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Believe it or not, termites are the biggest enemies of your home. So much so that by the time you notice a termite infestation, they’d already have caused costly damage.
To put this in a dollar figure, homeowners spend over five billion dollars every year simply to eradicate termites from their property and undertake essential repairs.
The worst part is that your insurance provider doesn’t cover your home for termite damage.
But what if I told you that there’s a cost-effective way to not only detect a termite outbreak early but also avoid it altogether?
Yes, that’s true; all you’ve got to do is schedule a termite and moisture inspection every once in a while. Moreover, you can even get one such inspection to protect your investment while you’re looking to buy or rent a property.
You can think of it as a home inspection that you schedule every once in a while to keep your home’s major systems in top shape.
Now, if you’re wondering what’s more to termite inspections and how you can get one, you’re at the right spot. Read on, as I’ve detailed everything you should know about these inspections, along with my own insights.
Before we get into the details of termite inspections, let me first answer a basic yet essential question: What is termite inspection?
As the name suggests, a moisture and termite inspection is a thorough examination of your home from the inside out and is done to detect termite infestation. Here, licensed termite inspectors will analyze every area of your home using their special skills and tools to detect termites and the extent of the problem.
For instance, a termite inspector will assess your home’s foundation, basement, crawl space, walls, roofs, etc., to name a few. Also, they will pay special attention to the wooden structures such as walls, doors, decks, etc., since wood is most vulnerable to termite invasions.
Furthermore, an inspector will assess the extent of moisture in the wooden components. That’s because less than usual moisture signals termite presence.
Finally, you’ll receive a termite inspection report, which, like a home inspection report, will detail the findings of the termite inspection.
When we talk about a termite inspection, you may confuse it with a regular property inspection. If not, you might think it is a part of your periodic home inspection.
But let me tell you that none of it is true.
You see, an inspection for termite detection is completely different from a general building inspection. That’s because not only are the areas inspected different for the former, but so are the inspectors who need to have a termite license.
Meaning if you want to schedule a termite inspection in your Florida home, you should only hire an inspector with an FL Termite License.
Simply put, you can’t hire general contractors, architects, engineers, etc., for termite inspections unless they’re trained professionals with a termite license.
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Now that you know what a termite and moisture inspection exactly is, you might well be curious as to how it is done.
Well, for starters, you’ll have to schedule an inspection with a termite inspector, who will then visit your property.
Herein, it is essential that you give your inspector the time and space they need for a seamless inspection. So, I suggest you schedule an inspection on a convenient date.
Now, on the date of inspection, the termite inspector will examine both the interior and exterior components of your home, looking for potential termite incursion.
For instance, mud tubes are an obvious sign of termite infestation. Moreover, depending on the type of mud tube, there could even be the possibility of dry wood and subterranean termites being present.
As such, you can expect the termite inspector to look for these signals, among others.
In order to obtain the best results out of termite inspections, you may have to prepare your home for the inspection. That’s because, although inspectors usually don’t require such advance preparations, by doing so, you’ll create the best conditions for termite detection.
So, how do you prepare for an upcoming inspection?
To start with, you can remove items from the attic, crawl space, garage, etc., as this will ensure easy access to these areas during the inspection.
You see, these areas are considered crucial for detecting termites. And easy access means there are greater chances of identifying even the earliest signs of termite damage.
All in all, here’s what you can do to provide termite inspectors an uninterrupted access:
You might also want to read – The Ultimate Guide To Attic Inspections.
Having seen the basics of termite inspections, you might wonder what a termite inspector will look for in your home.
To give you an idea, inspectors will look for signs of termite infestation that you can not identify yourself. For instance, they will examine the flooring, walls, baseboards, etc., and determine if there are termites.
Overall, here are the things that your termite inspector will be on the lookout for during a termite and moisture inspection:
The most obvious sign of termite infestation is hollow-sounding materials. And this is especially true for such components of your home that use wood, cardboard, or paper-based materials like frames, eaves, doors, fascia, etc.
You see, while these materials look perfectly fine from the outside, the reality is that termites have eaten them up from the inside. Worse, it is possible that termite infestation has already weakened these materials and that they no longer provide essential support to your home.
So, a termite inspector will first tap on the surface of these materials. And upon noticing a hollow sound, they’ll press the material with a screwdriver, which will break open and expose termite tunnels.
