[Euro Ford Fan]

2x6 for exterior walls should be made the minimum; it's very hard to properly insulate exterior walls using any less. There are so many little things that builders do to cut corners from insulation thickness to proper vapor barrier and taping, it's little details that mean a lot in the long run but are very easy to skip.

I was happy to see that our semi has steel trusses on the first n 2nd floor. I expected at a minimum a tipple laminated 2x8 but was thrilled to see I beams. It’s probably why we have only one small crack from settling.


Make sure that if your builder doesn't do it you tape up every joint in the heating system get in there before they drywall it may cost you $50 in tape and a days work but it will save you at least that in the first year if a sloppy crew does the install. I would also wrap any 8" lines in your basement. If they use copper pipe for your hot and cold water lines get in there and insulate them as well, it will help keep your hot water hot in the pipe and stop your cold water pipes from condensating.

If you’re having any ceramic tile floors put down, look to see how they installed the sub floor if they nailed it down then go back over and get some 3" screws and screw it down. Nails will pull out over time causing your grout or a tile to crack. Hell when I build a house no floor will ever be nailed down, its screws or nothing.

One last thing if you’re having central vac make sure they put the piping in the wall not just the fitting on the drywall. If that's all they say they will do then before they drywall get in there and put the pipe in yourself, it's only 2" PVC, it will save you $$$ when you want to get that central vac working.

:)