New homes quality?

[gatorbill1]

Just did visit of new designer homes on tour south of 44. Nice appliances, same cheap beige carpet in bedrooms, AND push/pull shutoff valves that all up "north" have been replacing.

[champion6]

Just did visit of new designer homes on tour south of 44. Nice appliances, same cheap beige carpet in bedrooms, AND push/pull shutoff valves that all up "north" have been replacing.My house was built in 2011 and is north of 466A. I have not had a need to replace my push/pull valves. I close them every time I leave for two or more days. They continue to work just fine.

[rjm1cc]

My house was built in 2011 and is north of 466A. I have not had a need to replace my push/pull valves. I close them every time I leave for two or more days. They continue to work just fine.

Why do you close them? I can see turning off the water to the home so if say a washing machine hose breaks you are ok but I do not see the benefit to only turning off the toilets. What am I missing?

[Toymeister]

Consider the builder's perspective. He has to meet code, after that point there is a finite amount to finish the home. Now would you spend your money on a slightly nicer light fixture, perhaps an extra ceiling fan or something that virtually no one will notice, much less care?

The carpet is new, clean and smells nice. The valves work. This covers over 99% of the target audience.

Are the valves the cheapest available, yup. Should the carpet be removed before you ever move in? That's a great idea!

I do commend you for noticing, I thought that was was almost alone.

The homes are fine. No faulty construction.

[dewilson58]

Why do you close them? I can see turning off the water to the home so if say a washing machine hose breaks you are ok but I do not see the benefit to only turning off the toilets. What am I missing?




Yep, turn off main and shut off water heater.

[retiredguy123]

Why do you close them? I can see turning off the water to the home so if say a washing machine hose breaks you are ok but I do not see the benefit to only turning off the toilets. What am I missing?
I agree. Closing the main water valve to the house will provide much better protection against a leak. I would only close the push-pull plastic valves when you need to repair a toilet or a faucet.

[Toymeister]

I am sure the OP would like to hear about home construction in the Villages and nothing about water shut off procedures. What do owners think about how their home was built?

[karostay]

I would say a Villages built home and a manufactured home the quality runs neck and neck.
More up to code short cuts than Google Maps driving directions.
It's what the Villages has to offer overall that's the selling point.

[Toymeister]

I would say a Villages built home and a manufactured home the quality runs neck and neck.
More up to code short cuts than Google Maps driving directions.
It's what the Villages has to offer overall that's the selling point.
Do you have any examples of not meeting code?

Did you know that Florida's building codes were dramatically tightened after Hurricane Andrew 27 years ago? So a mobile home from the 1980s in the historical section can in no way compare to a new construction home?

[retiredguy123]

In my opinion, the construction quality in The Villages is comparable to houses being built in most areas of the Country. The house I sold in Virginia cost about 5 times the cost of my Villages house, but the construction quality was actually lower than The Villages construction. For example, I had several high walls where the drywall was very wavy because of crooked wood studs. In The Villages, they use metal studs for the high walls, which results in a straighter drywall finish. I also think the quality control is very good, and they will fix almost anything you don't like during the warranty period.

[justjim]

I am sure the OP would like to hear about home construction in the Villages and nothing about water shut off procedures. What do owners think about how their home was built?

I am not a contractor or builder but have friends who are and I trust them when they tell me that the homes built in The Villages are “well constructed.” I have purchased three new homes here in the last 13 years with no major issues or problems.

[billethkid]

I would say a Villages built home and a manufactured home the quality runs neck and neck.
More up to code short cuts than Google Maps driving directions.
It's what the Villages has to offer overall that's the selling point.

Ahhhhh....NO!

Not where I live and not in any friends and neighbors in other villages.

[Packer Fan]

I would say a Villages built home and a manufactured home the quality runs neck and neck.
More up to code short cuts than Google Maps driving directions.
It's what the Villages has to offer overall that's the selling point.

