I hate my wood floor in the kitchen. Granted, it probably wasn't very nice oak to begin with *and* it's also right off the patio so there's a lot of dirty boots. But there were still some mighty big worn patches when we moved in, and here we are ten years after having them refinished and they look horrible. They're worn through in the same high traffic areas, not to mention all the scratches and gouges my kids put in the floor dragging the bar stools (and various other things) around. It's my kitchen, though - constantly used, wet, busy, and the only way to get into the back yard. The wood in the hall is still fine, so I know it's just the level of usage and abuse. Personally, I'm planning on tile for the kitchen/family room remodel. Since I live in Seattle, we're planning on old school electric radiant heat for at least some portion of it. And as my kids (and their cousins) have had stomach flu the last few weeks, I can't wait to have floors I can thoroughly scrub and bleach. ;-) Good luck!

Have to type this out, so pardon any typos as I'm not looking at the screen. Maybe someone can throw an opinion in based on this. This is one of the articles in the contract (and the most important pertaining to this). I'm no lawyer, and I know that there aren't likely any here... but any other takes on this would be appreciated. 7. Condition of Property. PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES AND UNDERSTANDS THAT SELLER ACQUIRED THE PROPERTY BY FORECLOSURE, DEED IN LIEU OF FORECLOSURE FORFEITURE, TAX SALE, RIGHT OF EMINENT DOMAIN OR SIMILAR PROCESS, AND SELLER CONSEQUENTLY HAS NO DIRECT KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING THE CONDITION OF THE PROPERTY AS A MATERIAL PART OF THE CONSIDERATION TO BE RECEIVED BY SELLER UNDER THIS AGREE AS NEGOTIATED AND AGREED TO BY PURCHASER AND SELLER. PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES TO ACCEPT THE PROPERTY IN "AS-IS" "WHERE-IS" CONDITION AT THE TIME OF CLOSING, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY HIDDEN DEFECTS, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AFFECTING THE PROPERTY, OR THE EXISTENCE OF MOLD (AS DEFINED BELOW), WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, WHETHER SUCH DEFECTS OR CONDITIONS WERE DISCOVERABLE THROUGH INSPECTION OR NOT. PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT SELLER, ITS AGENTS AND REPRESENTATIVES HAVE NOT MADE, AND SELLER SPECIFICALLY NEGATES AND DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, PROMISES, COVENANTS, AGREEMENTS OR GUARANTIES, IMPLIED OR EXPRESS, ORAL OR WRITTEN IN RESPECT TO: (then it goes on to list a bunch of things about structural integrity, mold, paints, improvements, etc. I'll write the part that is relevant) (c) THE HABITABILITY, MERCHANTABILITY, MARKETABILITY PROFITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF THE PROPERTY OR IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING REDHIBITORY VICES AND DEFECTS. APPARENT, NONAPPARENT, OR LATENT WHICH NOW EXIST OR WHICH MAY HEREAFTER EXIST AND WHICH IS KNOWN TO PURCHASER, WOULD CAUSE PURCHASER TO REFUSE TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY.

Violet- There are two kinds of things at issue here: 1) the stuff that is obviously in need of fixing and is often cosmetic, like small finish details, and 2) stuff that is not obvious that may be hidden or may develop in the future. The stuff that falls in the first category is on you: he wants to be done with the project and you need to be observant enough to tell him whether there is anything that doesn't meet your quality standards that should be fixed now. Take your time, do the type of identifying walkthrough beforehand that others have suggested above, and then go through a second time with him and the punch list. The stuff that falls in the second category may not be obvious to you or to him, and that's where a warranty comes in. Do you have a warranty or some type of guarantee in writing about what happens if stuff other than on the punch list shows up in the first year and needs to be fixed? Have you discussed this with him? I understand your concern, but I also understand the contractor's viewpoint: he doesn't want you calling him back every couple of weeks after the job was supposedly completed because of some minor sheet rock ding you didn't point out on the walkthrough.

As a cost accountant, I can assure you that you don't need to live in an area to understand how costing works. In fact, that is the entire job description. --- I could go into some detail but instead I will simply refute the materials cost assertion thus... kit homes, such as the 84 Lumber, kit I mentioned above are available for comparable prices everywhere they are sold. Those people in New York essentially the same thing as people in West Virginia (within 5%)...so the difference in construction costs can't be driven by materials. This is not to say the OP could do it. It is to say that, for under $100,000 the OP could get Blueprints • Gutters and downspouts • Drywall and finishing materials • Treated sill plates • Insulated windows • Interior trim • Floor joists • Exterior trim • Fasteners and adhesives • 3/4" plywood or OSB floor • Vinyl siding • Kitchen cabinets • Wall studs • Hardboard / Fiber Cement siding • Bathroom vanities • OSB wall sheathing • Insulated exterior doors • Engineered roof trusses • Interior doors • Post-formed laminated countertops • OSB roof sheathing • R-19 wall insulation • Cultured marble vanity top • Roofing felt • R-30 ceiling insulation • Fiberglass roofing shingles • Roof ventilation. The OP would have to get permits, site work, foundation, any added brick or stonework, plumbing, appliances, any steel beams or columns, HVAC, finish flooring, electric and pay labor costs with the remaining $300,000. Whether or not that is something that can be done in their location is a different question, but the reason they can't achieve that isn't because of massive material cost differences, because they are just not there.