To Life!

The thing about living is that it’s best done when alive.  Scary thing about that is, on this Earth you’ve got one shot to get it done.  My mom asked me to write a blog about what it means to “truly live” and I thought, “Well what do I know?  I’m a 23 year old college grad with a desk job.”  But the more I thought about it, the more excited I became.  I’m an English major.  I read books for a living in college, and if I learned anything from that experience it is that every life is extraordinary because every life is a story and it comes down to how you frame it.  Take for example Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women.  It’s the story of four girls who turn into women.  Literally, that’s the plot.  Yet somehow it has become a classic and enduring novel whose shelf life seems never to expire.  The girls aren’t practicing magic or going on wild adventures where dragons are slain and princesses saved, but rather girls growing up, finding jobs, realizing simple dreams, and falling in love.  How can a book about growing up with a house full of obnoxious sisters possibly be one of the most fantastic novels ever written?  Simple, the characters are relatable, realistic and unique.  The characters come to life; they play out our stories as they live their own.

When we think about “truly living” we envision sold-out amphitheaters full of doe-eyed men and women listening to some sycophantic, self-help guru.  Or, on the other end of the spectrum, we have this idea of an extreme lifestyle full of skydiving, saving orphans from impoverished countries, traveling the world and eating bizarre foods off  sticks.  And while that’s all well and good (and bizarre stick foods aside, all things I would love to do at some point) these are not the only ways to think about this concept.  Truly living does not have to mean going to seminars or changing your favorite hobby from baseball-with-your-kids to free-climbing rock walls in the Himalayans.  To truly live I assert that you need to do a handful of easily accomplishable things:

1. Be alive.

2. Love openly and be loved.

3. Do something you love—be it your career or a hobby.

4. Listen to the stories of others and have the creative license to write your own.

If we are to revamp our idea of what it means to be truly alive then let’s do it right and with vigor.  Take time to sit down and think about your story.  What’s the plot of your life?  Who are the supporting characters and how do they fit into it?  What’s your adventure, your romance, drama and your twist?  This is your autobiography, what will your life sound like when you read it out loud?  There is nothing wrong with a desk job if it supports a fabulous plot.  In fact, there is nothing wrong with working outside your passion so long as it plays a supporting role.  There is nothing wrong with pretending you’re not a grown up every once in a while.  Yes, I know you secretly enjoy watching Tangled with your kids, what’s wrong with that?  As we age we have a tendency to lose our ability to think creatively and outside-the-box.  Don’t be afraid to reclaim that.

So what I’m saying is go and be truly alive: at home, at work, in the grocery store and in the park. Take note of the minutia, it’s the background of your story.  Respect the people around you, they are your supporting characters and without them your story means nothing.  Enjoy your work or move on because it is a major piece of your setting.  Recognize your goals; they are the crux of your plot.  In short, this is your story.  Go write it.

Elizabeth Moore, daughter of Nancy Moore, founder The Porch Company

For example:

Incoming caller:   “I’d like to talk to someone about a patio.”

Porch Co:  “Are you thinking of a stone, brick, concrete patio?”

Caller:  “I assumed we’d use wood but I’m open.”

Porch Co:  “Oh, so you want a deck, right?”

Caller: “Well, I have a deck now.  I want it screened in.”

Porch Co:  “Oh, you want a screened porch?”

Caller:  “Yea, that’s what I said.”

This is a porch!

Believe it or not, this happens all the time. It’s terminology. Regardless of what Webster says, it means what the person saying it thinks it means. So, we’ve developed the Porch Co Dictionary of Porch Terms we’d like to share with you. Feel free to call and argue with us. We’re open to your definition – as long as we are talking to you anyway.

