Design and Construction Complete on Monumental Sign - Design Tips

In conjunction with A Router Works Signs, ParsCo successfully designed and completed construction on the monumental sign for Summerset Estates in Navarre, FL.  

In design, defining the program requirements is critical to make sure the overall goal is accomplished for a customer.  Regardless of whether you are designing a small interior renovation, a brand new multi-million dollar custom home, or a high-rise commercial office building....design requires criteria tailored to the particular project.

When designing a monumental sign, ParsCo uses the following guidelines to achieve a final result satisfactory to all parties:

Less is More
Less can be more when designing any sign! Leaving space around the edges and not filling the space completely with your text will add impact to what you do use on the sign.

Impression
Your sign is your "first impression" with the public, and first impressions are lasting impressions. Your sign should project a positive image for the public to have of your business. Potential customers will judge the inside of your business by how it looks on the outside. Don't attempt to sell them with information on the sign - save that information until they are in your business.

Setting
Ideally, the design and the colors of your location or building should reinforce the design and colors of your sign (or vice versa). Color is probably the easiest and most cost-effective device for this coordination of design for business identification.

Spacing
"White-space". This is the surface area of a sign's face that is left uncovered by either text or graphics. The proper amount of white-space is just as important for quick readability as are graphics, text and colors. In fact, 30% to 40% of the sign's face area should be left as white-space for optimal readability. Having your letters too close to the edge of the sign always looks bad.

Borders
Keep the border width and distance from the edge proportional to the size of the sign. Larger signs should have wider borders spaced further from the edge of the sign. Remember, a border is decoration and can be overdone.

Contrast
Choose contrast colors for your lettering. Blue on green for example is very hard to read. Choose gold or silver letters on a black or dark green sign. Avoid light backgrounds because, while extremely visible, they create glare when illuminated.


Contact ParsCo today for more information.
www.pars-co.net
850-776-6265

Quality Control

During any construction process, one of the most important factors to take into consideration is the quality of the work being performed. ParsCo understands that in order to do this you must have a thorough understanding of the building process before you begin. ParsCo believes that this all starts on the first day that the project starts. ParsCo sets the tone for quality expectations by performing a preconstruction meeting with each trade on the site of the job before they begin work so that everyone can gain this understanding, learn what the work schedule will be like, and figure out any other issues that might need discussing. By understanding the building process ParsCo is able to make key scheduling arrangements to allow each trade to coordinate their work together to achieve a quality product. No shortcuts are allowed when it comes to achieving this goal.
The most critical aspect in quality control is to check on the work as it is being completed, to ensure that the project is meeting or exceeding your expectations and going according to plan.
Another critical item is to maintain a clean jobsite. When each trade takes pride in cleanliness it results in a higher quality project. That means daily cleanup, and cleaning of completed work as it is installed.

Lastly, ParsCo goes to great lengths to train and educate employees in the latest products and the required means and methods to use them. If the work is not completed in accordance to specifications and manufacturer recommendations this too can affect the overall quality.

These extra steps sometimes result in higher costs but in the end the pros outweigh the cons. The cost to redo, replace, or repair work that doesn't meet the quality requirements easily exceeds the additional steps and effort that ParsCo takes to ensure the end result is correct and meets everyones expectations.

After all, we all want the same thing... A project that we can all be proud to put our name on.

Call ParsCo today at 850-776-6265 for more information on how to make your next quality project a reality.

Project Management Requires Building a culture of trust

ParsCo consultants don't just bring a level of expertise to your organization that you might be lacking....they create a new culture of trust that increases productivity, efficiency, and the bottom line.  ParsCo strives to build an organization based on accountability, where everyone trusts each other. It's not easy to do, but when you achieve it, everything moves faster within your firm and you gain a serious edge. Here are a few of ParsCo's secrets on how they accomplish this goal:

 

• Keep your word. Build trust by living up to your commitments.  If you're not accountable for what you say, people won't follow. With low accountability, nothing gets done because no one trusts what you talked about. 

 

• Look inward. Accountability starts at home.  If you want others to be responsible, you have to be, too. If you aren't, you're just shifting blame. If you think the problem is out there, then that kind of thinking is the problem.  he said. Look in the mirror first. If you blame others, you can't sustain trust.

 

• Be all-encompassing. Integrity isn't just something you do. It has to be part of your being.  Your principles rule everything you do.  Integrity needs to be integral to who you are. You want people to say, 'You have to understand we're all held accountable here. It's what the organization's personality is.'

