Moving to the Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex? Get your answers and make your buying decisions easy by using our resource guide.
| Building Your Custom Home |
If you are in the market for having a new house built, you can easily limit the toll your building project takes on the environment with a few conscious thoughts. Start by carefully selecting your building materials. Products made partially or completely from recycled products are now available and they can be used on the foundation, the framing, the rafters and much more. Below are some examples of products that are now recycled and used in the home.
It’s important to pay close attention to the price of some of these products. Sometimes the cost of these materials can be significantly higher than their non-environmentally friendly counterparts. Do your research beforehand and choose the right building materials without adding to the cost of construction.
In addition to “green” building products, another important consideration is waste disposal. Reducing waste at the job site benefits the environment. The materials used and wasted during construction and demolition account for an estimated 28 percent of municipal solid waste. Waste disposal can also account for a significant portion of building fees. By simply reducing and recycling job-site waste you can save an outstanding amount of money.
Home Warranties
As with any product, your home should come with a warranty. A warranty will prevent any unpleasant surprises in the first years after your move-in. When having your home built, in a development or on your own land, you will need to be familiar with builders’ warranties. Other warranties associated with a new home include contractors’ warranties, manufacturers’ warranties and third-party insurance coverage to back the builders’ warranties. The information below from Custom Home Key, a custom building resource, focuses on builders’ warranties.
What’s covered and for how long?
Generally, builders’ warranties will cover such things as workmanship, materials and structural defects. When having a home built, the warranty will take effect either when you close the sale or when you move into the home. The majority of builders’ warranties cover workmanship and materials for one year, however, some builders offer warranties for two years or longer. Structural defects, such as uneven floors and cracks in the foundation, are usually covered for up to 10 years.
Choosing a reputable builder will make your warranty period a much more pleasant experience. Even the most skillful builder will make some mistakes during the construction of your home, but a reputable builder will be sure to fix any problems that are covered by the warranty and while your warranty is still in effect. If you are experiencing minor defects, your builder will probably address them at scheduled times.
In addition, most manufacturers provide a warranty for the products or appliances used in new homes. At the time of closing, you will receive these warranties and owner’s manuals.
What isn’t covered?
Builders’ warranties generally leave out problems caused by adverse weather, negligence or failure to conduct proper maintenance. Basically, such things as damage caused from lightning, floods and earthquakes are not covered. Animal damage also falls under this category. Furthermore, if you forget to change your furnace filter or repaint your home’s exterior then your builder will not be held responsible. Keep in mind, any defects that arise in items that were not part of the original home will not be excluded under the warranty coverage.
Warranty claims
When problems arise, your builder may prefer that you call him or her so that specific needs can be addressed. However, in some cases, your builder(s) will give you a list of contractors and their telephone numbers to call directly in the case of an emergency.
Emergencies would include plumbing leaks, gas leaks and the total loss of heat, air conditioning, water or electricity. Also, roof leaks are sometimes considered emergencies, but they can only be repaired in dry weather.
Keep in mind, severe storms may cause roof damage, but that should be reported directly to your homeowner’s insurance company because weather-related damage usually isn’t covered under builders’ warranties.
Be sure to report all defects that aren’t emergencies to the builder. The builder will schedule the necessary repairs and use the complaint to monitor product quality and customer satisfaction. On the other hand, if you notice major structural problems such as uneven floors, cracks in the foundation or drywall, or ill-fitting doors and windows, you should contact your builder immediately to arrange an inspection. These problems can be costly and time-consuming to fix.
- Ceramic tile is being made from old light bulbs. -Carpeting is being made from recycled soda bottles
- Interior wallboard is being made from newspaper and gypsum
- Recycled concrete is used for drywall
- Newspaper is being used to make insulation
- Reclaimed cotton is being used for insulation
- Sheep’s wool is being used for carpet
- Decking materials can include recycled milk cartons
- Low-density concrete can be recycled and used for insulation
- Paint is being made from old paint
- Shake shingles are being made from aluminum cans and nails from melted-down cars
- Fly ash from burned coal can be used to make concrete
- Bricks can be made of tightly compacted earth, clay and straw
- Linoleum is a natural flooring covering material made up of linseed oil, resins and wood flour
- Steel is 100 percent recyclable and an extremely durable building material
It’s important to pay close attention to the price of some of these products. Sometimes the cost of these materials can be significantly higher than their non-environmentally friendly counterparts. Do your research beforehand and choose the right building materials without adding to the cost of construction.
In addition to “green” building products, another important consideration is waste disposal. Reducing waste at the job site benefits the environment. The materials used and wasted during construction and demolition account for an estimated 28 percent of municipal solid waste. Waste disposal can also account for a significant portion of building fees. By simply reducing and recycling job-site waste you can save an outstanding amount of money.
Home Warranties
As with any product, your home should come with a warranty. A warranty will prevent any unpleasant surprises in the first years after your move-in. When having your home built, in a development or on your own land, you will need to be familiar with builders’ warranties. Other warranties associated with a new home include contractors’ warranties, manufacturers’ warranties and third-party insurance coverage to back the builders’ warranties. The information below from Custom Home Key, a custom building resource, focuses on builders’ warranties.
What’s covered and for how long?
Generally, builders’ warranties will cover such things as workmanship, materials and structural defects. When having a home built, the warranty will take effect either when you close the sale or when you move into the home. The majority of builders’ warranties cover workmanship and materials for one year, however, some builders offer warranties for two years or longer. Structural defects, such as uneven floors and cracks in the foundation, are usually covered for up to 10 years.
Choosing a reputable builder will make your warranty period a much more pleasant experience. Even the most skillful builder will make some mistakes during the construction of your home, but a reputable builder will be sure to fix any problems that are covered by the warranty and while your warranty is still in effect. If you are experiencing minor defects, your builder will probably address them at scheduled times.
In addition, most manufacturers provide a warranty for the products or appliances used in new homes. At the time of closing, you will receive these warranties and owner’s manuals.
What isn’t covered?
Builders’ warranties generally leave out problems caused by adverse weather, negligence or failure to conduct proper maintenance. Basically, such things as damage caused from lightning, floods and earthquakes are not covered. Animal damage also falls under this category. Furthermore, if you forget to change your furnace filter or repaint your home’s exterior then your builder will not be held responsible. Keep in mind, any defects that arise in items that were not part of the original home will not be excluded under the warranty coverage.
Warranty claims
When problems arise, your builder may prefer that you call him or her so that specific needs can be addressed. However, in some cases, your builder(s) will give you a list of contractors and their telephone numbers to call directly in the case of an emergency.
Emergencies would include plumbing leaks, gas leaks and the total loss of heat, air conditioning, water or electricity. Also, roof leaks are sometimes considered emergencies, but they can only be repaired in dry weather.
Keep in mind, severe storms may cause roof damage, but that should be reported directly to your homeowner’s insurance company because weather-related damage usually isn’t covered under builders’ warranties.
Be sure to report all defects that aren’t emergencies to the builder. The builder will schedule the necessary repairs and use the complaint to monitor product quality and customer satisfaction. On the other hand, if you notice major structural problems such as uneven floors, cracks in the foundation or drywall, or ill-fitting doors and windows, you should contact your builder immediately to arrange an inspection. These problems can be costly and time-consuming to fix.
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