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There is various equipment used in construction; one of the most prominent and complicated equipment is the cement truck or cement mixer. Way before introducing this equipment, cement and concrete have been used in buildings for ages, but the cement mixer has changed how the industry works.

The History

The concrete truck was developed by Stephen Stepanian, who applied for its patent in 1916. The truck replaced the horse-drawn concrete mixer, which was in use at the time. However, the development of technology at that time made it difficult for the machine to function effectively. Later in the 1940s, the automobile industry saw the need for a truck capable of transporting unset and wet concrete due to the boom in the construction industry after the second world war. 

Today, these trucks have developed dramatically in mechanics, even if the initial design hasn’t changed much. Most trucks include a truck frame, rotating mixer, and engine. There is a big motor on the truck that has nothing to do with the engine; this motor rotates the mixer on the back of the truck, mixing the water, aggregate, and cement and ensuring it remains in motion. The constant motion ensures that the concrete does not set until it is poured. However, there is a time limit between when the mixed concrete is loaded into the truck and when it must be poured. Most manufacturers recommend a maximum of 90 minutes, with less than one hour being better.

The new truck mixers’ new design now includes a separate water tank, which allows it for the concrete mixture not to be mixed. These days, only the dry mix is loaded, and when the cement truck gets to the construction site, it is mixed with the water stored in the tank. However, many construction companies still use transit mixers.

Types of Mixers

The most common types of concrete trucks are metered and volumetric mixers. Either of these truck types are used mostly on the construction site. The trucks have separate tanks for water, aggregate, and cement. There is a computer connected to the pumps and augurs. With these types of trucks, the customer can determine the kind of concrete they want on the site. The metric and volumetric mixers are usually used when constructing high rise buildings. You can pair these trucks with pumper trucks to deliver concrete to locations far high up.

The Design of Cement Truck in Relation to Its Function

Regardless of the type of concrete, they all come heavy. For trucks to cope with this weight, they are built to be heavy-duty and tough. Most trucks are made based on the function and what the company that is ordering it asks for. They are powered by engines between 250 to 400 Horsepower and fueled with the engine. Diesel engines offer a higher torque at lesser engine RPM when compared to similar gas engines. This is why they are most preferred in cement trucks, which have a lot of high-power and low-speed applications. The trucks are built to be rugged.

Conclusion

The maintenance of cement trucks is essential if you want them to last. This is not restricted to mechanical maintenance but also cleaning of the trucks and clearing out cement residue.

Adding a patio to your home offers you an outdoorsy place to relax with family and friends while enjoying nature’s delights. It adds to your house value and also makes it more beautiful.  You can use various materials in building a patio; these include pavers, flagstones, bricks, slate, and concrete. While each of these materials has advantages, this article focuses on concrete patios and the various styles that you can construct.

Concrete patios offer varieties in designs, shapes, and finishes. Its ductility and durability mean you can build according to your peculiar taste and be assured that your patio will last for years, unlike other materials easily affected by weather conditions. A concrete patio can be finished with materials such as rock salt, stamped inlays, tiles, etc. Take a look at this article from Oahu Concrete Professionals and see what they have to say!

PATIO STYLES

Each homeowner has a unique taste that reflects in the home; these tastes can also reflect in the patio. You can build your patio in different styles using concrete, and we examine some of those styles below.

DINING PATIO

Thinking about switching up where you eat once in a while because the dining room can get boring, an outdoor dining patio is something you can build with concrete. You have to make sure it’s large enough to take a dining table and chairs, and you can spend the evening there eating dinner with friends and family. If you’re thinking of building this, it is best to build it close to the backdoor or an outdoor kitchen so that food can be easily moved from the kitchen to the patio. With a dining patio, you can enjoy a great meal, awesome table conversations, and nature. And of course, you can still use it even when you’re not eating there. 

BISTRO PATIO

If you have a small backyard space that you want to put to good use, a bistro patio is right for you. With a size of at least 6 feet by 6 feet, you have enough space for a small table with at least two chairs. Building a bistro patio within a garden is one of the most efficient ways to make your garden a beautiful place and a functional one. If you have a little more set aside for the construction, you can add a wall fountain to the patio to compliment it.

