Wednesday, November 2, 2016

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November 03, 2016 at 03:21AM

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Winners of Considerate Constructors Scheme 2016 National Awards

Winners of Considerate Constructors Scheme 2016 National Awards to be revealed

for-press-release-2-mediumTop performing registered companies and suppliers get ready to celebrate success at Considerate Constructors Scheme National Awards

London, United Kingdom, 1 November 2016: The Considerate Constructors Scheme – the national scheme established by the construction industry to improve its image – is getting ready to reveal the UK’s most considerate companies and suppliers of 2016.

The Scheme, which has registered around 900 companies and suppliers in the past 12 months, will be hosting the 2016 National Awards on 10th and 11th November, at the luxurious Four Seasons hotel on Park Lane.

Supplier Registration was introduced in 2014 and this year’s awards mark the first year that suppliers will be eligible to win a National Award.

Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Builders, and Liz Male, Chairman of TrustMark will be announcing whether each winning company has received a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award for their achievements. There will also be Runner-up Awards and winners for the coveted ‘Most Considerate Company’ and ‘Most Considerate Supplier’ Awards.

Considerate Constructors Scheme Executive Chairman Isabel Martinson said: “The Awards celebrate the phenomenal efforts being made to improve the image of the industry for the benefit of the public, the workforce and the environment.

“It is particularly exciting this year to be awarding, for the first time, the significant contribution that suppliers are making. As the industry knows, suppliers perform a vital role in the construction process, and have a significant responsibility to behave in a considerate manner at all times to ensure they portray a positive image of the industry they represent.”

Follow the awards on Twitter at @CCScheme #ccsawards.


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#30DaysofThanks for the Asphalt Paving Industry

WOLF_thanksgiving_social_2015.jpgEach year, our team at Wolf Paving takes a moment to be thankful. As we kick-off the holiday season and the month of November, we like to reflect on the past year and thank those individuals, businesses, municipalities and asphalt industry representatives for their trust and partnerships with our team. 

Since 1941, we have had a great team of decided professionals providing asphalt-paving services to the Milwaukee, Waukesha and Madison areas. 

This year, we are thankful for many things, so please join us for #30DaysofThanks! 

Thank You to our Wonderful and Talented Employees 

This year is especially significant to our team at Wolf Paving because we are celebrating our 75th Anniversary. Our success over such a long period of time is due to the exceptional employees who have been with our company over the years. 

Asphalt paving success starts with having a great team out on the job site and behind the scenes. From human resources to our team out in the field each day, to our great customer service and sales representatives -- we are so thankful to our staff for working with our wonderful customers. 

Thank You to our Customers 

Thank you to our customers for choosing to work with Wolf Paving and our great team of asphalt paving contractors. When you choose Wolf Paving to help you with your new asphalt surface, you are building a relationship with our team, and we hope you value that relationship as much as we do.. 

Thank You to the Asphalt Paving Industry 

Thank you to all of the decided professionals in the asphalt paving industry, from city to city here in Wisconsin and from coast to coast across the country. We all work hard to provide exceptional asphalt products to our clients and collectively, we should all be proud of the work we do! 

At Wolf Paving, we are proud to be a part of the infrastructure of our communities, from helping small business grow with new asphalt surfaces to paving roads and highways for municipalities. Our role is more than just that of a contractor or supplier, we are all valued partners and we are all responsible for improving the daily lives of those in our communities using a sustainable product. 

From its use in green infrastructure to the benefits of providing functional recreational spaces, asphalt is a versatile, environmentally friendly paving solution and we are proud to be in the business! So thank you asphalt industry for your support! 

What are you thankful for this year?

Follow along with us on Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag #‎30DaysofThanks. 

With 75 years of asphalt paving experience, from highways to driveways, we are your local source for all of your asphalt paving needs. 

For more information on Wolf Paving or to request a free estimate for your next paving project contact one of our two offices. If you live or work in the Milwaukee area, call us at 262-965-2121. For the Madison area, call us at 608-249-7931.

Asphalt Paving Estimate


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Tuesday, November 1, 2016

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Construction to dodge post-Brexit vote recession

Faltering commercial workloads will be offset by strong growth in infrastructure and school spending over the next two years, according to the latest major industry forecast.

constructionEconomists at the Construction Products Association said the industry will avoid a post-Brexit vote recession with slow growth of 0.2% and 0.3% this year and next.

The latest forecast is a sharp revision to the 3.6% predicted for 2017 and 2018 before the EU referendum.

While commercial office building is expected to be worst hit, strong growth is expected in infrastructure and education as the Government pulls the levers to keep the economy running.

Noble Francis, economics director at the CPA, said:  “Surveys across the industry highlight that activity in the construction sector has been sustained post-referendum, primarily based upon work on projects that were signed in the 12-18 months before the referendum. 

CPA construction forecasts highlights

  • Construction output to rise 0.6% in 2016, 0.3% in 2017 and 0.2% in 2018
  • Offices construction to increase 8% in 2016 before falling 3% in 2017 and a further 10% in 2018
  • Factories construction to fall 5% in 2016 and 2% in 2017
  • Infrastructure work to rise by 6.2% in 2017 and 10.2% in 2018
  • Private housing starts to rise 2% but remain flat in 2017 and fall 2% in 2018
  • Retail construction to fall 8.0% in 2016 before falls of 4% in 2017 and 2% in 2018

“Looking forward, projects in the pipeline mean that construction activity is likely to continue throughout the rest of 2016 and the first half of 2017, ” he said.