 

• Operate reliably. Be consistent in what you tell people and how you act. Explain why you want them to do something. They'll learn they can trust what you say. If you consistently tell people the truth and why you are asking them to do something, they will do it and eventually will walk over hot coals for you. 

 

• Be clear. Goals for how to live by values should be no different than work goals.  They should be stated to everyone. Set out values and rewards  so people achieve results while in harmony with those principles. The key is making it explicit and real.

 

• Gain speed. When you have a culture of trust, everything moves faster. People don't have to spend time checking on each other and wondering if they'll deliver.  When you don't have trust, speed goes down and costs go up.  There is a low-trust tax.

 

• Share negatives, too. Communicate bad news when it happens instead of hiding it. Own up to it, take responsibility and tell others how you plan to proceed to solve the problem in the future. People will follow a leader who has vision and who they trust. 

 

• Offer support. Once you've told people what you expect from them, give them the resources to do it. Then you should hold them accountable.  If they need two weeks for a project task and you give them only one, you can't expect them to do the job as well as first planned, but be sure you set goals that are in line with what should be reasonable. You always want to be helping employees perform at a high level.  It's unfair if you haven't told them what to expect, what the goal is and given them the resources to make it happen. Setting goals and monitoring and following up to make sure they are achieved is essential for success by all good managers. 

 

• Follow your words. Build trust by doing what you say you will do. Too often there's a wide gap between words and action. When there's very little gap, that's real integrity. 

 

To learn more about Parsco's consulting services call 850-776-6265. 

 

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ParsCo, LLC

P.O. Box 12862

Pensacola, FL 32591

850.776.6265

Visit us on the web at www.pars-co.net

 

2013 Bathroom Remodel Trends

 

Deciding to remodel your bathroom at the start of a New Year is a fantastic idea. A bathroom renovation can give your home that fresh face lift it has been needing. It is also time to remodel at the start of a New Year due to the fact that you can get on board with all of the latest trends. We came across a few bathroom trends that are expected to be hot items in 2013. Take a look:

One big trend we found is concrete in the bathroom. Counter tops and sinks, such as this one, are using concrete to mock the look of luxury hotels. This material is expected to become popular due to its natural and organic feel. It is also extremely durable and can add a surprisingly comfortable feel to the bathroom. Concrete also offers some unique characteristics that allow your builder to furnish a product completely unique to your home.  Lighted countertops are just one of the many examples of customized options that ParsCo can offer.

Floating fixtures are also items that are predicted to be quite popular in 2013. Using floating fixtures in a bathroom reduces the amount of cramped space by opening up the area, giving you spacial options you might have never known you had before using the fixtures. In addition, floating fixtures can also create that modern feel you have been looking to create in your bathroom.

 

Adding sparkling and classic features is also becoming a popular trend. Hanging elements such as chandeliers in the bathroom create a feeling of elegance and add a touch of shine. In addition, adding timeless and sparkling elements makes the bathroom connect with the rest of the home and leaves it feeling less like a bathroom and more like a luxurious powder room.

Call ParsCo today to discuss your next project and get a free design consultation.

Call (850) 776-6265

Identifying Good and Bad Contractors

It's not always easy to find a good contractor and it may actually take you some time and a fair amount of effort. Part of the problem is bad contractors often look and sound like good contractors at the start of a job but reveal their true nature once the work is underway. So how can you tell if you're dealing with a potentially bad contractor or a have really found a good one? Here are some tell tale signs of both types of contractors.
Bad contractors are usually very likeable and promise you lots of good things at very reasonable prices.  Unfortunately, they don't usually follow through on their promises and may not be around to actually finish the job at all. Here's some other characteristics of bad contractors

• Don't usually like to write things down or work with contracts. Often say things like,  "we don't need a contract, we understand each other".
• Try to convince you to use non-standard materials or not build to industry standards including statements like " we don't need permits they're just a money grab by the city, county etc"
• Need to be constantly supervised to ensure they are working and using the materials called for in the job specifications, then threaten to walk off the job when you supervise them 'too' closely.
• Often look for payment upfront or at least a majority of the funds soon after starting the job. Or they claim to have made a mistake in the estimate and ask for more money to complete the job.
• Make infrequent appearances at the job site and don't supervise or coordinate the work of subcontractors or their own workers.
• Frequently want to move onto another aspect of the job before they have properly finished the first part.

