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Good flow.
You never say: What were they thinking when they designed it this way?
Trim.
Wood, not particle board or plastic.
Fixtures.
Not builder's specials. While our builder put in $98 Home Depot Glacier Bay toilets (Consumer Reportlikes them for their flushing attributes) he also put in Moen towel bars and faucets. I needed another towel bar and was shocked to find it cost $50. The kitchen sink faucet was a $400 Moen.
Light switches and sockets.
Leviton Decora comes in 2 grades. Crap (residential) and better (commercial).
Real hardwood floors (not pre-fab or laminate) throughout the living areas
Hardwood flooring in the kitchen.
Ceramic tile floors in the bathroom (no vinyl)
Ceramic tile tub/shower surround (no fiberglass enclosures)
Solid wood cabinets
Oversized carport or garage (enough room to actually park two cars and have storage)
Built in range top (not a freestanding range/oven) and a double wall oven
I've banked quite a lot of builders in my day. The custom builders, and the tract builders.
The custom builders I knew kept a lot of the processes in house, exceptions being concrete and possibly HVAC. They did pretty much everything else. They knew how the house was going to be built and they did it themselves. I remember three brothers in Charlestown WV that built custom homes- they were the best. You got one of their homes, you got something special.
Every detail was covered, NO corners cut.. Period. They did their own cabinetry, moldings (they cut their own moldings..) they bought the lumber, the hardwoods- everything. Every house you went into was a marvel. Simply stunning details.
Your house was not going to be built in 6 months or 8 months.. Minimum 1 year. They were that particular.
I remember watching one brother putting in a piece of baseboard- high profile, fancy solid oak stained. He carefully marked each piece to a stud, pre-drilled a hole, hand hammered a nail, counter sunk it, puttied it, then he did the same thing lower on the piece- drilled it, hammered it into the wall sill and puttied it. That takes a craftsman to do that. No air nailers.
It's all the little things that count. When I go to a house and someone says "oh it's custom!" and I see sloppy trim, puttied corners, holes in trim, exposed end pieces on cabinets or crappy built-ins- yeah that's not custom folks.
Not all tract homes are churned out from an assembly mill.
In addition, you make the home special whatever your price point. My tract home has been well loved for ten years and I have customized it inside and out.
Lol, I prefer fiberglass doors, maintenance free. Hate wood, having to stain it frequently. No thanks.
An architect does the plans, and brings in mechanical & electrical engineers, structural engineers, 'envelope specialists' (who make sure the place sheds water and is well-insulated - and will continue to perform for a very long time), a landscape architect, plant materials specialists, and an interior designer (or, in many cases, such as with our last few homes, the architect works as part of the Designer/Decorator's team, which seems to reduce everybody's stress levels). And someone, maybe the Decorator, maybe a graphic designer working for the Architect, will coordinate all the colors, inside and out, so that a 'palette' is established, and the whole house, or at least the whole exterior, is "in agreement", colorwise.
The design and making of the foundation is a huge production, with soil borings and this and that, taking far longer and costing vastly more than with most spec houses. And in the long run, this hidden difference is the one which will pay off the most, as the years pass by. When framing time comes along, you'll see more bolts tying the frame to the foundation, and 2x6s where 2x4s would have been. Or maybe you'll see load-bearing masonry where a brick or stone veneer would have been. You'll see vastly more structure being constructed - trusses, braces... I don't know the names, but there's so much going on beneath the skin of a fine custom home.
When the roof goes on, the trusses look seriously substantial, and you may, at this point, notice that "anti-torque" measures have been inserted into the scheme by the Structural Engineer, so that the house won't twist in high winds. The roof deck is substantial, rather than particle board, and may include an insulation layer.
Windows and doors tend to be from better sources, and (when you're building in a traditional style, and have a good design team) are what is proportionate and right for the space, rather than standard sizes of cheap units which could be ordered without an upcharge - then "made to fit" the space. Doors tend to be taller, and windows tend to be bigger - and faddish things like vinyl tend not to be used. I'll show more of this house, because it affected us profoundly when we were approaching the level of wherewithal to build a custom home. It dates from the Nineties, and has become a local legend, in our old metro. (And, when we finally built full-custom, we would have shamelessly copied it, had our Decorator not come up with a "Rothschilds-in-the-Swamps" theme, which was much more "us" - including a dining room big enough to actually use, which the house shown does NOT have.) This is the dining room. All the woodwork, including windows and doors, was drawn and made for this house. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/354165958166793363/ Those are some tall doors. And notice that the Architect has made the wall between dining and foyer really thick, to give the house an air of substance. And notice the hardware on the doors: not what you'll see on any spec house, except maybe in the Hamptons or Beverly Park...
