[SportyandMisty]

Originally Posted by lanb

I checked with KB Homes and they are doing a couple of third party inspections by
1) Geo tek (foundation work)
2) Quality built (framing and others)

I asked for a copy of their reports and was told "no".

Try to find out WHEN the inspections will take (maybe call the inspectors pretending to be a clerk in scheduling). Show up and ask questions.

Originally Posted by lanb

... I am still waiting to hear back from black mountain on the pricing.

Personally I think $4K could be a heck of a deal and the best money you can spend.

Originally Posted by lanb

As for upgrades, we did not upgrade the tubs (no option) but were told they would be kohler or american standard. We are upgrading to whirlpool appliances, carpet padding, carpets, tiles and doing the full house cat5/cable package. Total upgrades cost about 10% of the base price.

It is personal preference, but I do not like rebond carpet padding. There is nothing wrong with it; I just don't like the feel. I specified Leggett and Platt Napa series foam padding.

[SportyandMisty]

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

17" tiles are better than the 12" tiles most tract houses use. 3/8" is way, way too wide in my opinion. I hope the grout is dark -- because that's the color it's going to end up after a few years (even with regular sealing, which I would plan on doing every six months or so).

I agree-- 3/8 wide grout lines are WAY too wide, but of course this is a design preferance than a quality issue.

You may be able to specify an additive to the grout mix that would cut down on staining. What are the kitchen counters & backsplash? Tile? If so consider upgrading to 2-part epoxy grout which curesc chemically and is extremely stain resistant from standard water. Asked grout.

Don't forget to specify either sanded or unsanded grout based on your preference.

[ScoopLV]

Originally Posted by SportyandMisty

I agree-- 3/8 wide grout lines are WAY too wide, but of course this is a design preferance than a quality issue.

You may be able to specify an additive to the grout mix that would cut down on staining. What are the kitchen counters & backsplash? Tile? If so consider upgrading to 2-part epoxy grout which curesc chemically and is extremely stain resistant from standard water. Asked grout.

Don't forget to specify either sanded or unsanded grout based on your preference.

I consider it a quality issue. The only reason for really wide grout lines is that it is easy and fast for the installers. It gives them a great deal of "wiggle room," so they can knock the job out fast. If you go to these installer's houses, they don't have 3/8" grout lines. Because THEY'RE the ones who would have to clean it. Nobody likes cleaning grout.

And that's just the tile. It has been my experience with tract homes that the tradesmen who build them work under the philosophy of "Can't see it from my house" and "If I can jump across it, I can caulk it."

[lanb]

The kitchen counters and back splash are granite slabs. No grout there...

As for sanded vs unsanded, I believe it will be sanded because the grout lines are wider.

[deefromlv]

Dh was luckily experienced in engineering and construction so was able to visit the site and have things corrected on the spot. We did spring for a company to thermally image the insulation to make sure it was done right for final inspection . Best money we ever spent. There were large gaps where the insulation fell out during drywall and nobody put it back. The builders ended up blowing in the insulation and our electric bill in the summer is under 300 even with me keeping it a frosty 68 degrees. We also were able to convince the builders to loose fit the flooring so we could easily replace it but it would still pass for the mortgage.