“From the second half of 2017, however, there is likely to be a clear division between the fortunes of privately-funded construction sectors where the current uncertainty is likely to have a major impact, and those that are largely unaffected by post-referendum uncertainty – such as infrastructure and education – which are either publicly-funded or in regulated sectors.”

Francis added that offices output is expected to decline 3% in 2017 and a further 10% in 2018.  Industrial construction is also expected to fall 11.6% between 2015 and 2018 as renewal and refurbishment of existing factories continues but large manufacturers make fewer new major investments.

But major projects such as HS2, Hinkley Point C nuclear power station and the Thames Tideway Tunnel are anticipated to provide growth of 6.2% in 2017 and 10.2% in 2018. 

Within education construction, activity is expected to rise 5.8% by 2018 due to public sector capital investment in the Priority School Building Programme and private sector investment in universities, including £1bn programmes at Manchester, Cambridge and Glasgow.

“Outside of these sectors, private house building has not been affected by the uncertainty so far and is expected to rise by 2.0% in 2016.  It is anticipated to remain flat in 2017 before a 2.0% fall in 2018 due to slower demand as UK economic growth and real wage growth both weaken considerably next year. 

“However, private house building could be boosted by new measures in the government’s Autumn Statement on 23 November.  The slower real wage growth in 2017, driven by higher inflation due to the recent falls in Sterling, is also expected to lead to a decline in retail construction of 4% in 2017 and 2% in 2018.  This in a sector already hit by the shift away from traditional retail towards online shopping.

“With an upcoming Autumn Statement, it is vital that the Chancellor focuses on reducing uncertainty for the private sector, sustaining the housing sector and ensuring delivery of education construction and major infrastructure projects already in the pipeline.”


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Wednesday, October 26, 2016

How to minimise the impact of rodents during construction

Anyone who’s ever had a rodent infestation at home will understand the headache it causes – but if you thought that was bad enough, imagine facing an invasion from rats at your construction site.

It’s a nightmare situation all too familiar to the Belgian officials responsible for opening new road tunnels in Brussels. Earlier this year, they claimed progress had been halted after rats ate construction plans.

Whilst this does sound like a very extreme and public use of the classic ‘sorry, the dog ate my homework’ excuse, it also accurately points out one of the biggest issues that arises from pest control problems on a building site – namely, delays.

As rats and mice struggle to find shelter and food, they’ll happily gnaw their way through woodwork or burrow between joints, leaving heaps of expensive damage in their wake, as well as completely disrupting your schedule.

And, as Belgian officials discovered, it’s a complication investors aren’t likely to be sympathetic towards, particularly because it can be easily avoided with a few simple actions.

Here’s our top advice for minimising the impact of pests on your construction site.

#1: Deal with any current problems

If you’re working on a brownfield or a greenfield site, you may have already disturbed a population of rats or mice. In that case, it’s important to keep an eye out for signs of an infestation. Chewed electrical cables – in fact, chewed anything – will be one of the most obvious indicators.

If you’re too late and they’ve already got a stronghold at your site, your only sure-fire tactic of getting rid of them is to hire an established rodent control company – they’ll also keep you on the right side of the law when it comes to dealing with protected species like bats.

#2: Protect your staff

Everyone knows that rats spread diseases, but did you also know that their germs can linger even after the pests have been eradicated? That means your employees could still be at risk of contracting potentially lethal infections, especially if stagnant water is nearby.

Limit the possible health and safety consequences by providing protective gloves to all construction workers, and promote good hand hygiene with adequate washing facilities.

#3: Stop future complications

Prevention is far easier and more effective than curing an infestation. Protect your building from future invasions from pests and rodents by incorporating preventative measures into initial construction stages.

Your biggest task will be blocking all conceivable points of entry, including gaps around drain pipes and air vents. A fine mesh should do the trick, and future human inhabitants will be forever thankful for your efforts.

So you never have to utter the shaming words ‘Rats ate my construction plans’ like those hapless Belgian officials, stick to these three steps for stopping rodent problems from disrupting your building site.


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Travis Perkins to close over 30 branches


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Wednesday, October 19, 2016

End of Season Asphalt Repairs Can Save Your Municipality Money

municipal-paving-crew-truck.jpgIf you are a municipality or business owner looking to make your winter snow removal and maintenance tasks a lot easier, look down at your asphalt surfaces now, rather than up at the changing season skies. 

Taking the time to asses the condition of your parking lot, roads and walkways will allow you to create a preventative maintenance plan. Putting this plan into action with the help of your municipal asphalt paving contractors will make your life easier this winter, and provide cost savings for years to come. 

To help you get started, here are three resources that explain how end-of-season asphalt repairs can save your municipality money. 

Imperative Reasons to Fill Cracks and Potholes Before Winter Hits

  • Learn how winter weather fluctuations and maintenance necessities like snow removal can compromise your municipal asphalt paving. In addition, learn how you can prevent damage and keep pedestrians and drivers safe by filling potholes and using street sweeping services. Read more now...  

Prepare Your Parking Lot for Winter Weather with This Winter Preparation Checklist

  • Is your business or municipality ready for winter? Use this valuable checklist to make sure that you are ready for the colder temperatures and challenging conditions that winter brings. Learn what supplies you need to stock up on, and how to ensure that you have a reliable snow removal plan in place. Read more now... 