I could not disagree more. I bought my home in Hillboruogh 5 years ago - we have had 30 renters or more in there over that time. It has been through 2 Hurricanes - Irma was a direct hit as a cat 1 hurricane.
We were in it for 10 days over Thanksgiving and my wife commented that it was amazing how it looked the same as it did 5 years ago. The extent of our maintenance in that time has been -
1. Regular Powerwashing
2. Yearly Filter changes and one cleaning of the HVAC
3. A few sprinkler head fixes
4. 2 cleanings of the supposedly "cheap" carpet that looks like the day it was installed.
5. Deep cleaning of the grout in the showers and bathroom.
6. A circuit board in the HVAC was replaced under warranty
7. Some minor touch up paint.
8. Replaced one of the flush valves in the toilet.
9. The only major problem we had was the shigles did not seal correctly which was fixed under the manufacturers warranty.

Nothing major has broken - we basically put up window shades and furnished the house. It rents about 10 months a year.

I challenge you to beat that with any other builder. The build quality appears to be on par with any other builder I have seen for the price, in fact actually better.

From what I have seen my neighbors have seen the same thing.

Full disclosure - one of my duties at my current employer is handling facilities and construction projects, which we do a lot of. Based on this I will tell you the build quality is excellent and the pace and organization of building is amazing.

So what exactly are your complaints????

[retiredguy123]

Just to point out a few other construction quality features that I was impressed with in The Villages houses.

1. The interior doors and trim tolerances are some of the best I have seen. I am extremely picky, but I didn't need to ask the builder to adjust any of my doors.
2. The trim painting job was very neat and almost looked like it was factory coated.
3. T&D, who does most of the new concrete work is an excellent concrete company, and very helpful and responsive with warranty issues.
4. The Great Lakes flooring company is an excellent company that installs much of the new house flooring. Obviously, the carpet is cheap, but no carpeting is going last more than about 5 years anyway.
5. Munn's is an excellent HVAC company. This summer, they fixed my AC system within 4 hours on a Saturday under the 5 year warranty.
6. The designer push type light switches are usually an optional extra charge in new houses, but standard in The Villages.
7. The Villages warranty program is the best and most concerned about customer satisfaction that I have seen anywhere.

I was involved with construction work for over 40 years, and I don't think there is a problem with The Villages construction quality.

[John_W]

There is code and then there is above and beyond, which is what a builder would do for himself. When I lived in Pensacola from '77 to '82, I acted as general contractor on two homes I built from my own plans. In Florida you don't need a contractor's license if you're going to live in the home yourself for one year. You also don't need an architect's seal on your plans unless it's commercial property. I had a residential designer draw up my plans and spec sheet for about $300 from my design.

In the panhandle they don't use masonry, it's all stick built just like Alabama. The local joke was we called Pensacola "LA", which stood for Lower Alabama. I used 6" exterior walls instead of 4" exterior walls. The cost was not much different since they are set on 24" centers instead of 18" centers. This allowed me to use 6" R19 batts instead of the normal R13 batts in the walls. Then I covered the outside with R2 insulfoam boards for a total of R21, except in the corners of the home I used plywood for strength. I also used a plastic vapor barrier, but before the drywall went up and I used up about 10 cans of spray insulation foam filling in all the corners, T's, bottom plates and top plates and around windows after the home was framed. Also insulated interior walls around bathrooms and laundry rooms and the wall between the garage and the house.

I also was able to do things that builders usually don't include or charge extra such as a central vacuum, five ceiling fans, a fireplace, a thrash compactor in the kitchen. Here's a view of the kitchen. I used Merillatt Cabinets which were above average, I got a good deal on the cabinets for $3500 and I designed it with a 10' breakfast bar.

https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/79511778_1480625432101984_7158535409444585472_n.jp g?_nc_cat=107&_nc_ohc=Z91CW7snuzQAQkXfGpOI0vqwAwh8Qx4bmtqDyUS2QX LZ5GnQRapxFSgMw&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=451adbbc6932ee7bfddca6c410090444&oe=5E7779FA

Here's is the exterior. I did all the outside and inside painting. There are ways to save money, for example I didn't sod the yard, instead I used a 100 yards of sod and plug the entire yard and within six months I had a beautiful yard. I also kept every tree that wasn't in the way of the foundation of the home.

