A new home is one of the biggest investments we will ever make. This is why it’s so important to perform quality checks throughout the build to avoid costly repairs in the future. Here are a few simple frame checks to help avoid structural problems.
House Plan Check
You know that house plan you purchased for creating your dream home? Be sure to walk through with the plan in your hand checking to make sure all beams, columns, walls and headers were built per the plan. As a builder I can tell you just because the information is on the print doesn’t mean it gets built that way. Here are some things I have found in actual houses under construction that could have caused major problems down the road.
Manufacturer Layout Checks
Most of the manufactured building components for new homes come with a layout and/or installation instructions. Be sure to cross reference this information with what was actually done in the home. This should be checked just after installation to avoid having to remove plumbing, electrical or ductwork later if things need to move. Common building products that come with manufacturer layouts include roof and floor trusses and floor joists.
But shouldn’t the building inspector find any problems for me? When you start thinking about how many homes an inspector must review in a day, it helps to understand why you can’t rely just on their review. It’s important for multiple eyes to review quality on a new home at each stage. From the onsite superintendent (which could be you as an owner builder) to the trade contractor foreman, everyone must work to build a quality into the structure. And by knowing what to look for, you will be able to ensure nothing gets missed.
Our "go to guy" and company expert, Brandon is the visionary and dreamer of all we do here at America's Best House Plans. He manages quality assurance, audits existing processes for maximum effectiveness, and develops strategies to increase productivity and efficiency. With over 15 years experience in the home design industry, Brandon has a hand in every aspect of the day-to-day operations of our company, in addition to ensuring an unparalleled level of service to our customers.
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