Porch - Roofed structure with walls that breathe.
Roof – means waterproof overhead structure (as opposed to arbor which leaks when it rains).
Walls that breathe – this means either it is an open air porch (basically no walls – only columns) or screened (which air passes through). This specifically means that there are no windows. Our “Walls that breathe” term very specifically means – NOT A SUNROOM. NOT A GLASSED IN ROOM.
Screened Deck – we don’t like this term. But it you must use it, it implies a deck onto which a screened porch has been added.
Screened Porch – we much prefer this term. This is a Porch (see above) with screened walls.
Front Porch – just like porch – only on the front of your house. Typically covering the front door. Typically more dressy than a back porch. Typically not screened.
Back Porch – just like porch – only on the rear of your house.
Open Air Porch – another type of porch – with no fixed screen walls. However, may very well have screen curtains (see below).
Sunroom = Glassed in Room – just call this an addition with lots of windows. This is not a porch.
Deck – wooden structure (could be wood framing with composite decking) without a roof.
Patio – masonry structure without a roof.
Pavers – now this term is really confusing because even in the industry, it means different things. When we say pavers we are really talking about the method of installation of a particular type of masonry product. That installation method consists of compacted gravel base, sand and then the pavers. These pavers can be made of concrete, clay or various types of stone. IE – you can have concrete pavers, brick pavers, bluestone pavers, travertine pavers, etc. But they are all installed using the same method. What makes them pavers (in our definition) is that they are formed, cut, or shaped, to work with this method of installation. Wow – that was more than you wanted to know.
Screen Curtains – curtains made using screening material. Really cool.
Arbor = Pergola – much like a porch but with a slatted roof (that does not keep the water out). Actually, roofing material is not used – typically wood (or pvc material) with gaps between the boards. Its purpose is to provide shade and does so depending on how close together the boards are put. Put them too close together and Brentwood Codes calls it a pavilion. So again, terms are important.
Pavilion – a porch not attached to a house.
Detached Porch – a porch not attached to a house.
Gazebo – a porch not attached to a house. However, typically 8 sided.

OK – that’s enough for today. But you get our gist – we have our definitions and we like ‘em!

One year, we were slated to start a new job in January and the client received our card in December. The client was a bit nervous of workmen coming to her home and the first day of construction she called, very agitated. She wanted to know if she should call the police because someone was tearing her house apart. I explained that was Norm, one of our carpenters, and he was there, as planned, to start construction on the porch. The phone line was quiet for a moment and then she said, “But he’s not on the Christmas Card!” That’s when I realized that, in fact, Norm was absent the day of the photo shoot!

Today we have the ability to photoshop in our absentee people to avoid such angst. I don’t think it’s too hard to determine who was added later, but it’s now part of the fun. First, find the people you know, find their quote and then try and determine who was added via photoshop! Here is this year’s card. I hope you enjoy.

Nancy

The Porch Company (www.porchco.com) is honored to be the Chrysalis Awards’ National Winner in the category of Outdoor Living.   We have previously won Regional Chrysalis Awards in 2000, 2001 and 2006 but this is our first national award.  The Porch Company teamed up with Site Works (www.siteworksoftn.com)  to transform a dated pool and back yard into an easily maintained outdoor living space including a pool pavilion, a fireplace and cooking station, and generous travertine patios to create gathering areas that can handle large parties or dinner for four.

Pool Pavilion with travertine floor & pool deck

Outdoor fireplace and grilling area

Wide limestone steps connecting upper patio space  to pool area.

A master plan insures that the structures and spaces meet the needs of the client in an aesthetic manner.  But it is the details that make the plan great.  On this project, we had drainage issues to resolve to insure function and long term maintenance. We took the function of drainage and turned it into a design element using rain chains and decorative urns to capture and release the water into strip drains strategically placed.  We also raised the curbing around the flower beds to hold mulch in place.

By repeating shapes, patterns and color we unified the elements and created accents.

Contrasting linear and curved lines creates order with softness.

The Porch Company is a design/build construction company working in Nashville, TN and surrounding areas.  We focus on outdoor structures with “walls that breath” with a goal of creating spaces which allow our clients to enjoy A Simpler Way of Life.

A special thank you to my husband, Paul Moore (www.jpaulmoorephoto.com) for the photographs!

About the Chrysalis Awards Program         

The Chrysalis Awards program, begun in 1994, recognizes the nation’s best work in fifteen general categories of residential and commercial remodeling, as well as National Remodeler of the Year winners. The Chrysalis Awards are open to any professional remodeler or design professional in the United States.

