What has to happen before we build?
Residential Construction
We recognize the significance of constructing a home that is both aesthetically pleasing and practical. Our team collaborates closely with you to guarantee that your vision is realized smoothly, without any complications, project delays, or distractions. Therefore, it's essential to prepare for the presence of construction personnel on your property.
Agreements
We must have signed agreement before starting any work at the work site. You can sign a written bid proposal as an agreement in principle for price and services to be provided. Depending on the project and its size as well as its project turnaround time frame we may require a customer to make an agreed down payment and or a project procure and progress payments.
Add-On products and services to the original agreements - No problems we love add-ons.
All project add-on products and or services can be added to the original agreement in a form a agreement add-on contact rider agreement. A customer may be asked to schedule any additional services to the original agreements at a later date.
Project Management and Building Permits
We have been doing this type of work for a long time and we see numerous different job sites at numerous different locations. Each Municipalities may have their own set of rules and build permits. It is the customers ultimate responsibilities to find out and know what is required before building on their own build site. If a build permit is required, we can offer additional professional services to help acquire the building permits required on the customers behave. Note there is cost of the permit plus the additional service cost of obtaining the building permits on the customer behave. Most require a job site drawing and a visit to local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) location. This services and its associated costs must be paid upfront when required. The customer is always welcome to do their own leg work and obtain their own build permits.
Pets removed and the Animal poop should be removed from the area leading up to the work
Our expertise lies in creating modern and functional buildings tailored to our clients' desires and requirements. We kindly request that you clean up after your pets if we are scheduled to work on your property, as no one appreciates stepping in animal waste. Additionally, we offer the services of a third-party contractor for this purpose. Should you require their contact information, please inform us, and we will be happy to provide the information.
Underground Utility's locations
Before excavation at the site, it is crucial to identify and mark any underground utilities. The Call Okie (811) service is available for this purpose. Ultimately, it is the customer's responsibility to ensure that there are no underground obstructions.
Our liability does not cover striking any unforeseen underground obstacles. If such obstacles exist and we are operating in that vicinity, we must be informed upfront and before construction is to take place.
Sprinkler Systems
We specialize in construction, and it's crucial to mark the locations of sprinkler systems to avoid them as much as possible. We recognize that this may not always be feasible, so ensuring a mutual agreement and understanding is essential.
Trash
Basic trash is bagged and left at the site for standard pickup unless our agreement specifically includes trash disposal. For larger items or older structures that need to be removed from the job site, haul-off and dump fees apply. Sometimes, we leave these items by the curb for heavy trash day or arrange for a scrapper to take them away.
Pictures -
All photographs captured at the jobsite are exclusively owned by A Better Construction DBA Carports and Patio Covers of Oklahoma. We hold all rights to these photographs. Should you wish for us not to take photographs at the jobsite, please notify us in advance. We are flexible and considerate and will honor your preferences.
Being on-site during construction is not obligatory, but it is recommended, as unexpected decisions may need to be made that require immediate discussion. It is crucial to have your cell phone number available so that we can reach you quickly if any issues arise.
What is a Decorative Shade Panel?
A Decorative shade panel is a type of panel that can be custom cut to feature a decorative design from a variety of building materials, including but not limited to wood, metal, aluminum, and plastic. Restaurants might opt for a design featuring a fork, knife, and spoon for their canopy tops, while sports enthusiasts might prefer their team or logo or a golf club on a decorative panel. Companies often choose to incorporate their logo into their canopy designs. Whatever your design, these decorative shade panels, which can be cut into a wide range of shapes and sizes, are then mounted onto an underlying structure. They are commonly used for sidewalk covers and pergola type of patio covers, one thing for sure they will be casting "custom-shaped" design shadows onto the surfaces below as the sun moves across the sky. Decorative panels find use in various architectural design applications, such as elaborate fences and divider privacy wall.
Carports and Patio Covers of Oklahoma
carportsandpatiocoversofok.com
405-832-0444
A good wind seismic performance is crucial to the design of any type of structure. Especially in OK
It is vital to exercise caution with any builder who might compromise quality and under-construct any structure by opting to use "inferior" building materials or using any building materials in ways they were not designed, nor engineered, and never intended to be used in that manner.
