Hi - I have been lurking on this forum for months and now it is time to build my dream home. I am a newbie when comes to building so please review the bid and let me know what are missing, what I need to watch out for, or which parts need more details/explanations. I am trying to get the builder to put as much details as possible on the bid. This is still a draft so things can be changed. Home is in MN. 4000sqft (2000 main, 2000 basement), 848sqft garage.

Thanks everyone.

GENERAL CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

All construction loans and cost

Utilities until closing

Builders insurance

Plan drafting cost

Building permits and all inspections

Removal of all construction debris

Final cleaning before closing

Lot taxes until closing

ALLOWANCES

Note: All allowance items are to be picked and selected up-front with the builder. By doing this up-front it eliminates all guess work and both buyer

and builder can enjoy the process of building.

Flooring $22,900.00

Light Fixtures $2,800.00

Cabinets and Granite $19,000.00

Appliances $6,000.00

Retaining Walls $3,000.00

Sod/grade $3,000.00

Irrigations system $3,000.00

Central Vacuum (5 outlets, plumbed, wired, mounted) $2,625.00

*All allowance items are included in price, final price may increase or

decrease depending on buyer

TOTAL WITHOUT LOT $391,059.00

Ranch/Rambler home on a walk out lot with approx

2000 finished sq ft, 2000 sq ft finished basement,

and a 884 sq ft garage

SPECIFICATIONS

LOT PREPARATION

Utility Locates

Site Staking

SITE EXCAVATION

Foundation Excavation

Rough Grading of Site

All Utility Hook-Ups

Install 4" Drain Tile around Exterior of Foundation

Back Fill Foundation

Install Silt Fence for Erosion Control

Rock Base for Future Concrete Driveway

Walk-Out Lower Level (Picture)

Sub-Floor Preparation

FOUNDATION

9' Poured Foundation

Deck or Addition Footings

1" Certistud Insulation on Exterior of the Foundation

10 Year Warranty Watchdog Waterproofing Spray

Corbel Ledges to Support Exterior Brick

EXTERIOR OF HOME

2"x 6" Pine Studs for Exterior Walls

7/16" OSB Exterior Wall Sheathing

House Wrap over Home including Gables

House Wrap over Garage including Gables

2x10 Green Treated Deck Plate with Flashing (16' for future deck)

Engineered Studs in Kitchen Walls (keeps granite from seperating from wall in winter)

ROOF

Aluminum Roof Edge

Ridge Vents

Roof Vents

Ice and Water on Roof Edge and Roof Valleys

Engineered Roof Trusses

8/12 Roof Pitch (Verify Covenant Synopsis)

1/2" Roof Sheathing

Gable Roof

IKO 30 Year Shingles http://www.iko.com/index.asp

SIDING

.044 Vinyl Siding

Steel Fascia

Aluminum Soffit

Aluminum Wrap - Front Door Jam

Aluminum Wrap - Windows

Aluminum Wrap around Garage Door Opening

Vinyl Shakes in Gables

FLOOR SYSTEM

Engineered Floor Trusses (depending on the layout of the home, you still may have

a bulk head) (Picture)

3/4" Tongue and Groove OSB Sheathing (all OSB is screwed down)

Stair Width (48" )

EXTERIOR DOORS

1- Pella Fiberglass Front Door With Two Sidelight and Transom Window*

All Doors are Fiberglass, not Steel* http://www.pella.com

Dead Bolts on Exterior Doors http://www.schlage.com

EnduraClad Frame (much more rigid and durable than jams that are wrapped in aluminum)* http://www.pella.com

Pella Designer Series 3'-0" Patio Door *

WINDOWS

Grills between Glass (front of home only)

Pella Designer Series with Blinds and Triple-Pan Glass*

INSULATION AND SOUNDPROOFING

R-21 Fiberglass Insulation on all above Grade 2x6 Exterior Walls

R-44 Fiberglass Blown Insulation In the Attic of House

R-22 Fiberglass blown insulation in the attic of the garage

.004 Mil Poly Vapor Barrier throughout

Watchdog Water Proofing/10 Year Warranty

1" Certistud Insulation on Exterior of the Foundation

R-19 Fiberglass Insulation on all above Grade 2x6 Garage Walls

Closed Cell Foam between Rough Opening and Window (Prevents Heat Loss around Windows)

Ground Breaker (Protects Foundation Insulation)

Interior Insulation for Sound (between living room and master bedroom)