Protect Your Asphalt Pavement From Winter Weather With These 6 Tips

  • See six ways that you can make sure that you are ready to handle the snow and ice, while providing your employees or municipality residents with safe, clear asphalt pavement. This list of six essential tips includes tasks that you can do yourself, and some you should plan to ask your asphalt paving partner about. Read more now... 

Interested in learning more about how Wolf Paving can help you?
Contact us today for a free paving estimate!

With 75 years of asphalt paving experience, from highways to driveways, we are your local source for all of your fall repairs and Milwaukee asphalt paving needs. 

For more information on Wolf Paving or to request a free quote for your next paving project contact one of our two offices. If you live or work in the Milwaukee area, call us at 262-965-2121. For Madison asphalt paving help, call us at 608-249-7931.

Winter Preparation Checklist


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Monday, October 17, 2016

Clients could face tax bills for choosing cheap contractors

Clients could face a tax of 0.5% of construction costs if they choose contractors who don’t invest in research and development or skills training.

That is one of the ideas in a radical review of the construction industry currently being pored over by Government ministers who commissioned it.

The Farmer Review of the UK Construction Labour Model warns the industry faces “inexorable decline” unless major changes are made.

It highlights construction’s “dysfunctional training model”, lack of innovation and collaboration and “non-existent research and development culture.”

Author and consultant Mark Farmer said the needs of construction firms and the clients who hire them are out of step.

He said: “If you buy a new car, you expect it to have been built in a factory to exacting standards, to be delivered on time, to an agreed price and to a predetermined quality.

“This needs to happen more in construction, so that the investors, developers or building owners hiring construction firms increasingly dictate the use of modern methods of delivery and invest appropriately in the skills agenda to grow this part of the industry.

“There are more similarities between manufacturing and construction than many people are led to believe and this perception needs to change, starting in the housing market”

One recommendation set out for the medium term is a “carrier bag charge” style behavioural deterrent scheme.

This would levy a tax on businesses who buy construction work in a way that doesn’t support industry innovation or skills development.

Clients could face paying a suggested levy equal to 0.5% of a scheme’s construction cost but would avoid paying this tax completely by commissioning construction in a more responsible way.

Farmer said: “The construction industry is in dire need of change.

“What is clear to me following the nine months spent conducting this review is that carrying on as we are is simply not an option.

“With digital technology advancements pushing ahead in almost every other industry and with the construction labour pool coming under serious pressure, the time has come for action.

“Unless we find some way of promoting innovation in construction and making the work less labour intensive and more attractive to new entrants, there’s a very real danger of the construction sector going into an inexorable decline over the next few years.

“I hope this review generates some debate in the sector and all involved can consider their role in safeguarding the industry’s long term health.”

Ray O’Rourke, chairman and chief executive at Laing O’Rourke, said: “Laing O’Rourke has invested heavily in innovation and continuous improvement, and therefore I welcome many of the findings and recommendations of the Farmer review.

“The report shines a light on the serious and systemic issues in UK house building and the wider construction industry, and we cannot afford to ignore them any longer.”

“There is significant scope for radical transformation through the adoption of new technologies and advanced manufacturing approaches.

“This will deliver the quality housing stock the UK urgently requires and directly address the acute skills gap that threatens our very future.

“Government, developers and deliverers need to invest collectively to achieve these shared goals and future-proof the industry.”

Ten main recommendations of the Farmer Review

1.    Construction Leadership Council should have strategic oversight of the implementation of these recommendations and evolve itself appropriately to coordinate and drive the process of delivering the required industry change programme set out in this review.

2.    CITB should be comprehensively reviewed and a reform programme instituted.

3.    Industry, clients and government should work together leveraging CLC’s Business Modelsworking party activity, to improve relationships and increase levels of investment in R&D and innovation in construction by changing commissioning trends from traditional to pre-manufactured approaches. The housing sector (spanning all tenures) should be used as a scalable pilot programme for this more integrated approach.

4.    Industry, government and clients, supported by academic expertise and leveraging CLC’s current Innovation work stream activity, should organise to deliver a comprehensive innovation programme. This should be fully aligned to market, benefits case led and generate a new shape of demand across industry, with a priority on residential construction. It should quickly define key measures of progress and report regularly against these as a check on the possible need for more radical measures. It should in turn also help shape CITB reform proposals in relation to technology and innovation grant funding initiatives.

5.    A reformed CITB should look to reorganise its grant-funding model for skills and training aligned to what a future modernised industry will need. Industry bodies and professional institutions should also take a more active role in ensuring that training courses are producing talent which is appropriate for a digitally enabled world, ensuring that the right business models are evolved with appropriate contractual frameworks.

6.    The government has recently reaffirmed its commitment to having a strong industrial strategy. The government should recognise the value of the construction sector and be willing to intervene by way of appropriate further education, planning and tax / employment policies to help establish and maintain appropriate skills capacity.

7.    A reformed CITB or stand-alone body should be challenged and empowered to deliver a more powerful public facing story and image for the holistic ‘built environment’ process, of which construction forms part. This responsibility should include an outreach programme to schools and should position industry exemplars and the target future state rather than just ‘business as usual’.

8.    Government should act to provide an ‘initiation’ stimulus to innovation in the housing sector by promoting the use of pre-manufactured solutions through policy measures. This should be prioritised either through the conditional incentivisation of institutional development and investment in the private rented sector; the promotion of more pre-manufactured social house building through registered providers; direct commissioning of pre-manufactured housing; or a combination of any of the above. It should also consider planning breaks for pre-manufactured approaches.

