New Construction?

[Formula]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

Wish I had talked to you before building the house. My Dad used to be a very reputable builder and I learned a lot from him.

I guess I was too picky and fired two builders. Took three builders to build one house. LOL!

No builder mentioned to me about NH law requiring a minimum of one year warrantee. Definitely have to talk to my lawyer. The builder completed last month and final payment was paid. After the last thaw and rainstorm, I noticed the roof is leaking. The builder choose not to take responsibility and claims the gable was designed wrong. He washed his hands.

Why would any "good" builder build something that he knew would fail (designed wrong)??

[BroadHopper]

Originally Posted by Formula

Why would any "good" builder build something that he knew would fail (designed wrong)??

Good one. Probably my fault. I question the use of ice and water shield as a replacement for metal flashings in the gable and hip areas. After talking to the 'expert' at BG and watching 'Holmes on Homes', it looks like it is the new technology. Apparently not. I should have use my better judgement.

[jmen24]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

Good one. Probably my fault. I question the use of ice and water shield as a replacement for metal flashings in the gable and hip areas. After talking to the 'expert' at BG and watching 'Holmes on Homes', it looks like it is the new technology. Apparently not. I should have use my better judgement.

Broadhopper, even if a valley is not an open pan valley, it should receive a layer of Ice and water shield and then a metal pan over that, before the shingles get weaved over the valley.

An open pan valley starts out the same, but the metal remains exposed and requires additional waterproofing out of the valley.

Not everyone does things the same way and some will say that is overkill, but a call back is a black mark in a customers mind.

Things like this are why some companies are more than others, anyone that has been playing by the rules for years will tell you, that you are not going to become a millionaire swinging a hammer. But it is nice to step away at the end of the day and see what you have produced.

Good luck with getting your issue resolved.

*And just to be clear to Toad or anyone else reading, I have absolutely no knowledge of the builder that the OP had questions about, they may be good or they may be bad. That is not for me to decide or speculate about. I am not a competitor, as we do not work around the big lake.*

Goodguys advice on trust should be A#1 on your list of musts when working with a contractor, without that, you are in for an Ulser.

[songkrai]

The location or town is your choice. But I would check real estate taxes and services that they bring.

A new house is great but there are some good newer used houses too.

But it you do build it's best you pick the builder. Ask around. Talk to as many people as you can. There are some great builders around and some that have a lot to be desired. Big is not necessarily better.

Everything begins on the foundation. Just make sure you have a good foundation and make provisions for a basement pump. Make sure basement is insulated and has been properly sealed. All should be water tight. Make sure you know and understand what a parimeter drain is.

You really have to do some good homework or research. Do you want a metal roof? Shingle? 15 year shingles? 20 year shingles? 30 year shingles? Architectual shingles?

The list goes on and on.

Are you planning on an alarm system? What about structured wiring? Do you even know what structured wiring is?

What about the heating system? My suggestion is to build in some redundant heating systems. Skip the propane althogether for heat. Put in oil and electric or oil and a couple of Monitor heaters. A good wood stove in basement doesn't hurt either.

Everything is in the details. You physically have to "view" every wall, every floor, and every ceiling - and make sure the builder knows what you want.

And then the price or cost. Lowering the cost may mean lower quality doors and windows - and then you are back to where you started.

I have heard some great stories about local builders doing a fantastic job. And I have heard some horror stories. One newer house down the road from me built by a big name builder here had to have all the sheetrock taken down as none of the windows were installed properly. Leaking roofs on some new homes is not uncommon as Ice and Water Shield were not used. One new home I viewed had a high tech heating system. Unfortunately no one could fix it when it broke the 2nd year and the whole heating unit had to be replaced at homeowners cost.

Good Luck!