DIY Network

Selections and Schedules: Specification Sheet From "Home IQ" episode DHIQ-104

In DIY's new Home IQ series, you'll follow the Oberg family during the decision-making process of building this beautiful new home.

Hank Swierczynski, the Oberg's builder, says the selection process is a daunting task for people because they "have time constraints, they don't know what and where to start, what they have to pick, and they can't envision the amount of product that has to be selected."

Swierczynski requested a three-week window for Brad and Lynn Oberg to make all their selections for the following reasons:

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In this week's episode, follow the homeowners (Lynn, left, and Brad) as they select windows, doors, fixtures and more for their new home!

• It will take three to four to five weeks for the cabinetry to arrive to the building site.

• It will take three to four weeks for the windows and doors to arrive.

"It's just impossible, Brad said. "And not only because there's a lot of selections to be made, but I'm probably traveling five of the next 15 days. So trying to fit the shopping schedule in is going to be a real problem."

"Well, we're finding too that it's hard because you can't just walk in off the street and say, 'Hi, we're here to pick out our cabinets,'" Lynn said. "You have to make appointments and do some research."

Tip: Be sure to make an appointment before visiting a showroom.
It's up to the site supervisor, Greg Allen, to help keep the Obergs on track. He'll be the one to communicate all their choices to the sub-contractors. "The homeowner(s) have to be able to keep up with the demands of the schedule," Allen said. "In the case of the Oberg's home, that home is typically a home that's a eight to nine month project."

In order for the builder to beat (not just reach) the end-date goal, many of the most important selection decisions have to be made in the first month.

PDF See the first page of a materials spec sheet.

How Do the Homeowners Know Where or When to Make the Selection Decisions?

• First, the builder gives the homeowners a "specification sheet" (figure A), which is a document that is given at the time of the contract signing. It spells out everything the builder intends to include in the house, and it is extremely detailed. "We've given out specs sheets that are 36 pages," Allen said. "Everything is listed: How many down lights, the type of plumbing fixtures, the type of faucets ?."

• If the selections are "not" made on time, it can cause major delays and even increase the cost of the house!

In the next segment, the Obergs work on their spec sheet by picking out the bricks for their new home.

RESOURCES :

Bricks
PF Cook Brick Co., Inc.
202 Commerce Park Dr.
Cranberry Township, PA 16066
Phone: 724-772-5999
Fax: 724-772-6677
E-mail: PFCookBrick@Hotmail.com

Cabinets
Manor House Kitchens
Website: www.manorhousekitchens.com

Lighting
Sterling Lite, Inc.
Website: www.sterlinglite.com

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

Molyneaux Tile and Carpet
Website: www.beautifulfloors.com

Bathroom Fixtures and Accessories
Nicklas Supply, Inc./Splash
Website: www.wit-co.com
or www.nicklassupply.com

Windows and Doors
Andersen Windows
Website: www.andersenwindows.com

Carpeting
Molyneaux Tile and Carpet
Website: www.beautifulfloors.com

GUESTS :

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

Henry (Hank) Swierczynski
President
Hendolhurst Homes
955 Markman Park Rd.
Baden, PA 15005
Phone: 724-935-5658
Fax: 724-935-0884
E-mail: buildm@zoominternet.net

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

Allen Kline
Senior Kitchen Designer
Manor House Kitchens
See contact information above under Resources

Pamela F. Cook
President
PF Cook Brick Co., Inc.
202 Commerce Park Dr.
Cranberry Township, PA 16066
Phone: 724-772-5999
Fax: 724-772-6677
E-mail: PFCookBrick@Hotmail.com

Todd Kline
Installer
Manor House Kitchens