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What Light Tower Do you Need?

Choosing a light tower or lamp for your particular job site or project can be difficult at times.  The choices are unlimited and the cost can vary widely.  Getting the right light towers for your job is often undervalued. the difference between quality light source and just another light can be detrimental to the success and detail of your work.

For smaller jobs working around objects that can block light, it is best to use a lamp that sits on the ground, or a magnetic base light to allow you to hang the light on metal objects.  These types of jobs may include: working on automobiles, within workshops, on a patio, inside your home, in a crawl space, etc.

For medium sized jobs where high light and mobility are key, there a many lightweight lighting options. Something like a tripod light or a mid-size light cart with wheels make it easy to move the towers on the job to keep optimal lighting conditions.  Consider using a 7 foot or 8 foot tripod light.  1000 watt portable light towers are available at various online stores.  Typically, these mid-size light carts are metal halide light fixtures.  This type of lighting is perfect for indoor and outdoor construction.

For the largest construction job sites, diesel light towers are typically best.  These generator light towers are capable of extending to about 30 feet.  With diesel fuel tanks ranging in size from 28 to 50 gallons, heavy construction light towers are capable of running continuously for up to 70 hours.  That's nearly three days straight of work!  Generally, light towers of this size are also towable which makes them easy to transport from site to site. 

Small Construction Business: Marketing in a Down Economy

So the busy season has gotten well underway, but the market is still struggling.  Have you thought about how you can set your business apart from others within the industry?  Well you should!  In an economy that continues to struggle, creating differences between you and your competitors (at least in the eyes of your customers) can be what keeps you making money and even growing.

First, focus on your brand.  Put your efforts into ramping up recognition and customer retention by associating everything you do best with your brand; in particular, highlight processes and skills you have that your competitors don't, this will give you an edge within your niche market.  Remember, you will benefit most from upholding your talk with your walk. Try not to promise your customers something that you cannot provide on a regular basis at a high quality.

Uphold your brand's position by encouraging employees to be involved in the molding and direction of your company.  There's nothing better for your brand than an employee that feels as strongly about the business as its owners.  By keeping them involved, they can become advocates to your brand and promote the business in more ways than traditional marketing is capable of.

Finally, don't be afraid to utilize online mediums.  At the very least, your business should have a website to allow customers to review your mission statement, find your location, see some of the projects you're working on, and to collect leads (either by phone or online form).  Use forums, blogs, and customer review websites to give your brand more credibility online.  

If you have any questions or ideas to add, please leave a comment below!

2012 Olympic Construction Project in London

The cities who hold the summer Olympics every 4 years benefit from the event in a multitude of ways.  Outsiders are exposed to a country's culture and values, which can increase understanding, and the influx of visitors brings billions of dollars into these regions.  The recent standard set by Beijing, China has put a lot of pressure on the Olympics' next stop, London, England.  England's political and Olympic officials are up to the challenge, however, and have begun "Europe's largest regeneration project" in the previously neglected area of the Lower Lea Valley.

The project calls for the construction of a park almost 1 square mile, including gardens, wildlife areas, and amphitheaters for outdoor concerts and festivals.  This project will mark the largest constructed park in London since the 19th century.  Architects have included paths for bicyclists and pedestrians throughout the park that connect the Valley with the Thames River nearby.

Sustainability is the main concern, as many Olympic projects can become grandiose and unrealistic for long term use.  The goal will be to create excitement and hype around the project without alienating residents by creating a 'one and done' feature within this historic city.  Other projects being complete for the 2012 Games include the Athletes Village, the city's largest natatorium, and a new Olympic Stadium, all of which maintain this idea of longevity.  The juxtaposition of these new developments amongst the background of a rich European architectural history will be exciting to see, and with each Olympic Games being more anticipated than the last, the entire event is sure to be a success worldwide.  

source: http://archrecord.construction.com