Replies

1. 
   BobKovacs | Feb 12, 2003 11:07pm | #1

   The NAHB publishes a book called "Residential Construction Performance Guidelines", or something to that effect.  The should be embarassed for what they put in it, though.  The standards are so sloppy (something like "walls can be out of plumb 1/4" in  30", or over 3/4" in 8 feet!!!!), that any builder using them as guidelines doesn't deserve to be in business.  They're an excuse for builders to have something to point to when they do sh** work and the owner balks.  "It's right here in the NAHB standards, Mr. Jones."

   Other than that, I haven't really found any books just giving "standards".

   Bob

2. 
   RW | Feb 13, 2003 02:10am | #2

   Not sure if I agree completely. The book is a guideline. Most of what's in there is geared towards minimum acceptable standards. I'm on the other side of the fence sometimes since I do warranty work for builders.

   Bob's got a point. If a builder is only building to that minimum standard, he's not really making an effort to produce a quality product. The flip side is the people that want drywall repaired 364 days after they bought the house, and the cracks are hairlines that you can't see unless you're standing next to them. In those situations, it's not a warrantee item, and I'll dig out the book if they balk.

   That said, I've never had to use it in that fashion. Most builders are reasonably competent. Mistakes get made, mistakes get fixed. More often than not, the builders I deal with want me to go ahead and fix the things that aren't warantee items just to make the customer happy. I suppose in the long run the PR is worth the extra couple of bucks.

   I'd say go get a copy of a code book, but those get pricey if you're just wondering the answer to a couple of questions.

   2000 International Building Code - Softcover

   $69.55

   http://www.contractor-books.com

   " To the noble mind / Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind" - Wm Shakespeare, Hamlet, III,i,100

1. 
   Turnagain | Feb 14, 2003 08:52am | #3

   Thanks for the input.  I'm getting ready to sell a house and wanted to refer to a standard in the warranty.  Buildings do settle and framing dries out (especially when you frame a house in a rainforest) so cracks are going to happen here and there, hopefully not much more though!