I have read what the last few people have stated, and I agree with what has
been said. I worked in the construction field since I was 12 until I was 22
when I graduated college and got a desk job. I worked for guys who really
cared about stuff, and other who only cared about the bottom line.
I bought my first house at a bank auction and rebuilt the thing myself over
a period of 5 years. I am picky about how things are done, and made sure
things were done correctly and accurately. When the time came to buy a
bigger house a few years ago, my wife and I looked at quite a few places.
Some only a few years old, some a few hundred years old. My wife was
interested in the newer stuff, while I liked the older. Looking at the work
in some of the places, it amazed me at what stood out as cob-jobbed, sloppy,
or just not correctly done. My wife usually didn't noticed stuff, even after
I pointed it out (And even in the older houses, there were things that were
not done properly back then too).
What really got me was that when we went to sell our house, it was worth the
same price as one that was of similar size and location, regardless of what
the differences were in construction and detail. We ended up trading houses
with a couple that were looking to downsize. They wanted something smaller
and maintenance free, we needed something bigger. The new house is around
200 years old, and still doing pretty good. A few sags here and there, old
knob and tube wiring, leaky windows, etc but well built.
Dave Wakin
----- Original Message -----
From: "Redghost" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Mercedes Discussion List" <mercedes@okiebenz.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2007 1:52 PM
Subject: Re: [MBZ] OT House Build Quality
I actually only purchase pre owned homes of a certain vintage. But the
wife's side goes for new construction, so I check what garbage they are
getting for their pennies.
Look at the trim work. If it is real wood, miter cut angles, that
speaks volumes about the quality of materials used. Most times the
trim is but nailed, paper wrapped saw dust. Cheap construction also
like T1-11 siding. Excess caulk usage on nail holes/seams speaks to
the low value home. Pergo type flooring - look like wood, wears like
paper. I guess if it looks and feels cheap, you are correct.
Sturdy products speak of more care in the building. I really hate the
particle board siding or sheet products being used anywhere but for
interior remodel. Homes get popped up around here with that junk, get
rained on, and the wood just sucks the water into the sheet. A few
years later, there is de-lamination and mold.
My $0.02, YMMV
On Jan 17, 2007, at 1:35 AM, Zoltan Finks wrote:
Okay, I know there's been a lot of OT lately (which I think keeps
things
fun), but I want to draw upon the knowledge our discriminating
collective:
As new-build houses go, how can one tell if a house is built with
quality as
opposed to corner-cutting cheapness? I know that new techniques are
being
used, such as a few pieces of plywood bonded together to make a "2 x
4". Is
stuff like that okay, and what else is there to look out for?
Brian
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--
Clay
Seattle Bioburner
1972 220D - Gump
1995 E300D - Cleo
1987 300SDL - POS - DOA
The FSM would drive a Diesel Benz
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