Hills Architectural Properties

Archive for the ‘Building’ Category

In December 2009, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a Consumer Alert warning homeowners and builders of potential health problems associated with drywall imported from China. The FTC had received complaints of everything from itchy eyes and a rotten egg smell to early or accelerated corrosion of metal components in homes containing imported drywall. A study of the drywall was conducted, and the results supported complaints received by the FTC. In response, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released recommendations for dealing with the drywall. Earlier this year, however, the CPSC released updated recommendations that could save homeowners and property managers some money.

Previously, the CPSC recommended that not only the imported drywall be removed, but also electrical components that had been in contact with the drywall. The concern was that, because the components had been in contact with the drywall, which contained chemicals that accelerated corrosion, the components were at risk of continued deterioration that could lead to safety hazards like electrical sparks and fires. Potentially affected components included electrical circuit breakers, switches and distribution components, gas and possibly water pipes, sprinkler heads, electrical wiring and certain HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) components.

The updated guidelines still call for removal of the drywall, certain electrical components and “fusible-type fire sprinkler heads.” However, the CPSC is no longer concerned about the drywall’s effect on electrical wiring, HVAC components, or gas or water pipes – though it recommends having those items inspected just to be safe. The guidelines also recommend replacing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. In addition, because it is difficult to determine which panels of drywall were imported and which are safe, the CPSC is still recommending that ALL drywall be replaced in homes identified as containing problem drywall.

To date, the CPSC and HUD have determined that the imported drywall was installed in homes built from 2001 to 2009, which is a change from initial estimates. When the problems first arose, it was thought that only homes built from 2004 to 2007 had been affected. Those dates were extended as the CPSC continued to investigate and receive consumer complaints.

This drywall contains elevated levels of elemental sulfur and strontium. Though it’s the sulfur that causes corrosive issues, inspecting for elevated levels of strontium can help determine if imported drywall is present in the home. It is estimated that about 6,800 homes nationwide contain the problem drywall. About 3,900 of those homes have already been identified. Because no legal case has been brought against the companies that made the drywall, the CPSC cannot issue a recall.

General contracting the construction of your new home is without a doubt one of life’s top 5 most stressful events. It is definitely not something that you should undertake unless you are ready to give it 110%. I personally know a few couples who tried building their own home and were sent over the edge and right into divorce court because of their dream house.

The first thing I suggest you do is find another couple that has been through the process, buy them dinner and pick their brain. Secondly find a community college that has a general contracting class and attend it. The instructor will be a great source for you to find, and to put you in contact with people who are or have been through the process.

If I can give you one catch phrase to remember, something you can go back to time and time again, it would be “Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance”. Plan, plan and plan some more, and then realize that despite all the planning you do there will be things that will still come up unexpectedly.

Remember you are acting as the builder, so when unforeseen things come up, they are your responsibility to remedy. An example would be, the excavator is digging your foundation hole and hits a vein of black dirt or ground that is not structurally suitable for the foundation to sit on. He has to dig out an area 10′ square by 4 ‘deep. That means 1 more load of dirt has to hauled off the site, also a visit to the site by your engineer and 2 loads of 3″ rock to fill the hole and support the foundation. Add a contingency line to your budget.

Decide everything you can before you begin the actual construction process. Make all your material selections before you begin construction. There will be enough decisions to make once construction begins. Be aware the time of year you plan on actually building, and research what are normal weather patterns for that time of year in your region. You don’t want to be digging a foundation in the rainy season if you can avoid it, or having the framing members repeatedly soaked.

Dealing with subcontractors can be very stressful. Something to remember is that your subcontractor gets repeat business from other builders, but not from you. That means if a regular builder really needs the plumber, that’s where he will be, and your job will sit. If this happens, refuse the natural tendency to just call your HVAC subcontractor to work in front of the plumber, because when the plumber does get there he will undoubtedly tear some of the duct work down to run his plumbing pipes and then you will have the added expense of replacing the duct work and have an upset HVAC contractor.

Local inspectors can be another challenge. Although your plans have been approved and you built exactly to the specifications, read the fine print. The local building department has the authority to make you change, or add something they missed during the plan review. On occasion I have had to change something because a particular inspector just wants it done his way.

Fire stopping can be an ambiguous area. Put a solid effort into following the fire stopping guidelines and make sure the framing carpenter knows and follows the guidelines as well and you should have minimal problems with fire stopping. Another area inspectors hate are changes to the actual building structure that were not on the plans. This is where the planning, planning and more planning comes into play once again. More than likely if you change a structural member the inspector will want an engineer or architect’s letter stating the change is structurally sound before you can proceed.

If you are dedicated and you take the time to educate yourself and to plan, plan and plan you will make out alright. One more thing you will need is a whole lot of patience and understanding especially if you are a married couple building your dream home.

