June 2007

Residential Edition
June 2007
In This Issue
Outdoor Living Enhanced by
Composite Decking
Copyright Protection for
Architectural Drawings
MAGAZINE
www.buildersresourcemag.com
Attached Housing Gaining
Popularity
Traton Homes Intros New
Plans at Paces Farm
2 Builders Resource Magazine I June 2007
MAGAZINE
Notes from the
Publisher
Residential Edition
June 2007
Publisher
Chuck McIntire
TGS Media, Inc.
3350 Riverwood Parkway, Suite 1900
Atlanta, Georgia 30339
(678) 560-8588, TEL
(678) 669-2517, FAX
Toll Free 1-877-TGS-INC1 (847-4621)
Design
Hugh Shipman
SDI & Associates, Inc.
(770) 822-9717, TEL
www.sdianda.com
Photography
Daniel Henninger
(770) 948-1121, TEL
www.danielhenninger.com
Contributing Writers
Tara Currier
Renita Davis
Lana Drucker
Carol Flammer
Marcy A. Millard
Maureen Murray
Frances Phillips
Did you see this headline recently? "New
home sales rise, but average price falls." It
was probably not shocking news to Builders
Resource Magazine readers since your
businesses are driven by these market
conditions every day. But the article did
provide some interesting facts.
According to the Associated Press in May,
nationwide sales of new homes surged in
April, by the biggest one-month increase in 14
years. But the median price of a new home
dropped by the largest one-month amount on
record.
The Commerce Department of the U.S.
reported that sales of new single-family
homes jumped by 16.2 percent in April to a
seasonally adjusted annual rate of 981,000
units. That was far better than the 0.2 percent
gain that economists had been expecting. The
jump in sales was the biggest increase since a
16.4 percent surge in new home sales that
occurred in April 1993.
Printer
Robert J. Ferega
Protech Printing & Graphics
(770) 425-3099
www.protechprinting.com
Distribution Company
Brandt Kessler
1st Class Mailing Service, Inc.
(770) 792-MAIL
www.1stclassmailing.com
Although every precaution is taken to ensure
accuracy of published materials, Builders
Resource Magazine cannot be held responsible
for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its
authors. Copyright 2007, Builders Resource
Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction
in whole or in part without written permission
is prohibited.
A Publication of
Analysts cautioned against reading too much
into the big gain, especially in light of other
surveys showing that builder confidence has
sunk in recent months over worries that
troubles in the subprime mortgage market
will further crimp demand in coming months.
The good news for Builders Resource
Magazine readers is that the strength in
sales was led by a 27.8 percent surge in the
South. This compared to gains of 8.5 percent
in the West and 3.8 percent in the Northeast.
Only the Midwest showed a falling market,
down by 4 percent in April.
While sales have improved, the median price
of a new home sold in April fell to $229,000, a
record 11.1 percent decline from the previous
month. The big price decline indicated that
builders are slashing prices to try to move a
huge overload of unsold homes. The drop in
median prices in April compared to March was
a record one-month decline. If the April sales
price was compared to the sales price a year
ago, the decline was 10.9 percent, the biggest
year-over-year drop since 1970.
This month's featured builder, Phil Gressly of
Summerfield Homes, is keenly aware of today's
market conditions. And he is actively dealing
with the issues facing homebuilders on all
fronts. While Gressly stays busy building 8 to
10 premium homes annually in West Cobb
County, he also finds the time to be active in the
state and local building associations and has
been the Cobb County Chapter President of the
GAHBA for the last two years.
It's great working with Gressly. It would be
hard to find another builder or industry
advocate more down-to-earth than him. When
you are with him, he can't help but show the
excitement that he feels about home building
whether he is talking about the associations, the
energy savings of his Earthcraft homes or the
personal touches of class that he demands in all
his homes. I would challenge all the readers of
Builders Resource Magazine to follow Gressly's
example and get excited about what you do and
involved in the local or state industry
associations. When you are involved, in
addition to having a great source for
networking with industry leaders like Gressly,
you get to have a voice in the future of the
industry that you make your living in.
Although his term as President of the Cobb
Chapter may expire in a few months, I expect to
see Phil Gressly active as a leader in the Atlanta
and state building associations and
communities for many years to come. So I wish
him and Summerfield Homes the best for the
future and congratulate him for the example he
sets for all of us to strive for in our businesses
and our industry. ™
Builders Resource Magazine I June 2007 3
MAGAZINE
Contents
Notes from the Publisher
3
Local News
5
Traton Homes Introduces Five New Homes at
Paces Farm
Cover Story
6-10
Summerfield Homes: Pride in Building Quality
Family Communities
by Frances Phillips
Local News
12
Direction to Perfection, Acquiring Skills to
be Great (McCar Homes Implements New Sales
Training Program)
Monthly Feature Article/Vendor Spotlight
13-15
Outdoor Living - Living Enhanced by Composite
Decking
by Maureen Murray
Local News
17
Attached Housing Gains Popularity Among
Home Buyers
by Tara Currier
Vendor Directory
18-19
A useful resource to find qualified businesses
in your area
Legal News
20-21
Copyright Protection of Architectural Drawings
by Marcy A. Millard
Index to Advertisers
22
Builders Resource Magazine I June 2007
4
Local News
Traton Homes
Introduces Five New
Home Plans at Paces
Farm
West Cobb community offers
home buyers a variety of
choices
baths. Homeowners have the
choice of creating an optional
sunroom and/or an upstairs
media room. The Rutherford
home plan includes 2,818
square feet of living space
with four or five bedrooms
and two and one-half baths.
Homebuyers may choose to
add an optional media room.
