October 26, 2023 •Brian Hogan
Standards and codes have their place in everyday life. That’s also true when remodeling your home. Both are necessary for excellent results. While government regulations limit what many businesses can and cannot do; they do not always guarantee the best outcome. This fact holds true for building codes as well.
Do not misunderstand: codes are necessary. Codes and regional regulations are the framework of those that make a living remodeling and building homes. For example, the construction of new steps and handrails to avoid falls and trips is guaranteed by structural codes. Electrical codes provide protection against shock and fire, whereas fire codes keep us safe from residential and commercial fire dangers. The reason your water is clean comes from plumbing and sanitary laws.
Hogan Design & Construction’s (HDC) proven process has been developed and honed since our inception. Our longevity, craftsmanship, and construction expertise are just some of the reasons homeowners in Northern Illinois and the Chicagoland area keep returning to HDC. We have built a reputation based on our integrity, dependability, high-quality work, and excellent customer service & satisfaction. We don’t just build spaces. We develop long-lasting relationships that deliver your dreams.
Residents of any community remain safe and healthy when businesses adhere to these and many more codes and standards. But the truth is that codes do not ensure quality craftsmanship; they only provide a blueprint for constructing or renovating homes and businesses. There is a phrase used at times in the building sector, "Work done merely to code is the worst that legally can be done." Although it's certainly exaggerated, the argument that skilled remodelers and builders hold themselves to higher standards is true.
There are a hundred ways to explain this, but for the purposes of this discussion, let's use the example of framing for a new deck. The maximum span that floor joists can have without the assistance of an underlying beam is specified by codes. If your deck is constructed according to those specifications, it will securely hold up your visitors during a busy party, but as the youngsters run around, it might still bounce enough to break glasses. To maintain the rigid deck floor, skilled remodelers who want satisfied clients go above and beyond the code by employing deeper joists or shorter spans.
Here, the distinction is between building codes and excellence criteria. Both are necessary for excellent results. The lowest bidders have little motivation to adhere to any standards above and beyond the code, which is why competitive bidding so frequently produces disappointing outcomes.
Quality-conscious professional remodelers and contractors adhere to industry best practices and hold all employees to them to guarantee client satisfaction, quality craftsmanship, and customer service excellence. Every aspect of the remodeling project work, including the maximum moisture content that can be allowed for interior wood trim and flooring (to reduce shrinkage) and the smoothness of the drywall finish, has quantifiable requirements. Examples of these standards include how level the floor framing on that bedroom addition must be.
The entire HDC team of designers, production and project managers, carpenters, laborers, estimators, and office administrators are committed to providing you with open and honest communication in a timely fashion. Our collaborative process from start to finish keeps our valued clients well-informed and engaged during each critical phase of the design-build process.
A seasoned professional remodeler will have a team and project managers who are aware of the regulations pertaining to their portion of the project and who regularly fulfill them. The greatest teams overbuild; their obsession is perfection, with square corners, straight walls, flawless finishes, well-closing doors, and long-lasting windows. Remodeling companies and contractors like Hogan Design & Construction care about the happiness and safety of their clients with a goal of going Beyond Building to produce their best work with dedication to upholding codes and regulations that exceed expectations.
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