Just thought I'd share this little treasure of a find with you.
This is not the first time I've run across this.
Tomorrow they'll probably be framing someones house.
Donald
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Something happened on the way to work....
Just thought I'd share this little treasure of a find with you.
This is not the first time I've run across this.
A Tale of Two Homes
It never ceases to amaze me at the differences of the homes I inspect and how much difference they can be from one builder to the other and even from the same builder in different subdivisions.
For example. Monday I inspected a 4100 sf custom home in The Woodlands. This home had all the bells and whistles. It was very beautiful and nicely laid out. However, once I got below all the cosmetics of the home, she was a tad bit ugly. You know what they say, "Beauty is only skin deep but ugly goes all the way to the bone."
Well, this home had some ugly and it went all the way to the bones!
I could not believe the amateurish work performed on this home. We found numerous water leaks, poorly installed appliances, a backyard that sloped toward the patio and numerous other problems. It took two of us about 4 hours to go over this home. It would have taken me 5 or 6 hours by myself.
On Tuesday, our inspection was of a 4600 sf spec home. Now this is a "high end" builder. However, I had inspected this home from the frame up (and did many battles with the builder) so I figured the Final Inspection would be problematic also.
I'm happy to report that it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I did have help from my Clients though. They took my Framing and Pre-Sheetrock reports and had a conference with the Site Superintendent and Regional manager and asked them if this was "normal quality" for XXXX Homes. They agreed it wasn't and so I believe a little extra attention to detail was used to finish out this home.
The inspection took two of us about 2 1/2 hours. The biggest thing we could find was that the downstairs AC was not working like it should.
What a day a difference makes!
I've seen huge differences in the quality of work from the same builder in the same neighborhoods. Even of homes side by side.
Why?
Because the builder uses different subs. Sub A gets this home and Sub B gets that home. It's amazing to see how each home will get built. You'll certainly be able to see which framing sub knew and cared about what they were doing.
The question of "Who builds the best home" can not be honestly answered. I don't know, I'll have to look at your home to see if it's one of the better built ones!
Until next time,
Donald
For example. Monday I inspected a 4100 sf custom home in The Woodlands. This home had all the bells and whistles. It was very beautiful and nicely laid out. However, once I got below all the cosmetics of the home, she was a tad bit ugly. You know what they say, "Beauty is only skin deep but ugly goes all the way to the bone."
Well, this home had some ugly and it went all the way to the bones!
I could not believe the amateurish work performed on this home. We found numerous water leaks, poorly installed appliances, a backyard that sloped toward the patio and numerous other problems. It took two of us about 4 hours to go over this home. It would have taken me 5 or 6 hours by myself.
On Tuesday, our inspection was of a 4600 sf spec home. Now this is a "high end" builder. However, I had inspected this home from the frame up (and did many battles with the builder) so I figured the Final Inspection would be problematic also.
I'm happy to report that it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I did have help from my Clients though. They took my Framing and Pre-Sheetrock reports and had a conference with the Site Superintendent and Regional manager and asked them if this was "normal quality" for XXXX Homes. They agreed it wasn't and so I believe a little extra attention to detail was used to finish out this home.
The inspection took two of us about 2 1/2 hours. The biggest thing we could find was that the downstairs AC was not working like it should.
What a day a difference makes!
I've seen huge differences in the quality of work from the same builder in the same neighborhoods. Even of homes side by side.
Why?
Because the builder uses different subs. Sub A gets this home and Sub B gets that home. It's amazing to see how each home will get built. You'll certainly be able to see which framing sub knew and cared about what they were doing.
The question of "Who builds the best home" can not be honestly answered. I don't know, I'll have to look at your home to see if it's one of the better built ones!
Until next time,
Donald
Friday, July 08, 2005
Houston Air Conditoning Service
Well, you know the old saying about how the Cobblers children have the worst shoes in the village? I have to admit, I've failed to take my own advice!
Lately I noticed that our A/C was not cooling as good as it should. I always intend to have it serviced by a HVAC Company each Spring, just like I advise my Clients to have it done. Somehow, it has always escaped me to have it done.
Well, it got to a point that I noticed that the unit seemed to run quite a bit and that the house just wasn't as cool as I thought it should be. I broke down and opened up the evaporator coil housing. "My Goodness" I thought as I stood there looking at a crudy old evaporator coil. "This thing really needs cleaned!"
I then felt of the liquid line and it was very warm. "Low on coolant" I thought.
So I broke down and called Guys A/C to come out and service my unit. I was't at home but Pam said the technician was very friendly and helpful. He ended up cleaning the outside condenser and the evaporator coil, added 2 lbs. of coolant and rechecked the system for leaks.
I'm happy to say that this has lowered the temperature of the air coming into our home about 5 to 7 degrees and the air has less humidity in it. You can certainly tell the unit is not working as hard. In fact, I've had it cranked down to 73 and it does not work as hard as it did before the servicing when I had it set on 77.
