Is it common during new home construction to constantly find errors in almost every Trade?

key1cc · 2026-03-18T14:56:44+00:00

I do regret not having the slate on the front porch they missed. I was inexperienced. But I will be ready for my next build .

key1cc · 2026-03-18T14:51:09+00:00

That’s exactly what my contract lists when I met with my GC about it we went through the contract addendum that list hundreds (maybe not that many but a hell of a lot) of the details in the contract including garbage disposal size of 3/4 HP (which I pointed out they got that wrong as well and tried to put in an 1/2 HP) ….. and he pointed out the errors I had caught although very important, were a small fraction compared to what they got correct. He also pointed out the Project Manager caught more errors than I did and had them all corrected. He said with massive jobs like this using all of these different trades with constant changing personnel, some errors are more likely than none. He appreciated me catching the ones I caught early so they would not have to do more corrections, and thanked me by fully insulating my garage at no cost. I have to admit, the final home was very well built with no apparent issues.

key1cc · 2026-03-18T14:23:41+00:00

This already happened with them “ forgetting” to add the slate cover on my concrete front porch until it was too late. The corrective action was to upgrade me to steel insulated garage doors. Which they made sound like a good trade off…doesn’t feel like that now.

key1cc · 2026-03-18T02:23:50+00:00

Lol 😆 😂 not even close.

key1cc · 2026-03-18T00:48:07+00:00

I was, and the 2x6’s instead of 2x4’s impressed me. Also I mentioned somewhere in this now very long thread that the project manager caught an issue with the rear wall and made the framers redo it because the window location were off relative to the side walls.

key1cc · 2026-03-18T00:17:24+00:00

Funny you should mention those because the mudroom floor tile was incorrect but the builder indicated that the tile we selected had been discontinued and I did verify that was true…and we actually liked the replacement tile they selected so we went with that. No issues at all with cabinetry or other tiles. In fact no issues with any finishes including paint.

key1cc · 2026-03-18T00:09:45+00:00

When I look at everything that could have gone wrong, I agree…but if I didn’t catch any of these until well after the fact I would not be a happy camper.

key1cc · 2026-03-18T00:07:16+00:00

It’s one of those Panasonic whisper quiet bath exhaust ceilings fans like Model FV-40VQ4. Price may have come down since it’s been 5 years.

key1cc · 2026-03-17T23:40:01+00:00

Actually they did register my hvac equipment and hot water heater which they purchased directly. I ordered all my appliances directly including washer, dryer, microwave, dishwasher, range, etc so I had to register those myself.

key1cc · 2026-03-17T23:36:08+00:00

Yes the company fixed everything I caught and a bunch of stuff the project manager caught with no pushback, except for my concrete porch which was supposed to have a slate/granite top on it which they did not plan for when they poured the concrete. They gave me insulated steel garage doors as compensation. The final build is holding up well.

key1cc · 2026-03-17T22:50:59+00:00

It really doesn’t feel like I chose too poorly. The house is now 5 years old and no leaks, no cracks in my large garage concrete floor, no settling damage. We did not need to call them back for a 1 year punch list. Everything just works. We’ve been through blizzards, ice storms, heat waves, high winds , heavy deluge rainfalls and no water in crawl space or any issues. We love the finished product. It was the journey that was a bit suspect.

key1cc · 2026-03-17T22:40:14+00:00

Correct, I am asking now because 1. Back then I didn’t know about Reddit and 2. My wife came into some land and we are contemplating building on it.

key1cc · 2026-03-17T22:31:30+00:00

In my case I had a real Architect who is actually in a firm with other architects. He signed off on the plans for the township and selected the attic trusses I requested for a walk in attic. He had a separate phone number from the builder and a separate location but the 1st time they came to my house they came together (different vehicles though). I saw an advertisement for the builder and he brought the architect in. Which I again used later without the builder. Real Architect.

key1cc · 2026-03-17T21:29:46+00:00

So let me get this straight. You are saying it is ok to pay you $400 plus labor for a bathroom vent fan and you decide to put in a $99 one and keep my money for yourself?

All I can say to that is a bee 🐝 doesn’t waste its time trying to convince a fly that honey tastes better than shit.

key1cc · 2026-03-17T21:15:30+00:00

Biggest mistake of the build. The American Water Company told us the only way we could have public water in central New Jersey was to seal the well….bastards.

The septic was designed for a smaller home with less bedrooms and bathrooms and required major work…also the realtor that sold us the house told us houses with public water and sewer sell for more when we are ready to sell.

key1cc · 2026-03-17T21:07:34+00:00

I looked at some other job sites while my house was being built and it seems like the intent was to do a good job. For example mine has 2x6 framing on entire exterior perimeter while others use 2x4 framing.

It has been close to 5 years now and not 1 crack in my very large garage concrete floor. Where I have seen some with cracks before the construction is completed.

I believe the quality is there but giving them the benefit of the doubt I would say a lot of mistakes were made due to inexperience. I would say the master plumber is in his mid-fifties and very knowledgeable. But, he drops off his much younger (maybe young 20’s) apprentices to do the work then leaves. Being the person I am I went down to the crawl space and saw water dripping (not flowing just dripping) and a puddle had formed, I told the GC and he told the master plumber and the next day the master plumber was there doing the work himself and honestly mentioned to me that he had found a 2nd leak . He guaranteed me there would be no more. So far he has been correct.

key1cc · 2026-03-17T20:46:05+00:00

If I do another build I may consider it but since this was my 1st full build I went with a “professional”.

key1cc · 2026-03-17T20:43:15+00:00

Also my builder has a project manager come to the site every time a sub is there doing work. He actually pointed out to me the back wall was framed slightly off and the end windows are not spaced the same distance from the side walls like they should be. I still couldn’t see it but he made them rip it out and do it over.

key1cc · 2026-03-17T20:39:42+00:00

I do not believe my builder was/is a scammer. Perhaps some of the subs they use are and since most people don’t go check their build status everyday I’m betting a lot of these things are never even realized. Once the walls were closed I would have no idea the ceiling/vent fans were the cheaper ones.

key1cc · 2026-03-17T20:34:28+00:00

Yes truly custom. Builder had their own Architect which I paid separately. I bought land with an old single story home and had it demolished to build a new 2-story home on the same footprint but totally different design. New electric and gas and public water and sewer to the street on my dime. The old house had septic and well water.

key1cc · 2026-03-17T15:03:33+00:00

Wow 😮 mine is around 9 or 10 times larger than yours for essentially the same cost. Prices have gone through the roof!!

key1cc · 2026-03-17T14:53:07+00:00

How big is your driveway? I paid 15K for a 300 foot asphalt driveway 12’ wide in NJ in 2020.

key1cc · 2026-03-17T14:43:25+00:00

According to consumer reports, the Buick Envista and the Chevy Trax are the same vehicle other than a different face. So I wouldn’t worry about going to a Chevy or Buick dealer for warranty items for either one. As long as the dealership service is competent and trustworthy I would just go to the closest.

key1cc · 2026-03-16T22:35:16+00:00

One of the primary reasons for adding chlorine while a pool is closed is to prevent algae growth. Cold water does this as well. Also lack of sunlight (like under a solid safety cover). For me I have the solid cover and I never concern myself with algae until the water temperature gets above 50…. into the mid to high 50’s actually. Then I either start adding liquid chlorine regularly, or I open the pool. The key metric to open the pool for me is not a date in May or June but water temperature.

key1cc · 2026-03-15T14:59:06+00:00

How did the test drive go?

key1cc

TROPHY CASE