This is brand new construction - is pre-drilling screw holes on doors really that important?
Most of the doors in the house were like this. They are cracked at the strike plate.
On the door of a double door, and on the side wall of the door framing, the wood was cracked at the strike plates.
Why?
Two reasons:
1. No hole was pre-drilled to accommodate the screws. Even a very small hole will prevent the wood from opening up and cracking. Simple, but pre-drilling a hole is important.
2. The screws have been over tightened. Why? Amateur work.
Some doors are like this, some worse. And it is nearly every door in the house.
What will happen over time to this cracking?
Likely it will grow. The door or the framing will become weaker.
And the strike plates become loose.
I happen to see loose strike plates all the time. And this is why.
Yes, pre-drilling is an extra step.
Yes, knowing how to tighten the screws properly takes extra care.
Yes, a person who doesn't do these things is less than professional. Or ignorant.
Ignorant of what? Basic carpentry techniques.
IF I WAS ASKED TO SAY WHAT I THINK IS THE SINGLE MOST-COMMON PROBLEM WITH NEW CONSTRUCTION I WOULD ANSWER IT WITH ONE SHORT PHRASE:
A LACK OF PROFESSIONALISM OR BASIC UNDERSTANDING.
People are paying a lot of money for a new house. They are satisfying dreams. They are looking forward to a future there where memories are established, children are raised, and life happens. In some cases families have saved for years to make this purchase.
Sometimes what I find are not major things, but a multiplicity of problems that were created by someone who doesn't care, doesn't know, doesn't understand, or is following instructions. What does this mean?
A LACK OF PROFESSIONALISM OR BASIC UNDERSTANDING.
On this particular house the buyers were there one rainy day to notice water dripping down from a light fixture. Calling the supervisor he did not believe them. Going upstairs to see why a small section of roof above this point had nails driven through shingles. The nails were exposed and driven THROUGH the shingles!
What had happened was during a high wind storm the shingles had blown up and were loose. So the "fix" was to hold them down more tightly, with nails. What does this mean?
A LACK OF PROFESSIONALISM OR BASIC UNDERSTANDING.
During our inspection, because this small roof was visible and available, I took the screen off the window to stand on what I could see was a dimple in the roof. It squished hugely. Obviously it was rotten. Just below this spongy, dangerously-weak spot was the light through which the water had been leaking.
Yes, the supervisor did eventually see the leaking and the nails through the shingles above. He had those shingles replaced. But nothing was done about what was obviously a soft area on the roof! The "roofer" nailed new shingles over what was obviously soft wood!! The size of the soft area was about 1.5' x 2'.
Why would any roofer do that? I said it above -- because he "doesn't care, doesn't know, doesn't understand, or is following instructions." What does this mean?
A LACK OF PROFESSIONALISM OR BASIC UNDERSTANDING.
Well, they will be fixing this now! I also suggested that the insulation inside the ceiling that got wet be investigated and likely replaced. The real repair is more than nailing on new shingles!!
My recommendation: be aware! Be smart! Be in charge! It's your house! You are the boss! And don't ever, ever, ever buy the weak and senseless line that "you don't need a home inspector. The house has already had dozens of inspections." That is a practiced, empty, myopic builder line intended to intimidate you. Keep your antenna high. And hire a home inspector. Your Best Practice.
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC 
Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.
Office (703) 330-6388 Cell (703) 585-7560
So Jay I take it you are trying to tell us something here. If people are advertising themselves as professionals and do work like you are talking about they won't be professionals long. Or for that matter in business.
This is the trend that has gotten worse and worse over the years James. Quality suffers.
And they ARE NOT professionals.
I totally agree - hiring a quality home inspector is the only way to truly know what you are (or are not) buying!
Kat - these problems are incessant and aggravating. Wait til you see the next one.
Hint: Robinson Crusoe would be proud.
Hi Jay,
This seems to be a trend with a lot of builders.
A LACK OF PROFESSIONALISM OR BASIC UNDERSTANDING.
Have a great day in Bristow.
Best, Clint McKie
That is the trend Clint. My sarcastic phrase is: 7-11 Construction.
If the shoe fits...
Jay - there are so many unprofessional things done by people who call themselves professionals. Hiring a good home inspector is a must.
Thanks Grant. We be professional.
Jay, it's amazing why builders don't take more pride in the homes they build. A home inspection is a must even for new construction.
One thing I learned in wood and metal shop (that's back when kids were edjumakated) was to have pride in what I did Mike.
Jay, poor workmanship can be a temporary disguise but it will cos the buyerr big dollars down the road. Nice catch
When we walked into the house the buyers showed me right away Ed. They asked if it was a problem. Ummm...
You are correct. It is important to pre-drill that is why I have two cordless drills when I am working around the house.
Hi Jay. It really would seem to be much less costly in the end to do the job right in the first place. Unfortunately "A LACK OF PROFESSIONALISM OR BASIC UNDERSTANDING" is job security and therefore OK when you're being paid by the hour.
Thanks for sharing a point well made.
Bruce
Jay...I used to be the type that thought the more tight a screw is, the better. The result? I over screwed every time literally undoing the screwing...good post
I guess I ways thought this was common sense!
Law of Physics most likely ignored in this case. or at least, they might have been expecting that all wood products are somewhat elastic or flexible; even PVC and rubber could crack when punctured in the right conditions.
