Our Blog

Clean + Green: Earth Hour

As a business, HB Building + Design is committed to being socially responsible in every way, from our recommendations for products, to our office systems.  We encourage use of repurposed or environmentally friendly products to every client, for every job we do. Today we request that you, our clients, followers fans, sign up for Earth […]

Home Maintenance Tip: Check Your Deck!

One great advantage of living in the Bay Area is our climate, another is that almost anywhere you live, you can find a view – of the hills, the Bay, the Ocean. That makes one of the most popular home additions a beautiful Deck. Those of you with decks more than 10 years old probably have them built from redwood […]

True Stories: AMEX OPEN + Make Mine A Million WINNER!

This past week was an amazing experience. A General Contractor in a field of 20 sharp, talented women business owners, all in business more than 2 years, with earnings of over $250k less than $1m, we appeared at the American Express OPEN Women’s Business Summit to demonstrate to the more than 600 attendees exactly how a successful […]

True Stories: M3 Race Finalist Cross Between American Idol + Shark Tank

Okay – a little background for my readers. This past year, I have been participatng in the Make Mine a Million $ Business Race. It has helped our company grow in mamy different ways, most of all, through tracking our financials completing a full business plan with 5 year goals clearly stated. I have participated in […]

True Stories: Loos of the World

If only I had a camera with me all those years I traipsed the planet carrying my computer bag, before I became a designer.  The time was long before digital cameras were cheap small. Oh, if I had had one in my purse. I would produce a coffee table book, full of gorgeous photos of artistic public private […]

Clean + Green: Green Building Professional!

HBBDI are now certified Green Building Professionals!  Brian Garvey, our new Project Lead, took the NARI sponsored class test in December, passed with flying colors,  is now our on-staff Certified Green Professional. He is available to consult through all phases of design construction on green practices, keep you up to date on new, easy, healthful ways to include Green […]

Contractor’s Corner: Our License Is for You!

We know a client is knowledgeable when the first question they ask is, are you licensed? Sometimes, when we do design work, or meet with people to offer a bid, a prospective construction client will ask, does it matter if I use a licensed contractor? Why? What if I know someone who has always done […]

Aging In Place: Successful Aging Excerpt from "Seeking Alpha" Stock Market Analysis Website

Following is some very interesting research data from both the NAHB (National Association of Homebuilders) NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) reported by both Seeking Alpha then picked up by Dar + Company as research information for their energy investments. This is a serious market to watch! “The National Association of Homebuilders has created a […]

Home Safety Tips: Holiday Hints

The winter holidays are a time for celebration, that means more cooking, home decorating, entertaining, an increased risk of fire accidents. While you may be familiar with some of these tips, we recommend that you check these guidelines to help make your holiday season safer  more enjoyable. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home […]

Aging In Place – Improve Your View

As we grow older, our senses dull. It’s just a fact of life. Fighting that with home remodeling countermeasures is a big part of the aging-in-place movement. As far as accommodating the senses, improved lighting is the best place to start. We finally replaced all the dimmable lights in our home with dimmable fluorescents.  Although I fought […]