present-day home building

[crewguy]

Let me open by stating that it's been quite a few years since I was actively involved in home construction. Twenty years ago I made a living, specializing in drywall, related to residential construction.

I was recently in Nashville for business. I have a friend there that has entered into a contract to build a 2500 sq. ft. home there. The builder, a large group out of Texas, is developing a tract close to Franklin, TN. All homes are two-story type and include similar floor plans. Some things I did not like are:

PVC plumbing. Just looks cheap- whatever happened to copper?
Plywood floor joists ( a rip of chip board between two notched 2x4s.
Not enough screws in drywall. 54"rock on 16"centers- 2 screws in the field.
Remodel-type 3 piece tub/showers.

This is just what I noticed in an afternoon visit. I would hate to hang around and watch the actual daily work.

Is this the norm these days? I shudder to think I have entered into a long-term mortgage for a home this shabby!

[mjpliv]

Things have changed a lot in 20 years but a lot has stayed the same as well.

The PVC plumbing (DWV and domestic water) is fine and we use it every day without any problems. The only time we go "old school" is when I have a soil stack drop next to a living/dining area. We use cast iron in this location to keep things quiet. Forget copper! If you can afford to buy it it would probably be stolen from the job site long before the drywall is installed. If not, then they will probably kick holes in the drywall and rip it out then!

The wood I joists are actually an upgrade from dimensioned lumber. These are manufactured in a controlled environment and are very stable dimensionally. As far as the OSB web is concerned, there was a time when these were manufactued using a plywood web. It was found that the OSB out performed the plywood in both strength and water absorbsion/swelling. The OSB used in the construction of these joists is not your "off the shelf" variety. In my opinion it is a superior floor system.

The drywall screws. You have a point. It looks like someone was trying to save a few bucks.

In new construction they should really be using a one piece tub but, then again, its just my opinion and the standard we build to.