Soundproof Basement Ceiling with Fiberglass R-11

GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS

Gutters will have Overflow Deflectors on Corners

PVC Pipe Under Front Walk and Tiled Out

5" K Style .032 Seamless Aluminum Gutters

Gutters have a 10 year workmanship warranty, and 20 year material warranty

3"x4" Commercial Grade Downspouts

Tiled with Pop-Ups

INTERIOR DOORS

White Painted 3 Panel Flat Craftsman-Style Solid Core

Swing Closet Doors with Fixed Hardware

Glass French Doors (Picture)

HARDWARE

Levers on Interior and Exterior http://www.schlage.com

Dead Bolts on Exterior Doors http://www.pella.com

Oil-Rubbed Bronze Finish (new finish, will not wear off) http://www.schlage.com

Doors Stops, Hinge Stops, and Handrail Brackets match Knob/Lever color

All Hardware is Schlage brand http://www.schlage.com

Privacy locks on bathrooms and bedrooms

MIRRORS AND SHOWER DOORS

Vanity mirrors and 42" tall and width of vanity

Glass shower door included (master shower only, glass surround)

INTERIOR CEILING HEIGHT

9' Main Floor Ceiling Height (kitchen, dining and bedroom area)

10' Main Floor Ceiling Height (foyer, office, and living room)

9' Lower Level Ceiling Height

Tray Ceiling in the Master Bedroom

Tray Ceiling in Living Room

GARAGE DETAILS

Insulated Garage Walls R-19

Garage Walls and Ceiling Finished

Garage Walls and Ceiling Painted

Garage Windows Trimmed

GARAGE DOORS/OPENERS

16x8 Insulated Garage Door (Steel Raised Panel)

9x8 Insulated Garage Door (Steel Raised Panel)

2-LiftMaster 1/2 Hp Chain Drive with Remotes

Keyless Entry Pad

Sandstone Garage doors

EXTERIOR STONE OR BRICK ACCENTS

Address Stone

Brick

CABINET DETAILS

Laundry Room Cabinets

Granite Counter Tops (kitchen only)

Bathroom Vanity (master, 1/2 bathroom and bathroom in lower level, tops are

cultured marble)

Dove Tail Drawers

Cherry Cabinets with Hardware (Picture)

Soft Slide Drawers

Vented Wood Hood above Cook-Top (extended to the ceiling)

FLOORING DETAILS

Flooring is an allowance item and it is recommended to select all flooring ahead of

time so you know the allowance amount is accurate (Picture)

Ceramic Tile (kitchen, bathrooms, mudroom, laundry)

Hard Wood Flooring (cherry-dining rooms)

Marble Flooring in the Foyer (Picture)

Kitchen Backsplash (comes out of the flooring allowance)

Hardwood Flooring on Steps going to Lower Level

Seat in Master Shower

PLUMBING

5' One Piece Fiberglass Tub and Shower Enclosure LASCOAT TUB 60"X32"X74"

(lower level bathroom)

Tiled Shower (master bathroom with full glass surround) (Picture)

Recirculation Line for Instant Hot Water

Double Bowl Vanity (master bath and full bath in lower level)

Dual FlushToilets Model 3654 Persuad* (1 in master, 1 in 1/2 bath and one in full

bath lower level) http://www.Kohler.com

50 Gallon Brad-Ford White water heater (Defender power vented series)

http://www.bradford-white.com (Picture)

Sump Pump Plumbed to the Exterior of the Home, Model W/D/V-A1 Pro-Series 45

Gallons/Minute http://hydromatic.com/sump/sump_effluent.html Mode number

W/D/V-A1 PRO-SERIES 45 GALLON/MIN. (Picture)

Badger-Five garbage disposal* http://www.insinkerator.com

Panic Pan with Drain (this is installed under the wash machine) (Deduct $185.00 if

you choose not to have this option)

Gas Line to Furnace

Gas Line to Fireplace (lower level)

Gas Line to Water Heater

Exterior Water Spigots (3 locations picked by buyer)

Floor Drain in Utility Room (lower level)

Natural Gas Hook-Up's

Floor Drain in Garage

Radon Pipe

Bar Waste, Vent, and Water Lines

4 of 9 08/26/2009Ice Maker/Water Line to Fridge

Meter Head Water Softener *

Island Kitchen Sink

Finish Lower Level

Gas Stove (seprate cooktop)

Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink model PFUO901

Kitchen Faucet Moen M7545ORB

Bathroom Lav Faucets Moen M6610ORB

Jacuzzi Tub JN890 72"X36"X20-3/4" 50 gallon

Jacuzzi Tub Fixture Moen MT933ORB

Shower Faucet for Full Bath Moen MT2153ORB

Master Shower Faucet Moen MT2132ORB

Laundry Room Sink MUSTEE 20"X17"X10"