Don't get deceived. There are builders our here that defying product engineering standards...
These guys are willing to build a jacked-up patio cover and use inferior parts (cheap poles that are pasted off as "structural beams") and hang their customers out to dry in a precarious situation!
The poles and the beams are the single most important parts of any outdoor structures. The framework serves as the backbone of the structure, bearing the brunt of the loads. When considering the impact of snow, ice, wind, and live load requirements.
All construction materials must adhere to their specific standards and engineering guidelines, fulfilling their intended purpose without surpassing their design limitations is paramount to the longevity of any structure.
Opting to use a cheaper low cost, roll-formed, light-gauge steel column or pole. A building product that is never designed for use as a horizontal structural cross beam use can compromise the integrity of that structure. This is just a cheap way of showing the customer a cheaper price on your project bid instead of just taking the time to educate the customer about the benefits of using much stronger and proper supports beams and poles that are designed to do all the heavy lifting and supports the structure under loads such as higher wind loads and the additional weight of snow and ice.
The pole of which they typically use was never designed, nor it shouldn't be used as a beam by today's higher building codes and standards. That building product was never designed nor engineered to be used for that purpose, so it doesn't meet any building codes whatsoever. It is a what is called a lock seam pole and not a beam plus it rolled form flat stock and that poles have a seam that runs throughout the pole. It designed with bends within that poles to make that pole stronger. Plus, it is a rolled formed steel post, which can rust, and it is not an more expense extruded aluminum 1/8-inch-thick beam and pole.
Additionally, caution is advised regarding unverified claims about wind load capacity as they are using building products outside its "intended purpose" constitutes an inferior jacked-up "Crap work" and that is saying it nicely.
However, this occurs more frequently than one might expect, primarily by a cut rate inexperienced builders that wishes to present the end user customer with the lowest possible price rather than taking the time to explain why it is beneficial to build a stronger canopy and build to the code requirements of today's modern building standards of today.
All Structures is limited by its weakest link!
Columns or poles are specifically engineered to bear the vertical structural loads, while the cross beams are designed and engineered to handle the horizontal structural loads. Understanding the just fundamental difference is vital in the design and the construction of any structure. Although the cheaper rolled formed steel poles design may enhance its vertical load bearing, it does not offer reinforcement against the horizontal forces. Opting for a more robust thicker beam design is invariably a much better choice. This is similar or akin to using a 2x6 instead of the necessary 2x10 wooden beam in a wooden structure's building specifications. It is weak and ill advised...
A structure may function well initially, but it's true resilience is tested when it is subjected to stress and when it is put under load due to high winds or snow and ice loads. That using rolled formed pole used as a fake beam that has a seam within it that run though-out that pole which can come apart and buckle and the whole structure can fail because of its use.
As the "open span" or the more distance between support columns or poles in a structure is increases, the need for adequately reinforced "structural beam(s) becomes increasingly critical. The wider the "open spans" and the taller the canopy, the more susceptible it is to winds attempting to lift or cause uplift to the structure by winds that are trapped under that structure. It is crucial that any structure is built to withstand the loads that the structure might face.
The ultimate test of a structure's resilience is its ability to withstand the accumulation of heavy snow and/or ice. Ultimately, the stability of the structure is upheld by the poles and its beams as that is the part of the structure that does all the heavy lifting.
Choosing authentically designed and engineered structural beams, despite their higher cost compared to less expensive, lower-quality construction materials, offers enhanced strength and greater long-term structural integrity.
It is crucial for withstanding the higher wind loads commonly experienced within our region of the United States that can see high winds events that might exceed 80-100 mph plus winds. (See pic above which is building framed damaged during construction by high winds)
A contractors must be knowledgeable about building codes and permit requirements and must not intentionally deviate from them and build just anything!
As demonstrated by all of our job site photos, we consistently utilize a substantial horizontal cross Cee or I-beam, used for a structural header beam(s). The strength of the structure is augmented by the dimensions of the poles and beams, thicknesses which are essential for the erection of any structure.
