Ward Winning Standards
Building code is the minimum. Here is exactly how we build — side by side with what code requires.
How we build kitchens
The hardest-working room in your home, built to perform for decades.
A kitchen brings plumbing, gas, high-demand electrical, ventilation, cabinetry and stone together in one room. What separates a kitchen that still works beautifully in year fifteen is what happens behind the cabinets.
Code is the minimum. Building code is the lowest bar a project can clear and still pass inspection. Ward Winning Standards are our written commitment for every kitchen project — what code requires, side by side with what we do.
Zero surprises at cabinet install
Every appliance, circuit, gas line and vent route is locked in before cabinets are ordered — so install day is an assembly, not a redesign.
Planning & Structure
| Item | Typical code minimum | Ward Winning Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Wall removal | Permit and inspection. | Engineer-specified beams for any bearing wall; structure confirmed before design is final. |
| Appliances | Installed to manufacturer instructions. | Appliance specs locked before cabinets are ordered, so every opening, circuit and gas line is right the first time. |
| Floor flatness | Not specified. | Floors leveled before tile installation. |
| Tile flooring | No requirement. | Runs wall to wall, under the cabinets — so future layout changes never leave a gap. |
Electrical & Lighting
| Item | Typical code minimum | Ward Winning Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Countertop circuits | Two 20-amp small-appliance circuits. | 12-gauge wire throughout, with added countertop circuits for today's appliances. |
| Appliance circuits | Dedicated circuits for some appliances. | Dedicated 20-amp circuits for dishwasher, disposal, microwave and refrigerator. |
| Lighting | One switched light source. | Under-cabinet lighting standard, with lighting on dimmers. |
Ventilation & Plumbing
| Item | Typical code minimum | Ward Winning Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Range hood | Venting per code; recirculating allowed. | Ducted to the exterior with rigid, smooth duct and a backdraft damper — sized to your range. |
| Make-up air | Required above ~400 cfm. | Designed together with the hood, with a damper that opens automatically. |
| Shutoff valves | Fixture shutoffs required. | New quarter-turn shutoffs and braided supply lines at every fixture. |
Cabinets & Finishes
| Item | Typical code minimum | Ward Winning Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinetry | No standard. | Semi-custom cabinetry from manufacturers with strong lifetime warranties and proven reputations; installed level, shimmed and anchored to solid blocking. |
| Construction | No standard. | We recommend full-access cabinets for a clean, custom look with tight, even gaps between doors, and walk you through the options during design. |
| Sizing | No standard. | Height, width and depth customized to the nearest 1/8" to fit your design and ceiling height — not forced into stock sizes. |
| Hardwood floors | No standard. | Finished only with premium water-based systems from Loba or Bona — durable, low-odor and low-VOC. |
| Countertops & paint | No standard. | Stone seams and layout reviewed with you before production; low- or zero-VOC paints. |
On every project
- Dust control. Zip-wall dust barriers sealing the work area from the rest of your home.
- Floor protection. Walkways and finished floors covered from the entry to the work area.
- Daily cleanup. Work area broom-clean at the end of every day; debris removed on a schedule, not left to pile up.
- One point of contact. A dedicated project manager and a schedule, so you always know what is happening next.
Popular upgrades
- Induction cooking package
- Induction-ready wiring at the range
- Pot filler and filtered water
- Smart whole-house water shutoff
- Appliance garages and custom storage
- Cat 6 and smart-home pre-wire
Proof, not promises: your Build Record
Every key step of these standards is photographed before it is covered: waterproofing, flood tests, framing, blocking, insulation and rough-ins. At the end of your project you receive your Build Record — the photo log, test results, permits and product specifications for your new space. It is the owner's manual for your home and a real asset when you sell.
Schedule an Initial Consultation
Codes vary by municipality and are updated periodically; "typical code minimum" reflects common requirements in our area. Site conditions and product availability vary, and specific items are confirmed for each project in your construction documents.
How we build bathrooms
Beautiful on the surface. Waterproof underneath.
A bathroom is a room full of water inside the walls of your home. Code allows a shower that works on day one; it doesn't guarantee one that stays dry for twenty years. Nearly every bathroom failure we're called to fix comes from waterproofing, ventilation or a floor that moves. Ward Winning Standards address all three.
Code is the minimum. Building code is the lowest bar a project can clear and still pass inspection. Ward Winning Standards are our written commitment for every bathroom project — what code requires, side by side with what we do.
24-hour flood test
Code calls for a water test of about 15 minutes. We fill every shower and leave it for 24 hours before any tile goes down. If it is going to leak, we find out now — not through your ceiling.