Good contractors display a totally different set of characteristics. You can usually tell you've got a good contractor when your contractor

• Is willing to show you proof of his insurance, license and provide references to the quality of his work.
• Wants to work with a contract that clearly defines his responsibilities as well as the homeowner's.
• Understands the importance and necessity of permits and building inspections to verify the work has been done according to industry standards and local building codes.
• Doesn't look for you to pay for a job upfront and requires only a small deposit to begin work.
• Uses quality materials as called for in the contract and doesn't try to substitute lower quality goods.
• Shows up at the job site and supervises his workers and sub contractors.
• Treats your property with respect.
• Welcomes questions from the owner and/or designer.
• Finishes the job on time or very close to the schedule.

Another characteristic of 'good' contractors is they are often very busy. You may not be able to get them when you want them but in most cases you'd be well advised to try and adapt your plans so you can get a 'good' contractor'. Working with a 'bad' one is an experience you just don't want to go through.

Contact ParsCo at 850-776-6265 or email us at info@pars-co.net for more information on working with a 'good' contractor.

6 Steps to dealing with an Insurance Claim

When it comes time to file your insurance claim, it is important to understand the process and make the repairs as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, Insurance companies don't always stick to their duty when it comes to "indemnifying" their customers.  The adjusters they hire can limit claims and in the end you are left with a substandard repair/replacement because the claim was not adjusted properly.   While many of adjusters/insurance companies are honest and reputable, some are not. Below is a recommended list of 6 steps to take in order to protect yourself when navigating the insurance claim process:

1. Contact ParsCo and have a ParsCo Project Manager assigned to your claim. ParsCo will make an estimate of the damage and repair costs for your property. By having this estimate you will be able to have a negotiation tool when dealing with the adjuster assigned by your insurance company.

2. The first thing you should request from a contractor before any work is done is their references. When looking for a contractor, consider one that has the experience and construction know-how when it comes to dealing with insurance claims.   Most importantly, make sure the contractor is licensed and carries liability and workers compensation insurance and request proof. If the contractor is not insured, you may be liable for accidents that occur on your property.

3. Be very diligent about reading any papers the adjuster wants you to sign.  Often the insurance adjuster will make you sign a final release prior to releasing monies.  If you sign this, then you will not be entitled to supplemental claims.  This is important because often the extent of the damages can't be determined until the contractor begins work.

4. Pay attention to how much the adjuster suggests you spend on temporary repairs. While payments for reasonable temporary repairs are covered as part of the total insurance claim settlement, you don’t want to pay too large a sum for temporary repairs, since this may deplete the total amount of money you will need for the permanent repairs to be completed. Furthermore, avoid contractors who offer you unrealistically low estimates.

5. Always obtain a copy of the adjusters construction cost estimate.  It is important to review this and a ParsCo Project Manager can provide a detailed estimate to cross reference and make sure the scopes of work match up.

6. Keep a job file of all communications with your adjuster and all papers related to work being done. This file should include all correspondence, approvals to proceed with temporary repairs, hours/time spent cleaning up, receipts/bills, etc...

Contact ParsCo at 850-776-6265 if you need further assistance or wish to begin the process on your insurance claim.

Using Exposed Wood in Your Home

The use of exposed wood is no longer for barns. The trend of using exposed wood in the home is becoming increasingly popular for a number of reasons. Contrary to popular belief, exposed wood can be used in a variety of ways and does not have to look one certain way. If you are looking to add a touch of something special to your home this year, consider using exposed wood in your renovation or custom home. Take a peek at a few ways exposed wood can be used in your home:

Create a more streamline, consistent feel by painting the exposed wood the same color as the walls. This will give you all of the advantages of using exposed wooden beams without drawing too much attention upwards.

If you prefer the industrial look of exposed wooden beams, leave them uncovered and let the natural materials shine. Exposed wooden beams such as these create a more natural and modern look while drawing attention to the space.

Perhaps you are looking to create a more subtle, quiet feel with exposed wood. Using exposed wood in a way like this creates a warm and cozy ambiance in the home while also letting the natural qualities of the wood be seen.

Call ParsCo today for a free design consultation on your next project at 850-776-6265. 

ParsCo Inspections and the Fortified Home Program

The Fortified Homes program was created by the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). The IBHS is an initiative of the insurance industry to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses, and human suffering caused by natural disasters.

