We just wanted to take a moment to tell all of you who voted for our blog in the “Best Construction Blog” competition THANK YOU! The voting for the competition lasted for two months and we finished in third place. This is even more amazing to us when we consider that we were unaware of the competition until two weeks before it ended. We rallied the troops and you, our loyal friends and readers came through for us as always. Below is an excerpt from the Construction Marketing Ideas Blog which hosted the competition:

“The Best Construction Blog and Forum contest has concluded and the voting results are in, but what do they mean?

Obviously, results from what essentially is a “get out the votes” competition provide a different perspective than we would discover from an independent judging panel.  They suggest, for example, that Bobby Darnell (http://www.buildingnewbusiness.com) in Atlanta has mastered the art of online viral relationships and networking, while Michael Stone (http://www.markupandprofit.com/blog) has the most enthusiastic and loyal followers, certainly judging by the positive comments associated with his votes.  Burgin Construction Inc. in California (http://www.burginconstructioninc.com/blog) , meanwhile, has proven that a local construction business can be a contender in an international competition.”  Click for More

Once again, thank you for your support not only in this competition but in our business in general. The true mark of a great company is not the company itself, but its customers and colleagues. And, we truly have the best of both!

Earlier this week we learned that the Burgin Construction Blog has been nominated for the Construction Marketing Marketing Ideas Best Construction Blog Competition! 39 blogs from across the nation were nominated for this competition and voting ends at 5pm on Sunday, February 28th, 2010. This is a huge honor for our company and it shows us that we are providing a service to our readers that they find informative as well as entertaining.

I have to say, I don’t think I’ve been this excited in a very long time! While Burgin Construction is a fantastic organization that has been honored for their outstanding service and workmanship many times over the years, this nomination is more dear to my heart. I truly love working for this company and enjoy reaching out to our friends, colleagues, and clients each week through the blog. And, before I very blatantly begin to beg for your votes in the competition, I want to thank each of you for taking the time to read our blog and providing your feedback. It is really a highlight of my week and I look forward to being able to share this communication with you for many years to come! Now the begging will commence 

To vote for the Burgin Blog as the “Best Construction Blog” please go to: http://www.constructionmarketingideas.com/the-best-construction-marketing-blog-competition/ and check off Burgin Construction, Inc. (we’re the 9th one down), fill out the info, and then submit. The only information you have to provide is your name and email address and if you don’t choose to be contacted by them or be on their mailing list you will not be. They are a highly reputable group and strictly adhere to their privacy policy.

Thank you again for all of your support!

Wow! It’s almost here! 2010 is just around the corner and, tonight, we will usher in a new decade. It has been quite a roller coaster ride this past year for us and for many of you as well, I’m sure. We’ve seen so many changes in the world from politics to technology and some major changes have taken place in the construction industry.

Over the next couple of weeks we’ll be touching on some of those changes and talk about what we expect remodeling and design trends will be. We’re looking forward to working with you all in 2010 and wish you a very safe and Happy New Year. See you in 2010!

This time of year is a time for reflection and gratitude for each and every person who has played a role in our lives over the past 12 months, no matter how small. Fortunately for us, there are entirely too many of you for us to do so in person. So, though it may seem impersonal, please accept this as a thank you for each and every one of you.

We could not accomplish all that we do without our wonderful Trade Partners and Vendors. We would never be able to provide the service and excellent quality work that we do without our amazing staff. And, we would have nothing to show for all of our hard work without our fantastic customers and their trust in us.

Thank you all for your part in making Burgin Construction a successful company. We hope you have a wonderful Holiday and we look forward to working with you in the new year!

With the holiday season in full swing we thought it would be nice to take this time to recognize one of our more recent additions to the Burgin Construction Family. Though he’s been a member of the family for well over a year now, he’s recently begun taking a more active interest in the company. He’s jumped into his new position with all 4 feet and seems to love his job. While we normally don’t advocate laying down on the job, it’s a process that seems to work well for him. Here is our new Production Manager, Tiger:

As you can see, he’s very much into his work. We’re pretty sure he’s working on some type of osmosis experimentation as he’s always so absorbed in his work he seems to be in a trance. And, while he’s not much of a talker, he definitely keeps everyone on their toes. Have a look at the photo below to check out Tiger hard at work on a “top secret” project we’re going to be starting after the new year. But shhhh, don’t tell anyone!

It’s time to Deck the Halls and, with the help of Audra Miller from AW Dezynes, we have some tips to make your home perfect for the holidays!

Begin The Show Outside- Pre-lit artificial garland and topiaries will set the stage for the main event waiting inside. Ornaments hung randomly from trees and other plants can add a lovely touch and a large wreath is a must for the entry door.

Set Your Color Scheme- Choose from the colors that you already have in your home to make it easier to decorate. Once you’ve picked a couple of basic colors choose from gold or silver accents to help blend the scheme throughout the home.