Floors are very traditional, and seldom "pre-made". You won't see brick "pavers" (those thin little brick thingies), or pre-finished wood floor "systems". So, you'll have crews of guys building and finishing the floors, like in olden times. The roof will probably be of a traditional material or materials. I can only find a photo from the street, but we once lived in the gated enclave where this house is. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/203787951862836813/ On most of the roof of the dwelling, the Architect put cypress shake shingles, sitting on 'slats' or 'lathe'. So, the attics actually breathed - making the house feel so much more authentic and Southern. And, I understand, that "breathing" has increased the longevity of those expensive shakes, and cooled the attics. Here's a photo of the 'Landing Pavilion http://www.pinterest.com/pin/501307002242467958/ That architect, even back then, was too 'happening' to work for nobodies like we were, back then. But the owners were very sweet people who owned a salt dome, and gave us, the lowly neighbors living in a mere spec house without waterfront footage, a tour of that amazing house. All the stonework was cast stone or cut limestone, and made to drawings generated for that house.
Or maybe the roof will be of slate, with shallow-pitched parts in copper. Or it will be of tile. You'll likely see snow guards and superior guttering, along with fine vent dormers in copper.
The blueprints will be so heavy, by the time everyone has contributed their specs and drawings, it will be a chore to schlep them around. Every wall and ceiling of every important room will be drawn - leaving nothing to chance. Big details will be drawn of mantels, crown mould assemblies, door surrounds, doors, windows, the columns, the entablature... It's just ENDLESS.
And by the time they're through... even when the house is empty... it will be a work of art. It will feel solid. Everything will seem right/true/plumb/accurate/substantial/harmonious.
Last edited by GrandviewGloria; 07-22-2014 at 01:55 AM..
What other people said about construction quality, plus:
-Attractive landscaping
-A welcoming front door and a garage door with windows
-An entry way with a coat closet
-If there are stairs, attractively finished ones
-A layout with good flow, including a room that opens out to a patio, porch, or balcony
-Hardwood floors in the main areas with generous baseboards
-Good quality, double- or triple-paned windows, situated to make the most of the available views
-Good plumbing fixtures
-Beautiful light fixtures and ceiling fans that don't look like builders junk
-If it's a family home, a mud room off the garage or kitchen door
-A decently sized laundry room
-A room that can be used as a home office, library, or private den
-Generous closets in the bedrooms and no mirrored closet doors
-Linen closets in the bathrooms
-Crown-molding, only if that's appropriate to the architecture.
Personally, I like modern architecture, but if it's not a neighborhood where that sells, for heaven's sake don't gussy up the house in some other kind of obvious thematic style. So many expensive homes where I live have lost value because they were built in the last decade in an extreme "Tuscan" style. Now, suddenly unpopular. No country, Early American, nautical, or overly Southwest styling either unless absolutely tied to the region where the house is located or it's your taste and you are sure you're going to live in the house for a lifetime.
Real hardwood floors (not pre-fab or laminate) throughout the living areas
Hardwood flooring in the kitchen.
Ceramic tile floors in the bathroom (no vinyl)
Ceramic tile tub/shower surround (no fiberglass enclosures)
Solid wood cabinets
Oversized carport or garage (enough room to actually park two cars and have storage)
Built in range top (not a freestanding range/oven) and a double wall oven
I'm building a tract house and aside from the range top and wall oven (which could have actually been an option, but it wasn't something I was interested in so I didn't pay attention), all of these were available choices and I will have most of that list in my home aside from the oversized garage (available but I didn't want it enough to spend extra on it).
Plus things like a frameless glass shower door, a real range hood rather than a microwave combo (microwave will be in the kitchen island), a double size island with extra cabinetry and some structural changes like taking down a couple of walls to create a more open floor plan.
I've never built new construction before so I have no idea if this amount of flexibility is the norm for tract builders, but it is certainly helping me get my dream home.
