Building house, need advice!!!

[Adi]

I've just recently had to move for my husbands job. We are currently renting a house but we are ready to make our next move and settle down here.

At first we were wanting to simply buy a house but the market here is pretty poor and there isn't much for sale. Right now our only option is to build. If we get at it now, we could have our house by the month of june.

My only problem is that I've heard bad thing about the fumes in new houses. Will they be a danger to my lovebird? Since the house would be ready for summer, it would be much easier to air it out but is that enough???

I was hoping to get some advice from people that have built their own homes and how they managed with their birds.

[Adi]

Thanks a lot for that advice Blake!

As for sytem/stick, at first we were looking at system built and we found some great houses! There are two big companies that are based around here so we chose our favorite and started to meet people and make calls. The thing that turned us away is that they were very irresponsible and never call back!!! They almost seemed uninterested in our business so we then started to consider stick built. Their loss!!! For what we were looking at, the prices are about the same anyway.

We were recomended a contractor and he is great! He gave us some estimates on houses we were looking at and also included the land since he owns a few. That's one less thing we'll have to look for, and it's a really nice street. So if we build, we're going with this guy.

There's always a possibility that we could buy, one of my husbands work buddies might be selling his house and it's on the same street that we would build on! He's still unsure about selling but that would be our best option if it works out.


I'm not sure what I can do with Sunny if we build... but I'm sure I'll figure something out, he could always stay at the police station!!! So thanks again so much for that advice Blake, I appreciate it! Especially the oven, I wasn't thinking about that. And I'll try contacting my avian vet back in Montreal to see what she might say.

[Adi]

I think I could manage to find some friends that could take him. There's always the local vet that might accept if I explain our situation. Worse case scenario, I'll bring him next time I visit my parents but he would have to be there a couple months.

I'll ask the contractor if there's any way to cut down on the fumes.

Hehehe hope you get done with that pesky basement! Oh and I love that log cabins look!!! It would look great around here, lots of trees, oceanside fisherman village! And of course our cold Canadian winters! I'd love to get one some day but now we're going simple, it's our first house anyway. And my husband is just starting his career so I think we'll be here 5 years tops, no need to build our dream home quite yet. He loves the area where he's working but he has the opportunity to work all across Canada and the Territories. We'll take advantage of that for sure!

[Adi]

Is there really no one else out there that can offer me advice????

[CACPioneer]

Well, I guess I could take a shot! :icon_smil

I haven't had experiences with it, but I do know that if you're looking to buy a prefab (as we call it over here...a prefabricated house) then I would make sure to mention to the "dealer" that you are very concerned with fumes that new flooring, carpets, stains, etc. give off because of your bird's extreme sensitivity to them. (You could also fib if you wanted to and mention that YOU are extremely sensitive to them...they might take you more seriously then). If you decide to build a "stick" house, then I would make sure your contracter knows about your bird and "demand" that he use materials that are as low in fumes and toxicity as possible.

Reguardless of which type of house you decide on, (congrats, by the way!) I would try to completely air out all the rooms in the house by leaving all the windows open for at least one week. Also, if you have an air purifier, instead of opening ALL the windows, you could open up some of them and turn your air purifier on for a week before moving in.

Hopefully someone with actual experience with this situation can help you out, Adi!!

[birdfreak2]

Hi Adi, I can help you with your problem here, I know all about new homes. MY husband builds new homes and then sells them after they are finished. I don't think you should have any problems after you move in, the only smell your going to have is the new smell. Mostly all you'll smell will be the carpet and new cabinets, but that should not harm the birds in anyway. When my husband finishes the homes he builds, I then go in them and clean them from top to bottom and I mean I clean everything. Drywall dust peppers the entire home, I brush down the walls, vaccum out heat ducts, cabients, carpets, the entire home. The paint in the home will be new, but it should not cause any problems, because the painting is completed atleast 3 mths. before you move in. There's alot that goes with moving into a new home, lots of papers to sign, touch ups to be done, and you got to get you accupancy slip before you are aloud to move in. Like I was saying the only smell I notice is the carpet, that's pretty much it. We are building a new home now, I should be moving into it this summer if all goes right. I don't know where you are located, I'm in Delaware. Whatever you need to know about new homes, send me a private messeage, there's not much I don't know about construction. If you do move into a brand new home, make sure it's cleaned from top to botton. Check the heat ducts, that will have alot of drywall dust in them if left alone. Drywall is terrible to your lungs, so it has to be harmful to your birds as well. I own my own cleaning serv., I have been doing this for 10 yrs. Whatever you need to know about cleaning new construction homes, I'll be glad to chat with ya. Take care, good luck.! Tammy

[CACPioneer]

Actually Tammy, it's not the smells that are a concern, it's the fumes. People have moved into new homes (or newly remodeled homes) just days after their completion only to have their pet birds die. The reason? Carpet fumes, varnish fumes, fumes from tile glues, etc. We as humans are not affected by them, but our birds' "breathing system" is much more sensitive than our own. It's crucial, then, to make sure that the materials used on the house's interior are researched for their safety for our avian friends, and also to allow proper ventilation. It's just the actual ventilation time that I'm not too sure about....

Anyway, I hope I didn't insult you, Tammy, I just wanted to clarify a little bit!! :icon_smil

[birdfreak2]

Adi, I don't know what your money status is like, or what kind of home you are looking for. I would not buy a pefab home, they are put together very cheap. There's no vaule to them, and when you go to sell them they aren't worth much. Go with a stick build home, that's a home that's custom built. Better quality in these homes, and hopefully you'll find a good construction company who will do the work. It's hard to find a good builder, you gotta be careful who you sign contracts with. There are so many guys out here who just butcher your work, they don't care. One more thing about new carpet. I'm assuming they have a carpet for sensitive people, not sure. I alaways bought carpet and laid it down, I was not bothered by the smell because I like the new smell. Contact me anytime, I can answer any questions you have.

[Adi]

Thank you CAC, I hadn't thought of getting an air purifier but that is a wonderful idea!

Tammy, thank you so much, your advice is priceless! You answered a lot of my questions and if I have any more, I'll definitely come to you. It's very comforting to know that someone with some hands on experience is around since I'm pretty much throwing myself in unknown territory!

We've pretty much decided against prefab since we found a great contractor. He was reffered to us by several of my husbands co-workers and they are more than happy with the job he has done on their houses. We have already met with him and all that's left to do is order the plans!!! This is really exciting! We're still looking into a house that might be for sale, built by the same contractor that we've chosen. We just have to confirm if the guy is really truly selling his house. Any hesitation from his part and we'll go ahead and build.

[birdfreak2]

You are so welcomed my friend, I'm here anytime...!!!!!!!!!