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Giving Thanks!

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Welcome back to the Perka blog!

Today, we are going to be talking about one of America’s favorite holidays. (Here is a hint: It’s happening “NOW” – at least at time of this writing!) That is right; we’re talking about Thanksgiving. Giving Thanks!! 

Though it is not a distinctly American holiday, here in the United States, it is celebrated it, in a fashion, as only Americans can.  It’s actually one holiday of the year that is truly and purely ALL DENOMINATIONAL, regardless of race, creed, religious belief or otherwise; – THANK YOU can be practiced by, literally, EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN – let alone HUMAN BEING!!

So there’s no wonder it’s such a popular holiday. It is a day off work that is typically used primarily to gather with friends and family, and EAT!

Unfortunately, some of the thankfulness often falls to the wayside during housing friends, preparing the meal, and eating until we cannot hold another bite. And, of course, this year, things are going to look quite different.  Now, is that a blessing, a curse, or both?

I’m sure I don’t need to remind anyone of that dreaded Covid-19 epidemic. It continues to wreak havoc upon our world every day. Unfortunately, because of it, many people are not going to be able to safely be with or see their families.

One would think that we just would not be in the mood for giving thanks. However, it is often the most difficult situations that makes us realize the good things all around us.

While we may not be able to go visit our loved ones this year, we live in an age of technological marvels. Anyone up for a family Zoom call? And it’s true that we won’t be able to share special holiday treats with friends and family, but at least we have food available.

(By the way, you should totally check out the delicious recipes from our last blog post!) I know that this all might sound cornier than your aunt’s special casserole, but that doesn’t make it any less true. Even in the midst of Covid-19, we’ve certainly got a lot to be grateful for.

But now, you’re probably wondering how does a Perka Hybrid Building fits into all this. At Team Perka, we pride ourselves on “keeping all we can as simple and stress-free as can be”.

While Covid-19 is not simple or stress-free, nor does it mix well with our favorite holidays, we think we’ve found a very viable stress-freeing solution.

If you have ever owned one of Perka’s unique hybrid buildings, you know how VERY spacious they can be. (They are customizable, with large free and clear spans for breathtaking rooms, and these incredible structures can be as large or as small as you please!)


And if you have never purchased a building or frame from Perka, now is the perfect time to get one! Picture this: Your whole family in one place. Easily 6-10 feet apart of need be. Thanksgiving dinner (or lunch or breakfast). Ample easy ventilation.  Great healthy sun or moon light beaming in through grand windows.  Everyone with their own “safe space”.

One of Perka’s larger buildings can become the perfect venue to gather your family and keep them safe, comfortable, and still TOGETHER? Yes, you might have to speak a bit louder to project across the room, but let’s face it. You were probably going to do that anyway.

Even if this year’s holidays don’t look “normal”, staying connected is always something to be thankful for. Whether it’s over Zoom, across the room, or using some other innovative way, we hope you find a way to enjoy the holidays with your loved ones.

And, speaking of staying connected, we would love to connect with YOU! Feel free to contact us, check out our website, or find us on Facebook. And if there is anything we can do to help you “keep it simple, safe and stress-free”, whether it’s with new holidays venue traditions or your dream building project, let us know. We would love to be a part of your journey.

One of my favorite authors says,

I’m glad that, even in the midst of these difficult times, we at Team Perka still have incredible customers, neighbors, friends, family, like you. That’s ALWAYS something we will be thankful for!

THE BEST COMMUNICATION IMPROVES THE “GAME” OF LOVING LIFE & LIVING LOVE.

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I was sitting in an airport on my way back from Atlanta after several hours of delays due to this year’s wintery FREEZE.  I was beginning to get kind of bored from just reading.   I started to eavesdrop on some nearby conversations… An unknown woman was talking about a spent vacation in a beautiful location – villa Koh Samui on Thailand.  I realized by many of the varying topics – that REAL-LIFE conversations can be as informatively interesting as surfing the net, reading a book or watching a good documentary.

It just so happens that our team (PERKA) is always working hard at steadily improving our ability to communicate – so that we can “know” more, be more aware, to be able to use our individual, collective and combined awareness through a power of attention and focus on details.   We consciously chose to practice this; to not just “be” better for each other, or to “make” things better for clients but to intentionally work to “serve” others selflessly and sincerely more.  By having more than one of “us” involved in this process it is revealing that it is easier to be “selfless” – without “EGO” …  and work towards our primary team objective of seeking the best, most serving, STRESS FREE solution for the client and us as teammates!

