Boston Brick & Stone's online newsletter before August 2017
THE MASONRY MONTHLY
AUGUST ·2017
2005 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103 | 626-296-7700 | www.bostonbrick.com
Navigating the Permitting Process
When Experience Makes the Difference
I n Southern California, getting a permit for a wood-burning fireplace can be next to impossible. This is as true of the average homeowner as it is for a general contractor. It often comes down to not knowing the regulations governing the installation of wood-burning fireplaces — and there are a lot. When applying for a permit to build or install a fireplace, many, if not most, general contractors do not know the regulations well enough to navigate the permit office and receive an approval. At the same time, someone working in the permit department may not be aware of what is allowed and what isn’t. As a result, the permit clerk may end up miscommunicating regulations to the contractor, leaving the contractor empty-handed and the client disappointed. The fact is, permits are granted for wood-burning fireplaces under certain circumstances. Another thing to keep in mind is that not every city or municipality is the same, even within the greater Los Angeles area. With so many permit departments a contractor may end up working with, navigating the system can be a pain. That’s why it’s so important to work with an expert who knows the permitting process to the letter. When it comes down to it, we have the experience and the stone cold knowledge of what is allowed and what is not. When you’ve been in the chimney and fireplace business for 25 years, you learn a thing or two about fireplace permits — or in our case, just about everything there is to know. Over the years, we’ve learned how to navigate the permit office. That includes talking to the clerks. We know what’s allowed and what’s not from Pasadena to Santa Ana and everywhere in between.
All too often, contractors are told “no” by the permit office. They accept that answer as the gospel truth and assume that’s the case going forward. The contractor then communicates that to the client, and the client does not get the fireplace they requested. On top of knowing our way around the current regulations, Boston Brick & Stone comes with industry-leading expertise that makes us the best candidates to build and install any wood-burning fireplace, as well as the accompanying chimney. Our team of high-end masons have years of experience working with contractors and putting those well-earned permits to work. Simply put, if a client comes to you asking for a wood-burning fireplace, you don’t have to worry, and you don’t have to tell them no. We know what to do, and we have you covered. If you’ve been denied by the permit office, we can look over your plans and see what we can do to get your project on track. Just remember that the people in the permit department aren’t the bad guys. They’re working to the best of their abilities. Put yourself in their shoes. If you had to deal with as many rules and regulations as they do on a daily basis, you’d issue your fair share of denials as well. It’s safer to say no than to risk the potential consequences. The next time a client requests a wood-burning fireplace and chimney, give us a call first. Ask for Dave Laverdiere, and let’s chat about it. I can give you the insight you need to move forward and deliver stellar results.
Dave Laverdiere
www.bostonbrick.com |
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RENOVATING REALITY
Home improvement and renovation shows are as fun to watch as they are frustrating. They can be inspiring when you see design elements you want to incorporate into your own home. And they can be infuriating as you watch a design expert or homeowner make a questionable choice.
feeling of instant gratification. For younger would-be home remodelers, a real home reno can be an eye-opener when they realize just how much time investment it requires — even if it’s a single-room reno. HOME RENOVATION IS EXPENSIVE. And speaking of the investment, even a seemingly simple remodel project can break budgets. Unlike the average homeowner, home improvement shows get to defer some of that cost. Every home renovation show is one big commercial, and they get steep discounts
But one thing’s for sure: Home renovation shows are more popular than ever, making up a bulk of HGTV’s programming.
However, not everything is as it seems; lurking behind the scenes are truths that don’t make it to broadcast.
when they use specific products and manufacturers. Sometimes, they get materials for free. On top of that, TV shows often cut corners to minimize costs.
HOME RENOVATION IS TIME- CONSUMING. To cut costs and speed up renovation times, on-TV contractors often use cheap, quick-to-install materials. On camera, these materials can be dressed up to look Instagram-worthy, but in reality, they probably won’t last long in the real- world home environment. They want it to look as good as possible in the shortest amount of time, and the camera can hide a lot of the disappointment.
HOME RENOVATION IS BORING. If you’ve ever been involved in a
home remodel, you know that from start to finish, the process isn’t that interesting and can take weeks or even months. Shows leave out many of the dull details, giving viewers a
OUR SERVICES
TESTIMONIAL Here’s what a happy client had to say about one of our services. “Boston Brick & Stone redid my fireplace and chimney about a year ago. They are very professional and did a fabulous job. This year I was shopping around for solar and found they also do solar installation. Not only did they come in with the BEST bid, but they did an amazing job. Excellent team of workers. I highly recommend them and would hire them again if the need should arise.”
