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meeting with foreman

loveumms
9 years ago

We are building a new home and meeting with our foreman for a pre-construction meeting. Are there any questions we should be asking at this meeting?

Thanks!

Comments (8)

  • LOTO
    9 years ago

    Where is his boss and how long does it take to get a response from him with an issue/question? Or are you the owner /builder and will he be your site foreman?

  • millworkman
    9 years ago

    Why the foreman and not the GC?

  • loveumms
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    I apologize for not giving more information. I'm actually not sure what the difference between foreman and general contractor is.

    We are meeting with the foreman who will be overseeing the building process. We picked the floor plan, all the upgrades already. The foreman is not the owner of the company - he is essentially just in charge of making sure things go as planned. We are supposed to get a timeline on the build at this meeting and I wanted to make sure to ask the correct questions (if there are any).

  • ohbldr
    9 years ago

    Start with the most basic of questions: does the foreman have the correct up-to-date set of plans and specifications for your home? If the builder provided the plans and you went through several rounds of modifications I have known foremen / site supervisors to receive the wrong set, especially in larger orginizations. Same with specifications.

  • millworkman
    9 years ago

    These are questions for you, not necessary fro you to ask just for clarity to be able to answer your question somewhat appropriately:

    Is the a tract home/developer build or a custom home?
    Your land or is that part of the purchase?
    What type of contract for the build?
    Is he supplying allowances or is everything specified and priced accordingly?

  • loveumms
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    It is a tract home but we did some customization (changed floor plan a little)

    Yes, the land is part of the purchase - the builder developed the land already

    We are doing an end loan (we really tried to avoid construction as it would have costed us 30K more over the course of the 30 year loan)

    We have already been to the 'design' center and picked everything - in order to make any changes now we have to pay a hefty change order fee (thus we plan on making no more changes)

  • renovator8
    9 years ago

    Change Order fees are unethical in my opinion but it appears to be a normal part of the tract home building delivery system. Just remember that these guys are looking after their own interests rather than yours so you must read the contract and watch them very carefully and document everything.

  • Vith
    9 years ago

    Tract developers usually are in a hurry and skimp on supplies when they can. You need to watch them as much as you can.

    If the garage is a part of the house, make sure the garage is spray foamed well. This seems to get messed up when a developer builds a lot of houses in a new development and are looking at speed instead of quality. Rooms around/above the garage usually are cold if they dont spray foam it.

    Is there a basement? Ask how they do their footings and do they do a weeping system. Will the foundation be waterproofed while it is accessable? Will the foundation be insulated?

    Ask what size and type sheathing they use. 5/8 or 3/4 plywood (not OSB) is recommended for anything being walked on (roof, subfloors). Will there be tile anywhere? Request concrete backerboard for tile so it doesnt crack over time. Request to see how they have waterproofed any area getting tile before they lay it. There should be a kerdi membrane or hydroban coating.

    Request to see the attic after insulation. Check R value in inches. Check for proper soffit vent baffles and roof vents. Request to see wall insulation before it is covered. Make sure plumbing and heating are on the warm side of the insulation. Opt for more efficient windows if you havent. Make sure there is a proper floor drain in the basement. If there is main floor laundry request a floor drain in that room. Do you want copper water lines or pex? Ask about radon mitigation. Ask for backflow protection on you main sewer line. Ask how much amperage your service line will be, and what is required in that area. Ask about whole house surge protection.

    What you want to check while they are working are things behind the wall before they get covered. You will be able to notice finish flaws later near the end.

    If you ask a lot of these sort of questions, he will know you expect it done right and he will probably not try to cut corners.

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