Construction

Q. Do you install my driveway?
A. Yes. A standard driveway consists of a culvert (where necessary), blue gravel (4” x 8’ x up to 75’), and a parking area. top

Q. Who removes the trees and gets the lot ready to build?
A. We do. We typically clear up to 10,000 SF. The debris is burned on site or hauled away. top

Q. Am I responsible for the final yard work?
A. No. Watts construction installs adequate seed, fertilizer, lime, and straw on top of a final graded yard. We install evergreen shrubs surrounded by a mulch bed against the front of the house. Another standard feature is a front concrete sidewalk. top

Q. Who handles the water supply to the house?
A. We do. All houses are priced to include a IIIB well (where applicable). In some cases, there is a public water source that we will tap into to provide water for your new home. Note: Depth, quality or quantity of water cannot be determined, or warrantied, by the contractor because of differences in geological composition. top

Q. Why do I need a drainfield?
A. A drainfield works to purify the waste water that exits your new home. Most homes built in rural areas do not have a public sewer system, so the waste water must be purified on site. top

Q. Everyone says a house is only as good as the foundation it’s built on. What makes your foundations meet this standard?
A. We start with the footer that is dug a minimum of 18” below grade level and then poured with concrete 8” deep x 18” wide. Once this is done and has passed all local codes, we proceed to install our foundation. The foundation is built out of concrete block, which is layed by professional brick/block masons to meet manufacturers specifications and local building codes. top

Q. Do you treat your homes for termites?
A. Yes, all foundations are pre-treated by a professional for termites. top

Q. Are your crawl spaces conditioned or unconditioned? What is the difference?
A. We promote conditioned crawls but we can do either. An unconditioned crawl uses circulation of the outside air through the foundation vents to keep the crawl space area dry. The floor system is insulated and the ground is graded flat and covered with poly to act as a vapor barrier. A conditioned crawl uses air from the heating/cooling system to pressurize the sealed crawl space area, thus keeping moisture out. The foundation walls are insulated and the ground is graded flat and covered with poly to act as a vapor barrier. top

Q. Suppose we want a basement, can you do that?
A. Yes, our basements are built just like our foundations. The exterior walls are built with brick/block and are 8' tall. These walls are treated with a water-proofing substance on the exterior and covered with a blanket insulation on the inside. We also try to get at least one door and two windows in the exterior walls if grade permits. The floor is 4” thick concrete. We install the necessary interior support walls or beams. We install floor drains and any other necessary plumbing to meet code. We also install code required electrical circuits. top

Q. How is the wood frame of the house connected to the foundation?
A. We attach a pressure treated pine 2” x 8” to the top of the foundation with anchor bolts. top

Q. What type of floor system do you use?
A. We use a 11 7/8” tall engineered floor beam system spaced a maximum of 19.2” on center. top

Q. What type of subfloor do you use?
A. We use 3/4” tongue and groove Advantech. We attach it to the floor system with glue, nails, and screws. top

Q. What do you use to construct your exterior walls?
A. Our exterior walls are created by using 2” x 4” studs spaced 16” on center with a double 2” x 4” top plate and a single 2" x 4" bottom plate. The outside of our exterior walls are covered with 7/16” oriented strand board which is then covered by an air infiltration barrier. The interior walls are created by using 2” x 4” single bottom plates, 2” x 4” studs spaced 16” on center, and a double 2” x 4” plate. top

Q. How do you create the roof?
A. In most cases we use engineered roof trusses spaced 24” on center. But if applicable, we use hand cut rafters. Regardless, we cover the exterior with 7/16” oriented strand board. We install 30 year dimensional shingles over 15lb felt paper. top

Q. What type of windows do you use?
A. Our standard is a insulated, thermo-pane, maintenance free, double-hung, tilt with the grills between the glass, “Survivor Series” or equal. top

Q. What type of exterior doors do you use?
A. Our standard is ThermaTru SmoothStar or equal with deadbolts where applicable. Of course, styles and sizes will be based on plans and contract. top

