The Benefits of Switching to LED Lighting

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LED Lighting is energy efficient, durable, long lasting and very versatile. Switching to LEDs can help lower your utility bills and withstand any hard and rough conditions. 

What does LED stand for? 

LED stands for "light-emitting diode." A diode is an electrical element with two terminals which conduct the electricity only in one direction. Previously diodes were used in many technologies such as televisions, radios and computers.

According to LEDLuxour, there are 10 benefits of using LED Lighting.

  1. Long Life - the operational life time expectation is up to 11 years of continuous operation
  2. Energy Efficiency - LEDs help to lower your utility bills
  3. Ecologically Friendly - LEDs contain no toxic materials and are 100% recyclable
  4. Durable Quality - LED lights are resistant to shock, vibrations and external impacts therefore making them a great option for outdoor lighting
  5. Zero UV Emissions
  6. Designs Flexibility - LEDs can easily be formed to fit any shape
  7. Operational in Extremely Cold or Hot Temperatures
  8. Light Dispersement
  9. Instant Lighting and Frequent Switching
  10. Low-Voltage - LEDs power source requires low voltage to operate

LEDs are the most efficient lights available on the market.  For more information on LEDs check out EnergyStar.gov.

Hydro-Stop is the Perfect Product for Waterproofing

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Hydro-Stop is a well used product in Commercial Construction. This product is one of the best used for roofing and waterproofing projects. We recently used Hydro-Stop at one of our job sites. Our project was to waterproof concrete pads on an existing roof with a coating and fabric, Hydro-Stop was our choice!  

Hydro-Stop offers a variety of different products:

  • PremiumCost System - Leak-Proof Roof System
  • BarrierGuard - Leak-Proof Wall System
  • FlexCoat - Premium Grade Elastomeric Wall Coating
  • Kymax - Highly Durable Colorfast Premium Roof Finish Coat
  • StableRust Primer - Acrylic Direct to Metal Anti-corrosion Primer, to Stabilize & Protect Metal Surfaces
  • SureBond Primer - Acrylic Primer to Prepare Masonry & Chalky Surfaces
  • TrafficCoat - Slip-Resistant Deck & Walkway

How Do I Choose a General Contractor?

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Choosing a General Contractor is extremely important for your project. Watch out for unusually low bides. Most people will get at least three bids for comparison purposes. A common practice of unscrupulous contractors is to first get your business by throwing out an extremely low bid on the project and then try to make a contract that is as vague as possible, leaving room for them to cut corners, take longer than expected, or both. If you have multiple bids it enables you to choose to discard any that seem "too low" in comparison to the others. 

Interviewing for the Job

  • Set up appointments with at least three contractors, and don't hesitate to expand your list. The more, the better. Estimates are free, and you may leave with good ideas, even if you don't end up choosing that contractor for the job.
  • This is not a time for trust. Ask for everything from proof of worker's compensation insurance to any licenses that the State of Hawaii requires. Most importantly, ask for references from recent jobs. When you call, it doesn't hurt to ask if the homeowner is willing to let you see the work that was done. 
  • The bids you receive from contractors should be in writing and should include these four points:
    1. Details of the work to be done
    2. Materials that will be used
    3. A time frame for the work to be completed 
    4. A firm price
  • When comparing each contractor make sure you give the same specs for the job you are want an estimate for, otherwise known as a bid. It may be tempting to choose the contractor on the basis of price but make sure to take a look at the details of the bid, especially the work to be done and the materials to be used.
  • If your project requires remodeling rather than an addition, be sure to choose a contractor who has a lot of experience in remodeling and not just construction. This is important because remodeling requires a lot of rerouting, replumbing, and working an an existing structure and infrastructure.