https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/79384688_1480630975434763_7327129660544778240_n.jp g?_nc_cat=109&_nc_ohc=HotKgxNqPEAAQl-78E8yw5b9FNLHjQBsFB0CjbOvq9ZOVrOs2U2eARujQ&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=32d58bbd765da5dca59f2154bce536bd&oe=5EAC0851

I'm disappointed with some of the features of TV homes. The push-pull valves I've had Kiley & Sons replace all of them, in fact they won't do any work it push-pull valves are in place. I've replaced the bathroom faucets. I've replaced the kitchen appliances, I had the carpeting removed from the dining room and had wood floors installed in the DR and Kitchen. I'm sure many of you have done the same. That 2600 sf home in Pensacola with a 2 car side entrance garage in 1979 cost me $52,000 to build, the lot was $15,000 and the pool was $8,000.

[Chatbrat]

We removed all the carpet before we moved into a brand new designer, installed granite throughout, ,replaced all the builder line ceiling fans-installed a vessel sink in the guest bath-, replaced standard disposal with a multi-stage disposal--and a lot of Hunter Douglas drapes, enclosed the lanai and installed motorized shades

[TCRSO]

Why do you close them? I can see turning off the water to the home so if say a washing machine hose breaks you are ok but I do not see the benefit to only turning off the toilets. What am I missing?

If you leave your home for an extended period without turning off the water supply and a hose breaks, the insurance company may deny payment.

[Dave2000]

My house in TV is 16+ years old and never had reason to shut off the water using the push/pull valves

[Bridget Staunton]

My hubby shuts off all water to house and he is a plumber. Our friend was on vacation for a few days and came home to a flooded house. New wood floors were installed a few weeks before

[mrf6969]

Well you will once you have to replace the flush kit in the water closet. My home is 14 yrs old here and I have replaced all the flush kits in both my main home and my rental property which are both 14 yrs old.

[Cranford61]

I wouldn’t want to live next to a house that has had 30 renters in 5 years. The neighbors probably think it is a flop house.

[KSSunshine]

In my opinion, the construction quality in The Villages is comparable to houses being built in most areas of the Country. The house I sold in Virginia cost about 5 times the cost of my Villages house, but the construction quality was actually lower than The Villages construction. For example, I had several high walls where the drywall was very wavy because of crooked wood studs. In The Villages, they use metal studs for the high walls, which results in a straighter drywall finish. I also think the quality control is very good, and they will fix almost anything you don't like during the warranty period.

However, it has been our experience that they won't fix a "very wavy wall because of a crooked stud." We have one and the builder pulled out a sheet of paper and said it was within specs. We had a lot of "within specs" issues. AND, they don't use metal studs for high walls because this one is wood. House is less than one year old.

Our builder said they were using metal studs now, so we drove around and looked at new construction to see for ourselves. We saw the metal studs in kitchens and bathrooms where they can run the electrical through the "studs" with the pre-positioned holes. Not one had the metal studs in the entry where the high wall would be. That was in Monarch Grove...one of the newest areas South of 44.

[Altavia]

Just to point out a few other construction quality features that I was impressed with in The Villages houses.

1. The interior doors and trim tolerances are some of the best I have seen. I am extremely picky, but I didn't need to ask the builder to adjust any of my doors.
2. The trim painting job was very neat and almost looked like it was factory coated.
3. T&D, who does most of the new concrete work is an excellent concrete company, and very helpful and responsive with warranty issues.
4. The Great Lakes flooring company is an excellent company that installs much of the new house flooring. Obviously, the carpet is cheap, but no carpeting is going last more than about 5 years anyway.
5. Munn's is an excellent HVAC company. This summer, they fixed my AC system within 4 hours on a Saturday under the 5 year warranty.
6. The designer push type light switches are usually an optional extra charge in new houses, but standard in The Villages.
7. The Villages warranty program is the best and most concerned about customer satisfaction that I have seen anywhere.

I was involved with construction work for over 40 years, and I don't think there is a problem with The Villages construction quality.

Same experience here on my recent construction. I visited daily as I like to see the progress and when appropriate, shake the hands and thank the people on site doing the work.

