When embarking on the journey to build your dream home, selecting the right homebuilder is one of the most crucial decisions you’ll make. There are plenty of builders who can design and construct a home, but there may be only one that’s right for your future residence.
Like homes, not all companies are built the same. A home is a major investment, and you understandably want to work with a homebuilder that can provide you with a space that will support your lifestyle, provide comfort, and stand the test of time.
5 Key Quality Indicators When Evaluating Home Builders
When it comes to quality, you’ll need to look beyond surface-level aesthetics and sales pitches to find a company that understands that your home is more than just another structure. Here are a few factors that can help you determine which homebuilder can provide you a superior space that meets your expectations and can provide lasting enjoyment for years to come
Foundation
A high-caliber home begins with a solid foundation. It can look amazing on the outside, but that exquisite exterior can hide an uncertain base for your future.
A great way to gauge the future performance of your foundation is to inquire about the drain tile, which is used to direct excess groundwater away from your new residence and help prevent water damage and flooding. The following details about the drain tile and backfill can tell you a lot about the homebuilders you consider.
- Type of drain tile: There are two types of drain tile that you’ll encounter – 4-in. schedule 30 pipe embedded into stone and form drains. Both options will redirect water from the foundation to the sump or storm drain, but the first option has cleanouts that help if the drain tile ever gets clogged.
- Type of damp proofing and stone: The stone and spray used in the drain tile plays a key role in preventing water from entering your home. Builders should use a spray that expands with any shrinkage cracks, such as a GMX with 2-in.-thick R-9 insulation/drainage membrane with a 30-year limited warranty.
- Backfill: The backfill is the material used to cover a drain tile system. It’s common for builders to put the minimum 18-in. of stone required by code on the drain tile and cover the rest with dirt. A better solution is to bring stone up to the downspout piping to keep the pipes from settling and allow water to reach the drain tile before getting to the wall drainage board.
Framing
The overall structure of your home provides support and form for a building, and there are several aspects that can improve this important component of your residence. To start, determine if the subfloor and interior walls are glued and screwed into place. Small but critical details can make an impact on your home’s long-term performance, so be sure to pay attention to the following features:
- Subfloor: Premium builders often use higher-grade materials like AdvanTech flooring rather than standard OSB (oriented strand board). Superior subflooring, like AdvanTech specifically, provides greater stiffness, better moisture resistance, and delivers enhanced fastener-holding power – all of which prevent squeaky floors that swell or cup over down the road. Better moisture resistance is especially important during the stage of construction when these subfloors are exposed to the elements before the space is fully enclosed.
- House wrap: The quality of the house wrap builders use makes a notable difference, especially in a 4-season climate. Tyvek is known for its excellent vapor permeability and ability to allow walls to dry, while Typar is highly regarded for impressive tear strength and UV resistance.
- Sheathing: OSB is a higher quality sheathing option, as it’s stronger than ThermoPLY and offers more stability behind siding.
- Engineered trusses: Look for trusses with higher heel heights. This feature allows for more insulation at eaves and corners of the home where ice can accumulate in the colder months.
- Custom stairs: Some builders will custom build stairs by skilled craftsman off-site based on the type of flooring you want in your home vs. using rough stair parts built on-site. Using stairs that are custom-made for a specific home design and flooring type adds to the overall design and mitigates wear and tear over time.
Exterior Elements
Quality-focused builders pay attention to all sides of the home to maintain its curb appeal and longevity. The following signs can help you identify higher caliber and, more experienced homebuilders:
- Exterior trim: Products such as Azek trim are preferable to finger-jointed wood materials. Azek is a low-maintenance material that doesn’t rot or warp over time, saving you from having to stain or perform regular care and tedious maintenance.
- Thicker siding: Using 0.044″ siding or greater versus builder-grade 0.040″ provides better rigidity, less sagging and waving over time, and improved resistance to impact and temperature changes – which is especially important in variable climates like Northeast Ohio.
- Overhangs: Using overhangs on the side of a home instead of a 2×6 rake board adds dimension and character to your space that can be more visually appealing
Energy Efficiency
Is the homebuilder doing what they can to make your new residence more energy efficient for years to come? Good signs include:
- Better insulation that can help lower energy bills and improve sound dampening and overall comfort throughout your home.
- Extra measures to improve energy efficiency, such as performing third-party blower door tests for air leakage not only provide third party verification, but also serve to save you money over time.
- Proper sealing methods around windows, foundation rim boards, and other penetrations throughout the home are additional measures that should be taken to keep your residence comfortable in all climates and help reduce costs.
Quality trade and vendor partners
The tradespeople who construct your home matter tremendously. You want to be able to trust that your homebuilder has partnerships with people who put in the quality work you deserve and have a proven track record.
Ask potential homebuilders about who they work with during the construction process. Builders with long-term trade relationships (10+ years) show that these companies understand and share the builder’s standards and are an extension of the company’s commitment to excellence.
Find the Homebuilder That Can Deliver the Quality You Deserve
Building a new home creates more than just a structure – it serves as the backdrop for your family’s life and memories. By thoroughly evaluating homebuilders, you’ll be well-equipped to select the builder who can best deliver a space that truly reflects your lifestyle and will stand the test of time.
Looking for a custom homebuilder with a reputation for building innovative designs in highly sought after neighborhoods? Petros Homes is the largest custom homebuilder in Northeast Ohio and has more than three decades of experience constructing homes where you can live, love, and make memories for years to come.
Contact us today to learn how we combine premium quality, personalized design, reasonable timeframes, and transparent pricing to create homes our clients love for generations.
