Hardline Homes Blog

Brookwood Hills Remodel

2010-06-18T09:24:00.000-07:00

The most unique part of this job is the island that cantilevers out 8' from the wall. The picture on the left is the rough steel, and the picture on the right is with the top installed. We are still not done, so it will get even better.

The stainless steel top was installed this morning. If the picture looks like the island is just hanging in mid air, then you are looking at it correctly. We engineered this to be rated for over 250 lbs of weight.

Brookwood Hill Remodel

2010-05-20T08:09:00.000-07:00

New Doors & Windows.

Before & During

Brookwood Hills Remodel

2010-05-20T08:06:00.001-07:00

Here is a quick before & during picture of the new bay window.

Brookwood Hills Remodel

2010-05-20T08:02:00.000-07:00

Updated picture after drywall and floor installation. Cabinets being installed right now!

HGTV - Before, During & After

2010-05-07T06:34:00.001-07:00

HGTV Day 9: Completion Day

2010-05-07T06:29:00.001-07:00

All right, finished right on schedule! The wrap party was last night. The homewoner's parents even flew in from California on a surprise visit. The overall experience was great for everyone. The homeowner's are thrilled, HGTV has shot one more successful episode, and Hardline is proud to have our name associated with this project.

HGTV Day 8:

2010-05-07T06:22:00.000-07:00

Almost Complete...

This is a shot of the memorial tree planted in memory of the home owner's brother. The episode will explain the significance of this tree in detail.

On a separate note, i believe the camera-man kneeling on the ground was / is the camera-man for Survivor.

Brilliant Website Designer

2010-05-04T08:45:00.000-07:00

This picture has no relevance what-so-ever. I just wanted everyone to meet Tillman Douglass, the beautiful mind who created the Hardline website. And when I say everyone, I do mean all 6 loyal followers of the Hardline Blog. I'm hoping to get my mom to join us and make 7.

Brookwood Hills Remodel

2010-05-04T08:36:00.001-07:00

You are looking at the cantilever island where the cooktop will be installed. The big tube sticking down from the ceiling is the vent hood. The cantilever island will be wrapped with Stainless Steel and is rated for a 235 pound man to sit on the end of it with only 1/8" of deflection. This baby has been field tested and passed with flying colors.

HGTV Day 6

2010-05-04T08:33:00.000-07:00

This picture shows the completion of the driveway and retaining walls. This project is too wet to get any love today. No Sunshine = No Cameras.

HGTV Day 6

2010-05-04T08:30:00.000-07:00

Here is a before picture on the left and a current picture on the right. We have poured the driveway, built the retaining walls, installed some brick in two different places on the front of the house, and built the front porch. Next phase is to remove and replace the shutters, paint, and landscape.

HGTV - Day 2

2010-04-27T12:39:00.001-07:00

Day 2 consisted of forming and pouring the 'stamped' brick portion of the driveway border. The driveway will have a stamped brick outside border with a standard broom finish interior. The concrete you see on the ground will be pressure washed later this afternoon to reveal the 'red' brick tint. The 'grayish' look in the picture is a powder that allows the brick pattern form to be pulled off the wet concrete and to help seal the color. Unfortunately no camera action today, just work as usual.

HGTV - Day 1

2010-04-27T12:33:00.001-07:00

Ready, Camera, Action:

Here is a glimpse of the shooting for Day 1 of construction. The host of the show is standing in the blue/white shirt far left at the bottom of the stairs and the homeowners are on the top step next to the front door. It took a tremendous amount of time to move all of the Hardline & HGTV groupies out of the way, but eventually we were successful and able to start forming the driveway. More pics to follow.

Fernwood Creek Amenity

2010-04-09T16:37:00.001-07:00

Current Pictures of the Fernwood Creek Clubhouse from the front and the rear. We are 90% complete.

Brookwood Hills Remodel

2010-04-08T10:02:00.001-07:00

Here is a picture from the exterior of the newly installed bay window. This phase of construction isn't always pretty, but the job is starting to take shape.

Brookwood Hills Remodel

2010-04-08T09:58:00.000-07:00

All right, we have removed the old bay window and installed the new larger one. Looks prettty darn good!

