What does a general contractor need to know when working with sub‐contractors? FAQ # 20

What does a general contractor need to know when working with sub‐contractors?
A. The person/firm who has the contract with the homeowner to conduct renovation work must be a certified firm and is responsible for all reporting requirements. While it is strongly recommended that all companies involved in a renovation are certified, a general contractor can hire an uncertified lead safe renovator sub‐contractor as long as the following is met:
o The general is responsible for assuring that other companies are properly trained and certified for the tasks they will perform and that work is performed per the work practice standards
o An uncertified sub‐contractor may not be in the work area while paint is being disturbed
o An uncertified sub‐contractor cannot disturb more than 6 sq feet of interior surfaces, 20 sq feet of exterior surfaces or remove or replace windows
o The general contractor must educate the uncertified sub‐contractor on:
The requirement to keep barriers and containment up, intact, and secured
The requirements of entering and exiting the contained work area
o The general contractor that hires a subcontractor is also responsible for lead‐safe renovation violations committed by the sub.

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DEGNAN DESIGN BUILDERS WINS 2010 DANE COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS AWARD

Degnan Design Builders, Inc., a local Remodeler and Builder, was honored to receive a 2010 Dane County Small Business Award at the 28th annual Awards Presentation Breakfast held June 18th at the Sheraton Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin.
“I am who I am”, Abe Degnan, President of Degnan Design Builders, Inc., remarked to the audience when presented with the Award. “That was how my Dad, who began the business 29 years ago operated, and that is how I run the company. Just be yourself!” By being themselves, father and son developed a loyal following of satisfied clients over the years that continues on today.
The Awards Event celebrates small businesses and the contributions they make to our communities and economy. The Award is given to the business including all of the employees— not just the owners. Award judges recognize that the owner(s) have the vision and take the risk, but it is the teamwork of all the employees that makes a successful company.
Degnan Design Builders was chosen for the 2010 Small Business Award because they have proven that they are successful. Their reputation and character say a lot about them as a company and as individual team members. They have the ability and foresight to carry them through the tough times. Company owners and staff also find significant ways to give back to their communities, even in our difficult economic climate. Some of the ways Degnan Design Builders’ owners and staff contribute to their communities are — volunteering at events held by local schools, their church and non-profit organizations; being involved in public service and community organizations; coaching their children’s sports teams; and participation in annual home building projects in partnership with local non-profit organizations.
Degnan Design Builders wants to thank the Award judges for choosing our company as one of this year’s Award recipients, our clients and vendors/subcontractors for remaining true business partners over the years, and our employees who have maintained a passion for the remodeling/building profession and created trust with those who do business with us.

Commercial Design Award

We occasionally dabble in commercial design. We recently helped Steven Kalscheuer atAdvanced Building Corp with this commercial remodel, turning a formerly ramshackle warehouse into a classy vehicle lettering facility.

Take a look when you drive by! It is highly visible on the east side of Hwy 51 in Madison when you are between Cottage Grove Road and Milwaukee Street. Map it and view it as a "before" street view by clicking here.

American Buildings has it posted here.

View Larger Map

2010 Guildmaster Award Winner

We are honored that Degnan Design Builders has earned recognition as a 2010 Guildmaster With Distinction. GuildQuality, a leading survey company, publishes their Guildmaster Awards in May of each year. We are particularly delighted that our company is one of only three companies in Wisconsin to earn this Award in 2010. We have surveyed our customers since April 2009 and received a 93.3% "easier than expected" rating. We appreciate the confidence our customers have in the quality of our workmanship and customer service.
Follow this link to see the GuildQuality website and learn more about this Award.

Degnan Receives National & State Award Recognition

Degnan Design Builders, Inc. holds the distinction of being the winner of three 2007 "A Cut Above the Rest" remodeling awards from the WBA Remodelers Council. Two of these projects received Honorable Mention from the Qualified Remodeler 2008 Master Design Awards. The projects were in the categories of Finished Basement, Green Remodeling project, and Bathroom over $30,000.

Link to view the finished basement project.

Finished Basement project: The goal of this finished basement project was to create a space with the atmosphere of an old Chicago pub combined with an industrial modern influence. The clients enjoy entertaining family and friends. One of their dreams was to have a custom-made restaurant booth for snacks or playing cards. Our clients also had a number of needs including:

-Computer and AV workspace,

-Home entertainment center with HDTV,

-Piano/reading/fireplace area,

-Informal party/entertainment area,

-Game table with reversible top,

-Hot tub area and bathroom/changing room with continuous tiled floor, and floor drain to accommodate wet guests,

-Exercise area with padded workout floor.

All of this was carefully fit into a compact footprint of under 1,000 feet.

Link to view the Bathroom Remodeling project.

Bathroom under $30,000 project: Our clients requested a larger shower and more contemporary finishes. One of Degnan Design Builder’s first suggestions was to enlarge the window looking out of the house. This window overlooked the fenced-in backyard and acres of farmland beyond. The cabinet designer created a furniture look to the cabinetry through the use of bun feet and bumped-out base cabinets on each side of the single lavatory sink.