I can say without a doubt, this fall they will be out here checking my furnace and the first thing next spring they will be back out servicing my A/C before Summer arrives.
For those who put it off or don't think that their A/C system needs cleaned and serviced each year, all I can say is that I'm glad you have money to burn because it's costing you a lot more having a dirty system than what that service call will cost you!
Best Wishes
Lately I noticed that our A/C was not cooling as good as it should. I always intend to have it serviced by a HVAC Company each Spring, just like I advise my Clients to have it done. Somehow, it has always escaped me to have it done.
Well, it got to a point that I noticed that the unit seemed to run quite a bit and that the house just wasn't as cool as I thought it should be. I broke down and opened up the evaporator coil housing. "My Goodness" I thought as I stood there looking at a crudy old evaporator coil. "This thing really needs cleaned!"
I then felt of the liquid line and it was very warm. "Low on coolant" I thought.
So I broke down and called Guys A/C to come out and service my unit. I was't at home but Pam said the technician was very friendly and helpful. He ended up cleaning the outside condenser and the evaporator coil, added 2 lbs. of coolant and rechecked the system for leaks.
I'm happy to say that this has lowered the temperature of the air coming into our home about 5 to 7 degrees and the air has less humidity in it. You can certainly tell the unit is not working as hard. In fact, I've had it cranked down to 73 and it does not work as hard as it did before the servicing when I had it set on 77.
I can say without a doubt, this fall they will be out here checking my furnace and the first thing next spring they will be back out servicing my A/C before Summer arrives.
For those who put it off or don't think that their A/C system needs cleaned and serviced each year, all I can say is that I'm glad you have money to burn because it's costing you a lot more having a dirty system than what that service call will cost you!
Best Wishes
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Back from R&R
It has been a few weeks since my last post.
The last weekend in June I attended a one day seminar on Foundations. The Instructor was John Cahill from Dallas. He is an excellent instructor and I picked up a few things from him plus it was reassuring to see many of the techniques he uses and reporting style he uses on foundations is the way we do it also.
I was off a week for the 4th. Every year my mother has a large family reunion at her place and everyone comes in from every point of the compass! Lots of family and lots of food!
I know many of you want to hear the story's from the trenches. I'm getting around to that after I get the Office back in order. I'll start letting you in on some of the stories as we go along.
Until next time,
The last weekend in June I attended a one day seminar on Foundations. The Instructor was John Cahill from Dallas. He is an excellent instructor and I picked up a few things from him plus it was reassuring to see many of the techniques he uses and reporting style he uses on foundations is the way we do it also.
I was off a week for the 4th. Every year my mother has a large family reunion at her place and everyone comes in from every point of the compass! Lots of family and lots of food!
I know many of you want to hear the story's from the trenches. I'm getting around to that after I get the Office back in order. I'll start letting you in on some of the stories as we go along.
Until next time,
Friday, June 24, 2005
A Working Weekend..kinda
Well, I'm packed and headed to Dallas today. I'll be attending a 1 day seminar dealing with foundations and foundation failure! It will be a hoot of a time!
I can usually hang with the best of them until after lunch. Then it becomes very, very hard to stay alert unless there is a great instructor. I'm told this instructor is one of the best so I can't wait to find out. If not, there is always the pool at the Marriott!
Have a great weekend,
I can usually hang with the best of them until after lunch. Then it becomes very, very hard to stay alert unless there is a great instructor. I'm told this instructor is one of the best so I can't wait to find out. If not, there is always the pool at the Marriott!
Have a great weekend,
Thursday, June 23, 2005
A blogging I will go....
Okay, I finally did it. I hope that everyone who encouraged me to start a blog is happy! I'm still not real sure what a blog is or how it's suppose to work. I guess I'll figure that one out in time.
So for now, I'm going to sign out and explore this blogging thing a little more!
I'm not even sure how often I should post. I've heard everything from every day to once a month. Hey, I have an idea....this is my blog, I'll post whenever I want! HA!
So for now, I'm going to sign out and explore this blogging thing a little more!
I'm not even sure how often I should post. I've heard everything from every day to once a month. Hey, I have an idea....this is my blog, I'll post whenever I want! HA!
Old dogs are learning...
Okay, now here it is several hours later and I'm still playing with this damn blog thing. I'm the type that will not leave it alone until I have figured it out. Slowly but surely things are getting clear (unlike some of the help files on blogger).
I've been trying to find out how to add a link in case I wanted to send ya'll to a cool website. Looks like I just figured that one out also. You'd think those FAQ would have told me hours ago about that button in the tool bar! Here I've been trying to hand code the dang links!
Bye for now,
I've been trying to find out how to add a link in case I wanted to send ya'll to a cool website. Looks like I just figured that one out also. You'd think those FAQ would have told me hours ago about that button in the tool bar! Here I've been trying to hand code the dang links!
Bye for now,
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