It is devastating when you find defects in your newly built home. After all you have paid lots to have the home of your dreams, and you have invested emotions and efforts into having your new home constructed. Lots of planning and excitement - then disappointment.

Some defects are easily fixed, while some issues remain a constant problem, especially when water is involved. Fixing building defects can be disruptive and costly.

In our first article in this 3 part series Quality checks for your home building and renovation project we discussed the costs of poor quality - and they are more than just monetary! We also talked about why you should not leave quality only up to your builder and some things to check and how to prepare for your project visit.
In the second part When inspecting your new home build and renovation project you should check we looked at some of the things you must check and look out for during construction.
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In this final part we conclude with more things to look for while your home is being constructed or renovated. As they say Buyer Be Warned. I say Buyer Be Educated.

More things to lookout for when visiting your home while it is being constructed or renovated:

• That waterproofing is installed in the correct place with no holes or imperfections. Water will find the tiniest of holes or damaged waterproofing.
• That the contractor is protecting their completed work so it isn’t damaged or dirtied. You don't want those new tiles chipped or your brand-new bath scratched! 
• That insulation is installed in walls, ceilings and under the roof as required.
• That brick and block walls are constructed correctly so that corners are vertical, and that one brick course laps over the other so that the vertical joints don’t line up with the joints of the row immediately below.
• That walls and rooms are square. If in doubt measure the distance between diagonal corners in the room. These distances should be equal.
• That adjoining walls are tied together. You don't want walls to crack because they don't connect properly, or worse fall down.
• Where there’s cracking in walls and floors that there isn’t a hollow patch behind the surface which could later delaminate completely coming loose.
• That the roof is securely tied to the walls below. Your roof would not be the first to be blown off because the roof wasn't properly secured to the house's walls.
• That door and window frames are firmly fixed in position so they can’t come loose when slammed. or crack around the frame.
• That constructed stairs appear even and are easy to walk up and down.
• That where you have supplied materials, the contractor is taking due care to handle them carefully and they aren’t wasting the materials.
• That aesthetically things look right. Often if something doesn’t look right it’s because there is a problem. Of course, sometimes the problem may be because there’s a problem with the design, so care should be taken to confirm that what’s built is in accordance with the design. But if things look wonky or wavy, or there’s a colour variation, or if workmanship looks suspect, then ask the contractor questions, or get an expert to check.

Take lots of photographs, especially to record items that you think might be a quality issue.

Care should be taken that you don’t ask for something additional to the specifications, or make changes to the design without considering the additional costs and time which could impact your budget and delay the job.

When entering the project site you should notify the contractor and get their permission (you may have to sign a visitors’ register), wear appropriate safety clothing as required by the contractor (in any case never visit the project wearing sandals or shoes which aren’t fully enclosed), obey all safety instructions and stay away from work areas, preferably be accompanied by the contractor’s representative, and not interfere with operations or give the contractor’s personnel or subcontractors instructions (unless there’s an immediate safety risk) or yell at anyone (no matter how unhappy you may be with the quality or progress).

It’s good practice to arrange a site walk around once a week with the contractor.
It should be noted that the contractor should never restrict you from visiting the project. 

​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.

In our last article Quality checks for your home building and renovation projectwe discussed the costs of poor quality - and they were more than just monetary! We also talked about why you should not leave quality only up to your builder and some things to check and how to prepare for your project visit.

As discussed in the previous article you should regularly visit your home as construction progresses. It's hard to find quality problems when the house is finished and potential construction defects and problems have been covered over. It's also difficult to fix some issues without damaging something else if defects are only detected after the house is complete.
Every time you visit the project site check:

• That the site is generally clean, tidy and safe.
• That the quality appears acceptable. This could include checking the plumbness and squareness of door frames, window frames and walls. Regularly line up door and window openings by eye to see if they all align. Arm yourself with a tape measure, square and spirit level (not a tiny one, rather what builders use) so you can check dimensions, squareness and plumbness.
• That the correct materials are being installed.
• That there aren’t any obvious problems. For instance that doors, windows and electrical points are in the correct position, and that the correct tiles are being used and the right quality and colour of paint.
• That the workers are using the latest drawings. Often drawings are revised, or you issue an instruction, but the team executing the work aren’t aware of the instruction, changes, or that there’s a revised drawing.
• That the ground under floor slabs and foundations is compacted.
• That before concrete is poured into foundations and slabs that they are clean of dirt and standing water and that the reinforcing isn’t touching the sides or bottom.
• That all open ends of pipes are temporarily closed so that dirt and concrete doesn’t get into the open pipe.
• That there aren’t obvious holes or damages to pipes, wires and cables, or joints that appear not properly sealed.
• That all pipes appear to have been joined correctly. PVC pipes have various fittings and adaptors. It should never be necessary to heat pipes to bend them, or to cut them to slot them together. Pipes of differing diameters should be connected using the correct adaptor fittings and should fit tightly without paper or silicone being jammed into gaps between the pipes.
• That pipes and cables in trenches don’t have rocks and building rubble thrown on top of them which could cut or crush the pipes and cables. Normally there should be a bedding layer of sand to protect pipes and cables in trenches.

In our next article Checking the quality of construction in your new home Part 3 we continue with this list.

​This is an extract from the author's book 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 1 Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home'.

​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.

There are many media reports of poor construction Read and Read and also Read as some examples.
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Poor quality work can be costly to you because:

• There’s often the inconvenience and cost of having the contractor stay on past the project completion date to fix poor quality work.
• A repair of faulty work often results in a weakness which creates maintenance problems later.
• Defects and poor quality work which has to be fixed after moving into your house results in inconvenience to you and your family.
• There are follow up letters, calls and inspections to ensure that poor quality work is repaired to a satisfactory standard – sometimes even lawyers and construction experts are involved.
• Sometimes you may even give up in frustration and accept a substandard item.
• A fault could be covered up and go undetected until you discover you have a leak in the house, or cracks start appearing.
• Poor quality work has in severe cases caused structures to collapse, or them having to be vacated because they’re dangerous and need to be repaired.

Quality is about delivering a house that meets and exceeds the standards and specifications in the contract, meeting the local bylaws and codes and meeting the code and specification requirements of the state or country. These requirements extend to the house’s functionality, durability and the finished aesthetics.

​It’s important to monitor quality during construction. While these aren’t necessarily formal checks, and you may not consider yourself an expert, it pays to pick up potential problems early in the construction process. Contractors do make mistakes, or on occasion deliberately take a chance. Being there early to pick up the problem is important. Always notify the contractor in writing of quality concerns you see so there’s a record of your concerns. Remember to be consistent. Don’t accept an item as being okay one day, then complain about it the next. Don’t wait until the end of the project to raise quality issues, by then it’s often difficult to fix some problems, and in fixing them other items may be damaged. If the contractor is aware that you’re scrutinising the quality of their work as construction progresses they’re more likely to take additional care to ensure that they produce good quality work.

Familiarise yourself with the drawings, especially the details. Even take the drawings with you when you walk around the project so that you can check when things don’t appear to be in the right place. If you have little construction experience then ask somebody who is more familiar with house construction to join you. Better still, employ a clerk of works to regularly visit the project to check the quality on your behalf. If you’ve employed a clerk of works you must introduce them to your contractor so that your contractor knows who they are.

It may seem silly, but it’s imperative to check that your house is being constructed on the correct property, that it’s within the property boundaries (including allowing for setbacks and building lines) and that it’s orientated the correct way.

In the next 2 articles When inspecting your new home build and renovation project you should check and Checking the quality of construction in your new home Part 3 we discuss what to look for when you visit your new home being constructed, or check on your home renovations.

This is an extract from the author's book 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 1 Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home'.

​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.