9.    Government, as part of its housing policy planning, should work with industry to assemble and publish a comprehensive pipeline of demand in the new build housing sector, on the same lines as the National Infrastructure Pipeline, seeking to bring private developers and investors into this as far as possible to assist with longer term innovation and skills investment planning.

10. In the medium to longer term, and in particular if a voluntary approach does not achieve the step change necessary, government should consider introducing a charge on business clients of the construction industry to further influence commissioning behaviour and to supplement funding for skills and innovation at a level commensurate with the size of the industry. If such a charge is introduced, it should be set at no more than 0.5% of construction value, with a clear implementation timetable. Clients should be able to offset their contribution by demonstrating how they are contributing to industry capacity building and modernisation by directly or indirectly investing in skills development, pre-manufacturing facilities, or other forms of innovation and R&D.


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Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Sweep Away Leaves and Debris to Extend the Life of your Asphalt

streetsweeper.jpgOne of the best things about living in Wisconsin is the four distinct seasons. As summer ends and fall begins, we enjoy cool, crisp weather and gorgeous scenery as the leaves begin to change colors and fall. For property managers, business owners, and municipalities, all of that scenic beauty eventually has to be cleaned up in the form of raking and street sweeping. 

From Madison to Waukesha, street sweeping ensures that the fall leaves and debris are completely removed in order to protect your paved surfaced and make winter snow removal safe and easy. 

If you are looking for a street sweeping service near you, here is how to find the right partner that will help you protect your property and your asphalt investment.

Why You Should Consider Regularly Scheduled Street Sweeping Services

Street sweeping vehicles use jets of water and specialized bristled brushes to remove dirt, debris and garbage from your asphalt pavement. Street sweeping should be done at least once a year, and fall is one of the best times to do it. Making an investment in scheduled street sweeping services will pay off, helping your asphalt pavement surface last longer. 

Regular street sweeping will: 

  • Create safer passage for vehicles, pedestrians, and snow removal services.
  • Improve drainage and prevent standing water on your asphalt surface: water penetration can compromise the surface of your asphalt, causing cracks, potholes, and other damage.
  • Increase the curb appeal of your property, which can help with selling or renting efforts.

How To Hire The Right Street Sweeping Service Near You

If you are ready to hire a street sweeping service, you should treat it just like searching for any other contractor.

  • You want a partner with a lot of experience, qualified employees, great customer service and the right equipment.
  • There are different types and grades of pavement, including porous asphalt surfaces, concrete surfaces, rubber surfaces made with bits of rubber from tires, and asphalt surfaces. Your contractor should have expert knowledge on how to clean each surface type.
  • The street sweeping company you choose should have a thorough knowledge what type of equipment, from vacuum sweepers to sprayers, are required for each specialized job. 

The right street sweeping service will do a lot more than pick up your fall leaves. They will serve as an expert partner who can help you maintain your unique property, and alert you to any small problems that require preventative maintenance before they become big issues.

Help With Removing Stains From Asphalt Pavement

An expert street sweeping service is an essential partner, but there are some stain removal techniques you can try on your own in order to keep your asphalt pavement looking great. Here is our DIY guide to removing common stains from asphalt pavement. 

WOLF_1.pngStep One: No matter what caused your stain or how you will remove it, the first step is to thoroughly rinse the stained area with water from a hose to clear away remaining debris. However, less is more in this step: Don't use a pressure washer as this can set the stain into the asphalt more deeply. Stick to a normal hose. 

WOLF_2.pngStep Two: Try a common household cleaner like soap, vinegar or dish or laundry detergent. Scrub the stain with a stiff-bristled brush, rinsing and repeating until clean. Coca-Cola can also be used as a cleaning product for pavement. Follow step one, and then pour a few cans of Coke on the stain. Let it sit overnight, and rinse it off the next morning. 

Oil Spills and Stains: In parking lots, oil is a common stain that requires a special cleaning method. Fortunately, inexpensive old-fashioned non-clumping cat litter works well as a first step. Clean up any excess oil and then pour the litter over the stain. In order to make sure the cat litter gets into any cracks, stomp it down on the asphalt surface. Let the cat litter sit on the stain overnight. Use a broom the next day to sweep up the litter and then spray the surface with a hose. 

Interested in learning more about how Wolf Paving can help you?
Contact us today for a free paving estimate!

With 75 years of asphalt paving and maintenance experience, from highways to driveways, we are your local source for all of your street sweeping needs. 

For more information on Wolf Paving or to request a free estimate for your next street sweeping or paving project contact one of our two offices. If you live or work in the Waukesha areas, call us at 262-965-2121. For the Madison area, call us at 608-249-7931.

Street sweeper service


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Thursday, October 6, 2016

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Robertson says project bank accounts will force margin rises

Stirling-based Robertson Group is predicting main contractors will have to rebalance margins as project bank accounts become commonplace on public sector work in Scotland.

Chairman Bill Robertson predicted a fundamental business model shift as he unveiled another year of strong profit growth to March 2016.

He predicted further upward pressure for healthier main contractor margins would result from greater involvement of private sector funders in the industry.

Robertson said: “Due to the changing source of funders in our market the group board believes that healthier margins in our sector will be a requirement of participation by funders to major projects and businesses.

“Our group companies therefore will continually focus on a growing return on capital and improving risk profile in our projects in preference to growth in volume.

“Indeed, in construction, if the intended project bank account process promoted by the public sector is pursued across the industry, the additional profit element required to operate such a scheme will require a rebalancing of margins within the industry.”

