Q&A / 

Stairs must be designed and built to code. Stair treads should be 10 inches and the riser should be 7.5 inches to make what I believe are the perfect set of steps. When building stairs make sure what the elevation of the finished floor at the top and bottom of the staircase is. Adding a thick tile or hardwood floor could change the riser height causing safety hazards.

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Jobsites are different with each contractor. Some are neat and very safe while others are not. New home builders need to walk through their job site often. Read my tips on what to look for about how your home is being built. If you don't like something, talk to your contractor right away.

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Concrete slabs will crack. Most concrete will crack. Concrete reinforcement by your contractor can help minimize or stop cracking. The use of steel rebar, synthetic fiber or wire mesh will help control the cracking.

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Well built cement stucco homes can last hundreds of years. Pigments can be added to color stucco so that it never needs painting. Texture and patterns for stucco are infinite.

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House plans and contracts with your builder need to be detailed and specific to avoid problems, heartache and legal dispute. Home plans should include detailed drawings, construction specifications and exact schedules for how, when, where and what is to be done to complete each element of your home. Contracts for your new home should be drawn up with the aid of a good attorney to address numerous issues to assure you end up with the home of your dreams and fulfillment of your expectations.

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A fence can be a useful addition to a home, as long as you have been cleared for construction concerning property and zoning lines. There are many types and materials for fences, such as a chain link fence, wrought iron, wood or vinyl fence. Use only the highest double hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel fasteners, so they won't rust.

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Home design is one of the most important parts of home building. Design your home without all the errors that other homes have. Exterior home design includes things such as drive and walkways, air conditioner unit placement, porches. Interior design includes small things such as outlets, switches or large things such as traffic patterns.

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A walk through of your new home before you close the deal may save you countless dollars if problems are found. A walk through home inspection should indicate good and bad work. A home inspection checklist is a must.

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Home building costs can be kept to budget and time schedule with your diligence upfront. Building costs should be calculated at the start. Estimating home building costs and selecting features and options as you go along is a huge mistake. The costs of building a new home may leave some coins to spare if you select your home's features and options first and then set them iron-clad into your house plans and contract with your builder before you build.

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