Newest Blog Followers

2010-04-07T07:33:00.001-07:00

Hardline would like to welcome it's two newest bloggowers, Bradley and Patricia. On the left is my girlfriend Bradley, and my friend Patricia on the right. Marti is the girl in the middle who is not currently following this blog, but were hoping that might change after she sees this picture. Marti, will you join us?

HGTV Project - Lindbergh Drive

2010-04-07T07:26:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of the home that Hardline will be working on for the television show, Curb Appeal. We will start construction April 26th. I'm already working on some seriously witty lines for my television debut.

Brookwood Hills Remodel

2010-04-05T14:14:00.001-07:00

Here is a picture of the Brookwood Hills job before, and just after demolition. We have removed the bay window and will be installing a new larger one. More pics to follow once the windows are installed.

Brookwood Hills Remodel

2010-04-05T14:11:00.001-07:00

The Brookwood Hills remodel job is underway! We started construction March 29th. This job is a complete kitchen remodel with a contemporary look.

Hardline to Television

2010-03-19T08:14:00.000-07:00

Don't know if any of you have ever watched HGTV's 'Curb Appeal, The Block' but Hardline will be the General Contractor for an upcoming episode. We are very excited about the opportunity to market our company through this station. If you have never seen the show, you can check it out at http://www.hgtv.com/curb-appeal-the-block/show/index.html

I do not know the programming date for the episode, but we will starting construction mid April at the job site on Lindbergh Drive. The schedule for construction will last only about 2 weeks from start to finish.

At my first meeting with the producer, she told me very politely if i was looking for this to be my big break into television I probably didn't need to be on this show. In other words, you wont be on camera a lot. So were going to leave the television to the professionals and just handle the construction. I don't think you're going to see much of us on television (unless its the side of our head as we walk across the job site) but then again we have faces for radio anyway.

Fernwood Creek Amenity

2010-03-09T11:24:00.001-08:00

Here is a current picture taken March 9th of the clubhouse. We have completed about 50% of the stonework and will continue on with this nice change in the weather.

Fernwood Creek Amenity

2010-03-09T11:21:00.000-08:00

First post in a while, but here is picture from the clubhouse in early March.

Fernwood Creek Amenity

2009-09-09T10:19:00.000-07:00

Pool is being excavated, and basement framing is 90% complete. Picture taken August 9th.

Fernwood Creek Amenity

2009-09-09T10:17:00.000-07:00

The pool is being formed in the front of the picutre, and framing is just beginning. This picture taken September 7th.

Fernwood Creek Amenity

2009-09-09T10:16:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture during the rough plumbing of the basement slab in late August.

Fernwood Creek Amenity

2009-09-09T10:15:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture taken at the end of August just after the foundation walls were poured.

Fernwood Creek Amenity

2009-09-09T10:11:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of the site prior to any construction activity. Hardline will be building a clubhouse with a pool on this site. The site is located in Cherokee County.

Chastain Park Pool

2009-08-05T12:34:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of the shell being formed at the Chastain Park pool back in late June.

North Avenue Apartment Pool

2009-08-05T12:30:00.000-07:00

Check out Richard in the deep end of the newly poured shell down at the North Avenue Park Apartments off Ralph McGill Blvd.

Antioch Road Workshop

2009-07-03T10:47:00.000-07:00

We have finished framing the "office" portion of this workshop and have sheathed the walls with house-wrap. To properly flash the openings, the sheathing will be cut and taped to prevent moisture intrusion into the structure. Hardline has already finished the log cabin siding so that picture will be coming very soon.

Dooley

2009-07-03T10:43:00.000-07:00

Say hello to Dooley, Richard's dog. Since Kevin's dog got most of the glamour shots on the website, Dooley wanted a little face-time.

Garage / Basement Build-Out

2009-07-03T10:37:00.000-07:00

Don't let this picture take your breath away, I know it's quite amazing: a white basement. However, it wont look like this for long. This is a "before" picture of a garage in a townhome near Perimeter Mall. Hardline is going to build out the rear portion of this garage for a "bonus" room and bathroom.

