Parrish Construction

Q: Now that the weather is warm, I’m planning to do some DIY yard improvements. Anything I should watch out for?

Parrish — Fri, 04 May 2012 00:12:30 +0000

A: Call Before you Dig! If you love to work in your yard and are planning on planting a tree, digging post holes for a fence, or any other major digging, be safe and avoid costly fines. Dial 811 BEFORE you dig to arrange for someone to locate and mark buried utilities in your yard. There is no charge, but call three days before you actually intend to dig. Learn more from Excel Energy and check out Responsible by Nature for more helpful tips for living green.

Q: What are the most effective energy-saving products?

Parrish — Fri, 04 May 2012 00:09:54 +0000

A: The vast majority of home energy is used for space heating, water heating, and major appliances. While it may be a good strategy to upgrade to the highest-efficiency models you can afford, their ultimate performance relies on a well-built home that is properly insulated and air-sealed. Go to Xcel Energy and click on Evaporative Cooling for more details.

Q—I’ve heard that EIFS, synthetic stucco can cause mold problems. How can I tell if my house has EIFS, and should I be concerned?

Parrish — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 22:11:10 +0000

A—Real and synthetic stucco look a lot alike, which isn’t surprising since they are both stucco. One way to tell is by pushing on it. Real stucco has no give and should be very rigid. Synthetic stucco on the other hand is softer. The other way to tell is by looking in a vent or hole. If you see a wire mesh, then you are looking at real stucco or hard-coat synthetic stucco. If you see a foam core then you are looking at synthetic (‘EIFS’) stucco. You may have no problems with EIFS as long as the following conditions exist:

The foam doesn’t extend below grade (doesn’t touch the dirt)
Windows and doors are sealed properly to keep water from seeping behind the EIFS
Gutters drain away from the house
Pipes and other items that stick through the stucco are sealed properly

If you notice the following problems you should consult with a contractor immediately to minimize damage:

Mold or mildew inside or outside your home
Swollen wood around door and window frames
Blistered or peeling paint on the stucco surface
Cracked EIFS or cracked sealant

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Real Versus Synthetic Stucco

Parrish — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 22:31:02 +0000

Real stucco has been around for ages. But in the 1950s synthetic stucco was developed and slowly started replacing a lot of real stucco. So which is best, real stucco or synthetic stucco?

Real stucco is made from cement, sand, lime and water. When used in siding, three coats are usually applied over a base such as mesh.

There are two types of synthetic stucco. One type of synthetic stucco consists of three layers: foam insulation, fiberglass mesh and synthetic stucco and is called ‘EIFS’. Many contractors will not use this type of stucco since insurance companies may not insure it due to moisture and mold problems and law suits. The other type of synthetic stucco is called hard-coat and is a two-coat system of a concrete base layer with a colored, acrylic top coat.

So which is best?

Real stucco is porous and will absorb water, but also dries easily, minimizing damage to the structure which means it is best in wetter environments. Real stucco is also not as light synthetic stucco and so can withstand extreme weather conditions and other dings; however it will shrink and crack. Real stucco is also more expensive than synthetic stucco.
‘EIFS’ synthetic stucco is very energy efficient, but is best installed in low moisture areas. Since it is softer, it is great for allowing ornate keystones, cornerstones and other accents that traditional stucco cannot hold, but it will dent, and woodpeckers are able to punch holes in it.
The best choice for many applications is hard-coat, which is the best of both worlds. It has the durability and moisture resistance of real stucco with the flexibility of an acrylic top coat, which can match any paint color.

Still not sure whether you should use real or synthetic stucco? Try talking to your contractor. They should be able to guide you in the right direction and competently speak to the good points and bad points of real versus synthetic stucco.

For more information: See our FAQ Blog with further information on stucco: “Q—I’ve heard that EIFS, synthetic stucco can cause mold problems. How can I tell if my house has EIFS, and should I be concerned?” A: Click here to read the answer.
We always welcome your comments, questions and suggestions. Please feel free to “Post a Comment” in the box below.

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Basement Remodeling: What is Your Purpose or Theme?

Parrish — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 19:16:08 +0000

Do you have an unfinished basement? Many people overlook finishing or refinishing basement rooms because they are dark and inconvenient. Properly designed and executed, however, basement rooms can be an inviting and cost-effective solution to a space crunch.

