Following 'The Code' on Construction Projects

In ancient Babylon, part of the Code of Hammurabi stipulated that if you hired someone to build a house and it fell down and killed you, the contractor would be put to death. If it killed your son, the contractor’s son would be executed. This probably made a lot of people think twice before agreeing to build somebody a house. 

Today’s building codes are obviously not as stringent, but it still takes a licensed professional to ensure that all local building code requirements are met on commercial construction projects. 

Consider the project under way at Golden Valley's Benihana restaurant for example. It’s a seven-stage remodel, and the project’s Bloomington-based contractor, Minnesota Valley Construction, has already handled a number of small challenges, ranging from the exhaust, sprinklers and lighting to flooring and structural. 

“We tried to identify all the particulars,” said Minnesota Valley Construction’s Tim Peters, “but there were a couple of times when an inspector found something we still needed to do. So we did it.” 

At times, it can all seem like a lot of needless red tape, especially if you’re losing revenue while your business is being remodeled. But those code requirements exist for a reason, and if a contractor tells you they can “get around” a code, it should set off alarm bells. There is a huge difference between a contractor like Minnesota Valley Construction knowing how to navigate a city’s complicated regulations and a less reputable contractor having a plan to circumvent code requirements.  

After all, fighting the city is a fool’s errand. The best way to negotiate a building code is simply to follow it, and the best way to accomplish that is to work with a reputable licensed contractor, one who will do everything in his power to finish your project on time, on budget and up to code. As if his son's life is at stake.