From a practice of working on “listening” skills through “eaves dropping”, …  I was able to re-affirm 3 very important factors about collaboration and cooperating through effective communication.

  1. HEARING CLEARLY: I first “listened” to a young man talking to his wife on the phone about him going to have to quite regrettably miss their all but guaranteed family dinner that Friday evening…  you could tell from his tone and choice of words he was disappointed and apologetic.  He then had his daughter join in on another phone to be part of the conversation, so he could share his regrets and love to her.  The fact that they were on two phones on the other end now, seemed to make it hard for him to hear as you could see his frustration rise in an inability to understand his wife and daughter and to properly assimilate their responses with ease…  There were many requests for clarification and you could almost sense the two on other end also losing their thresholds for patience and communicating more.  It became evident the effect on being able to physically hear well and understand was so fundamentally important.
  2. EMPATHIZING WITH PRESENCE: Then I “scrolled” my hearing to focus on a pair of young men maybe in their late 30’s, early 40’s… (For me that’s young ok?).  They were trading stories about how much travelling they were each doing.   How they were racking up air miles going to various cities in the U.S. and to even towns and villages in other countries!  They lamented some at how they spent 2 days traveling, 3 days in office and 2 days at home almost every week of the year!  Yet the gist of their conversation was on the fact that they just HAD to see people.  And they recognized and valued that process.   Whether it be their clients, their suppliers, their teammates or even colleagues from other industries.  They said and agreed that they just could not get their FULL message out – without truly HEARING the voices, SEEING the eyes and FEELING the emotions and the body language from their client’s… especially as it related to their true needs, wants, desires and even dreams.  The phone, emails, texts, etc. could only bring them so far.  Not to mention the sometimes difficulty in hearing properly over the phone or “reading” the right emotion in a written word.  The words have power — but they were amplified, solidified, clarified and got more “results” by and with the FACE TO FACE visits!  With recent trends towards less of this happening, it was quite refreshing to hear this coming, ever so randomly, from two unrelated individuals in unrelated industries, in an airport no less.  And they were YOUNG! (In my eyes!!)
  3. REPEAT WITH VARIETY AND RESPECT (AND LOVE): After that conversation ended due to a much-awaited boarding call …  I got up, boarded and took my seat on the plane.  I was returning with my wife, from some R & R time in sunny Florida where I like to free myself from the daily grind to “think” – be “creative” and plan things out.   It’s part of my intention to periodically “keep the axe sharp” so to speak.   That way when I go back to “chopping wood” – it will be more effective and require less effort.  

After we took off and reached our cruising altitude I got to “eavesdrop” on an elderly couple … actually not that elderly as they were maybe about 7 years and 4 months older than I and sounded to be recently retired.  They were delightful to listen to.  BOTH were genuinely respectful of each other.  They did not “talk” over each other…  both were patient to wait till the other was fully heard.  It was a bit noisy in the cabin of course…  so, they tried to speak loud enough to be heard – but not too loud to broadcast their conversation.   Lucky for me I was close enough. Notwithstanding – they both took turns to repeat what the other was saying or asking for clarification to be sure they understood and to confirm that the other was heard.  They did it gently, with kindness, patience and an obvious total respect and LOVE for each other.  I could FEEL that sentiment flowing back and forth.  They seemed to be reminiscing too of some of their past and you could hear them even apologize for certain things they may have done or not done at some time or another.   Yet, the other would acknowledge it with a chuckle of rekindling a memory and say it was “all good” and part of their journey together.   This immediately reminded me of an old African proverb that says people who love each other do not dwell on each other’s mistakes…  And so, ideally, in that moment, that said to me that the pinnacle of great communication is to listen and hear another with so much empathy it resembles and behaves like LOVE!  (I did also hear, while we were deplaning, someone say to them how they looked so “adorable” together.   The woman quite proudly said – “well that’s what 50 years of DATING each other can get you… constant wind beneath my wings”.   Hmmm now that was something really interesting to ponder on.  Watch for a future blog on that!)

And one never knows what they can “learn” from being “divinely” delayed and waiting around in an airport!

May we be so lucky to always have wind beneath our wings,

Martial Thevenot

PRICE IS TOO HIGH? Price is too much? Overpriced?

