Building a home

**Asher** · May 2, 2011, 16:56

Spent the entire weekend showhome shopping and talking to builders.

The SO and I will be pulling the trigger on building a custom home (as in, customized and not from-scratch). In a beautiful new suburban-like neighbourhood.

The move-in date will be sometime in January. Over the next few weekends we will formally pull the trigger and formalize the layout and start looking at everything else...

Agonizing on which lot to pick right now.

Anyone here built a house before? If so, any tips?

**Hauldren Collider** · May 2, 2011, 17:00

How many bathrooms will it have?

**Boris Godunov** · May 2, 2011, 17:02

Must-haves:

Basement home theater room
Master bathroom with 2 sinks, separate jacuzzi tub and walk-in shower
Washer/dryer on bedroom floor if possible
Gas cooktop, not electric

That of course doesn't count the obvious essentials, such as walk-in closets, granite counter tops, 1/2 bath on the living level for guests, etc.

**Boris Godunov** · May 2, 2011, 17:07

Also, before choosing a builder, ask for references from clients who purchased homes he built and see if you can get a review of the quality of his work. Showhomes can be deceptive.

**PLATO** · May 2, 2011, 17:08

Welcome to the world of maintenence and upkeep. I would so rent now if I could dump the house.........

**Boris Godunov** · May 2, 2011, 17:12

Originally Posted by PLATO

Welcome to the world of maintenence and upkeep. I would so rent now if I could dump the house.........

Amen. I'm ditching my condo and going back to renting as soon as I can.

**Asher** · May 2, 2011, 17:18

Originally Posted by Hauldren Collider

How many bathrooms will it have?

3

**SpencerH** · May 2, 2011, 17:18

Dont take anything for granted even with a reputable builder. The boss may be a good guy but the guys actually pounding in the nails may be *******s. Do the research and (at least) spot check their work. Try to think ahead a few years and imagine future problems. For example: dont plant a tree near a sprinkler head or septic tank, will the location of the rain down-spouts cause a flood if you have a heavy rain or snowmelt.

**Asher** · May 2, 2011, 17:18

Originally Posted by Boris Godunov

Must-haves:

Basement home theater room
Master bathroom with 2 sinks, separate jacuzzi tub and walk-in shower
Washer/dryer on bedroom floor if possible
Gas cooktop, not electric

That of course doesn't count the obvious essentials, such as walk-in closets, granite counter tops, 1/2 bath on the living level for guests, etc.

Yep. All of these were on my list and covered. I'm getting the basement developed and wired for 7.1 speakers as part of the development also.

**Asher** · May 2, 2011, 17:19

Originally Posted by PLATO

Welcome to the world of maintenence and upkeep. I would so rent now if I could dump the house.........

Can't stand renting. Douchey landlords, living on their terms, etc. Twice in my short life the place I was renting, the owner decided to sell.

**SpencerH** · May 2, 2011, 17:19

Originally Posted by PLATO

Welcome to the world of maintenence and upkeep. I would so rent now if I could dump the house.........

Just keeping up with the amazonian plant growth is a job and a half.

**Asher** · May 2, 2011, 17:21

Originally Posted by SpencerH

Dont take anything for granted even with a reputable builder. The boss may be a good guy but the guys actually pounding in the nails may be *******s. Do the research and (at least) spot check their work. Try to think ahead a few years and imagine future problems. For example: dont plant a tree near a sprinkler head or septic tank, will the location of the rain down-spouts cause a flood if you have a heavy rain or snowmelt.

Originally Posted by Boris Godunov

Also, before choosing a builder, ask for references from clients who purchased homes he built and see if you can get a review of the quality of his work. Showhomes can be deceptive.

This is my main concern. I've tried to do as much research as possible but it's impossible. I imagine if I ask for references they'll give me people where everything was 100% perfect.

I did find a JD Powers & Associates survey on customer satisfaction for all of the major builders in the city, and there's quite a spread. That's all I've got so far.

**MrFun** · May 2, 2011, 17:39

Originally Posted by Hauldren Collider

How many bathrooms will it have?

**Asher** · May 2, 2011, 17:49

One of the homes we toured had an entirely glass shower, all 4 sides, that could fit about six people comfortably inside. And it was included somewhat randomly near the middle of the master bedroom.

The saleslady actually called it the infamous "porn shower".

**Boris Godunov** · May 2, 2011, 18:05

Ooh, kinky!

I should get you in touch with my friends Adam and Jeremy. They built a house 2 years ago that sounds exactly like what you're looking for.

**Asher** · May 2, 2011, 18:12

Some of the sales people seemed mildly annoyed that I came prepared. I'd downloaded floorplans and off-the-shelf customization options from their website, downloaded the 20-year master plan for the region from the City's website, etc. So while they kept showing me "great lots" which "backed on to greenspace", I'd note that the greenspace will become a 6-lane artery within 20 years and they would reluctantly show me other lots.

**PLATO** · May 2, 2011, 18:15

Originally Posted by Asher

Some of the sales people seemed mildly annoyed that I came prepared. I'd downloaded floorplans and off-the-shelf customization options from their website, downloaded the 20-year master plan for the region from the City's website, etc. So while they kept showing me "great lots" which "backed on to greenspace", I'd note that the greenspace will become a 6-lane artery within 20 years and they would reluctantly show me other lots.

Hahaha! Salespersons nightmare...someone who knows what they want as well as what they have to offer! Get 'em Asher!

**MRT144** · May 2, 2011, 18:21

After 2 years of wrestlign with improving the wife and my condo, I am ready to throw in the towel. Except I can't get over pay 350 a month in HODs and no mortgage.