Over the year Robertson nearly doubled pre-tax profits to £21m on record turnover of £453m, while building its strongest ever forward order book at £2bn.

The group is now planning to double turnover over the next five years.

More than £100m of revenue is presently generated in England where the diversified Robertson Group has been steadily building its presence with a new Yorkshire and East Midlands office in Sheffield.

Robertson said the group had seen continued and sustainable growth across its 19 diverse infrastructure-based businesses, most notably in its construction, house building and partnership homes businesses.

Over the last 18 months the fast expanding group has taken on over 600 staff taking total headcount to nearly 2,000.

This year it aims to recruit a further 100 staff as it maintains a focus on using direct labour to maintain competitive advantage in the current skills crisis.

Partnership homes grew strongly and has now secured contracts to deliver over 2,500 homes over the next five years in Scotland. The firm also formed a partnership homes business in the North of England.

The group also expanded its offering in building services, civil engineering and rendering and roofing over the last 12 months.

Robertson Capital Projects, the group’s investment business, has successfully utilised its strong group working approach by involving its sister businesses in construction and facilities management to secure preferred bidder status for the delivery of a new £62m hospital in Kirkwall for NHS Orkney.

The investment will be run on 30-year concession commencing on financial close, which is anticipated in February 2017.

The homes business is operating on eight sites in Scotland including new developments in Dunbar, Strathaven and Mid Calder in Central Scotland. Robertson Homes also plans to develop quality family homes in the North of England, with four sites identified. 


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Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Wolf Paving Q+A on Mr. Fix-It – How to Fix Sinking Asphalt

WOL_blog_radio-interview.jpgThe asphalt pavement contractors near you at Wolf Paving were featured on WTMJ's "Mr. Fit-It" radio show for a one-hour interview with Milwaukee's own Tom Feiza. 

The program offers weekly advice on do-it-yourself projects. home improvements and general home repairs. 

The focus of this recent program included 3 questions from radio host Tom Feiza: 

  • What causes asphalt pavement to sink down right before a concrete garage slab?
  • How do you fix a soil-sinking problem?
  • What is infrared asphalt repair? 

Interested to hear the answers to these questions? Listen in to the radio interview segment now by clicking below. 

Click Here to Listen to the Radio Interview Now!  

Stay tuned to our blog! We will be publishing the additional segments in the coming months featuring call-in questions from listeners and expert answers from Wolf Paving asphalt paving professionals.

Past Interview Segments: 

If you’d like more information about Wolf Paving and our team of asphalt paving contractors visit our website. Or click below to request a free estimate now so we can understand the size and scope of your project needs. 

CLICK HERE: Request A Free Estimate Now for Your Next Paving Project

With 75 years of asphalt paving experience, from highways to driveways, we are your local source for all of your asphalt paving needs.

For more information on Wolf Paving or to request a free estimate for your next paving project contact one of our two offices. If you live or work in the Milwaukee area, call us at 262-965-2121. For the Madison area, call us at 608-249-7931.

Asphalt Paving Estimate


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Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Temperature and Concrete: Know How Weather Affects Your Pour

Concrete is such a common material for foundations, slabs, sidewalks and other construction projects that it is easy to forget it needs to be poured under the right circumstances. The weather, and particularly the temperature, plays a significant role in allowing concrete to set properly. Here’s how the weather affects your pour.

Cold weather presents a number of challenges to pouring concrete. Freezing temperatures, heat loss between the time the concrete is mixed and when it is poured, and snow or ice can wreak havoc on your concrete installation.

Concrete Pouring in Cold WeatherFreezing temperatures are a significant problem when pouring concrete. The concrete must harden to a strength of at least 500 psi before freezing, notes America’s Cement Manufacturers. Newly poured concrete that freezes before it has adequately hardened may be irreparably damaged as a result. In fact, concrete that freezes can lose as much as half of its intended strength.

Frozen ground is also a problem when pouring concrete. Even if the air temperatures are above freezing, ground that is frozen will likely cause trouble. Frozen ground can increase the time needed for the concrete to set. Further, the ground may also settle and reposition after a thaw, causing the concrete to shift and crack. Pouring concrete onto frozen ground requires first taking steps to thaw the ground.

Snow, ice or standing water are also common at construction sites during the cold weather. Pouring concrete on top of this moisture can lead to problems, as it may affect the rate at which the concrete sets or introduce too much moisture into the concrete mixture, impacting the cured concrete’s final strength.

Concrete that is mixed at a plant and then transported to a job site will lose heat during transport in cold weather. A general rule is that the concrete temperature will decrease by about one-fourth the difference between the mix temperature and air temperature for every hour of transport. During winter weather this could easily amount to 5 or more degrees per hour. Fortunately, at Bergen Mobile Concrete, we use a fleet of state-of-the-art, metered mobile concrete mixer trucks to deliver concrete throughout northern New Jersey. With our ability to mix on-site, you can get exactly the volume you need and without the risk of temperature loss.

We aim to provide dependable, reliable service on every delivery, regardless of how much concrete you need. To learn more, call us today at 201-797-7550 and request a quote for your next project.


The post Temperature and Concrete: Know How Weather Affects Your Pour was originally seen from http://www.bergenmobileconcrete.com

Drivesett Tegula Block Paving Chester Le Street

Driveway Installation using Drivesett Tegula Block Paving in Chester Le Street

Recent driveway installation using Drivesett Tegula block paving in Chester le Street.