The Knollwood is a 3,416
square foot home plan with
four bedrooms and three and
one-half baths.
All homes in Paces Farm
range in size from 2,400 to
approximately 4,200 square
feet situated on large home
sites and include three sides
brick, cedar shake or stone
and standard three-car
garages. Homeowners will
enjoy a community swimming pool with
water feature opening just in time for
Memorial Day fun. A clubhouse is also
available for community use.
Potential home buyers have the opportunity
to visit Paces Farm and view a beautiful
model showcasing the Lexington home plan,
a four-bedroom, four-and-one-half bath
home with many popular design features.
Paces Farm is located in the new
Hillgrove High School district and served
by Still Elementary and Lovinggood
Middle schools. To visit, take I-75 North
to Barrett Parkway (Exit 269). Turn left
on Barrett Parkway and follow to Dallas
Highway/Highway 120. Turn right.
Follow to West Sandtown Road and turn
left. The community will be on the left.
Celebrating over 35 years in business,
Traton Homes has built a solid reputation
by giving Atlanta area homebuyers
exactly what they expect - Altogether
More. Traton Homes offers more
experience, more impressive architecture,
more outstanding features and more
rewarding lifestyles in more desirable
locations on homes ranging from the
$200,000s to the $800,000s. Each of the
over 5,000 homes they have built in more
than 50 communities demonstrates their
strict attention to quality and detail.
Traton Homes is currently building in
eleven outstanding communities in Cobb,
Cherokee, Douglas, Paulding and South
Fulton. ™
For more information on Traton Homes, visit
www.TratonHomes.com or call the corporate
office at 770-427-9064. This press release was
written by Carol Flammer and Renita Davis of
Flammer PR.
Traton Homes announces that five new twostory home plans are now available at Paces
Farm, a community of 81 distinctive twostory and ranch-style homes starting in the
low $400,000s.
"With the addition of these five spacious
plans, buyers may now choose from 15
different home plans to meet their needs,"
says Kimberly Garwood, Marketing
Manager for Traton Homes.
The five new home plans include the Davis,
Melrose, Providence, Rutherford and
Knollwood. They all feature large master
bedrooms with sitting areas and luxurious
master baths, along with hardwoods that
flow throughout the foyers, powder rooms,
and kitchens.
The Davis home plan includes 3,776 square
feet with four bedrooms, a bonus room and
four and one-half baths. Buyers may choose
to transform the bonus room into a fifth
bedroom if they prefer, and they also have
the option of adding a media room upstairs.
The Melrose is a 3,215 square foot home
with four bedrooms, a study and four and
one-half baths. Homeowners have the
option of making the downstairs study a
fifth bedroom.
The Providence home plan boasts 3,407
square feet with five bedrooms and four
Builders Resource Magazine I June 2007 5
Cover Story
WRITTEN BY
Frances Phillips
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
Daniel Henninger
Photography
6 Builders Resource Magazine I June 2007
Summerfield Homes
Pride in Building
Quality Family
Communities
In today's real estate market, home builders
must differentiate their products to maintain
a competitive edge. Atlanta custom builder
Phil Gressly of Summerfield Homes knows
the importance of this principal and proves it
on a daily basis at the luxury home
community SilverOak in Acworth.
overlooking the pool and a lower level
"gaming" area complete with pool, ping
pong and poker table and a kids T.V. den.
Featuring homes priced in the high
$600,000's to the $900,000's, Summerfield
Homes is the primary builder at this
custom home community.
Situated just a few miles off U.S. 41 near Lake
Allatoona, backing to U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers land, this intimate, wooded
community is a hidden gem in northwestern
Cobb County. A 3.8 acre spring-fed private
lake and a vast amenities center anchor the
dynamic SilverOak community. Their two
story clubhouse boasts a beautiful area for
entertaining with a furnished veranda
"All Summerfield Homes at SilverOak are
built to strict EarthCraft and ENERGY
STAR standards. And with the increased
sophistication of buyers, these affiliations
are becoming more and more important"
said Gressly, Vice President of
Summerfield Homes. "Consumers have
become more conscientious of energy
savings, and they want energy-saving
features in their homes. When home
buyers purchase EarthCraft and ENERGY
STAR homes, they are not only saving
money (30 to 40 percent on energy bills)
but they're doing their part to conserve
the environment as well." He adds, "Our
first homeowner was amazed at the
difference in their utility bills. They
moved from an eight-year old home with
3,000-square feet to nearly 6,000 square
feet of finished space and their utility bills
were less than in their old home! The
difference between our homes and others
similarly priced are qualitative. Not only
are our homes more quiet and
comfortable, they also represent a smart
purchase as these home will provide a
much higher resale value in the future."
Builders Resource Magazine I June 2007 7
Cover Story
A BUILDER BACKED BY
EXPERIENCE
Gressly, an Atlanta native, was introduced
to the home building industry as a
teenager when he cleaned residential
construction sites and swept homes for
builders in his neighborhood. He brings
28 years of residential construction
experience to Summerfield Homes, which
he joined 13 years ago after working for
both McCauley Properties and Glen Ridge
Properties. Founded in 1987, Summerfield
Homes is owned by Kevin Levent, the
President and CEO of Metro Brokers/
GMAC Real Estate.
Gressly is actively involved in the Atlanta
and state home building industry. He was
one of the first members of the Greater
8 Builders Resource Magazine I June 2007
Atlanta Home Builder Association's
Certified Professional Home Builder
program and is a state director of the Home
Builders Association of Georgia.
the builder who excels in a variety of
categories including construction quality,
customer service, and timely delivery of
product and job site cleanliness.
