As soon as it will stop raining I am getting started. Any advice on what to look out for?
My builder seems like a nice guy. I have talked to several people he has built for. They all liked him.

 

I built a house about 16 years ago and I wish I'd done the following.

-Tyvec house wrap.
-Brick ledge.
-Vinyl siding and aluminum trim.
-Ridge vent.
-Better job of insulating.

 

See if you can do a walk through of something he has built. He might be a really nice guy and everyone likes him but make sure he puts out the quality of work you are looking for. I did on a house our builder had just finished before signing him on to build ours. Sure made me feel alot better. Good luck and enjoy the new place when your done.

 

I am a home builder and I would suggest asking all the questions ou can so you understand what is going on. Also walk though the house once a week to make sure the options you shose are correct. How many houses at a time does this guy do? I build for a builder and have 10-20 homes under construction at a time in one job site. If this guy only does one or two at a time he will have more time to dedicate to yours.
Feel free to Email me with any questions that I may be able to help with.
Good luck
Chris

 

I agree with christaylor....make FREQUENT visits to the site, check things out...don't be afraid to ask quesions about what's happening....and if you see something you don't like, speak up. After all, your paying for the job....make sure it meets your expectations. Nowadays, most builders will use the cheapest materials they can get away with....thats why when you drive thru neighborhoods with new houses, you can see the roof sag between the rafters. 1/4 inch plywood or chipboard isn't very stout, but gets the job done. Don't let them cut corners and the only way you can check that is to look things over often and closely. good luck and enjoy your house.

 

There are so many things involved when building a new house.
The are a couple of things you might want to consider doing now before tey finish.
1. After framing is up, wire for surround sound,, outdoor speakers, Hot Tub, etc....
2. Put in plenty of outdoor lighting, I only did the corners, now wish I had put in more while it was easy.
3. Make sure they use good plumbing materials, my builder tried to put in 3/4 pipe, I made him change it to 1 inch.
4. Make sure rebar is used in any concrete work to avoid future cracking.
5. Do you need 20 amp electrical service anywhere? We had some put in a couple of rooms for sunbed and other things.
6. Check size of garage for truck, I needed taller doors.


this is just a few things to think about.

 

Are you going to have a basement in this a house ?

If no, proceed to the next thread.

If yes, Read on


Every Great buidling needs a geat a foundation.


Not sure what the weather is like there but,

Make sure the concrete is poured no wetter than 4" slump & use no less than 3000 psi.Some may say 2500 psi is enough,but don't listen to them

Make sure the placer pours a third at a time,vibrating well from one level to the next & finally to the top.
This prevents honeycomb,cracking walls,& rocks going right to the bottom of the forms.
Don't let them remove the forms to the walls for 48 at least hours.
Once the wall forms are removed, Don't backfill & allow any machinery go near the walls for at least 10 days.
Allowing a backhoe or bobcat,etc to get too close to the wall, will show up later as cracks.

Odds & Ends

1) Correct insulation in walls & attic

2) Have the basement floor heated with hot water piping.

3) Grade of Lumber used

4) Make sure you get excellent weather barriers.
for Walls,Windows, Joints ,etc

I'm done for now.

 

Before you build your house build your shop first (that is if you want one) add 20 feet to the size you decide on. I know a lot of people that did not and never got around to it. House takes a lot of money and because a lot of times you have to have a house the shop is optional ( as the sig. other will say)

 

All sound advice. One thing to make sure of is that he is following all the local building codes and laws. MAKE SURE you yourself see the inspection paperwork on all phases. Seen a few jobs get red-tagged because the builder was trying to cut small corners here and there to boost his own profit.

 

Don't forget the under-slab termite treatment.

Check out the forms before the slab is poured, make sure they're square and level, cross-squared, too. (Nothing is worse than installing the floor seals and having waves rising and falling 1/2" to 3/4" every foot or so because they used bad or warped form boards)

Porches? Make sure you have a slope - I like 3/4" (at least) in 8 feet) More maybe? Won't hurt anything.

Make sure they use K copper, not the L stuff and make sure it's wrapped to prevent damage. (some just wrap the pipe where it comes through the slab, but I would wrap it all - JMHO) Of course if you go the hi-temp flex stuff...which I know very little about. Maybe someone here has used it. ?

Just curious - Is this conventional framing or steel?

 

One of the best things I did was put in a 200amp service. I Wish I would have had gas ruffed in for the BBQ.

 

I built my own house about 4 years ago. So far i have added an addition 14X16, a new shed. Formost is to have great roof ventilation using foam baffels and perferated soffit and ridge vent. a great foundation is a givin. and yes a 200 amp service. I have my house right next to my pond and have been a happy camper but the work never ends!!!

 

Overbuild it. That is to say, don't build it only to minimum code. Exceed the code minimum and you'll have a house that will truly be worth living in.

That, and what everyone said above me.

Good luck!

 

1. Natural Gas for heat, stove, hot water heater & clothes dryer if it's available. You'll really appreciate a gas stove the first time the power goes out for an extended period of time.
2. Upgraded name brand plumbing fixtures. Stay away from the low end fixtures- you'll have a hard time finding replacement parts for them.
3. Tilt in windows for easy cleaning.
4. 2x6 wall studs- you can put higher R value insulation in the walls
5. Copper pipes
6. Electrical outlet in the hallway. It's a small thing, but it's great not having to unplug the vacuum cleaner to clean every bedroom.
7. Personal preference here- no tile floor in the kitchen- They're beautiful, but very slippery when wet or they get the smallest amount of grease on them!

Good luck, and I hope you enjoy your new house for many years to come

 

A few thoughts:

1) Insulation in bathroom walls if needed/desired to reduce sound.

2) Ample 120V sockets in the garage.

3) If you don't have a shop and if your truck is a "beast" (full size, 4 door), have a garage long enough to park it in. Consider too if you want a workbench at the front of the garage.

4) Radiant heating on the kitched and bathroom floors is nice in the winter. It's easy to do it yourself too.

5) Install A/C lineset and wiring in advance if the area around them is to be sheetrocked.

6) If the distance between your hot water tank and the fixture farthest from it are long, consider installing a recirculating pump. If you don't want the pump now, plumb it such that you can add it in the future.

7) If installing skylights, try to place the skylight near the top of the roof. This will reduce the likelyhood of leaks.

8) Make sure that the breaker panel will have some unused slots for your potential future use.

9) Plumbing for icemaker/water in refrigerator.

10) If using composition roofing, architectural does not cost much more than three tab.

11) 4" plumbing for toilets and main sewage line. Ample cleanout provisions for all drainlines. Ask in advance to make sure they don't use 3".

12) Decent subfloor material under vinal flooring; not that sawdust and glue stuff.

13) Electrical provision for garage door opener. Electrical provision for any woodstove/pellet stove/gas fireplace blowers.

14) Prewire for security system if desired/needed.

That's it for now.