Another important sign of termite presence is the warping or blistering of your home’s wooden components.
Now, it is commonplace for wooden doors, frames, or walls to be a little warped or the paint coating to be blistered. This usually happens due to water damage and is a part of natural wear and tear.
However, when it comes to termite detection, inspectors take these signs seriously and thoroughly examine them.
Why?
Well, dry wood termites usually create a living space for themselves in the wooden materials they invade. And to do so, they remove the moisture from wood, which results in blistering and warping.
Subterranean termites create mud tubes out of wood and soil, something you may notice at obscure locations in your home. For instance, mud tubes are commonly found in areas such as underneath the stairs, behind the closet, under the porch, etc.
You can think of mud tubes as the highway network for the termites. In fact, if left undetected, these tubes will only help termites grow and cause more damage.
Nevertheless, the one problem with mud tubes is that they’re in hidden places, so you may not notice them until huge damage is caused.
And this is where the role of termite inspectors becomes essential as not only do they locate such termite tubes but also highlight the location for effective elimination.
Frass or termite dropping is also a common way to tell if there’s termite damage.
You see, frass looks exactly like sawdust and is something that dry wood termites excrete after they’ve ingested wood and squeezed out moisture content.
Furthermore, termites also create tiny kick-out holes to get rid of frass from their colonies.
But like mud tubes, frass and kick-out holes are also found at obscure locations, making the role of termite inspections important. Here, a termite inspector will examine areas such as crawlspace, attic, basement, closet, etc., looking for these signs of termite colonies.
Termites create exit holes during the late spring and summer seasons, which is also their reproductive season. In fact, these holes are created by termites to help with reproduction since they allow termites to swarm in.
Also, after termite reproductive season, you might find their discarded wings around foundation walls, patios, or even inside spider webs.
Now, both exit holes and discarded wings signal that a huge termite colony might be present nearby. And this is exactly why termite inspectors are always on the lookout for these signals.
Apart from the key household components like attic, crawl spaces, and basements, termite infestation can also be found in other areas and in different forms. And this includes the following:
So, you can expect termite inspection experts to examine the above areas. And if they don’t, I suggest you request them to inspect these areas.
After the completion of the inspection, the inspector will prepare a termite inspection report detailing their findings. Herein, you can find the details of the areas where termites have been detected, the extent of termite infestation, and the damage they’ve caused.
Not to mention, your inspector or inspection company will also walk you through the report’s findings.
Thereafter, you can hire a pest control company, share the termite inspection report with them, and eliminate termite colonies from your property. Also, you can replace such building components or materials that have been damaged by termites.
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As a homeowner, you should schedule an inspection for termite detection once every six months.
For instance, while your first inspection for the year can be during spring or before summer, you can schedule the second inspection after summertime. Here’s why:
Furthermore, I suggest you get one such inspection before you buy or rent a home.
That’s because a termite inspection can also provide you with a clear picture of potential termite infestation, as a pre-purchase home inspection does for general building conditions. As such, you’ll be able to make well-informed purchase or lease decisions.
As a potential buyer wanting to get a termite inspection, it’s you who will pay for the inspection.
You see, termite inspections are not a part of purchase deals, and thus, sellers are not liable to pay for one. Nonetheless, these inspections are crucial as you never know the extent of termite damages and how much they can cost you in the future.
A complete moisture and termite inspection in Florida can cost you anywhere between $75 and $150, as per the latest industry average.
However, this is simply an average, and the exact amount you pay might differ depending on the size and location of your property, among others.
You might also want to read – Commercial Building Inspection Cost: Factors & Considerations.
As you might already have figured out, a termite and moisture inspection is essential to maintain your home and prevent costly damages. Not to mention one such inspection also helps you make smart purchase decisions and steer clear of unwarranted liabilities.
In fact, this is exactly why I suggest a termite inspection to everyone from homeowners to tenants to potential home buyers.
And what better way to do so than to schedule it alongside your regular home inspections?
Now, if you’re looking to get a home, condominium, or commercial building inspected, you can get in touch with us.
We’re Souffront Construction & Engineering, a full-service engineering and inspection firm with a team of seasoned property inspectors. And we’ve got all your inspection requirements covered on a budget.
In today’s ever-evolving construction industry, innovation and staying ahead of the curve are essential to succeed in the industry.
