Category Archives: tips

Free money for design professionals (and other lucky folks)? (Tue Tip)

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free money bridge sign

Okay, I’m technically cheating.  Today’s Tip is not specific to architects or engineers.  However, it is something that might put a little dough in your pocket that you didn’t even know you had coming to you.

Have you heard about the websites that can help you locate money due to you from a state government’s unclaimed property account?  This is money that is due to folks from old utility accounts, cell phone accounts, and the like.  If the company cannot locate the person they owe the refund to, they escheat it to the state.

Spend 5 minutes the next time you are internet surfing to see if you are owed any money.  Start with MissingMoney and plug in your name (and likely misspellings of your name).  You will note that many states (including North Carolina) are not yet listed with that national site; however, the MissingMoney site will give you the quick link to those states’ websites for “lost money”.  (North Carolina’s website for unclaimed money is here).

In playing around with these sites the other day, I found money owed to my Uncle, a cousin, and a college roommate.  While I didn’t find any money due to *me*, it was still a worthwhile exercise.  Everyone can use “free money” when they happen upon it, right?

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Photo (c) jazza2 via Creative Commons license.

Free Marketing Training for Architects & Engineers (Tue Tip)

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Interested in A/E/C marketing Best Practices?  Attend a free webinar this Thursday, sponsored by the Construction Marketing Association (CMA). 

construction marketing wordle

The webcast will be held Thursday, September 15, 2011, at 2pm ET.  Free! (Registration required).

Deborah Hodges, Executive Director of the Construction Writers Association, former SMPS President, and BOVIS alum will share examples of how construction firms deploy marketing.

Wendy McBay, Marketing Director from Reed Construction Data will identify how AEC firms can best use lead services for marketing and business development.

AEC veteran and consultant Hope Wilson will present how to market construction services to the government.

CMA Chairman Neil Brown will share results of a national survey on AEC marketing.

 If you attend the webinar, be sure to drop me a line and tell me what you learned, and if it was worthwhile.  I strive to only promote quality events on this blog, but I need your feedback to do so.  Thanks!

Photo: modified from Online Marketing Blog wordle by TopRankBlog via Creative Commons license.

Irene Damages Main Roadway on Outer Banks (pictures & data)

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Hurricane Irene brought untold damage to much of the Eastern Seaboard over the weekend.

Our own Outer Banks, often a magnet for Hurricanes and nicknamed “Hurricane Harbor”, was hit once again.  Irene opened up two new (temporarily, at least) inlets and will require significant repairs to NC Route 12, the main transportation route on the Outer Banks.  Transportation engineers will be working on Rte 12 for some time.

A picture of one of the new inlets is below:

Hurricane Irene road damage on outer banks of NC

This picture comes from Western Carolina University’s Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines.  You can find much more information about the damages on various portions of the Outer Banks, and see other interesting pictures, by downloading the full report here: Update on Outer Banks after Irene.

PS:  I’m still receiving some great feedback and comments on my “Tell me what to write challenge” so I will extend the challenge through the weekend.  Those that got their suggestions in by the original deadline will get their names in the hat twice, but all ya need is one, as they say!  Keep ’em comin’.

Sleep, perchance to get LEED credit? (Tue Tip)

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dog sleeping on the job

Sleep.  A subject dear to my heart.  I currently have a coffee mug at work that says: “Eat. Sleep. Read.”  Seriously; that’s what it says.  (h/t to Malaprop’s Bookstore in Asheville for the mug).  What does sleep have to do with the subject of construction law besides, that is, the potential of any legalese to cure insomnia?  LEED-sanctioned nap rooms.

What is that you say? Never heard of such a thing?  Well, now you have.  There is a move afoot to get the USGBC to give LEED credit (that is, green design credit) for buildings that utilize nap rooms.  According to Rob Freeman of green-buildings.com, such nap-specific spaces might qualify in future LEED rating systems based on the proven benefits of napping on employee productivity.

I knew there was as reason I loved my naps….. productivity, of course!

Seriously, do you think a “nap room credit” should become part of a future LEED rating system?  What about the issue raised by a commenter to the article, that the use of the room might change over time, negating the positive impacts?  Share your thoughts below. 

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Photo:  Sleeping on the Job by SEO via Flickr/Creative Commons license.

Tell me what construction law topics to write about, & you could win!

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Here is a bribe.  But an honest one, that will benefit us both.  You tell me (via email, comment, tweet, or phone call) a topic, subject, case, or other area that you’d like to see specifically addressed here on Construction Law in North Carolina.  Everyone who submits an idea will be entered into a drawing.  For those with really great ideas, I reserve the right to enter their name into the drawing twice. 

thinking cap
Get your thinking cap mojo on!

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The winner will get a free 1 year, 12 issue subscription to the print version of  Architectural Record as thanks.  

Ready? Set?  Get your thinking caps on and send me your ideas!  I’ll close out this contest at 9/1/2011 at 12:01 a.m., and the winner will be announced on the blog. 

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Photo: “Thinking cap” by Matthew Allard via Creative Commons license.