Replies

1. 
   xMikeSmith | Dec 20, 2002 08:56pm | #1

   NAHB has one.. but it's pretty lose.. so their big national builders can weasel out of building a good product...it's a start,  but it's about the lowest common denominator

   Mike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

1. 
   kuhlsinc | Dec 20, 2002 09:13pm | #2

   Thanks mike! I'll check into it.

   -Steve

1. 
   RW | Dec 21, 2002 05:17am | #3

   The book he's referring to is called the RCPG - Residential Construction Performance Guidelines. It won't answer all of your questions but gives basic standards in a manner which most HO's should understand, i.e. paint should appear even (no brush marks)  as viewed from 6 ft distant. . ." You are young, my son, and as the years go by time will change and even reverse many of your present opinions. Refrain therefore awhile from setting yourself up as a judge of the highest matters." - Plato

1. 
   Handydan | Dec 21, 2002 11:25am | #5

   Maybe you should have a nice casual meeting that includes all of your subs and talk it over with them and then write your own contracts the way that you want it done.  If you and your subs have high standards, why settle for somebody elses general guidelines.  Just an idea, but they might be more likely to cooperate if given the chance to have some input.  Hope you are a good negotiater though, as the finger pointing could get pretty nasty.  Good luck.

   Dan

1. 
   MisterT | Dec 21, 2002 05:16pm | #6

   My boss tells us what the standards are immediately after we do any given task. Then when those standards change we get told after the next task. This way our efficiency is the same and we get to explore how to take things apart over and over.

   We are getting really good at fixing things.

   Prior planning prevents piss poor performance.

   T

   Do not try this at home!

   I am a trained professional!

2. 
   riverr1 | Dec 22, 2002 12:24am | #7

   I didn't read anything but the title, but let me say my experience has been this about standards. The only standard is this--Move 20 miles and you have a whole new set of rules, enforced rules and personalities to deal with! That's the only standard I know of.

   Don

1. 
   user-618525 | Jan 04, 2003 06:56pm | #11

   Don,

   Right on the money!

   Couldn't have said it betterRay Marzorati

   http://www.probiltinc.com

2. 
   fredsmart48 | Dec 21, 2002 11:24am | #4

   What are the building standards for plum, square, straight, level and flat.

3. 
   RichardAIA | Dec 24, 2002 11:21pm | #8

   RS Means has one: http://www.rsmeans.com/bookstore/detail.asp?sku=67322A

   Probably better than the NAHB one, which would be pretty laughable on high quality jobs, as Mike says. (e.g. walls should be plumb within 1/4" in 32" (3/4" in an 8' wall is okay???!!!) But likely it won't answer your questions of trade responsibilities.

   Richard

4. 
   4Lorn1 | Jan 03, 2003 02:44am | #9

   Outside of the few knowledgeable HOs who ride the GC like a jockey, a few straight up GCs that stay rigorously on the ball and the occasional conscientious contractor construction standards are slowly circling the toilet bowl. So it goes.

   As long as the checks keep clearing for substandard work because most Americans can't tell the difference and house inspectors are bought and sold by real estate interests I see little hope for any major improvement.

1. 
   pm22 | Jan 03, 2003 04:39am | #10

   There are some standards out there.

   But smart people don't understand what they are doing.

   These standards are produced by national associations of various sorts - I don't recall specific names. They seem to be a 30 page pamphlet of 30 pages which they sell for ~$30. They are not available on the Internet. They are probably copyrighted.

   Ideally, the general contractor would hand out a handful of these things to each sub and each individual worker on the job. After all, it is the worker who actually does the work so he may'se well know what is expected.

   -Peter

   Facism is a parody of itself.