At the outset of every home we build, we tell our buyers that the pre-drywall meeting will be one of their first chances to really see their home coming together. In many ways, this is true, though it doesn’t account for the regular visits buyers make to the home site throughout the construction process – which we absolutely love and encourage.
Another way to think about the pre-drywall meeting, then, is as a way to consider details that are easy to take for granted in your home. Things to consider include:
- The placement of light switches
- The placement of electrical outlets
- How many phone and cable jacks will you need throughout the house
- Additional wiring for audio/video entertainment purposes
Before the drywall gets hung in your house, it’s still relatively easy and cost-effective to make these kinds of changes, whether it’s moving things around or adding new features all together.
Don’t take our word for it. Take it from the Balsers.
Hopefully, you’ve had an opportunity to read our posts as we’ve chronicled the construction of the Balser’s family home in Townsend. We spoke with Beth about the benefits they realized from the recent pre-drywall meeting at their home.
Kenny Bowman from Quality Communications of Virginia talks with Project Manager Josh Creel and the Balser Family about wiring for their phones, internet and home entertainment system.
As first-time homebuilders, she was most appreciative of the opportunity to make quick and easy changes, have a say in the placement of electrical outlets, and explore options they hadn’t considered in the beginning. “There’s just so much to think about at the outset, it’s almost impossible not to overlook something.” That’s why they appreciated the opportunity to get a “second look” at some additional possibilities, even outside the home.
For example, after their pre-drywall meeting, the Balsers made these changes:
- made the driveway wider and extended the back of it
- added cable/phone jacks in bedrooms
- added a gas stove
The changes were handled through a simple change order agreement and are now part of the final plans for their home. Taking the time to consider these details and paying a nominal change order fee now is a much better option than having to “live” with what you wish you had known.
For more photos of the Balser’s home in Townsend during the construction process, please visit our Flickr page by clicking here.