Additionally, he has been the President of
the Cobb County Chapter of the GAHBA
for the past two years. "It's always been
extremely important for us to give back to
the state building community and to help
set a standard and precedent that all
builders should strive to achieve," said
Gressly, who is also a Certified Residential
Building Inspector.
Combining his business research and
development degree with years of project
management and supervising experience,
Gressly knows what it takes to build a
quality home. His commitment to detail
and quality is evident as every Summerfield
Home is a home where families can thrive
for years to come.
Gressly was named the 2005 Builder of the
Year by the Builder-Developer Marketing
Group of Metro Brokers/GMAC Real Estate
earning the Silver Saw Award. This
prestigious award is presented annually to
The Summerfield Homes built at its premier
SilverOak community are 100 percent
EarthCraft and ENERGY STAR certified.
This means that they every home has
undergone a third party inspection and
testing process to verify that the home meets
the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency's (EPA's) ENERGY STAR labeled
homes program guidelines. Additionally,
Gressly brings an extensive knowledge of
erosion and sediment control to
Summerfield Homes. This combined
with the companies national energy
efficient certifications make these homes
a very sound investment.
"Our finishing appointments and the
heart of our homes - the efficiency - sets
us apart", Gressly said. Gressly's homes
feature well thought out floor plans,
formal studies, dining rooms with
seating for 10 or more, buffet niches, two
story foyers and great rooms, central
vacuum systems, hot water circulating
systems, chef's kitchens with granite
countertops, top of the line stainless steel
Builders Resource Magazine I June 2007 9
Cover Story
appliances, solid wood cabinets and custom
tile backsplashes. Some homes also include
coffered ceilings, window walls in the great
room, keeping rooms, multiple fireplaces,
steam showers and owners retreats with
fireplaces and morning kitchens. "We build
these homes with 20-inch wood trusses so all
piping and ductwork can be run between the
trusses thus allowing for 10-foot basement
ceilings" said Gressly. Additionally, some of
his homes have concrete rooms beneath the
front porch space for inclement weather
safety and storage. This is space that many
home builders fill in during the construction
process but Summerfield Homes converts it to
useful space. Summerfield homeowners
commonly use this extra concrete and steel
room as a "safe" room or a wine cellar.
Always looking for ways to make SilverOak
homes even more owner-friendly and
dynamic, Gressly says that he is building a
new model home across from the amenity
area that kick things up a notch by including
a wine cellar with built-in wood wine shelves
and a finished terrace level with great multi
uses. "This new model will also feature a
circular driveway and a huge patio for
outdoor entertaining, as well as a state of the
art central stereo surround sound system. The
custom touches and upgraded features we are
adding to this home are really exciting."
"Some builders don't take the building process
too personally,” said Gressly. "But I want to give
my buyers a hands-on personal touch from the
first day of construction to the closing and
beyond. That means being on the job site every
day and accessible to the buyer to answer their
questions and listen to what they need and want
in their homes. It also means many times
personally providing the fine finishing touches
that they want. This gives buyers much needed
peace of mind during what can be one of the
most stressful but rewarding experiences of their
lives." he added. Gressly also humbly
acknowledges that "Our personal approach to
building premium homes may never make
Summerfield Homes the biggest builder out
there. But our buyers know that their homes are
among the best available. And that's what we
strive for - to be among the best home builders in
the Atlanta area" ™
Summerfield Homes, Inc.
PO Box 1654
Woodstock, GA 30188
(678) 445-2238
10 Builders Resource Magazine I June 2007
Builders Resource Magazine I June 2007 11
Local News
Direction to
Perfection,
Acquiring Skills
to be Great
McCar Homes implements new
sales training program
People strive to be the best of the best in
their field - perfect at what they do.
Reaching perfection can mean more money,
more recognition and ultimately more
respect. McCar Homes recognized the
ambition people have to reach the top, and
has initiated Direction to Perfection (D2P) to
help their sales agents make it there as
quickly as possible.
The six week long program is aimed at
teaching new home sales agents everything
they need to become a successful new home
Sales Agent. The conception of Direction to
Perfection came from Tom Ware, President
of Sales and Marketing, and Monica Phillips,
Corporate Training Manager at McCar
Homes, and both teach throughout the six
week program.
"What we hope to accomplish with this
program is two things; the first being to
build a stronger, more consistent sales team,"
said Phillips. "The second is to identify
leaders within our Sales Team. McCar
Homes has a strong belief of promoting
from within, so what better way to look for
potential leaders than to establish a
mentoring program for those agents who
want to walk in the spotlight."
When an agent starts with McCar Homes,
they are given a workbook that guides
them through D2P. The workbook has
assignments, which correlates with every
week's class, which the agent must
complete. The workbook will later serve as
a reference guide once promoted. It was
designed to promote consistence of
knowledge and to understand McCar's
processes. Also, once in the D2P Training,
all assistants will be paired with a McCar
STAR, which stands for Sales,
Training/Team, Agent, Resource. The STAR
is a mentor that the assistant will shadow
throughout the six week program and also
gives valuable feedback to their Sales
Manager on how the assistant's progress is
coming along. Every week a Progress
Report is filled out by the STAR on their
assistant's strengths, weaknesses and other
areas as well as the workbook assignments
and their completion. The six weeks of
training focuses on sales procedures and
techniques, cross training, financing and
McCar's sales software program. The
classes are taught by all department heads.
MORE
"What you tend to find with numerous
builders is that the new agents are just
'thrown' into a community with no tools
to be successful," said Phillips. "Direction
to Perfection is not only teaching the tools
needed to be a successful sales agent, but
it is teaching how to be the best sales
agent. Our new hires receive a great deal
of information in those six weeks. We're
doing all we can for them to succeed."
