Using high-quality products is important, but it is no substitute for enforcing quality control measures during the construction process. Make sure your homebuilder has established quality control measures with specific inspections throughout the process to ensure your investment is protected.

After closing, who will you call if you have a problem? Will you be able to call a service professional directly—or is there an answering service? Will the homebuilder's own employee respond to a service call—or a sub-contracted company whose reputation is not invested in your home? New home construction warranties vary little in the extent of coverage, but vary greatly in their execution.

Will you make your selections based on sample boards stored in the model home or will you have access to a large showroom with a variety of examples? Will you choose from photographs or will you be able to see and touch your choices? Will you get personalized attention or will you have to share your time with other customers?

Prior to construction, the minimum specifications for footers are determined by an engineer who specializes in soil analysis. These specifications may not necessarily require rebar to reinforce the concrete. But with the high soil elasticity in the Central Virginia region, you'll want to have the strongest footer available—one built with rebar.

Local building code requires a vapor barrier vapor barrier in the crawl space. Some homebuilders install the vapor barrier at the end of construction—right on top of construction debris and with little to secure it. A better method involves laying the vapor barrier prior to framing and securing it with a layer of gravel. This keeps the crawl space clean and protects the vapor barrier from construction debris.

During the building process, many builders treat the soil and lumber for termites with poison. But the poison can be dangerous to humans; in fact, the building site usually must be evacuated after the poison is applied. A better alternative is to treat the frame with a natural chemical substance called borate, which is toxic to termites but completely safe for humans and animals.

Many homebuilders use both engineered and dimensional lumber flooring systems. Dimensional lumber flooring systems are more likely to crown, shrink, or squeak. Engineered flooring systems are multiple-ply planks, which do not change shape or split, limiting squeaks and improving stability.

Spacing systems are multiple-ply planks, which do not change shape or split, 16 inches apart provides stability, reduces warped walls and limits nail pops. In some non-load bearing walls, homebuilders will space systems are multiple-ply planks, which do not change shape or split, 24 inches apart to cut down on their lumber costs.

Single-hung windows have a stationary upper sash and a movable lower sash. However, both sashes are movable in double-hung windows, improving ventilation and making cleaning much easier. While many homebuilders install single-hung windows to cut costs, double-hung windows offer greater convenience and quality.

Will your homebuilder test and warranty structured wiring systems are multiple-ply planks, which do not change shape or split,structured wiring cables? Every cable should be tested and guaranteed in your home prior to purchase. If structured wiring is not installed and tested properly, its performance can be dramatically reduced. Make sure both the homebuilder and the manufacturer guarantee that your structured wiring will always perform to the required standards.