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overpriced

How can that be?  They are the same model…  or they are the same size.  Or it’s for the same service.   They are both the same thing…  or is it?  How can there be such a price difference?  That price is way too high?  OR IS IT?

While it may not be so “obvious”,  some suppliers may indeed have difference costs of doing business, more insurance, more levels of quality assurance, better service protocols, different values of their overhead – or even just different markup percentages as per their calculations for what they need to stay in business, let alone prosper some.

When all is said and done however — one really CAN NOT get SOMETHING for NOTHING.  There is a natural law of business balance that will always be maintained.   At least over time.

If you are into “WIN-LOSE” deals – then the game becomes one of trying to (consciously or not) “outwit”, if not even “fool” the other into LOSING and you winning?   Though less and less these days – it is a “game” that still gets played.

All too often however, it is played at the detriment of BOTH parties.  If you “take from another” to advance your agenda, you are definitely in a competitive mode —  and, inevitably, a time will come when either the cards will be reversed, or sooner yet, even the one you contracted with – may just not be able to ((satisfactorily)) fulfill his/her obligation or promise.   And  then, NOBODY wins.   This is not naive.  It’s part of our natural laws.  The Golden Rule.  What we sow we reap.  What goes around comes around.

If one is of a CREATIVE perspective – then it’s more about COLLABORATING TO FIND THE BEST SOLUTION for the product or service need, with a WIN-WIN agenda; while staying within the allowed resources (funds available), and also taking into account as much of a “longer” term perspective as one can.  Cost over time must be part of the initial cost! 

For example, cost/value changes like: after the sale/service maintenance costs, the appreciation or depreciation in value of the asset, the actual use value (which may not be quantifiable per se), the profit from use value if a business of any kind, any future “changes” costs, insurance costs, “recovery costs”, etc., etc.   If you don’t do, even a bit, of that exercise analysis – you may very well be in for some fairly large “ADD ON” costs in the future — and those are inevitably and effectively PART OF YOUR (accrual) COST “TODAY”!

Over and above those considerations, one must be as sure as one can be that the comparison of quality, features, benefits, between your choices, are indeed “apples to apples”!!!  It’s easy to say that yes – this 4 wheel drive pick up is $25,000$. And that 4 wheel drive pick up is $27,000, so I’ll buy this one.   But are they really the same?

With regards to a building:  Is a 40 x 60 building going to be the same price regardless of what it’s made of?  How it’s made?  For what it’s made for,  or even by who it’s made? etc.?

There really are dozens, if not hundreds, of “options”, and “features”, and “benefits” that you can put in, or out, of a building package (initial) price offer.  And in each of these they may, or may not, be a SERVING benefit for you.   If you don’t need to have enduring strength to withstand the wrath of our sometimes harried climate conditions – then maybe you don’t have to have that pre-built in and therefore pay for it!  If you don’t need to have things designed in to make life easier and quicker for you or your builder when you install, refine, modify, or even later upgrade, retrofit or remodel, then why have those features priced in now? More at paydayloanfence These can be the very reason why the prices differ.

Furthermore, do you know the value or even the potential VALUE that each special feature has?  If no, is it therefore really MORE EXPENSIVE?  What are you comparing?   What if certain options can actually save you hours and hours of time in install?  What if it saves you hundreds if not thousands of dollars in extra materials, or hired hours; – or what if they can save you hundreds if not thousands in energy costs?  Making it less costly a bit later on!??  What if it saves you unnerving, debilitating stress, unfathomable worry and even heart ache!  What price do you put on that?

This is not to say all suppliers or service people will not have YOUR overall best interests at heart.  From experience one can say that at least half will, — maybe even 75% if you are optimistic!  But the challenge then is which 50 or 75%?   How will you know? How can you tell? 

Just because the representative is happy, sincere, polite and kind (which is not always the case anyway) — does that make the product or support the ONE FOR YOU?  There is POWER in education… and there is even MORE POWER in using the “education/information”…

One of the BEST ways to get VALUE for your hard earned money and time — as well as peace of mind — is education… information.    It almost always is worth the investment of your time.   Be an informed purchaser.

And, if you can find it, it’s even better if you visit this link TEAM you can trust, who has experience, is passionate about their vocation, loves to do what they do and is sincere about being of selfless service.

And as a bonus, if you do have that kind of support – that will surely make a huge difference in your overall stress level and well being —- now, how much is that worth?

Yes, BE informed!

