The latest at Renewal . . .
Join Us for Park Renewal Day Nov. 15 at Dearborn Park
September 2, 2008 – Decatur-based Renewal Construction has partnered with the City of Decatur and DeKalb County Parks and Recreation Dept. to establish an annual event based on keeping our community’s parks free from invasive plant species, including privet and English ivy.
The event, planned for Saturday November 15 at Dearborn Park, will feature teams competing to clear and uproot invasive plants for the chance to win big prize money. Officials from DeKalb County and Decatur, along with other prominent community figures, will judge the quality and quantity of work done to each team’s designated plot. Prize money will be allocated to the top four teams ($1,000, $500, $350, and $250, respectively).
“This is an exciting opportunity to demonstrate how the public and private sectors can work together to make our community a better place,” said Peter Michelson, CEO of Renewal Construction. “Everyone at Renewal, the City of Decatur, and DeKalb County has a shared vision for keeping our parks clean, healthy, and accessible to residents. Park Renewal Day is a great example of people working together to make a difference in their community and environment.”
Park Renewal Day takes place on Saturday, November 15. The competition has a “shotgun” start at 9 am and teams work until 1 pm, followed by judging, food, live entertainment and an award ceremony.
For more information on Park Renewal Day, or to register your team, visit www.ParkRenewalDay.com.
Renewal CEO Peter Michelson to speak at Decatur Old House Fair in October
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Holiday Inn Decatur Conference Plaza, 130 Clairemont Ave.
Look for Peter Michelson on the the schedule at the inaugural Decatur Old House Fair Oct. 25 where he will lead a seminar on Hiring a Contractor for Your Old House. Drawing from his long experience with renovations on old and historic private homes and structures, he will provide tips and insights for what to expect as you begin a renovation on an old house.
The Decatur Old House Fair is a day-long celebration including a large exhibition space with vendors in the home improvement, historic preservation, renovation, interior furnishings, and construction business. There will be a variety of seminars including hands-on demonstrations on restoring historic windows, improving an old house’s energy efficiency, developing a maintenance plan for your old house, researching old houses, and tax incentives for certified rehabilitation.
Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets may be purchased at:
• Decatur City Hall, 509 N. McDonough St.
• Smith Ace Hardware, 601 E. College Ave.
• Intown Hardware, 1404 Scott Blvd;
• The 17 Steps, 235-M Ponce de Leon Pl.
• Kudzu, 2928 E. Ponce de Leon Ave.
• Mission Motif, 1963 Hosea Williams Dr.
• Intown Ace Hardware at 854 N .Highland Ave.
Cash or check only for tickets.
The fair is hosted by The City of Decatur, DeKalb History Center, and Decatur Preservation Alliance.
For more information, visit www.decaturoldhousefair.com or email regina.brewer@decaturga.com.
Renewal Construction Is Ranked in Atlanta's Top Ten, Number One in Decatur
August 18, 2008 - Decatur-based Renewal Construction has been named one of Atlanta's Top Ten residential remodelers in the Atlanta Business Chronicle's "Book of Lists." The list, revised and published annually, surveys and ranks the top companies in a variety of industries across the 20-county metro area.
Ranked number seven for the entire metro area, Renewal beat out all other Decatur-based competitors, including companies established long before Renewal opened its doors in 2001. "We are honored to be ranked as one of Atlanta's top ten remodelers." said founder and CEO Peter Michelson. He notes that growth for the company, which works primarily in Decatur, Avondale and intown Atlanta neighborhoods, has been steady. Renewal President David Michelson added, "The local community is tremendously supportive of Renewal. Homeowners in the area really embrace the energy-efficient and 'green' renovation principles we've promoted for so long."
Featured in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Oakhurst Home Renovation in 'Planet Green' Spotlight
"Most people don't believe it's a renovation, said Anna Carbone with Decatur-based Renewal Construction. "It's such a change from what it used to be," she said. "It went from a small, one-story bungalow to a two-story, Praire-style, kind of modern-looking home."
> Click here to read the article
Atlanta Intown, August 2008: "Before and After"
"Renewal's project was recommended for Renovation Nation by Southface, the Atlanta-based nonprofit that promotes sustainable homes, workplaces and communities."
> Click here to read the article
See Renewal on TV, Shows Airing Now!
Renewal's episodes of Renovation Nation on Discovery's new Planet Green cable channel are in frequent rotation, and available on Comcast OnDemand.
Discovery Network selected Renewal Construction and the Boyce-Frost project to be featured on a new show called Renovation Nation. The show, hosted by Steve Thomas (formerly on the PBS show This Old House) follows the progress of the Boyce-Frost project, located in Oakhurst, that incorporates green building principles.
Click here to read more about the project.
Click here to read more about the show.
Remodeling Magazine recognized Renewal Construction as a Big50 member at its recent annual leadership conference in Washington, D.C. This prestigious award identifies the nation’s best-run remodeling businesses who are committed to promoting and utilizing the industry's best practices.
"Big50 remodelers are among the best in the business, and we are honored to receive this national distinction," says Peter Michelson, CEO of Renewal Construction.
Visit www.remodelingmag.com to find out more about Remodeling Magazine's Big50 program.
