Standard Features in a New Home

Standards can vary quite a bit from builder to builder, but this is a list of typical base standards you could expect to find in a new home. Things such as Granite, 9’ ceilings, full masonry exteriors, stamped concrete, etc. would generally be considered upgrades.

Keep in mind that if a builder tells you they “include” all of the upgrades, it’s really just you paying for it. Don’t hesitate to ask your builder to take the upgrades out so that you can create a more affordable home. You can always add the upgrades back in later if your budget is looking good.


GENERAL
2 Year Home Warranty
2x4 Exterior Wall Construction
Nailed and Glued 3/4" Subfloor (tongue & groove)
Ice and Water Shield on All Eves

EXTERIOR
20% Stone or Brick on Front
Maintenance Free Stucco Exterior Finish
30 Year Architectural Asphalt Shingles
Aluminum Rain Gutters
Insulated Steel Entry Door w/ Kickplate on front door
Energy Saver Dual Pane French or Sliding Glass Patio Doors
2 Car Garage with 16'X7' Steel Door
Two Decorative Lights on Garage
Front and Rear Water Faucets
2 Outside Weatherproof Electrical Sockets

INTERIOR
Oak Handrails and Balusters
3 Panel Colonial or 6 Panel Contemporary Interior Doors
Polished Brass or Chrome Hardware & Knobs
Colonial Door Casing and Baseboards
Colonial Window Sills
Old World Textured Drywall Finish
Rounded or Squared Corners
Two Tone Paint in formal areas (Entry, Master Bed)
One Tone Paint everywhere else
Built-in shoe shelves within bedroom closets
Easy Clean Single Surface Bathtub & Shower Surrounds
Polished Chrome Plumbing Fixtures
Walk-In Master Closet (Varies with Floor Plan)
EasyCare Tri-rolled Laminate Vanity Countertops
Quality Vanity Cabinets

ENERGY EFFICIENCY
80% High Efficiency Gas Furnace
Programmable Thermostat
40 Gallon Gas Water Heater
R-13 Wall InsulationR-38 Ceiling Insulation
Low-E Energy Efficient Dual Pane Vinyl Windows
Low Consumption Toilets

FLOOR COVERINGS
30 oz. Polyester Short Cut Pile (Typical $20/yd allowance)
Vinyl Flooring in Bathrooms and Kitchen

KITCHEN
Self-Cleaning Electric Range
Hood/Microwave Combo
Dual Stainless Steel Tub Kitchen Sink w/ Sprayer
Energy Saver DishwasherGarbage Disposal
Quality CabinetsStorage Pantry (Varies with Floor Plan)
EasyCare Tri-rolled Laminate Vanity Countertops


Gregory D. Brown
www.legacyhomedesign.com

6 Steps to Building a New Home

Step 1 – Financing:
It’s important to figure out what kind of a budget you have to work with before we start the design process. If you go to our website, you can contact one of our preferred lenders from the “Additional Contacts” section of our website or go with a Lender of your choosing.

Step 2 - Designing:
This is the part where you bring all of your ideas to the table and we the project starts to take shape. Along the way, there are usually a couple of revision cycles that we’ll go through. We also like to have the contractor involved during this phase to ensure we’re designing within your budget. As soon as it’s refined to your liking, full construction plans are created. A Structural Engineer is then hired to size all of the beams, joists and trusses for submittal to the city.

Step 3 - Building Permit
After the plans are submitted into the city, they are looked over by plan inspectors to make sure that they are compliant with the latest local and national building codes. This takes somewhere between 2-6 weeks, depending on the city. Revisions are then made to the plans as requested by the city if needed.

Step 4 – Coordination
While the plans are in the city, the Contractor will meet with you and go over the final bid and cost breakdown on the house. You’ll also be able to refine many specific things such as carpet and counter selections at this point. Your Contractor will also help you get all the necessary information that you’ll need for obtaining financing of the project.


Step 5 – Construction
As soon as a building permit is obtained, the contractor can then start the actual construction of the home. This phase usually takes between 3 and 6 months, depending on the size of the project. During construction, you can be as little or as heavily involved as you want while your house comes to life.

Step 6 – Closing
When the home is complete and the final walk-thru has been done, your Lender sets up the closing with a Title Company and the permanent financing comes into play. As soon as the appropriate documents are signed, you are the official owner of the unique home that you helped design.

Information provided by
http://www.legacyhomedesign.com/