Building a house of wood....

[nytoca]

Are there any buyers out there who have been watching their homes being built?  We are appalled at how flimsy and rickety construction seems to be (not that we are in any way professionals in the construction business).  Wood seems to be slapped together, there is waterproof paper put on roofs, the pipes are a thin, plastic-y material..... not very comforting when you are paying close to a million dollars!

Just wondering if we, first time home buyers, are just being paranoid?  Any thoughts? 

 

[sonoma]

You are not being paranoid, just not paying attention since these homes have been in the process of being built since January.  Which homes are you referring to?  You can talk to the superintendent in charge and ask them questions. 

 

[test]

Like I've been saying, construction now is the cheapest of the cheap thanks to the housing bust.  Detached garages, give me a break!

 

[test]

The best homes to buy are those built in 2005 - 2007.

 

[Irvine2Irvine]

The best homes to buy are those built in 2005 - 2007.

I am not sure how much changed between 2005 and 2010.  My guess is not much as to the construction method.  Most tract homes in Southern California have been built with wood frame for ages.

2005-2007 was at the peak of the boom and they were hiring just about anybody in constuction because they ran out of skilled workers.  I think the workmanship on some of these homes may not be the best, but it's more of a crap shoot.  Also, during this period, they were running short on building material, and thus the introduction of the infamous "Chinese drywall".

As for the plastic pipes, they are going with the cheaper alternative.  I think I would prefer copper since it's been around forever.  We will have to wait and see how PEX plastic pipes hold up over time, but they have been using them in Europe for 30+ years.
http://www.ehow.com/about_6523215_pex-vs_-copper.html

 

[nytransplant]

When I got a preview of carmel, they kepts talking up the plastic pipes - like its the newest and best thing out there.

As for the construction in general, I agree that they are gettig cheap.  I walked thru my house with an independent contractor (going to upgrade floors after close).  He noted that some of the construction material looked cheap - particularly in the bathroom.

Its not about building communities its about making a profit - otherwise they would build real SFR.

 

[Irvine2Irvine]

When I got a preview of carmel, they kepts talking up the plastic pipes - like its the newest and best thing out there.

As for the construction in general, I agree that they are gettig cheap.  I walked thru my house with an independent contractor (going to upgrade floors after close).  He noted that some of the construction material looked cheap - particularly in the bathroom.

Its not about building communities its about making a profit - otherwise they would build real SFR.

Did the contractor give specific details as to what items are cheap material?

 

[nytoca]

Has anyone been allowed to walk through their unfinished home with an independent inspector?  We were told that's not possible until the final walk through.  Which seems too late in the process to me. 
I've seen cracked wood, two pieces of wood nailed together to make one block, nails that are not hammered through....its crazy, but I almost feel "bad" to bring this up with the people in the sales office since I feel like I am looking too hard and getting into their business.  If I ordered a meal in a restaurant that I did not like, I would send it back.  But for a house thats costs over  half a million dollars, I'm not saying anything ?!

 

[Irvine2Irvine]

Has anyone been allowed to walk through their unfinished home with an independent inspector?  We were told that's not possible until the final walk through.  Which seems too late in the process to me. 
I've seen cracked wood, two pieces of wood nailed together to make one block, nails that are not hammered through....its crazy, but I almost feel "bad" to bring this up with the people in the sales office since I feel like I am looking too hard and getting into their business.  If I ordered a meal in a restaurant that I did not like, I would send it back.  But for a house thats costs over  half a million dollars, I'm not saying anything ?!

If you see something that does not meet your expectation, than by all means you should tell the sales office and the superintendant.  It is your house after all and you will be living there.
A lot of times, it's a workmanship issue.  For my house, I saw things like upside down electric outlet and surround sound prewire opening that has been plastered over.  I think the workers sometimes just don't care and it's up to the superintendant or YOU to point out things that are not quite right.

As for the inspector, you should wait until the electricity and gas has been turned on before you do a final inspection.

 

[test]

  We were told that's not possible until the final walk through.

That's impossible because certain things can only be inspected at certain points during construction.  The city needs to inspect and approve all these things.

Foundation
Re-bar
BB/Grout
Roof Sheathing
Shear
Frame
Insulation
T-Bar
Drywall
Lath
Scratch
Final Inspection

 

[nytransplant]

When I got a preview of carmel, they kepts talking up the plastic pipes - like its the newest and best thing out there.

As for the construction in general, I agree that they are gettig cheap.  I walked thru my house with an independent contractor (going to upgrade floors after close).  He noted that some of the construction material looked cheap - particularly in the bathroom.

Its not about building communities its about making a profit - otherwise they would build real SFR.

Did the contractor give specific details as to what items are cheap material?

He thought the chicken-wire for the shower was very cheap.  he stated its usually only used for the outside of the home, but it is probably still up to code.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

Like I've been saying, construction now is the cheapest of the cheap thanks to the housing bust.  Detached garages, give me a break!

Actually... I would think a detached garage would cost more to build than an attached one.

 

[shokunin]

We are appalled at how flimsy and rickety construction seems to be

Ironically, that's sort-of the goal in earthquako prone-CA have a flexible skeleton for a home.  Another reason why you don't see brick and other mortar based construction in california.  Horizontal movement in an earthquake would destroy a (non-reinforced) brick and mortar home.  There were a lot of piles of bricks  in the streets after the 94 Northridge quake from collapsed fireplaces.

 

[Irvine2Irvine]

We are appalled at how flimsy and rickety construction seems to be

Ironically, that's sort-of the goal in earthquako prone-CA have a flexible skeleton for a home.  Another reason why you don't see brick and other mortar based construction in california.  Horizontal movement in an earthquake would destroy a (non-reinforced) brick and mortar home.  There were a lot of piles of bricks  in the streets after the 94 Northridge quake from collapsed fireplaces.

That's correct.  A brick house in So Cal would be a terrible place to be in an earthquake.  The safest building to  be in is a wood framed single story house.  I am not sure if the building code will allow you to build a new brick house even with reinforcements.