Missed out on the recent Go Green Summit? You can still hear Peter Michelson's green remodeling tips and thoughtful insights into current green building technology, market trends, financing innovations and business practices.
You may click on the link and replay it for free. A fee is required to download the seminar feed or transcript.
> Listen now!
Renewal Featured in Creative Loafing"For some clients, it's all about the dollars," Peter Michelson says. "For some people, it's about ecology. For some people, it's about both. But green is about all those things – what's good for the environment, health, return on investment, having something that's better built and won't deteriorate."
> Click here to read the article
Click to view Renewal Construction's segment in 11Alive's Earth Hour special that aired on March 29, 2008.
Renewal Featured in Georgia Trend Magazine"A powerful movement toward sustainable new construction and renovation has homebuilders, contractors and homeowners buying in, lured by environmental concerns and a desire to cut utility bills. Peter Michelson has been walking the green line for about 30 years . . . "
> Click here to view the article
Renewal Featured in Builder's Journal
"When CEO Peter Michelson founded Renewal Construction, Inc. in 2001, he set out to create a company that is 'the best renovation company to work for, as well as the best one for clients to work with.' He is well on his way with 70 successful projects completed in 2007; a team whose combined construction experience exceeds 150 years and recognition by Qualified Remodeler as one of 2007’s Top 500 Remodelers in the country."
> Click here to view the article
This year's tour marks the the centennial of the beginnings of development in what is now Druid Hills. The eight homes on this year's tour were selected for their historical significance and include a c.1916 home by famous architect Neel Reid, a New England manor placed in a Frederick Law Olmsted-inspired setting surrounded by ample green space and enchanting woods, an exquisitely renovated 1925 villa across from the Candler mansion, along with many other spectacular homes. There is also a plant sale and artists market.
> Druid Hills Home Tour website
Boyce-Frost Open HouseSo, you've been hearing for months about the "green" Boyce-Frost project that Renewal Construction is doing... Well, here's your chance to see it for yourself.
OPEN HOUSE - 601 Third Ave. in Decatur
Friday, March 21 from 4-7 pm
Saturday, March 22 from 9-1 pm
Admission is free and all are welcome
All new systems of the house will be in place, but the drywall will not have been installed yet. This is your chance to really see the "nuts and bolts" of the house.
Renewal Construction staff will be on hand to answer your questions and provide factsheets explaining the systems and products being used in the house. There will also be an educational tour covering site selection, rain water harvesting, structural insulated panels, geothermal HVAC, sealed crawlspaces and recycling on-site materials.
As we announced in our last newsletter, the Discovery Network has selected Renewal Construction and the Boyce-Frost project to feature on a new show called "Renovation Nation" that will air later this year.
What's it like to be the homeowner in the middle of a renovation project like this? KC Boyce is keeping a blog with frequent, thoughtful entries about the project, the process and green building principles. Be sure to check it out: www.601third.com.
For more information about the project, click here.
Renewal Construction Featured in Decatur Living Magazine
“People are beginning to make important links between their homes and the larger environmental picture. Renewal has been a proponent of eco-conscious choices since our founding. We’re thrilled a current project, the Boyce-Frost residence at 601 Third Ave. in Oakhurst, will be featured on a new TV show on the Discovery Network, ‘Green Homes.’ It will highlight green building practices, principles and materials.” Read more >
In January, we are proud to sponsor the Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Project, an annual volunteer home repair program that helps low-income seniors to remain in their homes in Decatur safely and comfortably. The project raises funds and brings together hundreds of volunteers to work on house repair projects during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. We invite you and your family to participate with us! Just email Marketing Manager Virginia Owen or call 404.378.6962 if you are interested. For more information about the project, click here.
Renewal Project on Tour of Homes
One of Renewal's former renovation projects, 923 Third Ave. in Decatur, is a feature on the Decatur Holiday Candlelight Tour of Homes Dec. 7-8. If you're planning to go on the tour, be sure to stop by and visit with Renewal staff who will be volunteer guides for the home, greeting guests and answering questions. It's a great opportunity to get the inside story on one of Decatur's interesting homes and see Renewal's handiwork. Best of all, your ticket purchase ($20 in advance, $25 at the door) benefits the Decatur Youth Fund and the Decatur Preservation Alliance.
• See this home in our Portfolio
• More about the Decatur Holiday Candlelight Tour of Homes
Renewal Construction, Inc., has been recognized for excellence in remodeling/renovation by Qualified Remodeler, an industry magazine of best practices, products and design. QR ranks Renewal among the Top 500 remodelers in the nation and among the Top Five in metro Atlanta. The rankings will be published in the magazine’s September issue and available online at www.qualifiedremodeler.com.
Qualified Remodeler’s Top 500 list is the longest ongoing recognition program in the remodeling industry. Each year the program recognizes remodeling companies for significant and sustained success in terms of:
• Installed remodeling dollar volume
• Total years in business
• Industry association membership
• Industry certification
• Industry awards
• Community service
The ranking is based on 32 evaluation criteria.
Interview
Decatur Living Magazine talks to Peter and David Michelson
News
Renewal Construction: 2005 Earthcraft House Renovator of the Year!
Read
Peter and David Michelson quoted in Professional Remodeler Magazine