Cheers,

ICS

 

 

pricevquality

 

Rigid buildings and your future

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Before I even start this blog post – I will admit that I AM BIASED!  I was raised by parents who demanded I be truthful, honest.

They only wanted the BEST for me –  but also taught me that I HAD to BE and DO my BEST to earn it.    They showed me what it looked like to be a good steward, to NOT WASTE, to do things right and do the RIGHT thing.  They encouraged me to THINK, to not just TAKE things as fact just because someone said so, but to do MY OWN homework and research.  They showed me the importance of making sure the things meaningful (to me) in my life had value, integrity, durability, quality and purpose; from the people I could choose to be, work , live and play with to the “things” I choose to own, operate, use, share and/or have stewardship over.   So quality, value, durability, integrity, flexibility, adaptability and sustainability, just to name a few, would become constants in the measuring of whenever we had freedom to make choices.

And so goes with the products as TEAM PERKA, that we offer, the teammates we attract, the service we aspire to give, the care with which we undertake life’s moments with.

So in this biased sense we feel the PERKA BUILDING’s ‘system’ – offers the highest value as an investment, the most strength for withstanding the elements, the best affordability over the long haul, the most flexibility to adapt to any building need now, as well as being easy and simple to deal with for any modifications, finishing, maintaining be it during the build process or even months, years or decades in the future.  Those are the sort of things we hear that are important to builders and building owners alike.

Take the RIGID frame (plate beam) type of building design.   It’s own name pretty much says that they are not going to be very “easy or flexible to deal with”.   And boy oh boy has that been our experience.

Despite being totally committed and convicted about the many many great things in a hybrid building, we are not always able to convey the information, experiences and testimonials needed to help some folks fully understand.   So we still have looked for the best, most affordable “rigid frame” type building sources so that we could still offer this alternative to clients who still want to deal with a company that has the integrity to stand behind their commitments and obligations.

In the couple dozen or so Rigid Frame buildings we supplied over the last few years we can say in total honesty that every one of them has offered up at least one challenge that either cost our client or ourselves MORE money than we originally counted on spending.

Whether it was not having a door positioned in the right place and then having to go through hoops and loops to resolve; or dealing with part after part that was NOT pre-assembled, NOT properly labelled,  not fabbed accurately or just NOT there.  The fact that we had these issues was not the worst of it — the worst part was what we needed to do to “fix or resolve”.  It was not a matter of pulling out the saw to cut a few pieces and fasten them up with some wood grip fasteners.   No.   We had to first get clearance from engineering to make sure we were not altering the integrity of the building SYSTEM since the buildings TOTAL LOAD capacity is pretty much 100% dependent on EVERY part being the part it’s suppose to be and in the place it is suppose to be and installed the way it is suppose to be installed.  ANY deviation of any of these can lead to reduced load capacity and potentially compromise the building’s ability to withstand snow, wind or seismic loads.

Are Rigid buildings strong?  Sure they are —  but only as strong as they are “built” to the exact specifications of the manufacturer.  NO DEVIATIONS.  No modifications.  No after the fact changes.   At least NOT without getting things cleared.

Are Rigid buildings flexible?  Yes, but only to the extent you have torches and welders to modify AFTER you get approval and able to afford the typically HIGH COST of beefing up, from the extra labor and the need for more or newer (STEEL) parts to accommodate the change.   Which typically can only be purchased from manufacturer.  “No substitutes”!

Are Rigid frames EASY and SIMPLE?  Only if you know EXACTLY what you want UP FRONT, and basically “never” want to change ANYTHING.   If you don’t meet those two criteria…  count on complexity, difficulties, delays and worst of all alot MORE MONEY.  Not just a little.  ALOT!

Are Rigid frames aesthetically pleasing?  If you like the main option being JUST STEEL. Yes.  Oh you can COVER these with decorative materials —  but don’t think about “saving” the steel to put something else on to save money.  It won’t happen.  You will either have to leave the steel sheeting on, and PAY EXTRA to cover it – or pay alot more for special engineering and structural beef ups to be able to remove the sheeting to allow you to put something else more aesthetically appealing instead.  Not exactly a “value added” option!

Are Rigid Frames less costly?  Yes –   again if you know EXACTLY what you want and DO NOT PLAN to change pretty much ANYTHING!  (I guess that’s why they call them RIGID frames!!!).  Otherwise —  NO.  Pure and simple they will cost MORE.   And in some cases, as we experienced, ALOT more.

