Looking for new house tips?

[de8212]

Having a house built and was curious if anyone had any good tips. A friend suggested I put Borax (sp?) in the walls before they put up the sheetrock to keep roaches/bugs away. Anyone ever heard of this?
I've already ran my speaker wire for my home theater as well as cat6 network cable to a few rooms.
I'm also planning on putting that black matting (not sure what you call it) down before they plant the bushes to keep grass from growing up though the pine straw/bark.


Anyone else have know of any good info?


tia

 

[Ornery]

I'd put more effort into the windows, plumbing and electrical fixtures than those little details. How long do you plan to live there?

 

[de8212]

Not sure what you mean by more effort in things like windows, plumbing??? We did get the whirlpool tub with the jets in it. Also we went over the lighting/fixture budget by a little over 1000.00.
We upgraded the appliances (dishwasher, stove), hardwood floor, ceramic tile in kitchen/bathrooms.
I'm getting married in Dec. so we do plan on living there at least 5 yrs, probably more.

I guess I'm just looking for tips on things to do while the house is being built. Things that would be impossible to do after sheetrock is up, etc.

THanks.
de

 

[Ornery]

If you're getting quality windows, doors, plumbing and lighting fixtures, instead of the crap a builder is likely to throw in there, that's great. Sounds like the flooring materials are upgraded too. There's no reason to go overboard, if you're moving in a few years, though. I don't think potential buyers give much thought to these things.

Wire the hell out of it for cable and communications. Make sure gaps around pipes to the exterior are sealed well. Never heard of the Borax thing.

 

[conjur]

Info on Borax to prevent cockroaches

 

[FeathersMcGraw]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Sounds like the flooring materials are upgraded too.

In particular, I'd check to see what sort of padding is being used if you're having carpet installed. A good dense pad (8 lb.) will extend the life of your carpeting and help prevent uneven wear in high-traffic areas.

 

[de8212]

We are having carpet put in all 4 bedrooms. Hardwood will be in great room, dining room, and hallways. And we did upgrade the padding for the carpet.
THanks for the help so far guys, please keep the info coming.

 

[Ulfwald]

Get a tape measure, a square and a level,

Show up at all different times of the day/week. Act like you know what you are doing. Check the floor joists to make sure they are level, measure the distance between studs on center (16 inches on center), Place the square at the base of the studs, check to make sure they are straight.

Watch them paint, make sure they prime the walls before painting.

Have a building inspector come out and check things to make sure they are not cutting corners and also make sure EVERYTHING is up to code.

 

[amdskip]

If this a 2 story house I'd run a piece of conduit from the basement to the second floor/attic for running cables through in the future.

 

[TMPadmin]

Originally posted by: Ulfwald
Get a tape measure, a square and a level,

Show up at all different times of the day/week. Act like you know what you are doing. Check the floor joists to make sure they are level, measure the distance between studs on center (16 inches on center), Place the square at the base of the studs, check to make sure they are straight.

Watch them paint, make sure they prime the walls before painting.

Have a building inspector come out and check things to make sure they are not cutting corners and also make sure EVERYTHING is up to code.

YES!!!!! I built my house a year ago in a development. I cannot tell you how many of my neighbor's walls bow or floors creak, or outrageous issues they are having simply because they were not there and didn't bitch about issues. Be there EVERYDAY! Screw the floorboard to the joists. I put in CAT5e for network and for phone, and RG6 for Cable or SAT to each room, two or three in some rooms. One in the garage too. And I still kick myself for not putting in more. Drain in the garage. Watch them pour the basement floor too, make sure it slopes to the sump pump (if you are getting a basement). I insulated the interior walls for sound "proofing". I also insulated the garage but no heat in there yet. Look to upgrade AC, Water tank and furnace to Energy star they really do make a difference. If you have the $ go for tankless water heater! Wish I did. I'll think of more soon.

 

[Ornery]

Wow, good call Ulfwald. I'd forgotten how slipshod these guys can get.

A friend had a house built near here about 20 years ago. I stopped in to take a look while they were building. When I was upstairs, I noticed the interior wall was a good bit lower than the exterior wall. I asked my friend how the hell they were going to drywall the ceiling like that? After checking it out, I found the center bearing wall didn't have peers poured in the basement, so the whole wall had sunk in the middle. When he asked the builder about it, he said that the difference was only 5/8", so it was within specification! In the end, they got it jacked up to where it was supposed to be, but I'm certain they'd have let it go if nobody had said anything.