Traditional construction methods have brought us so far, but that’s not all that they did. They also paved the path for various new approaches that are more efficient, collaborative, cost-effective and impactful.
One of those methods that have been getting traction for the past few years is progressive design build.
PDB is not just a methodology; it’s a paradigm shift that redefines how construction projects are conceived, planned, and executed. It bridges the gap between design and construction and makes more room for a cohesive and collaborative approach.
In this blog, we will learn more about progressive design-build, its benefits and real-world applications.
So, let us start by understanding what it is.
According to the Design-Bulild Institue of America (DBIA), progressive design-build is a collaborative construction method for delivering challenging projects because it brings the designer, builder and owner together to identify problems early and resolve them during design, making a construction project go a lot smoother.
In simple terms, in progressive design build, the owner hires a design builder and then we work together to meet our common goals.
It gives us a lot more open dialogue between the contractor and the owner to figure out what the real critical issues are and how we can appropriately address them.
Typically, progressive design-build projects have the highest risks or the most opportunities for innovation collaboration, not just with the owner but also with the community, and it’s a great way to deliver a project.
A progressive design build model limits the department’s exposure to putting a contract out and gives them the ability to work through a lot of challenges in a collaborative manner.
You can work together on innovations and even do things that you have never done before, but because of this relationship, you are willing to try.
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Design build is a construction method in which the architect, engineer and general contractor all work together from the beginning of the process, providing one unified team under a single contract.
Unlike traditional design-bid-build for your project, which is handled by multiple parties going back and forth on numerous steps, design-build is a streamlined design budgeting and construction process.
All are delivered by a single point of responsibility. This approach to commercial construction saves money and time and results in fewer change orders.
In Design-Build contracts, decisions involve the whole team, reducing blame and conflicts, but communication sometimes makes a circle to get through the whole organization.
Furthermore, owners are forced to lose some control over the project. Because of this, sometimes owners face challenges when making changes, as it can be challenging for the design and construction teams to make the required changes.
To address this, PDB offers a solution that enables collaboration while maintaining owner influence and flexibility.
Unlike design build, progressive design-build is really a straight line. The owner hires a design-builder and then works together to meet our common goals. It gives us a lot more open dialogue between the contractor and the owner to determine the critical issues and how to address them appropriately.
One of the best advantages of using a progressive design-build delivery method is it gives you a way to approach the project that can be centred on the project’s goals. You’re collaborating as a team to achieve a certain goal, whatever goal it is.
Additionally, the Builder is brought on earlier in the process, so they’re part of developing the goals in a typical design build format.
To get a better understanding of the key differences between PDB and traditional design build method, you can also refer to this table:
| Aspect | Design Build | Progressive Design Build |
| Design Build Approach | Design-Builder introduced after developing basis of design | Design-Builder introduced at an early stage, works with owner to create design basis |
| Collaboration | Limited collaboration | Fosters collaborative environment early in the project |
| Pricing Model | Lump-Sum Price Proposal | Open-Book Accounting |
| Decision Making | Owner makes decisions based on documents and consultant input | Owner makes value-based decisions supported by builder’s cost and schedule models |
| Risk Allocation | Owner retains Spearin liability | Transfers risk from owner to Design-Builder |
| Subcontractor Selection | Owners are not involved in procurement and selection of subcontractors | Owners can choose to be actively involved in subcontractor procurement and selection |
| Selection Methodology | Price-Based Selection | Qualifications-Based Selection |
| Change Orders Susceptibility | Susceptible to Change Orders | Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) ensures Cost Reliability |
| Off-Ramping | Easier Off-Ramping | Riskier Off-Ramping |
Here are a few features that make PDB the optimum choice for your project:
A PDB model allows the owner and the design-builder (typically representing both design and construction teams) to maintain ongoing communication and collaboration throughout the project.
It ensures that the project stays on budget and is aligned with the owner’s expectations.
This continuous collaboration allows the owner to actively participate in decision-making and project progress, which provides a more tailored and satisfactory outcome.
Additionally, the owner enjoys a higher level of control and oversight compared to a traditional Design-Build project. This ongoing contact gives the owner greater influence over the project, allowing them to address any concerns or changes promptly.
In PDB, the selection of the design-builder is primarily based on qualifications rather than the bid price.
