APPLIANCES
The appliances are another item that will greatly affect your cost. Stainless steel, sub zero refrigerators and other selections can surprise you in cost if you are not aware of the prices. Again if possible you should select your appliances so that your appliance allowance exactly reflects your selections. Most people don’t have or don’t take the time to select them ahead of schedule so they must rely on the builder to include sufficient allowances based on their discussion with the owner during the specification process.
FIREPLACES
There are two kinds of fireplaces. The first is the conventional fireplace but with the invention of the prefab fireplace, it has almost been abandoned because of the cost. The second type fireplace is the prefab fireplace and it comes in 36, 42, and 48 inch models. With the addition of brick, stone, tile, marble or another finish the prefab fireplace emulates the conventional fireplace. The prefab units can be wood burning or gas burning. The gas fireplace is very desirable because of its’ convenience. There is no wood to be stored or brought in, it is easy to start, it is an immediate on and off. You can turn it on for a short period of time that you wouldn’t normally start a wood fire because you would have to leave it burning and you don’t have to clean out the ashes. Recently some fireplaces have been replaced with entertainment centers but they are still a popular feature.
INTERIOR DOORS AND TRIM
There are numerous selections for interior doors and trim and these selections can drastically affect the price. The most popular door is the masonite panel door. There are about seven different styles to choose from. If the trim package is stained the most popular door is a pine panel door but a flat panel birch door is more economical. Depending on ceiling heights, an 8-foot door may be desired. Door casing should be selected so the price will reflect what you want. Some of the casing styles are clamshell, colonial, baby Howe and large Howe. The most common in the industry is probably colonial, our standard is baby Howe. Forethought should be given to the door casing when designing your plans so the returns accommodate the selected casing. Door hardware comes in many finishes and different styles. The most popular style is a lever lock. Some people like pocket doors but our experience leads us to believe that if the door is one that will be used often a swinging door should be used. Pocket doors do have their place such as doors that won’t be opened very much or in areas where swinging doors will interfere with the flow of traffic.
Just as casing is available in many styles baseboards also come in many different styles and sizes. Whenever the wall height is taller than 8 feet we use a 5 ¼” baseboard. The style should be selected prior to estimating so the price reflects your selection.
Crown molding and chair rail are some additional trim features that are popular. The crown comes in different sizes and profiles and can also be multiple pieces. If crown is desired the location and style should be specified.
FLOORING
Wood floors or simulated wood floors are very popular. Pre-finished, finished in place or simulated wood flooring should be selected based on your budget, the usage and the placement of the floor. The maintenance will vary depending on your selection.
Ceramic tile is the floor of choice in wet areas such as bathrooms, utility rooms and kitchens. Tile is installed over concrete slabs and these slabs are subject to cracking. We take every precaution to minimize the cracking and always install a suppression system over any visible cracks. We suggest PRP underlayment because it will guarantee against cracking, but it is an additional cost. Allowances can vary from builder to builder. A small allowance makes the bottom line cost look good but greatly hampers your selection. If the tile is installed on a diagonal pattern, if diamonds are installed or other designs are selected the labor cost will increase. The tile allowance should be based on a square foot price and not a lump sum price. This should be further broken down into labor and material.
Carpet selections can vary greatly. It is important that your builder matches your allowance with the caliber of your home. This allowance should be based on a square yard price that includes carpet, pad, tack strip and installation.
PAINT
Paint quality will vary from builder to builder. The paint installed should be straight out of the can and not diluted with water or mineral spirits. This will ensure uniform quality and will allow for easy touchup. If you want washable paint this should be specified. If the walls and the ceilings are the same color it is less expensive because it will save the labor involved in cutting in the walls to the ceiling. Most homes however have one color for the walls, a white ceiling and another color for the doors and trim. If multiple colors are desired this should be specified at the selection process prior to estimating the cost of the home. The quality of the exterior paint and the proper preparation is very important.
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INTERIOR DETAILS
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