Who We Are:
Construction Company
Award-Winning Construction Company
General Contractor
Leading General Contractor

What We Do:
Construction Management
Preconstruction Consulting
Program Management
Project Management
General Construction
Commercial Construction
Building Maintenance
Multiple Building Program

Where We Specialize:
Multifamily
Apartments
Condominiums
Hotels

Market(s):
Nationwide, National General Contractor with large presence throughout the Southeast

FURTHER COMPANY BACKGROUND

L & H Renovations is a general contractor that specializes in renovations nationwide. Our construction company handles interior and exterior renovations to condominiums, hotels and apartments. We are known for our ability to handle large and complex construction projects. Our general contracting firm takes pride in our ability to understand our client’s needs and carefully evaluate each project to ensure we provide each client with the most cost-effective and best possible construction solution. Through our profound understanding and vast experience of the multifamily industry, we have streamlined our renovation and waterproofing services to guarantee quality work is delivered in a timely fashion with minimal disruption to the community residents. Our highly skilled and trained construction specialists manage every job with maximum efficiency, adhering to contract schedules and budgets.

As a general contractor specializing in multifamily renovations, we contract with many national management companies and owners to perform construction and renovations to follow the contract documents. We have worked with engineers and architects to develop plans, project specifications, general and special conditions and budgets to follow throughout the project. It is our responsibility as the general contractor to ensure all work is being performed to project guidelines and specifications. Because of our established reputation as a leading general contractor, we have developed long term relationships with some of the industries most well regarded subcontractors. As such, we hire all of the subcontractors and supply all of the material, labor, equipment and services needed for the construction of the project, and therefore, are able to pass on our savings our clients. In addition to our quality construction procedures, we offer our clients competitive pricing, efficient scheduling and reliability. All of our construction projects have been completed adhering to the highest standards of quality.

We are a licensed contractor in a number of states nationwide. Requirements for licensing differ from state to state and are defined by law by each state. Contractors are normally defined as individuals or companies who contract, bid, negotiate a price or offers to construct, supervise, oversee, schedule, direct, alter, repair, install, improve, move, demolish and provide labor. There are many different types of contractors from residential and commercial to mechanical and highway. The industry includes the building of new structures and additions and modifications to existing ones as well as maintenance, repair and improvements on these structures. As general contractors, we take total responsibility for the project. While we employ experienced superintendents to oversee each job, we often subcontract much of the scope of work to specialty trade contractors and manage it to ensure it is completed to our standards.

We encourage all consumers to check the license status of any general contractor prior to hiring. We have put together several tips to follow when hiring a general contractor. Consumers may contact the National Association of State Contractor Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) Association to check for contractor license requirements at (602) 485-3941.

SOME TIPS FOR HIRING A GENERAL CONTRACTOR

From minor upgrades to major renovations, property managers are always seeking ways to attract and retain residents through property improvements. While finding the right contractor to perform work on your property can be a difficult and overwhelming decision, it is critical to the project’s success.

If you are thinking about renovating, adding on or updating your property, it is important to secure a contractor you can trust. Below are a few tips to help guide you through the decision making process:

1) Determine Your Project’s Needs: Have a clear idea of what you would like to accomplish with your project. Many times, there are contractors that specialize in a particular area of construction and in a specific market. It is best to find someone who has completed a similar project.

2) Identify Contractors: Start with your colleagues, professional associations and the local chamber of commerce for recommendations on reputable contractors. You want to find a contractor who has performed similar work to your project’s requirements.

3) Research: Once you have narrowed down your list of prospects, make sure to contact the better business bureau and the state attorney general’s office to see if any complaints have been filed against the companies you have chosen.

4) Collect Bids: As a general rule, it is usually a good idea to ask three contractors to submit bids. Bids provide a breakdown of estimated costs that help you compare the scope of work, materials and proposed costs between the contractors. Most contractors submit bids free of charge.

5) Carefully Compare: Be certain to carefully review the bids you receive to ensure each one includes everything the project needs and does not contain unwanted items. Also, be careful not to automatically choose the lowest bidder. If one bid is significantly lower than the other two, it may be a sign that the contractor does not have a clear understanding of the project and provided an inaccurate estimate.

6) Check Licenses and Insurance: Every contractor should be licensed in the state where they perform work. Also, make sure any contractor you choose to work with has liability, property and workers’ compensation insurance.

7) Get References: Most reputable contractors have a list of references that willing give to potential clients. Pick two on the list and call a few to hear about their experiences with the contractor.

8) Sign A Written Contract: After you select a contractor, get it in writing. The contract should include an overview of work to be completed, the materials that will be used, total costs, schedule for payment, warranty, and an estimated start and completion date.

FLORIDA’S SIZZLING RENTAL MARKET

Rental Rates and Occupancies Continue to Heat Up

With the recent glut of condo conversions, a strong job market and growing population, Florida’s multifamily rental market has experienced tremendous growth within the past year and it is expected to continue, according to Apartment Realty Advisors.

Last year, the apartment industry lost a large portion of their inventory as a result of the statewide condo conversion craze. Orlando alone lost more than 16,000 units in 2005. The craze, greatly reducing Florida’s apartment supply, was a major contributor to the industry’s record high rental rates. Although the condo market is weakening, economists are still predicting strong rent growth in 2007. Even with developers building new apartment complexes, it will take a while to replenish the supply lost in 2005.

Additionally, strong employment and Florida’s growing population contributed to the low vacancy rates and rising value in apartments. Florida is home to some of the nation’s hottest job markets. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Sarasota-Bradenton, Orlando, Lakeland and Miami-Fort Lauderdale ranked in Bizjournals top 10. With continued employment growth and dropping unemployment rates, Florida is attracting new residents across the nation. With an average of more than 1,000 people move to Florida per day coupled with rising home prices, renting apartments have become more appealing to many of Florida’s newcomers.

The forecast for the apartment industry is expected to remain strong throughout 2007. The industry will continue to prosper from Florida’s growing population and strong economy, maintaining increased rental and occupancy rates around the state.

AN OUTLOOK ON THE INDUSTRY

For additional information about the construction industry, visit the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Statistics http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs003.htm. According to the website, construction offers additional opportunities than most other industries for individuals who want to open their own business. In fact, it states, “1.9 million self-employed and unpaid family workers in 2004 performed work directly for property owners or acted as contractors on small jobs, such as additions, remodeling, and maintenance projects.”

In addition, the bureau predicts job opportunities are expected to increase in the construction industry, especially for skilled trades workers, resulting from a large number of retirements of these workers anticipated over the next decade, as well as fewer people with the right education or experience entering the skilled trades. Employment is expected to grow more rapidly in the nonresidential sector of construction over the next decade according to the bureau. Also, the number of wage and salary jobs in the construction industry is expected to increase approximately 11 percent through the year 2014, compared with the 14 percent projected for all industries combined.