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BID COMPARISON CHART
When bidding out your home, you may find small or huge differences between
builders. Usually, that is due to the features that are included
in the bid price. In order to help the buyer decipher what features they
are receiving, we have developed the spreadsheet below to help the buyer compare
"apples to apples". Cheaper is not always better. On the other hand,
two similarly priced bids may have totally different features and allowances
included, one being much higher quality materials and construction techniques.
Hopefully, the chart shown below will help you to formulate your questions and
to help you choose the "right" bid.
NOTE: Blume Construction prides itself on quality and will not
compromise the integrity of the structure or install items that are not
compatible with high quality, energy efficient construction. We have
designated the items that we do not feel are consistent with Blume quality homes
by noting "Not Offered ):" next
to the option. In addition, we have provided links that detail certain
quality techniques that Blume Construction uses, which sets us apart from our
competition. Just look for this symbol
☻.
FOUNDATION COMPARISON:
| ITEM |
BLUME CONSTRUCTION |
COMMENTS |
| Block |
Standard |
Link to block foundation
comparison and information☻ |
| Poured With Rods |
Option Available At Buyer Request |
Beware: Quality is an Issue-Make
sure your builder uses rods |
| Sand Fill Under Garage & Porch Floors |
Standard |
|
| Clay from Excavation under Garage & Porch Floors |
Not offered): |
Beware: Very good chance there will be considerable settlement, which
in turn may cause your floor to settle and break up. |
FRAMING COMPARISON:
| ITEM |
BLUME CONSTRUCTION |
COMMENTS |
| 2 x 4 walls |
Not offered
): |
R Value Lower:
3-year heating guarantee void |
| 2 x 6 walls |
Standard |
Highest Quality
Method:Link to 2 x 6 wall detail
☻ |
| Prefabricated |
Not offered
): |
R Value Lower |
| 3/4" Celotex (Tuff-R) |
Standard |
Adds R Value of 4 |
| 1/4" to 1/2" Plywood |
Downgrade available |
No R-value; voids 3-year heating
guarantee |
| 5/8" Roof Sheating |
Standard |
Highest Quality Method |
| 7/16" Roof Sheeting w/Clips |
Not offered
): |
Beware: Make sure clips are used |
| 1/2" Roof Sheating w/Clips |
Not offered
): |
Beware: Make sure clips are used |
| Ridge Vents |
Standard |
Best option: allows for adequate roof ventilation out top of attic and
lower A/C bills. |
| Small Square Louvers |
Not offered
): |
This option is not as expensive or effective. Not recommended. |
| Heavy Weight Steel I-Beam Support |
Standard |
Best option; requires very few posts in basement |
| Wood Beams |
Not Offered): |
Requires more posts and often you are not able to run heat runs without
dipping down and going back up again |
| Conventional Rafter Framing |
Standard |
Best Application. Heavier weight material and you are able to insulate
more. |
| Trusses |
Not Offered): |
Beware: Less skilled application. Beware of potential "truss
uplift" problem
Go to the following links to read about Truss Lift. ☻
http://www.roberts.ezpublishing.com/croberts/truss.htm
www.carsondunlop.com/reports/truss.html
www.webcom.com/~malin/truss.html
http://home.ipoline.com/~house/st-trustul.htm
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ENERGY EFFICIENT FEATURES:
| ITEM |
BLUME CONSTRUCTION |
COMMENTS |
| Raised Rafters |
Standard |
Link to Raised Rafter Detail
☻
Customer desire to eliminate will
void 3-year heating guarantee |
| Insulated Corner Posts |
Standard |
|
| Insulation Over Window & Door Headers |
Standard |
|
| R40 Flat Ceiling Insulation |
Standard |
|
| R24 to R30 Flat Ceiling Insulation |
Downgrade Available |
Customer desire to downgrade will
void 3-year heating guarantee |
| Low E Argon Double Hung Windows |
Standard |
See window choices below under Allowances |
| 90+
Carrier Furnace w/outside air intake and steel heat exchanger |
Standard |
See furnace choices below under Mechanical Details.