This recent project involved us installing a new driveway using Marshalls Drivesett Tegula blocks. The colours we used were harvest and traditional colour mix using red ks kerbs.

Drivesett-tegula-block-paving block-paving-chester-le-street driveway-block-paving-chester-le-street

Marshalls Drivesett Tegula Block Paving for Driveways

Marshalls Drivesett Tegula block paving comes in five different colours and five different sizes. Different size blocks and colours can be mixed to break up uniformity and add more creative interest to a driveway. Colours available are Traditional, Harvest, Pennant Grey, Hazelnut, and Autumn.

Tegula-autumn-block-paving Hazelnut-Tegula -Block- Paving traditional tegula block paving pennant grey block paving Harvest-Block-Paving

The Drivesettt Tegula block paving is one of our most popular blocks, it offers a beautifully aged appearance. Furthermore, with the variety of different sizes and colours available in this design, they can be blended together to create a truly unique look for your driveway.

Marshalls Drivesett Tegula block paving is also renowned for its long lasting high-quality appearance. A permeable equivalent is also available, please ask for further details of this product.

Our Marshalls Guarantee

Customers can also benefit from the great Marshalls products guarantees when the driveway is installed by our team. The guarantee is currently for 10 years. In addition, all our work receives a 5-year installation guarantee.

Driveways Finance

Furthermore, homeowners can benefit from our Driveway finance subject to status, please see our Finance page for further details.

Visit our Show Site

Finally, why not call into our show site at Clays Garden Centre Washington? Here you will find some of our products on display or call us for a FREE no obligation quotation for your Driveway or Patio on 0800 160 1618

Keep up with all our latest news, products and projects

If you would like to keep informed of all our latest news, products and projects, please join our Facebook page. 

The post Drivesett Tegula Block Paving Chester Le Street appeared first on Driveways, Block Paving, Patios, Newcastle, North East | Driveway Company UK.


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October 04, 2016 at 11:48AM

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Government unveils £5bn boost to speed up house building

The Government is pledging £5bn of public money to accelerate building of tens of thousands of homes.

House-BuildingUnder the latest plan to galvanise the house building industry, ministers will set aside £2bn of new public borrowing to fund an Accelerated Construction Scheme to make public land with planning permission available to builders.

A further £3bn home building fund using previously-announced cash will provide loans to stimulate new building projects where finances are tight.

Builders will be encouraged through these funding pots to use more modern building techniques in the hope of delivering homes twice as quickly.

Also new rules will be introduced to make it easier for developers to demolish offices and replace them with residential housing on a like-for-like basis.

Local planning authorities will be able to grant permission in principle on sites identified in new brownfield registers, to take the risk out of developing a potential 140,000 homes a year.

Chancellor Philip Hammond and Communities Secretary Sajid Javid will set out details of the funds at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham today.

“We’ll use all the tools at our disposal to accelerate housebuilding and ensure that over time, housing becomes more affordable,” Hammond said in a statement before his speech to the conference.

The home building fund will release £1bn of short-term loans for small builders, custom builders and innovative developers to deliver 25,500 homes by 2020, while a further £2bn of long-term funding for infrastructure will unlock up to 200,000 homes over the longer term, they said.


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Monday, October 3, 2016

Patio Paving France

Recent project for a large patio in France lift and relay of 115m2 of patio

paving-project-france patio-paving-france

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October 03, 2016 at 09:48AM

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New UK construction industry mascot launched by Considerate Constructors Scheme

The UK construction industry now has a female mascot called Honor Goodsite – created by the Considerate Constructors Scheme – the national organisation established to improve the image of the industry.

press-release_honor-goodsite-launch_photograph_smallHonor Goodsite will promote all that is great about the industry, helping to raise awareness and inspire young children to consider a career in construction when they grow up, as well as delivering important messages about children’s safety around construction sites.

Honor Goodsite is a structural engineer – a key profession within construction – but one which is still very much underrepresented by women. Only six percent of parents surveyed by the Institution of Engineering and Technology said an engineering career would be attractive to their daughters; the challenge is to help change these perceptions among parents as well as children.

She joins the hugely successful industry mascot Ivor Goodsite, a site manager who was introduced by the Scheme in 2003 and has since then visited hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren across the UK.

Honor Goodsite’s first outing was at the Victoria Station Upgrade project – a £700 million project transforming one of the capital’s busiest stations. The Taylor Woodrow BAM Nuttall Joint Venture delivering this project hosted the launch of Honor Goodsite, with the help of 19 children.

Considerate Constructors Scheme Chief Executive Edward Hardy said: “The Scheme is delighted to be launching the UK construction industry’s new mascot, Honor Goodsite.  Honor has a hugely important role to improve the construction industry’s image with future generations. As a role model for promoting gender diversity and equality in construction, Honor will encourage schoolchildren to understand the wide range of careers available, while helping to change perceptions of the sector as male-orientated.”

Considerate Constructors Scheme Director Caroline Barker added: “I am delighted that the industry now has a female mascot. As the first female engineer to be recruited at a leading construction organisation in the 1980’s, I know first-hand how exciting an industry it is for everyone”.

Taylor Woodrow Bam Nuttall’s Environmental Manager Caroline O’Connor commented: “It is excellent that the Considerate Constructors Scheme has introduced Honor Goodsite. As a woman working in construction, I can thoroughly recommend it as a great industry to work in. The variety of careers and opportunities in the construction industry is vast, and I am sure Honor Goodsite will help young children and their parents to see that construction is an exciting, rewarding industry, which is open to everyone”.

