Quality

The team at IBACOS has, for some time, been greatly concerned by the distinct lack of building code regulations that are in place to control the standard to which gingerbread homes are built. This entire seasonal segment of the housing industry seems to have ‘slipped under’ the proverbial legislative wire and has been given free range to do whatever it wants from a design, engineering and construction perspective, provided the demands for decorative appeal and memorable taste

You’re likely familiar with the “Extreme Home Makeover” shows that have become popular with audiences. The premise is simple: build a new house from the ground up in a week. The execution is not simple – it requires months of planning and coordination long before the volunteers show up. This is critical because the volunteer workforce is often counted in the hundreds or beyond. Production homebuilders don’t typically build homes in one week. They also don’t have thousands of

You’re a prospective homebuyer exploring a new neighborhood under development by a well-known local builder. You and your partner are excited: great schools, beautiful lots, and the promise of a fresh start for your growing family. You’re here to see if this could be the  place, or if the other community down the road might be a better fit. Scenario 1: The Messy Jobsite As you stroll through the neighborhood, chatting about your wish list, a messy pile of lumber scattered acr

In my years training professionals on basic building science, I've always been surprised that the very people responsible for overseeing...

At IBACOS, we’re often asked for our opinion on building products. Sometimes it's a new product hitting the market; other times it’s a...

When you walk homes under construction in any given production builder’s community, there is one aspect of the builder and trades’...

At IBACOS, we visit over 130 large builder divisions each year, and one question we frequently hear is, “What’s the secret to maintaining...

While homebuilders certainly can’t use the most expensive material option for every aspect of their homes, many choose to use...

What if prospective buyers knew exactly what to look for and the right questions to ask before signing on the dotted line? Instead of...

I get it. “Inspect what you expect” is an important leadership principle. Likewise, “Measure what matters” embodies a similar concept. If...

Party walls. Fire walls. Area Separation walls. Shaft walls. Demising walls. These terms are often used interchangeably when discussing...

I’m going to let you in on a dirty little ‘not-so-secret’ secret of the homebuilding world and weave in some interesting facts along the...

I live in Western Pennsylvania in a home that was built in the 1930’s. My garage is below my kitchen and dining room. During the cold...

We all play various roles in life, and I’m no exception. Above all, I am a devoted father and husband. I am also a son, a brother, a...

We all know that the HVAC equipment is the biggest “energy user” in a home. What’s the second? The hot water heater. Traditionally, most...

A sweeping trend across the U.S. right now is painted brick veneer. Many homeowners are choosing to paint their red or yellow brick homes...

I’ve been in this industry long enough to see the typical production builder wrestle with the superintendent-to-homes-under-construction...

To tackle wall cavity condensation in northern cold climates, we all know that continuous insulation is your go-to solution. By creating...

Disney’s “Finding Nemo” opens with a pair of clownfish who are living within a sea anemone. Fun fact: An anemone is covered with stinging...

Quality can be hard to define. Yet, you don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to find examples of how a commitment to delivering quality homes pa