By: Lisa Turner
Columnist
As I drive by all the new construction in our neighborhood, I think about all the mistakes I’ve seen as a home inspector, and the mistakes I’ve made personally building homes. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that no matter how hard you try, you’ll move into your new home and find something that’s not right.
I suppose that’s being human. But I do have a list of things that might help you if you’re building a home or if you’re planning to build a home.
You can never spend enough time looking at and reviewing the details. Have you really thought of everything? For example, it’s super easy to build in hidden space next to your refrigerator on a house plan. You may have to plan a closet on the other side and take some room away from it, but if you think ahead you can end up with a large pantry closet with walk-in double doors that look like cabinets. You can never have enough hidden storage space, especially in the kitchen.
Paint colors. Sounds simple, but don’t go with too many. The reason is that you’ll not mind having only three colors on walls in your home, and you’ll be happy when it’s easy to buy more paint, whether it’s touch up or for large areas. In our latest home, the builder said we could pick five different colors. Big mistake. We chose two beiges that are so close you can’t tell them apart unless you’re looking at the chips. I still end up putting the wrong one on touch ups and then have to go find the right one.
Technology. Do install a smart water valve. Have the plumber include the smart sensors for laundry and baths. The first time you have a leak and the alarm goes off and the water shuts off, you will be delighted. You’ll also be delighted when you forget to turn the water off after you leave for a long vacation, and you’ll simply open your smart phone and turn the water off from the app.
Less carpet and more hardwood. Yes, hardwood floors are a little more expensive, but they are better for indoor air quality, resale, and they are easy to care for.
Energy recovery vent. Homes today are built to tight insulation standards. Make sure your builder installs an ERV — or sometimes called a heat recovery vent — for air exchange inside the home. For indoor air quality, this should not be a builder option but standard practice.
Seal basement walls. Make sure your builder pays extra attention to waterproofing and drainage around the outside of your concrete basement walls. Most of our homes here in the mountains are built with walk-in basements. Everyone complains of extra moisture and humidity in the basement. This does not have to be. If the moisture proofing and drainage are done right, you may not need a dehumidifier in the basement.
Consider a heat pump water heater. GE makes the Geospring, a unit that uses 50 percent of the energy a traditional tank water heater uses. It extracts heat from the surrounding air and puts it in the tank.
If you’re building a home, pay close attention to every stage of construction. After all, you’re looking forward to many happy years in the house and hoping you don’t say, “Gee, I wish I would have...”
Local columnist Lisa Turner is a manufacturing engineer, contractor and former home inspector. Read her past articles in: www.HouseKeysByLisaTurner.com. Email: Lisa@Lisaturner.com.