Q. Do I get a storm door?
A. Yes, we install a full view storm door on front where applicable. top

Q. What type of insulation do you use?
A. The exterior walls are insulated with Batt fiberglass insulation R-13. The attic is insulated with blown fiberglass or Batt (R-38). We also insulate our interior walls around the laundry rooms and bathrooms for sound deadening purposes. top

Q. Do you use sheetrock on the inside of your houses?
A. Yes, we install 1/2” drywall using glue and nails or screws. top

Q. What type of molding do you use on the interior?
A. Our interior doors are 6 panel, molded hardboard, pre-hung or bi-fold. We use round bright brass door locks on all pre-hung doors. The doors and windows are trimmed with 2 1/4” colonial casing. The window sills are a
2 1/2” wide sill. The baseboard is 3 1/4” tall. top

Q. Can my trim be stained?
A. Yes, although our standard pricing includes painted trim, you can choose to upgrade to stained trim. top

Q. Do I get closet shelves?
A. Yes, we install vinyl coated wire shelves and rods based on your plans. top

Q. What color paint do you use on the interior walls?
A. We use a minimum two coats of flat latex Duron shell white on the walls and ceilings. The bathroom walls and kitchen work areas are painted with low sheen Duron shell white. Our interior trim is painted with semi-gloss bright white. If you choose to change colors, there may be an upgrade cost added to your contract. top

Q. What kind of cabinets do I get?
A. Our standard is a solid oak front with the choice of three colors. The kitchen tops are laminate with a 7” deep double bowl stainless steel sink. The bathroom tops and sinks are cultured, formed, and glazed marble. top

Q. What type of bathtubs do you use?
A. Our standard tub/showers, shower stalls, and whirlpools are made by Aquarius, Proflo, or Maax. They are available in white or bone. top

Q. What type of faucets do you use?
A. We use Moen single lever, chrome faucets in the kitchen and bathrooms. top

Q. Do I get any faucets outside?
A. Yes, we install two frost-free hose bibbs per house. top

Q. Is the water heater electric or gas?
A. Our standard is an electric water heater (sized per house). But you have the option to upgrade to a gas water heater. top

Q. Do I get smoke detectors?
A. Yes, we install the smoke detectors to meet all local codes. They are hard wired with a battery back-up. top

Q. Do we get lights and receptacles in every room?
A. Yes, the electrician spaces the receptacles to meet local codes. This usually averages to at least one per wall. The lights are typically centered in each room. As a standard you will have the opportunity to choose three fan/light locations. top

Q. Do I supply the light fixtures?
A. No, we do. But you will have the opportunity to select from
three finishes: polished brass, pewter, or white. top

Q. How about cable or telephone outlets?
A. Our standard package includes three cable outlets in the location of your choice run to a designated termination point. From this point your local cable provider or satellite company can connect. The phone outlets are the same. You will get to choose three locations from which we will run the phone cable to a designated termination point. From this point your local phone company will connect. top

Q. Do I get outlets outside?
A. Yes, we install two outlets outside. We also install exterior lights at each door. You will also get to choose two flood light locations. All of this is included as a standard feature. top

Q. What type of heating/cooling system is standard?
A. We use a 13 S.E.E.R Puron heat pump system manufactured by Carrier, Bryant, York, or equivalent. top

Q. Suppose I want to include an attached garage, can I do that?
A. Yes, if your house plan will accept it and there is suitable room on
the lot. top

Q. Will the inside of the garage be unfinished?
A. Yes, unless otherwise specified in your contract, the inside of the garage gets insulation in the walls, sheetrock hung and finished, trimmed, painted, with garage doors, and windows per plan. top

Q. How about the appliances?
A. We can assist you with the appliances as well. We offer two levels of Whirlpool appliances or equal. top

Q. Can I add a fireplace?
A. Sure, we have numerous options to choose from, whether you want the traditional masonry wood burning fireplace, a simple chimney with a flue for your wood burning stove, or a set of gas logs. We can assist you to determine what best meets your needs. top