Do your homework.  They can be the best solution – but you MUST know what you want and WHO you are getting it from.  Otherwise —  CAVEAT EMPTOR!!

 

Cheers.

 

 

More on Rigid Frame Designs – Caveat Emptor

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At the time of our last post – we were well in the process of handling issues that some of our Rigid Frame clients had to deal with — and we felt obligated to share it in the spirit of open, honest, transparency…  and as you can see from that post: http://www.perkabuildings.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1173&action=edit, PATIENCE & TIME are invaluable resources you really need to harvest alot of to deal with those types of issues.

Well, since then, we’ve also come across another important lesson/experience, well worthy of mention here.

For those who have more experience with dealing with Rigid Frame packages – no doubt this is stuff you already are very much aware of and can probably prevent from happening with properly pricing it all in BEFORE a client makes his purchase …  so he knows UP FRONT what all it’s going to cost him – RIGHT?

hmmm  NOT so, in our experience as a Rigid Frame client.   It seems suppliers/fabricators of Rigid Frame type designs – pretty much DO NOT want to say any more than they have to …  after all – they just might NOT get the order!!  YUP!  Lesson #1 or #100 in buying a building… ASK QUESTIONS!

We just supplied a building to a client who felt the $2500 more to get a PERKA HYBRID BUILDING package was just too much “more” for his budget.  With the Perka package – EVERYTHING was layed out … NO SURPRISES.  It was all there – nothing MORE to add.

So he purchased a Rigid Frame Building – no more questions than needed and NO MORE INFORMATION than necessary provided by Rigid Frame Supplier.   The building was to be a dirt floor – 3 sided Hay Storage Building.  No big deal right?  Buy the building – put it up.  Go on down the road.

NOT SO FAST.  Dirt Floor?  No concrete floor mesh and rebar to tie everything together?   Did you figure on adding buried, concrete encased tie rods from side to side of your building to make sure the frames don’t spread out?  Yup, we know that is also required for certain size PERKA BUILDINGS…  and we will tell you up front.   No so much for the RIGID FRAME.  That $2500 difference?  YUP —  it was exceeded in the labor and materials to add those cross ties!  GO FIGURE!  Had we only known UP FRONT!. Checkout knightfinance co for more details.

‘Buyer’s beware’…  ASK QUESTIONS! #bestbuildings #strongbuildings

Cheers.

 

knetter5

knetter9

knetter23

PERKA’S HYBRID BUILDING DESIGN OFFERS VALUE BENEFITS AND REAL MONEY SAVINGS

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With a Prefab Perka Wood Steel Hybrid Building you not only get VALUE by the many great benefits and very asset driven features — but you get ADDED VALUE by the many aspects that eliminates waste in terms of time, money, convenience, comforts and even in potential liabilities or loss.

As you can see from the up to 21 great reasons (benefits) why you should consider building with a Perka Hybrid designed building that you can find here: http://www.perkabuildings.com/why-a-prefab-perka-hybrid-wood-steel-building/, here: http://www.perkabuildings.com/7-more-great-reasons-to-help-you-build-strong/, and here: http://www.perkabuildings.com/how-about-another-7-good-reasons-to-build-a-perka/, Perka’s unique approach to buildings offers you a very viable alternative to conventional buildings.

That said it also offers you MANY great SAVINGS from money, to time to just plain STOPPING ‘waste’!

If you just take a few minutes and look around WHERE YOU ARE sitting or standing this very minute, I am sure you can instantly see or count a number of things just being “wasted”.   Anything from unfinished spoiling food, to cleaning up after damage from a storm, to a leaky faucet, to an open or unsealed door or window — often valuable resources, hard to find time and hard earned money are just literally being, and usually most reluctantly, and certainly rarely un-wilfully wasted away.

The men and women at Perka would like to think that they do whatever they can to help with a consciousness about these things.   A kind of “closed loop” thinking…  After all, “waste” just so happens to be a fairly important “pet peeve” of the stewards leading the way at Perka.

 So what does that mean to you? 

From the production/service standpoint Team Perka takes pride in a consciousness that encourages a total minimization of “waste” – taking into account the whole “system or process” of that effort.  For that our costs are controlled while being able to still “afford” high levels of conscientiousness for quality.

