Fortified House vs Standard Construction

The Institute for Business & Home Safety - ( http://www.disastersafety.org ) has posted information and a video of their wind-tested Home Construction models to highlight the difference between building a home applying ONLY the MINIMUM Building Code, versus building with a long-term strategy of Safety & Quality in mind.

Of course, architects and engineers who design structures with "Best Practices" in mind (and not a short-cut mindset of building only to meet the minimum code required), have generally also designed structures that not only stand up better to more harsh weather extremes, but said structures tend to also be more energy efficient, cheaper to maintain, and last longer between maintenance cycles (i.e. have a better ROI.)

Often, these "additional" construction measures that take a low-quality Builder track-home (like those cookie cutter suburban vinyl clad homes) to a safer, higher quality (and value) home amount to no more than 3-5% more in (construction) costs up front.   That three percent differential is the BEST insurance and the low-cost way to increase VALUE (and equity) in most any property (over the long term.)  This kind of investment in quality construction (and engineering) is the least expensive way to insure your family's safety.  I mean, your most valuable asset-- your family, is taking up space in this structure. Wouldn't you want the place where your family rests their heads to be a safe, quality built structure -- for the cost of one midlevel bathroom upgrade?

What is more important:  that $10K in high tech audi/video equipment and the granite counters? or the ability of your home not to blow away in a high wind, flood  or hurricane?  

Educate yourself on the differences that matter (between quality safe construction, vs low-end cookie cutter developer homes.)  Hire an architect to make sure your home surpasses the  "code minimum" offered by most home builders & housing developers.

Also see the NBC / MSNBC News Report on this Story - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39749066/ns/weather/

Stop buying low-quality real estate that is all sizzle no steak.  You family's lives could depend on it.

©sgrant 2010 susangrant.net

tags: construction, hurricane, building safety, building codes, architecture, structural engineering, disaster, best practices, construction, bad construction, floods, insurance, safety, preparedness, real estate, buying a home, quality construction, quality design, home value, energy efficiency, wind damage, wind