Friday, February 22, 2013
Benefits of using Pre-engineered trusses
ParsCo is often asked why they use pre-engineered truss systems on projects. ParsCo prefers a pre-engineered wooden truss system because of the many advantages this system offers over other types of structural framing. Because they are precisely engineered, wooden trusses are capable of spanning greater distances than traditional joist framing. This results in more design flexibility and fewer intermediate supports, such as columns. The open triangle structure of a wooden truss also makes it easy for installers to fit mechanical and electrical components within the floor or roof framing. When a ParsCo project manager works on your project they focus on utilizing these features in maximizing the design and creating flexibility to provide Owners with options ordinary contractors may not offer.
Trusses are engineered to specific sizes. This means that every truss will have exactly the same dimensions, making it easy for installers to fit the trusses to the surrounding structure. This results in greater quality in construction.
Another benefit is that there are fewer surprises during construction, and the job can be completed much faster. This is particularly advantageous during roof construction. A wooden truss system allows roofers to get the building closed in quickly, which keeps building materials and workers protected from rain and other weather conditions. It accelerates the dry-in process thus helping your project move faster towards completion.
Many builders who use wooden truss systems choose to leave the trusses exposed. This allows the truss to become part of the building's aesthetic design, and is widely used in buildings with a rustic or traditional style. A wooden truss can be built to almost any shape and design to fit any architectural plan. They can have a low-profile design for flat roofs and floors, or a gabled style for sloped roofs. Trusses can even be designed to create a cathedral or arch-shaped roof. Exposed rafter tails is another feature that has become increasingly popular here along the Gulf Coast.
One of the most widely recognized advantages of a wooden truss is the reduced cost of this type of framing. Because of their precise engineering, trusses require less material than joists constructed on site. This leads to lighter loads for wall framing and foundation systems, which can cut costs and help speed up the project. The trusses can be installed much more quickly than wooden joists, and require less skilled labor, resulting in significant labor cost reductions.
Trusses arrive on a flat bed truck as shown below. This photo was taken today on a new ParsCo project that involves Pre-engineered trusses.
So in summary here are some of the benefits of using Pre-engineered trusses are:
1. They are generally a lot less expensive than on site framing.
2. You can have interesting features, like cathedral ceilings, at a low cost.
3. Since all the weight of the roof is transferred to the exterior walls, none of the interior stud walls are load bearing. This facilitates room design and allows for larger ceiling spans. It also facilitates remodeling, if necessary, later on.
4. Any skilled carpenter can set roof trusses in a short period of time saving on framing labor.
5. They can be installed quickly which increases productivity and improves the project schedule.
Here is a house constructed by ParsCo using two different types of trusses on the same floor level, common trusses and scissors trusses. In this photo you can see that we decided to use scissors trusses for the vaulted ceiling area and common trusses for the flat ceiling area.
Scissors truss photo example above.
Scissors truss photo example above.
ParsCo's new home designs have been trending with Owner's requests for large "open areas and high ceilings" that either require a truss system (roof and/or floor) OR, an engineered framing system that uses some or all of the following: steel beams, large wood beams, posts, heavier joists & rafters, or supporting walls.
Posts and beams can be replaced with flat trusses as shown above on a previously built ParsCo project.
Posts and beams can be replaced with flat trusses as shown above on a previously built ParsCo project.
Flat truss image above.
The benefits of using Pre-engineered trusses far outweighs the alternative conventional approach. Stay tuned for more info from ParsCo on another growing trend that involves Pre-engineered and Pre-fabricated wall systems.
For more info on these building systems contact ParsCo at 850-776-6265.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Truss framing and roofing demolition completed
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
ParsCo and Varco Pruden Buildings
ParsCo is proud to announce the future partnership with Varco Pruden Buildings.
VP Buildings specializes in the computer-aided design of pre-engineered steel systems construction for low-rise, nonresidential buildings. Working closely with architects, engineers, and contractors, we offer buildings that combine extraordinary esthetic appeal with optimum functionality. For examples, visit our Hall of Fame.
Steel systems construction can be used for a wide variety of buildings, including:
- Agricultural facilities
- Auto dealerships
- Aviation
- Houses of worship
- Office complexes
- Public buildings
- Retail stores
- Schools
- Warehouses
With advanced construction methods, we can incorporate glass, brick, stone, or pre-cast concrete for special purpose or distinctive appeal.
WORLD LEADER IN STEEL SYSTEMS CONSTRUCTION
VP Buildings is a world leader in the pre-engineered steel systems construction industry, each year manufacturing approximately 6,000 buildings ranging from 1,200 square feet to more than one million square feet under roof. With headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, we operate six strategically located manufacturing and service centers from coast to coast. Our network of more than 1,000 independent Authorized VP Builders offers state-of-the-art design/build services in local communities across the United States and Canada, as well as throughout Central and South America, Europe, and Asia.
For more information on how ParsCo can provide you with a VP building call 850-776-6265.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Good information
ParsCo Project Management Consulting Services
When managing a project, a good manager relies on good information to make good decisions. So what is good information? Good information is that which is used and which creates value.
Good information is relevant for its purpose, sufficiently accurate for its purpose, complete enough for the problem, reliable and targeted to the right person. It is also communicated in time for its purpose, contains the right level of detail and is communicated by an appropriate channel, i.e. one that is understandable to the project manager.
Most companies that have difficulties typically lack organization, procedures, and systems to provide the decision makers with the good information to make good decisions.
"With good information you make good decisions, with bad information you make bad decisions, and with no information you make no decisions" states Amir M. Fooladi, President/CEO of ParsCo.
So what are some of the key points that ParsCo Project Managers focus on when gathering good information?
