Need advice from any appraisers here

[Alex_angel]

During the building phases of a home, the builder will let my brother-in-law visit the site and will have walk-throughs of the foundation, framing etc… What should he be looking for during the framing walkthroughs? Should he bring a level to make sure the frames are set correctly or will he look like an idiot if he did this? Is there any red flags that he should also look for? Is it worth getting an apprasier to go then to inspect the framing? What about the other stages of development? Any help would be appreciated.

[(former)FormerSanDiegan]

An appraiser really has the wrong skill set for this (unless they also have previous expertise in other areas, which some do). You need someone familiar with construction/inspection.

[(former)FormerSanDiegan]

An appraiser really has the wrong skill set for this (unless they also have previous expertise in other areas, which some do). You need someone familiar with construction/inspection.

[NotCranky]

Is It a custom home or a developement? I am a general contractor Alex. If the job is production it will usually be plumb and level but slapped together. If it is an independent builder it might be tighter work a little extra cement in the foundation ect.Be there the day they pour the slab and make sure they pull the rebar up into the slab(lots of times the finishers just smash the rebar into the dirt). a couple of guys should be walking around with hooks pulling the rebar up.The crew should be working the cement into the footing with either vibrating equipment or serious manual prodding. Make sure they are not faking it. Check the walls for firmness around entry doors. If they are shaky the door movement will crack all the surrounding building components and the house will feel cheap.Make sure the put blocks in the walls where all built-ins go, especially kitchen cabinets. Make sure the attic is ventilated properly. Tighten the anchor bolts again right before drywall. The wood plates shrink and the bolts will be loose. If he has an option for copper pipes and sprinkler system he should put that in. I guess plastic pipes are used pretty regularly now for potable water and sprinklers. The stuff normally used for sprinklers is going to get brittle and crack in a few years time and people will be turning the sprinkler sytems off. I paid $1,500 extra for all copper in the sprinkler system. tell them to install back wired commercial grade receptacles and switches.Put in a hot water return line from the furthest fixture to the water heater and insulate it or else it will take forever to get hot water there. Forget about this if it is going to have a tankless water heater. Keep a very close eye on any water proofing work interior showers,bathroom floors over wood, and around chimneys windows doors balconies ect. Also install rain gutters immediately. Rain gutters and drainage away from the house are the most important elements in a house aging well.use the highest quality roofing underlayment and maybe have them double it. Do not do a code minimum on this item. Don’t let anyone tile to drywall or plywood anywhere.Make sure they put a slip sheet over any “drying cracks” in the foundation where tile goes.

[NotCranky]

Is It a custom home or a developement? I am a general contractor Alex. If the job is production it will usually be plumb and level but slapped together. If it is an independent builder it might be tighter work a little extra cement in the foundation ect.Be there the day they pour the slab and make sure they pull the rebar up into the slab(lots of times the finishers just smash the rebar into the dirt). a couple of guys should be walking around with hooks pulling the rebar up.The crew should be working the cement into the footing with either vibrating equipment or serious manual prodding. Make sure they are not faking it. Check the walls for firmness around entry doors. If they are shaky the door movement will crack all the surrounding building components and the house will feel cheap.Make sure the put blocks in the walls where all built-ins go, especially kitchen cabinets. Make sure the attic is ventilated properly. Tighten the anchor bolts again right before drywall. The wood plates shrink and the bolts will be loose. If he has an option for copper pipes and sprinkler system he should put that in. I guess plastic pipes are used pretty regularly now for potable water and sprinklers. The stuff normally used for sprinklers is going to get brittle and crack in a few years time and people will be turning the sprinkler sytems off. I paid $1,500 extra for all copper in the sprinkler system. tell them to install back wired commercial grade receptacles and switches.Put in a hot water return line from the furthest fixture to the water heater and insulate it or else it will take forever to get hot water there. Forget about this if it is going to have a tankless water heater. Keep a very close eye on any water proofing work interior showers,bathroom floors over wood, and around chimneys windows doors balconies ect. Also install rain gutters immediately. Rain gutters and drainage away from the house are the most important elements in a house aging well.use the highest quality roofing underlayment and maybe have them double it. Do not do a code minimum on this item. Don’t let anyone tile to drywall or plywood anywhere.Make sure they put a slip sheet over any “drying cracks” in the foundation where tile goes.

[Bugs]

A property inspector specializes in the physical attributes of a structure – that’s what they’re trained to observe. Appraisers only deal with the physical (and legal) attributes on a superficial level and only to the extent necessary to appraise the property; they deal primarily with the economic aspects of property ownership.

You want to find a home inspector who has experience working in the trades, preferably as a general contractor. They’re the ones who are qualified to perform the technical inspections you’re talking about.

My brother in law is a construction superintendent and has extensive experience in both residential and commercial construction. When he and his wife bought a new home from a builder he made numerous visits to the site at various stages of construction and made the builder fix every last item. They must have hated him by the time he got done with them.

[Bugs]

A property inspector specializes in the physical attributes of a structure – that’s what they’re trained to observe. Appraisers only deal with the physical (and legal) attributes on a superficial level and only to the extent necessary to appraise the property; they deal primarily with the economic aspects of property ownership.

You want to find a home inspector who has experience working in the trades, preferably as a general contractor. They’re the ones who are qualified to perform the technical inspections you’re talking about.

My brother in law is a construction superintendent and has extensive experience in both residential and commercial construction. When he and his wife bought a new home from a builder he made numerous visits to the site at various stages of construction and made the builder fix every last item. They must have hated him by the time he got done with them.

[anxvariety]

Rustico, good post.

[anxvariety]

Rustico, good post.

[Alex_angel]

Rustico. Thanks for the invaluable information. I just sent that entire post off to my bro-in-law. It is adevelopment home and his phase is getting poured next week. I will go with him to the pour in. Good points about the rebar. If they just pour on top and not pull it up then it wouldn’t do any good. I’m glad I’m involved in this process because by the time I buy my own home, I’ll know what to look for in a good builder and what questions to ask to ensure they are not BS’ing me.

[Alex_angel]

Rustico. Thanks for the invaluable information. I just sent that entire post off to my bro-in-law. It is adevelopment home and his phase is getting poured next week. I will go with him to the pour in. Good points about the rebar. If they just pour on top and not pull it up then it wouldn’t do any good. I’m glad I’m involved in this process because by the time I buy my own home, I’ll know what to look for in a good builder and what questions to ask to ensure they are not BS’ing me.

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