Monumental Renovation: Risky Business

Static Overview

This is the story of a very special house that has seen a lot of changes since it was built in 1914. Our company, Dovetail Construction, has been in the business of high performance and sustainable renovation since 1987. The scope of the renovation is in fact “monumental” and it actually sits on the renowned Monument Avenue in Richmond, VA. The house was originally built for William Schwarzchild and designed by the architect D. Wiley Anderson. It went from being a single family residence to the home of the Senior Center of Richmond thanks to the hard work from the ladies of the Junior League of Richmond. As progress is made to take the house back to it’s original use as a single family home, we are fortifying it with the best resources, and technology available to make it last at least another 100 years.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Risky Business

When in demolition mode, it is best to prepare well and mitigate risk as much as possible . There are any number of things that might happen and a good contractor is prepared for the worst. As a general contractor, experience, expertise, ample insurance and financial stability are all paramount. High caliber subcontractors that are well insured professionals are also very important. Verify that the people working for you can do what they say they will do and that they are financially sound. Ask your contractor for a certificate of insurance. It looks like this:

If you don't hire companies with adequate insurance, you assume their liability and more. Unless you look better than a pant-less Tom Cruise in Wayfarers, it's ill advised.

Even then, it is a risky business...

Here we are at the inherited windowless split-face block addition. It looks a lot like a fortress but you will see that this fortress has met its match...