Not only are the new sales agents at
McCar Homes learning the skills they
need to perform well, but they are being
recognized when they have done an
exceptional job. McCar STARS are chosen
for their outstanding work in everything
related to sales. Participating in Direction
to Perfection will allow new McCar
STARS to be discovered. Once established
as a mentor, agents are trusted to teach
the policies and procedures of McCar
Homes, and will be reliant upon to give
feedback to Sales Managers on who is
suitable to join the sales team.
The first classes in the program began
February 5 in Atlanta, and February 19 in
Charlotte. There were 20 new agents who
participated in the first ever Direction to
Perfection.
Celebrating over 50 years in
homebuilding, McCar Homes builds
homes for buyers who desire the best
homes in sought-after locations. From a
variety of townhome styles to comfortable
family homes and estate homes in masterplanned communities, McCar Homes
maintains the original passion to build
quality homes that founders Dan and
Elaine McSwain brought forth when they
started the company. Under the
leadership of son and CEO Keith
McSwain, the company has grown from a
hometown builder into one of the nation's
top 50 builders, earning national and
regional awards and recognitions. In 2006,
Big Builder ranked McCar as the 40th
largest homebuilder in the United States.
With an experienced team of
professionals, McCar Homes sets a new
standard for exceptional quality,
innovative home design, outstanding
amenities and customer satisfaction building new home communities across
the Southeastern United States including
Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina
and Florida. Discover our passion - visit
one of McCar Homes' many communities
today. For more information, visit
www.mccarhomes.com. ™
This press release was written by Lana Drucker of
Flammer PR.
12 Builders Resource Magazine I June 2007
Feature Story/Vendor Spotlight
Outdoor
Living
Enhanced by
Here are some tips on what to look for
in your composite deck.
Composite Decking
by Maureen Murray for Trex Company
Decks are no longer horizontal wooden
structures that are haphazardly slapped
onto a house. Today's decks are like an
outdoor room and have style, curves and
warmth. They are built with welcoming,
comfortable materials that make them
easier to live with and care for. And, they
are better for the environment. There are
several on the market, but one of the first on
the scene in the early 90s was Trex decking
and railing. The leading brand of
composite decking, Trex, has enhanced its
decking line over the years with all of these
advantages and additional upgrades in
appearance.
Customers are focused on safety and health
concerns and a growing need for lowmaintenance. Homeowners on-the-go are
too busy for continuous deck maintenance
and seek splinter-free, non-toxic surfaces for
their families. Without sacrificing looks and
style, Trex Co. says its decking and railing
products meet all of these needs and will
stand up to weather, insects and UV rays.
You may never know it by its appearance,
but it's made from recycled plastic grocery
Builders Resource Magazine I June 2007 13
Feature Story/Vendor Spotlight
with wood and eliminate the maintenance
problems. For example, Trex decking and
others feature more authentic wood grain
textures and finishes, without the
maintenance requirements and difficult
workability. A simple annual cleaning
keeps your deck looking great year after
year. Some closely resemble the
endangered species of the rainforest, such
as mahogany and ipe. As another unique
feature, it can be curved or colors and
textures mixed and matched to create area
rug effects and interesting patterns.
Complete the outdoor room with
fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, hot tubs,
home theaters and other amenities now
made for the outdoors!
Before selecting a composite decking, start
by checking for code listings to avoid
problems down the road from the local or
regional building inspector. This is where
branded decking products stand apart
from newcomers, with many now
approved for use in residential and
commercial installations. Trex decking,
for example, has received a listing with the
International Code Council Evaluation
Service ICC ESR-1190 which covers
BOCA, UBC, IBC, IRC and SBC codes.
Code listings are important to keep you
bags and reclaimed wood, making it
environmentally sound.
There are several reasons why the old notion
of the square, boxy wooden deck does not fit
the lifestyle or design requirements of
homeowners-you cannot curve it, it is not
available in colors, it has splinters and
deteriorates in just a few years, even with
continuous care. With the design integration
of the backyard, homeowners can rely on
composites to create a customized outdoor
space designed for the way they live. This
includes color-matched decking, railing,
fencing and even porticos and pergolas that
complement the home's exterior. And, with
the current focus on green living, savvy
homeowners may not be as accepting of
young harvested trees or durable tropical
hardwoods that threaten the rainforests.
The colors, textures, curves and design
elements of today's composite decking
products transcend anything that can be done
14 Builders Resource Magazine I June 2007
job hassle-free and as an assurance to
homeowners.
Any contractor knows that time is money and
whereas the new generation of decking
materials provide a business edge and great
margins, they must install easily. The top
lines of composite decking require the same
spans as wood and the basically the same
power tools. Products with plastic content
tend to cut better with carbide tip blades.
Always check manufacturer's gapping
requirements, since composites do not shrink
like wood. They need about a ¼ inch gap
between boards for proper drainage and
removal of debris and about 1/16 inch at the
ends. See manufacturer's websites for more
details. Typical stainless steel deck screws or
the new counter-sink composite screws are
fine for most composite materials. Keep in
mind that composite decking is denser and
heavier than wood, so care should be taken
when carrying it. Due to its curvability, it
should kept flat on the jobsite or supported in
storage, usually every few feet or so.
One of the strongest growth areas in the
composite decking category is railings.
They need to be attractive, splinter-free,
easy to grasp and easy to install. Trex Co.
has developed designer railings that either
match or complement the deck boards, as
well as an architecturally structured white
railing. These products assemble quickly
and easily with a template tool and
bracket system that takes about half the
time of wood. Add to the design quality
by having starburst railings or other
unique looks.