North Avenue Apartment Pool

2009-07-03T10:27:00.000-07:00

This is a current picture of the pool Hardline is building for the North Avenue Apartment complex on Ralph McGill Blvd in Midtown. All of the plumbing has been roughed and pressure tested. The gunite shell is scheduled to be poured on July 8th. I will try and get a better picture for the next post.

Chastain Pool

2009-07-03T10:23:00.001-07:00

This is a current picture of the West Wieuca pool just next to Chastain Park. We have shot the shell, installed the coping, and tied in the bonding grid. The next step is to pour the decking and Pebbletech bottom. We have done all of this work in just 23 days!

New Chastain Pool

2009-05-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

Here is the rendering of a new residential pool Hardline will be building. This is part of the plan we submitted for permit. This pool is approximately 500 square feet with a spa. We anticipate starting construction by the middle of June.

Melante Drive

2009-05-30T13:14:00.000-07:00

Here is a current picture of the Melante Drive master bedroom addition after exterior paint. You can see the contrast in roof shingle color between the new and the old, but we are going to clean the old roof shingle with Clorox to bring out the original shingle color that should help the addition blend with the existing shingle.

Powder Springs Workshop

2009-05-30T13:11:00.000-07:00

Here is an updated picture of the fire damage project we are working on in Powder Springs. We have already demolished the "workshop" portion of the structure where the fire started, and have completed about 70% of the framing for the "office" portion of this structure. We will not be able to start framing the "workshop" until we pour the new, larger slab.

Melante Drive

2009-05-30T13:09:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture a few weeks back at Melante Drive. As you can see, framing is finished and we are putting on the Cedar Shake Siding over the house wrap.

Hardline's Head of Construction

2009-05-30T13:08:00.000-07:00

Sorry Ladies, he's married.

Workshop fire damage in Powder Springs

2009-05-13T12:03:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of a burned Workshop / Office for a Hardline sub-contractor. Hardline is going to rebuild this project for our sub-contractor. Luckily, the fire was put out before the structure became fully inflamed. The workshop portion of this structure is burned beyond repair (portion to the left) and the office that sits above the garage doors will be removed also. We are going to totally demolish and rebuild the workshop portion and take the second story off the garage to rebuild due to the fire. This structure looks like a log cabin, but the material is actually a Cypress veneer about three and a half inches thick. This is a great look without the increased cost of a true log timber. This project is in Powder Springs and we are going to submit for permit by the end of the week. We hope to start construction by the first of June once permit is received.

Melante Drive during Framine

2009-05-13T12:01:00.000-07:00

This is an updated picture of the Melante Drive master bedroom / bath addition. We are finished with framing the walls and are about to start on the roof. We should have this addition dried in by Friday.

Melante Drive Slab Rough

2009-05-06T12:17:00.000-07:00

This is a current picture of the master bedroom & bath addition for Melante Drive. This picture was taken just before the rain came along and muddied our project. Unfortunately, mother nature has knocked us a few days behind schedule before we can pour this slab.

Bod Pod Interior Build-Out

2009-04-30T07:50:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of a "Bod-Pod." This machine is a new technology that tests body fat in a more efficient way than the conventional "wet test" done submerged in a whirlpool. Hardline helped the owners of this new business build-out the interior of their space. Hardline started this job 2 weeks ago and we are finishing touch up paint today. This was a fairly small job with no major structural work, but we were glad to help with the construction. This new technology debuted at the NFL combine to test the athletes body fat and lean muscle mass prior to the big Draft Day last week. If anybody reading this is interested in having their body fat tested, feel free to contact J.D. Wright at 678-595-8046. The business is located on Howell Mill Road behind the Chick-fil-A near the intersection of Howell Mill & Collier Road.

Sandy Springs Pool House Finished

2009-04-30T07:47:00.000-07:00

The pool house is 100% complete. Columns trimmed out and painted, furniture moved in! This project took 9 weeks from construction start to completion.

Another Completed Deck in Midtown

2009-04-28T12:33:00.000-07:00

Here is another deck Hardline just completed in Midtown. We used metal ballusters on this deck instead of wood. This balluster look is a nice alternative to wood for a fairly small upgrade price.

Completed Deck in Roswell, GA

2009-04-28T12:19:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of a completed deck located in Roswell. Hardline demolished an existing deck and re-built this new larger one with a roof.

