spray foam in rafters for an unvented attic..it is an option. it allows the hvac contractor to do a regular install instead of configuration of fur downs/trey ceilings etc. but...unvented foam sealed attics are Semi-conditioned, not conditioned. the ambient temp & temp inside of the foam sealed attic are usually within 10 degrees of each other. and, the tradeoff for spending 3x the cost for foam is smaller tonnage hvac system. so hvac co needs to be on board. using foam covers a multitude of building problems..oversized holes for plumbing & electric. IC instead of ICAT recessed lights, oversized cuts at bath fans, stove vents, fireplaces not sealed off in attic and thermal bypasses all become non-issues when the air & thermal barrier is moved from attic floor to roofline. as we put more efficient hvac equipment into attics, we have to be careful. these units produce colder air (our issue in summer) and plenums condnesate in an vented attic. this is one of the reasons that foam has become such a strong product, because now the attic isn't as hot, and colder air in the plenum doesn't cause as much condensation in foam sealed unvented attics. I'm trying to get my page online for videos up and running. I just uploaded video of an open cell foam install. the videos show how to seal the roof to attic floor (soffit/eaves) connection properly, how to seal at passive turbines on roof (for existing homes) and the last is after rafter bay has been foamed, how to come back & fill in voids & low spots. later this week I hope to have time to get it up and ready for viewing. drop me an email & I'll share the link. I'm getting pros & cons as to making it open to public...which I'm inclined to do...but have gotten feedback against it...so for now..you'll need a password. as a homeowner you have to be very selective in chosing a foam company. it isn't the owner/salesman that makes a good install, but the person doing the install. if they rush...they miss areas, if they move too slow the job takes longer. temps of mix,combo of chemicals, roof temp & moisture content all have to be consitered. I'd expect to see pictures of previous installs, be allowed to go on a job to see the process & to be able to call previous homeowners to see if they achieved savings & comfort after the install. ..yeah...I'm picky! but I've seen some really bad installs over the years. finding a good company, with an experienced installer...takes time. as I test the air tightness & measure the depth of the install, companies locally know that they have to meet my standards. here in La., we use open cell foam...what is the type for your area...open or closed? if you go this route...interview companies. make sure you know going into it that you still have to meet the code requirements for R-values. with closed cell at R-6-7 per inch & open cell at R-4 per inch..the right amount of inches have to be installed. the whole 2-3" 'performs as' is hogwash. 'average' fills are hogwash. you want an install with no dips (low spots), no voids or gaps & a good seal at the attic floor/rafter area so that no hot humid air enters at soffit area of the house. I'm attaching a picture of a good install of open cell. note that the rafters are 2x6 and are well filled between rafters , faces of 2x's are covered. the bid was for 7", but at lowest point the foam is 7" thickest point closer to 8". note the soffit (roof to attic floor) also. this is what is necessary for air seal of attic. fwiw..the company that did this install, the owner is the installer. in my part of La., these seem to be the people you get the best install from. not so much with salesman selling job & installer doing the job. best of luck.

Just to be clear, I don't see causation for the developer, it isn't that you and your attorney can't argue causation for the developer, feel free to sue him and roll those dice, but it is an expensive get. Your chances of winning are much less than they are against the builder, and you are unlikely to be awarded attorney fees on a negligence case with this many questions. You must show that the developer had a duty and but for neglect of that duty your house would not have these issues. There are many problems with this assertion, first, and hardest to overcome, is if you knew the approved builders before you bought the lot then you found them acceptable. You have to prove that the developer had a duty to the homeowner. Someone please tell me how selling a lot with certain covenants and restrictions creates a duty for him to fully insure the benefit of those covenants and restrictions that supersedes your acceptance of those covenants and restrictions. That is just one of the three things that you are going to have difficulty overcoming. Once you establish duty, you have to show that there was no reasonable action available that would negate the damage, noting that there are other builders available you would have to prove that they all have similar issues. Once you get past that, you have to prove that the developer actually neglected his duty, which since he has kicked the builder off the development is another tough get. It just seems like a tough win, that is going to cost more than you end up with. Sorry, but that is my opinion. ---------------- Along with my father I have developed several mixed use developments (homes, apartments and shopping), and I am currently a member of an LLC developing a small shopping/condo warehouse district development. I am not saying the developer will not want to help, I am saying as a developer, access is the leverage I have (the money that builders can make from me). Once the builder is removed he is going to tell me to go pound sand. I will happily testify on your behalf if need be, however, if I start paying for things to get done I am opening myself up to an argument that I accepted responsibility. As much as I want financing and publicity to be positive, that has to happen on the front end. I can't start paying for the mistakes that builders make without opening myself up to being responsible for every problem by every homeowner.

Kristen we have built 4 houses, the first being a tract builder and could only choose from a few options. The others were totally custom where we provided plans to the builder who then gave us a estimate. Included in his estimate was a allowance for lighting, plumbing, appliances etc. We could choose from stores that he had accounts at which we would pay the “contractors” price. Or we could get them from anywhere we chose. When comparing, we found that the contractor’s price was not significantly higher than the big box stores. See Jeffrey Grenz’s comment above.... it was well worth it to go with our builders accounts.

Third, people who build truly custom homes are taking a huge financial risk and usually do not make money in the short run or the long run. They usually lose money, but they tend to live in a home that is well suited to their lives for a long time. This. I'm in a market that is booming with new construction, and the reality is, some of these homes will be valued hundreds of thousands less than the build cost when it comes time to sell. Anyone who thinks building a new home is a wise financial investment should research their own markets to analyze their risk. Very informative post, @homechef59 ! Thank you!