, with Knights' Electric, I can call Art Knight
when I need a certain electrician that I know is best for a certain type of job. I'm familiar with the personnel of all of the subs because we've worked together on so many jobs. The bottom line is - working with our design/build team makes it more enjoyable and efficient."
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Part of the remodel design provided
that the ceiling be raised about two
feet to create a larger entryway for the building's side door entrance from
the parking lot.
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RESIDENTIAL
Design/Build Specialist Builds A House
John Crawford started his construction career 43 years ago and he's come to the conclusion that design/build
winery projects are the ultimate challenge in building and it's a challenge he loves. A slow, satisfying smile forms as he describes the building materials used in building a winery,
"They last so long, the stainless steel tanks, the stone work, everything is built for longevity so you better make sure you do it right." |
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John Crawford, a winery design/build
specialist, is building a rare, for him,
residential project for a commercial client.
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This residential project in the rough-in stage includes, from left
to right, pool house, main house, guesthouse, and 3-car garage.
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Crawford has done it right several times starting with the first big project he worked on, Sterling Vineyards,
and following that with a list of well-known wineries that saw him develop into a design/build specialist of wine-making facilities. A partial list includes Round Hill Winery, Silver
Oaks Cellars, Ferrari-Carano Winery, Twomey Cellars and Rodney Strong Vineyards. Crawford formed his own company, John Crawford Construction, in 1987. |
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Knights' Electric commercial department has worked with John Crawford Construction on various projects, including Rodney Strong Vineyards
and a new winery project just starting for Montemaggiore Winery in Sonoma County.
Art Knight
had this to say about John Crawford, "John is always working for the customer and trying to save the customer money. He has so much experience and knowledge. He can look at the drawings of a project and see where he can come up with savings in the overall cost."
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This view from above the pool house is spectacular, yet typical of
the views from all of the
buildings at the residence.
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One of two large sliding doors in the main house provides
another picturesque view.
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Crawford rarely works in the residential sector but he has taken on project for a commercial customer that
includes a main house, guesthouse, pool and pool house, along with a 3-car garage.
Knights' Electric residential department is designing a Lutron HomeWorks lighting control system for the entire residence, including
landscape lighting. |
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The project includes 130 recessed low-voltage lighting fixtures with remote functions that control exterior and
interior lighting from a visor pad in the car as it approaches the home. Another phone interface system is being planned to control heating and cooling when the homeowner is away for
a length of time. Matt Sweeney, Knights' Electric Residential Project Manager, points out another big selling point for the HomeWorks system, "We were able to replace a bank of light
switches in the plans with one key pad that can be programmed for 10 different functions and now the wall won't have any clutter. That also gives the homeowner more options in using
that wall space for art or other interior design." |
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THE COMPANY
Barbara Ragsdale Elected to NCBE Board of Directors
Barbara Ragsdale,
CFO of Knights' Electric, Inc.,
has recently been elected to the
NCBE Board of Directors.
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Barbara Ragsdale, CFO of Knights' Electric, Inc. has recently been elected to the North Coast Builders Exchange Board of Directors. Ragsdale is also a current member of the NCBE Worker's Comp Trust, current President of the Windsor Boys & Girls Club, and Treasurer of the Redwood Empire
Chapter of the Independent Electrical Contractors.Ragsdale is anticipating an opportunity to meet and work with more people in her industry, "I want to be more
involved. I really enjoy being in on the planning stages of worthwhile projects. Once I get involved I want to be part of the process and truly make a
difference." Ragsdale also sees an opportunity to promote her company, "This is a chance to make relationships that can help our company. People
need to know who we are and what we do." Ragsdale is one of two women who will serve in the new term beginning July 1st.
Pam Chanter, Vice President of Matsen Insurance Brokers, will be serving her third and final year as an Associate Member. The NCBE Board of Directors will
have 18 members serving in the new term. Charlotte Franklin, of Coast Insulation Contractors, Inc., served as the only female President of the NCBE in 1998.
Two-time NCBE President Tom LeDuc
, who is completing his second term and has 8 years experience as a member of the NCBE Board, has seen many new
board members blossom over time, "After a board member has served their first year you can usually tell what their commitment and potential will be. I'm really
excited about Barbara coming to the board. She's a leader and those are the kind of people we really need." |
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