Do you need help with kit home construction to help you make the best decisions. Building or buying a home is a big decision and the more information we can give our clients, the more they know about choosing a home that will best suit their lifestyle and personality. When our customers are happy, we’ve done our job well! So to help owner builder customers everywhere, here is a list of the top 5 questions we are asked on a regular basis. We want to help you make the best decisions about your home.

1. Should we buy kit homes or traditionally built homes?

Buying and building as an owner builder, gives you more flexibility in your involvement, allowing you to take advantage of your strengths and get involved if you choose to. Other benefits include saving you money on construction, avoiding issues associated with contractors, moving into your new home faster and allowing you to keep the naturally landscaping.

2. How much money will I save?

You will need to make your own comparisons, but typically our clients save from 30 – 50% on construction costs on kits as the owner builder. The more work you are able to carry out yourself, the greater your savings will be.

3. Are the kit homes all standard?

Foe example lets consider 5 standard homes: The Denmark, The Endeavour Series, The Flinders Range, The Leda Series and The Leichardt. All these kits can be build with 2, 3, 4, or 5 bedrooms. Most builders will have a variety of kits like this that can all be modified to suit your wants and needs. It’s really up to you!

4. What are the options for stages of build? And what comes with the kit?

This depends on which stage of build you choose for your home. Consider what level of involvement you want and what materials you are comfortable sourcing and fitting yourself. Most builders will offer 3 stages of build;

Supply of lock-up home: These come with enough materials to get to lockup stage, which includes all materials needed to be able to secure the building.
Supplied and built to lock-up stage: Supply and build to lock-up stage takes care some important items so you don’t have to; obviously labour to erect to lock-up stage, a structural guarantee, Housing Indemnity Insurance and Construction and public liability insurance and typically a maintenance period.
Fully built: Fully Built will include everything needed to “live in”. For example, shelving to robes, linen cupboards and built-in pantry, vanities with moulded top and basin, shower enclosures with pivot doors, bath, tapware and towel rails, kitchen cupboards, kitchen sink, electric hot plates, oven and even toilet roll holders.

5. Can I build it myself?

Of course! Kit homes are designed for anyone to be able to build them.

Do you want help with kit construction that will help you get the best decisions. Building or purchasing a house is a large decision and also the more information we can give our clients, the greater they know about selecting a home which will best suit their lifestyle and personality. When our clients are happy, we’ve done our obligation well! To help owner builder customers everywhere, this is a listing of the top 5 questions we’re asked regularly. We want to help you make the very best decisions about your home.

1. Should we buy kit homes or traditionally built homes?

Buying and building as an owner builder, gives you more flexibility inside your involvement, letting you take advantage of your strengths and obtain involved if you opt to. Other benefits include costing you less on construction, avoiding issues associated with contractors, moving into your new home faster and allowing you to keep the naturally landscaping.

2. How much cash am i going to save?

You will need to make your own comparisons, but typically our clients save from 30 – 50% on construction costs on kits as the owner builder. The greater work you’ll be able to execute yourself, the greater your savings will be.

3. Are the kit homes all standard?

Foe example lets consider 5 standard homes: The Denmark, The Endeavour Series, The Flinders Range, The Leda Series and The Leichardt. All these kits could be build with 2, 3, 4, or 5 bedrooms. Most builders will have a variety of kits such as this that can be modified to suit your needs and wants. It’s really up to you!

4. Do you know the options for stages of build? And what comes with the kit?

This depends on which stage of build you choose for your house. Consider what degree of involvement you would like and what materials you are comfortable sourcing and fitting yourself. Most builders will offer you 3 stages of build;

1. Way to obtain lock-up home: These come with enough materials to get to lockup stage, which includes all materials must be in a position to secure your building.
2. Supplied and built to lock-up stage: Supply and make to lock-up stage takes care some important items which means you do not have to; obviously labour to erect to lock-up stage, a structural guarantee, Housing Indemnity Insurance and Construction and public liability insurance and typically a maintenance period.
3. Fully built: Fully Built will include delicately to “live in”. For instance, shelving to robes, linen cupboards and built-in pantry, vanities with moulded top and basin, shower enclosures with pivot doors, bath, tapware and towel rails, kitchen cupboards, kitchen sink, electric hot plates, oven and even toilet roll holders.

5. Can one build it myself?

Obviously! Kit homes are equipped for anyone to have the ability to build them.

For a help guide to deciding what parts of building kit-homes to do yourself and which to contract, see our table on building your personal kit-home

At Eazyhomes, we educated our customers about kit construction to help them get the best decisions. Visit Eazyhomes kit homes and we will assist you to select the right home for you.