Trends indicate that the demand for
composites will continue to grow, as
awareness of these materials as a solution
for wood surfaces increases.
Homeowners are busier than ever and are
looking for low maintenance options,
without sacrificing aesthetics. The
improved performance and look of
composites fit the bill perfectly. ™
The author is an employee of Precise
Communications, a PR firm representing the Trex
Company. For more information or to locate an
authorized dealer or TrexPro® contractor, call 1-800BUY-TREX (289-8739) or visit www.trex.com.
Builders Resource Magazine I June 2007 15
Local News
I
ATTACHED HOUSING
n today's fast paced world, home buyers
seek convenience, affordability and
luxury. Many homebuyers are attracted to
condos, lofts and other intown attached
housing that meet these demands. Young
professionals, first time homebuyers, college
students and even move down buyers are
opting to purchase intown homes instead of
detached housing farther out of the city. For
this reason, new high rise buildings are
springing up all over the Atlanta area. With
so many condominiums now available,
home buyers now have the opportunity to
pick and select the intown condo or loft that
best suits their needs. Several new projects
that are each distinctive and worthy of
mention are detailed below.
The Astoria at The Aramore is a luxury high
rise consisting of 71 exclusive
condominiums in Buckhead. Termed a "Live
Life Community," the condos are located
conveniently in "the living room of Atlanta"
just south of Peachtree Battle in Fulton
County. Kairos Development has an intense
focus on creating communities that address
the needs of homebuyers, while offering
them distinctive styles, and an array of
choices and options for personalizing the
home. Designed by the world-renowned
Cooper Carry design team, The Astoria at
The Aramore was created as a timeless
building that blends well into the existing
neighborhood.
Gains Popularity Among
Home Buyers
"The growing popularity of intown,
attached housing is exciting for
developers, builders, and home buyers,"
said Jack Williams with Kairos
Development the developer of the Astoria.
"It can be an interesting challenge to find a
tract of land that can be developed in such
a large city. Once the land has been
purchased, it becomes the challenge of the
builder to distinguish the community from
all the others in the city. We have designed
The Astoria to feature traditional
floorplans, as well as traditional
appointments. Many buyers like the larger
rooms of a traditional floor plan. It allows
more than enough room for all their
existing furniture that they may have had
in a single-family home."
Another conveniently located
condominium community is AXIS, located
in Dekalb County. The community
features 47 one- and two-bedroom condos
and seven live/work units. AXIS, being
developed by BD Investors LLC, is within
walking distance to Little 5 Points and
Candler Park, offering homeowners an
array of shopping, dining and
16 Builders Resource Magazine I June 2007
entertainment venues nearby. Although
Dekalb County has recently seen more
growth and development, the area keeps a
small-town charm with tree-lined streets
and outdoor dining tables.
Offering another great place to live in
Decatur, is Talley Street Lofts. An
alternative to the big city, Talley Street
Lofts is located just minutes away from
the Decatur Square, and yet is still located
centrally to the exciting nightlife of
downtown Atlanta. The 90 lofts at the
community combine unique architecture
with brick, stucco and appealing
corrugates metal exteriors in an intimate
village atmosphere. The one- and twobedroom floorplans at Talley Street Lofts
balance the feel of the homes' traditional
loft features, as well as updated amenities
such as hardwood floors, granite kitchen
countertops, 10 foot ceilings, floor to
ceiling windows and covered balconies.
Allowing homeowners to stay connected
wherever they may be in the building,
high speed WiFi internet is available in all
units as well as all common areas.
Local News
With so many condominium complexes
being built, it can appear they are quite
similar. However, these communities are
offering an array of fabulous interior features
to distinguish themselves from others. At The
Astoria at The Aramore, buyers have the
opportunity to personalize their own home
with high end options by the world
renowned Cooper Carry design team. Home
buyers have choices from unique and
different color and design options that are
not simply the standard granite, carpet and
marble that Atlanta buyers typically find. All
homes include fireplaces, gourmet kitchens
with Viking Designer Series appliances,
marble-tiled baths and rich hardwood floors.
Also distinguishing themselves from many
other condo communities in the area, homes
at The Astoria at The Aramore are designed
with larger areas than most Atlanta condos to
better accommodate buyers who require
extra bedrooms, storage space, and ample
space for larger furniture.
In Decatur, homes at AXIS feature Italian
kitchens and baths, hardwood floors in the
living area, glass tile backsplash, accent
lighting above and below the cabinetry in the
kitchen, sound dampening flooring, and an
Ipod dock in the kitchen allowing for music
to be played throughout the home. Rooftop
patios are available on some of the plans, as
well as mezzanine levels with a sitting space
and wet bar or a bedroom and full bath for
those who require a little extra living space.
In addition to the great views of Midtown
Atlanta, Talley Street Lofts offers an array of
amenities that are not usually found at other
loft communities. The gated community
features a swimming pool, fountain, sun
deck, fitness center, conference room and
clubroom.
In order to deliver the product and lifestyle
that more and more home buyers are
demanding, developers and builders
continuously have to change the way they
think. To stay ahead of the game and be
successful, it is pertinent that real estate
developers and builders alike know where
the hottest place to live is, what the latest,
most desirable interior features are, and
ultimately who will buy their product. ™
This article was written by Tara Currier, Account
Coordinator, Flammer Relations
Flammer Relations, Inc. is a public relations agency
specializing in residential real estate, non profit and
business- to-business accounts. Flammer Relations has
extensive real estate experience in the Atlanta market
including single family, townhomes, active adult, condo
conversions and mixed- use projects. Services include
strategic public relations, media relations, special events
coordination and copy writing for newsletters, Web sites
and advertorials. For more information on Flammer
Relations, Inc., visit www.flammerpr.com or call
(770) 383-3360.
