Thursday, February 23, 2017

Value Engineering in Building Design and Construction


A knowledgeable real estate professional, Alex Getelman serves as the founder of Milestone Building Ventures in New York. In his work at the consulting firm, Alex Getelman keeps current with best construction practices and implements value engineering to get the highest returns from new projects.

Value engineering involves identifying unnecessary expenses while improving overall quality. In the construction industry, this requires looking at material availability, construction methods, site limitations, and more to identify cost-saving measures that will not jeopardize quality. 

The process of value engineering starts with identifying the key elements of a given construction project and analyzing the function of these elements. Next, professionals look for alternatives that deliver the same functions at a lower cost. Typically, they identify a wide range of solutions and slowly narrow them down to the one that has the ideal balance of value and quality. 

The benefits of value engineering are greatest when it is implemented from the very start of a project. However, contractors may have input, so it is important to remain flexible.

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Equipment Required For Kiteboarding


As the founder of the real estate development and consulting firm Milestone Building Ventures, Alex Getelman has forged business relationships with industry leaders in New York. When he isn't busy, Alex Getelman enjoys staying active by hiking, sailing, and kiteboarding.

Regarded as the world's fastest growing water sport, kiteboarding is similar to water skiing, except the participant is propelled into the air by the force of wind upon a kite, rather than being dragged by a boat. Naturally, the most important pieces of equipment required are a large kite at least four meters in length and a board similar in size, but varying in shape, to that of a wakeboard. There are three classes of kites - bow, hybrid, and C - which provide different advantages or disadvantages, depending on your skill level. Boards are also categorized into three classes: twin tip, directional surf board, and race boards.

Additional gear required that can often be overlooked includes the harness, which connects rider to kite, eye protection, sunscreen, and a travel bag. You also need to wear a wetsuit, especially when the water temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.