In Central Indiana, construction is governed by a process that requires all work be done in compliance with a statewide Building Code. The BAGI Builder Standards are a set of standards that BAGI Builders agree to, and they help set expectations between the builder and his or her client. The Standards apply to new home construction and have a warranty period of one year from time of closing.
As winter approaches, here are some Builder Standards that you may want to keep in mind for your new home:
CRACKS IN GARAGE FLOOR
Minor cracks in garage floors are normal. Cracks exceeding ¼ inch in width or 3/16 inch in vertical displacement shall be repaired.
CONCRETE
Because the curing of concrete is a chemical process and can take up to a year to complete, changes in size and strength can be expected. Pitting, spalling, and scaling can occur when salt or other deicers are applied directly to the surface of the concrete or when they are indirectly deposited on the surface by tires or feet. Remember to keep salt off of surfaces that are in the curing phase!
CONDENSATION
Windows will collect condensation on their interior surfaces when extreme temperature differences and high humidity levels occur. Condensation usually results from humid conditions within the home created by the owner during the curing process in a new space.
Unless the window condensation or frost is directly attributed to faulty installation, it usually results from conditions beyond a builder’s control. If windows are correctly installed, no corrective action is required.
DRYWALL
Minor seam separations, corner bead cracks, blisters, ridging at seam lines, and mounds at nail heads are cosmetic finishing imperfections and not defects since they are common conditions that are generally caused by lumber stabilization and should be expected. Cosmetic finishing imperfections that can be readily observed by visual inspection from a distance of 6 feet under normal lighting conditions will be repaired by the builder one time during the service period, except where normal repainting will cover the blemish, as in the case of a hairline crack. The builder is not responsible to repair drywall or tape cracking that is caused by a truss uplift.
As a courtesy, one time during the service period, the builder will repair cosmetic finishing imperfections to match the original finish as closely as possible. The builder will touch up and paint the repairs with the original paint color in areas where the builder was responsible for the original interior painting. The builder is not required to repair blemishes that are covered by wallpaper.
WOOD FLOORS
Wood flooring, because of its nature as a wood product, may expand, contract, cup, and warp due to moisture and temperature variations of the home. The homeowner is responsible for maintaining proper humidity levels in the home. Even with proper humidity levels, changes may still appear as a result of heating and cooling systems.