For example most of the paper used at Perka headquarters is reused or recycle.   From using the back side of no longer “good” paper, to using shredded paper for packaging, to bringing paper to the recycling stations.  We keep costs in check – we can keep our price to you in check…  That said – it must still nonetheless be done with an awareness of the total resource cost (entire loop) of doing so.  i.e. if used paper is damage, filled with staples or otherwise not good for immediate use – there is awareness of the cost to “make right” that paper for re-use.  So sometimes it’s not “worth” re-using or recycling if it will cost more to achieve that objective.  Do you get the idea?

Similarly with its Building designs, fabrication, delivery, field assembly to materials use – a similar mindset is constantly encouraged and striven for.  Of course we don’t live in a perfect world and “perfection” of this ideal is probably not a reasonable expectation.  But the idea that there is awareness for this goal is tantamount to achieving any goal to minimize waste, maximize resources and optimize product output, use and satisfaction.

Stay tuned for more Blog posts in the coming days that will sharing more benefits about Perka Building designs that are not only asset optimizing but also waste and liability minimizing.

closedloop

STAYING ON THE EDGE – FUTURE BUILDINGS IN A FUTURE RESOURCE BASED ECONOMY?

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Venus Project

Venus Project

The Venus Project operates out of a 21.5-acre Research Center located in Venus, Florida.

Proponents of this project say that when one considers the enormity of the challenges facing society today, we can safely conclude that the time is overdue for us to reexamine our values and to reflect upon and evaluate some of the underlying issues and assumptions we have as a society.  This self-analysis calls into question the very nature of what it means to be human, what it means to be a member of a “civilization,” and what choices we can make today to ensure a prosperous future for all the world’s people.

At present we are left with very few alternatives. The answers of yesterday are no longer relevant. Either we continue as we have been with our outmoded social customs and habits of thought, in which case our future will be threatened, or we can apply a more appropriate set of values that are relevant to an emergent society.

Experience tells us that human behavior can be modified, either toward constructive or destructive activity. This is what The Venus Project is all about – directing our technology and resources toward the positive, for the maximum benefit of people and planet and seeking out new ways of thinking and living that emphasize and celebrate the vast potential of the human spirit. We have the tools at hand to design – and build – a future that is worthy of the human potential. The Venus Project presents a bold, new direction for humanity that entails nothing less than the total redesign of our culture. What follows is not an attempt to predict what will be done – only what could be done. The responsibility for our future is in our hands, and depends on the decisions that we make today. The greatest resource that is available today is our own ingenuity.

While social reformers and think tanks formulate strategies that treat only superficial symptoms, without touching the basic social operation, The Venus Project approaches these problems somewhat differently. They feel we cannot eliminate these problems within the framework of the present political and monetary establishment. It would take too many years to accomplish any significant change. Most likely they would be watered down and thinned out to such an extent that the changes would be indistinguishable

The Venus Project advocates an alternative vision for a sustainable new world civilization unlike any social system that has gone before. Although this description is highly condensed, it is based upon years of study and experimental research by many, many people from many scientific disciplines.

The Venus Project proposes a fresh approach–one that is dedicated to human and environmental concerns. It is an attainable vision of a bright and better future, one that is appropriate to the times in which we live, and both practical and feasible for a positive future for all the world’s people.

The Venus Project calls for a straightforward approach to the redesign of a culture, in which the age-old inadequacies of war, poverty, hunger, debt, environmental degradation and unnecessary human suffering are viewed not only as avoidable, but totally unacceptable.

One of the basic premises of The Venus Project is that we work towards having all of the Earth’s resources as the common heritage of all the world’s people. Anything less will simply result in a continuation of the same catalog of problems inherent in the present system.

Throughout history, change has been slow. Successive groups of incompetent leaders have replaced those that preceded them, but the underlying social and economic problems remain because the basic value systems have gone unaltered. The problems we are faced with today cannot be solved politically or financially because they are highly technical in nature. There may not even be enough money available to pay for the required changes, but there are more than enough resources. This is why The Venus Project advocates the transition from a monetary-based society to the eventual realization of a resource-based global economy.

We realize to make the transition from our present culture, which is politically incompetent, scarcity-oriented and obsolete, to this new, more humane society will require a quantum leap in both thought and action.

Food for thought eh?

In the meantime Perka Buildings forges ahead with a simple ideal on sustainability.  Build for the long haul preserves by not having to REDO things.  Use WOOD where WOOD serves best.  Use STEEL where STEEL is needed.  The combination of these offers a more sustainable approach to resources by minimizing waste, optimize energy efficiency while being a reachable attainable goal — HERE and NOW!

