One of the best ways to get rid of old concrete is by recycling it. When concrete structures are demolished, recycling the rubble is an increasingly common method of utilizing the rubble.
Before, concrete rubble held no value and was usually disposed in landfills that polluted the environment, but recycling has a number of benefits that greatly out weight simple disposal.
Concrete rubble can now be collected on site and utilized by a crushing machine. The machine accepts uncontaminated concrete free of trash and breaks it down into useable chunks. These chunks can then be crushed down further and cleaned and filtered. This concrete is now reusable and often times are used as the base materials for buildings and pavement.
Reusing concrete also helps the environment further by reducing the need for new concrete to be produced which creates toxic CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.
By eliminating the costs of disposing of old concrete and the potential use of recycled materials, some companies have estimated savings up to 60 percent by recycling and using recycled concrete.
Many companies have saved even more money by purchasing their own crushing machines and recycling on site. This investment essentially cuts out the middle man and the need for a recycling center, trucking companies, and more workers. This also saves the wear and tear of local highways and roads which saves taxpayer’s money as well.
Category Archives: Construction Contractors
Never Heard of Freeman and Associates?
For over 26 years, Freeman and Associates has been providing the southeast with premium general contacting, construction management, and design services representing a wide variety of different industries. From commercial and corporate buildings to educational and healthcare facilities, the organization strives to provide its clients with high quality construction and exceptional value. If you have never heard of Freeman and Associates, look at the notable projects below.
TSYS Corporate Ridge Data Center is an 112,000 square foot data center. A thirteen million dollar project, this renovation presented unique challenges. The facility had to be constructed inside of an existing warehouse and miles of electrical piping installed beneath specialty flooring. Completed on schedule in just fives short months, this data center is the largest of its kind in the area.The renovation on the corporate AFLAC Tower was another exciting project with a very short turnaround time. The fifteenth and sixteenth floors were updated and a custom African conference table installed. Challenges unique to this building included retrofitting the existing main boardroom to accommodate new communications technology.
CRHS Pediatric Center is just one of many healthcare facilities that Freeman and Associates has proudly constructed. The ten thousand square foot Chattahoochee Plastic Surgery Center, a state of the art facility, is another. Exam rooms, surgical suites, and nursing stations reflect a commitment to upholding the rigorous standards required by various medical industries.
Commissioned by the Georgia Technical College, the Administration and Classroom annex is a multistory structure. It features a traditional brick façade combined with modern architectural elements. Other institutions entrusting their project to Freeman and Associates include Auburn University Meats Laboratory, Northside High School, and Columbus Consolidated Government Recreational Facilities.
The Kysor Warren expansion was a design- build assignment encompassing a 120,000 square foot industrial complex completed in ten months. Delivering this building ahead of the projected schedule, the clients were able to occupy the much-needed space earlier than anticipated. Other successful projects include well-known clients such as Oneda, Cessna, and Kodak.
Ranging from pre-engineered metal structures to complex medical facilities, military projects provided an opportunity to demonstrate flexibility in design and construction. Fort Benning’s Auction Warehouse, Battalion Headquarters, Consolidated Troop Medical facility, and Fort Benning Veterinary Clinic are some of the assignments that underscore a commitment to meeting the client’s needs within a specific budget.
Apartment complexes and planned community living projects are an important area of commercial construction. The Independence at Lexington Heights is comprised of 11 apartment buildings, a town hall, swimming pool, and basketball court. Freeman and Associates also built Greenwood Park Apartments in LaGrange, Hamilton Station, Manors of Innisbrook, and Village at Lakeside.
Freeman Team
Relationship. That is what separates a local contractor from a large, national company. A good relationship with a contractor can mean the difference between a long-lasting structure that truly holds and represents what a company is about and a building that will need to be torn down and redone in a few years. It is this sort of relationship, this private and personal approach that separates Freeman Contracting from its competitors. It is this extra effort to connect with clients and truly understand their unique needs that separates Freeman Contracting from other contractors in Columbus, Ga.
Freeman Contracting offers a variety of specialized services for almost any construction task including construction management, design-build, or conventional bidding. Freeman & Associates meets construction needs in almost any part of the industry. Need a new office building or meeting center? Freeman handles any corporate and commercial task. New schools and educational facilities will be in good hands with Freeman Contracting. They also understand the complexities and various necessities of designing buildings for healthcare services or scientific research. Even large-scale industrial and military installations are not outside the expertise and capability of Freeman Contracting.
