WILMINGTON, N.C. — There are more than 7 million construction workers in the United States, but only 1 in 10 of those workers is female.
This month is Women’s History Month, and across the country, women in the construction industry are fighting to leave a different legacy with more representation and equality.
It’s a fight Kate Eames faces on the job regularly. When she’s walking a construction site, she says she’s not usually seen for what she is.
“I get questioned about once a week if I’m the homeowner, and I with a smile, tell them, ‘no, I’m the builder,” said Eames, a general contractor with PBC Design + Build in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Eames manages dozens of large-scale construction projects every year. “
“I love what I do. As a young girl in middle school, I wanted to build houses. It was always a dream of mine,” said Eames.
But women like her are rare.
“It’s a challenge that women face. We don’t have that representation. We do have these barriers to break with society to show that you know what, we deserve to be in these positions.”
Women make up only 10% of workers in the construction industry, and for women actually working on job sites, that number goes down to just 3%.
“That’s what we’re trying to change,” said Eames.
“Currently in the United States, we have about 48% of the workforce that’s female. That’s almost half of our workforce population that we’re missing out on this opportunity.”
That opportunity is calling now. “Construction is having a boom. It’s nuts with the amount of work and opportunities that we have here,” said Eames.
There are currently thousands of available construction jobs across the United States, and many offer on-the-job training.
This barrier to enter the field is something Eames hopes more women will realize.
“That’s the biggest thing, is that you can join this workforce basically debt-free and take care of yourself, your family and make a career out of it,” said Eames.
That’s what Eames and her majority-female team are doing.
“Just being able to shoot out a fact of just exactly what they’re talking about, and everyone kind of looks at you like, ‘oh, like interesting, ok, so she knows what we’re talking about. It’s not a completely different language.’ It’s rewarding in that fact, just because I think a lot of people aren’t expecting it,” said Kelsey Talis, the interior designer for PBC Design + Build.
Eames is dedicated to bringing the next generation of women into the construction industry. She is part of the National Association of Women in Construction in Wilmington, participates in panel discussions and makes regular visits to schools across Wilmington to share her message.
She works tirelessly to educate and show young women there is a path to success in this industry. She knows, with support, more women will find the success she’s found.
“A lot of women lead with their heart, lead with empathy, and are great listeners and pay attention to details. And these are the things that really matter in construction,” said Eames.
By encouraging the things that really matter, one day this entire profession could look different and be a lot more equal.
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Kate Eames: A Profile of Women In Construction By Alexa Liacko
/in Informational /by Kathy SpetrinoWILMINGTON, N.C. — There are more than 7 million construction workers in the United States, but only 1 in 10 of those workers is female.
This month is Women’s History Month, and across the country, women in the construction industry are fighting to leave a different legacy with more representation and equality.
It’s a fight Kate Eames faces on the job regularly. When she’s walking a construction site, she says she’s not usually seen for what she is.
“I get questioned about once a week if I’m the homeowner, and I with a smile, tell them, ‘no, I’m the builder,” said Eames, a general contractor with PBC Design + Build in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Eames manages dozens of large-scale construction projects every year. “
“I love what I do. As a young girl in middle school, I wanted to build houses. It was always a dream of mine,” said Eames.
But women like her are rare.
“It’s a challenge that women face. We don’t have that representation. We do have these barriers to break with society to show that you know what, we deserve to be in these positions.”
Women make up only 10% of workers in the construction industry, and for women actually working on job sites, that number goes down to just 3%.
“That’s what we’re trying to change,” said Eames.
“Currently in the United States, we have about 48% of the workforce that’s female. That’s almost half of our workforce population that we’re missing out on this opportunity.”
That opportunity is calling now. “Construction is having a boom. It’s nuts with the amount of work and opportunities that we have here,” said Eames.
There are currently thousands of available construction jobs across the United States, and many offer on-the-job training.
This barrier to enter the field is something Eames hopes more women will realize.
“That’s the biggest thing, is that you can join this workforce basically debt-free and take care of yourself, your family and make a career out of it,” said Eames.
That’s what Eames and her majority-female team are doing.
“Just being able to shoot out a fact of just exactly what they’re talking about, and everyone kind of looks at you like, ‘oh, like interesting, ok, so she knows what we’re talking about. It’s not a completely different language.’ It’s rewarding in that fact, just because I think a lot of people aren’t expecting it,” said Kelsey Talis, the interior designer for PBC Design + Build.
