Once again the OpenMinder found another local Boundary business
or person who is gaining international recognition to our area.
Ed Carson, owner of and designer for Granby Post & Beam Homes,
was happy to give the OpenMinder an interview so we all could
find out some more details on their wonderful opportunity for
their growth.
OM Rumour has it that your company will be on national
TV.
Ed: That’s right. We will be the feature builder on an
HGTV show on post and beam construction.
The interesting thing is in how they actually found us and how
they narrowed it down to how we were invited on the show.
OM How did they find you?
Ed: They found us on our web site at www.postbeam.com.
Because we have such good exposure, if you go into your search
engine for post and beam homes, or log homes, or custom building,
you will see Granby Post and Beam come up in about any search
engine on the first page. So that is how the research people,
(Platinum TV, who handles it for HGTV), originally found out about
us.
OM Did they just contact you from there?
Ed: No. Some thing that they were doing, that we had no
knowledge of was that they were phoning our office and asking
questions, and checking us out on our service level, our turn
around time, how long to get the brochures out, etc. They were
doing this for about 3 months before they decided who was to be
on the short list to be invited on the show.
OM Sounds like the “Secret Shoppers 3rd Degree”.
Ed: That’s right We try to support our customers through
good service. It’s not a “buy off the lot and you drive away”.
It is a process that we offer to our clients. We go step by step
right through everything. It’s that process that attracted them
to Granby Post and Beam. Especially how that web site was set
up by our web master. It’s a really good compliment to him as
well.
OM What was next?
Ed: After they got ahold of us, we went through meeting
with about 3 different producers. Again lots of questions, many
about environmental issues, like how does Granby Post and Beam
build large timber homes and still support the environment? After
going through all the questions, we finally got to the top guy,
and he did the final interview there, and said congratulations,
you guys are the ones.
OM How long did this second part of the process take?
Ed: After they let us know that we were on that short list,
and we went through the interview process, it took another month
to narrow it down. We had the right responses to the questions
we were being asked and how we were getting our wood, what our
service level was, about our warranty. Even though we are a small
company, everything is in place, from web site to brochures, everything
looks professional. We look like a massive company. We are a local
builder, and we do sell our home in the States. And now with this
show we hope to be getting some homes on the east coast, which
has been our biggest area of response on the web site.
OM When will the show be aired on TV?
Ed: We haven’t got the exact date when it will be airing,
but it will be in the summer, possibly late.
OM Have they filmed it yet.?
Ed: No, but they will be filming on May 25th up here, and
at our show home in Ione Washington, which is about a half hour
east out of Coleville.
OM Will they come up to Greenwood first to see your operation
up here, and then go down to the show home?
Ed: We have yet to set up the actual details, that is something
we will see when they get here. They are certainly welcome to
come up here and see what we are doing. The main focus of the
show, will be on the home itself, and discussing everything there.
They might be interested in the helicopter logging that we are
doing, and how we find the wood, seeing the process etc. We do
have a couple of homes under construction as well.
OM You had mentioned earlier about their environmental
concerns, and your heli-logging. Is that the way you get your
wood?
Ed: It’s an avenue, but not something we have done a lot
of. Just by chance we are getting is some heli-wood as we speak.
It is a way we can go out and select some of the dead standing
wood we like to use, this pre-seasoned wood, and get it off the
mountain without disturbing anything.
OM So rather than going to some place and buying the logs
off some lot, you actually have a hand in where these timbers
are being cut?
Ed: Definitely. Our biggest thing, is that “dead standing
wood”. Either dead fur or the western larch, it is pre-seasoned.
When we bring that in and we cut it, and get our timbers out of
it, we can put it into production right away. Where as with the
green wood, if we buy it that way, we have to let it air dry for
six to eight months before we can see where the excessive checking
and twisting will be before we can put it into production. We
don’t have that issue with dead standing wood.
OM That sounds like something that sets your company apart
from the rest, is there anything else that you feel that Granby
Post and Beam does to stand out from the other builders?
Ed: Yes, our buildings are unique. They are a combination
of techniques you will find in conventional construction, you’ll
find them in timber frame construction, and even some log home
construction techniques. But it’s a matter of putting all those
things together, and finding a reasonable cost, into a package
so that someone who is not trained, can put it together. It’s
a simple system.
OM Just send the instructions along and they are on their
way?
Ed: That’s right, you can do that. As a minimum with our
packages, we do provide a supervisor to reassemble the post and
beam frame that we’ve pre-built here. I’ve had a lot of contractors
compliment us at the end of it all. At first they were a little
intimidated by it, but once the frame is up they say “Hey
this is great, give me some business cards”.
OM Sounds like you make their job easier.
Ed: It does. They are a home that can be built in a reasonable
budget, they have a good appraisal value, and you can create equity
in the home.
