1. Are You Licensed?
Only deal with a home builder that is licensed to perform the type of work you are requesting. By working with a licensed builder, you can take comfort in knowing that the builder has fulfilled certain criteria that is important to the job.
2. Have you ever filed for bankruptcy?
When a home builder files bankruptcy, its customers are left hanging without a home. If the company has filed bankruptcy in the past, it may do it again. It is best to stay clear of companies that have filed bankruptcy.
3. Do you use a capillary break in the construction of new homes?
It is important to require your builder to use a capillary break in the construction of your new home. A capillary break can be in the form of a granular fill, waterproof coating, rigid insulation, a drainage mat or plastic sheeting. It is used under the foundation slab to prevent water from moving up from the soil into the walls and floors.
In homes built without a capillary break water can move from the footings into walls by capillary suction (similar to a sponge), and is transported through the wall by air convection in the block cores. Moisture can diffuse from the walls into the home, becoming the source of moisture-related problems like mold and wood-rot.
4. How will you water proof my foundation to keep water out of the house?
The primary purpose of the foundation is to provide support and structural integrity to the house. Once that is accomplished, your builder must ensure that the foundation will also keep water out. Damp proofing of basements is not totally reliable for preventing bulk water from entering your foundation wall assembly. As discussed in question one, capillary breaks are one way to keep the moisture out of your home. Specific construction techniques and materials can eliminate moisture from entering the foundation.
Each year billions of dollars are spent on moisture-related problems. The typical cost to a homeowner can run thousands of dollars and it may be difficult to effectively remedy a moisture problem after it is discovered. In addition to cost savings, investing in proper waterproofing techniques during the construction process provides a healthier indoor environment.
5. What factors will you consider when selecting, locating and installing windows in my home?
When selecting windows for your new home, you should choose windows with low potential for condensation. To meet the Health House® guidelines, windows must have a U value less than or equal to 0.40 and a solar heat gain factor (SHGF) less than or equal to 0.45, or must be Energy Star® or NFRC labeled. Single pane windows may be used in climates where outdoor temperatures do not go below 45°F for more than two days a year.
The location of windows in your new home is also important. Daylighting is a technique that uses natural light from the sun and the sky and incorporates it into the home via the windows. Using daylight is free and efficient, which translates to lower energy consumption and utility savings.
When using daylighting, be mindful of the seasons. In the summer, the sun’s rays are more intense. To avoid over-heating, window coverings or overhangs should be used to shield from the solar gain. In the winter, the sun moves on a different seasonal path creating less warmth. In cold climates you may want to consider locating more windows on the south side of the home to take advantage of the natural solar affect, and locating fewer on the north facing windows.
Windows must be installed correctly to protect moisture-sensitive materials from rainwater intrusion. To meet the Health House® guidelines, head flashing must be installed over the tops of the windows. Shingled drainage paper must be wrapped into the rough openings on the sides and bottom of the window. Pan flashing, which allows water that penetrates the window, or the window installation, to drain outside of the wall assembly and away from the house, must also be used at the bottom of the windows.
6. Should my front porch be wood or concrete?
Choosing concrete or wood as the material for your front porch can be mainly a matter of personal preference. Concrete front porches have gained in popularity over wood deck surfaces, but both types of porches have visual and practical appeal.
Here's a few highlights of each style of front porch available with today's new homes.
Concrete Front Porches
Only deal with a home builder that is licensed to perform the type of work you are requesting. By working with a licensed builder, you can take comfort in knowing that the builder has fulfilled certain criteria that is important to the job.
2. Have you ever filed for bankruptcy?
When a home builder files bankruptcy, its customers are left hanging without a home. If the company has filed bankruptcy in the past, it may do it again. It is best to stay clear of companies that have filed bankruptcy.
3. Do you use a capillary break in the construction of new homes?
It is important to require your builder to use a capillary break in the construction of your new home. A capillary break can be in the form of a granular fill, waterproof coating, rigid insulation, a drainage mat or plastic sheeting. It is used under the foundation slab to prevent water from moving up from the soil into the walls and floors.
In homes built without a capillary break water can move from the footings into walls by capillary suction (similar to a sponge), and is transported through the wall by air convection in the block cores. Moisture can diffuse from the walls into the home, becoming the source of moisture-related problems like mold and wood-rot.
4. How will you water proof my foundation to keep water out of the house?
The primary purpose of the foundation is to provide support and structural integrity to the house. Once that is accomplished, your builder must ensure that the foundation will also keep water out. Damp proofing of basements is not totally reliable for preventing bulk water from entering your foundation wall assembly. As discussed in question one, capillary breaks are one way to keep the moisture out of your home. Specific construction techniques and materials can eliminate moisture from entering the foundation.
Each year billions of dollars are spent on moisture-related problems. The typical cost to a homeowner can run thousands of dollars and it may be difficult to effectively remedy a moisture problem after it is discovered. In addition to cost savings, investing in proper waterproofing techniques during the construction process provides a healthier indoor environment.
5. What factors will you consider when selecting, locating and installing windows in my home?
When selecting windows for your new home, you should choose windows with low potential for condensation. To meet the Health House® guidelines, windows must have a U value less than or equal to 0.40 and a solar heat gain factor (SHGF) less than or equal to 0.45, or must be Energy Star® or NFRC labeled. Single pane windows may be used in climates where outdoor temperatures do not go below 45°F for more than two days a year.
The location of windows in your new home is also important. Daylighting is a technique that uses natural light from the sun and the sky and incorporates it into the home via the windows. Using daylight is free and efficient, which translates to lower energy consumption and utility savings.
When using daylighting, be mindful of the seasons. In the summer, the sun’s rays are more intense. To avoid over-heating, window coverings or overhangs should be used to shield from the solar gain. In the winter, the sun moves on a different seasonal path creating less warmth. In cold climates you may want to consider locating more windows on the south side of the home to take advantage of the natural solar affect, and locating fewer on the north facing windows.
Windows must be installed correctly to protect moisture-sensitive materials from rainwater intrusion. To meet the Health House® guidelines, head flashing must be installed over the tops of the windows. Shingled drainage paper must be wrapped into the rough openings on the sides and bottom of the window. Pan flashing, which allows water that penetrates the window, or the window installation, to drain outside of the wall assembly and away from the house, must also be used at the bottom of the windows.
6. Should my front porch be wood or concrete?
Choosing concrete or wood as the material for your front porch can be mainly a matter of personal preference. Concrete front porches have gained in popularity over wood deck surfaces, but both types of porches have visual and practical appeal.
Here's a few highlights of each style of front porch available with today's new homes.
Concrete Front Porches
- Don't need to be repainted
- Don't peel
- Don't lose water protection over time
- Are easy to clean
- Holds up better under high heels, sports shoes, and dog claws
- Can be painted or stained with a variety of colors
- Will need to be repainted or resealed over time
- Can sometimes collect debris in the cracks between boards that are necessary for water run off.
- Will require more upkeep
- Can be more costly depending on the size and height
- Can add to the exterior appeal of a home through use of color and accents