Builders Resource Magazine I June 2007 17
June 2007 Builders Resource Vendor Directory
Residential Construction Specialties (770) 810-8659
PO Box 116858, Atlanta, GA 30368
Columns
Fyre-Stone Atlanta - (404)691-2424
5400 - B Westpark Drive
Atlanta, GA 30336
Timeless Architectural Reproductions, Inc.
(770) 205-1446
2655 Northgate Avenue, Cumming, GA 30041
Concrete
Use this Vendor Directory to find qualified suppliers
that come highly recommended by other builders
in the industry.
Advertising/Marketing
Flammer Relations, Inc. - (770) 383-3360
50 Shotgun Road, Cartersviller, GA 30121
Appliances
Ready Mix USA - (678) 388-5800
106 Bell Pkwy., Woodstock, GA 30188
Riteway Foundations, Inc. - (770) 475-0024
150 Mauldin Dr., Alpharetta, GA 30004
Drywall
American Drywall - (770) 978-1515
3670 Hewatt Court, Snellville, GA 30039
Residential Construction Specialties (770) 810-8659
PO Box 116858, Atlanta, GA 30368
Etowah Drywall, Inc. - (770) 516-0950
9878 Main Street, Suite 145
Woodstock, GA 30188
Architectural Design
Morris Drywall, Inc. - (770) 974-9910
3459 Acworth Due West Rd, St 317,
Acworth, GA 30101
Peek Design Group - (770) 222-4345
3950 Cobb Pkwy, St 501, Acworth, GA 30101
Bathroom Design
Atlanta Marble Mfg. - (404) 378-3132
246 Rio Circle, Decatur, GA 30030
Atlanta Intown Granite - (404) 352-9190
2300 Defoor Hills Road, Atlanta, GA 30318
Craftmark Solid Surfaces - (770) 447-6990
2782 Simpson Circle, Norcross, GA 30071
Drexler Shower Door Co. - (404) 351-4141
1452 Northside Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Jerry K Lewis & Associates, Inc. - (770) 981-6295
5252 Snapfinger Woods Dr., Decatur, GA 30035
Brick
North Georgia Brick - (770) 205-3546
PO Box 2548, Cumming, GA 30028
North Georgia Brick - (770) 886-6555
233 Industrial Park Dr., Cartersville, GA 30120
Simpson Brick - (770) 798-9322
2151 Hilton Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501
Building Consultants
Burgess Construction Consultants - (770) 441-1010
4482 Commerce Dr., Suite 106, Buford, GA 30518
Cabinets
Diversified Cabinets Distributors - (770) 597-3922
5250 Brookhollow Pkwy., Norcross, GA 30071
Georgia Cabinets, Inc. - (678) 781-9100
605 Best Friend Court, Suite 600
Norcross, GA 30071
Hearth Designs - (770) 321-1422
PO Box 4056, Marietta, GA 30061
Pace Drywall, LLC - (770) 479-9879
670 E. Main St., Canton GA 30114
Savon Drywall Company, Inc. - (770) 424-4838
PO Box 5234
Marietta, GA 30152
Hearth Designs - (770) 321-1422
PO Box 4056, Marietta, GA 30061
Floor & Roof Trusses
Builders First Source - (770) 613-0002
6870 Mimms Drive, Atlanta, GA 30340
Truss Tech Industries - (770) 271-1347
4883 B Roy Carlson Blvd., Buford, GA 30518
Flooring
Albrights Floor Covering - (770) 466-1005
220 Athens Highway SW, Loganville, GA 30052
Carpet, Drapes, Wallpaper, Etc. - (770) 926-1925
115 Mill Street
Woodstock, GA 30188
Flooring Design Group - (770) 454-7110
3230 Oakcliff Industrial Street
Doraville, GA 30340
Residential Construction Specialties(770) 810-8659
PO Box 116858, Atlanta, GA 30368
Glass & Mirror
Atlanta Glass & Mirror - (404) 378-3132
246 Rio Circle, Decatur, GA 30030
Grading
Coffman Grading - (678) 679-0360
2450 Atlanta Hwy, St 1401, Cumming, GA 30040
Timbercreek Grading, Inc. - (770) 943-2934
2695 Old Villa Rica Road
Powder Springs, GA 30127
Graphic Design
Structured Drywall - (770) 949-4959
2121 W. County Line Rd., Douglasville, GA 30135
SDI & Associates, Inc. - (770) 822-9717
1935 Watercrest Circle, Lawrenceville, GA 30243
Electrical
Heating and Air
Eubanks Electric - (770) 967-4778
PO Box 969
Flowery Branch, GA 30542
Carden Heating & Air - (770) 427-3222
1000 Cobb International Blvd, St H,
Kennesaw, GA 30152
Lanehart Electric Co. - (678) 393-8650
1030 Union Center Dr., Alpharetta, GA 30004
Superior Indoor Comfort - (770) 664-9095
13955-B Highway 9, Alpharetta, GA 30201
Sanzari Electric, Inc. - (770) 505-2619
266 West Avenue, Suite 806
Dallas, GA 30132
Home Inspections
Equipment Rental
Insulation
Northside Tool Rental - (404) 237-9515
35 Irby Ave. NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
Comfort One, Inc. - (770) 664-8483
1850-C Sigman Rd.