Eames is dedicated to bringing the next generation of women into the construction industry. She is part of the National Association of Women in Construction in Wilmington, participates in panel discussions and makes regular visits to schools across Wilmington to share her message.
She works tirelessly to educate and show young women there is a path to success in this industry. She knows, with support, more women will find the success she’s found.
“A lot of women lead with their heart, lead with empathy, and are great listeners and pay attention to details. And these are the things that really matter in construction,” said Eames.
By encouraging the things that really matter, one day this entire profession could look different and be a lot more equal.
Wilma Magazine features one of our favorite builds!
/in Informational /by Kathy SpetrinoBeach Play Days
Jan and Tim Rausch created their beach home from the ground up
It was TIM and JAN RAUSCH’S daughter Alexandra and son Adam who influenced their decision to build a home in Wrightsville Beach. A discussion with a co-worker pointed Tim Rausch towards North Carolina beach rental properties to host Alexandra’s high school graduation party, ultimately selecting a rental in Wrightsville Beach.
And when then-sixth-grader Adam discovered he could ride his skateboard into town all by himself for a slice of pizza and a Coke, the pressure was on to return to Wrightsville Beach the following year.
“We all fell in love with Wrightsville,” says Jan Rausch. “It had a small-town feel, very causal. We loved it from our first visit.”
In the summer of 2018, the Rausch’s partnered with award-winning PBC Design + Build of Wilmington for the design and construction of their 2,366 square-foot custom home. The main floor living space is 1,257 square-feet including the living room-kitchen, master suite, laundry, and powder room. The 916 square-foot second floor has two king bedroom suites and a bunk room. The first floor is a 192-square foot foyer.
Contributed photography by PBC Design + Build
From the very first meeting with the PBC architect, the Rausch’s knew they had selected their perfect builder. Jan Rausch says, “I had ideas of things we wanted, like an open-concept living room-kitchen facing the ocean. The architect sketched while we talked. He listened to what we wanted even when it was unconventional. At the end of the meeting, he slid a floor plan across the table. We loved the organic process.”
Construction took 14 months, delayed twice by hurricanes Florence and Dorian, which Jan Rausch, always looking on the bright side, says were “just tests of the construction prior to owning the home.” She adds, “We were not in a hurry. We wanted to do it right, not fast.”
In November 2019, the Rausch’s moved into their home which Jan Rausch describes as “casual, a little country, raw, and eclectic. We have shiplap on the inside, a look that I always loved. I don’t like things perfect, but slightly beat up.”
The exterior of the home is white complimented by black windows, colors chosen after walks down the beach looking at existing homes.
“We didn’t want anything that had already been done. And we wanted simple and timeless, the look of an old beach house,” Jan Rausch says. “We saw blues and greens, but no whites. PBC did a great job of pulling in little details that harken back to an older time.”
Inside, the clean white color scheme expands, accented by light blue ceilings, the only other color in the home. Jan Rausch, who has a background in art, explains, “Painted ceilings are an old-fashioned thing in the south. Porch ceilings were painted sky blue.”
Flooring throughout the home is engineered hardwood. Beams span the ceiling of the main living space. Attention is paid to every detail, from the sea glass knobs on the guest suites bath cabinets to the high-end kitchen appliances, quartz countertops and tumbled brick tile on the kitchen walls, and remote-controlled blinds.
The mantel is made from cornice boards from Jan’s great grandmother’s house in West Virginia and the door to the pantry was a lucky discovery in an antique shop. The elevator shaft has a frosted glass door, and the second floor boasts a unique six-bed bunk room, a dry bar, and a covered porch. The home furnishings throughout are simple and uncluttered.
This casual ambiance seamlessly flows to the ground-floor outdoor living space accessible through ocean-facing glass garage doors. “We call this our sandbox. It’s where we play,” she smiles.
“The day we got keys and walked through our new home, I told PBC I would build 15 houses with them starting today,” Jan Rausch says. The Rausch’s are looking forward to many relaxing play days at their beach home, appropriately named SlowTide, with their family including their two dogs, Hurley and Roxy. “We love being right on the ocean, making our toast, and watching the sunrise.”
Construction Connection podcast with Kyle Henry
/in Informational /by Kathy SpetrinoThe Wilmington Cape Fear Home Builders Association along with Joe Catenacci and the Big Talker 106.7FM hosts “The Construction Connection” every other Friday to have in-depth conversations on regional residential/commercial development and growth related topics with local professionals.