Continuing to set new standards of professionalism, 87 remodeling companies from across the United States were named winners at the seventeenth annual Chrysalis Awards for Remodeling Excellence. The winning projects were selected from over 475 entries. The entries were judged on overall design, the creative use of space and materials, and the degree to which the project enhanced the original structure.

Pictures of the 2010 award-winning projects can be seen on the internet at www.chrysalisawards.com beginning in mid June . For more information about the Chrysalis Awards, contact Ken Kanline at 888-263-5687 or at info@chrysalisawards.com.

The building process should be a fun, exciting and rewarding experience.  In our first year of marriage my husband and I bought a piece of land, hired an architect and a contractor and built a house.  We were young, inexperienced in the world of construction and naive.  But I still look back on that experience as  a fun and exciting time! Why?  Despite our shortcomings, we fortunately hired honest, capable, experienced people.  It was great!  27 years later, we still live in that house.  Those experiences eventually lead me to become a designer / contractor – I loved the whole process.  When selecting our contractor, my husband and I just flat got lucky.  So, what do you need to know to hire a contractor without depending on luck?

Hire a person of Integrity

First and foremost, check into the integrity of the contractor/company you are considering hiring.  If you want a quality product, it will be built by a person of integrity.  How do you check out the contractor/company?  Start with the little things.  Do they return calls promptly?  (If you can’t communicate well during the design / selling process, do you really think it will get better once construction starts?)  Are their words consistent?  (Do you catch them in contradictions?)  Do they denigrate their competition? (The person who tries to build himself up by putting others down is a red flag to me.)   Do they explain the process / choices / options / costs thoroughly so you can make good decisions?  Do they have the heart of a teacher? An informed client is the best client.

Get on the internet and do your homework.   Go to the Better Business Bureau for your city.  Go to web sites such as Angie’s List, City Search or simply Google the company / contractor.  See what others say.  If the company has any history, you should find something about them on the internet.  If they are a brand new company, take that into consideration.  Everyone has to start someplace but you need to be aware of that.  Is it a franchise operation?  If so, make sure you check out your local franchise operator.  If you find negative comments, ask the contractor directly about it.  In every communication, be direct and honest and expect the same from the contactor.

Hire a contractor experienced in your type/size of project.

Many of the codes departments have online systems where you can search for the contractor. Find out what types of projects they are doing and the contract amount.  Every company has a “sweet spot” – a type and price range of projects that they are the most comfortable.  When your project is outside the bounds of their “normal” job, there is a greater chance of hiccups and snags.

Let’s talk about the “sweet spot”.  This is where the contractor will shine.  We all know that practice is the key to mastering a skill.  Our 18 years of experience in building porches allows us to build more complicated structures with less effort and better results than someone without the same experience.    Now if you ask me to re-model your kitchen, and we’ve done a few, it takes more effort on our part and we are more likely to stumble.    I’m not saying – don’t hire ‘em if they are not in the sweet spot.    If you have a good relationship and you want to work with them, hire them.  Just know their strengths and weaknesses and set your level of expectations accordingly.

Expectations.  That’s another topic.  If you go to the dollar store to purchase a kitchen pan, you don’t expect the same quality as one purchased at a kitchen specialty store.  You also expect a lower price.  The same goes for contractors.  Two contractors can both be people of integrity, but have different skill sets.  Don’t hire a deck builder to build your kitchen cabinets.  You probably will not be happy even though the deck builder has given you his best.   Make sure you are hiring a contractor that has the skill to give you the quality for which you are looking.

Inspect the contractor’s work

Make sure you see at least one project the contractor has built.  You should always expect the project to have structural integrity.  But it is the finishing details that you need to see.  Look at it with the same intensity you will be checking out your own project.  We’ve had clients that visit our model porch, look it over and decided that’s just what they want.  Then we build their porch and then they pull out their magnifying glass (and I mean that literally) to check it out.   I’m not suggesting that you should not inspect your project carefully to make sure you get what was promised.   I’m saying, you can’t expect your project to be at a higher level of quality than was promised – for the same money.  By seeing a project first hand, and inspecting it carefully, you know what to expect from that contractor.  If you want a higher quality, tell the contractor on the front end. The contractor should either decline the job if it is not in his skill set or step up to the challenge and charge you accordingly.  And you should expect to pay more for more finished work.

