Installing Add-ons to Newly Built House
 

I'm wondering what upgrade options people would commonly have
the builder installed for them, and what they'd do themselves
afterwards.

If you do afterwards, would you hire someone (e.g. from Home
Depot, or Lowe's) to help, say, on overall design (e.g. from
blinds, adding doors, full-length mirrors, lighting fixtures)
and on installation.

Considerations here a
1. Cost - which is cheaper (slightly or significantly)
2. Convenience - which one(s) would cause noticeable inconvenience
if done afterwards
3. Results/Quality

Thanks,
Raymond

In article .com,
wrote:

I'm wondering what upgrade options people would commonly have
the builder installed for them, and what they'd do themselves
afterwards.

If you do afterwards, would you hire someone (e.g. from Home
Depot, or Lowe's) to help, say, on overall design (e.g. from
blinds, adding doors, full-length mirrors, lighting fixtures)
and on installation.

There are really two questions to ask:

1) is more or less costly for the builder to do it?

Example - I wanted a garage door opener installed. The
builder told me he would call a certain company, and pass
on the bill plus a small service fee. I could save the
service fee if I called them, and had them install it on
the day of closing.

2) is it more or less efficient for the builder to do it?

Example - I wanted a sun room. Builder said that it would
cost about $12K to do it as part of the house, or about $18K
if they had to come back later. The issue is that every
sub contractor would have to be scheduled to come back again
after closing, and they would have to tear into a finished
roof. If it was done as part of the house, there would be
only one trip for the subs, and no wasted materials.

Another example, a finished basement. The builder wanted
$16K to finish a basement as part of the house. I passed
on it, then checked about 2 years later. Everyone wanted
$40K to $60K to do the same job. Permits would have to
be pulled, and all the subs would have to come in. Even
worse, they would be working in a finished house, so there
would be few options for storing junk, and they had to be
careful on the wood floors and carpet.

Blinds, lights, and mirrors can be added later. Lights
that are in new locations should at least be roughed in,
however, so you don't have to tear up drywall to fish
the wire. Anything that is structure or requires drywall
or finish carpentry work should be done by the builder
if possible, unless you have the skills to do it yourself.

-john-

--
================================================== ====================
John A. Weeks III 952-432-2708
Newave Communications http://www.johnweeks.com
================================================== ====================

In terms of cost, any improvements made by builders would be added to
final house price and
would be subjected to yearly property tax. Would this be part of your
consideration also?

wrote in message
oups.com...
I'm wondering what upgrade options people would commonly have
the builder installed for them, and what they'd do themselves
afterwards.

If you do afterwards, would you hire someone (e.g. from Home
Depot, or Lowe's) to help, say, on overall design (e.g. from
blinds, adding doors, full-length mirrors, lighting fixtures)
and on installation.

I wouldn't buy a cookie cutter house from a McBuilder who offered 'options'
in the first place. This is a house we were talking about, not a Chevy. Go
with a custom house from an independent, or if the budget won't stand that,
buy a 1970-something pre-existing house (probably better built than the
cookie cutter anyway). Note that 'custom house' doesn't have to mean
high-dollar yuppie drywall mansion. There are plety of independents out
there that will either custom design 'normal people' houses from scratch, or
modify a design from their library. That way, you get what you actually
want, not just get to pick the finish trim on the same house every 3rd
family in the subdivision has a twin or mirror image of. As to the interior
gee-gaws like blinds and paint schemes and light fixtures- if you or your
S.O. don't have a clear idea of what you want, a custom builder will have
stacks of catalogs, and contacts with local interior designers and 'trade
only' showrooms. A good house designer will know what works in the spaces
they design.

/rant mode off. I detest cookie cutters- my old man was a custom builder,
and not just for rich people. But different strokes, etc. If the chain
builder has one you like, at a price you like, more power to you.

aem sends....

In article
,
"ameijers" wrote:

I wouldn't buy a cookie cutter house from a McBuilder who offered 'options'
in the first place. This is a house we were talking about, not a Chevy.

A house is just a box where you keep your stuff dry when it rains.
Anyone who thinks it is any more than that has emotional problems.

Go
with a custom house from an independent,

You mean someone like builder bob who cannot put up two
2x4's and get them straight?

or if the budget won't stand that,
buy a 1970-something pre-existing house

In these parts, we call them things "fire traps".

-john-

--
================================================== ====================
John A. Weeks III 952-432-2708
Newave Communications http://www.johnweeks.com
================================================== ====================