**Docfeelgood** · May 2, 2011, 18:53

congrats

**SpencerH** · May 2, 2011, 19:07

Originally Posted by Asher

One of the homes we toured had an entirely glass shower, all 4 sides, that could fit about six people comfortably inside. And it was included somewhat randomly near the middle of the master bedroom.

The saleslady actually called it the infamous "porn shower".

Good lord!

Now I know I'm old

**Flubber** · May 2, 2011, 19:49

Congrats-- What quadrant are you in? I built a house in the SW about 9 years ago with Morrison Homes (and we were very pleased)

You have covered the main things in doing your homework and doing your best to get a reputable builder. I would also recommend

- check in at the home often ( we found where the builder super would put his deficiencies list and then would note everything down and check it afterward-- we liked that our super seemed very picky)
- watch out for upgrades-- Its easy to know about the added cost of granite or hardwood but often the spec for carpets, plumbing and light fixtures etc etc is crap and you will have to pay more-- Our sales guy was very upfront on those points from the start and we budgetted extra even before we signed -- For example the "applicance allowance " is often pathetic and you will pay way more. These all add up and what you get for the allowance is not what you might want.

Have to run now but if I think of more I will let you know-- have to go vote!!

**notyoueither** · May 2, 2011, 19:50

Originally Posted by Asher

Spent the entire weekend showhome shopping and talking to builders.

The SO and I will be pulling the trigger on building a custom home (as in, customized and not from-scratch). In a beautiful new suburban-like neighbourhood.

The move-in date will be sometime in January. Over the next few weekends we will formally pull the trigger and formalize the layout and start looking at everything else...

Agonizing on which lot to pick right now.

Anyone here built a house before? If so, any tips?

I'd hire someone from the trades to act as an inspector for you while it is being built.

There's some really suspect stuff going on in the construction industry, and the inspectors you'd think should stop it don't seem to be very effective.

**Aeson** · May 2, 2011, 19:58

I've learned a lot while building the house here. All my advice would be completely inapplicable, except you should definitely go for the sex palace.

**Berzerker** · May 2, 2011, 20:27

will the location of the rain down-spouts cause a flood if you have a heavy rain or snowmelt

I've spent a few years discovering and repairing drainage mistakes, but god knows why they put a sump pump inside instead of just using gravity to drain the sides of the house - we're on a hill damnit. They literally bring the water inside to be pumped out maybe 15 ft away from the wall they're bringing it in thru

We also got a 6 in foundation instead of 4 in, we got a bunch of clay in our soil and it apparently aint too good for foundations - traps water more I guess. The upper sections got more 6 in planks than the usual 4, not that'll matter much in an F3 or F5, but a solid roof is nice in heavy snow country. Not as nice as an A frame

but they take a pounding from wind.

gl Asher, sounds like you're doin yer homework - check into hard and soft water too, our place is 30+ years old and the hard water is having its effect

**Boris Godunov** · May 2, 2011, 20:32

Wait, you live in Canada... just get Mike Holmes to come and inspect it before you buy.

**DaShi** · May 2, 2011, 20:42

My father once designed a southern home for upstate New York and wondered why the heating bill was so high.

**Ogie Oglethorpe** · May 2, 2011, 21:53

Welcome to the wonderful world of homo wnership.

**Asher** · May 2, 2011, 21:56

Originally Posted by Flubber

Congrats-- What quadrant are you in? I built a house in the SW about 9 years ago with Morrison Homes (and we were very pleased)

NW...we're building in Sage Hill.

We were also leaning towards Morrison Homes if only because I've heard nothing but good things. And they've won Builder of the Year 10 years in a row, top of the JD Powers survey, etc.

You have covered the main things in doing your homework and doing your best to get a reputable builder. I would also recommend

- check in at the home often ( we found where the builder super would put his deficiencies list and then would note everything down and check it afterward-- we liked that our super seemed very picky)
- watch out for upgrades-- Its easy to know about the added cost of granite or hardwood but often the spec for carpets, plumbing and light fixtures etc etc is crap and you will have to pay more-- Our sales guy was very upfront on those points from the start and we budgetted extra even before we signed -- For example the "applicance allowance " is often pathetic and you will pay way more. These all add up and what you get for the allowance is not what you might want.

Have to run now but if I think of more I will let you know-- have to go vote!!

Thanks

**Asher** · May 2, 2011, 21:57

Originally Posted by notyoueither

I'd hire someone from the trades to act as an inspector for you while it is being built.

There's some really suspect stuff going on in the construction industry, and the inspectors you'd think should stop it don't seem to be very effective.

I don't know of any off-hand that could do it. My dad is retiring this month and is an engineer and lives nearby, best I could do. He's very handy though...

**Asher** · May 2, 2011, 21:59

Originally Posted by Berzerker

I've spent a few years discovering and repairing drainage mistakes, but god knows why they put a sump pump inside instead of just using gravity to drain the sides of the house - we're on a hill damnit. They literally bring the water inside to be pumped out maybe 15 ft away from the wall they're bringing it in thru

We also got a 6 in foundation instead of 4 in, we got a bunch of clay in our soil and it apparently aint too good for foundations - traps water more I guess. The upper sections got more 6 in planks than the usual 4, not that'll matter much in an F3 or F5, but a solid roof is nice in heavy snow country. Not as nice as an A frame

but they take a pounding from wind.

gl Asher, sounds like you're doin yer homework - check into hard and soft water too, our place is 30+ years old and the hard water is having its effect

Yeah, we have very hard water here. As the home is being built, I'm planning to have them install at the same time central air conditioning, a water softener, and underground sprinklers in the yard.