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Message
Things to ask home builder before signing a contract?
Posted on 1/10/17 at 9:46 pm
Posted on 1/10/17 at 9:46 pm
What are things that someone may overlook when building a custom house?
Some examples I can think of:
- Copper or pex?
- SEER rating of HVAC.
- Flex Duct or Hard Duct
Some examples I can think of:
- Copper or pex?
- SEER rating of HVAC.
- Flex Duct or Hard Duct
Posted on 1/10/17 at 9:47 pm to nolanola
What if those theee are "correct"?
Posted on 1/10/17 at 9:48 pm to nolanola
You can ask for copper and hard duct. Depends on how much you want to spend
Posted on 1/10/17 at 9:49 pm to TrebleHook
quote:
People still do copper?
Yep.
Posted on 1/10/17 at 9:50 pm to nolanola
quote:Usually on higher end homes
quote:
People still do copper?
Posted on 1/10/17 at 9:58 pm to papasmurf1269
Makes the water taste better?
Posted on 1/10/17 at 10:05 pm to nolanola
If the builder is a woman, asking if she does anal is completely expected and accepted.
Posted on 1/10/17 at 10:06 pm to nolanola
Ask him if he's married to a black. Schedule will be frickrd
Posted on 1/10/17 at 10:14 pm to nolanola
What type of insulation for attic and walls. We did spray foam in attic and it's awesome. Negotiate on fence, gutters, maybe other items you want on back patio like built in grill, screened in porch. Irrigation in yard.
Ask for specifics on counter top choices, granite, quartz, etc. and the planned thickness of what you pick.
Ask for specifics on counter top choices, granite, quartz, etc. and the planned thickness of what you pick.
Posted on 1/10/17 at 10:33 pm to nolanola
I would start with "How much will it cost?"
Posted on 1/10/17 at 11:33 pm to nolanola
quote:
Copper or pex?
- SEER rating of HVAC.
- Flex Duct or Hard Duct
Things like this should already be called out in your plans.
Posted on 1/10/17 at 11:57 pm to nolanola
A lot of what you do will be allowances. It will be incumbent on you to do your research beforehand.
Extras to add IMO. (I designed my house btw).
Truss design over the garage to be open so you can use it for storage and easily walk around.
Attic lift. The utility of this cannot be overstated.
Privacy fence if you want one. A lot of builders don't do them. Personally I bought the materials myself, a lot of treated is garbage and you cull a good bit.
Outside plugs and faucets. Look at your plans and think about how you'll move hoses or cords around. Make sure you have enough of them and have that noted.
References, particularly anything they currently have under construction you want to see it. If they won't show you pass and find someone else.
How do they do their headers. I've always looked at that as a key to how good the framers are.
HWH size and/or type.
Include hard wire internet/cable everywhere.
Who does their cabinets. This will make or break your house. Research them thoroughly.
Hope that helps
Extras to add IMO. (I designed my house btw).
Truss design over the garage to be open so you can use it for storage and easily walk around.
Attic lift. The utility of this cannot be overstated.
Privacy fence if you want one. A lot of builders don't do them. Personally I bought the materials myself, a lot of treated is garbage and you cull a good bit.
Outside plugs and faucets. Look at your plans and think about how you'll move hoses or cords around. Make sure you have enough of them and have that noted.
References, particularly anything they currently have under construction you want to see it. If they won't show you pass and find someone else.
How do they do their headers. I've always looked at that as a key to how good the framers are.
HWH size and/or type.
Include hard wire internet/cable everywhere.
Who does their cabinets. This will make or break your house. Research them thoroughly.
Hope that helps
Posted on 1/11/17 at 12:06 am to nolanola
Pex doesn't burst but it's 100% more likely to be penetrated by an errant nail or screw if it's not shielded properly.
I know a guy who had to tear a whole bathroom apart to find a leak that turned out to be caused by a siding nail going through a pex line. of course they didn't think to start from the outside (who would?) Copper will only penetrate with a direct hit.
All I really got. Of the two I like Pex if in colder climates, and adding on long runs, other than that I use copper.
I know a guy who had to tear a whole bathroom apart to find a leak that turned out to be caused by a siding nail going through a pex line. of course they didn't think to start from the outside (who would?) Copper will only penetrate with a direct hit.
All I really got. Of the two I like Pex if in colder climates, and adding on long runs, other than that I use copper.
Posted on 1/11/17 at 12:47 am to nolanola
Look at some of his completed houses and under construction. Look in the attic if its not trusses. If the attic framing is full of spliced rafters and kneewalls everywhere, it may be a sign that they are using all the scraps from the rest of the house to finish the attic instead of using full length lumber
Posted on 1/11/17 at 1:16 am to nolanola
What is the draw schedule?
The construction loan bank should have their inspector approve each draw after gauging the % of completion.
Final payment due how long after the final punch list is complete?
Can you shop your your own appliances, fixtures and Ect?
How is the painting scheme decided and paint grade?
Slab construction?
Driveway thickness?
Landscaping included?
Whose name are the construction utilities in?
Is builder risk or other insurances included?
Warranty period after substantial completion signed off on?
How long will it take to get started and rough schedule to completion.
The construction loan bank should have their inspector approve each draw after gauging the % of completion.
Final payment due how long after the final punch list is complete?
Can you shop your your own appliances, fixtures and Ect?
How is the painting scheme decided and paint grade?
Slab construction?
Driveway thickness?
Landscaping included?
Whose name are the construction utilities in?
Is builder risk or other insurances included?
Warranty period after substantial completion signed off on?
How long will it take to get started and rough schedule to completion.
This post was edited on 1/11/17 at 1:17 am
Posted on 1/11/17 at 5:49 am to llfshoals
quote:
lifshoals
quote:
bullfrog
Posted on 1/11/17 at 5:51 am to nolanola
quote:
What are things that someone may overlook when building a custom house? Some examples I can think of: - Copper or pex? - SEER rating of HVAC. - Flex Duct or Hard Duct
If you are at the point of signing and you don't know the answers to those questions you are already fricked.
Posted on 1/11/17 at 5:59 am to Capital Cajun
Post tension or conventional rebar foundation? If conventional, are the plans stamped by an engineer?
Compaction testing done on any imported fill?
Was any imported fill tested by an accredited lab?
Joint spacing on driveway and flatwork?
Compaction testing done on any imported fill?
Was any imported fill tested by an accredited lab?
Joint spacing on driveway and flatwork?
This post was edited on 1/11/17 at 7:00 am
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