What goes into that home's construction

New homes include the latest technological advances, building codes and energy-efficiency standards. And, depending on the builder, a buyer may choose from an array of impressive upgrades.

Indoor air quality is important to today's families. New homes provide the best possible indoor living environment, comfortable moisture level, and no mould, damp basements or lingering odours.

All new homes in B.C. are protected by one of the strongest warranties in North America, and builders must be licensed with the Homeowner Protection Branch of BC Housing.

All the home's systems are new, so homeowners shouldn't face major repair bills or replacement costs for years to come. I have even heard a new home referred to as "the ultimate renovation."

Now, on to the construction part.

Did you ever visit a well-appointed, furnished showhome and wonder how many board feet of lumber were used in its construction? Or linear feet of heating ducts, or square feet of exterior siding? Unless you are a quantity surveyor, likely never. Well, kiddies, sit up straight, you are about to find out.

Not including preparatory work of acquiring land, putting in sewer and water hookups, on average a builder will need the following materials to build a 2,085 sq. ft. gas-heated, single-detached home:

- 13,127 board feet of lumber

- 6,212 square feet of sheathing

- 13.97 tons of concrete

- 2,325 square feet of exterior siding material

- 2,427 square feet of roofing material

- 3,061 square feet of insulation

- 5,500 linear feet of electrical wire and communications cable

- 6,144 square feet of interior wall material

- 2,085 square feet of flooring material such as carpeting, cushion flooring, ceramic tile, hardwood or laminate

- 120 linear feet of ducting

- 15 windows

- 13 kitchen cabinets; 2 other cabinets

- 1 kitchen sink

- 12 interior doors

- 5 closet doors

- 4 exterior doors (3 hinged, 1 sliding)

- 1 or 2 garage doors

- 1 fireplace

- 3 toilets; 2 bathtubs; 1 shower stall

- 3 bathroom sinks

- 1 gas furnace

- 1 range; 1 refrigerator; 1 dishwasher; 1 garbage disposal; 1 range hood

- 1 washer; 1 dryer

And if you are wondering how many on-site workers are involved in the construction of a single house, the answer is 109.

According to Statistics Canada and the Altus Group Economic Consulting, the residential construction sector directly employs more than 300,000 men and women across the country. Existing homes? No so much.

In addition, residential construction investment spurs substantial spinoff economic effects across a broad array of other sectors through the materials and services used in the construction process, such as those referenced above.

There are, however, a few flies in the ointment. Recent interest rate hikes, tightening mortgage qualifying rules and the looming harmonized sales tax in Ontario and B.C. could stall sales of new homes, dampening those impressive employment and building-materials production numbers.

(Excerpt from "The new home has many advantages in design, materials and technology" prepared by Peter Simpson/Vancouver Sun)