LIVING ROOM PATIO

Create an outdoor living room where you and your family can go when you’re tired of being indoors. This patio style usually has a fire pit or fireplace, deep seating furniture, and a shade structure. Ensure that it is large enough to accommodate everyone.

SUNDECK PATIO

This is the type of patio you should build when you have a swimming pool in your backyard or live in a beach house. It is a great place to enjoy the sunshine and relax. It is furnished with outdoor chaise lounges that have comfortable and soft cushions. Ensure that the patio space is large enough to accommodate the lounge, usually two by six feet.

CONCLUSION

There are many other patio styles, and those above are only the most popular. The one you go with will depend on your home and your unique needs. Always ensure the patio is big enough to accommodate your needs and ensure proper maintenance to prevent cracks and other damages.

Are you living or thinking of buying a property in Hawaii and you need a concrete contractor to help you with building construction or repairs and remodeling? Finding the right ones for your job can be difficult, especially if you’re new to the area or your first construction. This is why we have compiled this list of ten concrete contractors that will provide you quality and top-notch services.

CAA Hawaii Cabinet:

They are based in Honolulu and offer various services which include bathroom remodeling, kitchen remodeling, home building, and addition of rooms. They are general contractors, so if you are looking for a contractor that will handle all aspects of your construction, you’re in safe hands. They are known for quality service at affordable costs.

Oahu Tub Experts:

They provide quality services in three areas; home remodeling, bathroom remodeling, and kitchen remodeling. If you’re on the island and you’re looking to repair or install a tub, this is the contractor to call. Their response time is within ten minutes, so you can easily contact then online and get the quotation.

Structural Preservation Systems:

They are based in Honolulu and provides concrete services such as constructing pavements, sidewalks, and driveways; Laying foundation; seismic retrofit, flatwork concrete, etc. With a BuildZoom score that ranks them above 95% of the over three thousand concrete contractors in Hawaii, it is safe to say they offer quality services. They are very experienced with over 62 projects in the last three years.

The Pavement Group:

This company provides concrete and asphalt services such as paving, seal coating, repairs, crack sealing, line stripping, etc. As a nationwide contractor, it provides concrete services both on a large and small scale. This contractor has years of experience working on multimillion-dollar projects and resurfacing works and has a team of construction professionals who are action-oriented and dedicated to providing customers with the best service with quality materials. If you’re looking to build a driveway either for your home or commercial building, The Pavement Group is your best bet.

Jenson Brothers:

They provide concrete services such as pouring and installation, resurfacing and repairs, sidewalks, patios, slabs, and driveways, foundation, porches, steps, and walkways, parking lots and curbs, Landscape edging, fences, and retaining wall, removal, sawing and cutting, decorative concrete and overlays. They also function as general contractors for both commercial and residential buildings. Their services are professional and will satisfy your needs and requirements.

Oahu Concrete Professionals

Providing a wide array of concrete services all around Oahu. Oahu Concrete Professionals is function as the number one provide of concrete slabs, patios, and pools on island. They pride themselves on their five star ratings and perfect customer service history. They will go above and beyond what other concrete contractors will do in order to provide a high quality service.

TIPS ON CHOOSING A CONTRACTOR

• Ensure that the contractor is licensed, and the license is still valid and confirms that the business is registered.
• Ensure that the contractor is insured
• You can use the internet to find contractors, but it also helps to get referrals from friends.
• Compare contractors using local reviews and quotations before you make a final choice.
• Ask questions so that you and the contractor understand each other.

CONCLUSION

There are thousands of concrete contractors operating within Hawaii. When choosing, it is only best to choose one that is close to you. You can do this with various platforms by inputting your zip code.

The idea of a custom home is to build a house that fits your particular tastes for your residence. But there are instances when you are building a custom house, not for yourself, but as an investment to flip for profit. Doing this can be very tricky as you don’t know what your potential buyer will want exactly, and what you consider to be a custom home will not precisely be custom for the buyer. In such a tricky situation, it is essential to know the right steps if you are to recoup your investments and make a profit off your custom house. Here are the things you need to take note of to do that.

