Buying a new Home, what should I know?
There is nothing more exciting then buying a new home other than starting a family. The question is what should you know and look for in buying a new home.
You undoubtedly have seen the horror stories on television with programs like Holmes Inspection, etc. Buying a new home does not necessarily guarantee quality in workmanship and products. Too often we are caught up in the aesthetics of the build, trying to decide which colour will create the best impact and what interior finish will make the house pop in the neighbourhood.
Many of the key decisions have nothing to do with colour and interior finishing. In order to build a quality house you have to spend money on the things you can’t see. Thousands of dollars will be spent on construction material that you will never see but are fundamental to a quality, energy-efficient and problem free home. If the wrong decisions are made during construction you can’t go back and change them without ripping out walls and ceilings.
So how do you know what to look for? New homes must be constructed in accordance with local building codes. These codes will vary between jurisdictions. BC will be different than Saskatchewan; Manitoba is different from Saskatchewan, etc. But all have minimum building standards. So if there are minimum building standards what’s the big deal? The key word is “minimum”. These standards ensure that the house will stand up and have some insulation etc. but do nothing to really ensure that a quality home will be built. Often for a few thousand dollars more you can have an energy-efficient well built home that will provide greater peace of mind, fewer problems, lower energy costs and greater potential re-sale value.
Builders will typically provide a list of specifications. To mortal man it may be a huge fog to the point where one does not feel comfortable asking questions for the fear of looking a bit ill informed. It is in your best interest to compare specifications and know what to look for. To help new home buyers Campbell Custom Homes in Saskatoon is providing buyers with a comparison sheet. For a comparable house price they are providing a higher standard of build materials that is definitely higher than the minimum requirements. Their minimum standard is a custom series home with some other builders. Campbell Homes may be striking a new standard for home building.
So what are some of the major elements to look for?
- Spray foam in the bonus room floor- spray foam provides more insulation per inch, seals the house, eliminates air flow, reduces energy costs and builds a stronger wall.
- Pinkwood joists- these elements not only prevent mould and mildew but also have a fire-retardant to reduce the impact of fire.
- Superseal dimplex water protection on exterior basement walls - this dimple shield provides drainage around the exterior basement walls of the house directing water to the weeping tile and prevents water from entering the basement.
- Shingles - Shingles normally last about 20-25 years. Shingles are available that provide a 30, 40, 50 or life-time warranty.
- Moisture resistant aqua-board in the full bathroom-prevents the formation of mould and mildew.
- Stucco - There is stucco and then there is acrylic stucco. Acrylic stucco has a permanent colour and has a product in it to provide for some flexibility as the house responds to changing in exterior temperatures. This means lower maintenance and fewer cracks in stucco finish.
On the interior there are things you can easily check. Taps and toilets; are they brand name like Kohler, American Standard and Toto or is there no name on the fixtures. If there is no name then it may be a cheaper product. Is the furnace 96% variable speed energy efficient? Are the hot and cold air supply ducts sealed to prevent airflow loss? Are the appliance energy star rated? All these elements help build a quality more worry-free home.
All too often we focus on colour and the finishing materials. The bones of the house will determine whether or it is not built to last and is energy efficient. Time spent on comparing specifications may save you money, fewer headaches, greater long term satisfaction and peace of mind.
