Parrish Construction

Archive for the ‘Construction Costs’ Category

Q- Why Does a “Green” Home Cost More?

Monday, August 1st, 2011 Posted in Building Codes/Regulations, Building Trends, Construction Costs, Costs, Green Building Topics, Materials- Construction, ROI, Safety Hazards | No Comments »

A- It’s true that green houses can, but not always, cost more. Going green means several things, looking at products that are low in toxicity, products that are created with minimal impact, and sustainably produced, and with a responsible disposal. Because ...

Q- How Can I Figure Out if My Remodel Will Pay Off at Sales Time?

Wednesday, July 6th, 2011 Posted in Construction Costs, Costs, Estimation, Getting Started, Remodeling Concerns, ROI, YouTube Videos/"Larry on the Level" | No Comments »

A-We tell people it’s always best to do a remodel because it increases the value of the home for YOU. In a changing economy there are no guarantees. Traditionally, certain remodels add more value than others. And then, there’s the ...

Q—Is it too late in the year to start construction projects because of bad weather?

Friday, October 15th, 2010 Posted in Construction Costs, Construction Process, Fall, FAQ, Freezing Temp. Problems, New Construction, Winter | No Comments »

A—Since Colorado is blessed with so many sunny days in the winter, we are able to build year-round with only short delays during the worst weather. The biggest problem is with foundations. Once frost is in the ground deeper than ...

Q—We’ve heard about radiant floor heating, and wonder if it would be a good idea for our whole-house remodeling project.

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 Posted in Construction Costs, Design Tips, Energy-Saving Tips, FAQ, Flooring, Freezing Temp. Problems, Green Building Topics, Heating/Cooling, Home Luxury, Materials- Construction, Money-Saving Tips, Remodels/Additions, Winter | No Comments »

A—I’ll list some of the pros and cons, and let you decide: Radiant heat can be more expensive to install—as much as 20-50% or more. Radiant heat does not provide ductwork for ...

Q—We’re going to build a new house this year, and would like to supply some of the materials in the house to save money. Will contractors let us do this?

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 Posted in Construction Contract, Construction Costs, Costs, DIY Home Improvements, FAQ, Handyman/Small Jobs, Insurance- Home, Materials- Construction, Money-Saving Tips, New Construction | No Comments »

A—Many contractors are willing to negotiate such an arrangement within reason—if you accept responsibility for the installation of the items you supply, and the project schedule is not impacted by late arrival or installation problems. Builders and subcontractors are naturally reluctant ...

Q—What can I do to improve my kitchen on a tight budget?

Friday, January 15th, 2010 Posted in Construction Costs, Costs, DIY Home Improvements, FAQ, Handyman/Small Jobs, Kitchens, Lighting, Money-Saving Tips | No Comments »

A—Here are several ideas for sprucing up a kitchen without busting the bank: Paint or re-finish the existing cabinets, and replace the hardware. For a slightly higher budget, replace the doors ...

Q—Our remodeling contractor has included the cost of a portable toilet at $80 per month in his bid. Is this standard practice? It seems unreasonable.

Saturday, January 9th, 2010 Posted in Construction Contract, Construction Costs, Estimation, FAQ, Humorous Articles, Materials- Construction, Money-Saving Tips | No Comments »

A—Contractors are required to make toilet facilities available to workers. $80 per month is about the going rate, but if you have a toilet you can make available, you will save considerable money. Please don’t ask the workers to use ...

Q—My contractor included “allowances” in our contract for appliance floor coverings, etc.. Can you explain how an allowance works?

Friday, January 8th, 2010 Posted in Construction Contract, Construction Costs, Construction Terms, Estimation, FAQ, Money-Saving Tips, Remodeling Concerns | No Comments »

A—Your builder followed the common practice of using an “allowance” as a budget placeholder for certain finish materials not specified in the contract documents. In other words, you are “allowed” to spend a certain amount without adjusting your cost of ...

Q—How much does it cost per square foot to build an addition on a house?

Thursday, January 7th, 2010 Posted in Additions, Construction Contract, Construction Costs, Estimation, FAQ, Money-Saving Tips, Remodeling Concerns, Remodels/Additions | No Comments »

A—That depends on which square foot you’re talking about. The square foot where the new commercial-grade refrigerator sits will cost about $600, and a square foot of the new driveway will cost about $3. Averaging these two together yields $301.50 ...