Subs versus Employees

There are different types of construction companies – contractors that have no employees but sub-contract their work.  Contractors that have some employees and some sub-contractors. Either system works.  For example, one contractor may not need a full time carpenter, electrician, roofer, etc.  To keep costs down, they employ them as needed.  If the contractor has been in business for a while, they have competent, loyal sub-contractors who will make themselves available to him as much as possible.  At The Porch Company, we need carpenters every day throughout the year. Therefore, they are our employees.    But we don’t need roofers and electricians every day, so we sub-contract that work to our well vetted team of subs.  Again, either system works.  We prefer to have as much work done by our employees as possible to insure quality, consistency and efficient scheduling.

Fixed Bid versus Cost Plus

I am very opinionated about this.  We work almost exclusively on a fixed bid basis.  I think even a contractor of integrity is tempted to fall into inefficiency in the cost plus world.  There’s just not a monetary incentive to keep costs down. By working on a fixed bid we must plan very well so we can be efficient with our time and materials to make a profit.  One might argue that the fixed bid contractor will be tempted to cut corners to save money.  The contractor’s reputation will be quickly ruined if they deliver an inferior project.  Another argument for cost plus – especially in remodeling – is that there are too many unknowns to be able to bid the job.  While there will be some surprises, a competent, experienced remodeler can anticipate most of these issues.

Contracts / Insurance / Permits

Always – ALWAYS – work from plans and a contract.  Not plans drawn on a napkin – very specific, detailed plans so you know what you are getting.  The contract should have the terms clearly laid out.  Our typical terms have a deposit on the front end equal to the final payment.  We take money on the front end to ensure that the client is committed to the project.  But that same amount is due for the final payment – when the client is 100% satisfied and ALL punch list items are completed.  The intermediate payments are based on progress.  For example, we might get a payment when the roof is shingled.  Do not base intermediate payments based on time (i.e. – in 2 weeks a payment is due.)  The client should see progress before a payment is due.

Make sure the contractor carries both liability and workman’s compensation insurance.  This is legally required because it helps protect the client from claims.  The best way to know this is to ask for a Certificate of Insurance.  Make sure the Certificate is mailed from the insurance company and is not a copy made by the contractor.

Make sure your contractor is licensed.  Contractors will have a monetary limit on the amount of a contract they can take.  Make sure your contractor can legally contract for your size project.

Ask your contractor if a permit is required.  If he says “no”, contact your building codes department and verify.    It is in the best interest of both the contractor and the client to have the job inspected.  Be suspicious of a contractor who tries to avoid getting a permit.   Also be suspicious of a contractor who asks the client to pull the permit.

Bottom Line

Please know that the vast majority of contractors are people of integrity that want to do the best job they can.  Many unfortunate situations with contractors result from the contractor getting out of their sweet spot rather than being unscrupulous people.  After you have thoroughly investigated your contractor, concluded that he/she is  a person of integrity,  has the skill to complete your job and is comfortable with the scope of work,  please trust your judgment.  Assume the positive!!!  Clients can cause themselves much angst by second guessing their contractor due to unfounded suspicions.  Assume mistakes are just that – mistakes.  Everyone makes mistakes and your contractor – being the person of integrity you determined him to be – will do the right thing!!!

Here’s to happy building!  It really is great fun!

Chuck is ready to install arches

The cypress is so beautiful with all of its different color hues.

Notice the cute little floor vents that we install in floors when they are close to the ground to prevent any major cupping.

This is a great option if you are off the ground and want

a fairly unobstructed view of the backyard.

No screen yet, however, we do that after we paint. In case you are wondering

Day 11 & 12 were rain days- so not much to show but puddles.