Home renovation takes a lot of time, effort, and often needs a big budget. There are a lot of advantages to having a professional take care of your home renovation, but that’s an added cost that just means you have less money for the actual renovation.
The good news is that you can save money and challenge yourself by taking charge of your renovation project yourself. As long as you plan it properly and are willing to put in the extra effort, you can get a lot more done and, of course, there’s a charm to living in a space that you’ve built with your own hands!
Here are 7 tips that will help you avoid the pitfalls of renovating your own house:

1. List your Requirements-
   Start by making a list of everything you want to do and write down the reason/s why you’re doing each one. This will help you decide what’s a must-have, a should-have, and a nice-to-have so that you can allocate your budget accordingly. Once that’s done, check if there are any rules or regulations in your area that you might need to follow.
2. Set a Budget-
   Renovation projects can get expensive quickly, and you can’t leave a renovation project half done. This is where your priorities from the first tip will really help. It’s not just about having a strict upper limit for expenses, but also deciding what all you can realistically afford.
3. Move from Smallest to Largest-
   Divide each area into individual spaces and write a specific goal for each space. Then decide the overall goal for the area and move on to the next.
4. Use Colours Smartly-
   Colors, if you use them wisely, are one of the fastest and least expensive ways to change the way space looks and feels. They can make an area look large and roomy, or snug and cozy, so choose a scheme that matches your goals.
5. Take Care of Pests-
   If you’re going through the trouble of renovating, then make sure that you factor in pests. Get your home inspected and see if treatment is required. Get rid of wasps and any other insects that may be trying to infest your doors or windows. Many people ignore small hives and suddenly find there’s a considerable hive right above the door. Here’s a great guide on how to get rid of wasp nests.
6. Maximize Natural Light-
   Nobody likes being in a dark, dingy room, and artificial lighting can’t even begin to compete with natural light. Think of ways to get more light in, and even if you can afford to get larger windows, using light colors on the existing ones can improve natural lighting a lot
7. Don’t go Overboard-
   When it comes to décor, less is almost always a lot more. Decorate your house tastefully with lots of empty rooms, rather than cramming it with a lot of cheap items. Replacing rugs, curtains, and other worn items is excellent, but think about whether you can re-use furniture with minor repairs. You may be able to create some fantastic décor items using stuff you already have lying around.

Renovating your house is something you shouldn’t neglect, since there are a lot more advantages than just aesthetics. Along with looking much better and being more comfortable, it can also boost your property’s value. While it might seem like a daunting task, following these simple tips will make it a breeze!
 
Author Bio:
When people find their homes and offices infested with pests, it is not uncommon for them to panic. Raymond Web has taken the task to educate people on pest prevention and control strategies, helping them keep their surroundings healthy, safe and pest-free.
As the digital marketing manager for Take Care Termite and Pest Control, in Tracy, CA, he has an in-depth understanding of people and their pain points due to pests, which he efficiently uses in his content to educate people and add value to their lives.

​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.

​In our 2 previous articles Do not hurt yourself while renovating or building your home. Safety tips. and Safety tips when renovating or building a house - part 2
we discussed many tips to ensure that you do not hurt yourself or anyone else while renovating or building your home. In this final instalment we consider more tips to working safely.

​More safety tips:

• Always take precautions when working with flammable products.
• Read mixing and application instructions carefully.
• Never work in totally enclosed spaces, especially when using solvents, glues, chemicals and paints that give off noxious fumes, or when using petrol and diesel equipment, or when using gas.
• You shouldn’t work alone. If something happens to you, or there’s an accident, you could lie undetected for hours without help.
• Take care when lifting and moving heavy objects. Keep fingers and toes out of harm’s way and ensure that you use proper lifting techniques. Injured and strained backs are a major cause of construction related injuries.
• Never attempt work that you aren’t licensed to do, such as working on gas pipes and electrical installations.
• Always have a properly equipped first-aid kit at hand, a fire-extinguisher, and have a mobile phone handy with the numbers of the emergency services. Accidents happen easily.
• Take care when doing any work that generates sparks. Sparks can easily set fire to construction materials and surrounding vegetation. Sparks can also injure you and others in the vicinity. Sparks can damage materials, especially glass and floor and wall tiles – you won’t be the first person to have damaged newly installed windows and floor and wall tiles.
• Never work in deep excavations with vertical sides that reach above your head. There are numerous cases where the sides of trenches collapsed on workers below, burying them alive – unfortunately in most cases the people never escaped alive.

​Accidents happen quickly, and often when you least expect them. Injuries can be devastating and can change your life in an instant. Don’t take chances to save a few thousand dollars, the end result could cost lots more. Plan all work carefully, taking account of the possible risks.

​This article is adapted from Paul Netscher's book 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses; Vol 1'
Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.
© 2020 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.