Builders Blog
5 Challenges Commercial Construction Companies Must Overcome
Commercial construction is a complex, and ever-evolving industry. New commercial buildings go up every day, but very few people understand what goes on behind the scenes. Only those in the construction industry fully understand the hurdles construction managers must...
Are LED Lights Worth the Investment?
If you weren’t aware, incandescent lighting is gradually being phased out. As of 2012, the US government passed regulation ceasing the production of 100-watt incandescent bulbs. It was followed shortly by the 75-watt in 2013, the 40-watt in 2014. While you still may...
10 Critical Steps When There’s Water in Your Basement
The Brainerd Lakes Area received record torrents of rain this week. Conservative estimations are from 7 to 10 inches, with areas nearby receiving more or less. In fact, cities all over Minnesota are facing flooding and the various issues that come along with it. One...
Avoid These Common Renovation Mistakes
Renovating your home is a big adventure to say the least. Whether you’re the DO-IT-YOURSELF kind, or you are considering hiring a contractor to take care of the details, it’s important not to fall into these common renovation mistakes. You might be surprised how often...
5 Reasons Building Maintenance Gets Ignored – And Why It Shouldn’t
Last week we talked about storm damage and the repairs that can come afterward. This week, let’s talk about a closely related subject—building maintenance. This subject is relevant to both commercial and residential buildings alike. You may be surprised to know the...
Fixing Your Home After Storm Damages
Storm damages are a pain, we get it. Last Sunday, the Brainerd Lakes Area was reminded that it’s storm and tornado season. A strong storm moved into the area producing up to softball-sized hail and funnel clouds. It then left in a wake of destruction. Trees were...
New Pavilion Takes Shape at OK Park
**Originally posted on the Brainerd Dispatch website. Work is progressing on the new pavilion at Oscar Kristofferson Park in Baxter. Baratto Brothers Construction broke ground on the project in April. Once completed, the pavilion will have a kitchen area, stone...
2 New OSHA Final Rules for 2016
Later on in June, one of OSHA’s two brand new final rules for 2016 go into effect. Whenever OSHA publishes a final rule, it’s important for companies to be informed. Not only because employers are expected to comply with the applicable regulations, but also to be...
Building Codes 101
Anyone who’s ever built a new home or renovated an existing one is more than likely familiar with the concept of building codes and the term of getting things, “brought up to code.” The way codes are developed have changed a lot over the years. We’re learning what...
5 of the Best Green Building Shifts for Commercial Construction
The interest in building sustainably has grown exponentially over the past decade and it’s not likely it will go away. Gone are the days when building green meant paying out big bucks with little or no return on the investment. Now, not only is sustainable building...
5 Reasons Why Great Outdoor Lighting Matters
As we now enter cabin season, where we spend more of our days (and nights) outside, the usage of outdoor lighting can create a special ambiance you’d likely miss during the cold winter months. Residential architecture is becoming more beautiful with every new year,...
10 Trends in Smart Home Technology for 2016
Building and remodeling homes has gotten a whole lot more interesting since the advent of smart home technologies. Now, more than ever, a homeowner has tons of options to consider when designing their ideal home. Not only can a home be designed to be more energy...
New Commercial Projects Breaking Ground
Here are Baratto Brother's Construction, we're always up to something new. This spring, in addition to many new custom homes going up, we also have a number of new commercial...
8 Ways to Prep for Your Next Remodel
Remodeling an existing home can offer many advantages; from increasing the value of your home, to giving you the opportunity to transform your home over time. However, there are a lot of things to consider when preparing for your home remodel and we’d love to share...
OSHA and the Construction Industry
In the 1970’s, the Occupational Safety and Health Act created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, otherwise known as OSHA. Operating within the Department of Labor, OSHA’s role is to help minimize workplace hazards and implement safety and health...
Superior Construction Projects Happen in 3 Critical Steps
Whether commercial or residential, there are three key steps which absolutely must happen if you’re to expect a superior construction process and a successful project completion. Reaching the end of a large project like a custom built residence or a commercial...
Happy Holidays From Baratto Brothers
Happy Holidays! This holiday season, here at Baratto Brothers, we wish you and your family all of the the best in the year to come. 2015 has seen some encouraging trends in the construction industry. We’ve seen an increase in spectacular custom built homes as well as...
Winter Construction Challenges
Regardless of whether a construction project is commercial or residential, winter presents many challenges. Here in Central Minnesota, we’re no stranger to Old Man Winter. In other states, construction crews may shut down their sites until warmer weather arrives. We...
How Superior Commercial Construction Projects Start With Superior Relationships
At Baratto Brothers Construction, we’ve been around the construction industry long enough to know that superior construction doesn’t happen by accident. It happens as a result of a superior client/contractor relationship. We’ve been fortunate to cultivate some...
Baratto Brothers Commercial Financing Tips
Getting commercial financing for your business venture may seem a bit daunting to those who’ve never tread those waters before. In fact, just knowing when to start can be a bit of a question. Do you start early when you’re company is still in startup phase? Wait until...
Land Acquisition: How Does It Work?
Land acquisition (buying land) is different from buying a pre-existing home or business. For obvious reasons, before you buy land you want to be clear on what the purchase is going to be used for. Your decision will impact whether or not a certain piece of land can be...
Which Construction Contract Is Right For You?
Building a new home, or getting your new business location under construction is an exciting time. There’s a never-ending list of things to consider, and here at Baratto Brothers, we want to make all those considerations as easy as possible. One of the items you’ll...
5 Commercial Construction Trends Happening Now
Commercial construction trends have been fluctuating over the past decade. Ever since the market crash and the building bubble burst a few years back, the commercial construction industries have been trying to recover. Now that we’re in 2015, here at Baratto Brothers,...
Construction Lending 101
A quick reference guide to assuring a smooth start to your construction project - Written By Bart Taylor; RiverWood Bank - Crosslake So you’re thinking about finally building that dream retirement home at the lake, you have your plans picked out (down to the...
Baratto Brothers Construction, Inc. Launches Commercial Construction Services
Baratto Brothers Construction owners, Jim Baratto and Ben Baratto, along with Partner and Director of Project Development, Eric Carder, wish to announce the opening of a commercial construction division as well as recent changes to Baratto Brothers Construction, Inc. ...