Common Builder Blunders – and How to Avoid Them!

When it comes to building a house, there are dozens of opportunities for making mistakes. Not to worry if you hired a reputable builder who knows what he/she is doing then these mistakes shouldn’t be an issue. Maybe in a perfect world, but all builders can make errors. These may be as simple as locating a shower head too low, causing you to stoop ever time you have a shower, or inconveniently locating a toilet paper roll so that you have to reach. It’s not a huge issue, but over time it can be an inconvenience.

Common Builder Mistakes

When it comes to the outside of the home, there are a few main ideas to keep in mind. It’s your job to do your due diligence when it comes to the property that you are investing in.

For example, air conditioners should be located on the east or north side of the home for maximum efficiency, but it’s important that they are not located close to bedrooms. Although newer units are fairly quiet, you’ll still hear the compressors when the unit is in use.

Additionally, driveways should be wide enough that you don’t have to step on the grass when you get out of the car. If you have a double car driveway, you should be able to park two cars, side by side, without dinging the doors. A single lane drive should be no less than 12 feet wide and a double-wide driveway should be 22 feet wide.

Outdoor faucets should be conveniently located at the front and rear of the house. Think of where your gardens and planters will be situated for handy hose access. It’s always important to think of the most convenient location for things that you’ll be using every day.

Exterior electrical outlets are not used that often, but when they are needed, you will want them close by. The prime location for these outdoor outlets will depend on the type of exterior work you’ll be doing. It’s great to have outlets installed in your soffits for handy Christmas light plug-ins.

Building Indoors

Interior electrical outlets can be a source of frustration if they aren’t conveniently located. You’ll want to ensure they’re installed in the walls directly behind end tables, next to beds or couches, or on top of a fireplace mantle. You may also want some floor outlets in a home office or coffee table situated in the middle of a room.

Traffic flow should be examined when you’re planning your floor layout. Ensure that areas designated as pathways won’t be obstructed by furniture. Usually, a 36-inch width is chosen for stairways, you’ll appreciate increasing this to 42 inches or more in width.

Trusses are probably one of the least concerns of most new homeowners, but so important for future renovation possibilities. If you intend on creating added living space in an attic or above a garage, request that your builder install a truss that will allow for added headroom in these areas. Also, have him install a real staircase in these spaces if you wish, not a fold-up model.

When it comes to building a property or your dream home, always have the resident in mind. Whether it be yourself or another family, you’ll always want to have convenience be placed as a thing of importance.