For more info on this project visit: http://www.thevenusproject.com/.

For more info on PERKA BUILDINGS – visit www.perkabuildings.com/.

WE LOVE TO HELP!

Cheers

 

venus1

Are you thinking of a farm Quonset Building or a Staightwall?

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Good choices indeed.

In fact when we (Perka) started back in 1981, Quonset Buildings were REAL popular.  They were cost effective shelter buildings, fairly easy for the do it yourselfer and readily available with dozens of manufacturers making them all over North America!

Fast forward 30+ years —  and they are still relatively cost effective (though alot less so) and not much has really changed about them so they are still relatively easy to put up, if you like putting in thousands of bolts to put it all together!

Back then they were “sold” without much engineering calculations to support them.  Today there is much more of that available – but of course it closed the gab in the cost range.   If you are going to build something to CODE – it must be able to withstand the earth quake, wind and snow loads…  So they had to beefed up in many cases to do that.  Just like with Pole Buildings or Stick Built structures – if not built to code — SURE THEY WILL BE CHEAP!  If they are — the price will go up – and sometimes quite significantly!  So it’s always about EDUCATING yourself and KNOWING what it is you are really buying!

With alot less manufacturers – shipping costs can be a significant add on too.  Something else to watch for.

Another thing to be careful about is – actual “size comparisons”!!!   A 40 foot wide Quonset will not have the same VOLUME of space as a straight wall.  And even between straight wall designed buildings some have BOTTOM CORDS with TRUSSING all above that and so you will get LESS HEAD ROOM!  Get some sketches with dimensions if you can!

Below is an example comparing the Quonset sizes on a “40-19” model vs and 40-14 Perka Model 4000 Hybrid!

The moral of this story here is: —  ASK QUESTIONS.  Know what you are buying — hopefully BEFORE you do that!

The Common Law of business balance by Ruskin sums this up best:

“There is hardly anything in the world that someone cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price alone are that person’s lawful prey. It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money — that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot — it can’t be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better.”

The question is will you be able to afford actually paying for it LATER (usually more), if you don’t put some extra in NOW!

Make sense?

Here is that comparison!

COMPARE BEFORE YOU BUY!!

COMPARE BEFORE YOU BUY!!

If you have ANY questions about ANYTHING regarding buildings — there are some pretty good chances TEAM PERKA can help!  We have over a century of industry experience here and been actually putting building SOLUTIONS together for OVER 30 years!

Feel free to call 800-467-3752.  WE LOVE TO HELP!

How about another 7?? (Good reasons to build a Perka?)

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Here are 7 more GREAT Reasons Why it would serve you well to put up a Perka Building System.

Continuuing from 2 previous post at: http://www.perkabuildings.com/7-more-great-reasons-to-help-you-build-strong/  AND – http://www.perkabuildings.com/why-a-prefab-perka-hybrid-wood-steel-building/…
15. 50 year factory warranty on Perka Frames  – We put our money where our mouth is.  Most other companies only offer one year.  Or more with all kinds of conditions!!   PERKA IS MADE TO LAST!

16. Because we typically use expandable ends, future additions or building expansions are made easily.  All you have to do is take out the posts, girts and sheeting and add on another frame.  If you are thinking of the FUTURE we can make that work easily for you!!

17. We’ve been awarded the Gold Key of Excellence 9 times and 6 years in a row.   This is voted on by contractors and we receive it for our commitment to superior service and quality.  WE BELIEVE IN DELIVERING ONLY THE BEST FOR OUR CLIENTS!

18. With Perka, while we do have a standard roof pitch for our prefab hybrid buildings — we can design the building with ANY pitch you want.  No cookie cutter designs that will limit you.  Always “MADE TO ORDER”!

19. We can even mix wood with steel to the point that you can have a wood frame with clear spans on one end and steel or steel expandable frames on the other end and for all clear spans we would use steel.  TOTALLY FLEXIBLE AND INGENIOUS DESIGNS!

20. We have over 500 different frames with 5000 different configurations.  There is no need to be “stuck” with a particular configuration…  WHATEVER YOU NEED – WE GOT IT!