The post and beam style of construction fits well with the newer
technologies, like radiant floor heating and computerized accessories
that are all part of it now, and this post and beam being the
most adaptable home there is. This old post and beam technology
just fits with new, perfectly.
OM Speaking about new technologies, are you finding that
there is a lot you have to keep up with.
Ed: That’s right. With new panel systems that are out now,
the acrylic finishes, and these new standing seam metal roofings
that don’t show any fasteners. There is just an endless list of
things that people want, but they aren’t sure how they are going
to apply them to a home. We have to keep up on that to let our
customers know what can be done. The post and beam home, like
I’ve said is the most adaptable plan there is, that is why it
is the oldest method of construction.
OM Thank you Ed, for the informative interview, I hope
you will let us know when your TV debut will be airing so we will
all be able to watch.
Ed: Certainly, we’ll “Keep you Posted”.
|
If you have Apple’s Quick Time 4.2 then Click on picture to go to virtual panorama | |
Fundraising and
Community Yard Sale
submitted by Broadacres Association for Community
Living
While the non-profit Broadacres Association for Community Living
may be an unknown entity to newcomers, it had its beginnings in
1965 as The Grand Forks Society for the Handicapped (people).
In the early ’70’s, the Carson Rd. property was purchased and
the Residence built. It became home to 12 residents.
In July 1997, the care for these people with handicaps was privatized.
Since then the BACL Board has managed three group homes and the
Carson Rd. property.
Thanks to volunteers and to Board members, the Carson Rd. property
has been kept viable for the use by a variety of community organization,
businesses and individuals.
The Association is always in NEED OF VOLUNTEERS who can help to
maintain and improve the appearance of the property.
To raise funds
we are holding a 2 day yard sale
on May 13th and 14th
from 9:00am to 2:00pm and 860 Carson Rd.
On Sale are 100’s of items including
furniture, tools, collectibles, and books.
We are renting tables for $5.00 to anyone
wishing to sell plants, crafts and other items.
The BACL Board thanks everyone who has supported us in the past
and invites you continued support.
If you have any goods to contribute or to rent a table, please
call Jean at 442-5630 or Harold at 442-2838
A Laugh!
Song lyrics by Bruce Cockburn
A laugh for the way my life has gone, a laugh for the love of
a friend. A laugh for the fools in the eyes of the world, a love
that will never end.
Let’s hear a laugh for the man of the world, who thinks he can
make things work. Tried to build a new Jerusalem and ended up
with New York.
A laugh for the sun, red, falling, through the purple inversion
haze. A laugh for the nuclear good time boys, numbering all our
days.
A laugh for the newsprint nightmare, a world that never was, where
the questions are all why, and their answers are all because.
Tapping our feet to an ancient tune, a laugh for the time gone
by. A laugh for me and Gideon in the delivery room, waiting for
the child’s first cry.
Trashy-bits:
Styrofoam Packaging Peanuts:
·Reuse when packaging up parcels for mailing.
·Reuse to fill the unused space at the bottom of plant
pots
·To prevent them from sticking to you when working with
them. Just before touching the foam, thoroughly wipe a new dryer
sheet all over your hands and forearms. Reuse sheet in dryer.
Reuse video and tape labels:
· Save the unused peel and stick labels that come with
the video tapes. Use them as address labels for packages and old
envelopes. For envelopes just stick these labels right over the
original address. It is best to trim off any confusing logo, etc.
on the labels. Works equally well to reuse those unsolicited,
self-addressed envelopes which often come in with junk-mail.
· Use to label jars and other containers of home made jams,
pickles, etc
· Label containers of craft supplies, bulk foods, and children’s
toy boxes & drawers.
· Label packages in your freezer, particularly if you are
reusing plastic milk product containers.
Milk cartons:
· Cut up into 2 inch wide strips that are about 6 inches
long. Taper one end. Write the name of your plant or crop on the
blank side with a permanent marker.
· Use as a transplant pot. Cut the top off the carton and
enough of the sides to reach the desired depth. Cut a few holes
in the bottom for drainage. Fill the first inch with recycled
styrofoam chips, or gravel, and then pot up your seedling.
Ideas & comments can be sent to e-mail: drumit@telus.net
| A wide range of talents graced the stage for
the Granby Wilderness Society’s Coffeehouse on Saturday 22nd,
Earth Day. Throughout the evening there was a variety of poetry
readings, story telling, and a theatrical performance based on
the plight of our forests and wildlife. As usual, there was a
great turn out of local musicians donating their talents and
time to entertain. There was also a delicious selection of baked
goods, organic coffee, tea and juice available for refreshments.
The next Coffeehouse, in two months, will possibly be an outdoor
event but the details and the exact date are not known at this
time. A big thank you to all the volunteers who made this event a success! |
Airport
fly in
Don’t forget the Airport Fly in this May long weekend with fun
for everyone at the Grand Forks Airport. Pig roast, dance lots
of airplanes, and much more! See you there.
