BigRentz Equipment Rental Service Areas in Illinois

It takes a lot of knowledge to build a home, and that knowledge comes from experience. Building codes and licensing vary from state to state and sometimes county to county. As a professional contractor, you need to follow all the rules and regulations of the state of Illinois. Read on to see the various licenses and issues facing construction.

Any municipality with a population of 10,000 or greater may set their own building codes and license requirements in Illinois. Only roofing and plumbing contractors need a state-issued license. Before beginning any project, check with the local county or city officials for the proper registration requirements. Plans and schematics must be submitted to the local officials ahead of time and receive approval before the start of any construction.

There are three main types of soil in Illinois: sandy, clay, and loam. If you are unfamiliar with the area, getting a soil survey before starting on the job will save you some trouble later. A preferable soil is a sandy type. This soil is good to build on because water passes through rather than being absorbed. That means the soil will be fairly consistent in volume and density under both wet or dry conditions and won’t cause a major shift in the foundation. Soil rich in clay is another story. This type of soil easily saturates and expands with water. Once it dries out, the soil shrinks and cracks. The foundation will do the same, causing cracks and shifting. The damage caused by the foundation moving even slightly, can let water in and trigger major foundation problems. Clay soil causes the most foundation problems of any soil type. Loamy soils are very stable and show slight change with water level or temperature. The only problem with this type of soil is erosion. If the soil underneath begins to erode, the foundation will become unstable and may not bear the weight of the structure and walls could begin to crack. Knowing how far down to set the foundation will help avoid problems.

The proper equipment is essential when building. When renting your equipment, speak with a heavy equipment dealer to help you decide the right machinery for the project. You should count on needing a backhoe or bulldozer to ready the land for construction. The size of the structure will determine what other large equipment you need such as boom lifts to go up and over obstacles, scissor lifts for above ground work, manlifts for moving people, or forklifts for moving heavy materials. Cement mixers, cranes, and other tools will also be needed. Whether you are erecting a shed or a multi-story building, knowing the building code, preparing the soil, and getting the right equipment is a challenging job. Professionals are relied upon for their experience and expertise when building. With the right equipment, you can rest assured that any problems will be handled quickly and efficiently.