They also understand the importance of the place you call home. Suburb multi-family living communities including individual home structures and apartment complexes can be designed and built through Freeman.
No building lasts forever. Even the best construction eventually wears our or could do with a little modern update. Freeman Contracting embraces change and innovation. They can create a specialized renovation plan that will breathe new life into your old building. They will recreate a structure that will serve your home or business needs for many more years to come.
Freeman Contracting is also a member of several important organizations to further enhance the end-result of their projects. The LEED partnership ensures that every project is designed and run with the environment and important EPA regulations in mind. The ASHE partnership provides the most up-to-date awareness on healthcare needs, issues, and regulations to ensure all healthcare related projects are ready to serve the particular needs of that industry. The AGC membership provides future security and foundation for both Freeman and its clients. Freeman is a local company that is here to stay and that you can depend on for your contractors Columbus needs.
What is it like to work with a Freeman contractor team? First, you can be assured you will get a design plan that matches your needs and interests. Freeman doesn’t cookie cutter their designs from one project to the next. You will be getting a unique plan that is suited just for you and your business. You can also be assured that design will work, whatever your particular needs. Freeman’s long history of customer satisfaction and variety of experience speaks for itself. You can then be sure the job will actually get done, on schedule and on budget. There is nothing more frustrating in a building project than hearing that it will take longer or cost more than originally planned. Freeman has a sterling reputation for consistently delivering projects on time and on budget. They have never missed a completion date. Their fast-track abilities will meet the deadlines even the most hurried and rigid client needs. During the actual job work, you can rest assured that Freeman puts safety first. It has OHSA certified personnel. When the job is done, Freeman Contracting doesn’t just leave you hanging. Reliable leadership and follow through will ensure the finished project is meeting your needs the way you expect. Freeman will continue to be available as your needs change.
How To Find The Best General Construction Contractor
Finding the right general contractor for your construction needs can be a daunting task. There are seemingly endless options available and it can be hard to pick a company to go with. With that being said, there are a few things that you should look out for in a construction contractor that will help the process go more smoothly.
The first thing to look for is an extensive amount of experience. At Freeman & Associates we have completed projects for a wide range of people and companies. This experience in various different industries and applications has allowed us to understand that each client has specific needs that have to be met and no two projects are the same. We are able to handle any project regardless of size or requirements.
Qualified staff is another must have for a respectable contracting company. They should be able to handle any need or specific request you may have regarding your project. This staff should work safely and efficiently while always keeping your needs in mind. Our contractors and staff members are professional, experienced and willing to help you with any issues you may have during the planning or construction processes. All staff are OSHA certified to minimize risk and improve overall job efficiency.
Deadlines are a very important aspect of any construction project. There is often a lot at stake and jobs need to be finished on time. We have never missed a client deadline here at Freeman & Associates. We are able to give you a realistic time estimate for the completion of your project and stick with it.
Along with deadlines come strict budgets. We understand that the budget for your project may be tight. Our qualified contractors are able to come up with a plan of attack that fits your financial constraints while still giving you the finished product you desire.
For those interested in environmentally friendly construction practices, finding a LEED certified contractor is a must. Our staff here at Freedman & Associates are LEED certified and able to complete projects within the environmental guidelines that are important to you. Our firm takes environmental awareness very seriously and strives to extend that mindset into each project we get involved with.
These are just a few of the many important things to consider while looking for the best general construction contractor. At Freeman & Associates we are able to handle any project need you may have safely, on time, on budget and with the proper degree of environmental consideration.
Construction Contractor in Columbus, Georgia
Retaining a reliable and talented Georgia contractor may be one of the most important choices you will make. The ramifications of utilizing a substandard contracting service can cost you more in the long run. Thus, it is important to take precautions against retaining the wrong one.
In ideal situations you would be able to take your time and thoroughly review several contractors over an extended timeframe. However in many cases you may be short on time or have an emergency that can not be put off. It is then that it becomes important to be able to screen and choose a contractor quickly. However brevity does not mean an embrace of carelessness.