Conyers, GA 30012
Erosion Control
Hallford Erosion Control, Inc. - (404) 886-5664
PO Box 1566, Dallas, GA 30132
Fireplaces
Atlanta Overhead Door and Fireplaces (404) 378-3132
246 Rio Circle, Decatur, GA 30030
Inspectors Associates - (770) 552-1224
339 S. Atlanta St., Roswell, GA 30075
Interior Design
Carpet, Drapes, Wallpaper, Etc. - (770) 926-1925
115 Mill Street
Woodstock, GA 30188
Kitchen Design
Atlanta Kitchen, Inc. - (404) 378-3132
246 Rio Circle, Decatur, GA 30030
Fyre-Stone Atlanta - (404) 691-2424
5400 - B Westpark Drive
Atlanta, GA 30336
Atlanta Intown Granite - (404) 352-9190
2300 Defoor Hills Road, Atlanta, GA 30318
Graves Fireplaces, Inc. - (770) 887-0701
4111 Aaron Sosebee Road
Cumming, GA 30040
Carpet, Drapes, Wallpaper, Etc. - (770) 926-1925
115 Mill Street
Woodstock, GA 30188
18 Builders Resource Magazine I June 2007
June 2007 Builders Resource Vendor Directory
Craftmark Solid Surfaces - (770) 447-6990
2782 Simpson Circle, Norcross, GA 30071
Graves Overhead Doors - (678) 947-1980
4101 Aaron Sosebee Road, Cumming, GA 30040
Georgia Cabinets, Inc. - (678) 781-9100
605 Best Friend Court, Suite 600
Norcross, Georgia 30071
Metro Garage Doors, Inc. - (770) 489-9726
7458 Bankhead Highway, Winston, GA 30187
Jerry K Lewis & Associates, Inc. - (770) 981-6295
5252 Snapfinger Woods Dr., Decatur, GA 30035
Wayne-Dalton of Atlanta - (770) 732-8472
322 Thornton Road, Suite 107
Lithia Springs, GA 30122
Landscaping
Paint Suppliers
Davis Landscape - (770) 781-9041
2869 Buford Highway, Cumming, GA 30041
Sherwin-Williams Company - (770) 409-9338
6899 Peachtree Ind. Pkwy, ST K, Norcross, GA
30092
HL Landscaping, Inc. - (678) 614-5120
1754 Acworth Due West Road, NW
Kennesaw, GA 30152
Legal Assistance
Berman Fink Van Horn PC - (404) 261-7711
3423 Piedmont Rd. NE, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA
30305
Lighting
Progressive Lighting - (770) 476-8537
PO Box 999
Braselton, GA 30517
Lumber/Construction Supplies
Builders First Source - (770) 613-0002
6870 Mimms Drive, Atlanta, GA 30340
Carolina Lumber & Supply - (404) 867-3660
504 Plaster Avenue, NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
Jasper Lumber - (770) 428-2604
PO Box 1418, Kennesaw, GA 30156
Lummus Supply Company - (404) 794-1501
1554 Bolton Road N.W., Atlanta, GA 30331
Photography
Henninger Photography - (770) 948-1121
5535 Stoneybrook Court, Mableton, GA 30126
Plumbing
Mello Plumbing, Inc. - (770) 445-4580
402 Industrial Way N., Suite B, Dallas, GA 30132
Propane
Amerigas - (770) 458-8568
2715 Woodwin Rd., Doraville, GA 30360
Swimming Pools
Artistic Pools, Inc. - (770) 458-9177
3884 North Peachtree Rd., Atlanta, GA 30341
Tile
David Stephens Tile - (678) 714-8824
4318 Brogdon Place Cove, Suwanee, GA 30024
Southeastern Interior Systems, Inc. (770) 499-0051
3401 Novis Point, PO Box 786,
Acworth, GA 30101
Specialty Tile Products, Inc. - (770) 246-9224
1799 - A Oakbrook Drive, Norcross, GA 30093
Waterproofing
Sealing Agents Waterproofing, Inc. (770) 882-8443
2034 Van Buren Ave., Suite A
Indian Trail, NC 30189
Websites
SDI & Associates, Inc. - (770) 822-9717
1935 Watercrest Circle, Lawrenceville, GA 30243
Public Relations
Flammer Relations, Inc. - (770) 383-3360
50 Shotgun Road, Cartersviller, GA 30121
Sheet Metal
R Schwartz, Inc. - (770) 205-0133
6080 Parkway North Dr., Suite 100
Cumming, GA 30040
Stump Grinding
Gourmet Grind - (770) 720-1981
603 Sweetwater Creek Drive, Canton, GA 30114
To list your company in Builders
Resource Vendor Directory, contact
Chuck McIntire at (678) 560-8588.
Metal Roofing
R Schwartz, Inc. - (770) 205-0133
6080 Parkway North Dr., Suite 100
Cumming, GA 30040
Mold Prevention
M Proof, LLC - (678) 880-0073
298 Gateway Drive, Canton, GA 30115
Sealing Agents Waterproofing, Inc. (770) 882-8443
2034 Van Buren Ave., Suite A
Indian Trail, NC 30189
Mortgage Services
Georgia Mortgage Money. Com - (770) 428-1300
297 Church Street, Marietta, GA 30060
Homestar Financial Corporation - (770) 428-1300
848 Jesse Jewell Parkway, Gainesville, GA 30501
Ornamental Glass & Doors
JD's Glassworks, Inc. - (770) 517-9537
PO Box 2759, Woodstock, GA 30189
Overhead Doors
Atlanta Overhead Door/Fireplaces (404) 378-3132
246 Rio Circle, Decatur, GA 30030
Builders Resource Magazine I June 2007 19
Legal News
dramatic works, choreographic works,
pictorial or graphic works, motion pictures,
sound recordings and architectural works.
Therefore, all protections afforded to any
other copyrighted material are granted to
architectural works.