Waterproofing
| Item | Typical code minimum | Ward Winning Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Shower system | Shower pan liner; walls may use backer board alone. | Bonded waterproofing system (Schluter, Laticrete or equal) on the entire shower floor, walls, niches and bench. |
| Flood test | Water test of roughly 15 minutes. | Every shower flood-tested for 24 hours before a single tile is set. |
| Wall board | Water-resistant board allowed. | No greenboard or drywall in wet areas — cement or foam board only. |
| Niches & benches | No specific requirement. | Fully waterproofed and sloped so water never sits. |
Ventilation & Moisture
| Item | Typical code minimum | Ward Winning Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Exhaust fan | 50 cfm fan or an operable window. | Quiet fan sized to the room and ducted outside with insulated duct — never into the attic. |
| Paint | Not regulated. | Moisture- and mildew-resistant, low-VOC paint. |
Structure & Plumbing
| Item | Typical code minimum | Ward Winning Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Floor stiffness | Standard span tables. | Floor stiffened and flattened for tile and stone; uncoupling membrane under all floor tile. |
| Blocking | Not required. | Solid blocking for grab bars in the shower and at the toilet — ready for any stage of life — plus glass, vanity and accessories. |
| Shower valve | Anti-scald valve required. | New pressure-balance or thermostatic valve whenever the wall is open. |
| Supply lines | Not required. | New quarter-turn shutoffs and braided supply lines at the vanity and toilet. |
Electrical & Finishes
| Item | Typical code minimum | Ward Winning Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Circuits | One 20-amp GFCI circuit. | 12-gauge wire on a dedicated 20-amp circuit. |
| Lighting | One light source. | Layered lighting, with vanity light at face height for true color and no shadows. |
| Trim | No restriction. | No MDF in bathrooms. |
On every project
- Dust control. Zip-wall dust barriers sealing the work area from the rest of your home.
- Floor protection. Walkways and finished floors covered from the entry to the work area.
- Daily cleanup. Work area broom-clean at the end of every day; debris removed on a schedule, not left to pile up.
- One point of contact. A dedicated project manager and a schedule, so you always know what is happening next.
Popular upgrades
- Heated floors on a programmable thermostat
- Mapei FlexColor CQ high-performance grout (stain- and mildew-resistant)
- GFCI outlet behind the toilet for a bidet seat
- Steam shower system
- Digital or smart shower controls
- Curbless, accessible shower design
- Smart whole-house water shutoff
Proof, not promises: your Build Record
Every key step of these standards is photographed before it is covered: waterproofing, flood tests, framing, blocking, insulation and rough-ins. At the end of your project you receive your Build Record — the photo log, test results, permits and product specifications for your new space. It is the owner's manual for your home and a real asset when you sell.
Schedule an Initial Consultation
Codes vary by municipality and are updated periodically; "typical code minimum" reflects common requirements in our area. Site conditions and product availability vary, and specific items are confirmed for each project in your construction documents.
How we build basements
Finish the space once — and protect the investment.
A basement is the only room in your home that sits in the ground. Water, humidity and cold concrete will find any shortcut. That's why we solve water management first and finish second. A finished basement is a significant investment — one failed sump pump can ruin it in an afternoon.
Code is the minimum. Building code is the lowest bar a project can clear and still pass inspection. Ward Winning Standards are our written commitment for every basement project — what code requires, side by side with what we do.
Two sump pumps, always
Every basement we finish has a battery backup sump pump. If one isn't already there, we install it — standard, not an upgrade. Main pumps fail and storms knock out power. Your finished basement should not depend on a single pump.
Water Management — First
| Item | Typical code minimum | Ward Winning Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-design inspection | Not required. | Foundation, grading, gutters, downspouts and past water history reviewed before design begins. |
| Backup sump pump | Not required. | Battery backup sump pump installed on every finished basement that doesn't already have one. If the main pump or the power fails, your basement stays dry. |
| Sewer backup | Varies by municipality. | Backup risk evaluated; backwater or check valves recommended where your home needs them. |
Walls & Floors
| Item | Typical code minimum | Ward Winning Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Wall insulation | R-15 continuous or R-19 cavity (Climate Zone 5). | Insulation options reviewed with you during design, with the pros, cons and cost of each for your basement. |
| Framing | Treated bottom plate. | Pressure-treated plates with a sill gasket; stud walls held off the foundation. |
| Drywall | Standard drywall. | Mold-resistant drywall at the base of walls. |
Air, Safety & Access
| Item | Typical code minimum | Ward Winning Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Egress | Required for sleeping rooms. | Code-sized egress window with a drained window well wherever a bedroom is planned. |
| Smoke & CO | Required. | Interconnected smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms tied into the rest of the home. |
| Access | Not required. | Access panels at every shutoff, cleanout, and the sump and ejector pits — nothing buried behind drywall. |
Plumbing & Electrical
| Item | Typical code minimum | Ward Winning Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Ejector pit | Sealed and vented. | Sealed and vented, with access built into the finished space. |
| Wiring | 14-gauge allowed on 15-amp circuits. | Dedicated circuits for media and wet bar, with 12-gauge wire on bathroom circuits. |
On every project
- Dust control. Zip-wall dust barriers sealing the work area from the rest of your home.
- Floor protection. Walkways and finished floors covered from the entry to the work area.