Link to view the Green Built Home Makeover 2007:

Green Built Home Make-over: In 2007, the Madison Area Builders Association decided to embark on a philanthropic project that would educate the public about green remodeling and energy efficiency by remodeling a home. The Annual Green Built Home Makeover project came to life. After two months and the help of dozens of volunteer companies and donors, senior citizen, Hazel Tookes, was given the key to her Green Built remodeled home – with more than $100,000 in energy efficient, environmentally friendly improvements.

Read more about the Green Built Home Makeover projects:

GBHM website: www.greenbuilthomemakeover.com

Read the Degnan Blog post about the GBHM 2008.

Degnan Design Builders Participates in "Green Built Home Makeover"

In 2007, the Madison Area Builders Association decided to embark on a philanthropic project that would educate the public about green remodeling and energy efficiency by remodeling a home -- the Green Built Home Makeover. With the help of Degnan Design Builders and dozens of volunteer companies and donors, two volunteer project managers began demolition on a home in Downtown Madison.

For 2008, this all-volunteer project was awarded A Cut Above The Rest Remodeling Award from the Wisconsin Builders Association Remodelers Council.



View the full article here.
NBC15 did 5 days of newscasts focusing on this project.














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Degnan Design Builders Wins Another Remodeling Award

Degnan Design Builders, Inc. announced it is the winner of A Cut Above the Rest remodeling award presented by the Wisconsin Builders Association (WBA) Remodelers Council. The award was received for the Kitchen Under $50,000 category.

The award was accepted by Abe J. Degnan, Vice President of Degnan Design Builders, Inc., at the WBA State Convention in Wisconsin Dells. “We’re proud to showcase the work of our wonderful clients, and honored to accept this award. We strive to create value for our clients, and to make the homes we remodel into the best that they can be. The award is recognition from our peers that we have achieved those goals,” said Abe J. Degnan. Degnan Design Builders, Inc. continues the winning tradition of excellence with nine awards over the last three years.

The award-winning entry can be viewed here:

"It Looks Like Something From A Magazine": Kitchen Remodeling under $50,000

Degnan Design Builders, Inc., based in DeForest for 25 years, is owned by the father and son team of Robert A. Degnan and Abe. J. Degnan. They focus on efficiency and quality as well as craftsmanship and professional customer service in remodeling and new homes. Degnan Design Builders, Inc. is an Energy Star and Green Built certified builder delivering durable homes with excellent indoor air quality. Degnan Design Builders, Inc. is committed to better serve its clients through continuing education and professional designations, including Certified Graduate Remodelor™ (CGR), Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) and Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS).

Degnan Design Builders wins 4 More Remodeling Awards

Degnan Design Builders, Inc. announced it is the winner of four A Cut Above the Rest remodeling awards presented by the Wisconsin Builders Association (WBA) Remodelors™ Council. The awards were received in the following categories: Room Addition Under $60,000; Finished Basement; Whole House Remodel; and Commercial Project.

The awards were accepted by Abe J. Degnan, Vice President of Degnan Design Builders, Inc. at the WBA State Convention in Madison. “We’re proud to showcase the work of our wonderful clients, and honored to accept these awards. We strive to create value for our clients, and to make the homes we remodel into the best that they can be. These awards are recognition from our peers that we have achieved those goals,” said Abe J. Degnan.

The award-winning entries can be viewed here:

"Not Another Sunroom": Addition Under $60,000

"Colorful Contrast": A Finished Basement

"The Potential Was Made A Fact": Whole House Remodeling

"1-2-3-4 IYA!": Commerical Remodeling

Degnan Design Builders Inc., based in DeForest for over 20 years, is owned by the father and son team of Robert A. Degnan and Abe J. Degnan. They focus on efficiency and quality as well as craftsmanship and professional customer service in remodeling and new homes. Degnan Design Builders Inc. is an Energy Star builder delivering durable homes with excellent indoor air quality. Degnan Design Builders, Inc. is committed to better serve its clients through continuing education and professional designations including Certified Graduate Remodelor™ (CGR), Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) and Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS).

Degnan Design Builders Wins 4 Awards

Degnan Design Builders, Inc. announced it is the winner of four A Cut Above the Rest remodeling awards presented by the Wisconsin Builders Association (WBA) Remodelers Council. The awards include two kitchen & bathroom categories, finished basement, and commercial remodeling.

The awards were accepted by Abe J. Degnan, Vice President of Degnan Design Builders, Inc. at the WBA State Convention in Madison. “We’re proud to showcase the work of our wonderful clients, and honored to accept these awards. We strive to create value for our clients, and to make the homes we remodel into the best that they can be. These awards are recognition from our peers that we have achieved those goals,” said Abe J. Degnan.

The award-winning entries can be viewed at our website by clicking here:

"Functional Luxuries": A Kitchen Remodel under $30,000

"Dramatic Transformation": A Kitchen Remodel over $30,000

"Family Connections": A Basement Finishing

"Kicking Room": A Commercial Tenant Improvement

Degnan Design Builders Inc., based in DeForest for over 20 years, is owned by the father and son team of Robert A. Degnan and Abe J. Degnan. They focus on efficiency and quality as well as craftsmanship and professional customer service in remodeling and new homes. Degnan Design Builders Inc. is an Energy Star builder delivering durable homes with excellent indoor air quality. Degnan Design Builders, Inc. is committed to better serve its clients through continuing education and professional designations including Certified Graduate Remodelor™ (CGR), Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) and Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS).