buying a house

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mmmnaked said:
What kind of problem would require removal of floors? I can only imagine something structural, and you should be able to isolate that (low spots, creaking/movement, etc) before you go and spend a few grand on new floors. Can you opt for the builder not to install flooring at all?
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I know when my brother bought his house they had to come back to about half of them and put more NAILS in the floor to stop the squeaking. I asked him why didn't they use screws and he said he offered to buy the screws himself but they wouldn't do it, nor would they allow him to do it himself.

They charged him 800$ to install a 300$ Moen facuet.
 
imnothng said:
I know when my brother bought his house they had to come back to about half of them and put more NAILS in the floor to stop the squeaking. I asked him why didn't they use screws and he said he offered to buy the screws himself but they wouldn't do it, nor would they allow him to do it himself.

They charged him 800$ to install a 300$ Moen facuet.
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Tribute will use screws on my floors, they do for everyone on my division
 
01cbr said:
It is.

But the reasons people think they need 200 amps make me laugh thats all.
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I'll be honest, I did it because people recommended me too. I didn't have any other reason, since I have no clue, it made sense though

Another question:

has anyone had their homes build during the winter? And did you have any problems with the foundation? Or any other issues?
 
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ZX600 said:
I'll be honest, I did it because people recommended me too. I didn't have any other reason, since I have no clue, it made sense though

Another question:

has anyone had their homes build during the winter? And did you have any problems with the foundation? Or any other issues?
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It was a good decision if there is even a possibility you will have a a basement apartment at some time or even a hot tub. If your going to have any serious tool like welders in your garage....or all of the above.
 
braveheart said:
have you banged the G/f on that land yet ?
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Not yet, waiting for them to dig the hole, grave sex is where is at :-)
01cbr said:
It was a good decision if there is even a possibility you will have a a basement apartment at some time or even a hot tub. If your going to have any serious tool like welders in your garage....or all of the above.
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No basement, yes hot tub and yes welder...eventually, first have to payoff the hardwood floor ;-)
 
ZX600 said:
Another question:

has anyone had their homes build during the winter? And did you have any problems with the foundation? Or any other issues?
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Yes, again my brothers house. They had to come back and dig a trench around his house to the fix the foundation they pored during winter. Luckily while we were finishing the basement we noticed some water marks on the inside, because he only had a few months left of the so called warranty. Plus there was cosmetic damage on the front porch that they refused to fix because the concrete was structurally ok. Oh, and it was about ten house on his street that they had to come back and fix.
 
Saw a house built in winter in Stouffville drop about a foot in the spring. Ended up getting knocked down and rebuilt from scratch.
 
imnothng said:
Yes, again my brothers house. They had to come back and dig a trench around his house to the fix the foundation they pored during winter. Luckily while we were finishing the basement we noticed some water marks on the inside, because he only had a few months left of the so called warranty. Plus there was cosmetic damage on the front porch that they refused to fix because the concrete was structurally ok. Oh, and it was about ten house on his street that they had to come back and fix.
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DownUnder said:
Saw a house built in winter in Stouffville drop about a foot in the spring. Ended up getting knocked down and rebuilt from scratch.
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Fantastic.

Is there some kind of specific inspection it can be performed to discover that kind of issue?
 
ZX600 said:
Fantastic.

Is there some kind of specific inspection it can be performed to discover that kind of issue?
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Lol. Inspect if it's winter. If it is winter, don't pour.

Seriously though, I have no idea, but I would NOT buy a house that I knew the foundation was poured in the winter. I would imagine this winter wouldn't be TOO bad, but if it was colder I would be very concerned.
 
imnothng said:
Lol. Inspect if it's winter. If it is winter, don't pour.

Seriously though, I have no idea, but I would NOT buy a house that I knew the foundation was poured in the winter. I would imagine this winter wouldn't be TOO bad, but if it was colder I would be very concerned.
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Lol
I asked what kind of precautions are taken because of winter foundation pouring, this is the answer I got

Q)Could you please find out what kind of precautions are taken in regards to pouring the concrete during the winter? I am concerned with the foundation cracking in a few years due to water inside the concrete freezing during the pour....
A)To date , thru precautions noted below , ( as std industry methods) and Taking into concideration that there are Thousands of house foundations poured thru the winter months , We have not had any issues with the integrety of the foundation .

Q)Do they use a specific mix?...
A) 2% Calcium in the mix std for this time of year

Q)Do they preheat the cement?...
A)No , The cement trucks have a heated drum while transporting the concrete .

Q) do they use insulation boxes to try and conserve the heat?...
A) No , Straw is used for insulation purposes .
 
ZX600 said:
Lol
I asked what kind of precautions are taken because of winter foundation pouring, this is the answer I got

Q)Could you please find out what kind of precautions are taken in regards to pouring the concrete during the winter? I am concerned with the foundation cracking in a few years due to water inside the concrete freezing during the pour....
A)To date , thru precautions noted below , ( as std industry methods) and Taking into concideration that there are Thousands of house foundations poured thru the winter months , We have not had any issues with the integrety of the foundation .

Q)Do they use a specific mix?...
A) 2% Calcium in the mix std for this time of year

Q)Do they preheat the cement?...
A)No , The cement trucks have a heated drum while transporting the concrete .

Q) do they use insulation boxes to try and conserve the heat?...
A) No , Straw is used for insulation purposes .
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Its customers like this ^^^^ that drive home builders bonkers.

If you do your due diligence, and choose a builder that knows how to build at any time of the year, and take the proper steps, you shouldn't have any issues.

In the unlikely event that you do have problems, and you've done your due diligence, then you would choose a builder that stands behind his work in AFTER SALES as well.


.
 
Our last new house was built the entire time in the winter. Even the foundation was poured in the middle of January.

Zero issues.

But than again, the builder strictly states not to ;
1. Paint any walls/ceilings etc for 1 year.
2. Do not finish the basement for 2 years
3. Run a dehumidifer in the basement continously for 2 years. ( part of the new home warranty package now)
4. Do not paint or put anything down on the garage floor for at least 6 months.
 
01cbr said:
It is.

But the reasons people think they need 200 amps make me laugh thats all.
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I only have a 1800 sq ft house and had 200 amp service installed. I'm powering a mid level home theatre system with an old power sucking ps3. I'm also powering three barns (with arc welders, compressors, large yard lights, etc..) and a well. I still think 200 amp is overkill for what I use.
 
SunnY S said:
Its customers like this ^^^^ that drive home builders bonkers.

If you do your due diligence, and choose a builder that knows how to build at any time of the year, and take the proper steps, you shouldn't have any issues.

In the unlikely event that you do have problems, and you've done your due diligence, then you would choose a builder that stands behind his work in AFTER SALES as well.


.
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I think you are making a pretty big assumption

- We purchased the house and asked minimal questions because we knew what we wanted
- We went through the process of picking all the upgrades and picking everything, including the little knobs for the doors in 2 visits, we did our work and came prepared and ready, the appointment was 3 hrs and we were out of there in 1.5. (I can just imagine the indecisive couples arguing about everything during the appointment)
- During the entire process we never emailed to ask a single question except for the one above

I did do due diligence about the builder, if you read this thread you would see.

I couldn't find any info on the question I had, so I emailed them once! After all the lady said to email her any time with any questions

Anyways, in the good news front... We now have a Hole!!!! Foundation is next.
 
Who cares if it drives the builder bonkers, thats their job to explain it. I'll ask whatever comes to mind and I wouldn't care if they thought it was stupid.
If I knew everything about it myself then I barely need the guy. I can just be the general contractor myself.
 
OpenGambit said:
Who cares if it drives the builder bonkers, thats their job to explain it. I'll ask whatever comes to mind and I wouldn't care if they thought it was stupid.If I knew everything about it myself then I barely need the guy. I can just be the general contractor myself.
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The funny thing is that I can just imagine what these guys go through, people can be a pain in the ***, I have come across people that's all about themselves and what they want and they don't care about anyone else, they are relentless on their expectations.My fiance and I are as far as possible from that, so been accused of behaving like that by someone that doesn't know us is just irritating....and yes I agree, I spent top dollar so it's their job to answer my questions, however I will make sure I research before I ask and I don't think that asking about my concerns with winter cement pouring is not a reasonable question
 
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They pour concrete in the Arctic and not in the summer up there, your just fine. Bridges and condos get built all year round. The key is they should give the foundation some cure time before they start framing on it.
Concrete keeps getting stronger every year for about 100 yrs. The first two weeks its a bit green.

A house built in the winter wouldn't bother me.
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