The Fortified program specifies construction and design guidelines to enable homes to increase their resistance to high winds, and flooding. The program heralds a new way to build and sell homes in disaster-prone areas, as safety-conscious consumers drive the market for hazard-resistant residences.

If you are considering building a home or looking for insurance rate incentives while remodeling a home, considering the Fortified Home criteria is a must.  Not only does it protect your home from natural disasters, it provides you a financial incentive when it comes to insurance rates. 

In order to qualify as a Fortified Home, a ParsCo inspector must determine whether your home meets the following criteria:

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Windstorm Protection Checklist

Building Envelope Protection:

All entry doors, windows, skylights, patio doors and garage doors must be tested and certified to meet impact resistance and pressure standards. If the units themselves are not tested, then they must be protected by a protection system (storm shutter) that meets the impact resistance standards. Systems must be compliant with at least one of the following:

·                 ASTM E1996

·                 SSTD-12

·                 Miami-Dade County protocol A 201

Adequate Load Path:

The load path from the roof to the foundation of the home must be readily verifiable. This includes:

·                 Hurricane straps or other hardware that connect the roof to the walls installed per manufacturer's recommendations, and connecting every rafter or truss to its support wall.

·                 Concrete block walls must be vertically reinforced (tie column) every four feet and at all corners and ends of openings. Horizontal reinforcement is required at the top of each masonry wall segment (bond beam).

·                 Inter-story details must be strapped to provide a load path from the upper story to the lower story.

·                 Wall-to-foundation connection a minimum of once every four feet and at all corners and wall openings.

·                 Securely anchored connections for exterior structures such as carports and porches that attach to the main structure of your home.

Roof Construction:

The roof framing, sheathing, and covering all must be constructed to resist wind loads and wind effects. This includes:

·                 Gable end roof framing must be braced back to the interior portions of the roof and ceiling structure (both top and bottom of trusses)

·                 Roof deck must be at least 19/32" thick and fastened to roof frame with minimum 8d ring shank nails @ 6" on center throughout the panels and 4" on center on the last truss or rafter at the gable end of a home.

·                 All roof deck joints must be sealed by a self-adhering polymer modified bitumen-roofing tape to provide a secondary moisture barrier (these materials are also referred to as "flexible flashing"). Products must be installed per the manufacturer's recommendations. Roofing felt and similar paper-based products do not qualify as joint sealant.

·                 A minimum of 30# equivalent of roofing felt must be used as underlayment for the roof covering.

·                 Roof covering must be certified for use in hurricane regions (i.e. Miami-Dade approved or similar) and installed per manufacturer's recommendations. Only a single layer of covering is permitted.

This checklist is a summary of the inspection form. Your ParsCo Fortified inspector will have the complete version.

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Flood Protection Checklist:

If your home is not in a Special Flood Hazard Area, you do not need to meet any of the flood criteria. Start by checking with your community floodplain management official, mortgage lender, or insurer to find out whether your home is located in a flood zone. If a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) indicates that your home is in flood zone A, AE, A1-A30, AH, AO, AR, V, VE, or V1-V30, then the home is in a Special Flood Hazard Area.

·                 Next, find out from your local floodplain management official the base flood elevation (BFE) for your property. For Zone AO, use the depth of flooding shown on the FIRM.

·                 Consult your community's records or your property survey for the elevation of your home's lowest floor. If the community records and the property survey do not indicate the elevation of the lowest floor, you will need to hire a licensed surveyor to determine it. The lowest floor is the lowest enclosed area (including basement).

·                 Provide the flood zone, the BFE, and the elevation of the lowest floor to your ParsCo inspector who will verify the information and complete the certification checklist. Before constructing or renovating your home, consult your local building and floodplain management officials regarding local codes and ordinances.

This checklist is a summary of the inspection form. Your ParsCo Fortified inspector will have the complete version.

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For more information on the Fortified Home Program call ParsCo at 850-776-6265 or email us at info@pars-co.net. 

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ParsCo, LLC

P.O. Box 12862

Pensacola, FL 32591

850.776.6265

Visit us on the web at www.pars-co.net

 

The Top Custom Home Design Trends from 2012

The new year is finally here and we are so excited to see what 2013 has to offer. Designing a custom home is a fantastic way to get 2013 off to a great start. If are already considering designing a new home in 2013, then you you are in luck. ParsCo came across some of the hottest elements and features that were the trend for 2012. If you are ready to build or remodel your home this list might be something to consider or give you some new ideas:

A wall of windows, such as this one, can create a spacious feel in a room that has lower ceilings.

