Four Seasons

[tabitha]

Does anyone have any info about Four Seasons Homes? We are looking to buy but I am not sure. I have asked lots of questions about the structure. I am not sure about the headers above windows and doors. Any information would be great.

[trmimo]

Structure is one of four season strong point.
I have sold them since they started in business and have never had a structural problem on one of my customer's homes.
If you would like larger headers, order your house with mulled windows and the headers are automatically upgraded to triple 2 by 6 vertical header sandwiched with osb.

[tabitha]

?trmimo (---.hsd1.ga.comcast.net),
Thanks for your information. WOW! I don't know what happen back there but I will be sure not to do that again. LOL Anyway I was wondering if you could tell me if upgrading the floor from particalboard to plywood is available?
We have found a model we like (Summerbrook D72-03) but when I ask for base price the price he gave me is his base price. When looking at the 2005 Four Seasons book it clearly shows what is standard and what is optional. One thing in particular is the water heater. His comes standard with 40 gallon tank but the book says for Summerbrook that is an upgrade. The other thing is one piece gutters & down spouts. The last one I see is the Ampage of the fuse box. The standard in the book is 100 amp and his standard is 200 amp. I don't mind upgrading to those options but I want to be sure I am not paying to much for what we are getting.When we looked there are alot of things we want ot upgrade. So now I am wondering if it would be better just to go to the next level Autumn Manor instead of Summerbrook. The things we are upgrading are the roof pitch and the flat celings, R- 38 roof insulation, R-19 floor insulation, Steel 9 lite rear door, Leaded glass front door with sidelight and full view storm, Six panel doors with levers handles on interior doors, Sliding glass door in great room, one sky light stainless steel appliance package, perimeter heat throughout the home, 200 amp(which he has that standard), 40 gallon water heater(which he has that standard), 2 recessed lights in kitchen, linen cabinet in bath, washer/dyrer cabinet, laundry tub with cabinet, 1/2 stone fireplace, ceramic backsplash, radius hardwood countertop edging, upgrading the kithchen cabinets to be solid ash & roll out draws. I also thought about upgrading the moulding but not sure. What do you think I should do stay in Summerbrook and do the upgrades or move to the Autumn Manor?

[trmimo]

plywood is not available, but osb is. The difference in standards between your retailer and the brochure is pretty common, most retailers have a handful of options that they automatically add to every house to adapt for the local area. I do the same thing. Many of the upgrades you are considering are standard in the Autumn Manor plus the 5/12 with 8' ceilings costs less on an Autmn Manor than a Summer Brook because the dimensional shingles are standard on the Autmn Manor. The stainless steel package costs less on the Autmn Manor because the standard aplliances you will be replacing are upgrades. You would also get upgrade carpet, real oak mouldings, and upgrade light fixtures and plumbing fixtures. The strongest reason I see for switching to Autmn Manor is simplicity, Because much of what you want will be standard, the order form wiill be simpler and their will be less confusion about what you want and what you are getting. The Autmn Manor order form is 2 pages long, while the Summerbrook is 3 pages long. Before you order prepare a checklist of exactly what options you will be ordering so you make sure you get the options that you are expecting. With either series, you are making too many changes to be able to do it from memory. I would also suggest a 90 + furnace if you are doing gas heat. I suggest the following no matter what brand of home you buy. Ask your retailer for reference and check them before you buy. Get a copy of the 4 Seasons installation manual and read it before your house comes so that you can see if your home is installed properly. Make sure your homesite is grades so that water runs away from your home and a vapor barrier is installed under your home.

[Tabitha]

What is a vapor barrier? Do I need one if I am going to have a full basement?