CHIMNEY
•Chimney inspection •Chimney restoration and repair •Chimney construction •Chimney sweeping
FIREPLACE •Fireplace inspection, restoration, or repair of an existing structure •Installation or reconstruction of new structures HARDSCAPE •Backyard patios
•Outdoor kitchens and barbecues •Outdoor steps, walkways, and paths •Retaining walls •Outdoor fireplaces •Driveways
HISTORICAL RESTORATION Our restoration work includes: •Restoration of the main lobby chimney system of the El Tovar Hotel on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. •Repair and restoration of the chimneys in 56 original historic cabins on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. •Historical chimney restoration for the lodge in Bryce Canyon National Park. •Faithful restoration of the chimneys in the Nottingham and Arden properties in Beverly Hills. BRICK RESTORATION AND CONSTRUCTION DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION
– Lisa B.
2 | 626-296-7700
WHEN IS THE TIME FOR A FIREPLACE RESTORATION?
When a fireplace is damaged or installed improperly, an inspection may be necessary. An inspection by a qualified fireplace and chimney expert will help you determine what to do next. After all, a damaged fireplace, or one that does not meet current building codes, could pose a serious hazard to people, pets, or anyone else in the home. At Boston Brick & Stone, we recommend a fireplace inspection at least once a year or after a major event such as an earthquake. Fireplaces and chimneys are susceptible to damage that homeowners are often unaware of. In older homes with less frequent inspection, the risk can be even greater. Our masonry contractors have the skill and training need to repair and restore fireplaces, backed by 25 years of experience in the field. Even if you are not aware of a specific issue that needs to be addressed, it’s always worth it to schedule a fireplace inspection as a homeowner or a general contractor. An inspection will determine if the fireplace meets appropriate safety standards, while giving us the information we need to move forward. This includes giving you any repair recommendations should we determine a repair is necessary.
Our masonry specialists are trained and skilled in all aspects of fireplace restoration, including:
• Building materials • Structural integrity
• Current safety codes
We know you have a lot of fireplace inspection and repair companies to choose from. There is a reason we have been chosen time and time again for fireplace repair and restoration throughout Pasadena and the Greater Los Angeles area. At Boston Brick & Stone, we are not only known for our high-quality workmanship but our dedication to complete customer satisfaction.
MEME CORNER
GRILLED MEXICAN STREET CORN
Ingredients
• ¼ cup mayonnaise • ¼ cup sour cream • ½ cup finely crumbled feta cheese • ½ teaspoon chili powder
• 1 medium clove garlic, minced • ¼ cup finely chopped cilantro leaves • 4 ears corn, shucked • 1 lime, cut into wedges
Directions
1. Set burners of gas grill to high heat and allow to preheat for 5 minutes. 2. Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, cheese, chili powder, garlic, and cilantro in large bowl. Stir until well combined and set aside. 3. Place corn on hot grill, rotating occasionally. Grill until cooked through and charred in spots on all sides, for about 8 minutes. 4. Transfer corn to bowl with cheese mixture and use large spoon to evenly coat each ear on all sides. Sprinkle with extra cheese and chili powder and serve immediately with lime wedges.
Recipe inspired by seriouseats.com.
3 www.bostonbrick.com |
SERVING THE GREATER LOS ANGELES AREA
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
2005 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103 | 626-296-7700 | www.bostonbrick.com
INSIDE
page 1
Navigating the Permitting Process
page 2
The Truth Behind Your Favorite Home Improvement Shows
page 2
Testimonial
page 3
Is It Time for a Fireplace Restoration?
page 3
Grilled Mexican Street Corn
page 4
View of a Lifetime
VIEW OF A LIFETIME
On August 21, 2017, the greatest show of the summer will take place in the United States: a total solar eclipse! This eclipse will be visible across North America, but the path of totality — the area where the moon completely covers the sun — will only fall in the continental U.S., leading this cosmic event to be called the Great American Eclipse.
If you’re already in the United States, a day’s road trip is all you need to grab a front row seat for this rare astronomical occurrence.
Columbia, South Carolina Need a place to watch the eclipse in the southern U.S.? Then get yourself to South Carolina, where the state capital of Columbia is almost right in the middle of the path of totality. Plenty of hotels make Columbia a great viewing location for those who don’t want to camp out, and the vibrant city life means you’ll have a lot to do even when the eclipse is over. Sandhills, North Platte, Nebraska In the heartlands, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more perfect viewing location than the Sandhills of western Nebraska. With wide-open skies, low rolling hills, and no towering buildings to get in the way, the Sandhills are sure to be a popular viewing spot.
The Museum of Idaho, Idaho Falls, Idaho The Museum of Idaho has been designated an Official NASA Observation Site, and the museum is hosting four days of awesome events to celebrate. Enjoy live presentations, technology demonstrations, and special exhibits as you prepare to watch the total eclipse with NASA scientists. Visit the official website of the Great American Eclipse at greatamericaneclipse.com for everything you need to know about this once-in-a-lifetime sight!
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