News and Press
CFA Announces Call for Entries for 2007 Basement of the Year Awards
Mt. Vernon, Iowa (August 25, 2006) -- The Concrete Foundation Association (CFA) – an influential organization within the construction industry that serves as an informational and networking tool for its members and carries out a multitude of educational and promotional efforts for the advancement of concrete foundation technology – has announced the call for entries for the 2007 Basement of the Year Award.
According to Ed Sauter, executive director of CFA, the Basement of the Year competition enables foundation contractors to display the wide range of projects that are being completed today. The technological advancements that have been made in the poured wall industry allow contractors to complete complex projects more efficiently, which helps ensure homeowners’ dreams are realized, said Sauter.
“Each year the projects submitted to this competition get more complicated and demonstrate the diversity afforded through poured wall foundations,” said Sauter.
Case in point is the winning structure from last year’s competition -- a 5,694-square-foot basement which contained many garden walls and other features in Eastown Township, Pa. Balmer Brothers Concrete Work, Inc. of Akron, Pa. was the foundation contractor on the project. While it was not the largest foundation that they’d completed that year, Jerry Balmer, President, stated that this project was the most complex that they have probably ever completed. With very few right-angled corners, the project kept Balmer Brothers’ crews on their toes. Many corners went from straight to curved walls with a multitude of corners, T-walls and Y-sections coming in at various angles. One of the jumps, from nine-feet to a three-foot wall, occurs in the middle of a curved wall.
To enter a project in this year’s competition, you must be a CFA Contractor member. Non-members do not qualify for the awards program. The deadline for submissions is Nov. 28, 2006.
This year marks the first year for the CFA offering multiple categories for submittal. This is to further recognize the great expertise that exists throughout the country despite economic conditions and sizes of the market. This year’s award categories include:
- Single Family < 2,000 sq.ft.
- Single Family 2,000 to 5,000 sq.ft.
- Single Family > 5,000 sq.ft.
- Commercial / Multi-Family
- Non-Wall Structural Element
- Above-Grade Home
Judging will be based upon many qualifications including the advancement of the use of concrete foundation technology.
Attention to significant footing details, outstanding wall features, such as curved walls, columns, complex corners, etc., and the overcoming of any complexities or challenges along the way are all basis for consideration. Judges will also look for any special materials used or new and innovative advancements. The competition will be judged by contractors who understand the market because they are members of the industry. Judging takes place at the CFA booth (N2027) during the World of Concrete in Las Vegas, Jan. 23-27, 2007 in Las Vegas. Free registration to the World of Concrete can be obtained from the CFA website and the Calendar of Events.
The rules and categories for submission can be found on the CFA website at http://www.cfawalls.org/awards/basement/index.htm.
About The Concrete Foundations Association
The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) provides promotional materials, educational seminars, networking opportunities, and technical and informative meetings for its members. The CFA also publishes a newsletter to keep its members abreast of important developments in the industry and to inform them of progress on board activities and committees. CFA Basement of the Year Call for Entries – page three of three
The CFA has members in 26 states and Canada. Members consist primarily of foundation contractors with firm sizes ranging from six to over 100 employees. Member firms construct anywhere from twelve to 1,200 basements annually.