Availability/accessibility
Information should be easy to obtain or access. Information kept in a book of some kind is only available and easy to access if you have the book to hand.
Businesses must have an accessible system to store and find information. ParsCo focuses on setting up systems for this using all the latest technology which makes finding information easy and not a tedious task.
Accuracy
Information needs to be accurate enough for the use to which it is going to be put. To obtain information that is 100% accurate is usually unrealistic as it is likely to be too expensive to produce on time. The degree of accuracy depends upon the circumstances. At operational levels information may need to be accurate to the nearest penny. At tactical level department heads may see weekly summaries correct to the nearest $100, whereas at strategic level directors may look at numbers on a larger scale of accuracy.
Accuracy is important. As an example, if government statistics based on the last census wrongly show an increase in births within an area, plans may be made to build schools and construction companies may invest in new housing developments. In these cases any investment may not be recouped.
Reliability or objectivity
Reliability deals with the truth of information or the objectivity with which it is presented. You can only really use information confidently if you are sure of its reliability and objectivity.When researching project costs the systems in place to furnish the information have to be solid and free of error otherwise the reliability may be in question. The reliability typically is dependent on the procedures that are followed to gather the information.
Relevance/appropriateness
Information should be relevant to the purpose for which it is required. It must be suitable. What is relevant for one manager may not be relevant for another. The user will become frustrated if information contains data irrelevant to the task in hand.
For example, a market research company may give information on users' perceptions of the quality of a product. This is not relevant for the manager who wants to know opinions on relative prices of the product and its rivals. The information gained would not be relevant to the purpose.
Completeness
Information should contain all the details required by the user. Otherwise, it may not be useful as the basis for making a decision. For example, if an organization is supplied with information regarding the costs of supplying a fleet of cars for the sales force, and servicing and maintenance costs are not included, then a costing based on the information supplied will be considerably underestimated.
Ideally all the information needed for a particular decision should be available but there is always an inherent variable that a Project manager has to account for that can't be based on information. The unknowns are calculated and determined based on the expertise of the project manager.
Timing
Information must be on time for the purpose for which it is required. Information received too late will be irrelevant. One example is accounting, which should always be maintained and up to date.
For more information on how ParsCo can help your business be more successful call 850-776-6265.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Essential Elements to a Good Construction Contract
In construction, one of the most important factors to consider that is often overlooked is the contract. As a General Contractor or a Subcontractor, you should be well versed in the importance of contracting. Hence the name, "contractor"!
Nobody enters into a contract anticipating a bad income....however your battles are won and lost in the contract. That is why ParsCo recommends you consider these key elements when addressing your next contract:
Payment
Payment is critical to the success of the project. Always make sure the following items are addressed:
A) When and how often payment is allowed or scheduled
B) How payment amounts will be calculated, including retainage, if any
C) When payment will be received
D) What amount of payment will be released, including retainage.
E) Who will authorized and approve payment
F) Where payment will be received and released to you
Contract Documents
The contract documents are the specific documents (plans, specifications, etc...) that dictate what your contract work is based on. Since your pricing is based on these documents, always make sure you reference these in your contract.
Authority
So many times, this is overlooked and can truly be a big deal when information is passed around or directives are made without proper authorization. Always make it clear in the contract who has the authority to make binding decisions, changes, and issue directives. Also be sure to identify what type of authority the different representatives involved in a project have so the roles/responsibilities of each party are clearly identified. Address this issue before you sign the contract and things should run a lot smoother during the progress of the work.
Change Orders
As much as everyone dreads the word "Change Order", it is tough to complete a project without them. Always make certain that the key basic elements for change orders is addressed:
A) Who you have to notify and receive permission from for change order work
B) When and how do you have to notify them of potential change order work
C) What documents do you have to provide
D) How and when the change order work will get paid
E) Where the additional funds will come from for the change order work
F) What is the reasonable time for approval and what is the additional cost for your delays are while you're waiting for approval
G) How you and the owner will resolve the change order issue if immediate approval for the work is not received in the agreed time
Remember, change order work is not “extra work”. It disrupts the progress and productivity of the work as you had originally planned for when you bid the work. It is not your fault nor your responsibility, and you should be justly compensated for this unanticipated disruption.
Schedule of the Work
Estimated costs to do projects typically are based on labor and production. Therefore, it is wise to reference the schedule in your contract. Make sure your schedule represents the way you bid the work, otherwise you may face overtime costs and other factors that will reduce your intended profits. Also, make sure you differentiate the schedule between calendar days and work days. Establish a clear Notice to Proceed Date, the start of construction and date of completion date on a calendar. The following information should also be included in the contract:
A) You are not responsible for delays caused by the owner in obtaining the required permits, easements, approvals, permissions, etc., to do the work.
B) You are not responsible for delays caused by others
C) You are not responsible for “Acts of God”
D) You are not responsible for inclement weather
E) You have included adequate time for long lead items (Be specific and tie this into your supplier with whatever documentation you have received from them)
Always be sure to identify in your change orders the time impact. Many times the cost is the only item contractors consider, but when it comes down to it the change may in fact delay the overall completion date.
Some owners will even have “liquidated damages” or penalties for being late or even bonuses for early completion. Make sure that scheduling has been properly included in the contract.
A well-drafted construction contract clearly sets out the work to be done, the price to be paid for the work, and the terms and conditions of payment. The contract should also allocate various foreseeable risks between the parties. When the parties allocate a list of potential risks, the contract becomes longer, but it reduces the potential for disagreements in "gray areas" that are not addressed at all - assuming that both parties take the time to read and understand the lengthy, dryly-worded document. Failure to read a written agreement is not a valid excuse, so at all times it should be taken seriously.
For all of your contracting needs, contact ParsCo at 850-776-6265 or email us at info@pars-co.net
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