Women’s Engineering Society’s Chief Executive Dawn Bonfield MBE commented: “The Women’s Engineering Society praises the Considerate Constructors Scheme in creating Honor Goodsite. We are delighted that Honor Goodsite’s profession is as an engineer, and we are sure that her role will inspire and educate future generations of schoolchildren into the construction sector, and promote greater gender diversity and equality in the workplace.”

All Scheme-registered sites, companies, suppliers and clients are eligible to hire Honor Goodsite for any community, school related, or other educational/charitable events. For more information about Honor and Ivor Goodsite click here.


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Wednesday, September 28, 2016

The Complete 7-Step Process for Asphalt Pavement Installation

WOLF_blog_commercial-18_paving-truck-working-road.jpgIt’s never too late to learn something new, and when it comes to asphalt pavement installation, there are many things that homeowners, commercial property owners and municipality employees many not be aware of. 

At Wolf Paving, we are asphalt paving contractors in Milwaukee, Oconomowoc and Madison who take pride in educating people about everything asphalt — it’s our passion. 

So please, take a look at this step-by-step overview of what an asphalt pavement installation requires — from demolition all the way to a smooth, new surface. 

Step 1: Demolition and Removal

The first step in the asphalt installation process is to remove the existing surface, whether it is asphalt, concrete or pavers. 

  • Demolition and removal is completed using heavy machinery, including small bobcats and forklifts and when necessary, front loaders and large dump trucks.
  • Debris is removed and in most instances, Wolf Paving recycles the old asphalt and concrete in our asphalt plants, turning deteriorating waste into strong, usable new asphalt.
  • In fact, Wolf Paving typically recycles nearly 100% of the materials removed from a job site, making the choice to use Wolf Paving both green and environmentally friendly. 

Step 2: Grading and Sloping

With a clean slate, technology helps Wolf Paving asphalt professionals prepare the surface for appropriate water drainage. 

  • Using laser guided transits and automatic motor graders, the Wolf Paving team grades the surface to be paved to ensure that water will run-off appropriately.
  • Proper water drainage is vital to your asphalt, because water is a major cause of damage, including potholes, cracks and heaving. 

Step 3: Prepare the Sub Base

You’d never guess that the most important part of your new asphalt surface is actually the sub base.

  • The sub base provides a stable surface to support new pavement.
  • The sub base is a frost barrier to help reduce winter damage due to freezing and thawing.
  • During the installation, base thickness, base stability and compaction are important steps. If the sub base is not appropriately compacted, the asphalt surface on top will not provide years of durability. 

Step 3: Proof Roll

Once the sub base is fully graded and compacted, Wolf Paving completes an extra step, called a proof roll, to ensure the underlying surface is strong and ready to support new asphalt.

  • A Wolf Paving proof roll involves driving a quad-axle dumb truck, loaded with 72,000 pounds, row by row over the entire surface.
  • If the gravel flexes more than an inch under the weight of the truck, it means that the base is not properly supported. 

Step 4: Undercutting and Sub Base Repair

If the proof roll finds soft areas in the sub base, Wolf Paving makes the necessary repairs in compromised areas to ensure the entire sub base is supportive.

  • Undercutting can be used to repair soft spots. This process involves digging down below the surface 2 or 3 feet and replacing the underlying soft clay or soil with stronger aggregate material.
  • Wolf Paving also offers alternative options, like using geo-grid, instead of undercutting. Using geo-grid involves digging only 16 inches below the surface and laying grid down to bridge base materials together. This creates a solid support structure for new asphalt at a fraction of the cost of traditional undercutting.
  • Wolf Paving has also pioneered a new process called plowing. This process involves undercutting the sub base, but instead of removing all of the soft clay and soil, it is instead mixed with added aggregate to improve the strength of the compromised areas. 

Step 4: Binder and Surface Course  

Once the sub base is laid and any soft areas are identified and repaired, it is time to add the binder.

  • The binder layer is large aggregate mixed with oil, making it very strong and durable.
  • The binder layer can be thought of as the strength of any new asphalt surface. 

Step 5: Install New Asphalt Surface

Once the supportive structures of a new asphalt surface are installed, the top layer of fresh asphalt is added to provide a clean, smooth ride.

  • Surface asphalt is made up of small aggregate, sand and oil.
  • This combination of materials creates jet-black asphalt that when installed appropriately, provides a smooth ride and a shiny, attractive finished surface. 

Step 6: Butt Joints and Transitions

It is very rare to install an asphalt surface that does not connect to existing driveways, roadways or parking lots. As such, asphalt-paving contractors must find a way to smooth the transition from old surface to new.

  • Butt joints are areas were old asphalt or concrete meets new asphalt pavement.
  • These transitional areas require special attention to ensure that the grading and water run-off is appropriate.
  • Butt joints are important to ensure drivers and pedestrians don’t notice a difference in the surfaces. 

Step 7: Final Roll

Once the asphalt and butt joints have been laid, the entire surface is smoothed and compacted.

  • Using a roller truck, the new asphalt pavement surface is compacted and smoothed.
  • This process step ensures that no small bumps of aggregate or stone are left poking through the smooth new surface. 

Your asphalt paving contractor should follow these installation steps to make sure your new asphalt surface will provide years of durability and functionally for your home, business, city or town. 

But remember that installation process should only follow a proper surface inspection and a complete estimate. Take a look at the articles below that explain those processes completely. 

