Our biggest concerns are the:
1. Hardwood floor's - We have Bruce Hardwood Floors which I believe are the engineered version. If anyone has any insight on the care and the construction of these floors it would be great and the difference between true hardwood and the engineered version. The floors are definitely high maintenance; but I would not trade them for the world. We love them; however, the floors are dark and they are separating so you can see the substance under the wood. We also have some scratches and sprinkled paint that was on the floor that was discovered after we moved in.
2. Staining on the bannister is NOT AT ITS BEST!! Because the staining is dark, you can't see the drips of stain as clear. However, I notice it all the time and the balusters have stain around edges.
3. The Front Porch Light is falling out of the electrical socket which is dangerous!
AND A HOST OF OTHER THINGS!!!!! I will share the complete 30 Day List after our meeting.
Now the fun really starts! Noticing all of the things you didn't before because you were blinded by excitement! I was over my parent's house for Mother's day, their home is about 2 years old now and they STILL have workers coming out to fix things, cracks all over the wall on one side, they think it is s structural so they are now bringing out and engineer.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think your floors were engineered, the engineered options were all wide plank, your look like they are solid but you could have had different options in your area (I love your floors BTW they were my inspiration for ours, though yours are darker which is what I would have loved but couldn't find that color in our price range) I have a Shark Steam mop, it works great, but the best floor cleaner for HW's is Bona, you can pick it up almost anywhere, I know I'm asking for a few bottles as a house warming gift from my family :)
I would keep a note pad handy in the kitchen and just jot everything down you see wrong over the next 10 months and then create a spread sheet for the 10 mo. inspection and check them off as they are fixed.
I look forward to see your list and tips for your 30 day!
I had the bruce flooring in my last house I really liked the Bona hardwood floor cleaner and protector it didnt leave a film and the floors shine so there are no footprints and scuff marks etc...Most of your list so far sounds reasonable they will fix all of your requests and hopefully they wont leave a mess behind when their done and the light needs to be fixed asap as my hubby just said be careful if you turn the light off and on if its hanging out of socket you could get shocked (he did) in our last house! LOL! Hopefully the rest of your list is smaller things that they can knock out in a few hours.
ReplyDeleteWe found that they did everything we asked! We were impressed. Had some hardwood issues, chips, scratches, etc. and they came in and fixed what they could and even replaced some of the boards. Of course we are still finding chips... not sure what to do about that now! Give them everything and they should do it. We also waited until after the 30 day to do the survey.
ReplyDeletePS: I got a bissel steam mop and it works REALLY well on the floors. We also used I think Bona or something like that on previous floors which also worked well. I have just come to terms with the fact that it can't always be perfect ;-)
ReplyDeleteOur pm recommended a Bruce hardwood cleaning kit from lowes or Home Depot. We use it all the time because of our dogs but we love it! It doesn't leave a film and keeps the floors shiny! http://www.homedepot.com/p/Bruce-32-oz-Floor-Cleaning-Kit-CKS01/100125351#.UZJpj8u9KSM
ReplyDeleteWe have been using BONA but it leaves a film! We just started using Stanley Steemers hardwood cleaner. We have unable to find the Bruce cleaner in the stores. Thanks for the site information.
Deletewe have been using Bruce's hard wood cleaner since we moved in. It's great, and no film! fyi, to my knowledge "bruce hardwood" is in fact hardwood flooring...NOT engineered.
DeleteIf it's separating, write it up! I don't see a reason for that. I can tell you that humidity can cause issues, but that is usually "cupping". A DE-humidifier goes a long way for that issue.
Our flooring invoice indicated that it's solid, not engineered hardwood. Maybe you can pull up yours and check the Bruce site.
ReplyDeleteOur family members w/ hardwoods also recommended a steam mop for care/maintenance. Great to see everyone weighing in on what works best!
Thanks for this clarification!!! I thought it was engineered!!! We have a extra box that was left with us!!
DeleteSteam mops should only be used if your wood is sealed in the cracks. Check a spot somewhere out of the way by putting a bit of water down. If it seeps in then they aren't sealed and the steam could cause damage over time and warp the wood. I've heard good things about bona too and think that's what we will use. I went with light wood because of our dog and kids. I love the look of dark, but know myself and that I couldn't keep up and would constantly be freaking out over it. I hope your 30 day goes well and everything is fixed quick!!
ReplyDeleteErin, this is excellent advice!!! Our wood is not sealed in the cracks!!!!!!!! thanks for this heads UP!!!!
DeleteOh no my beloved shark steam mop!!! It was awesome at getting all the dust and shinning up the floors :( I will check with the manufacture to see what they recommend
DeleteGot to love pinterest. That seems to be where I learn everything "home" right now.
DeleteWe did much research and spoke with companies that install hardwood and they recommend never to use steam or water. I use BONA, but its a personal choice :)
ReplyDeleteDO NOT fill out that survey girl until shit is fixed or else things will get fixed VERY SLOWLY!!
I havent been blogging because I have nothing good to say, I am still dealing with many issues and have yet been able to enjoy my home.
Gee DW!!!! Sorry to hear that!!!!!!!!!!!!! #sadface
DeleteAppreciate the advice!!!
DW, I truly hope everything gets resolved... it makes me so nervous about our own house, I know you built a stones throw away from me. I'm holding on to that survey until it's all fixed, good advice... and did they fix that window yet??? that to me is just nuts!
DeleteWe had a very long 30 day list (and put painters tape all over the house to mark all the stuff we wanted addressed!) and the PM did a good job coordinating everyone, but they did not fix everything. The guys that were taking care of the work were very vocal about how long their to do lists were and "what did you think, that everything had to be done right now, because there is a 10 month inspection you know" -- our banisters have the same drips and our painting was sloppy and on areas it should not have been... those were not fixed :( Lots of repainting though, some putty and sanding of walls that were not square too. We also had them correct/remount lighting, mirrors, toilet paper roll holders and towel racks that were slightly crooked. We didn't bother with nail pops because we knew a gazillion more would appear and we might as well tackle them all together on the 10 month. We also didn't bother with the little cracks around windows - same thing, it's a house settling thing, might as well do them all at 10 months. We did put the hardwood guy through the paces though. They were back twice fixing stuff because we noticed a lot of pieces with cracks, chips or dents...and no we would not accept them throwing the putty on like they wanted to!
ReplyDeleteSomething to note... after the 3 month inspection (and after the survey I assume), you will no longer deal with the PM (though ours is pretty good and still helps us out here and there if we see him around the neighborhood and have questions or concerns)... you'll be handed over to another guy who oversees work from then on out.
You can bet we'll have another long list around Christmas to get everything perfect!
Our 30 day inspection is next week. I don't have much on it right now. I guess I will try to go through the house with a fine tooth comb this weekend. My PM has been great with calling me every week since closing to ask if I had any issues.
ReplyDeleteI am keeping a list as well. But the biggest things were;
ReplyDelete1.) Stairs are creaking when you walk on them.
2.) They really half a$$ed a piece of trim installation under the deck.
3.) Some of the nails are popping out of the deck side rails.
4.) Got a few dings in the metal plate on the floor between garage and laundry room.
5.) Got a piece of sidewalk cracking and breaking already.
I think thats the major stuff.
Write it all down as soon as you think of it
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