This means that the design-builder is chosen based on their skills, expertise, experience, and capability to deliver the project successfully.
The primary focus on qualifications ensures that the highest possible value is delivered to the owner.
By prioritizing qualifications over bid price, the focus is placed on the design-builder’s ability to meet the project’s unique requirements and quality standards.
PDB divides the project into two separate and distinct phases.
The design-builder starts designing the project while staying in touch with the owner. They keep adjusting the design as needed to meet the budget and owner’s wishes. When the design is about halfway done, and the owner is satisfied, they write a formal project proposal.
It focuses on establishing a solid foundation for the project by refining design ideas and addressing any early challenges.
The design and construction teams finish their work as per the project’s commercial contract. Sometimes, work in Phase 2 can begin even before the contract is fully settled to speed things up. The owner can switch to a different contract strategy if there are issues with agreeing on contract terms.
It focuses on turning the approved designs into a physical reality, managing construction activities, and making sure that the project is built according to the specifications and expectations established in the earlier phase.
This two-phase approach helps facilitate a well-coordinated and controlled project delivery process, enhancing the likelihood of successful project outcomes.
For many reasons, owners would prefer a progressive design build instead of a typical one. Some of its benefits include:
Enhanced Collaboration: PDB encourages collaboration among all project stakeholders, including owners, consultants, and contractors, during the design phase.
This collaborative approach promotes sharing expertise, ideas, and creative solutions to optimize the project’s design and maximize its value.
In addition to that, it also reduces risk. PDB’s collaborative environment allows us to identify and mitigate risks in the early stages.
Risks can be allocated to the party that is best equipped to manage them, reducing the likelihood of disputes and claims later in the project. This risk transfer promotes a smoother project execution.
PDB saves time and resources for design consultants because they don’t have to invest significant effort in preparing a response for a Request for Proposal (RFP) that may not lead to a contract.
It allows them to focus on tailoring the project design to meet specific requirements and minimize risks, improving project outcomes.
Inflation and supply chain challenges have made it crucial for project owners to get the best value for their investments.
PDB eliminates the need for lengthy RFP processes, which makes it more attractive for a wider pool of contractors and consultants to participate in the project.
This increased competition can lead to competitive pricing and higher-quality proposals.
Furthermore, PDB allows pricing to be developed gradually throughout development. This approach ensures that the final project price aligns with the owner’s target budget while still accommodating any necessary adjustments or optimizations as the project evolves.
PDB is much simpler and cheaper because the owner does not have to make any special payments for the design work during the project selection process.
Only the team that gets chosen for the project gets paid for their design work, which makes things much less complicated and cheaper.
There are many parties involved in a PDB project, like government authorities and utility companies. And when this many parties are involved, the project sometimes affects how they do their job.
That isn’t the case here. PDB makes sure that everyone works together and creates a plan that does not cause any problems for anyone involved in the project. This approach helps save money and time, as it prevents delays and unnecessary arguments.
Consultants are the experts who help with the project, like coming up with responsive design solutions. In a PDB model, the consultants don’t have to spend a lot of time and money to submit their ideas, which may never move past the RFP. Instead, consultants are essentially paid in full for their design.
Additionally, due to the collaborative nature of PDB, they can better understand the project’s requirements, as well as the expectations of the owner and stakeholders.
This way, they can create a design that specifically meets the needs of the project, minimize risk, and save time and money along the way.
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Even though PDB offers a wide range of benefits, there are still some reasons that might demotivate owners to use PDB in their projects. These drawbacks include:
Some owners find it politically impractical to award a contract without full price competition on the overall design build contract.
Even if that isn’t the case, they might have some constraints that require them to display transparency and fairness in their selection process, which they can get with full competition.
In some cases, owners might not be comfortable with negotiating the commercial terms of the agreement without factoring in the price in the selection process.
Another thing that the owners need to keep in mind is that rules for buying things might require them to use a competitive method to find subcontractors.
This is done to make sure that things are fair to everyone and done by the book. However, it can sometimes stop us from getting the benefits of teamwork that we can get from PDB.
When subcontractors have to compete, it might mean that they don’t get as involved in the design part, and we might miss out on their helpful ideas.
Some owners might not like the “off-ramp” option that PDB offers. The off-ramp options give the owner the authority to terminate the contract if they can’t get on a agreement on commercial agreement with the design builder.
