Procuring High-Quality Construction Materials for Housing

Posted on September 2, 2024September 2, 2024 by Jason Somers

Whether you’re developing a ranch-style, a cottage, or a traditional single-family home, all aspects of the construction process must work together to ensure the final structure meets the owner’s needs and complies with local building codes and safety regulations. When you’re constructing a home, you must use high-quality materials that offer durability and longevity.

High-quality materials aren’t always expensive. To ensure the home you build doesn’t develop foundation or structural issues, you must avoid using cheap materials that are prone to cracking, warping, and corrosion. Investing in high-quality construction materials provides long-term benefits.

The construction process consists of many different parts, which include everything from laying the foundation to procuring the necessary materials. During this process, it’s important that you work with other professionals who can help you resolve issues and make the right decisions. From architects to general contractors, there are numerous professionals you can hire for a construction project.

Before you begin development on a home, you’ll need to apply for building permits. Your county’s building department will only approve a permit application if your building plans are up to code. Without a permit, the county can’t be certain that your building is safe for people to enter. The main drawback to obtaining a building permit is that the approval process can take months.

You can more effectively navigate this process with the help of a permit expediter. Permit expediters review building plans, negotiate with county officials, and resolve issues during the approval process, which means that you should receive your permit at a faster rate. This guide takes a closer look at the importance of procuring high-quality construction materials and how permit expediters can help during this process.

Understanding the Importance of High-Quality Construction Materials

When starting development on a home, it’s highly recommended that you use high-quality building materials. These materials can improve the quality and appearance of your building. High-quality materials should provide more longevity. They can be engineered to deliver better strength, which means that they’ll have more durability. Homes that are constructed with high-quality materials are often more appealing to potential tenants and buyers.

Since high-quality materials typically provide enhanced durability and longevity, homes that are built with them are usually safer to live in. You can also more effectively comply with local building codes when you use these materials.

In modern construction projects, energy efficiency is highly sought after. The best building materials are often more efficient. Along with ample durability, these materials provide higher weather resistance and more insulation, which should keep your utility bills and carbon footprint low.

When you use these materials, the value of the property will increase. Since high-end materials offer more energy efficiency, aesthetic appeal, and durability, buyers will make higher offers for homes that are constructed with them. Even though the upfront costs associated with premium construction materials are higher than those of lower-quality materials, you’ll save money in the long run.

Key Considerations When Procuring Construction Materials

When procuring construction materials for your project, there are numerous factors that you must consider. For example, you’ll need to identify reputable suppliers and manufacturers. While purchasing high-quality materials is important, it’s also essential that the supplies you buy for your project are delivered on time and at the quality you requested. If you work with manufacturers and suppliers that don’t have stellar reputations, your materials could be delivered late. There’s also a chance that the materials won’t match the quality that the property owner expects.

You’ll be tasked with evaluating material certifications and standards as well. Most building materials are affixed with material test reports (MTRs), which identify the item’s chemical and mechanical properties. It also lists the specifications the material adheres to and the heat or lot number that it has. The types of specifications that building materials can be outfitted with include the following:

• AMS
• ASME
• ASTM
• EN

The ASME certification is given to materials that comply with the various standards that have been set by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Different certifications can be used for each material. For example, the ASME certification is typically applied to steel materials.

During the project, you must find a way to balance cost with quality. Procuring the right materials isn’t about getting the lowest price. If you want high-quality materials, you’ll need to spend money. However, it’s also important that you don’t overspend. If you end up paying too much for premium materials, you might not have enough budget left to maintain quality in other aspects of the construction process. To ensure you procure the materials that are right for your project, you must first create a budget.

It’s also a good idea to consider the environmental impact and sustainability of your building materials. Today, many high-quality building materials offer ample energy efficiency. However, creating a sustainable home requires procuring materials that have a low impact on the environment. Consider materials like cork, recycled plastic, reclaimed wood, bamboo, and recycled steel.

Steps to Procuring High-Quality Materials

To procure high-quality materials for your construction project, you must take the following steps. First, you’ll need to research and compare options. There are many different types of building materials that you can obtain for your project. Each material has its pros and cons. For example, steel building materials offer considerable durability and longevity. On the other hand, they’re susceptible to rust and can cost a lot of money. Weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each building material before you make a decision.

It will also be easier for you to navigate this process if your design team creates specifications for the project at hand. Once you find the right materials, you’ll need to start ordering them to ensure they’re delivered on time. If you have the necessary specifications on hand during your research of different building materials, you can order them immediately.

Before you purchase materials, make sure that you seek recommendations and reviews. If you have friends or family members who have built their own homes in the past, they may be able to give you useful recommendations. You can also find online reviews of nearly every type of building material and manufacturer. As mentioned previously, high-quality materials are only as good as the manufacturer that produces them.

Before you buy the materials, make sure you conduct comprehensive tests and inspections. You need to be confident that the materials you buy will withstand the elements and hold up over many years. Look for cracks or signs of warping. It’s crucial that you avoid buying materials that are in poor shape or already displaying signs of wear.

Once you find building materials that you’re confident in, you’ll need to negotiate with the manufacturer to ensure you can procure them at a reasonable cost. During this process, it’s a good idea to provide quotes from other manufacturers and suppliers.

The Role of Permit Expediters in the Construction Process

While there are several professionals you can work with during a construction project, among the most helpful is a permit expediter. An expediter is someone who will help manage your project and speed up the approval process for your building permit. They’ll find issues with your permit documentation and give you advice on how to resolve them efficiently.

Permit expediters can also streamline the material procurement process, which will help you safeguard project timelines. When you hire a permit expediter, their knowledge of the local real estate industry should ensure that crucial materials are delivered to your construction site when needed. These services are designed to prevent expensive project delays.

Benefits of Working with Permit Expediters

There are many reasons why you should hire permit expediters for your construction project, the primary of which is that they can help you obtain a permit approval faster than usual. Any delays to your construction project will cost time and money. Since expediters know how to make the permit approval process more efficient, hiring them can help you manage project costs. A faster permit approval ensures reduced project delays.

Reputable permit expediters have ample expertise in navigating local regulations and building codes, which means that they can help you find mistakes in your building plans before you submit your application. Many expediters cultivate strong relationships with county officials, which should be helpful when you’re attempting to resolve issues. Permit expediters will assist you with all your documentation to ensure you comply with local building codes.

Conclusion

When you start work on any construction project, it’s recommended that you procure high-quality materials that offer superior durability, longevity, and efficiency. To ensure you get these materials on time and avoid further delays with your construction project, hire a permit expediter.

They can help you navigate the permit approval process while also supervising important aspects of the project. By integrating high-quality materials with assistance from the right professionals, you can manage a successful housing project.