21. Since you are reading this – you are probably in the top 10% of the informed building consumer public.   This means you are doing your homework and you deserve the absolute RIGHT BUILDING, FOR YOU, based on YOUR NEEDS.  And THAT is what we do BEST as TEAM PERKA.   We listen and we will deliver.  Call us now – 800-467-3752.  WE LOVE TO HELP!

Who exactly is a Perka Team Mate?

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(Paraphrased from Father Athol Murray’s “The Notre Dame Man”. Father Murray was head of small High School “Notre Dame College” in Wilcox, Saskatchewan)

Our World today
is looking for men and women,
Who are not for sale. Who are honest,
Sound from center to circumference,
true to the heart’s core.
With consciences as steady as the needle to the pole.
Who are steadfast if the heavens totter and the earth reels.
Who can tell the truth and look the world right in the eye.
Who neither brag nor run – Who neither flag or flinch.
Who can have courage without shouting it.
Who know their message and tell it.
Who know their place and fill it.
Who know their business and attend to it.
Who will not lie, shirk or dodge.
Who are not too lazy to work.
Who are willing to eat what they have earned,
and wear what they have paid for.
Who are not ashamed to say “No” with emphasis.
Our World is looking for them, men and women,
who can unite around a common faith,
who can join hands in a common task .
Not only are they better prepared to fulfill their
duties to their world, they make a better friend,
a better husband, a better father,
a better wife, a better mother. Because free people do.
They are better prepared to live, and when their hour comes,
they will know better how to die, because free people do.

This, is a PERKA TEAM MATE.   Are you?

Would you like to join our TEAM?

Call us at 800-467-3752 or email to perka@teamperka.com

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Welcome to our Blog… again.

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It would be so easy to get really frustrated right about now…

Some of this really started about 7 years ago now. Our founder, long time leader and most friendly mentor to so many people, passed away suddenly, and very astonishingly, leaving a fairly HUGE void in many lives. I for one, his son, his business partner of 30 years, an avid student of his wisdoms, guidance and leadership and most importantly a LIFE LONG friend, was virtually devastated.  I not only lost my “dad” who I treasured and loved, I lost three other important “personalities” as well!!!

If you’ve ever experienced a loss of a very close and dear loved one (similar to this), you no doubt know that one never really gets “over” it. Sure time heals some of the pain… it can, however, be a frequent struggle keeping the mind from falling into the pain traps… – but, what doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger, right? … and it is… still.

I, and we as a Team, did whatever we could, with whatever resources we could manage, to cope, adapt and persevere. The challenges since then have been quite heavy at times indeed, after all, we lost our “strongest” carrier. So we had to reach out, step up and dig deep! As a collective of family, friends, caring neighbors and even the occasional kind angelic stranger, we were better able to handle the loads and are still here today.  Thriving. Again.

Much like our buildings, (which is as much a PHILOSOPHY as it is STRUCTURE) … we put into practice the virtues and positive product ideals of synergy, optimism, honesty, appreciation, faith, integrity, efficiency, accuracy, quality, durability and flexibility! And never will we compromise on these. While we may be able to give you all the various options in quality and price, to make a well informed choice – we will always first put forward our absolute best, and do so with all the conviction and faith that my dad had when he came up with it and all that his loyal team can put behind it!

Now, why am I saying we could really be feeling frustration right now? Well if you’ve been following our blog on our main website (http://perkabuildings.com/blog) over the past few years you will have noticed that about 6 month ago – it disappeared again —  for a 2nd time!!  While the first time was apparently we were “hacked”, compromising certain security levels and we had to “amputate” the blog to save the site!   This time it was a site rebuild which somehow LOST the blogs….  again.  With that – we lost some 50+ blog entries dealing with all kinds of “building”, motivational, anecdotal and even the odd socio-political issue.

So here we are now – having to start over and re-write many of these that were not saved, including our previous WELCOME memo!  (I kidded often when I was younger, – learning various trades under my dad’s sometimes ”sink or swim” tutelage: “If we didn’t do it twice – we didn’t do it right – but by God – we ALWAYS did it right!!” – Thanks again Dad!)

So for now, as we begin the task of reposting the blogs, I just want to extend to you a warm welcome (or welcome BACK), and to also express our Team’s sincere and most humble APPRECIATION for your interest in not only our product and our company, which we truly believe will really SERVE you well, for a multitude of reasons, but also about being and doing the RIGHT thing… After all – that is the only rule any successful person, business or organization ever lives by…THE GOLDEN RULE!

Cheers,

Martial