Laundry Room Faucet Moen M74998

HEATING AND COOLING MECHANICALS

14 Seer Maytag 12/12 Central Air Conditioning Unit with Plastic Pad*

http://maytaghvac.com

Maytag Furnace, 12 year part/12 year labor 92.5% Efficiency natural gas*

http://maytaghvac.com (Picture)

Air to Air Exchanger (Fantech) http://fantech.com

Two-Zone Automatic Furnace http://maytaghvac.com

Programmable Thermostat

Aprilaire Humidifier 600 (automatic system) (Picture)

Natural Gas Hook-Up's

Cold Air Returns

Heat Registers

Venting for Clothes Dryer

Venting for Microwave to exterior

Finish Lower Level

ELECTRICAL

Wire for Dishwasher

Wire for Microwave and/or Hood

Wire for Furnace

150 Amp Service (Picture)

Decor Light Switches (pad like switch)

Appliances in Lower Level (may want to do a seperate washer/dryer in lower level

for the three bedrooms, nothing priced in yet)

This Home is Wired to meet National Electrical Code and will also include:

Electrical outlet for radon fan

Light switch for radon fan

Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detector combination with a 9 Volt Battery backup

Electrical panel located in the lower level

Electrcal outlet in garage (3)

GFI Outlets in Bathrooms, Kitchen, Utiltiy room, Garage, and Exterior of the Home

Recessed Lights (28 recessed light) (Picture)

220 Hook-ups for Range and Dryer (4 Prong Outlet)

Door Bell with Recessed Door Chime (Picture)

Wire for Central Air

Lights in Garage

Wire for Air to Air Exchanger

Wire for Water Heater Power Vent

Wire for Water Softener (softener may not be included) (included)

Exterior Lights on front of Garage, Home, and rear Doors

Wire for Refigerator

Exterior Electrical Outlets

Ceiling Fan/installed (3)

Under Cabinet Wire for Lighting

Step Lights

360 Electrical 36010-W Rotating Duplex Outlet (3 wire, 60 amp outlet)

LOW VOLTAGE

Cat 5E-PH Wire, Install and Connect Phone Locations, Test (9 locations) (Picture)

RG6U-TV Wire, Install and Connect Cable Locations, Test (9 locations) (Picture)

66 Punch Block & Cover

8 Port Cable Block

Prewire for Basic Security Alarm System

Pre-Wire for Speakers

FIREPLACE

Unit vented through the exterior side wall

Corner Unit Fireplace with Cherry Surround Vented to the Exterior of Home

(Lennox Merit) http://www.lennox.com/products/list.asp?series=1 (Picture)

PAINT

Interior Walls Primed

Painted Wood Work

Stained Wood Work

Egg Shell Paint (4 paint colors)

RADON MITIGATION

Passive System http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radon_Mitigation (Picture)

Sealed Sump Basket http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radon_Mitigation (Picture)

Vented to the Exterior of Home http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radon_Mitigation

INTERIOR DETAILS AND TRIM

Cherry Millwork (in selected areas)

Painted Wood Work (throughout home)

Wire Shelving (Picture)

Fully sheet-rocked finished areas of home

Fully sheet-rocked finished areas of garage

Textured ceilings in home (small closets are flat not textured) (Picture)

Sheet-rocked house walls 1/2" thick and ceiling is 5/8" thick

Iron Balusters for Stair Railing (top rail and newel post will be cherry) (Picture)

Bull Nose Corners on Sheetrock

Alcove Opening between Kitchen and Dining (granite or cherry ledge) (Picture)

6 of 9 08/26/2009LANDSCAPING

Finish Grading

Retaining Walls (see allowance item, may not need these)

Irrigation system

Full sod on entire lot

CONCRETE

4" Thick Concrete Basement Floor

4" Concrete Garage Floor with Re-Bar

Concrete Walk from Front Door to Driveway (4' Wide Centered on Front Door)

Concrete Driveway with Re-Bar, width of Garage (25' set back, width of garage)

Patio (12x24)

Control Cuts in the Concrete (these cuts will help control were the concrete will

crack) the concrete will still crack outside of these cuts (Picture)

Side Walk (80')

DECK

Trex Deck with Custom Railing (14'x16')

Steps for Deck

Oh, if I replace the front vinyl siding by fiber cement, it'd be $3500 extra. Is that ballpark reasonable?