Pulling building permits is just one of the pre-construction jobs your general contractors do before starting a new home construction build, renovation, or remodeling project. Building without a permit or forgoing building inspection protocols is not only illegal, it also puts homeowners at risk for poorly constructed buildings that cannot protect occupants in the event of a fire or natural disaster. 

Here at Fogle Constructors, Inc., we don’t just meet current building code standards – we exceed them. We work to identify ways in every project to go beyond building code minimums, using better, stronger, and longer-lasting materials and workmanship, and here’s why.

We Believe in Timeless Construction

The licensed contractors working for Fogle are perfectionists, and we cannot stand working with subpar materials. Our clients choose to work with us because our dedication and focus on designing and building timeless homes and renovations – that also stand the test of time – are the cornerstones of our business model.

Sure, architecture and interior design evolve and change from decade to decade, establishing period-recognized trends. That said, the best buildings are timeless, anchored in their time but with such quality construction and craftsmanship that they stand out from their lesser-quality counterparts.

Before we can speak of what we do to exceed basic standards, let’s create a shared understanding of what those building codes and standards are designed to do in the first place.

What Are Building Code Standards?

Building codes are created at the federal, state, and local levels to protect the safety and wellbeing of building owners, occupants, and communities. These codes vary from place to place, largely based on a region’s climate and inherent risk factors, as well a state or county’s goals around energy efficiency. 

So, the building codes a general contractor abides by in DeLand, Florida are similar but different from the codes that govern our colleagues in California or North Dakota. 

Here are some examples of Florida’s residential building codes and what they’re designed to do:

High Wind & Hurricane Protection

Many of our current building codes were re-written in 1996, a few years after Hurricane Andrew devastated Florida homes and businesses. These codes, upgraded with input from general contractors across the state, changed homes’ and roofing systems’ materials and structural design, using building products, fasteners, and techniques that perform better in high-wind and driving rain scenarios.

That said, building codes do not mandate the level of wind mitigation features that higher-quality homes are built with and that offer significant premium savings from home insurance carriers. If you are building a custom home, renovating an older home, or adding on to your existing home, speak to your contractor about how they plan to provide wind, rain, and hurricane protection that exceeds current standards.

Moisture Protection

Given our area’s hot and humid climate, it’s no surprise that Flordia building codes are more stringent around moisture protections. Our building codes dictate industry requirements around building materials and techniques that prevent leak and moisture issues that contribute to chronic mold and mildew issues – not to mention structural rot.

That said, we’re surprised that Volusia County building codes don’t go the extra mile. For example, current building codes state that bathroom showers must be, “finished with nonabsorbent material and shall extend at least six feet above the finished floor.” Since most walls extend to a minimum of eight feet, stopping the tiles just six feet above the floor surface leaves plenty of exposed wall space that becomes a cumulative sponge. Over time, exposed walls above the tile wick moisture through the wall and into interior wall space where mold and mildew proliferate.

When you work with Fogle, we automatically take bathroom shower tiles all the way up the wall and finish the ceiling with water-resistant finishes, minimizing any chance of moisture penetration into the hidden wall and floor spaces. We also install proper vapor barriers as needed and go the extra mile when it comes to installing the trifecta of balanced insulation, air sealing, and ventilation, further protecting your home from moisture damage.

Superior Energy Efficiency

That balanced trifecta referenced above (insulation, air sealing, and whole-home ventilation) is also a foundation of home energy efficiency, whole-home comfort, and healthy indoor air quality. All of those should be a priority for homeowners who live in a tropical climate and rely on 24-hour air conditioning for much of the year.

For example, insulation R-values indicate the ability of an insulation product to restrict the flow of heat from one area to another. Building codes provide “minimum standards” to conserve energy and increase home comfort. Still, Fogle Constructors knows that upgrading insulation to a higher R-value exponentially increases efficiency and comfort and pays for itself within a few short years.

We also install HVAC systems, ductwork, and appliances that meet or exceed Energy Star guidelines, optimizing home for today, tomorrow, and ten years from now. The bonus for you is that in addition to reaping the benefits of a well-built home, energy efficiency is one of the Top 5 Building Trends, and that’s not going to change any time soon. The emphasis you place on working with a general contractor with energy-efficiency tenets that exceed current building code recommendations increases your home’s resale value and interest from future buyers.

Fogle Constructors Goes Far Beyond the Basics

Fogle Constructors goes far beyond the building code basics, but always with careful attention about what makes sense for our clients and their budgets. We don’t buy materials simply because they have a higher price tag, but we consistently invest in high-quality materials that pay for themselves well within the lifetime of any home we build. 

Are you ready to work with a local general contractor who believes that honesty and clear communication are the two most important things we can bring to the table? Then give Fogle Constructors, Inc. a call at 386-279-0901, or contact us online to schedule a consultation. You never need a signed contract to start a conversation with us. We love helping clients work through their project’s scope, budget, and more, bringing their dreams to fruition – and we always exceed general standards.