When it comes to basements, you are truly working with a blank slate. Do you want a game room, an entertainment room, a music room, an office? There are numerous possibilities for transforming your basement into the most interesting room in your house.

The key to basement remodeling is to understand what your purpose or theme is. Understanding your purpose or theme will make basement remodeling significantly easier and will help you create great ideas for the remodeling project.

Is your purpose or theme music? Consider building a stage, installing a karaoke machine, and stenciling music notes on the walls…the ideas are endless. But notice how much easier it is to come up with ideas once you lock down your purpose or theme.

A home remodeling/construction company can help you explore your needs based on their past experience and can help guide you to your purpose or theme. But the best thing to do is to really think about how you will use the space before you call a company. It is much easier to make your ideas a reality when you know what you want.

A great way to come up with a purpose or theme is to surf the internet. There are tons of websites, replete with pictures and video, showing beautiful basement spaces. Try searching images.google.com. A look at finished basements should trigger tons of ideas for you.

Remember, when it comes to basement remodeling – know your purpose or theme.

Other great articles on basement remodeling:

Bed, Borrow, & Steal: http://www.parrishbuilt.com/basements/mountain-home-addition-boulder
Remodeling Down Under: http://www.parrishbuilt.com/building-trends/remodeling-down-under
Converting a Crawl-space: http://www.parrishbuilt.com/building-trends/crawl-space-converted-basemen
Basement ‘before’ & ‘after’: basement rooms

We always welcome your comments, questions and suggestions. Please feel free to “Post a Comment” in the box below.

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Great Spring Project: Window Replacement

Parrish — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 19:14:42 +0000

The snow is melting and spring is around the corner. This is a good time to assess your home and plan for improvements. A great project for this time of year is replacing old, drafty windows. New windows can dramatically improve the look of your house and cut energy bills by as much as 20 percent.

Expect to pay an average of $400-$700 per window for replacements placed inside structurally intact window frames, but it could go as high as$1,000 per window. If you have large windows or want ‘specialty’ windows, the price can go even higher.
If the existing window framing is rotted or damaged in any way, the framing must be rebuilt. This can cost as much as 50-100 percent more than replacement windows.

The cost should include removing the existing windows, installing the new ones with proper flashings, cleanup and disposal of the old windows, and washing the new windows.

The best option is to call a construction/remodeling company who can select and purchase the windows for you and professionally install them. This significantly decreases the amount of time and research you have to put into the project, and gives you an installation warranty.
Some people purchase windows through a local home improvement store and then hire a handyman to install them. But make sure the windows are good quality and that whoever you hire is qualified.
Installing replacement windows yourself could save you money, but be sure you understand all the moisture and weatherproofing requirements. A licensed contractor is required to create new window openings where none existed before, or for windows that require a larger opening.

Other Window Blogs:

FAQ: What type of window frame is better: wood, metal, fiberglass or vinyl? A: http://www.parrishbuilt.com/money-saving-tips/frame-metal-clad
FAQ: Can you help me sort out the energy ratings for windows? A: http://www.parrishbuilt.com/green-building-topics/acronyms-rating-systems
FAQ: What sort of things should I consider regarding energy efficiency in windows? A: http://www.parrishbuilt.com/green-building-topics/energy-efficiency
FAQ: Can you please describe the difference between a “simulated divided-light” window and a “true divided-light” window? A: http://www.parrishbuilt.com/green-building-topics/window-types

We always welcome your comments, questions and suggestions. Please feel free to “Post a Comment” in the box below.

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Do I Have to Get a Permit for a Remodeling Project?

Parrish — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:42:18 +0000

You have planned a remodeling project for your home. Do you need a permit from the city? We will give you the lawyer’s standard answer – “It depends.” We wish it was a simple matter of yes or no. But permitting really depends on your locality. Here are some basic guidelines though:

You May Need a Permit if:

Moving a sink
Demolishing a load-bearing wall
Changing the house’s roofline
Punching in a new window or door
Altering the footprint of your house
Installing new electrical wiring
You’re re-roofing
Installing new or larger windows or doors (not replacing)

You May Not Need a Permit if:

Putting in hardwood floor
Installing carpeting
Replacing existing doors or windows of the same size
- Upgrading your countertops
- Freshening up the exterior with new siding
- Minor electrical work, such as replacing an electrical outlet.Your contractor will know if you need a permit for your remodeling project. However, if you want to handle the matter on your own, a call to the local Building Safety department is your best bet. The permitting department in your city will be able to answer your questions. It is always best to double check when remodeling.