Even though this option works in the owner’s favor, using this option can also lead to delays in project or cause problems if negotiations don’t work out, which can make some owners uneasy.
One more reason that some owners might not want to use the PDB method is simply because it is not as well known as other traditional methods. Owners and other involved parties often prefer to use the methods they have used before, are familiar with and know very well.
People don’t always like to change what they are used to, and that is a big part of how most of us make decisions.
Because of this, they might be hesitant to use something new like PDB, something they are unfamiliar with, even though it has some very clear benefits.
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Here are some tips for you to successfully integrate PDB into your project:
Set clear, performance-based goals and incentives that promote innovation and align with your project goals. Also, make sure that every step taken in the project directly contributes to achieving your goals.
You should develop realistic project budgets and clearly communicate the restrictions of the budget to all the stakeholders. This helps everyone avoid unrealistic expectations and save themselves from cost overruns.
You must collectively identify all the project risks with all the contracted parties involved. This helps you address all these risks proactively before they become serious issues during the execution of the project.
During the beginning stages of the project, establish a culture of collaboration and problem-solving among all team members.
The success of a progressive design-build method-based project immensely depends on effective communication and everyone’s willingness to work together.
Here are the 7 tools that you can implement into your project to boost efficiency and productivity:
By scheduling daily huddles with all the relevant project team members, you can discuss project updates and set tasks to be completed before the next meeting.
Big room meetings are similar, but these are scheduled with key stakeholders to discuss the scope of the project as a whole.
With this approach, you make sure that everyone knows what they need to do and everyone is on the same page and aware of the current status of the project.
The Last Planner System (LPS) is a method that improves teamwork and problem-solving and makes projects more predictable and efficient.
With LPS, you can foster regular, productive conversations among team members, which leads them to identify and resolve problems before they hinder project flow.
Target value delivery is a disciplined management practice used throughout a project and divides the project into various phases.
With this, you can constantly consider and satisfy project needs, make sure the facility stays within budget and foster innovation to reduce waste.
In layman’s terms, Gemba walks means going to the site and observing the progress of the project.
By using Gemba walks, you can observe the progress on-site, see the workflow, and eliminate waste. It improves the likelihood of delivering the project on time.
As described by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the 5S system is a mindset that reduces waste, optimizes overall productivity, and helps you organize your workplace.
It makes sure materials and information are delivered to the team when they need it, helps you save time, and makes the workplace safer for everyone involved.
The value stream mapping is a series of steps that involves the flow of materials and information needed to create and deliver a product or service.
It helps you analyse workflow processes and identify the steps that add value to the project and the simply wasteful steps that can be eliminated to optimize the project’s workflow.
5 Why is a systematic method of root cause analysis that helps you identify the underlying cause of a problem.
By implementing this approach, you can identify the root cause of the problems occurring on-site and guide your team members to collaborate and devise effective solutions.
By implementing these tools into your project, you can improve the outcome of your project by making your approaches more efficient, cost-effective, and better aligned with the goals of your project.
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Anyone who has been involved in the construction industry long enough knows that you need fresh, innovative ideas to keep up with the changes, especially in this ever-evolving industry.
With all that we have learned, it is sufficient to say that progressive design build is an innovative idea.
We all know that PDB is fairly new in the industry, and there is a reason why it is getting so much traction and getting updated in a relatively short time.
It is all because is not just a method; it is a new way of doing things. It essentially eliminates the cons of traditional methods and makes them much more efficient.
For example, it brings the owner, designer, and builder together early on, which in turn helps spot problems and fix them before they become a headache for everyone.
Other than that, it offers a lot of benefits, like better teamwork, shorter wait times, and more choices for who can join in.
If you are intrigued but not sure how to go about it, we at Souffront Construction & Engineering can give you a helping hand.
Our team of experts can get you started, leverage all the benefits that PDB has to offer and mitigate any issues that you face along the way.
Like PDB, our work is tailored to deliver nothing less than perfect results that meet your goals and expectations.
Contact us and use our free initial consultation to learn more about what we have to offer.
John Souffront is a seasoned leader in the construction and engineering industry, with over a decade of experience at the helm of Souffront Construction & Engineering. Known for his unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation, John has propelled his firm to the forefront of the field, delivering cutting-edge solutions for complex projects around the country.
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