This week, PBC Design + Build’s own Kyle Henry stepped behind the microphone and gave thoughtful responses to important topics regarding the construction industry today, his leadership with construction of the Kids Making It new annex downtown, and the importance of getting kids interested in a trade. Of note and special importance: 45% of Team PBC is female, a rarity in the construction industry and a cool observation!
2020, A Quick Year in Review by Sonya Henry
/in Informational /by Kathy SpetrinoIn 2020:
Grateful to be here. Looking forward to a new year. And can’t wait to see what 2021 holds for all of you.
Dumpster fire belongs to John Jarvis. PBC does not sponsor or endorse leaving a dumpster in your driveway near your house and placing anything remotely flammable inside.
Luckily, the fire was immediately extinguished by the heroes at the Wrightsville Beach Fire Department and some quick thinking neighbors.
Jarvis got a new window and some siding. His dumpster privileges have been revoked.
We are making some big moves in 2021!
/in Informational /by Kathy SpetrinoHomebuilder Transforming Former Church Structure Into Office
By CeCe Nunn, Greater Wilmington Business Journal
Infill Development Podcast with Dave
/in Informational /by Kathy SpetrinoOur friends Jim Kittridge + Kevin Brown, hosts of the Who Knows Real Estate podcast invited Dave for a discussion of all things multifamily.
In this episode, Dave discusses his experience of infill development, its relative pros and cons and divulges some tips on how to succeed in the multifamily sector, all from his unique story telling perspective.
(Hi-fives to the Who Knows Real Estate editing department because they probably started with 5 solid hours of Dave talking!)
Listen online or available on your favorite podcast player app!
Nest Realty’s latest “Artisan’s Corner” features PBC
/in Informational /by Kathy SpetrinoOur friends at Nest Realty in Wilmington profiled PBC in their monthly feature, “Artisan’s Corner.”
Tom Seabrook takes a deep dive with Dave Spetrino, asking the big questions about the building process. Below is one of my all-time favorite answers because it accurately sums up the PBC Team.
NR: What is your proudest accomplishment as a builder?
DS: After 20-plus years, there are dozens (hundreds) of meaningful accomplishments, but I would say two things really stand out. First, I am surrounded by the very best in the industry when it comes to talent, willingness to improve, and genuine interest in doing great work. It’s one of the few businesses where you still work with your hands and, at the end of the day, you can take a step back, look at what you’ve created, and bask in the feeling of a job well done. More importantly, we’re well respected by our peers and the local industry that works hard at their craft, too—and they appreciate that same hard work in others. That endorsement from other professionals is the real accomplishment.
To read the rest of the article Click HERE to go to Nest Realty
Join Casey, Dave, Kyle + Sonya for a Happy Hour House Tour on Facebook LIVE
/in Informational /by Kathy SpetrinoThese are a blast to make and we have had many requests to do more! Enjoy this trip through RiverView Townes LIVE on our Facebook page! Casey and Dave point out the finer details, Kyle mans the camera and Sonya reads out viewer questions. Informative and entertaining fun for all!
Welcome, Kelsey Talis
/in News /by Sonya HenryWilmington, North Carolina – PBC Design + Build welcomes Kelsey Talis, Allied ASID to Interior Design Team.
Multi-talented, eminently creative, and nationally published, Talis is an allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers with over eight years of experience in the New York, Philadelphia, South Florida, and North Carolina areas. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture + Design from the dually accredited program at Drexel University.
Motivated by her love of design and her ability to coordinate, oversee, and complete high-caliber projects, Talis is a valuable addition to PBC Design + Build. Talis will work closely with custom home clients as well as all members of the PBC team. The design + build firm, as a whole, looks forward to watching her vast knowledge and creative touch come to life in all of their custom homes.
PBC Design + Build is an award winning full service firm specializing in custom homes throughout the Wilmington regional area. Celebrating 22 years in business, PBC is a group of highly qualified individuals with wide-ranging talents, relevant expertise and a steadfast commitment to customer satisfaction. For more information, visit our website at www.pbcdesignbuild.com or email: [email protected]
Houzz TV Features the PBC Birdhouse Battle
/in Informational /by Kathy SpetrinoHouzz TV features a special on our Birdhouse Battle, which includes a vote by the Houzz Community! Who do you think wins? For a special behind the scenes of the individual entries, please make sure to visit the PBC YouTube channel!