HUMIDITY LEVELS IN YOUR HOME
Maintaining the correct humidity level in your home is very important to your family's health and to prevent damage to window sills, casings, walls, floors and ceilings. Too much humidity and you will get condensation forming on windows, walls and ceilings. Too little humidity and your family can become ill.
What is the correct humidity level in a home?
Indoor humidity levels should be adjusted relative to outdoor temperature. If you currantly maintain your indoor temperature @ 70° F. then you should adjust the humidity levels in your home as outlined
in the chart below.
Keeping the humidity levels above the amounts listed will result in condensation forming on windows and other surfaces. Indoor humidity levels can be adjusted by using humidifiers to raise humidity, dehumidifiers to lower humidity and air conditioners.
HOME HUMIDITY LEVELS
OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE INDOOR HUMIDITY LEVEL
-20° F or Colder 15% Maximum
-20° F 20% Maximum
-10° F 25% Maximum
0° F 30% Maximum
10° F 35% Maximum
20° F 40% Maximum
Indoor Temperature & Humidity Readers can be purchased from your local hardware store for about $20.00.
(article from www.renovation-headquarters.com)
CHOOSING A HOME BUILDER
When you decide to buy a brand-new home, choosing the right builder is as important as choosing your home. When you purchase a home, you also "buy" the company that will build it. Your satisfaction will depend on their experience, their skills and their commitment to customer service. An important part of the home buying process lies in determining that you are dealing with a builder who has these qualifications and is able to meet your needs and expectations - for the home and for the buying experience.
SELECTING A BUILDER: A PROFILE OF THE COMPANY
Home building is a complex job. It takes 16 to 30 weeks (and sometimes longer), different skilled trades and thousands of components to construct an average home. It combines many disciplines, from constructing a solid, energy-efficient structure and installing state-of -the-art plumbing, heating, cooling and ventilation systems to fitting the home with a wide range of products and finishes, inside and out. It requires design and planning up front, and careful management throughout the process.
A home builder needs to deal with it all, and do it well. Here are some of the questions you can ask to find out about a builder's skills, experience and professionalism.
- How many years experience does the builder have?
- Are they a full-time builder, and approximately how many homes have they built? Be cautious if someone is a part time builder - they may not have the same experience, up-to-date knowledge and network of suppliers and sub-trades as someone who has made a career of homebuilding.
- Is the company a member of an industry organization such as the Canadian Home Builders' Association (CHBA)
- Does the company have the required licences and registrations?
- Does the company have an established after-sales service policy, and how does it work?
ASK QUESTIONS
The key to getting information is to ask questions. Don't worry that you are demanding too much or that some of your questions may seem obvious to others - ask about all the things that are important to you, both about the house and about the buying process.
It is a good idea to write down your questions in advance; it helps you stay focused and ensure that you get the information you need in order to make a decision. Here are some suggestions:
- If the company offers standard plans, how much change is allowed?
- Will you get a written contract?
- What are the standard features included in the basic price of the home?
- Does the builder offer a selection of standard finishing products, such as flooring and tiles, and can you have a look?
- Does the builder offer upgrades and options and what do they cost?
- Does the company have someone on staff who can help you coordinate the final look of your home? Do they have a separate design centre where you can browse around and make your choices with expert assistance?
- What is the payment schedule?
- When will the builder be able to start construction on your home? What would be the completion date?
- What is the builder's policy on change orders?
- Will you be able to make changes after construction begins?
- What happens if construction falls behind schedule?
- Will the builder conduct a pre-delivery inspection of the home with you before you take possession, to verify that things are done as agreed and to identify any outstanding items to be completed.
WARRANTY AND AFTER SALES SERVICE
You will also want to take a close look at builders' warranty and after sales service. You need to know that your builder will stand behind the home, that the company's commitment to you goes beyond the closing day, and that you have access to recourse if anything goes wrong.
WARRANTY
When you are interviewing builders, find out about the warranty provided on their homes. Ask them to explain what is covered and for how long; ask for written information that you can read through at home to become familiar with how the warranty works, and what is included and what is not. It is important to have realistic expectations from the outset.
AFTER SALES SERVICE
Ask builders to explain their after sales service policy - what can you expect from the company once you have moved into your new home? If their are items outstanding, when will they be completed? How should you deal with warranty items that may emerge later?
Who can you call if you have any questions? What if you have an emergency and need immediate help? Knowing upfront that your builder has a well-defined after-sales service process helps to take the anxiety out of your purchase decision.
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