Cypress Remodel/Addition by Mark Primack

09/2011 - Aptos, CA

We are half-way through an exciting remodel and addition in Aptos, designed by local architect, Mark Primack. The homeowners, Bill and Susie, have been great partners in this project - Bill, in the unofficial role as Project Manager, and Susie, who has been out sourcing fixtures, finishes, etc. They have extensive remodel experience and are just a great couple to work with!

The project started with a handsome suburban home, and with the combined vision of both Bill and Susie, and Mark Primack, came up with a neo-commercial/residential hybrid design, utilizing metal, stucco, and HardiPanel cementitious siding.

Demo of the existing front of the house was extensive and time consuming, but soon we were laying out walls and pouring the foundation.














Next, came the floor framing and subfloor.

And presently, walls and roof are taking shape!

Hat's off to our fine crew for doing a great job, to Bill and Susie for their excellent support, to Daryl Woods at Mark Primack's office, to John at Buchanan Engineering, Whitlow Concrete, Charles at Green Lantern Electric, Hal at Stiles Plumbing,  and Eugene at Mercury Metals.
Looking forward to seeing the finished product on this one!

Michael Attends CALGreen Seminar in Monterey

6/15/2011 - This week, I attended a seminar on new California "green" building codes. "CALGreen," as it's called, is a body of new, mandatory building codes that went into effect in California this past January, 2011. This code mandates new requirements in new commercial and residential construction. To date, many of the new codes do not apply to remodels/re-construction, but it was said that that within 18 months, most if not all will apply there as well. Some of the code that affects the work we do at Cypress Construction includes:
*Plumbing - New ultra, lo-flow toilets, shower heads, etc.
*Wastewater/storm drain design and implimentation
*Construction waste reduction and recycling
*Low VOC paint
*Etc.
As the green-building movement gains traction in both building departments and the general public, the need for a standardized, comprehensive set of new codes has been slow to take shape. Municipalities draw from the standards set up by private, governmental, and non-profit organizations including the following:
Build It Green - (through which I was certified as a "Green Building Professional")
CALGreen - The state's Building Standard's Commission
LEED - The "gold-standard" of green building, from the U.S. Green Building Council

This seminar was well-organized and informative, and was put together with the help of the Monterey County Business Council and the Institute for Innovation and Economic Development.

Cypress Now Accepts American Express

As of February, we now accept American Express cards for payments. Years ago, we started accepting Visa and Mastercard payments for the work we do, later adding Discover cards, and now AMEX. Especially in these difficult economic times, we do our best to work with our clients to do the things they need done efficiently, economically, and with reasonable payment options. We've even had a client rack up enough points on their credit card from one remodel that they were able to fly to Europe! Go to OUR PAYMENT PAGE.

Cypress Christmas Party 2010

Last Friday, Dec.17th, we held our "annual" Christmas party at Peachwoods/Pasatiempo in Santa Cruz.

After having to cancel last year's party due to the economy, we were long overdue celebrating the good year we've had in spite of these difficult times for so many. Our crew, now 15 employees strong, was there as well as half a dozen girlfriends/spouses. In addition to the festive room and tasty lunch provided by Peachwoods, we enjoyed our Secret Santa gift exchange, employee awards, a mercifully short speach by yours truly, and a new video I put together chronicalling the 15-year history of Cypress Construction.

CLICK HERE

It was a great opportunity to enjoy each other's company and sit back and reflect on the year we've shared together.

CCS From the Beginning

The year was 1995. I moved to Santa Cruz to go to UCSC and study psychology. Faced with limited options for part-time work, I chose to put the skills that my parents had taught me to good use as a handyman, rather than slinging coffee at Starbucks. And Cypress Construction Services was born.

Last week, I put together a video history of Cypress - "From the Beginning."  Enjoy!

Cypress Construction Services - "From the Beginning" - 5minutes 17seconds

Cypress At Shoreline Seminar

10/23/10 - Aptos, CA - Diane Rossi and Shoreline Property Management held their first annual HOA Board Member Training Seminar this weekend at The Seacliff Inn in Aptos, and I represented Cypress Construction and met attendees at our vendor booth.

The program was offered to HOA board members from the central coast and south bay at no charge and included seminars by HOA lawyer Sandra Bonato, Esq,
who spoke with great authority and experience, yet in an engaging and understandable presentation on Board Responsibilities, Fiduciary Duties, and the Business Judgement Rule.

Diane Rossi, aside from being the creator of the seminar, gave an equally engaging presentation on Understanding Financial Statements, Budgets, and Reserve Studies. 



Additionally, there were vendor booths where I and other vendors who specialize in working with HomeOwners Associations (insurance company, collections, landscapers, et al) had an opportunity to meet and talk with attendees about the services we offer, answer questions, and make new friends.
Attendees were treated to a generous continental breakfast and many raffle prizes offered by the vendors and Shoreline.

It was a rare opportunity to meet the entire staff of Shoreline.
For the 100 or so attendees and everyone else, it was an enjoyable, informative morning. Thank you Diane Rossi and Shoreline Property Management!

Our Friend and Co-Worker -Tom Frank- 1969 - 2010

Tom Frank was a good man: a loving husband and father, a thoughtful friend, a consummate professional, a genuine and caring man who always wore a smile. On Saturday, July 31, 2010, a heart attack took Tom from us far too soon. Tom was 41. In the picture above, you can see Tom and his family---his wife Mary, and their two beautiful children. It is for Tom's family that the Frank Family Fund has been created.

http://www.cypressconstructionservices.com/tom.html