[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

So true. Though we do have great granite countertops in our current house. For the next one, if I have the money, I want it built exactly like a house in Germany, the kind of house where you can feel how solid it is when you open and close the doors. Probably not even possible in the US.

Sure it is. Ask around for who is the best (not the cheapest) homebuilder. They are few and far between but they do exist. Find people that know the difference between crap and quality and ask for their recommendations - other tradesmen, architects, building suppliers, etc. Or just buy a house built about 50 years ago.

Our first house was built in 1961 and more solid than any new house, including our current home built in 1991. It was a custom build, and everything was upsided in the theme being robust. All brick with 4' eaves to protect the windows, which were Pellas that worked like new. The floors were slate and pegged oak hardwood about 1" thick, woodwork was all beautiful Philippine mahogany. It needed some cosmetic updating but was one hell of a house. There were far fewer drywall cracks in it than in my current home, quality of workmanship was evident everywhere.