Melante Drive Tree Posting

2009-04-16T11:44:00.000-07:00

We finally received the infamous "Yellow" sign posting for the Melante Drive Master Bedroom & Bath addition. Whenever you impact a specimen tree, you have to endure a rigorous permitting process with the City of Atlanta Arborist Division. First, you have to submit your protection plan: Second, you receive preliminary approval from the City: Third, City posts an "Orange" sign on the property for 10 business days: Finally, City posts the "Yellow" sign notifying the public of preliminary approval. The major 'schedule' snag in the system is that the City has 5 business days to post the Orange sign, and then another 5 business days to post the Yellow sign. At then end of the 5 day Yellow sign posting, Hardline brings the sign back into the City for final approval. Unfortunately on this job, the City took 3 business days to post the Orange sign and 5 business days to post the Yellow one. In summary, the Arborist approval will take 23 business days from submittal to approval. This does not help us meet our Finish Date requested by the homeowner, but unfortunately out of Hardline's control.

North Avenue Pool Almost Ready to Start

2009-04-16T11:32:00.000-07:00

Here is an updated picture of the pool Hardline will build for the North Avenue Apartments in Midtown. As you can see from previous pictures, the framing is going fast. We anticipate receipt of permit from the Fulton County Health Department by the beginning of May and starting construction shortly after.

Wind Damage at Melante Drive

2009-04-13T12:01:00.000-07:00

Hardline is about to start a new Master Bedroom addition in Midtown, and the owner called Saturday about a Pine tree that fell on the corner of his tool shed in the backyard. While I was on the way to look at the damage this morning, a second Pine tree fell right through the middle of the tool shed completely crushing it. Two down trees in three days, i believe that is enough firewood for the immediate future. Nobody was injured.

New Construction in Grant Park

2009-04-07T10:22:00.000-07:00

This is the proposed front elevation of a new home Hardline will be building in Grant Park. If you have been following this website, you have already seen pictures of the damage to the existing house where a large oak tree fell through the front of the home. This is the new front elevation that will be submitted to the City of Atlanta for Building permit. Hardline hopes to receive final approval at the next Urban Design Commission (UDC) meeting April 8, 2009. The UDC must independently approve all architectural plans prior to Building Permit submittal. Once this final approval is obtained, Hardline will be able to start the Building permit process with the City of Atlanta Bureau of Buildings. These architectural plans were done by Homes of Atlanta, Inc. and intended to mimic the look of the existing structure prior to the tree damage. Any time you attempt to permit a structure in a Historic District, expect very tight architectural control from the governing commission.

Only Trim Remains to Complete Pool House

2009-04-01T10:21:00.000-07:00

Here is an updated picture of the Pool House near completion. All we have left to construct are the 6 columns and paint. Once we finish the columns the structure will look less like a sitck figure and more like the finished product that was designed.

Master Bedroom & Bath Addition

2009-04-01T10:10:00.000-07:00

The picture to the left is the architectural plan for a Master Bedroom / Bath / Closet / Laundry Room addition for a house in Midtown Atlanta on Melante Drive. The addition is 570 square feet, and was designed by Homes of Atlanta Architects. Hardline anticipates Permit receipt from the City of Atlanta by April 15. This project will sit on a new slab and take approximately 8 weeks to complete.

The W Hotel

2009-03-23T13:20:00.000-07:00

This might be the worst picture of any post, but its simply all I have at this point because my camera is on the mend. This drawing is of a condo unit at the Brio, located in Midtown. Hardline is bidding this job to transform this unit back into the proposed living space (the plan to your left). The developer of the W Hotel, Midtown, built a "mock" hotel room inside the space to make sure the layout was functional. The idea was to build one hotel room before you go and build 200 of them only to figure out the layout is not functional. The idea was a success, but now that the W is complete, the model can be eliminated. The condo is a great location and will be a great place to call home once the renovation is complete.

Pool House Almost Complete

2009-03-23T12:54:00.000-07:00

Here is a current picture of the pool cabana located in Sandy Springs. All that remains to finish this project is the stack stone for the knee wall, the vertical stack of the fireplace, installation of the columns, and paint. Once the stone is complete, the fiberglass columns can be installed around the steel beams to complete the trim package.

