We want to replace our carpet that is 12 years old in the living & dinning
and down the hallway. With a good laminated flooring, instead of wood
flooring. Which brand would you recommend that will work well, it is just
me and the wife. Need something that will not scratch and is strong.
Your comment are very welcome, thanks.
Rob
Fifty Cost Cutting Do's and Don'ts
Summary:
These cost cutting tips will alert you to which items should be quality upfront, and which you can upgrade later. Saving money on your home building costs means knowing where it is safe to economize.
Fifty Do and Do Not Cost Cutting Items
1. Specifications and Plans - DO NOT cut corners here! Get the best and most detailed plans.
2.
Survey - Better make sure your house is in the right place!
3.
Foundation - Possibly the most important structural part of your home. Use extra steel. If it is a slab, use EXTRA steel and pour it 6 inches thick!
4.
Foundation Waterproofing - Absolutely spend money here! An asphalt coating is NOT waterproofing!
5.
Termite Control - If you are in termite prone areas, pre-treat soil now. It is cheaper than doing it down the road.
6.
Structural Steel - You could save money by not priming and painting it, but it would be a mistake, especially any exterior brick lintels. Those must be primed and painted on all sides and edges before they are installed.
7.
Sewer Line / Septic - Do you like to rod out sewer lines? Who does? Get the best installed here.
8.
Electric Service - You could get an economy panel but you may have a hard time getting breakers in the future. Go with name brand stuff here.
9.
Roof Trusses - Get standard trusses if you want to save money. Need extra storage space or a future room? Then get attic trusses!
10.
Roofing - You can get by with regular 3 tab shingles. The steeper the roof pitch the longer they last. This is really an aesthetic issue. What will look good on your home?
11.
Roof Ventilation - More is better.
12.
Air and Water Infiltration Barrier - DO NOT skip this. Water does leak through brick, siding and stucco. You must protect the wood structure.
13.
Windows - These are the most important energy items in your home. Buy cheap windows trying to economize and you will regret it.
14.
Exterior Doors - This is an important mechanical and energy item. DO NOT waste money here. Think how much it will cost to replace one!
15.
Furnace / AC - These two items control and maintain your indoor comfort! Buy the best. BEWARE - This is one area where most builders try to save money.
16.
Ductwork - This system moves air around your home. DO NOT save here!
17.
Water Heater - You can save here if you want. Buy one with a 5 year warranty. Water heaters - if installed correctly with di-electric unions - can be replaced in several hours.
18.
Gas Lines - Put in what you need for now but have the plumber install tees with nipples and caps if you think you want additional lines run in the future to a fireplace or a gas grill.
19.
Telephone Wiring - It is important to have a single cable run to each place where a phone will be. DO NOT loop one cable through the house.
20.
CAT 5 Wiring - This is the wire standard of the near future. Phones, computers and all sorts of devices can be networked if you install this wire.
21.
Central Vacuum - You don't need one, but they are nice to have.
22.
Plaster - It is better than drywall, but drywall will work.
23.
Soundproofing - Here is one place to spend some extra cash. Once you move in it is too late to remediate.
24.
Siding - You can save with vinyl siding. Some are very realistic looking.
25.
Brick - In the long run - if installed correctly - brick saves you money. It also adds value.
26.
Gutters - You can save here. These are easy to upgrade later.
27.
Exterior Paint - Buy the best paint possible. The new urethane acrylic blends are the best! Backprime all wood before it is installed.
28.
Exterior Sidewalks - Pour these 5 inches thick.
29.
Driveway - If you can find a tar and chip installer it is the least expensive but best driveway.
30.
Garage Door - The largest mechanical device in your home. Do not try to save here.
31.
Disappearing Stairs - If you cut corners here you could break a leg.
32.
Mailbox - These can be replaced in an hour.
33.
Fencing - This is a luxury you possibly can put off till another day.
34.
Retaining Walls - The new mortarless technology stackable walls are very affordable and they work!
35.
Landscaping - Do as little as possible. Be sure to consider how big things get!
36.
Interior Doors - You can replace these later. It is not too hard.
37.
Interior Door Hardware - These also can be replaced with little effort. Get by for now with cheaper ones.
38.
Kitchen Cabinets - These are tough to replace. Buy good ones.
39.
Countertops - Plastic Laminate is affordable and better looking than ever before!
40.
Kitchen Sink Faucet - A serious DIY'r can replace a sink faucet in about two hours. Upgrade later.
41.
Built-in Appliances - Buy good ones.
42.
Refrigerator - Get a new one that uses little electricity. They will save you money down the road.
43.
Dishwasher - If you like to talk in your kitchen you better get a quiet one!
44.
Disposal - These can also be changed out in less than an hour. Buy a cheap one for now.
45.
Laundry Room Cabinets - A great place to economize.
46.
Interior Light Fixtures - For important ones, I would buy high quality. Hallways and other secondary rooms - economize for now!
47.
Tub and Shower Valves - Buy the best! These are hard to change out.
48.
Lavatory Faucets - Get cheap ones. You can change these in an hour or less.
49.
Toilets - Economize. A toilet can be changed in as little as two hours.
50. Carpeting - Economize!
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Comments:Welcome! I, Tim
Carter, don't answer questions
here. If you post a question here in the Comments Area,
perhaps another visitor will help you. You need to go to the Ask
Tim page if you want a question answered. Once there, look
closely at how many weeks behind we are. Please be patient as you use
this free service. If you have an emergency and need to talk to me,
there is an option there for you.
Robert Bowers 17 Nov 2008, 23:40
robert 11 Apr 2009, 20:44
we're having our duct work installed at this time. my wife is not happy
with his placements. the question is, when we 1st talked about the runs, we
all agreed, that we'd have 3'' runs for the hot and 4'' for the cold. now
he's putting in 8'' runs for the hot. and he's putting them in all the
exterior walls, without an insulation, on the back of them.he told me to do
this after hes done.
cheri 31 Jul 2010, 19:13
We are building a new home in North Texas. I've been online and tried to do
research on the best energy efficient double pane windows available. Then I
read reviews or try to find a dealer and I am not making any headway. Can
you help? Would you provide me with brand name recommendations? Thank you
in advance for any comments.
Cheri
jesse 14 Mar 2011, 14:08
Hello Tim, I love your site, I was hoping you can give me input about the
following Q. I am in the process of building a new home. I live in South
Tx. Should I use the house wrap or the traditional felp (black) wrapping.
Seventy five percent will be for brick and the rest is stucco. Thank you so
much for all your information. It has educated me throughtout the home
building process. jes.
cathleen 15 Dec 2011, 13:15
I prefer full brick house very much, just wonder how much the cost would
be, compare with building the common wood house. Is brick house building
much more expensive?
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