Need advice for new houses upgrades

[CGFC]

We put this into the list. Thanks.

What's Energe Star option BTW? Rebecca didn't talk about this with us.

It includes:
-Ceilings are increased from 40 to R50
-Vaults are increased from R28 to R40
-Main walls are increased from R19 to R22
-Exposed flooring is increased from R27 to R31
-Ducts are all sealed
-Simplified HRV or Dedicated HRV
-and others

 

[smile666]

One upgrade, which is not in your list, may be better done by builder -Upgrade the staircase to the hardwood. You may want to consider it if you want to do it.

I am wondering is it possible to do it later? Is it must be done by the builder? Thanks.

 

[smile666]

We put this into the list. Thanks.

What's Energe Star option BTW? Rebecca didn't talk about this with us.

Sarah,

You can get the specification of the Energy star package from the decor center. They can email it to you.

 

[Sarah Sarah]

I am wondering is it possible to do it later? Is it must be done by the builder? Thanks.

NP.

However, the upgrade costs $3000 - $3500, it is definitely a good price.

 

[four season]

NP.

However, the upgrade costs $3000 - $3500, it is definitely a good price.

Did you mean the energy star option including the following items costs $3000 to $3500?

-Ceilings are increased from 40 to R50
-Vaults are increased from R28 to R40
-Main walls are increased from R19 to R22
-Exposed flooring is increased from R27 to R31
-Ducts are all sealed
-Simplified HRV or Dedicated HRV
-and others

 

[Sarah Sarah]

"The upgrade costs $3000 - $3500", it is for hardwood stairs.

I sent an email asking for the details of the energy star package and the price, but no reply yet.

 

[four season]

"The upgrade costs $3000 - $3500", it is for hardwood stairs.

I sent an email asking for the details of the energy star package and the price, but no reply yet.

I see. Thanks. I guess the energy star package may costs more than 10K.

 

[BobtheBuilder]

I think the very first step is to identify which items are considered "structual change", which are "design centre upgrades", things like "raising the fireplace", enlarge basement windows, hardwood stairwells, 3-pc rough-ins, change entrance door from single to double, etc. are all structual changes, it's better done with the builder as they are much more difficult to do afterwards. The design centre upgrades are easier done after you take possession, such as painting, hardwood flooring, add in more potlights, etc.

Speaking from our own experience, I'd recommend the following,

1. upgrade basement window as large as you can.
2. rough-in for the basement
3. central air with builder
4. don't go cheap on the kitchen, definitely get crown moulding on the cabinets
5. spend on ensuite bath. Both kitchen and ensuite will give you the biggest bang for your bucks.
6. smooth ceiling? I love that too, but too expensive.
7. gas stove, get builder to hook up the gas line into kitchen.
8. centre vanity light box above the sinks, if you want to replace the vanity lights later on.
9. if your garage door are two single ones, change to one double door, you will have more wiggle room in and out of the garage.

 

[smile666]

"The upgrade costs $3000 - $3500", it is for hardwood stairs.

I sent an email asking for the details of the energy star package and the price, but no reply yet.

I can send my price to you if you want: QQH me.

 

[Sarah Sarah]

I think the very first step is to identify which items are considered "structual change", which are "design centre upgrades", things like "raising the fireplace", enlarge basement windows, hardwood stairwells, 3-pc rough-ins, change entrance door from single to double, etc. are all structual changes, it's better done with the builder as they are much more difficult to do afterwards. The design centre upgrades are easier done after you take possession, such as painting, hardwood flooring, add in more potlights, etc.

Speaking from our own experience, I'd recommend the following,

1. upgrade basement window as large as you can.
2. rough-in for the basement
3. central air with builder
4. don't go cheap on the kitchen, definitely get crown moulding on the cabinets
5. spend on ensuite bath. Both kitchen and ensuite will give you the biggest bang for your bucks.
6. smooth ceiling? I love that too, but too expensive.
7. gas stove, get builder to hook up the gas line into kitchen.
8. centre vanity light box above the sinks, if you want to replace the vanity lights later on.
9. if your garage door are two single ones, change to one double door, you will have more wiggle room in and out of the garage.

I go with most of the items above, especially the structual changes. (BTW, I gave a list of structual changes to the builder but got No No as response for most of them.)

Can you advise why central air with builder but not later. I didn't even ask the price from the builder as it was said it would be much economic to install it later.

 

[laurierwest]

I think the very first step is to identify which items are considered "structual change", which are "design centre upgrades", things like "raising the fireplace", enlarge basement windows, hardwood stairwells, 3-pc rough-ins, change entrance door from single to double, etc. are all structual changes, it's better done with the builder as they are much more difficult to do afterwards. The design centre upgrades are easier done after you take possession, such as painting, hardwood flooring, add in more potlights, etc.

Speaking from our own experience, I'd recommend the following,

1. upgrade basement window as large as you can.
2. rough-in for the basement
3. central air with builder
4. don't go cheap on the kitchen, definitely get crown moulding on the cabinets
5. spend on ensuite bath. Both kitchen and ensuite will give you the biggest bang for your bucks.
6. smooth ceiling? I love that too, but too expensive.
7. gas stove, get builder to hook up the gas line into kitchen.
8. centre vanity light box above the sinks, if you want to replace the vanity lights later on.
9. if your garage door are two single ones, change to one double door, you will have more wiggle room in and out of the garage.

good advice.
另外我自己设计了一个方法,其实也说不上什么新的设计就是使用以前公司里评标时用个打分法.

1: LIST ALL YOUR NEEDS
2: 分成两类(结构性永久变更,可调整的)
3: 标记上在你心目中的重要性(给予权重)和心理价位(预算)
3: GET QUOTATION FROM BUILDER AND CONTRACTOR(OR ASKING HERE)
4: 比较各项QUOTATION X 重要性权重,对每项赋予分值.
5: 按结构性变更优先, 差价小的优先 比照总预算...缩小你自己的LIST......
6: 数字会告诉你哪个优先.
7: 余下的项目(超预算的项目)也会有个优先次序, 这个次序是你和BUILDER 讨价还价的GIVE-TAKE的优先次序.


可能会对一些人不适用(不如我家领导), 如果你对数字敏感,而且喜欢准备好功课去和BUILDER谈,可能是个好方法.

 

[laurierwest]

I am wondering is it possible to do it later? Is it must be done by the builder? Thanks.

YES...you can, but you have to pay more than 3k-3.5k. the staircase structure need some change, not only replace carpet to hardwood.

 

[BobtheBuilder]

I go with most of the items above, especially the structual changes. (BTW, I gave a list of structual changes to the builder but got No No as response for most of them.)

Can you advise why central air with builder but not later. I didn't even ask the price from the builder as it was said it would be much economic to install it later.

Re: central air
Guess we were lucky. When we bought May 2009, builder still offered an upgrade package, basically with 5k you get 20k worth of upgrades, including hardwood stairs, granite countertop, central air, garage door opener, all ceramic tiles in kitchen and washrooms, etc. So we didn't bother to look into installing the A/C after effect. But it might take a bit of time/effort, as you will need to drill through the wall.

 

[l'hiver]

Re: central air Guess we were lucky. When we bought May 2009, builder still offered a

What's your builder? 5K for all those upgrades? Do you like the quality and finish?

 

[BobtheBuilder]

What's your builder? 5K for all those upgrades? Do you like the quality and finish?

Monarch. Can't complain. Only the granite counter top is a horse-shoe shape, they used three pieces instead of one giant piece, but can't expect too much.

I believe they stopped offering that package as of June 2009.