We consistently advise our customers to invest a bit more for a well-designed and properly constructed project, emphasizing the use of a correct and solid header beam, rather than cutting corners.
Do it correctly the first time, and you won't have to worry about doing it over.
Building Permits
Rules and Regulations -
A lot of miss information on this subject. Do your leg work and find out before hiring anyone.
Altering the existing footprint of your home always requires a building permit. This is necessary for various modifications, including room additions, garage expansions, carports, patio covers, most outdoor decks, and fences. The original structure of your home was designed to support specific loads, distributed through walls and other elements based on the initial design. Any changes to the structural calculations can impact the entire structure. Most Cities do have a size limit on what size the structure might be.
If a DIY enthusiast or a contractor does not secure a building permit, the work may be halted. If the work is completed, the owner is responsible for obtaining the correct building permit. Building permits are essential for public safety, ensuring safe construction and compliance with engineering specifications and building codes.
Contractors are obligated to be familiar with building codes and build permit requirements and must not "intentionally deviate" from them... It is always wise to do a little leg work and call your local building inspectors to find out for sure if a building permit is required.
Code requirements are often updated periodically, and the forthcoming international building codes (IBC) will rectify these outdated standards of 90 mph wind loads by raising the wind load requirement to 115 mph upon adoption of the 2018 IBC.
A building permit is generally required, particularly for construction within the majority of city jurisdictions. Permits are essential for constructing, altering, repairing, enlarging, moving, or demolishing any primary or accessory structure. The permitting process guarantees that construction complies with safety, stability, and current minimum building code requirements.
Adhering to all necessary building codes is essential for safety.
Please allocate time for the permit application process. Most permits take about a week for review, so it's necessary to prepare a drawing and a building materials submission package to leave at City Hall for the inspectors' examination. Should they need clarification, they will contact us. A building engineer or inspector may offer suggestions and has the authority to approve or reject any application. Be informed that our expedited building permit service comes with additional fees. These fees compensate for the efforts to secure a building permit on behalf of the customer. The fee varies with the project's complexity; more complex projects incur higher fees for permit acquisition assistance. For projects that go beyond a simple building permit application, engaging additional professionals may be required, allowing us to focus on the construction.
While Oklahoma State establishes basic building codes for safety, local jurisdictions may implement stricter or modified regulations. Generally, the more localized the governing body, the more rigorous the codes, although certain circumstances may necessitate further provisions. Building permits are essential for ensuring adherence to the latest and most relevant codes, with a focus on safety. Meeting at least the minimum code standards is vital. Nonetheless, some clients may opt to surpass these standards, considering that certain codes, such as the 90-mph wind load requirement, are considered obsolete for our region. Given that our area often encounters storms with winds exceeding these minimum limits, reinforcing structures with larger poles and engineered beams is advisable to endure such intense winds. Customers are always permitted to exceed the minimal building code requirements and construct more robust structures if they choose to do so.
We offer additional services such as handling the building permit application fee on behalf of the customer, but we cannot guarantee the outcome of the permit application. Typically, we must prepare a drawing of the property, indicating the location of the proposed addition, and compile a review process submission package. This allows authorities to verify that the building materials used comply with building code requirements and that all procedures are properly followed. The permit process can be complex and time-consuming, depending on the reviewing authority's workload. It is no longer a simple walk-in, walk-out process to obtain building permit approval as it might have been in bygone eras. We must submit our package and await its review process to take place. If the building inspector has questions, they may contact us for discussion. They may also request changes to the project. After addressing any concerns, we typically receive authorization to pick up the approved permit and proceed. Nowadays, we often have to pay the bid application fees upfront, despite the possibility of the application being declined for various reasons. Therefore, we require payment for this service in advance. There has been only an instance of a complete application denial, which occurred because the property owner was not aware of high-pressure gas pipelines buried in their front yard, making it impossible to build in that area so we lost our build permit application fee. The neighbors across the street had a carport but on their side of the street in that same area so there was no obvious sign that they would be restricted but we got shot down on the project we were proposing to build and what they could build was so small the customer declined to move forward.