The process is highly optimized and standardized. Multiple specialized teams do the work that is inspected by more experienced workers and the supervisors. Materials delivered just in time. The construction sites are kept clean and optimized. The operation is a virtual factory in the field.

Many of the workers I met have over twenty years building for The Villages and know their stuff. They work hard, are humble, proud of their work and appreciate the continuous stream of employment.

Construction supervisors periodically visit each other's homes as a level of in process QC and discuss best practices.

There are roughly 20 formal inspection points. The County inspectors are there in the house, when needed. They provide both positive and negative feedback and told me anything noted for corrrection is addressed rapidly without debate.

Previous homes I've built and purchased closed before the last coat of paint was dry. The Villages adds 3-4 weeks to give time for several follow-up cleanings, inspections/touchup and to allow the sod and landscaping to be properly watered in.

The Villages truly has a great story to tell about their product and workers.

[PaulUnderwood]

We built a new home here in the Villages in general a good experience but two things upset me to no end they never told me they used not washable flat wall paint. With a women design assistant she should have told us and we would have upgraded out paint choice. Second our sheetrock cracked in the living room and the builder told us this was a common occurrence in this model you wold think with all the building here the engineers would be able to redesign the trusses as to alleviate this problem.

[Chatbrat]

Seam cracks in designer ceilings are common

[gatorbill1]

No plumber would ever install a push/pull valve when building a home outside of TV. They all recommend changing them when working on anything related to the shut off valve.

[John_W]

My house in TV is 16+ years old and never had reason to shut off the water using the push/pull valves

Your original faucets have never leaked or dripped or had to be replaced? The single lever faucets in our bathrooms lasted only 8 years, the kitchen faucet dripped after 6 years. These bathroom faucets are worth about $25, to pay $16 for a new cartridge to fix them makes them really just a throw away. If you hire a plumber, such as Kiley & Sons to do the labor, they will require you to have the push-pull valves replaced.

https://images.homedepot-static.com/productImages/aecd16b7-2390-409f-9152-5a2cb7ad9c40/svn/brushed-nickel-bk-products-centerset-bathroom-sink-faucets-222-340-64_1000.jpg

[dewilson58]

No plumber would ever install a push/pull valve when building a home outside of TV. They all recommend changing them when working on anything related to the shut off valve.






Not true.

[Chatbrat]

If they are Delta faucets--there is a lifetime warranty on springs, seats--call them give them the model # of the faucet & or shower control--you'll get the parts in less than a week

The push/pull were predominantly used in manufactured homes--never saw them in " real" structures

Its a shame that valves, which require two hands to operate are used in a retirement community--the second had is required to prevent pulling the valve out of the wall

[Toymeister]

Say OP besides all the fascination with water control devices, did you find your answer here yet?

All the Villages homes come with a warranty that will be responded to. Even after it expires the home warranty Dept can provide info on which numbers to call for those components that exceed the overall warranty. You are not. forgotten after the sale.

Is there some particular question you had such as the HVAC quality, best things to have upgraded by the builder or by you after construction?

[Altavia]

Not a fan of plastic valves either but Accor claims the valves come with 10-year residential warranty includes a prorated labor cost for any defective valve replacement.

ACCOR(R) Technology FAQs | ACCOR(R) Technology (https://accortechnology.com/accor-technology-faqs)

[Chatbrat]

Pro rated labor costs are BS

[tagjr1]

You fortunately have never returned home and found that the toilet, you never knew had a hairline crack in either the bowl or tank, let go and the water has been running so long it's now 3-4 inches deep throughout the house! All this could have been avoided by simply turning off the water at the toilets.

[retiredguy123]

You fortunately have never returned home and found that the toilet, you never knew had a hairline crack in either the bowl or tank, let go and the water has been running so long it's now 3-4 inches deep throughout the house! All this could have been avoided by simply turning off the water at the toilets.
I'm not sure what you are referring to, but closing the main water valve to the house will prevent the same type of leak and other leaks. No need to turn the water off at every toilet.

[coffeebean]

Why do you close them? I can see turning off the water to the home so if say a washing machine hose breaks you are ok but I do not see the benefit to only turning off the toilets. What am I missing?

Agree....we turn off the main water any time we will be away a couple or more days.