Architectural works include more than just
architectural plans. The Copyright Act
defines architectural works as "the design
of the building as embodied in any tangible
medium of expression, including a
building, architectural plans, or drawings."
Architectural drawings are considered
copyrighted material, no matter the form of
the drawings. The "medium of expression"
can include photocopies of drawings, floor
plans, or even advertising materials.
©
Copyright Protection
of Architectural
Drawings
by Marcy A. Millard
Architectural works include
more than just architectural
plans. The Copyright Act
defines architectural works as
"the design of the building as
embodied in any tangible
medium of expression,
including a building,
architectural plans, or
drawings."
For as long as there have been builders
and architects, there have been conflicts
between the two. One such struggle is the
architect's rights to his or her copyrighted
drawings and a builder's need for designs
for homes to build. Some builders feel
that architects overcharge for their work
or are too slow in reproducing the
drawings themselves. In an effort to save
money or speed up the building process,
some builders take it upon themselves to
simply reuse architectural drawings they
have used in the past. Builders who do so
will typically cost themselves more money
in the long run and slow down or possibly
even shut down the project. This article
addresses the precautions a builder must
follow to avoid infringing on copyrighted
materials prepared by architects.
The federal Copyright Act protects certain
creative works. The Copyright Act
protects literary works, musical works,
20 Builders Resource Magazine I June 2007
Unless there is a contract between a builder
and an architect that expressly says
otherwise, an architect's transfer of plans to
a builder does not grant a builder
permission to copy or reuse those plans on
another project. An architect is securely
vested with the rights of his or her plans
during his or her lifetime, up to and
including fifty years after the architect's
death. Builders are bound by the contract
between the builder and the architect in
determining whether they are entitled to
even photocopy an architect's drawings.
Builders must be extremely careful when
copying drawings whether that copying is
in the form of stealing the plans,
photocopying plans rightfully in the
builder's possession or simply designing
plans very similar to an architect's
copyrighted material.
If a builder does misappropriate an
architect's work, the architect is afforded
several remedies. Before seeking remedies
under the Copyright Act an architect must
meet certain conditions (such as registering
the plans with the Federal Copyright
Office), however, once those conditions are
met an architect may seek an injunction,
damages and/or attorney's fees and costs.
The damages sought by an architect,
depending on the project, can be
substantial and cost a builder hundreds of
thousands of dollars. The architect may
also place a lien on the property or seek an
injunction preventing the builder from
selling the property or even completing the
project.
Further, if the actions are intentional those
actions may also subject the builder to
criminal sanctions and/or fines. A court may
criminally punish any person who
intentionally infringes a copyright, removes
notice of a copyright or who places a
fraudulent notice of copyright on a
document. The builder must be aware his
actions are a violation of the Copyright Act,
but if this is proven the punishment could be
devastating.
The building industry in Atlanta and the
surrounding area is a relatively close-knit
community. If a builder does choose to
wrongfully reproduce an architect's
drawings, the builder's wrongful acts may be
discovered in a number of different ways.
As most any builder is aware, all
architectural drawings contain reference to
the specific job for which the drawings are
intended. If the section identifying the
intended job is blank or misidentifies a job,
other members of the building industry may
discover the builder's fraud. One local
architect states that he has discovered a
builder's attempt to steal his drawings
through suppliers, county officials and even
fellow architects. An architect's drawing is a
special commodity that is generally
recognized as such in the community.
Therefore, if a member of the building
industry notices another member of the
building industry infringing on that
architect's rights, such deceit may be
revealed to the architect.
A builder should be wary of actions taken
with regard to their architect's, another
architect's or even another builder's designs.
Even using advertisements of designs and
floor plans as a basis for the builder's own
designs can open the builder up to possible
liability. If a builder even considers using an
architect's drawings for any purpose not
specifically provided for in a contract with
that architect, that builder should first seek
legal advice regarding this matter.
Otherwise, the potential cost to the builder
could be devastating. ™
Marcy A. Millard is an associate in the Atlanta law firm
Berman Fink Van Horn P.C. For questions or comments
regarding this article, Marcy may be reached at
(404) 261-7711 or mmillard@bfvlaw.com. This article is
intended for general informational purposes only. This
article is not intended to constitute, and does not
constitute, legal advice.
Builders Resource Magazine I June 2007 21
2007 Builders Resource Editorial Calendar
Index to Advertisers
July
Construction Technology
Concrete & masonry, foundations, framing,
engineered lumber, panels, walls systems
Fyre-Stone............................................................ 2
Home Technology
Home automation, home theaters, security
systems, structured wiring
Lummus Supply Company............................... 11
August
Specialty Tile Products...................................... 5
Etowah Drywall.................................................. 11
September Doors
Entry, interior, patio and overhead
Sealing Agents Waterproofing.......................... 11
October
Surfaces & Finishes
Countertops, floorcoverings, walls & ceilings
Carpet, Drapes, Wallpaper, Etc. ...................... 11
November
Windows
Style, efficiency, architecture, and glass technology
Wayne-Dalton of Atlanta................................... 14
December
Kitchens
Appliances, cabinets, sinks, faucets, lighting,
floorcoverings, countertops
Flooring Design Group...................................... 15
Georgia Cabinets.................................................12
M-Proof/X-Mold..................................................17
Comfort One Insulation.................................... 19
AmeriGas............................................................ 21
SDI & Associates................................................ 21
Eubanks Electric................................................. 22
Peek Design Group............................................ 22
Dan Henninger Photography........................... 23
Atlanta Intown Granite..................................... Back Cover
22 Builders Resource Magazine I June 2007007
Builders Resource Magazine I June 2007 23