Homeowners Association (HOA) rules.
When you buy a home in a community that's governed by a homeowner's association (HOA), you agree to live by their rules. It is important to remember that HOA rules can vary greatly between different communities, so it is always best to review your specific HOA's governing documents and seek clarification from your local HOA representatives before initiating any construction projects. Their rulebook is known as the CC&Rs, or Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions, which dictate everything from maintenance guidelines to the color of curtains allowed. When it comes to Homeowners Association (HOA) rules, it is important to note that these rules are legally binding, and non-compliance can result in fines, legal action, or even the obligation to dismantle the patio at the homeowner's expense. Therefore, it is crucial for homeowners to familiarize themselves with the HOA guidelines and seek the approval for any modifications to their outdoor spaces.
- Approval Process: Most HOAs require written architectural approval for any exterior changes, including modifications to roofing and patios. Homeowners should submit detailed plans, including blueprints, materials lists, and construction details for review by the HOA board or architectural committee. The approval process ensures that the proposed patio roof aligns with the HOA's aesthetic and architectural standards.
- Size, Height, and Color Restrictions: HOAs often have guidelines that restrict the size, height, and color of patio covers. These restrictions are in place to maintain uniformity and uphold community standards. It is important to review the HOA's covenants, conditions, and restrictions documents before finalizing any plans for your patio roof.
- Structural Requirements: Some HOAs may have specific requirements for the structure of the patio roof. For example, in Maricopa County, patio covers must have a minimum slope of ¼ inch per foot. It is important to review the local HOA rules to ensure your patio roof structure complies with all relevant standards.
- Timeline and Neighbor Approval: For larger projects that may cause a nuisance, HOAs might require homeowners to obtain signatures of approval from their neighbors. Homeowners may also need to provide a timeline and estimated completion date for the project, sticking to the schedule as much as possible.
- Safety and Electrical Work: If your project involve significant electrical work, additional permits and inspections may be required. HOAs aim to ensure the safety of residents, so it is important to follow all relevant safety standards and obtain the necessary approvals for electrical installations.
- Maintenance and Repair: Homeowners are typically responsible for maintaining and repairing their patio roofs to keep them in good condition. This includes regular upkeep and ensuring that the structure remains compliant with HOA guidelines over time.
The customer is always reasonable to notify the contractor that they do have a HOA and to do their own leg work to find out of what the requirement might be. We need to know if you have an HOA upfront.
What you type of building do you need?
Engineered, Pre-Engineered or a Non-Engineered Structures?
The goal is to ensure optimal performance and safety of any structure.
There are essentially three distinct types of buildings. A canopy-style structure is similar to most structures, except that many do not include walls. Canopy structures serve a variety of purposes, including break areas, carports, patio covers, pavilions, product storage covers, sidewalk coverings, entrance covers, and strip mall structures, all intended to provide protection for people and their vehicles.
Any and all of the building materials has their own limits to how they are used safely to cover a canopy open span area or between any structure poles. The stress to any structure can come from many forms but normally come from wind, snow. earthquake or shafting of the dirt soil.
Snow load refers to the amount of "snow and ice" weight per sq ft (PSF) that a building's roof is able to support.
Wind loads refer to the amount of force the winds put on any type of structure and in a canopy type of application we talk about up-drafts or down-drafts winds. or earth quicks and shifting soils.
Dead load is the weight of the building by itself. If you exceed any building materials limits the structure may collapse or fail while under stress which normally comes during a server weather event. Live load is the structure with all the furniture and people that might be inside of the structure.
Non-engineered structure that are not specifically engineered for a particular design criteria. This might use by a builder that is going down to a local building materials yard picking up the building components that is needed to fabricate and then building a structure without any plans, blueprints or documents to say that structure meets any engineering or design standards.
Non-engineered building design processes do not account for component loads or actual component strengths. In the middle lies a partially engineered structure which is a NON-ENEEREDERED type of structure there are no gray areas. Most residential type of structures fall under this classification, but we are seeing more and more municipalities that are requiring a certified Pre-engineered type of structure to be built.