[coffeebean]

The homes are fine. No faulty construction.

What I noticed is the tiled shower floors that were not straight. Our home was build in 2007 and the tile on the floor of our master bath is straight as an arrow.....perfectly square in all the three corners that are square. There is an angled bench which also has perfectly placed tiles and are even on each side.

The shower floor tiles in a few of the models (when I started noticing) are way off on one end as opposed to the other end of the floor. For example....the cut tile starts out at say 1" at one end and winds up with 1 1/2" at the opposite end of the run. It just looks sloppy and the walls are out of square. I'm not saying this is faulty construction.....just sloppy construction.

[coffeebean]

My hubby shuts off all water to house and he is a plumber. Our friend was on vacation for a few days and came home to a flooded house. New wood floors were installed a few weeks before

My friend in NJ sold her home and closed on the home. It was vacant for a couple of weeks. All was fine during the walk through. Come time for the new owners to move in, the ceiling fell through and there was a flood in the home. There was a pinhead size hole in the water line of the fridge.

Had they shut off the main water, this extensive damage would not have happened. Most people would notice a puddle of water coming from under the fridge so the damage would have been minimal.

[Garywt]

I am not sure what these push and pull valves are. I shut the main off whenever I head north but have know idea about any valve.

[coffeebean]

You fortunately have never returned home and found that the toilet, you never knew had a hairline crack in either the bowl or tank, let go and the water has been running so long it's now 3-4 inches deep throughout the house! All this could have been avoided by simply turning off the water at the toilets.

Why turn the water off at only the toilets? Turn off the water at the main (in the garage) and ALL the water sources will be taken care of. It does not make sense to turn off just the toilets water valves. What if you have a leak in the water line of the fridge such as I just mentioned in a previous post?

[OhioBuckeye]

Consider the builder's perspective. He has to meet code, after that point there is a finite amount to finish the home. Now would you spend your money on a slightly nicer light fixture, perhaps an extra ceiling fan or something that virtually no one will notice, much less care?

The carpet is new, clean and smells nice. The valves work. This covers over 99% of the target audience.

Are the valves the cheapest available, yup. Should the carpet be removed before you ever move in? That's a great idea!e

I do commend you for noticing, I thought that was was almost alone.

The homes are fine. No faulty construction.
I hope you’re not a Dem. but had to laugh at your picture with your handle. That picture looks like Joe Biden, now you see why I asked if you were Dem. Have a great week & Xmas!

[retiredguy123]

I am not sure what these push and pull valves are. I shut the main off whenever I head north but have know idea about any valve.
If your toilet starts to overflow, reach down near the floor and pull out the round plastic thing on the water pipe. It will shut off the water and stop the overflow. That is the push-pull toilet valve. Some people think you turn it, but you don't. You pull it out to shut off the water supply to the toilet.

[billethkid]

If your toilet starts to overflow, reach down near the floor and pull out the round plastic thing on the water pipe. It will shut off the water and stop the overflow. That is the push-pull toilet valve. Some people think you turn it, but you don't. You pull it out to shut off the water supply to the toilet.

Yes and to help remember off has three letters and so does out.
On has two letters and so does in.

[coffeebean]

Yes and to help remember off has three letters and so does out.
On has two letters and so does in.

Thank you. Thank you! That is what helped me get through school.....by association. It really does work. I use that method to today.

[maybe]

The basic construction is mostly fine, but they do use the cheapest items where possible, such as the push-pull valves. Another example I know of: the plastic sides of the exterior garage lights were so thin and cheap that they disintegrated in 10 years. If that is now a standard item to replace every 10 years, too bad for America.

[Rosebud2020]

The basic construction is mostly fine, but they do use the cheapest items where possible, such as the push-pull valves. Another example I know of: the plastic sides of the exterior garage lights were so thin and cheap that they disintegrated in 10 years. If that is now a standard item to replace every 10 years, too bad for America.


The villages will never win a prize for quality construction which is what I think you are basically saying. I find the price of new homes to be high considering what you get or should I say what you don't get. They deliver the minimum based on code and I even find code to be archaic in some ways. As they say, you are buying the lifestyle (not necessarily the house) and it appears the lifestyle is getting more expensive, too!

