Frequently Asked Questions
How does using American Pride Builders, Inc. impact your project?
Our process does require a longer planning process but more than makes up for that time in our rate of production once our field operations commence. More importantly, the issues that our process will identify during the planning stage will vastly minimize trade coordination delays and related change orders as well as the delays caused when cabinetry does not fit, or a door location prohibits improper trim, or the landing clearance does not work etc; commonly experienced with on site stick framers.
What type of cost savings can we expect by using the turnkey trade ready engineered building systems installed by American Pride Builders, Inc.?
While we are competitive with most large scale contractors, the primary benefits are a significant improvement on quality, and a huge difference in scope of work performance. The cost savings really depends on the project, site location and labor issues. In urban work our product and process minimizes the risk of vandalism and hazard liability. In high cost labor markets and/or prevailing wage projects the savings can be extremely significant. There is real savings with our system based on a much shorter construction cycle time, not only in our scope of work, but in all the trades that follow.
How are dimensional differences that may have impact on other components of building dealt with?
There will not be dimensional differences unless there is an error in the foundation. In the event there are some dimensional differences in the contract documents these will be clearly identified and communicated when we overlay the panels to the DWF CAD files. Our process will identify any issues very early in the process and will enable the project management team to avoid delays and claims for additional compensation during the execution of work behind us.
What are the building life span issues associated with panelized construction?
Same as or greater then site built. The quality control standards and process far exceed the typical site built process.
What are the maintenance issues associated with panelized construction?
No different than site built technology except that our raw materials are purchased under very exact standards and are moisture metered upon arrival at our plant and are fully protected during storage, production and delivery to the job-site. . We are far less likely to introduce moisture then a site built process. American Pride Builders, Inc. warrants its framing system and all products incorporated into our scope of work to be free of defects and that our workmanship meets or exceeds code requirements and industry standards.
Green Building impact (will the panels meet the CHFA standards for sustainability)?
Our system is fully approved under the National Green Building Program and earns more then 100 points under the ANSI Standard scoring process.
Insulation issues (how hard is it to get the same R value for walls)?
There is no difference from site built construction. The fully engineered turnkey trade ready framing system is an open wall system.
Siding of building (will the panel siding, e.g. sheathing and/or cementitious siding, impact the ability to get the building weather tight or install the required exterior finishes to the walls)?
Our framing system has a very rapid close-in therefore, protection from weather is much faster then site built construction. Almost all of our previous projects have had the infiltration / moisture barricade factory installed. Our production personnel are fully trained in the proper installation of Tyvek, James Hardi Wrap and Green Guard brands.
Who determines the structural sufficiency of panelized v. stick built construction?
We design our panel plan and all the individual panels on Mitek software. We use Struck-u-calc software to verify compliance with the design parameters established by the design professional of record.
When can the other trade contractors begin their scope of work and who coordinates the MEP and other services with the panels?
Once American Pride Builders, Inc. is under contract and has the panel plans fully developed for each building type, we will ask your project management team to host an on-site meeting with the MEP subs to review the framing and coordinate issues. We need all the mechanical subs to attend and participate as this eliminates many issues throughout the building process.
We usually construct multi story buildings in a full vertical sequence on a floor-by-floor basis. Once we have each floor protected by the floor sheathing installation of the next floor, our project manager will request a walk-thru, develop and immediately complete any punch list. Once our customer has accepted our work on a floor-by-floor basis the trade contractors work right behind us. This project management technique can result in a savings of 28 construction cycle days on a typical 100,000 square foot four story building.
What are the warranty issues that come from the manufacturer?
Out of an abundance of caution, it is important to understand our corporate organization. The turnkey trade ready framing contractor is American Pride Builder, Inc. Building Solutions Since 1977, LLC is our manufacturer. Both companies are owned and operated by Gary L. Grossman and his son’s. Building Solutions Since 1977, LLC warrants that its products are free of workmanship and material defects for a period of one year from the date of delivery. We carry completed products and liability insurance.
What is the potential impact on windows and doors (what if sizes and locations are not proper in the panels?)
Our customary pricing and scope of work calls for the general contractor, construction manager or owner to purchase the windows direct and ship them to our factory. We will inspect, accept, properly store them in our warehouse and install them during our production process. Our installation methods deliver moisture and air infiltration control that is simply not possible during site built installation. [See Window Installation]
Does the panelized sub-contractor rebuild the panel if the windows and/or doors are not located properly?
The windows and doors will be framed exactly where the contract drawings call for them to be. This is part of the reason we do the Autocad DWG© cad file overlay.
Acoustic issues (how hard is it to get the same STC ratings for walls)?
The STC performance will be precisely what the stick built product would be. We will not accept any responsibility for the STC design rating, the requirements, or how the design professional meets those standards.
How are the panels connected side by side, one above the other, at the corners?
Our typical corner has a full sheathing overlap. All interior to exterior walls have a full flat stud, plus a full length drywall nailer on both sides of the flat stud. Our typical installation detail includes a sheathing band that ties the wall panels together across the floor system to meet the code requirements.
As the project design professional, in addition to the above, we need to address the following issues relating to our role:
Will contractor’s engineer for panelized systems assume liability for structural issues that may arise on project?
We will design and seal the floor and roof trusses. We will accept responsibility for our design and installation. The interior and exterior framing will comply with the contract plans, the structural issues therefore run to the design professional. Again the finished product will meet or exceed the site built contract design.
What will the Building Inspector Department require from the design team to approve the project?
A systems built approach using an open panel system is really a means and methods issue. There is no basis in the building code for any building official to impose additional requirements. If we delete the installation of the building wrap, there is no basis in code to require anything more than they require of a stick builder. In the alternative, we can proceed with the installation of building wrap at our production facility and provide “third party” special inspection certification from PFS and national engineering firm. This does carry some additional cost. [See Third Party Inspections].
Who designs the connections between the panels and the roof/ceilings/floors?
Building Solutions since 1977, LLC. It will essentially be the same as the contract documents currently have it.
Is any other additional coordination work required?
Yes, there will be a clear learning curve for the management team. Our process will force the project management team to anticipate issues much earlier in the process. We are committed to a successful relationship and will work hand in hand with the project management team to ensure a successful project.
Who will be responsible to review shop drawings and submittals for new system? If the original design team is to have any role, will there be an additional fee to reflect the additional work?
On many of our projects but not all we do have the design professional reviewing the shop drawings. At a minimum any design professional would already have the burden of reviewing and commenting on the floor trusses and roof truss shop drawings. We will produce these and seal them with a seal at our expense.
Who does the punch list and project sign-off on the panels?
Our project manager will seek an inspection from the project management team, will develop a written punch list, will complete that punch list and seek re-inspection.
Building Department questions/concerns:
Third Party Inspection. We would require a third party inspection sign off on wall panels. Walls, including corners and in fills would require on site inspection.
We are not typically priced for third party inspection. However we have had many jobs with third party inspection. Over the years we have developed a seamless process with an arms length national engineering company with a great deal of systems built expertise known as PFS engineering. If we simply delete the installation of the building wrap, all nailing patterns are visible to the inspector and therefore there is no basis for any code official to require third party inspection under any current building code.