CLICK HERE: Request A Free Estimate Now for Your Next Paving Project

With 75 years of asphalt paving experience, from highways to driveways, we are your local source for all of your asphalt paving needs.

For more information on Wolf Paving or to request a free estimate for your next paving project contact one of our two offices. If you live or work in the Milwaukee area, call us at 262-965-2121. For the Madison area, call us at 608-249-7931.

Asphalt Pavement protection plan


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Crossrail builders face two mile trek to the toilet


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Monday, September 26, 2016

Cityscape scheme sets young trainee on right career path

A £4m construction project currently being undertaken by the Highways Division of North Midland Construction plc (NM Group) to enhance public spaces in Sheffield city centre, has provided one young person with paid work hez2experience that should hopefully help him to kick start his career.

The NM Group is installing a new footpath and cycleway scheme designed to improve safety and rejuvenate main routes to the University of Sheffield Campus. The company needed additional members of staff to work on the project and turned to Skills Made Easy for help with its search.  Skills Made Easy is a unique government backed programme designed to help businesses overcome skills shortages in the Sheffield City region and also to help young people develop their skills by connecting them with businesses operating in the area.

19 year old Hezakiah (Hez) Williams from Parsons Cross had completed a BTEC qualification in construction but found himself unable to break into the industry he loved.  He contacted Skills Made Easy and they arranged a two week work trial for him with the NM Group.

During the trial, when he was overseen by qualified and experienced personnel, Hez had the opportunity to work on the renewal of the streetscape around the University buildings. He performed well and with commitment, successfully passing his trial.

He is still in the employment of the NM Group and has since been involved in numerous construction activities to assist in the project’s progress including groundworks, drainage, paving preparation and kerbing.  Further arrangements are underway to provide Hez with additional skills training through NM Academy – the company’s learning and development programme

Chris Davis, N M Group’s construction site manager on the project said:

“We are really pleased with the progress that Hez has made in the short time he has been working for us. He has shown a real aptitude for learning a variety of construction principles in a live project environment and a keen enthusiasm for developing new skills. I am confident that Hez will become a valuable asset to the team and this would not have been possible without Skills Made Easy.”

Laura Hayfield, programme manager, Skills Made Easy said:

“Work trials give individuals like Hez, who have found it difficult to secure a career in their chosen sector, a chance to gain experience and illustrate to employers what they can bring to the business. Hez had wanted work in the construction industry but since leaving school he had struggled to secure a permanent role. He has impressed his new employers with his skills and genuine interest in the sector and his commitment has enabled him to continue to develop new skills with the NM Group.”

“For employers work trials help them ensure that the person they are recruiting fits in well with their existing workforce and has the aptitude to succeed.”

Skills Made Easy is a free of charge service which offers impartial, tailored advice to small and medium sized businesses based in the Sheffield City Region. The service helps employers to overcome skills shortages in the workforce which could be impacting on growth and to access Government grants to cover the cost of training. The service is delivered free of charge to all businesses based in the Sheffield City Region, employing fewer than 250 members of staff. For more information, visit www.skillsmadeeasy.org.uk or telephone 0114 229 6183.


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Wednesday, September 21, 2016

How to Budget and Plan for Fall Asphalt Maintenance to Save Money

WOLF_Blog_residential-01_paving-truck-driveway.jpgPreventative maintenance in the fall ensures that you won’t be faced with big problems when snow arrives in the coming months.  

When you are doing your seasonal inspections, don’t forget to look down – the asphalt paving that makes up your parking lot, driveway, or walkways might also need some attention.

Making room in your budget for preventative asphalt maintenance will keep your property looking great, increase safety and even save you money in the long run. Completing relatively affordable projects like crack and pothole filling provide a great return on your investment as they have both immediate and long-term benefits.

To protect your asphalt pavement (and your bottom line), here just three of our asphalt paving fall tips: 

WOLF_1.pngAsphalt surface inspection: Are there cracks or potholes that need to be filled? Cracks and potholes allow water to penetrate the surface of your pavement. During the inevitable freeze and thaw cycles of winter and spring, your asphalt pavement can be severely damaged by water under the surface. This extreme, expensive damage can be easily avoiding by following our asphalt paving fall tips.

WOLF_2.png
Water pooling evaluation:
Do you see standing water? Making sure that water run-off is being managed correctly will help prevent damaging water penetration, and keep your asphalt free of the snow and ice that is sure to come this winter.


WOLF_3.png
Seasonal aesthetic evaluation:
Is your pavement looking worn? Quick treatments like sealcoating can make your asphalt look like new again, greatly increasing the curb appeal of your property.

 

Make sure you don’t leave preventative asphalt maintenance off of your fall to-do list. Proper maintenance on your pavement, from a reputable Madison, Oconomowoc or Milwaukee asphalt paving contractor will help extend the life of your asphalt, saving you money on costly projects like total replacement.

Autumn Maintenance Checklist Download

For help with creating a custom plan for your property, download a free copy of our Autumn Maintenance Checklist.

Our checklist will help you to evaluate your asphalt surface, and give you an idea of what you need to budget for this fall.

Request an Asphalt Paving Estimate Now

Wolf Paving offers professional paving services from Milwaukee to Madison, and everywhere in between, including all areas around: Sun Prairie, Oconomowoc and Waukesha

It’s never too early or too late to request a free paving estimate. Call Wolf Paving today to get help from the most experienced parking lot contractors in Waukesha. For the Milwaukee area, call us at 262-965-2121. For the Madison area, call us at 608-249-7931.


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