[Chatbrat]

Wish the following code changes would be in effect in TV, front entry doors open outward instead of inward and install fire rated doors between the garage & interior of the house and make a fire wall in the attic above the garage and main house

[rustyp]

Wish the following code changes would be in effect in TV, front entry doors open outward instead of inward and install fire rated doors between the garage & interior of the house and make a fire wall in the attic above the garage and main house

Why would you want the entry door to swing out ? If it does

1. The hinges would be exposed threaten security
2. The wind could catch the door when opening
3. How would you install a screen door
4. You need to step backwards when entering with a handful of groceries

[coffeebean]

Wish the following code changes would be in effect in TV, front entry doors open outward instead of inward and install fire rated doors between the garage & interior of the house and make a fire wall in the attic above the garage and main house

When entry doors open outwards, the hinges are on the exterior of the home. Exterior hinges on a door make it a snap to remove the door. I would not feel safe with a door that opens outward.

We have solid wood doors between the garage and the interior of our home. One door leads to the foyer and one door leads to the laundry room. Isn't a solid wood door considered a fire rated door?

[coffeebean]

Why would you want the entry door to swing out ? If it does

1. The hinges would be exposed threaten security
2. The wind could catch the door when opening
3. How would you install a screen door
4. You need to step backwards when entering with a handful of groceries

Yup!

[Chatbrat]

Its easier to kick in the typical villages front door than remove hinges--the doors in S.Florida must swing out/ for wind protection

There are security hinges with set screws that make it difficult to remove the pins

[rustyp]

Its easier to kick in the typical villages front door than remove hinges--the doors in S.Florida must swing out/ for wind protection

There are security hinges with set screws that make it difficult to remove the pins

Help me with why outward is advantageous. I promise to be open minded. Have you ever had a door blow off it's frame when closed ? Can one imagine what kind of damage the rest of the house must get (example roof ) with that kind of force. Another cynical thought is it would be easier for a bad person to come to your door and rip it out of your hands exposing you rather than you having some protection of sheltering yourself behind the door when you first open it.

[Chatbrat]

You should never open a door to a stranger that you don't recognize--

[rustyp]

You should never open a door to a stranger that you don't recognize--

also squirrels

:pray:

[ladila2]

Re: Home quality and construction.....how are your windows this AM if you live in Mallory? (especially on the "older" side)

[rustyp]

Re: Home quality and construction.....how are your windows this AM if you live in Mallory? (especially on the "older" side)

Is there an older side of Mallory ? I know Mallory was like half built when the tornado hit. Is that what is newer Vs older side ? If so did construction change at that point ? If so was it due to first hand experience with the tornado?

[gatorbill1]

[QUOTE=Toymeister;1702518]Say OP besides all the fascination with water control devices, did you find your answer here yet?

I give up - no one seems to buy anything that is not top notch. Opinions are like you know what - but opinions can be changed.

[Packer Fan]

I wouldn’t want to live next to a house that has had 30 renters in 5 years. The neighbors probably think it is a flop house.

Actually, I know all the nieghbors and have asked - None have any complaints. Most say the renters are excellent and polite. The winter renters actually attend most of the local village events. I keep the rentals looking as good as or better than the other houses in the neighborhood. My wife interviews all our tenants -they are all very nice people.

I actually think Renters are nicer than some permanent residents because they don't discriminate...

[Packer Fan]

You fortunately have never returned home and found that the toilet, you never knew had a hairline crack in either the bowl or tank, let go and the water has been running so long it's now 3-4 inches deep throughout the house! All this could have been avoided by simply turning off the water at the toilets.

Why don't you just turn off the water to the whole house using the shutoff valve for the house? Way easier

[Packer Fan]

We removed all the carpet before we moved into a brand new designer, installed granite throughout, ,replaced all the builder line ceiling fans-installed a vessel sink in the guest bath-, replaced standard disposal with a multi-stage disposal--and a lot of Hunter Douglas drapes, enclosed the lanai and installed motorized shades

None of those things speak to the quality of the build. Most of them are taste issues - for instance my wife and I hate vessel sinks and granite counter tops... The fans that come with the house work great, and I have no idea what is wrong with the disposals-they work great..
at least the ones that came with our house.
As far as the carpet - yes it is builder grade, but it still looks great in both our rentals after 8 and 5 years - and we just clean it every other year..

