I'm not sure that I agree with most of the views posted on this subject. I think the bottom line is that you gain some and lose some with a new home. Some stuff is just plain better than it used to be. Insulation, vapour barrier, windows, etc. Many of these things are difficult to retrofit. I agree that you won't get solid wood trim unless you are prepared to pay for it but that's life as they say.
I bought a new home in 1981 and have spent the past 25 years adding to it and improving it. It was a pretty basic builder's house to begin with. I have upgraded much of it. Solid oak jambs, casings, base mouldings etc. I won't necessarily get any more for it than some of my neighbors who have done little, but I enjoyed doing it and I did it for me. I didn't intend to sell and I still don't. Randy -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Dave Wakin Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2007 3:01 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] OT House Build Quality I have read what the last few people have stated, and I agree with what has been said. I worked in the construction field since I was 12 until I was 22 when I graduated college and got a desk job. I worked for guys who really cared about stuff, and other who only cared about the bottom line. I bought my first house at a bank auction and rebuilt the thing myself over a period of 5 years. I am picky about how things are done, and made sure things were done correctly and accurately. When the time came to buy a bigger house a few years ago, my wife and I looked at quite a few places. Some only a few years old, some a few hundred years old. My wife was interested in the newer stuff, while I liked the older. Looking at the work in some of the places, it amazed me at what stood out as cob-jobbed, sloppy, or just not correctly done. My wife usually didn't noticed stuff, even after I pointed it out (And even in the older houses, there were things that were not done properly back then too). What really got me was that when we went to sell our house, it was worth the same price as one that was of similar size and location, regardless of what the differences were in construction and detail. We ended up trading houses with a couple that were looking to downsize. They wanted something smaller and maintenance free, we needed something bigger. The new house is around 200 years old, and still doing pretty good. A few sags here and there, old knob and tube wiring, leaky windows, etc but well built. Dave Wakin ----- Original Message ----- From: "Redghost" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Mercedes Discussion List" <mercedes@okiebenz.com> Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2007 1:52 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] OT House Build Quality >I actually only purchase pre owned homes of a certain vintage. But the > wife's side goes for new construction, so I check what garbage they are > getting for their pennies. > > Look at the trim work. If it is real wood, miter cut angles, that > speaks volumes about the quality of materials used. Most times the > trim is but nailed, paper wrapped saw dust. Cheap construction also > like T1-11 siding. Excess caulk usage on nail holes/seams speaks to > the low value home. Pergo type flooring - look like wood, wears like > paper. I guess if it looks and feels cheap, you are correct. > > Sturdy products speak of more care in the building. I really hate the > particle board siding or sheet products being used anywhere but for > interior remodel. Homes get popped up around here with that junk, get > rained on, and the wood just sucks the water into the sheet. A few > years later, there is de-lamination and mold. > > My $0.02, YMMV > > > > > On Jan 17, 2007, at 1:35 AM, Zoltan Finks wrote: > >> Okay, I know there's been a lot of OT lately (which I think keeps >> things >> fun), but I want to draw upon the knowledge our discriminating >> collective: >> >> As new-build houses go, how can one tell if a house is built with >> quality as >> opposed to corner-cutting cheapness? I know that new techniques are >> being >> used, such as a few pieces of plywood bonded together to make a "2 x >> 4". Is >> stuff like that okay, and what else is there to look out for? >> >> Brian >> _______________________________________ >> http://www.okiebenz.com >> For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ >> For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >> http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >> >> > > > -- > Clay > Seattle Bioburner > > 1972 220D - Gump > 1995 E300D - Cleo > 1987 300SDL - POS - DOA > The FSM would drive a Diesel Benz > > > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ > For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