Start, Don’t Stop, With The Tree- While the tree may be the focal point of your home it also sets the stage. Barren walls and shelves will downplay a tree, no matter how ornate. Utilize garlands and wreaths on walls, banisters, railings and columns then add simple touches such as hanging stockings, lit villages and other nick-nacks to shelves and mantles.

Time To Set The Table- Whether your place settings will be elaborate or simple, a few small touches will add sparkle and a bit of magic to your dining table. Tie thin gold or silver ribbon into bows around wine glass stems, use matching gold or silver garland ties as napkin rings and place a single ornament in each bowl that will match your overall theme.

Take A “Bow”- No, not a bow for all the applause (though your beautiful decorating may very well deserve one). We’re talking about ribbons, and lots of them! Use coordinating ribbon to tie around chair backs, wind up columns, wrap basket handles, tie back curtains, and top off just about anything else in your home that you’d like to add a bit of holiday cheer to.

These are just a few simple ideas that can help make your holiday decorating smash hit. However, if you’re like me, and just can’t seem to find the time to get it all done you’re in luck! Audra offers holiday decorating services for both residential and commercial clients. She can help ease the stress of the holidays for you by taking care of all the designing, decorating, shopping, installation, tear-down and storage! Her team will utilize your existing decorations, enhance those with a few added touches or create a complete yuletide makeover to create your own personal winter wonderland! Contact her at 714-904-7431 for more information and see examples of her holiday decoration projects at http://www.awdezynes.com/holidaydecor.nxg.

Like most everyone else, we are looking back over the past year and thinking about what we are thankful for. And, while we are always thankful for our customers, employees and trade partners, that is more true this year than in any other. The economic issues that country and our state have faced have cost so many a great deal. Thanks to YOU, we are still here after 20 years and we want each of you to know that you are greatly appreciated!

Here are the things that some of the Burgin Construction team members are thankful for this year:

“I am thankful for my family and friends. In a year that has been filled with struggles they have all been there for me more than I could have ever expected.” ~Rhonda

“This year I am most thankful for our employees and trade partners. They have all pulled together to make our company look great and to provide our clients with the very best in service and quality.” ~Brad

“I’m thankful for my wife and our new baby boy. It’s been an eventful year and I’ve learned that family is the most important thing.” ~Eddy

“I am thankful for the many opportunities both personally and professionally that have come my way this year. I am truly blessed to have the network of friends and colleagues that I do, many of them through Burgin Construction.” ~Shannon

“I’m most thankful this year for my friends and family who are always there for me.” ~Tom

Earlier this week I was laid back and relaxed about the Thanksgiving holiday. Just my husband and I and our two girls. A nice, quiet, family Thanksgiving. I had planned out a simple menu with all the necessities and not a lot of effort required on my part. It would be a wonderful day with no hosting duties, nowhere to go and I was in complete control!

Then, my fantasy bubble burst. I ended up extending a last minute invitation to some friends of ours and their two girls. My Thanksgiving has now doubled in size and duties and, honestly, I’m a wreck! There are a hundred extra tasks on my list now for this week and a much larger menu. I have more cleaning and decorating on my to-do list and actually have to make sure everyone looks presentable at the table!

Don’t get me wrong; I’m happy, elated even, that we will have guests for the holiday. I come from a large family and Thanksgiving was always a HUGE event with more than 20 people each year. To me, it really isn’t Thanksgiving if I’m not making a huge meal, playing hostess and spending time with family and close friends. Though it puts more on my plate (literally and figuratively!), I’m very much looking forward to next Thursday.

In the interim though, I must put on the gloves and battle through the preparations and to-do’s in order to make this a perfect holiday for everyone involved. Here are some tips from Kohler and Susan Serra, CKD, CAPS – Susan Serra Associates, Inc. that can help make it easier whether you’re expecting a large or small group at your table:

Crowd Control- The crowd is at once fantastic to have around, and often, truth be told, in the way. Plan your seating strategy in advance.

Teamwork- Assistant chefs are our friends. Plan in advance what you may need help with. Be flexible. You may wish to assign tasks to a certain family member.

Plan Ahead- “Planning ahead and visualizing all of what you need and when you may need it, is a very big step toward stress-free entertaining.”

And just a few tips from me that always seem to help me maintain my sanity during holiday gatherings:

Make Lists- Lists can be your biggest asset when planning a gathering and will help you to ensure you don’t forget anything.

Allow Guests to Bring Items- Split the cooking and purchasing and it will save you time and money. Don’t require guests to bring anything (after all, you invited them!), but if they offer, jump on it!

Let the Kids Pitch In- They may not be able to help with much of the cooking  but they can definitely help in other ways. Ask them to do some of the special chores that we all try to get to when planning a gathering such as: wiping down baseboards, cleaning the fronts of cabinets and dusting. Putting them at the table with some crafts to do for decorations is a perfect way to keep them out from under your feet and get fantastic, cheap decorations for the meal! Have them create a centerpiece, place cards, and other cute items. You can get some great ideas from Disney’s Family Fun website.

