SWMBO has been dragging me around showhomes again. I've tried all the
usual objections to avoid having to stump up for a new house ('too
expensive', 'tiny plot of land', etc) and tried the 'look how badly
made they are' tactic.

I was a little surprised to see how badly finished some of the
showhomes were (considering they are supposted to be 'show' homes -
the name gives it a away, really) and it got me to wondering, just how
well made are new houses?

Are they designed to last 12 years then crumble into dust? Or are they
better made than a 20 year old house due to improved
materials/techniques?

spog