What is House Flipping

House flipping is when an investor builds or buys a property only with the intention of reselling it as quickly as possible for profit. This has become a huge and profitable real estate business in recent years and will only keep rising. In 2019 alone, over six percent of house sales were flipped properties. There are different ways in which a house can be flipped. One is to buy the home, renovate and update it, then sell it at a profit. Another is to buy a house in a hot real estate market, hold on to it for a few months, then sell it for profit without any update or renovation. The third is to build the house, then sell it upon completion. The third option has many advantages and when done right it is less risky than buying a home and renovating it. One advantage is that you can flip the house like brand new since it has never been lived in, which makes it more attractive to your buyers.

Tip for Building and Flipping a House For Property

Have a well-defined budget: A budget is essential for any construction process, but when you are building a custom home to sell, it is compulsory if you want to make a profit. Having a budget will let you avoid unnecessary cost overruns, know the risk you are assuming, and help you with financing. This is important because lenders prefer a borrower who knows what he is getting into. So, breakdown all the construction expenses to the smallest details.

Assemble a team: the team can make or break your construction process. If you are a newbie in the construction business with no experience in house building, then you should pay attention to this. Your team includes your banker, building contractor, and sales help. Don’t be afraid to sample opinions and get recommendations before selecting them. Remember, this is your resource.

Location: The location is arguably the most important thing apart from the house itself. The buyers are not only buying the wonderful custom home you have built; they are buying your location too. So, go for a premium location that offers all the things that anyone with an interest in a custom home like yours will like. For instance, if your custom home is a family home, an area with a low crime rate, good schools, favorable tax rates, and other relevant details are essential. Also, when picking a location, you should look into areas that show the increased sale of the estate, employment growth, and other signs that the area is thriving. If many houses are on sale in an area, it might be a sign of a depressed economy or another problem. So don’t rush into house building in the area, until you are very familiar with the location.

Design the right blueprint: Most builders make the mistake of designing a house so unique that it becomes impossible or difficult to flip. Avoid this mistake. Even though you’re planning a custom home, always consider the current developments and trends in the housing market and find a way to incorporate some of them into your custom house. All the details such as the type of bathrooms that are appreciating in the market, the features of the homes that are selling fast, layouts, and floor plans. All of this should be considered and utilized in a customized way for your construction. This usually means going for the right architects and designers, and working overtime with them to craft a house that would be agreeable and desirable to a lot of people. Remember, you’re not building the house to live in there, it is for sale.

Set mini-deadlines for milestones: nothing pushes the construction process forward like using deadlines. Before you even start your project, discuss with your contractor, and set dates for completion of specific works in the house. For instance, dates to pour the foundation, drywall the home, frame the house, complete the building, etc. Such deadlines before the work starts will be a major drive for you and the contractor as well.

Understand the market: The real estate market is very much like the stock market; there is no stability. Maybe you have just built a house and flipped it for a considerable profit. It is possible to let the euphoria get to you and lead you to make your next investment, perhaps in the same area. This is not always a good choice. The period between selling one house and building another is long enough for the market to change drastically. So make sure you fully understand the real estate trends before getting into the business of house flipping. It will help if you work with a real estate agent that is familiar with the area. When picking a real estate agent, go for experience and track records, even if that means a little costlier.

Explore options to lower initial capital: When building a custom house for sale, the only thing you should not cut back on is the quality. Apart from that, look for ways to reduce initial capital. Take advantage of any incentive offered by the builder and also make sure you have an excellent credit score as this will help you in securing more favorable finance. 

Conclusion

When you choose to go into the business of flipping houses, you should start networking with potential buyers even before the home is finished. Learn to identify a good deal and don’t shoot for a profit margin that is too high, this is a business with risks attached, and you should be capable of handling such risks efficiently. For more information on real estate and home remodeling visit the link above.