Pre-Engineered Structure is a structure that is manufacturer design and fabricate to meet certain specifications and building codes and load requirements from the manufacture. While purchasing this type of building structure is an easy way to ensure compliance to your building meets code without hiring a structural design engineer. The manufacture does its own testing and design so it the structure is built correctly it will perform to its own the engineering standards. It also provides you with numerous options for customization, meaning you can modify multiple aspects of your building based on you or your unique wants and needs.
Engineered buildings - Structural engineering is a specialty trained person in structural engineering that analyze, design, plan, and research structural components and structural systems to achieve design goals and ensure the safety and comfort of the end users and its occupants.
A Professional structural design engineer is able to stamp the structure blueprints plans within their own State approval seal stamps certifying that the structure design achieves design goals and ensure the safety and comfort of the end users and its occupants are safe.
Each State has their own rules and regulation and a design from another and are not excepted within another State. Critical skills and ongoing training a person need in structural engineering for a particular design criteria, blueprints or documents to say that structure meets any engineering standards. They need to be able to predict how these materials will perform over an extended period of time and while under stress or load.
Normal stress come from heavy rains, ice / snow loads, and high wind loads as well as earthquakes and soil movements. A fully engineered building is one in which all structural component interactions are properly accounted for during structural analyses, and forces resulting from these analyses are used to size all building components.
On larger structures a local municipality might need to see architectural blueprints and its own engineering spec with a submittal package on all of the structure combined building components before approving with a building permit. Those are additional professional services which has cost associated with then before the construction can begin. There are select few local building material suppliers that has an engineer personnel on staff and can show their own engineering certifications on their own designs when built properly.
We also work with some product manufacturer and all of their own canopy designs are pre-engineered and have the company engineers' stamp blueprint are on their manufacturer design documents and can be supplied when and if needed. We can't build a non-engineered canopy structure then get that structured engineered after the fact it is built. This has to know upfront and before the structure is built.
The real test of any structure is when they are stressed!
Building codes are the construction industry's guidelines, setting the minimum standards to ensure structures are safe and functional. These codes outline the simplest construction methods, allowing builders of all skill levels to avoid major errors and meet essential safety and quality standards. Thus, even novices can erect buildings that are sturdy and safe. Yet, experienced builders often go beyond these basic requirements, understanding that the minimum isn't always sufficient for long-term excellence in quality, design, and performance. They choose better materials, apply smarter building techniques, and add distinctive features not found in standard codes. These advanced practices may not be specified in the building codes, which is where the role of inspectors becomes critical. Skilled inspectors can recognize when builders use superior methods and approve them, even if they're not detailed in the codebook. This interaction is particularly noticeable in areas with a reputation for luxury, custom homes. In conclusion, while building codes are essential for basic safety and quality, they cannot replace the expertise and judgment needed for superior construction. The best buildings are often created by those who follow the rules but also know when and how to surpass them for exceptional results.
What Is Structural Engineering?
It is a field of engineering dealing with the analysis and design of structures that support or resist loads. Structural engineering depends upon a detailed knowledge of applied mechanics, materials science and applied mathematics to understand and predict how structures support and resist self-weight and imposed loads. To apply the knowledge successfully a Structural engineering generally requires detailed knowledge of relevant empirical and theoretical design codes, the techniques of structural analysis, as well as some knowledge of the corrosion resistance of the materials and structures, especially when those structures are exposed to the external environment.
New
Translucent / Polycarbonate Aluminum Covers
The Fresco style aluminum frame with polycarbonate patio cover provides a pergola-style roof that allows some light to pass through while keeping the heat out. Then we custom designed a system to fasten the industry’s best standing-seam, infrared rejecting panels atop it.
What is a hybrid type of cover?
Is a type of canopy cover that is using two more building materials. Such as an aluminum top canopy cover but is using wood poles and beans. Or a polycarbonate canopy top and aluminum poles and beams. Even a SIP type of screen room that is built using wood walls.