[Packer Fan]

No plumber would ever install a push/pull valve when building a home outside of TV. They all recommend changing them when working on anything related to the shut off valve.

Sorry, They are standard in Wisconsin. I have done a lot of toilet work over the years and I prefer these to the steel ones that leak. I even had to change the actual valve out (long story, my fault), and I replaced it with a plastic push/pull valve. My home in Wisconsin is 13 years old and was built with them and never an issue. So I think you should check your facts.

[Packer Fan]

Its easier to kick in the typical villages front door than remove hinges--the doors in S.Florida must swing out/ for wind protection

There are security hinges with set screws that make it difficult to remove the pins

My house suffered a direct hit from a Cat 1 hurricane without an issue, I think it is fantastic. You are just looking for issues that don't exist.

[Chatbrat]

Sounds like we have a professional land lord, commenting on houses that are rental units, once you live in a house your personal preferences kick in--when you actually stop being a snowflake-- things may change

[Packer Fan]

Sounds like we have a professional land lord, commenting on houses that are rental units, once you live in a house your personal preferences kick in--when you actually stop being a snowflake-- things may change

We plan on changing finishes inside, that's it. Expanding the Lanai and landcaping outside, but just replacing carpet inside (it will be 10 years old at that point). We spend 3 weeks a year in the houses, I don't need much changed. The OP asked about build quality - it is fine.

[ton80]

Why would you want the entry door to swing out ?

1. The hinges would be exposed threaten security
2. The wind could catch the door when opening
3. How would you install a screen door
4. You need to step backwards when entering with a handful of groceries

Reason For Out Swing Doors (Chatbrat Suggestion)
Swing out doors are a requirement for coastal locations (Miami, Dada County etc with design winds of 170 mph. TV is designed for 140 mph and does not require outswing doors. You can improve the strength of the in swing doors with reinforcing the door itself around the door knob to make the door more resistant to forces from outside such as wind or a kick from a burglar.
You can reinforce the door frame around the area that the doorlatch bolts and or door latch on the door knob goes into. See Defender Security Prime line Door Strike which now provides a metal piece some 6 inches long compared to the strength provided by a 1/2 piece of wood door material secured by 3/4 wood screws and door strike. I have done these for in swing doors. DIY and Security shops have various types.

1. For outswing doors as explained earlier you can drill holes in door hinge that are not exposed to outside and insert set screws.
2. Agree but do not open your front door in very high winds whether it swings in or out since both have similar issues but in different directions. Use garage door if absolutely necessary to get out or in.
3. Need details on door but "Hidden Screen Door" may be possible
4. Use garage door
In case of high winds open garage door,pull into garage, turn off engine shut garage door, now enter the house

Garage Fire Design Considerations
A quick look at Florida building codes:
1.Garage door to house needs to be fire resistant . The door in my house looks thick enough to qualify but is not labeled as such.
2. Walls to occupied house need to be fire resistant and block homes qualify. Wood frame homes may require 5/8 inch sheetrock to be fire resistant.
3. Garage ceilings need to be fire resistant if there is habitable space above.above. Not less than 5/8 sheetrock should be used

Hope this helps

[rustyp]

[QUOTE=ton80;1703143] Reason For Out Swing Doors (Chatbrat Suggestion)
Swing out doors are a requirement for coastal locations (Miami, Dada County etc with design winds of 170 mph. TV is designed for 140 mph and does not require outswing doors.

I still don't totally get it. The code is to protect one from the door blowing in ? Why not require a stronger frame. However still miffs me in that almost all these houses in Florida have sliding glass doors also. If something was going to blow in it will be those. What is the code on those ?

[ton80]

[QUOTE=ton80;1703143] Reason For Out Swing Doors (Chatbrat Suggestion)
Swing out doors are a requirement for coastal locations (Miami, Dada County etc with design winds of 170 mph. TV is designed for 140 mph and does not require outswing doors.