Sandy Springs Pool House

2009-03-10T08:01:00.000-07:00

We finally started installing the structural steel for the pool house in Sandy Springs. Conventional wood framing could not be used for this pool house for several reasons, mainly to increase the dead weight bearing load of the structure in order to construct the vaulted ceiling. You can see the 6"x6" posts already standing at the 4 corners and some of the 6"x12" tubing on the floor to tie the 4 posts together. The steel was delivered pre-cut and welded on site after careful design by the Structural Engineer and fabrication by the Steel Company.

North Avenue Park Apartment Pool

2009-03-10T07:46:00.000-07:00

Updated picture of the construction progress for the North Avenue Park Apartment Pool Hardline is under contract to build. We have been working with the Owner, General Contractor, City of Atlanta, and Fulton County on permitting issues and plan changes in order to have a permit to begin construction this month. The owner of the project supplies us with these great aerial photographs each month or so, hopefully the next post will show a nice hole in the ground for our pool. The pool will be located at the blue oval in the picture.

Home Buyer Tax Incentives

2009-02-18T15:23:00.000-08:00

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has outlined the specifics of the legislation included in the Stimulus Bill passed last week. Here is a link that spells out in simple language the benefits of homeownership in 2009, both for "First Time" and "Move Up" buyers.
http://www.nbnnews.com/NBN/issues/2009-02-16/Front%2BPage/index.html
The Stimulus Provisions also includes noteable Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae loan limit increases and home remodeler credits through 2010.

Framing a Pool House

2009-02-05T16:02:00.000-08:00

This picture was taken during the framing stage of construction for a pool house in Sandy Springs. Hardline completed this project last Spring just in time for pool season. As you can see, our framers are not only skilled in carpentry, but also acrobatics. Our framing crew hoisted by hand (4) 10"x12"x26' solid cedar beams to hang in the rafters to complete the structural integrity of the project. These beams also were significant to the architectural look the client desired.

The Wall that will Fall

2009-01-27T15:46:00.000-08:00

This is another project we are doing consulting work for repair estimates to not only repair the walls, but save the house. We were hired to represent the homeowner on how to prevent this erosion from eventually taking down the house. This house sits on top of 4 walls totaling around 70 vertical feet. At the bottom of these 4 walls is a Lake. As certain as death and taxes, so is erosion: Once erosion starts, it wont stop until the problem is fixed. Hopefully we can save this house from ending up at the bottom of the lake.

Re-construction in Grant Park

2009-01-16T06:41:00.000-08:00

Here is a 100 year old home located in the historic district of Grant Park that Hardline has contracted with the owner to rebuild. A 70 year old Oak tree fell into the home, and due to the blunt impact from the tree there is significant structural damage throughout the foundation. It has not been determined yet if we can repair the current structure, or if the structure must be torn down and completely rebuilt. We are working with a structural engineer and the homeowner to evaluate all options. Think of the options like car insurance, it might cost more to repair this house than it will to demolish and build a brand new one. We hope to have a definitive course of action for repair by the end of January.

New Pool Hardline is Building

2009-01-07T07:46:00.000-08:00

Here is an aerial photograph of a new apartment site in Midtown where we will be building the community pool. The pool will be to the left of the parking deck where all of the trucks are currently parked.

How Not to Drain a Pool

2008-12-17T14:15:00.000-08:00

Notice the top elevation of the pool has risen out of the ground 2.5 feet! Look at the diving board. A negligenct contractor (not us) drained this pool without releasing the hydrostatic pressure coming from the ground and caused the pool to rise up. Not Good. This could happen to other contractors, but not Hardline Pools.

Decatur

2008-12-12T11:00:00.000-08:00

this is an interior remodel in Decatur. The customer wanted an "open feeling" shower, but we did not have enough width in the room. We used glass instead of framing walls to give this feel. This really makes the room appear bigger than it is.

Welcome to the Hardline Homes Blog!

2008-10-29T07:12:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Hardline Homes blog - your source for all things Hardline and the latest news about what is going on in the Atlanta real estate and home building market. Stay tuned for future updates!