We always welcome your comments, questions and suggestions. Please feel free to “Post a Comment” in the box below.

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Low Bid = Lowball

Parrish — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:40:27 +0000

You’re planning to remodel your home, have a tight budget, and are looking for a low bid from a hungry contractor. You might want to rethink that strategy. A low bid may end up costing you more in the long run.

There are several ways a contractor can submit a low bid— leave items out, use inferior materials and unskilled labor, be overly optimistic or naïve about how long the job will take, “buy the job” to keep his crew busy, or plan to make up for losses with Change Orders. All of these are bad news for the homeowner.

If the deal is not good for your contractor, he’ll start to cut corners and lose enthusiasm long before the job is over, redirecting his crew and subcontractors to a more profitable job. In all too many cases, he’ll simply cut his losses and disappear. If he’s underbid other jobs also, he’ll likely go out of business before you need warranty repairs.

You do not want a low bid, you want a fair one—fair to both you and your contractor. Since local contractors obtain materials and labor in the same marketplace, their costs are much the same. The overhead costs (insurance, vehicles, tools, etc.) are also similar when providing similar levels of service. Markups and profit margins must be competitive in order to survive in the same market. Thus, the cost of similar quality and service from reputable contractors rarely varies by more than eight percent. Wouldn’t it be worth an extra 8% to get the best contractor you can find?

Shopping for the best price on a commodity, such as a refrigerator, makes sense, because the product will be the same, no matter where it is purchased. Remodeling, however, is not a commodity, it’s a service, and the service from contractors varies dramatically. The higher the stakes, the more dangerous it is to shop for price. When one’s life is in danger, few people shop for the cheapest doctor. While remodeling is not brain surgery, the stakes are often very high. Don’t you deserve the best? We think so!

We always welcome your comments, questions and suggestions. Please feel free to “Post a Comment” in the box below.

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How To Find a Contractor

Parrish — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:55:52 +0000

We don’t need to tell you that finding a good contractor is a challenge. In fact, if you are reading this blog you have probably been burned in the past or have heard stories about bad experiences with contractors.

One way to find a good contractor is asking friends and family for a referral. If a contractor did a good, honest job in the past chances are they will again. Going to the Yellow Pages for a contractor just won’t cut it. If you can’t get referrals from your network trying asking hardware stores or material suppliers. You can also get referrals from engineers and architects.

Another good way to find a contractor is through Google. I know what you are thinking, how is that different from the Yellow Pages? It isn’t much different if you take the top results and do not do further research. If you find an interesting looking company, look up their license on the state’s website to make sure it is active and that there are no complaints. Also, see if others have posted comments about the contractor and if the contractor has posted articles, blogs etc. A contractor that gives helpful information to people or has a good online reputation might help you make a decision. Also, check if the contractor has an established business. If they have been around for a while that may speak volumes about their work product.

Be honest about your budget. Tell a contractor what you can spend and see how well they address your budget, give you info as to why your budget is unrealistic and generally troubleshoot with you. You may not have a good contractor if they readily agree to your budget without due diligence.

Don’t get intimidated! You don’t have to be an expert at construction to hire a contractor. Ask questions every step of the way. A good contractor will welcome questions and gladly help in your information deficiency. A contractor that evades your questions is usually a contractor you will want to avoid.
We always welcome your comments, questions and suggestions. Please feel free to “Post a Comment” in the box below.

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3/3 Window Wonderland FAQ: What type of window frame is better: wood, metal, fiberglass or vinyl?

Parrish — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 04:28:53 +0000

A: Window frames come in metal, wood, vinyl and fiberglass. Wood is pretty, but needs refinishing and will eventually need replacing. Vinyl is inexpensive, needs almost no maintenance, but can have problems such as changing shape in hot climates. A nice compromise is metal clad windows – wood on the inside of the home, where warm beauty is paramount, but metal on the outside to avoid the maintenance problems of weathered wood. Skins can also be vinyl or fiberglass. Visit us to see how we’ve used them in the Parrish office.

More Window Wonderland FAQs:

Did you miss the first two Window Wonderland FAQs in this series? Here they are:

1/3: “Generally, what sort of things should I consider regarding energy efficiency?”

2/3) “Energy Star Acronym Guide for Windows, Doors and Skylights”

We always welcome your comments, questions and suggestions. Please feel free to “Post a Comment” in the box below.

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