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Things to ask home builder before signing a contract?

Posted on 1/10/17 at 9:46 pm
Posted by nolanola
Member since Nov 2010
7580 posts
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

Posted by poochie
Houma, la
Member since Apr 2007
6185 posts
Posted on 1/10/17 at 9:47 pm to
What if those theee are "correct"?
Posted by TrebleHook
Member since Jun 2016
1356 posts
Posted on 1/10/17 at 9:47 pm to
People still do copper?
Posted by papasmurf1269
Hells Pass
Member since Apr 2005
20884 posts
Posted on 1/10/17 at 9:48 pm to
You can ask for copper and hard duct. Depends on how much you want to spend
Posted by nolanola
Member since Nov 2010
7580 posts
Posted on 1/10/17 at 9:49 pm to
quote:

People still do copper?



Yep.
Posted by papasmurf1269
Hells Pass
Member since Apr 2005
20884 posts
Posted on 1/10/17 at 9:50 pm to
quote:

quote:
People still do copper?

Usually on higher end homes
Posted by TrebleHook
Member since Jun 2016
1356 posts
Posted on 1/10/17 at 9:58 pm to
Makes the water taste better?
Posted by Gr8t8s
Member since Oct 2009
2579 posts
Posted on 1/10/17 at 10:05 pm to
If the builder is a woman, asking if she does anal is completely expected and accepted.
Posted by Bushmaster
19th Hole
Member since Oct 2008
39616 posts
Posted on 1/10/17 at 10:06 pm to
Ask him if he's married to a black. Schedule will be frickrd
Posted by TigerCliff
Jackson
Member since Jan 2008
268 posts
Posted on 1/10/17 at 10:14 pm to
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.
Posted by TT
Member since Nov 2007
981 posts
Posted on 1/10/17 at 10:33 pm to
I would start with "How much will it cost?"
Posted by AndyCBR
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Nov 2012
7541 posts
Posted on 1/10/17 at 11:33 pm to
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 by llfshoals
Member since Nov 2010
15356 posts
Posted on 1/10/17 at 11:57 pm to
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





Posted by Napoleon
Kenna
Member since Dec 2007
69050 posts
Posted on 1/11/17 at 12:06 am to
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.
Posted by Ed Osteen
Member since Oct 2007
57447 posts
Posted on 1/11/17 at 12:07 am to
Def ask if he blows dudes
Posted by Chattatiger
Chattanooga, TN
Member since Nov 2009
236 posts
Posted on 1/11/17 at 12:47 am to
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 by Bullfrog
Institutionalized but Unevaluated
Member since Jul 2010
56170 posts
Posted on 1/11/17 at 1:16 am to
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.
This post was edited on 1/11/17 at 1:17 am
Posted by tigerinthebueche
Member since Oct 2010
36791 posts
Posted on 1/11/17 at 5:49 am to
quote:

lifshoals



quote:

bullfrog



Posted by Capital Cajun
Over Yonder
Member since Aug 2007
5525 posts
Posted on 1/11/17 at 5:51 am to
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 by rjo_lsu
Lafayette, La
Member since Jul 2005
396 posts
Posted on 1/11/17 at 5:59 am to
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?
This post was edited on 1/11/17 at 7:00 am
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