Building retirement home in Roseburg; info needed

[Nell Plotts]

One detail of PNW construction that can never be overlooked is the building envelope: flashing and siding underlayment are critical. What I have known about include penetrations through underlayment that make it almost useless (choose a self sealing product), underlayment that doesn't breathe, applying siding inside out (drip line on the wrong side), poor flashing application, windows installed with inappropriate hardware. One scam is to apply siding on the weekend (or whenever the owner won't be around) and scoot the underlayment along.

Plumbers are notorious for wanting to do it their way (expedient), not the way it needs to be.

As the previous poster said, require that any deviation from the drawing by a contractor be communicated before the work is done and think about the impact of any change on the system and other sub-contractors. The contractor may have excellent suggestions but, particularly sub-contractors, may not. Don't be put in the position of having to make snap decisions.

As you doubtless know: select the best product, not the most fashionable.

Husband is an Architect in his 70s and former officer of CSI in Portland.

[Steve97415]

Lots of good advice here in the last several posts. I will note, though, that in Douglas County (or anywhere else in the State of Jefferson) you may not have the most elite outfits to chose among. I know a contractor from Beaverton who came to build a home in Curry County a few years back. He started out in early spring with high standards. By mid-summer he was willing to take anybody with any construction experience at all...even if their English-speaking skills were minimal. When times are good, local contractors are often booked for over a year in advance. When times are slow they may be forced to leave the area and go where there is more work. In Oregon, any one with a Skilsaw and pickup truck can be a "contractor" and in the State of Jefferson that's often the case. I've seen many a "contractor" in southern Oregon who couldn't read a set of blueprints.
The same goes for building supplies. It's a long way from Roseburg to the nearest architectural restoration and green building supply center. If the house is spec'd with items not available at the local Ace or from the OrePac distribution network, the cost of building will go way up and you may end up driving to Jerry's in Eugene to pick it up yourself. Having said that, I would consider using ISPs, ICFs and other alternative wall systems due to the liabilities of wall cavity mildew that can come with standard light construction in these climates. Workers may not be familiar with the product, but most wall systems are simple enough to learn.
The "this is how we always do it here" approach to construction is something you'll run into a lot. But hear them out before that you insist that they do it your way: there's often a good reason for local building practices other than old-school stubborness. I was stunned that coastal builders almost never use house wrap under siding -- only asphaltic felt. That seemed old-fashioned to me, but there are good reasons for it on the coast.
Building inspectors in the State of Jefferson are often harried, inexperienced and do only a cursory examination. I worked on the house I mentioned in my opening paragraph which had a radiant slab. The inspector came out for the pre-pour inspection, look at the Pex tubing wired to the rebar grid and said, "what in the h*ll?...what's all that plastic hose about?"

[Nell Plotts]

My husband used asphalt felt as siding underlayment in our homes. It is self sealing and breathes. Great stuff.

Roseburg isn't far from Eugene. In this economic situation that may be a good place to look for contractors if you don't find what you are looking for locally.

[GLDNGUN]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

My husband used asphalt felt as siding underlayment in our homes. It is self sealing and breathes. Great stuff.

Roseburg isn't far from Eugene. In this economic situation that may be a good place to look for contractors if you don't find what you are looking for locally.

Hey, that's exactly what my contractor did - used asphalt felt as siding underlayment. I thought it looked a little odd when it went on, but he explained why he used it. Great contractor - did a lot of extras for little or nothing. He does most of his work in the Eugene area, but I'm sure he'd be happy to build a home in the Roseburg area.

[DocPhil]

More good ideas regarding specific building practices! Exactly what we (and probably other people) need. Eventually, there will be 21 upscale homes in our neighborhood; when it is finished, up the hill will go another 20 or so in a separate addition.

[Magfire]

I have heard that Shelby and Miguelina Construction does a fantastic job. I know aesthetically their work is beautiful. Wish I could afford them!