There are codes and there are standards. You need both for a great result.
A few decades ago, a TV commercial for Kosher hot dogs showed a surprised and disappointed Uncle Sam learning that government authorities allowed the company to use artificial colorings and non-meat fillers in their product. The tagline was a classic: “We don’t. We’re Kosher and have to answer to an even higher authority.”
It was a brilliant piece of advertising.
But it wasn’t brilliant just because of the tagline. It was also true. Government standards define what a company can get away with; they don’t ensure the best possible result. This truth also applies to building codes.
Don’t get us wrong: codes are essential. Structural codes ensure that framing added to your home will bear the needed weight, and that new stairs and handrails will be built to prevent trips and falls. Fire codes stop workers from creating fire hazards, while electrical codes protect against both fire and shock. Plumbing and sanitation codes are why you have clean water.
These and many other requirements keep you safe and healthy. We’re grateful for them and you should be, too.
But while codes ensure a safe home, they don’t guarantee top-quality work. There’s a common saying in the building industry: work done merely to code is the worst that legally can be done. That’s probably an overstatement but it makes a valid point. Good remodelers and builders hold themselves to more exacting standards.
There are many ways to illustrate this, but let’s take framing for a new deck as an example. Codes specify the maximum distance that floor joists can span without support from an underlying beam. A deck built to those specs will safely support your guests during a crowded party, but it may still bounce enough to rattle glasses when the kids are running around. Professional remodelers who want happy clients go beyond code by using deeper joists or shorter spans to keep the deck floor stiff.
The difference here is between building codes and standards of excellence. You need both for a great result. The reason competitive bidding so often yields unsatisfying results is that the lowest bidders have little incentive to commit to any standards beyond the code.
To ensure excellence, quality-conscious professional remodelers follow best practice standards. There are quantifiable standards for every part of the job, from how level the floor framing on that bedroom addition must be, to the maximum allowable moisture content of interior wood trim and flooring (for less shrinkage), to the smoothness of the drywall finish.
An established professional remodeler will have a team of in-house workers and subcontractors who understand—and consistently meet—the requirements that apply to their part of the job. The best teams are obsessed with things like straight walls, square corners, blemish-free finishes, doors that close properly, and windows that won’t leak over time.
When it comes to actual code requirements, if the team is working in an area where the code inspectors aren’t particularly fussy, these professionals will still exceed those requirements.
Great remodelers want their homeowner clients to be safe and happy. They want to eliminate unwelcome surprises. They want to do the best work possible. Their higher authority is a commitment to standards that ensure those results.
Recently finished Frisco Kitchen Remodel. Click here to see a start to finish video.
When Honesty, Integrity and Standards matter… read a recent customer email
John,
I wanted to circle back on this thread to let you know that your crew was out yesterday and today to complete the rework on the master bath transition.
By reworking the tile field and the wood flooring, they achieved the true flush, seamless finish we were hoping for all along. It looks outstanding and finally does justice to the rest of the remodel.
We are truly grateful for your leadership and for Chris taking point to see this through to the finish line. Plenty of contractors make promises, but stepping up and standing behind the quality of the space (especially given the third-party complications with our flooring contractor) speaks volumes about Elite’s integrity and standards.
To show our appreciation, we’ve published a 5-star review highlighting our experience with your entire team, from Kelli and Madison in design, to Mark on the build, through to you and Chris on the resolution.
Thank you again for backing up your word and making things right.
We love the final space.
Best regards,
Matt & Christine K