A wall of windows, such as this one, can create a spacious feel in a room that has lower ceilings.

• In-law suites: Adding an element of privacy to a custom home is becoming increasingly popular. More custom homes are being designed with in-law suites to give guests added privacy and comfort. Some custom homes even go so far as to create separate entrances for the in-law suites to create the maximum amount of privacy.
• Hearth rooms: Creating a room specifically for a fireplace is becoming a popular trend, especially in colder climates. Designing a hearth room in a custom home can create a warm and cozy ambiance in the home without much effort.
• Walls of windows: Using a wall dedicated to windows is becoming increasingly popular. This trend touches on sustainability by taking advantage of natural light while also creating a sleek and stylish feel. A wall of windows will also open an area that may not have felt as spacious without the windows.

Santa Rosa County FL custom home construction continues

Call ParsCo for free consultation on building your dream home.


850-776-6265

LED lighting in floor for custom concrete deck addition

Tree removal

When constructing a project extra time and care in planning the construction around existing trees and foliage is essential. If done properly, salvaging an existing oak tree can add character and energy benefits to the project by providing a wind buffer and shade that will prove to be very valuable when evaluating the life cycle of the building.

Future custom home site in Pensacola FL - tree removal schedule to start

ParsCo Method of Managing Construction Projects with Adverse Weather

Before construction begins, everyone involved attempts to do one thing: predict the future in order to minimize the risk of unforeseen events that might delay the project’s completion.

Owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, sureties, financial institutions, insurers, and vendors all want the project to be done well, and done on time. Why? Because one or more of them will have to eat the costs of substandard work or a delayed result, and that can be very expensive.

Construction delays are extremely dangerous: they can slow the project, or even bring it to a halt. Every construction project, from the smallest home addition to the tallest skyscraper, shares the same basic life cycle: (1) planning; (2) design; (3) construction; and (4) finalization.

Since severe weather conditions can be disruptive to construction, contractors typically obtain time extensions for weather days beyond normal conditions. Time extensions typically shift the completion date only, but in some cases it raises the cost of the project depending on extended overhead costs that the contractor may incur.  Two of the most important factors that all parties are concerned with are completion date and total cost.  Weather delays can affect both of these and often are a main point of contention between the parties on a project. 

ParsCo's construction managers focus on seven factors when analyzing a project that has experienced adverse weather conditions.  They are:  the definition of normal weather, weather thresholds, type of work, lingering days, criteria for lost days, lost days equivalent due to lost productivity, and work days lost versus calendar days lost.

ParsCo can conduct an analysis of an actual weather-caused delay claim by illustrating the impacts of those factors on the outcomes of the analysis. The prime contract should define anticipated weather delay days and their lingering days and provide threshold values for weather parameters to differentiate between predictable and unpredictable severe weather. The prime contract should also clearly define how a time extension is granted in calendar days as a result of work days lost, and also address how a time extension is granted due to inefficiency caused by unusually severe weather. ParsCo can also provide an analysis on the quantity of  lost days due to weather and how it relates to lost productivity days.

On ParsCo construction projects, the ParsCo construction manager documents weather delays and report them on a consistent basis to the project team.  This is because it is important to keep all parties in the loop.  Owners of projects do not want to find out about a project delay 2 weeks before their projected grand opening.  If good communication exists, regular construction meetings are conducted, and scheduling is updated to account for weather delays, then the project can run smooth and all parties can account for unforeseen/unknown conditions. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amir Michael Fooladi

President/CEO

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ParsCo, LLC

P.O. Box 12862

Pensacola, FL 32591

850.776.6265

Visit us on the web at www.pars-co.net

This communication, including attachments, is confidential, may be subject to legal privileges, and is intended for the sole use of the addressee. Any use, duplication, disclosure or dissemination of this communication, other than by the addressee, is prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete or destroy this communication and all copies.

 

Davis-Wade Mississippi State University Football Stadium Addition

Here is a webcam link for the new Davis-Wade Mississippi State University Football Stadium Addition. Everyday this link will show you a new photo of the progress on the project.

https://oxblue.com/archive/0f1f8ae3fe7c7e4383b13a58d7e38c99/320x240.jpg?1351522849

 

We are projected to complete the lower bowl addition and new west concourse by 8/1/13, and the upper deck addition at the bowl by 8/1/14.

E-Verify

ParsCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify®.

Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.