- Daily cleanup. Work area broom-clean at the end of every day; debris removed on a schedule, not left to pile up.
- One point of contact. A dedicated project manager and a schedule, so you always know what is happening next.
Popular upgrades
- Sound insulation in the ceiling (recommended)
- Slab moisture testing before flooring is chosen
- HVAC supply and return in every room, with humidity managed to about 50%
- Radon testing and mitigation
- Cat 6 data and spare conduit for future technology
- Water-powered backup sump (no battery to maintain)
- Whole-house dehumidifier
- Smart whole-house water shutoff
- Generator inlet to keep sump pumps running
- Home theater and sound-isolated walls
Proof, not promises: your Build Record
Every key step of these standards is photographed before it is covered: waterproofing, flood tests, framing, blocking, insulation and rough-ins. At the end of your project you receive your Build Record — the photo log, test results, permits and product specifications for your new space. It is the owner's manual for your home and a real asset when you sell.
Schedule an Initial Consultation
Codes vary by municipality and are updated periodically; "typical code minimum" reflects common requirements in our area. Site conditions and product availability vary, and specific items are confirmed for each project in your construction documents.
How we build additions
An addition should feel like it was always part of your home — and outlast the original.
Additions create a new weak spot: the seam where new construction meets your existing house. Most of what goes wrong with additions starts there, or with water and air getting where they shouldn't. Ward Winning Standards are written to prevent exactly that.
Code is the minimum. Building code is the lowest bar a project can clear and still pass inspection. Ward Winning Standards are our written commitment for every addition project — what code requires, side by side with what we do.
The seam that matters most
Where your addition meets your existing house is where most additions leak. We open the existing wall, weave the new and old weather barriers together and flash it as one system — then photograph it before it is covered.
Engineering & Foundation
| Item | Typical code minimum | Ward Winning Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Structural design | Prescriptive tables; engineer often not required. | Licensed engineer designs and stamps every foundation, beam and connection. |
| Floor stiffness | Floors may deflect to L/360. | Designed to L/480, a stricter standard than code for less bounce, less vibration and floors that protect tile and stone. |
| Concrete | Typically 2,500–3,000 psi. | 4,000 psi minimum. |
| Under-slab vapor barrier | 6-mil poly, lapped. | 10–15 mil barrier, lapped and taped at every seam and penetration. |
Framing & Water Control
| Item | Typical code minimum | Ward Winning Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Subfloor | Standard OSB per span tables. | AdvanTech (or equal), glued and fastened — no squeaks. |
| House-to-addition tie-in | Not specifically addressed. | Existing siding opened back; new and old weather barriers lapped, taped and flashed as one continuous system. |
| Weather barrier | One layer of house wrap. | Taped structural sheathing (ZIP or equal) — a continuous water and air barrier. |
| Windows & doors | Flashed to shed water. | Sloped sill pans, back-dammed and hose-tested before siding goes on. |
| Roof | Ice barrier at eaves. | Ice & water membrane at eaves, valleys and low slopes; kickout flashing at every roof-to-wall corner; hurricane ties on every rafter. |
Comfort & Systems
| Item | Typical code minimum | Ward Winning Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Insulation | Code minimum for Climate Zone 5. | Insulation options reviewed with you during design, with the pros, cons and cost of each for your addition. |
| Heating & cooling | Equipment per manufacturer. | Room-by-room load calculation so the new space matches the rest of your home. |
| Ductwork | Sealed; some leakage allowed. | Rigid, mastic-sealed ducts kept inside conditioned space. |
| Electrical | 14-gauge allowed on 15-amp circuits. | 12-gauge wire on kitchen and bathroom circuits, plus spare conduit to attic and basement for future needs. |
On every project
- Dust control. Zip-wall dust barriers sealing the work area from the rest of your home.
- Floor protection. Walkways and finished floors covered from the entry to the work area.
- Daily cleanup. Work area broom-clean at the end of every day; debris removed on a schedule, not left to pile up.
- One point of contact. A dedicated project manager and a schedule, so you always know what is happening next.
Popular upgrades
- Sound insulation in the ceiling (recommended; case by case on one-story additions)
- Waterproofing membrane, drainage board and drain tile on foundation walls
- Sealed, insulated and conditioned crawl space
- Insulation above code minimum
- Whole-home blower door test and air sealing
- Energy recovery ventilator for continuous fresh air
- Continuous exterior insulation
- Generator- or battery-ready electrical
- Smart whole-house water shutoff
Proof, not promises: your Build Record
Every key step of these standards is photographed before it is covered: waterproofing, flood tests, framing, blocking, insulation and rough-ins. At the end of your project you receive your Build Record — the photo log, test results, permits and product specifications for your new space. It is the owner's manual for your home and a real asset when you sell.
Schedule an Initial Consultation
Codes vary by municipality and are updated periodically; "typical code minimum" reflects common requirements in our area. Site conditions and product availability vary, and specific items are confirmed for each project in your construction documents.