If the people training the workers do not know how---neither will the workers. Another interesting question is why would you not do it different after the first one split? Critical thinking is missing on many levels today, and the construction work place is merely a mirror of this.
I have to think that its a sign of laziness, they assume the new home buyer will overlook this everytime. Obviously like you mention, this is a sign of professionalism and if they skipped this step they probably skipped others as well.
That kind of stuff drives me insane. Screwing down outlet covers until they crack, too. Like they're screwing a lid over a can of plutonium or something. Unskilled labor.
Oh gosh, how frustrating. It was so avoidable. Just proper planning and care needed. - Debbie
That's crazy on new constuction. I haven't seen that in the builders I work with in Oklahoma City but this is the reason I tell people who buy a new home, get an inspection. It may be new but it is man made.
Time is money and people are not willing to pay for quality
Jay, thanks for pointing out some basic carpentry to the inexperienced! As you said, be smart!
Speed, speed and more speed. A good painter can cover that crack right up!
Drives me nuts when they install the strike plates before the weatherstripping and the door 'seals' tightly against the frame but won't latch once weatherstripping is added.
When showing houses I see more lack of basic skills and understanding in houses that were recently foreclosed than in new construction. It is less forgivable from those who are expected to be professional.
Sounds like somebody would be crazy to buy a home in your area.
I would be pretty annoyed if this is new construction. What is going to show up a year down the road?
Jay, ouch, these are some tough examples to read about. Unfortunately, when how fast we can do it replaces how good a job can I do--we have big problems!
Skipping the basics will only lead to problems down the line. Do the job right the first time!
Jay - This is a very informative post and one which is very important. You raise many valid points.
FYI
My recommendation: be aware! Be smart! Be in charge!
Jay, I agree with everyone else. Skipping these basic steps will only lead to a weaker door down the future and that's not acceptable. Be present during construction and make sure you get an inspection!
Keith - that should cover it!
You are right about the first part Bruce. I'm not sure I get the second part - that is EXACTLY the type of people we DON'T want in our homes, so the job security would have to be earned.
Richie - your change in mind came with an understanding brought by experience.
Gary - common sense, and good sense, lack for sure.
Like you say Michael, a lack of understanding!
Charlie - your first sentence accurately describes my beef with using 7-11 Construction
on job sites. Your second and third sentences accurately describe my beef with using 7-11 Construction on job sites. To the right is a foot print that was made in wet poly when they finished the stairs (tomorrow's blog). There is one in every stair. He took his shoes off so it wouldn't be so visible. There are left and right foot imprints. There are shoe footprints in the sidewalk in front however! These guys are good.
Morgan - see comment to Charlie above. But this buyer and I have had many conversations since. Today is their walk through with the builder and they have a long list of things as you describe.
Chris - you hit on another thing in this house! Do you hear the ringing? I will mail you the kupie doll.
Debbie - see photo above!
Joe - apparently you don't have the, um, problem there that we have here. Would the word "overrun" make sense?
I don't know Robert. I am happy to pay for quality. I have always bought our kids' bikes at the local small bike shops and not Costco or WalMart. They are better bikes and put together right. That extra quality does cost more though. Tell me, why do Apple products, or Bose products, never go on sale? And yet are sold out completely.
Suzanne - around here the smartest thing is to get a really cute home inspector.
Than - LAUGH! The buyers said the cracks were more visible, but they painted them three times to make them disappear!
Dwight - and builders pass off the idea that inspections aren't needed. This kind of crap work is unforgivable.
Richard - the house is the house. Get a good home inspector and your bases are much better covered. Pre-drywall and final inspections are essential.
Bill - 15 years ago I was saying that all these guys sweeping and cleaning up will soon be into the trades, and when that happens we are screwed. Guess what...
Tom - see comment to Bill above, and the photo to Charlie above that. This is horrendous. I could put out a dozen blogs on this house alone.
You would think Suzanne. But no. No time now! Maybe we can come back later and spend more time fixing it.
Rod - I have been on this soap box screaming and whining for years. And things are getting worse. 7-11 Construction is my sarcastic phrase.
Thanks Joan. But cutting to the chase doesn't solve the problem here!
Jack - see my comment above to Charlie, and to Bill. Things are getting worse.
Laura - the integrity of the doors is compromised, it isn't merely aesthetics. But I will grant you - MY psychology is affected!
If they don't take the time to do the LITTLE things right, makes me wonder about the big things! You just can't fake a quality job.
I did wonder Greg, and there were lots of big things!
I've done enough projects to know that predrilling actually saves time! You can always spot one that isn't, and know that they were using an automatic screwdriver until it started skipping and stripping the screw!
Jay - Thank you for sharing those tips. It's obvious that you care about your profession and your clients.
Greg - I agree 1000% yes 1000%. I've seen a great deal of "little things" in new construction and in Flips that were not completed in a professional or caring manner.
Shelley - to me it's a no brainer. But I was trained right.
Jasmin - I really do! And Flippers don't like me...
I agree with you, price isnt everything, but unfortunately many people think that way... and dont get me started with the bikes, I worked my way through college working at a bike shop, there is a pretty big difference on the bikes and and even bigger difference on the truly professional assembly
Glad to hear that Robert! I have always found the local bike shops to be knowledgeable, professional, and eager to please me. And I have lifetime tune ups on bikes purchased.
But, yes, price matters, but professionalism matters more.