Apr 13 2010
Posted by Kate under Events, Family
Glorious weather once again for our Topping Off Party tradition! We celebrated reaching the top of the Bradley’s new home last Saturday with friends and family.
We’d like to wish the Bradley Family all the best of health and happiness in their new home.
Mar 31 2010
Posted by Chris under Events, Family
“But wait!”, you say. The year has just begun? Why are we “Topping Off?” It’s a party… and we’re hoping to have a few more this year!
A “Topping Off” dates back to old European tradition celebrating the first milestone of construction on a building, bridge, or other large structure– reaching the top of the framing. This tradition, common in countries such as Germany and England, migrated to America with European craftsman.
To commemorate this milestone, the final piece of iron was hoisted into place along with a small evergreen tree. In America, it is common to also see an American flag attached to a piece of wood. The wood, usually painted white, was signed by the ironworkers and visiting dignitaries.
For some the evergreen tree symbolizes that the job went up without a loss of life, while for others it’s a good luck charm for the future occupants. Today the custom of “topping off” is still commonly practiced in Germany during the construction of residential homes.
Schneider Development celebrates the completed framing of the Birdsong home in Cape Charles. We extend our best wishes to Warren & Penny – It is our hope that the evergreen branch brings their family good luck in their new home and years of fond memories and family traditions!
Jan 21 2010
Last week we held our annual Sub Breakfast. That’s a time when we lure all of our subcontractors and suppliers into the same room with the promise of food. OK, yes, we do eat together, but afterwards we have a great discussion on the lessons of the last year, the promise of the next, and how we can all work as a team more efficiently.
There is invariably a moment when someone makes a suggestion and the response is “Duh! Why haven’t we done that before?” These are the gems of the morning and make taking time out to get together worth it.
Annual Sub and Supplier Breakfast
There was a moment this year that I looked out across the room while Jim was talking through his vision for the year and thought, “Wow, there’s a whole house here. There’s the bathroom mirror. There’s the plumbing and there’s the roof. There’s the carpet and the geothermal. And they’re great at their jobs!” It was a cool moment. We don’t often see the ‘whole’ represented at once since they aren’t ever active on site all together, but each person is a critical part of the finished product.
Every year, Jim acknowledges a subcontractor and a supplier who have consistently delivered high-quality work, go beyond the average requirements, and communicate very well by presenting them with the “Diamond Pride” award. The 2009 winners were:
Diamond Pride Subcontractor of the Year 2009 — Air Masters (Roy and Terry Hadley) AND Tidewater Insulators (Jeff Beals) We had a tie this year. Both of these subs consistently deliver the goods. We appreciate your work and your attitude!
Diamond Pride Supplier of the Year 2009 – Superior Marble & Stone (Mary Thompson) Great product, great expertise and so easy to work with!
Thanks to everyone who participated this year. It was a great discussion and we’re looking forward to trying out some of our new ideas!
Dec 15 2009
Posted by Chris under Events, News
Schneider Development congratulates William H. “Bill” Halprin as the 2010 president of Tidewater Builders Association, a not-for-profit home builders association with about 800-plus member firms in South Hampton Roads, during its annual installation of officers at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront on Friday, Dec. 4. Halprin also will serve as a Home Builders Association of Virginia (HBAV) and National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) director in 2010.
Halprin is a partner and senior vice president with S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co., as well as senior vice president and director of operations for all multifamily property management activities.
Great speech Bill – looking forward to a prosperous 2010!