Adam Zengel - Builder

06/19/2025

I take regular photos of my projects under way, and here is one of them.

After looking more closely, the ratio of blue sky and rain clouds, is pretty much consistent with the weather we have experienced in May and thus far in June.

05/30/2025

A few Rants and Comments …..

I cannot recall, in the 40 plus years of building and remodeling, that we have ever received the rain we have had in May. Maybe not the amount of rainfall, but the consistency. It seems like most every day, we have a little or a lot. This makes it tough to schedule outside work. Keep in mind, that the threat of rain prevents a contractor from painting, pouring concrete, scheduling an excavator to dig a footer or foundation.

I recently received a mailing for construction site security. Their logo or slogan is, “Quit wasting time driving to you jobs”….. HELLOOOO, that is your job to be visiting your job sites. Sure, a camera can show you the crew is on site and working. It won’t show you the quality of their work, if they are doing it correctly.

And, if you stop and visit the crew, when they are trying to get work completed during all this rain, you earn their respect and gratitude. That can go long way for both you as the builder/remodeler/PM/ General Contractor, as well as the for the Owner.

05/08/2025

Another custom detached garage. Finally we got some clear days and finished up the exterior trim.

02/26/2025

08/19/2024

I am often called upon from homeowners to do smaller projects or help them solve other issues with their home. Depending on my schedule with the larger projects, I refer them to others, or sometimes I can fit them in.

Recently, my wife referred me to one of her co-workers. Her aging parents found it difficult to manage the steps going into their home. The difference between inside floor and the garage floor was almost 18”. I framed in an extra step and added handrails on both sides.

Instead of two risers (steps) nearly 9” high, they have three risers of around 5 1/2”. Much easier to navigate.

Below is a before and after photo.

(Full disclosure …. the clock on the wall was not working. This took me several hours)

07/08/2024

Some completion photos of the detached garage I built in Springboro. Started it on January 29th, and had some very favorable winter weather to pour concrete and frame, along with great service from my trades. Finished it in less than three months. Very happy with how it turned out, and a worthy addition to their home.

02/14/2024

Good weather, suitable for outside work, is not typical for January and February in Ohio. This winter, those of us in the building world have been blessed with great weather these past few weeks.

The crew needs one more day to have this one “under roof”.

Further note, the blue sky and sunshine is also a blessing.

12/05/2023

Final touches on a garage and bedroom addition in Centerville.

I was able to save and clean enough of the existing brick to use them on the front, then found a good match from Snyder Brick for the remainder.

While we were at it, Tom Zengel Concrete re-placed the existing driveway so it really ties in the existing home - garage to the addition.

When you take the time and effort necessary, you can make an addition look like it was always a part of the home, and not an afterthought.

11/13/2023

I rent a storage garage where I keep extra and stock materials, small tools, supplies, and stuff I should have gotten rid of years ago. Today I had to pick up some scraps to “stick” some deck boards so they dry out.

I noticed this new sign on the entrance gate, and for once I took note of it and noticed the new access hours.

I stopped in to the office and politely told the manager that I would have to look for a new place as I need access before and after those times.

He said to ignore that, as the hours will still be 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. I suggested that he change the sign, when he snapped back that the company has 300 location throughout the country, and they make the signs, and they can’t alter the sign in any way, blah, blah blah.

Who in the hell would want to work for such an inept company?

I also noticed they had a small sign by the door that they are hiring.

As Charlie Brown would say, “Good Grief”.

07/19/2023

One of several reasons why there is a shortage of available homes on the market. And probably a reason why many are staying in place and remodeling.

06/23/2023

A few photos of some “while you are here” work from a kitchen and bath remodel project. I re-purposed some of the old kitchen cabinets to make a work bench. The original steps had a trip hazard and so I rebuilt the stairway, and then added the shelves. Credit to Goddard’s painting in making these iPhone picture look great.

06/02/2023

I am not up on rental rates these days, but I do know home prices are still very strong, and homes that are priced accordingly sell in a few days. In addition, new construction cost for both labor and materials are increasing.

This Blog post explains the main reason.