|
| 3 Year Gas Heat Guarantee |
Standard |
We are so confident of our energy efficient features, that we are
guaranteeing that the gas space heating bills will not exceed $300 total for
the three coldest months of the year (Dec. 21st through March 31st) for each
of the next three years, or we will pick up the balance each year. Based on
CILCO rates as of January 2002 in Peoria and homes up to 3,200 square feet. |
TYPE OF BASEMENT:
TYPE OF LUMBER USED:
| ITEM |
BLUME CONSTRUCTION |
COMMENTS |
| Yellow Pine |
Not offered
): |
Lower quality, hard, splits easily. |
| TGI |
Upgrade Available |
|
| All Kiln Dried Construction Grade Lumber |
Standard |
|
| Douglas Fir Floor & Ceiling Joists & Rafters |
Standard |
Preferred quality lumber of choice. |
| SPF Studs & Plates |
Standard |
|
INTERIOR FINISHES:
| ITEM |
BLUME CONSTRUCTION |
COMMENTS |
| Drywall |
Downgrade Available |
Drywall is offered on certain seasonal specials, but plaster
is also available for an optional extra on these specially priced homes |
| Plaster-Sand coat throughout with Flat walls in Kitchen, Baths and Master
bedroom |
Standard |
High quality finish, most desired. Plaster is still affordable
in this region, whereas, in many areas of the country it is only offered as
an expensive optional upgrade |
| Textured Plaster |
Upgrade Available |
|
| Prefinished Stairs |
Standard |
Better finish; allows for carpet runner |
| 2 x 12 Planks |
Downgrade Available |
Low quality; only option is to carpet entire stair |
MECHANICAL DETAILS:
| ITEM |
BLUME CONSTRUCTION |
COMMENTS |
| 200 Amp Service |
Standard |
|
| Basement Stool Lavatory Rough-In |
Standard |
|
| Type L Copper Water Pipes |
Standard |
|
| Type M Copper Water Pipes |
Downgrade Available |
|
| 90+
Carrier Furnace w/outside air intake and steel heat exchanger |
Standard |
|
| 80+ Furnace |
Downgrade Available |
If downgrade is desired, 3-year
heating guarantee is void |
|
Carrier 10ACC Air Conditioner |
Standard |
|
|
Carrier 12ACC Air Conditioner |
Upgrade Available |
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ALLOWANCES:
| ITEM |
BLUME CONSTRUCTION |
COMMENTS |
| Flooring |
See Comment |
To be determined based on customer budget & desire. |
| Cabinets, Vanities & Tops |
See Comment |
To be determined based on customer budget & desire. |
| Lighting |
See Comment |
To be determined based on customer budget & desire. |
| Plumbing Fixtures |
See Standard Cut Sheet for Specifications |
Link to Standard Plumbing Fixtures☻ |
| Shelving |
Standard $500-$600 based on square footage & customer budget |
Link to Custom Closets website ☻ |
| Fireplace Face |
$600 Allowance Standard |
|
| Brick |
$400 Per 1,000 Standard |
|
| Driveway |
16' x 40' Standard |
|
| Sewer & Water Lines |
40' Standard |
|
| Grading |
3 Hours Standard |
|
| Back Fill |
3 Hours Standard |
|
| City/County Building Permits |
Included |
|
| Gas Service |
$300 Allowance Standard |
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EXTERIOR FINISHES
| ITEM |
BLUME CONSTRUCTION |
COMMENTS |
| Brick |
$400 per 1,000 Standard |
|
| Vinyl Siding-Low
Grade ($34 per square) |
Not Offered ): |
|
| Vinyl Siding-Quality Grade ($60 per square) |
Standard-Fairfield |
|
| Cedar Siding |
Upgrade Available |
May be required in certain upscale subdivisions. Check Restrictions, if any |
| Windows-Double
Hung Wood |
Pella/Windsor Wood Windows Standard on homes over $200,000 |
Link to Pella Windows Proline
Standard window specifications website
☻
Link to
Windsor Pinnacle window specifications website ☻ |
| Windows-Casement-Wood |
Upgrade Available |
|
| Windows-Vinyl-Double Hung |
Downgrade to vinyl windows available
and standard for homes under $200,000 |
Link to Simonton window
specifications website☻ |
| Windows-Vinyl-Single Hung |
Not Offered ): |
|
| Insulate & Sheetrock all Garage Walls & Ceiling |
Standard |
Downgrade is offered on certain seasonal specials, but the
extra insulated and sheetrocked walls is also available for an optional
extra on these specially priced homes |
| Insulate & Sheetrock Only Walls & Ceiling Adjacent to Living Space |
Downgrade Available |
|
| Insulated Overhead Door (Garage) |
Standard |
Link
to Wayne Dalton website and specifications on the 9600 Thermogard door ☻
|
| Non-insulated Overhead Door (Garage) |
Not Offered ): |
|
| 8' High Garage Doors |
Standard on all homes over $200,000 |
8' Doors Accommodate Vans and Large Trucks |
| 7' High Garage Doors |
Downgrade Available |
|
| Gutters .032
Gauge |
Standard |
|
| Gutters .027
Gauge |
Not Offered ): |
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rights reserved. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
All copyrights and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.