However, I do think there are big differences between what I'm getting and a custom build. Quality of construction for one thing - mine will meet standards, but I know people with custom builds and the get to spec building upgrades that exceed standards.
And for all of my finishes, I had a limited universe of choices. Not necessarily a bad thing, it was a fairly overwhelming experience as it was! But there were a few things where I picked the best of the available options, rather than what I might have chosen if I could have gone shopping and picked whatever I wanted. And for my counters, I didn't love any of their stone or solid surface choices. So I'm getting an upgraded laminate that will be ok for now, and at some point I'll get granite or quartz but where I want to pick from a wider range than they offered.
I'm building a tract house and aside from the range top and wall oven (which could have actually been an option, but it wasn't something I was interested in so I didn't pay attention), all of these were available choices and I will have most of that list in my home aside from the oversized garage (available but I didn't want it enough to spend extra on it).
Plus things like a frameless glass shower door, a real range hood rather than a microwave combo (microwave will be in the kitchen island), a double size island with extra cabinetry and some structural changes like taking down a couple of walls to create a more open floor plan.
I've never built new construction before so I have no idea if this amount of flexibility is the norm for tract builders, but it is certainly helping me get my dream home.
However, I do think there are big differences between what I'm getting and a custom build. Quality of construction for one thing - mine will meet standards, but I know people with custom builds and the get to spec building upgrades that exceed standards.
And for all of my finishes, I had a limited universe of choices. Not necessarily a bad thing, it was a fairly overwhelming experience as it was! But there were a few things where I picked the best of the available options, rather than what I might have chosen if I could have gone shopping and picked whatever I wanted. And for my counters, I didn't love any of their stone or solid surface choices. So I'm getting an upgraded laminate that will be ok for now, and at some point I'll get granite or quartz but where I want to pick from a wider range than they offered.
I think it depends on your area and the builder, and the price point. Here in Huntsville, AL, most of the "production" home builders do customize to a certain degree....some more than others. And then there are some that are very rigid and price their customizations so high that they become cost-prohibitive.
I think a lot depends on geographic area too, and from market to market. Back in the 1990s my husband & I built a tract home from one of the nicer production builders. stone or solid surface countertops weren't even an option at that time unless you got into some really pricey homes. But now, here in Huntsville, even the builder of the most basic, bland starter-level tract homes either puts granite in or at the very least has it as an option. And no builder that I know of is putting vinyl/linoleum in any new construction, regardless of how inexpensive. Even 1200 sq ft starter homes have tile in the laundry, bathrooms & kitchens.
I think it depends on your area and the builder, and the price point. Here in Huntsville, AL, most of the "production" home builders do customize to a certain degree....some more than others. And then there are some that are very rigid and price their customizations so high that they become cost-prohibitive.
I think a lot depends on geographic area too, and from market to market. Back in the 1990s my husband & I built a tract home from one of the nicer production builders. stone or solid surface countertops weren't even an option at that time unless you got into some really pricey homes. But now, here in Huntsville, even the builder of the most basic, bland starter-level tract homes either puts granite in or at the very least has it as an option. And no builder that I know of is putting vinyl/linoleum in any new construction, regardless of how inexpensive. Even 1200 sq ft starter homes have tile in the laundry, bathrooms & kitchens.
Here in Central Texas, tract builders at the lower price points will absolutely not offer granite or anything above laminate for countertops. Granite, unless it's the cheapie kind, is still too pricey for starter homes (sub $150k). The lower price point and economy builders also use vinyl/linoleum for flooring. Even if they don't, the house is probably 80% carpet.
Laminate flooring is an upgrade in most homes below $200k. Above $200k, laminate can be found in certain key areas, and as you get closer to $300k, then you can get a whole first floor quality, plank style laminate. Wood flooring is an upgrade here.
The custom well built homes have excellent woodwork!
Windows which are precision and open/close flawlessly.
Drawers in cabinets which "glide" open (no tugging!)
Doors which open/close perfectly... locks / deadbolts work with precision. (No "giggling" of doors, locks, etc. to get something to lock/unlock.)
And the door lock sets are "commercial grade" $300.00 each - no play in the locking mechanism - same quality as businesses and hotels use.
The air conditioning works well in every room! No rooms too hot, too cold. Good air filtration.
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