|
 |
Common Remodeling Questions and Answers
Will I need a building permit for this project?
How much does it cost per square foot to remodel or build?
Is it too late in the year to start construction projects?
We have hot-water heat. Can we still install a whole-house humidifier?
Will marble and granite countertops stain?
What can I do to improve my kitchen on a tight budget?
We have hot-water baseboard heat in our home. We're planning to add a master bathroom addition, and would like to install radiant heat in the floor. Can we use the existing boiler?
Last spring I had a flood in my basement from a broken water pipe. The plumber said it was caused by a frozen yard faucet. Why did it wait until spring to leak?
Help! We have a ceiling leak in our cathedral ceiling every winter. We've had it checked by a roofer who says the roof is fine. Any suggestions?
We installed a new front door last summer, and it has warped so much it won't close properly-more than an inch. What went wrong?
I've just discovered that our house has aluminum wiring, and that it might be a fire hazard. Do I need to have my whole house re-wired?
The new wood flooring I had installed this past summer has cracks developing between the boards-some as much as 1/16" wide. Why is this happening? Should the cracks be filled?
On the coldest days, some of the rooms in my house are cold, while others are warm. We have a forced-air system. Is there anything we can do?
How much does it cost per square foot to build an addition on a house?
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?
The fee our building contractor charges for his work includes a percentage to cover overhead and profit. What is overhead, and is this legitimate?
Is your attic fan poisoning you?
Every Spring, we get water in our basement. Is there anything we can do to prevent this from happening again this year?
Do you need a permit to remodel a kitchen? How long does it take to get a permit?
What is the difference between a 'simulated divided-light' window and a 'true divided-light' window?
Recently, I've noticed a musty smell of damp earth in our crawl space. Is this serious? What can be done about it?
What are scissor trusses?
Every time the toilet flushes, it can be heard throughout the house?
My contractor included "allowances" in our contract for appliances, floor coverings, etc. Can you explain how an allowance works?
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?
We just bought a home with a septic system. Is there anything special we need to know or maintenance to perform?
We've heard about unincorporated Boulder County's 1,500 square foot rule for triggering a "major site review". What is that all about. If you add 1499 square feet, how long must you wait before you can add on again?
The brick planter box on our house has a white, chalky stain on it. We have tried scrubbing it off, but it keeps coming back. What causes it, and what can be done about it?
When is a good time to start a large addition?
Our concrete driveway has sunken near house, and water now ponds there. Is there any way to fix the problem without removing and replacing the driveway?
We had some drywall patching done on our kitchen ceiling to repair water damage. The texture seems to match well, but the paint is dull where the new texture is. Any suggestions?
While touring a parade of homes recently, we saw an etched glass room divider that appeared to glow from within. We couldn't detect any light fixtures shining on it. Do you know how they did it?
What are the roles of the architect, general contractor and the subcontractor?
What is the liquid concrete contractors spray on the surface of sidewalks and driveways?
What are the hazards of lead-based paint?
We've heard about radiant floor heating, and wonder if it would be a good idea for our whole-house remodeling project.
We've heard that builders and subcontractors are so busy now, and that prices are high and quality and responsiveness are low. Should we wait and do our project next year?
Our redwood decks that were beautiful when new have become stained, almost black. Is there any way to restore the original color? Should we use a sealer or finish to protect the redwood?
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.
Copyright © Parrish Construction Co.