Quality of Construction Indicators

Category

Minimal Construction

Low-cost Construction

Average-quality Construction

Good-quality Construction

Excellent-quality Construction

General Description

A structure deficient in finishes typical for its use, or below standard building codes. Usually built as a shell or outside cities or before standard building codes were established. Especially typical are summer cottages and farm sheds.

The same as Average, but with no extras. Built at the lowest practical cost to still pass building codes. Very plain but substantial buildings. Typically speculative construction or from stock plans and off-the-shelf components. May be considered standard in low-cost areas.

The most common, frequently owner-or contractor-designed. Workmanship is professional, but extras in craftsmanship not in evidence. Materials are serviceable, but built for a price. These buildings are basically little above minimum uniform building code requirements.

Above average, but not uncommon in quality of materials and workman-ship. Architects and reputable con-tractors are retained for this work. May be considered only standard construction in high-cost areas.

Custom-built buildings, embodying superior materials and workmanship, the best normally found, though not including special construction with unusual material and labor. Well-known architects and contractors are retained for this work.

Outside Walls

Light single wall, rough masonry, boards, etc. No ornamentation. Few uncased openings.

Substantial, but for utility only. No ornamentation. Plain casings. Generally minimum fenestration.

Up to local building requirements. Standard thickness of masonry or stucco or good grade-lumber. Mini-mum ornamentation on front.

A refined average, careful workman-ship. Well ornamented front, Fully braced. Best basic construction.

Basic construction. Same as Good, but more or better ornamentation, terra cotta, face brick, cast stone, tile. Carefully finished and inspected. No evidence of rough or cover-up finish.

Frame

Light pre-engineered frame. Stud-ding or posts widely spaced. Minimum bracing, standard-grade lumber only.

Open wood or unprotected steel only. Light framing fairly well braced.

All types of frames. Subject to building inspection, but quantity production or speculative type.

Well framed, with engineering design.

Framed as in Good quality.

Floors

Rough concrete or light sheathing with widely spaced joists. Low-cost asphalt or vinyl composition tile.

Unfinished concrete, light sheathing, minimum-grade carpet, vinyl composition tile.

Plain concrete, standard carpet, vinyl composition sheet or tile, soft T&G or straight-laid hardwood.

Good-quality hardwood or terrazzo. Above-average carpet and resilient flooring.

As Good, but halls and larger areas all ornamented. Inlaid parquet, marble or granite.

Ceilings

Unfinished or plain wall board.

Plain drywall, boards or low-cost dropped ceilings. Paint only.

Textured drywall or skim-coat plaster, standard acoustical panels.

Metal lath, coved, some staff ornamentation or beaming.

Best plaster, paneled or well-beamed in principal rooms.

Interior

Usually unfinished or few rough partitions. Uncased openings.

Plain wallboard, block partitions, painted surfaces only, plain cased openings.

Entirely drywalled or skim-coat plastered, ordinary trim, softwood doors.

Good drywall, wood, metal lath or tile partitions, softwood doors and trim.

As Good, but hardwood trim and doors. Best papers, matched stones and woods.

Built-in Fixtures

Usually none.

Little shelving, plain cabinets.

As found in average production structures.

Many or substantial fixtures in soft-wood.

Hardwood principal fixtures and all conveniences.

Plumbing

None or very limited service.

Minimum or plain fixtures.

Adequate fixtures. Ordinary quality.

As Average, but better quality. Situated for convenience.

Colored or luxury plumbing fixtures. Above-average amount.

Lighting

Open wiring, few outlets or no fixtures.

Usual outlets, plain or industrial fixtures.

Conduit or nonmetallic sheathed wiring, inexpensive fixtures. Adequate outlets.

Many or better-type fixtures in principal rooms.

Well designed fixtures throughout.

Roofing

Light trusses, wide spacing, shed or low gable, light-gauge corrugated metal, rolled composition.

Same as Average, but with no extras. Low slopes with simple gables.

Engineered trusses, some hip or mansard, light composition shingles, built-up, standard gutters.

Good trusses, heavy composition shingles or built-up, elastomeric, formed metal or concrete tile. Finished soffits.

Complex roofs, best tiles, slate, elastomeric, copper or terne, skylights.