DIY Network

Problem Solving and Solutions: Miscommunication and Final Advice From "Home IQ" episode DHIQ-125

Figure A

Problem: Misunderstanding Leads to Mistakes

The door selection for "inside" our homeowners' (Brad and Lynn Oberg) home was another area where misunderstanding and miscommunication lead to a problem and mistakes.

"A lot of builders will actually put in doors that will be removed later on so the actual door doesn't get beat up," Brad said. "So it didn't even trigger in my mind that we had the wrong doors." Brad and Lynn wanted four-panel doors (figure A) and yet the spec sheet showed that they had approved six-panel doors. The doors had to be reordered, and this caused a four-week delay in getting them installed.

Note: For more "detailed" information on the Oberg's door-selection process and how the problem with the four-panel door was solved, click here for Episode DHIQ-108 of Home IQ.

Lesson Learned: Stay familiar with the spec sheet and don't be afraid to ask if yo have a question.

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Figure B

Problem: Risky Experiments

When it came time to insulate the interior of the home the spec sheet called for an experimental combination of spray foam and traditional fiberglass insulation, but there were problems with this combination. Some places were a little thicker on the stud side and it was difficult to get a staple through it (figure B).

Note: For more "detailed" information on the interior insulation of the Oberg home and how the problem was solved, click here for Episode DHIQ-112 of Home IQ.

Lesson Learned: The lesson learned with this particular problem is one of caution. Experiments are risky by nature and if they fail you could be stuck with a costly solution.

A Reminder Checklist

When building a new home problems are inevitable, but there are a number of things you can do to help minimize the mistakes:

• Read the spec sheet carefully.

• Keep changes to a minimum because they can be costly.

• Make sure that any "changes" are communicated directly with the builder or site supervisor.

• Be careful integrating new technologies because they can possibly cause delays because your builder "may not" be familiar with them.

Our homeowners have some final advice if you're going to build a custom home: "You've got to be prepared if you're told eight months, nine months, seven months, 10 months -- whatever. Be prepared to go an extra couple of months. We were hoping eight to nine months, and we had to go 12 months. But it was worth it!"

For more information on increasing your home intelligence quotient, click here for the Home IQ online-package.

RESOURCES :

Joists Information
SpaceJoist® TE, LLC
Website: www.spacejoist.com

Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinets (Manor House)
Manor House Kitchens
Website: www.manorhousekitchens.com

Plumbing Services (Pedicone)
Pedicone Plumbing
4364 Gibsonia Rd.
Rt. 910
Gibsonia, PA 15044
Phone: 724-443-6794

Spray Foam Insulation (Icynene)
Icynene, Inc.
Website: www.icynene.com

Insulation (Suburban)
Suburban Insulation, Inc.
Website: www.ibpteam.com

Tile (Best Tile, Inc.)
Best Tile Distributors, Inc.
Website: www.besttile.com

Molyneaux Tile and Carpet
Website: www.beautifulfloors.com

Sinks and Fixtures (Nicklas Supply, Inc. / Splash)
Nicklas Supply, Inc./Splash
Website: www.wit-co.com
or www.nicklassupply.com

Builder
Hendolhurst Homes
955 Markman Park Rd.
Baden, PA 15005
Phone: 724-935-5658
Fax: 724-935-0884
E-mail: buildm@zoominternet.net

Carpet (Boyle Carpet Service)
Boyle Carpet Service, Inc.
Website: www.boylecarpet.com

Tile and Carpet (Molyneaux)
Molyneaux Tile and Carpet
Website: www.beautifulfloors.com

Land Excavation
Crea Excavating, Inc.
1315 Pleasant Hills Rd.
Wexford, PA 15090-6807
Phone: 724-935-2959

Trim Carpenters
LemanKiewicz Construction
PO Box 1033
Mars, PA 16046
Phone/Fax: 724-776-5554

GUESTS :

Brad and Lynn Oberg
Homeowners
Company: IBACOS (Brad)
Title: Co-Founder/Chief Technology Officer
Website: www.ibacos.com

Greg Allen
Site Supervisor
Hendolhurst Homes
955 Markman Park Rd.
Baden, PA 15005
Phone: 724-935-5658
Fax: 724-935-0884
E-mail: gcrbs@adelphia.net

Todd Kline
Installer
Manor House Kitchens