Residential Construction
Residential construction often diverges from commercial projects due to the absence of pre-planned designs, professional engineering or architectural input, and the detailed blueprints with material lists and construction methods that are standard in commercial settings. Most customer might have design idea but they not what is available to fit within their own personal budget. The budget will always affect what and how any project might be built. There is no use talking about anything that is out of the budget. It can turn out to be a huge waist of everyone time. I have also seen projects that could not be legally built because of some type of hidden variable such as property line issues. It is important to know if you need a building permit and what is the building restrictions on that property. We have discovered an issue that only come-up when we went to get the legal building permit. The housing edition allowed for carports to be built on one side of the street, but not the other side had a hidden large natural gas line that ran though that area and that side of the street had more set back restrictions then a normal site build application and the only carports that could be built on that side of the street was so small it wasn't worth moving forward with the project. Also, we find that just because your neighbor's might of had something built doesn't make it legal for you to build it. We see a lot of illegal buildings that has been built by someone that clearly doesn't understand building codes and regulations or they just do not care. Unless you want to rat them out to the authority it may seem that have gotten away with it for now. I have also seen building projects built that had to be taking down for all types of reasons. It is best to do all your leg work up front. The most it can cost a customer is a little time and effort. There are a couple of local municipalities that we require the customers to meet with their city building inspector upfront before we get involved because of their building requirements.
Depending on the project complexities and its overall size. Project blueprints may or may not always be available for all residential projects. In some more complex project for instances, it might be wise to hire a professional architect or structural engineer.
Meeting with each client to discuss the specifics of the project is essential to ensure there is a shared understanding of the construction plans and the materials to be used. For most residential projects, it is vital to consult with each client about their personal wishes and needs, otherwise who knows what you're going with end up with? We have to fight this today with the internet building providers of today. They might just jack anything up and hope that it will fly. While also providing advice on installation options and complying with the varying building codes of each municipality, which may change unexpectedly. As seasoned builders, our goal is to streamline this process and keep it from becoming too complex for each customer.
The advent of the internet has undeniably transformed all business. While it may appear that the internet is central to all business activities, it is crucial to consider your business's specific needs and balance the pros and cons of integrating the internet into your business model. In the construction business we use the internet to meet our customers. The internet alure can turn into a double edge sword with customers not understanding what and how everything is to build on site. In construction there are numerous different ways to build and one project with numerous different building materials. What is best for your projects? We must be able to form an agreement of what is going to take place on your property. There just isn't on size, one type, one size of a cookie cutter design that fits all projects. I guess if you only offer one type of offering then there is, but we are professional builders that build all types of offerings. Often, the most inventive ideas are born from direct, face-to-face on-site interactions that you can't get online. Often there are building restrictions of what type of building material can be used. Although the internet has managed to connect people superficially, it cannot fully replace the nuances of in-person interactions with colleagues and customers. From our experiences we find that meeting people upfront we can put out any potential fire storms that might come up and it make for an overall better building experiences in the end.
When planning, designing, and constructing any type of structure, take into account the following factors:
* The budget dictates the project's scope.
* Design considerations
* Choice of building materials
* Property location
* Size and spatial planning
Commercial Carport Structures
Steel and aluminum carport canopies have become increasingly popular in the local area and the Multi Housing industry over the past several decades. Our group has more than 35 years of experience in the design, manufacturing, and installation of carports. These structures are meticulously designed and engineered for their specific purposes.
Engineered designs, complete with detailed documents outlining the construction process and building requirements, are typically necessary for commercial building structures.
Our traditional multi-housing carport designs have undergone extensive testing in our local region, standing up to conditions such as high winds and heavy snow loads.
With local building codes becoming more rigorous, many national commercial carport and custom canopy providers may find it challenging to meet the local standards that have not only endured over time but have also been enhanced by the increasing rigor of local building code requirements.
It Summer, Time to beat the heat sale.
If you got a project and you want to get the good stuff cheaper then give us a chance to bid the project and save. We don't just one type, one size, one size, one design we build them all. Call us today and save!