Collier Construction News
By Cathy Collier | February 18, 2008
Hello! Collier Construction has started the year off with a bang! Thank you to all who came out last month in support of our sponsorship of Green Drinks. We had a great time seeing, meeting and reconnecting with each of you. The opportunity to share our Harper Street plans was something we had wanted to do for a long time and Green Drinks was the perfect forum to do so. We appreciate your words of encouragement as we endeavor to inform the community about how we build differently. We are dedicated to bringing you green building and green living options. For further information about Harper Street see our website at www.collierbuild.com
Featured Project: Wamack Residence
By Cathy Collier | February 18, 2008
Featuring the Wamack residence was not a difficult choice. In December I took "before" pictures of the house, after hearing that the project would probably be our most complex renovation and addition to date. The roof had to be completely removed and existing interior walls were demolished making openings for new support posts for a second story. The rear sidewalk and patio slab were demolished for the new footings and foundation to enlarge the kitchen and family room. Amazingly the home will approximately double in size, from 1500 sq. ft. to 2900 sq. ft., giving this family a Master suite and bathroom, two new bedrooms and an additional bathroom. The new addition includes Kolbe and Kolbe windows and exterior doors that will interface perfectly with the rest of the house. The installation of Hardie staggered shake siding will only add to the richness of this home's presence in the neighborhood. We believe the real difference can be seen in the photos!
Home Maintenance Tip
By Cathy Collier | February 18, 2008
Remodeling is the best and cheapest way to have the home you want without moving. No secret there. Often we are not ready to have our kitchens torn up or bathrooms out of commission while contractors are doing the remodel. You can however prepare yourself domestically, as well as mentally before the construction even begins, making the experience less painful. Remodeling your home is one of the most intensive activities you can be involved in regarding your home. At its basic level a remodeling project requires hundreds of decisions. Once you have made the decision to remodel, next to choosing project plans and a contractor, the following should help you as you plan your new project:
- Understand that a certain amount of mess will occur within your home. By covering open doorways with plastic, laying carpet pieces and covering large pieces of furniture with sheets, you will find that some of the dirt, dust and grim can be confined.
- Your remodeling project plan might allow for 8 weeks to completion. 8 weeks on paper will look a whole lot shorter than 8 weeks will feel without a kitchen or bathroom though. Plan your project after holidays and while children are in school. If possible create a comfortable living or kitchen space away from the construction.
- Anticipate changes. We strive to have a project completed in a timely manner but as you see your project progress you may want to change the plan. Understand changes take more time
Volunteer: Get on the Map
By Cathy Collier | February 18, 2008
Collier Construction will be turning 6 years old in April 2008. To celebrate another incredible year we are asking 60 of you, our past and present customers, to have a Collier Construction sign put in your yard for the month of April. Our motivation is twofold. Our first goal is to communicate that Collier Construction has been around for awhile. The second is to say that we enjoyed working on your home and that we would love to work in your neighborhood and your community. We are asking that you, our Collier Construction community, help us remind others that we have worked in your neighborhood. We expect this effort to be a whole lot of fun and hope you'll consider helping us. If you are interested in volunteering, simply reply to this email, say "put me on the map". We have already heard from several of you, but think many of you still would like the chance but my email link did not work. Thank you.
A Note From Ethan
By Ethan Collier | February 18, 2008
If you joined us for Green Drinks we hope you picked up our business card with Collier Construction's new slogan, "Building a Better Way" printed on it. Previously our marketing material has consistently followed a pattern that is simple, plainly said, and to the point. Our goal has been to engage with the community by communicating our true feelings about what we do. The Signal Mountain baseball field signs, read "Nice Seats" and "AHHH", then in small print "seats refurbished by Collier Construction". On Main Street you might see signs on our building projects or you may have seen any one of three bill boards that read "We Believe in Main Street", "Collier Construction." In the Mountain Mirror or the Pulse you might find an ad that says "Home" with how we think of homes all of the time and love remodeling them. Last month our invitation to Green Drinks said it plain and simple "Cheers". Early last year we spent months working on how to communicate that we build both residential and commercial before we realized that we could just say it. Now under our logo you will find the words "Residential and Commercial". Pretty brilliant don't you think? Last month we released our new slogan "Building a Better Way" and I believe that though slightly more complex and a bit deeper, like "home" or "cheers" it sums up exactly what we mean in four words.
For Collier Construction "building a better way" is something we have been doing since we started. We pride ourselves in the fact that we were implementing green building techniques when most folks thought green building was something you grew plants in. Our new slogan "building a better way" doesn't just address the method and science behind the way we build. The word "way" in one since, is a method in which we build. It is the sustainable practices and green building at its most basic level. The word "way" also communicates the direction in which we are going and the path that we are building. It speaks to the way in which we deal with our customers and the relationships we have with them. It describes in just one sentence how we believe our employees should be treated and provided for. It tells those who read it that we will work towards what is right and good for our community.
I'm excited about our new slogan, it is fun to have this one, short, four word piece that communicates so much about Collier Construction and what we are doing. I do want to express my personal thanks to all of you who have supported us through the last several years. Collier Construction has become a pillar in this community, our values and our ideals have found their niche in the hearts of the people of Chattanooga. I love what we are doing, and I love that you are behind us; it's been a great joy to be a part of such a great movement. Thank you Ethan
