If you're in the market for a new home, shopping for one can be a tedious, time-consuming process. After each weekend of house-hunting, you can fall back into your sofa with piles of expensive builder brochures and try to analyze, categorize and disseminate information to narrow down which homes you may pay a second or third visit to.

But just how can you tell which builder has built the better mousetrap? Yes, the models are beautiful, and each floor plan has something just a little different to offer, but what about quality? What about nuts and bolts, trusses and drywall, roofing and HVAC? You can receive lip service from well-meaning sales consultants that their builders' homes are the best; the highest quality materials are used, they have been in business forever and have collected a plethora of building awards. But are they telling you why their homes are better? And exactly what materials are used to make them better than their competitors'?

The truth is, a home shopper should be able to get the straight stuff from a builder the way they can when looking at any other big-ticket item, like a new car. There's nothing wrong with a buyer who arms themselves with the proper questions ahead of time. You may get a few glazed-over looks, accompanied by the response, "I don't know, but I can find out" from the sales staff, but it's all part of the game, so don't feel guilty about wanting to know what you may be getting into.

Some builders arm themselves with a ready-made list of features to hand prospective buyers, offering a general tool for comparison with Builder B and C. Keep in mind, however, that this list will undoubtedly be a list of features this particular builders finds reason to boast about, where Builder B or C may have other reasons to crow.

Here are a few topics to have the sales consultant research for you that can possibly help you make that all-important decision to buy:

Roofing

How are both the underlayment and roofing surfaces applied to prevent leakage? How many years is the roof supposed to last? Call a roofing contractor and ask a few questions to prepare yourself to analyze this important element of a new home.

Framing

What types of trusses and joists are used in construction? How are they designed to prevent flooring squeaks and create lasting structural integrity? What size lumber is used, where is it used, and why are this builder's framing techniques better than the competition? Some builders boast 2' X 6' lumber in many places other builders use 2' X 4' sizes.

Drywall & Stucco

How does the builder "wrap the house" and how are "pop-outs" (creative detail on exterior elevations) treated? How do their methods prevent cracking, resurfacing nails and separations? During hot weather is the stucco wetted down daily to prevent disintegration before the paint is applied? Is it color-coated or painted? Color-coating stucco may result in dark looking stains after rain hits it. If the stucco is of the synthetic variety, read up on the merits or disadvantages currently under discussion in the home building industry surrounding the use of it.

HVAC

How does the builder deal with too-hot or too-cold "zones" in the house? Are there an adequate number of vents and are they well located for energy efficiency? And does the system not only meet, but also exceed the required energy efficiency standards for your state? You may even call or have your salesperson call the local utility company to perform a brief street survey on energy bills if the neighborhood has been around for a while to determine the average cost for monthly energy bills for the square footage home you are considering purchasing.

Windows

Dual paned all around? Energy efficient Low E or Low E Squared glass? Aluminum, vinyl, or wood framed?

Concrete Foundations

Is the slab poured in sections or all at once? What is done about surface, or curing cracks once they appear? How much water is used in making the concrete?

Insulation

What thickness insulation is used in floors, wall and ceilings, and what makes this builder's better quality? Most purchase agreements must state the thickness, type and R-value of each type of insulation used in the home. Sometimes these are stated in the builder's brochure features list.

Appliances and interior features

Ask the salesperson to show you or describe the "included" appliances for the home you have in mind. Models home complexes are notoriously upgraded to offer you the "what if's", but you may be hard-pressed to find what is standard within their elegant interiors. It's also advisable to ask the salesperson to give you a detailed tour, describing just what the house comes with, and what is decorative or upgraded about the model.

Warranty

Does the builder purchase a warranty from an outside source for its buyers, with a separate warranty contract? Find out if there are other neighborhoods the builder has completed, and then visit it to see for yourself how the builder's homes tend to hold up. You may even knock on a few doors or chat with someone who happens to be outside at the time and ask how promptly walk-through and post-closing issues are addressed. What is the length and what are the terms of their warranty? The solubility, credibility, and reputation of the new homebuilder definitely come into play here.

There is a mountain of educated questions that have gone unasked here, and differences to be taken into consideration for the type of home construction indigenous to the part of the country in which you are buying. The important thing to realize is that quality has different meanings to different builders, but the way quality affects you as the buyer is what really counts.

Alan Trellis, of Home Builders Network said in a recent BUILDER MAGAZINE article, "The trouble with talking about quality is that people don't know what it means. They have no basis for comparing the "quality" of one builder against its competitors'. In order for builders to sell quality, it must be translated into benefits-things that really make a difference. Why is quality important? Because quality means greater comfort. It means your home will last and last. It means higher resale value, lower maintenance and lower operating costs. It means greater pride of ownership. Those are the benefits of quality; they're the benefits buyers understand and care about."

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Published: September 15, 1999

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A veteran of the real estate and homebuilding industries since 1986, Dena Kouremetis first joined Realty Times as a new homes writer in 1998. Since then, she has authored four books, written consumer columns on new homes issues for websites and newspapers all across the country, contributed to builder trade magazines, appeared as a guest expert on several radio shows and even created a ten-chapter podcast for LendingTree.com’s homebuilder website, iNest.com, now available on iTunes, entitled Uncharted Waters; Navigating the Purchase of a New Production Home. Kouremetis recently joined her local Folsom, CA Coldwell Banker office as a broker associate while continuing to write for the real estate industry. For the past three years, she has been training real estate agents for both the resale and new homes industries, putting her experience, research expertise and gift of expression to work to help others entering the business.