Parrish Construction

Archive for the ‘Construction Process’ Category

Q- Do I need to have a professional file my building permit?

Friday, July 15th, 2011 Posted in Architecture, Blueprints, Building Codes/Regulations, Building Permits, Construction Process, DIY Home Improvements, Getting Started | No Comments »

A- No. You can file a permit application yourself and you may be allowed to work on your building within certain limitations, but you may still be required to hire a licensed contractor or subcontractors. You should check with the ...

Talk is Cheap, Problems Aren’t

Monday, October 18th, 2010 Posted in Advice to Clients, Blueprints, Construction Contract, Construction Process, Costs, Design-Build, Getting Started, Money-Saving Tips, Remodeling Concerns, Remodels/Additions | No Comments »

By Larry Parrish, CR, CGR, CAPS, GACP   Com·mu·ni·ca·tion—The exchange of thoughts, messages, or the like, as by speech, signals, or writing.  (From The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language).   Communication is important.  During construction, poor communication can be very expensive.  One ...

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—Is it too late in the season to begin a large addition project?

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010 Posted in Additions, Construction Process, Fall, FAQ, Remodels/Additions, Winter | No Comments »

A—Our weather is usually mild enough to allow construction throughout the fall and winter without serious problems. In past years, my company has begun many large projects in October and November without significant problems. Ideally, if you can get the ...

Q: We’re about to begin architectural design for a new living room addition on our home. Are there any pitfalls we should watch out for?

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 Posted in Additions, Architecture, Construction Process, FAQ, Interior Design, Money-Saving Tips, Remodels/Additions, Space-Saving/Organization | No Comments »

A: I recommend that you create a detailed plan of furnishings and equipment in all the rooms. Otherwise you may be surprised later to find that your furniture doesn’t fit, or that the room doesn’t function the way you want ...

Q—We are having a house built, and are concerned about the plywood subflooring. It has gotten wet several times, and is starting to look weathered. Should we be concerned about it deteriorating?

Friday, February 5th, 2010 Posted in Construction Process, FAQ, Flooring, Materials- Construction, New Construction, Safety Hazards, Spring, Structural Issues, Waterproofing, Winter | No Comments »

A—Subflooring sheathing, both plywood and oriented strand board (OSB) are designed with water-resistant glues to resist the amount of rain and snow typically encountered during construction. I’ve seen floors that had been exposed to the weather for months perform flawlessly. ...

Q—Can you please explain the roles of the architect, general contractor, and subcontractor in the construction process? What does it mean when a construction company says they offer Design/Build services?

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010 Posted in Architecture, Construction Contract, Construction Process, Construction Terms, Design-Build, FAQ, Getting Started, Humorous Articles, Subcontractors | No Comments »

A—It might be helpful to strike an analogy between construction and orchestral music. I realize this may sound like a stretch, but if you’ll indulge me for a moment, I think I can demonstrate many similarities. Consider the homeowner. He or ...

Q: Will I need a building permit for this project?

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 Posted in Advice to Clients, Boulder contractor, Construction Process, DIY Home Improvements, FAQ, Getting Started, Handyman/Small Jobs, Money-Saving Tips, Remodeling Concerns, Safety Hazards | No Comments »

A: Virtually every construction project other than minor cosmetic work (such as replacing cabinets) requires a building permit in both the city of Boulder and Boulder County. This includes many projects normally considered landscaping, such as decks and fences. Permits ...

Q: Do we need a permit to remodel our kitchen? How long does it take to get a permit?

Monday, January 4th, 2010 Posted in Building Permits, Construction Process, DIY Home Improvements, FAQ, Getting Started, Handyman/Small Jobs, Kitchens, Landscaping, Remodeling Concerns, Remodels/Additions | No Comments »

A: The answer depends on which jurisdiction your home is located in. In general, all jurisdictions require permits for any jobs involving structural, electrical, plumbing, heating, or framing changes, among others. See a descriptive list below. If you are simply ...

Q: Help! I can’t seem to understand all the construction jargon my last contractor used. Can you share some of the most common terms?

Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 Posted in Architecture, Blueprints, Construction Process, Construction Terms, Costs, Design-Build, Estimation, FAQ, Getting Started, Humorous Articles, Materials- Construction, Remodeling Concerns, Structural Issues | No Comments »

A—Jar-gon (noun) Obscure and often pretentious language marked by circumlocutions and long words (from WWWebster’s Dictionary on the internet).Construction, like many professions, has its share of jargon—obscure terms that are meaningless to the average person. Unlike the medical profession, however, ...