If the hide/homeowners wouldn't mind, I'd like to run a few of the "options" we spec'd the other week and am still waiting for a quote on, I believe the below list is a good synopsis of some of the more 'outlandish' requests we asked for in the quote in a new build. Call me a fool if it's warranted, it'll only lead to a better outcome for us in the end with constructive criticism.
-I asked to be quoted for a steel/metal "class 4" roof (reasoning being that it'll last at least twice as long, likely provide an insurance discount, and reduce AC costs)
-I asked for a whole house fan- I grew up with these in my parents' house and apparently like metal roofs, that's not done with new builds these days
-I asked for one or two drains to be placed in the garage, also apparently an odd request
-I asked to quote me on a whole house/natural gas fed generator to be included seeing that they already have to run the lines/electrical box/ etc
-I asked for dual zone HVAC to be set up for a new build- can be done but not standard practice apparently
-I asked to insulate interior walls (as well as what type of insulation would be used) for the bedrooms & study
-I asked for the deck to be made out of composite materials (same reason as the metal roof), and that a rail be included on the front deck because frankly I'm clumsy and I believe is a valid safety feature.
-Opting for a NG water tank of 40g rather than an electric water heater of 60g (NG is far cheaper than electric here)
I've got pages of other 'upgrades' but those were the ones that seem to be the most unusual requests for the builder. Am I off the mark for asking for any of those in a new build or anything I missed if I've been on the 'mark' thus far?
-LD
Metal roofs aren't worth it unless it's a "standing seam" type metal roof. I know all about long life screws ect.... but paying for the metal and ice/water then putting a million holes in the roof is not worth it. A quality shingle is significantly less amd will last a very long time. If you can spring for a snap lock/standing seam then that's a different story but id only do it for a house you intended to never leave, which it doesn't sound like this is the one but maybe I'm wrong there.
You aren't off for asking, but things aren't free. Things are expensive and the only reason to insulate interior walls is for sound. If the builders knows you are going to reject the additional cost then he's probably going to get tired of doing the work of pricing it out for you for no reason. "A new build" isn't "a custom house". You should have gone through all of this way before if it was a custom house with a plan review. If it's a production house you should know everything is going to be basic stuff and I'd bet it says exactly that in your contract.
Look I know it sucks, but try to understand something. EVERYONE wants the cheapest price on a house. You can't have the cheapest price AND all the expensive stuff. If you insulate a wall:
additional material must be gotten
Someone must go to the job site with this material.
Someone must install this material.
The builder must see to all of this in addition to his other responsibilities, then deal with whatever mess was left afte the house was cleaned or whatever....
Should those people not be paid for their work? Should your builder pay for extra stuff out of his pocket on your house?
At the same time, I do a very detailed plan review in order to get this kind of information and determine the wants ans expectations for the house by the owners. I then use all of that info for the estimate. It takes 3 or more hours (last one was 5). Then it takes many many more hours (average about 30-40l to get all the info, put it all in a spreadsheet, and type an estimate. This is in addition to having already met the owners on site, usually more than once, and numerous other calls ect).... this is all before I am paid a dime.
I'm a custom builder(a real custom builder) so it's a different thing, but all of this stuff is why other builders don't do what I do. It's a ton of work and there's lots of people who say they want this and they want that, when reality is they want a certain price. So you can easily do all of this and then they say "well that's a lot more than we planned on".... and you get nothing. You have put in more than 40 hours and spent gas and all of that, and you get nothing.
So the other option is to have a very basic house and a cheape price then upgrade everything. It's not how I roll, but I do understand why they do it.
I'd be happy to help you navigate if you'd like, or just get an honest opinion, just pm me. I know there's plenty of crappy builders out there just like everything else.
