A few years ago I came across a small book (either here or at JLC) that broke down quality standards for most phases of construction. It made a pretty good effort to quantify what is acceptable in somewhat objective terms. Things like “cracks in concrete slab smaller than .5mm acceptabl” or “smooth wall finish, drywall, no defects visible when looking perpendicular to wall surface from 20 inches”. I’m paraphrasing here from memory so no exact quotes. Anyway, the point is not that the standards are what a high-end finish carpenter would aspire to, more like the standards are an attempt to quantify a baseline that a novice (homeowner) and a pro(contractor) could use as a starting point for discussing what is acceptable for a particular project.
There were two versions — a small spiral bound version and a pocket size paper-back version. I had a copy of the spiral-bound version but it got lost moving last year and now I can’t for the life of me remember the title and my brain is freezing up on a Sunday morning — it just won’t work in the memory department.
Does this ring a bell with anyone? Anyone got the title or know what I am talking about? I hoping someone does
Thanks
Brad
Replies
Are you referring to the NAHB's 'Quality Standards for Builders and Remodelers'? There's a book available on their site... I think that's the title.
Yes, that's the one I was thinking about. I just couldn't remember the title or where I got it. Thanks to all for the ideas and helpBrad
I have a book from the NHBA. Maybe 30 pages, 8 1/2" x 11" - more of a booklet. I've had a few customers who wanted to use a magnifying glass on the drywall, for example. The book helps in those situations. Matt
I have a copy of:
California Building Performance Guidelines for Residential Construction
but there's no way that baby's gonna fit in your pocket!
http://www.buildingstandardsinstitute.org
Actually they have 3 different books.http://www.cabuildingstandards.com/I wonder if this one would also have be good - "The Handbook of Specifications and Scopes of Work for Trade Contractors"
"Handbook of constuction tolerances"?
I have it in Hard back, 2+ inches thick IIRC.
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