[MrEdd]

A lot of McMansion construction I have seen has had really shoddy material underneath. Government corruption has reached down to building inspector level in the last two markets I have lived in. These homes are going to really depreciate in about 15 years.

/semi off topic.

[inkling]

Hey, but what if they built with really strong styrofoam and chickenwire? ;-)

[RSmithOpt]

Watch and learn, I say. Here in the RTP of NC, it's the same crap. I wouldn't be surprised if the drop averages 17% nationwide after the blood-letting is over with. $450K 2800 sq. ft., on 1/4-1/5 acre, vinyl sided, brick only front, multiple un-needed roof setbacks (future water problems), and a box of junk...looks good for the first 5 years before it starts to fall apart. Get yourself 2.

Integrity in materials and craftsmanship has giving to the wayside too.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

I was visiting a friend at his new $750,000 McMansion last year, and was astounded to see bowed walls, poorly fitted moldings and trim, and a cracked dry wall, with cheap plastic fixtures throughout the house. He got ripped off bad.

[Hoffer Rand]

I’m seeing that, too. It’s pretty bad when a house that’s 20 years old looks better than a new house. When we were buying 4 years ago, we looked at a few new homes, saw all the cheap and shoddy work and materials, and decided to stick to homes that were at least 10 years old and not in PUDs.

[KTM rider]

I am in deputy inspection and can tell you there is no corruption at this level, at least around where I am. It can meet building codes for safety and still have poor craftsmanship or cheep fixtures, these are a decision of the builder/ architect. Plastic fixtures, shrinking drywall, cheep roofing etc are not covered by ICBO or local Building Official standards.

Building inspection relates to safety issues. However details like concrete quality, nailing patterns, electrical materials, are often overlooked by inspectors for different reasons, usually pressure from bully contractors whining, or an inspector with too much experience who is freinds with everybody, and let things slide and making engineering decisions

One of the first lessons I learned in building inspection is that if you do too good of a good job you will be out of work and replaced. You can only stop work for major engineering problems, not quality details. The inspector can only do as well as the owner architect and contractor will cooperate.