The Orange Police Department has put together a fantastic list of tips for both Adults and Children to ensure that you have a safe and happy Halloween. The most important thing to remember is to have patience and pay attention to your surroundings at all times. You can click here for a printable copy of the tips from the Police Department.

Tips for Adults

• If attending parties, remember to not drink and drive. Always have a designated driver.
• Use extra care when driving on Halloween. There will be many pedestrians, especially children. Stay alert, be patient, and drive more slowly. Pay special attention when backing out of a driveway or parking space.
• Don’t drive with a mask on. It will limit visibility. Make sure your costume will not interfere with the safe operation of your vehicle.
• Keep pets indoors or secured in backyards. Costumes, heavy pedestrian traffic and unusual noises could create difficult situations involving your pets.
• Make sure the front of your home is illuminated and free of tripping hazards.

Tips for Trick-or-Treaters

• Where possible, trick-or-treating should be done before dark.
• Children should be accompanied by adults or older siblings.
• Those accompanying children should carry a cell phone for emergency calls.
• Openly discuss with children appropriate and inappropriate behavior at Halloween time.
• Remind children not to eat treats until they have been inspected. Adults should inspect candy and discard any unwrapped, spoiled or unusual items.
• Trick-or-Treaters are more visible in a group.
• Never cut through alleys or vacant lots.
• Remind children never to enter the home or vehicle of a stranger.
  Children should carry flashlights and wear something reflective to make them more visible after dark.
• Remain on sidewalks and only cross in crosswalks.
• Never assume the driver of a vehicle sees you.
• Immediately report suspicious activity to the police.

  THE ORANGE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND BURGIN CONSTRUCTION WISH YOU A SAFE AND FUN HALLOWEEN!

While I am a blogger, I am also an avid blog reader, especially when it pertains to the Home Improvement industry. I generally am a major stickler for ensuring that our blogs are original and that I am not simply repeating what someone else has said but today will be a bit different. During my usual rounds of my regular blogs this week I came across one that had some really fantastic ideas. So, I decided to share it with our readers, of course, with a link back to the original source – Ecohome Magazine (www.ecohomemagazine.com).

As always, if you need help with any of your Home Improvement projects please give us a call at 714-558-1094 or visit our website at www.burginconstructioninc.com!

Simple steps—from visual tricks to ventilation—can help maximize smaller house plans.   -   By: Katy Tomasulo

With the shrinking economy and a growing interest in sustainable building, many pros and consumers are opting for smaller footprints that make more efficient use of space without sacrificing style or luxury.

Excel Homes, a Pennsylvania-based manufacturer of custom modular homes, offers a broad range of styles and sizes. Steven Saffell, director of architectural design and innovation for the company, offers up these trends and tips for maximizing space and altering the illusion of size without giving up amenities or comfort.

1. Combine spaces, but define them. The trend toward great rooms connecting the kitchen to the living room and/or dining room has remained for some time. To continue that vast, open feel but still define each space, incorporate subtle room separation with columns, by changing the floor height with a sunken sitting area, or by simply changing the flooring. Excel Homes is incorporating “visually connected room dividers,” a more stylish twist on the passé half wall. These include two-sided fireplaces between the kitchen and living room or built-in bookcases with see-through glass backs.

2. Find a happy medium for ceiling heights. A desire for energy efficiency has started to trump consumers’ need for soaring ceilings. To maintain the grand effect of a high ceiling, incorporate soffits or trim to create shadow lines; sculpted ceilings create interest and draw the eye upward, Saffell says.

3. Connect with the outdoors. Well-thought-out outdoor spaces are increasingly extending livable space outside the home’s footprint. Connect them to the indoors with larger or multiple patio doors.

4. Get organized. Clutter can make smaller spaces feel cramped and uncomfortable. Use the “ship-building” theory of “a place for everything” by thinking out where everyday items, such as vacuum cleaners, will go. Upgrade closets with built-in organization systems rather than just rods. “Organize their lives as well as their outfits,” says Saffell.

5. Let in the light. Daylighting goes beyond installing extra traditional windows with typical views. Something as simple as installing a ribbon of windows above or below kitchen cabinets can help brighten up the space and make it feel larger. In bathrooms, high, narrow windows let in light while maintaining privacy; transoms on interior bedroom walls are another option.

6. Keep the air moving. Stagnant air can make a home feel tight. Design for air movement, including clerestory windows and interior transoms.

7. Future-proof unused space. Outfit unfinished basements and walk-up attics with wiring and plumbing in anticipation of future remodeling.

8. Leave the master suite alone. Though square footage of master bedrooms may be down slightly, the desire for an escape is keeping the cozy, well-appointed master suite on the top of homeowners’ lists. Saffell says the master bath, like the kitchen, is still an area buyers are willing to pay more for. They also still want a separate tub, but are more likely to outfit the shower with jets and select a soaking tub instead, “investing more in the things they’re going to use on a daily basis.”

To view and comment on Excel Homes’ latest design ideas, visit the manufacturer’s Drawing Board blog at www.exceldrawingboard.com.

Katy Tomasulo is Deputy Editor for EcoHome.