Don't take our word about Mark's vast experience. Just ask his competitors. Though many other building agencies dislike Mark finding faults in their construction, they still recognize his skill. Other builders will even refer to him when they encounter a construction difficulty beyond their level of expertise. "The fact that we receive referrals from competitors," Patti Parlee observes, "says a lot about Mark's presence in the business."

History

The Building Consultant evolved out of a professional call to duty after Mark began his own framing and siding business in 1990. Many homeowners were overwhelmed with their home's poor construction and frustrated with their builder's attempts to mend the recurring problems. Various builders, as well, recognize Mark's skill and called him for help with widespread damage repair.

The popularity of his services was virtually self-perpetual—taking flight by word of mouth. Recommendations from impressed customers describing Mark's "great attention to detail, prompt responses, and highly competent resolutions," resulted in the ‘consulting' aspect of his career coming to occupy the majority of his time. Mark created an identity as The Building Consultant in November of 2008.

Experience

Mark Parlee has been in the construction business since 1976. For 14 years, Mark  acquired considerable construction experience and then formed his own company, Parlee Builders, a construction and remodeling company in 1990. He later also formed Crossroad Homes, a new home construction company in 2000.

Now known as The Building Consultant, Mark hasn't transitioned out of building; he has created an off shoot profile out of sheer demand for his consultation services to builders and homeowners. Mark has built, dismantled, and replaced exteriors on several hundred homes, leading to his current knowledge of how the forces of nature affect the building envelope. He has consulted with a diverse client base regarding all sorts of single-family homes, townhomes, apartments, and commercial buildings.

What is the most prevailing piece of evidence attesting to Mark's reputation? "We have a 100% satisfaction rate with customers," Patti Parlee confirms. "Mark loves his job." Every single one of Mark's clients has seen their frustration dissolved, established trust with the Parlees, and gained a relationship with their family. Having raised five children of his own, Mark empathizes with parents' concerns for their children's safety within their own home, and finds fulfillment in knowing you and your loved ones are protected and your largest investment secured.

Do you suspect that your home was defectively constructed?  If you are pursuing a lawsuit, need a deposition, or a third party mediator,  Mark Parlee has been trusted to testify as an expert witness in many significant court cases.

Seminar Expert

Mark has been invited to speak as a moisture intrusion expert at the National Home Builders Association (NAHB) Remodeling Council,the Iowa Roofing Contractors Association (LIRCA), and other prominent seminars. To maintain his expertise and improve in his work, Mark consistently supplements his education. The most prominent seminars and workshops he attends are: the American Institute of Architects seminar, the Iowa Association of Building Officials seminar, the Journal of Light Construction seminar, and the University of Minnesota workshop. He is fully certified by the Exterior Design Institute (EDI) as an Exterior Installation and Finish Systems (EIFS) Inspector,  Moisture Analyst, and Quality Control expert. He is also certified in Therma Tru Entry Installation.

References

Below are just a few of the hundreds of Mark's satisfied customers:

• US Inspect, Property Inspection Services
• GlobeSpec, Nat'l Residential & Environmental Inspections
• Fidelity Inspection & Consulting Svcs.
• Amerispec, home inspectors
• Westfield Insurance
• Safeco Insurance
• Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Co.
• Shelter Insurance
  
• American Family Insurance
  
• Neighborhood Finance Corp.
  
• Winterset Public Library
  
• Mary J. Barnett Memorial Library, Guthrie Center, IA
  
• Hope Evangelical Free Church, Dubuque, IA
  
• Evangelical Covenant Church, DSM IA
  
• Montessori Children's School
  
• Erickson Building Contractors
  
• The New Homestead; assisted living/care facility, Guthrie Center, IA
  
• Friendship Haven Ft. Dodge, IA
  
• Iowa State Bank
  
• Freedom Financial Bank
  
• Bill Knapp II
  
• Advantage Homes
  
• Jason Chance
  
• Dr. Joel From
  
• George LaMarca, attorney
  
• Tom Walton, attorney
  
• Steve Woodyard
  
• Dr. Del and Marla Quenzer
  
• Northcreek II Townhomes
  
• Hickory Grove Townhomes
  
• Villas of Berkshire Hills Townhomes
  
• Druid Hill Townhomes
  
• Hubbell Construction Services
  
• AAA Roofing Contractors
  
• Duer and Sons Remodeling
  
• Dunn's Funeral Home
  
• Grandview Funeral home
  
• The Duerson Corp.
  
• Rick Thompson (Gilcrest Jewett Lumber)
  
• Rob Walker (Beisser Lumber)
  
• Dr. Mark and Linda Lazar
  
• Numerous other homebuilders & homeowners in the Greater Des Moines area
  

Contact information available upon request.

Associations

• Homebuilders Association of Greater Des Moines (Parlee Projects, Inc.)
  
• Better Business Bureau (Parlee Projects, Inc.)
  
• Exterior Design Institute (EDI), Certified Third Party EIFS Inspector, and Moisture Analyst
  
• Building Envelope Science Institute (BESI), Building Envelope Inspector
  

Rates

• Minimum rate $595 includes 2 hours onsite and a field report.
  
• Additional time is at $115/hr onsite $85/hr office: research, reporting
  
• $220/hr expert witness 2 hr minimum: deposition, court testimony, and travel time. Time on call billed
  
• Travel time: at $45/hr + $0.55/mile
  

Any materials used in the course of work or forensic testing will be billed

Mark is available to operate on retainer, rate to be determined on a per-case basis