I still don't totally get it. The code is to protect one from the door blowing in ? Why not require a stronger frame. However still miffs me in that almost all these houses in Florida have sliding glass doors also. If something was going to blow in it will be those. What is the code on those ?

I don't want to get into a debate on what the codes should require or why not increase the wind design for all areas. This is done by a consortium of the state building officials, the insurance industry, building materials suppliers etc. My point was that our inland area Sumter Co. etc is designed to handle 140 mph winds whereas the coastal areas designated as high velocity areas are designed to meet 170 mph winds. Hurricanes lose strength as they move inland and lose the energy provided by warm water and get slowed down by interacting with internal landscape. Hurricane Irma was Cat 4 at the coast but barely Cat 1 in Wildwood.
Increasing design criteria adds cost to the home that the code officials deem unnecessary based on history etc. The codes are reviewed to assess need for change. Of course each individual could decide to make changes at their expense.

Sliding glass doors are built to the same wind speed and pressure as the rest of the house. The glass portion has the same design criteria as windows do. The sliding door frame is easier to make more resistant to wind because it is metal, is fastened to concrete by substantial screws designed for concrete about every ft in every track. IMHO I believe that the sliding doors are inherently at least as strong as the front door against wind pressure.

[rustyp]

[QUOTE=rustyp;1703150]

I don't want to get into a debate on what the codes should require or why not increase the wind design for all areas. This is done by a consortium of the state building officials, the insurance industry, building materials suppliers etc. My point was that our inland area Sumter Co. etc is designed to handle 140 mph winds whereas the coastal areas designated as high velocity areas are designed to meet 170 mph winds. Hurricanes lose strength as they move inland and lose the energy provided by warm water and get slowed down by interacting with internal landscape. Hurricane Irma was Cat 4 at the coast but barely Cat 1 in Wildwood.
Increasing design criteria adds cost to the home that the code officials deem unnecessary based on history etc. The codes are reviewed to assess need for change. Of course each individual could decide to make changes at their expense.

Sliding glass doors are built to the same wind speed and pressure as the rest of the house. The glass portion has the same design criteria as windows do. The sliding door frame is easier to make more resistant to wind because it is metal, is fastened to concrete by substantial screws designed for concrete about every ft in every track. IMHO I believe that the sliding doors are inherently at least as strong as the front door against wind pressure.

Thank you for the info on what the code is.

[PugMom]

Consider the builder's perspective. He has to meet code, after that point there is a finite amount to finish the home. Now would you spend your money on a slightly nicer light fixture, perhaps an extra ceiling fan or something that virtually no one will notice, much less care?

The carpet is new, clean and smells nice. The valves work. This covers over 99% of the target audience.

Are the valves the cheapest available, yup. Should the carpet be removed before you ever move in? That's a great idea!

I do commend you for noticing, I thought that was was almost alone.

The homes are fine. No faulty construction.
we just had a home inspection done by a 3rd party, his report shows 'superior construction' on this villa, so i'm not worried about standard carpets or valves

[mowdie]

Just did visit of new designer homes on tour south of 44. Nice appliances, same cheap beige carpet in bedrooms, AND push/pull shutoff valves that all up "north" have been replacing.

9 years ago we bought our lot, chose the designer house and went up north. Before leaving asked a friend to send pics and inform me when framing was complete so I could inspect all framing, roughed in plumbing and electrical prior to Sheetrock. I came down and was informed inspection complete and approved for sheetrocking.
Multiple studs, sills, joists, walls, corners and a few roof truss were an absolute mess. I sent many pics to our sales rep asking him to inform the right people that no way sheet rocking was happening...
The general contractor’s crew came out and fixed everything... After moving in I did look at a few other houses prior to sheetrock and they looked good.. so maybe mine was just a rookie team.

[Altavia]

My recent build checked every box on the wind mitigation list resulting in close to a $800/yr of discounts in homeowners insurance.

[coffeebean]

Re: Home quality and construction.....how are your windows this AM if you live in Mallory? (especially on the "older" side)

Two thoughts...

Don't understand what you are asking

Which is the "older side" of Mallory?