Naturally the most hazardous thing to do is to simply grab a phone book and leap. If it is possible you may want to look before you have a need at all. This does mean to “green light” frivolous bids, more like a gathering of information so that you have a pool to pick from.
References form people you know can help, but even then there is no way to know if what looks good on the outside is really sound. A prime example is an outdoor window trim job that looks great at first. However after time the wood begins to rot because indoor materials were used and the whole thing has to be replaces. With that in mind, when taking recommendations, it is wise to accept ones from people who have “lived with” the work for a period of time.
Another consideration is whether or not you feel comfortable with your construction contractor. Do they listen, do you feel the yare easy to communicate with? Are your concerns addressed and are questions engaged in a straightforward way. Do they make you uncomfortable? Such my seem insignificant, but even the best contractor can be less than desirable if you cringe every time you have to deal with them. This is especially true for larger jobs that will take more time.
Drug use is also an issue. Obviously alcohol and the like are undesirable. This also brings to mind staffing. Do they staff in-house or out? How well will your contractor know their team members? When people are invited into your personal space you have to be mindful of such things.
Before making any moves at all you want to get a license number and check it to be sure it is valid. Look for things such as complaints and disciplinary actions. No one can be perfect all the time, so be reasonable; however, at worst you want to consider those with no complaints within the past three years.
Also any contractor that lacks insurance should quickly be ticked off the list. As far as insurance goes insist on viewing the certificate itself, do not depend on a “head nod” or idle answer. The types of insurance you need to be concerned with are workers comp and general liability. General liability that includes both bodily injury and property damage is best.
Contractors that have been in business at least five to ten years are the safest. Not just due to experience, but also due to the fact that there is actual background to consider. Note that being in “business” for those times is good, but changing names over that time is not a good sign. Contractors with one to four years of experience may be choices if there are other things in their favor but those who have been in business less may be a dicey choice. In all things consider previous work, even that for other firms.
Stability is extremely important. A physical business address is preferable, although it is not necessary to shun those who work from a home office. Less than that, i.e. only having a number and email is an absolute red flag.
If you can get actual references from them, at least five, that is great. Again, with references you may want a few older ones and a couple more recent ones as well. Less than five references is ok as well, you’ll mostly want to have some ground to stand on as far as history goes. If you can not get references out of them you may be entering in to an “at your own risk” scenario and continuing with that contractor is not recommend.
Price is always an issue. The best way to get great pricing and avoid heavily crossed deadlines is to hire a construction contractor that specializes in what you want preformed. There are a variety of Georgia contractor options who can meet your needs, so explore your options. While having a specialty area is good, diversity may be a better choice so that you can recommend and use them for other jobs in the future should the work meet your expectations.
Helpful Tips for Selecting a Construction Contractor
When looking to locate a company to be your construction contractor, there are several important things you should look at before you choose. If you have used a contractor in the past, then contact the contractor again to see if they are able to assist you with your new project. If they cannot assist you, ask if they have a sister company they could recommend to you.
It’s a good idea to make an outline of exactly what you need done with your project before you locate a contractor. Make a list of the materials that will be needed, which will help potential contractors give you an estimate on the work. This will allow you to compare the price of several different companies before you make your choice.Here are some more things you should find out before selecting a contractor:
Are they a licensed contractor?
Potential contractors you are looking to hire should be properly licensed with building regulatory authorities, and also have workman’s compensation and liability insurance. You should always get proof of insurance.
Will your job be the only one being handled by the contractor at that time?
Find out if your contractor will have other projects under their belt while they are also working on yours. Construction jobs will usually last several months, so a good communication relationship should be established between you and the contractor you hire. This is especially true for projects that take longer than a few months.
Can they provide you with testimonials from previous clients?
See if the potential contractor has a list of past clients they’ve worked with that have provided them with a testimonial of their services. Always call and verify that these are legitimate testimonials. It’s also a good idea to visit the location in person to see the quality of the contractors work.
How much will they cost to hire?
Pricing will vary from each company you look into, so always get an estimate before you choose a contractor. Generally, they are based on a percentage of how much the total estimate from the project is. The contractor you decide to hire should be financially stable, and have the financial backing of a bank. If they want to use a construction loan, get details of the loan from the bank providing the loan.
