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Up to this point, we had been rained out only two days. But one of those rains
left the ground so muddy that our plumbers couldn't dig the sewer/water trench.
That
set everything back because the basement floor was scheduled to be poured after
the utilities were brought in. Then, the furnace/boiler was supposed to be installed.
We had trouble making up those lost days, but the mechanical rough-ins went pretty
well after that. At rough-in, the heating guys do the ducts first. Then the plumbers and electricians go through and work around the sheet metal. Heating Systems
Later
in the week, more tubes were run under the house's first floor to heat that area.
About the same time we finally got the basement floor done. The floor was poured
by backing up the cement truck to a window, extending the chute down to the basement,
and filling wheelbarrows. After
the floor cured a few days, we got the radiant heat boiler installed. The second
floor was carpeted, which inhibits radiant floor heat. Instead, we went with a
high velocity blower that operates somewhat like forced air heating. Forced air
systems are good choices, but do require some contractor attention. Talk
with the heating sub when they start running ductwork. They'll be looking for
the shortest, easiest runs. That doesn't always leave registers or returns in
the best spots and you might lose floor space. Completing duct runs usually calls for cutting into some framing, so make sure the runs go where they won't cause a problem. Remember, it's something to discuss before the heating rough-in gets too far along.
The
electrical sub may also do wiring for the telephones, speakers, security system,
thermostat, door bells and even cable TV rough-ins. Account for these items when
the framing is exposed instead of later when the walls are drywalled. Once
the plumbing and electrical rough-ins begin, it's a little harder to change things.
For example, if you move a sink or the dishwasher, the plumbers have to re-route
the drain and water lines. That type of change would also make the electrician re-wire a new outlet. It's possible, but means another trip for the subs and adds to your costs. Again, avoid changes by having the whole kitchen planned thoroughly.
The
ERV is just one item that relates to the "healthy house" concept of building.
Two other important items in new construction are insulation and a continuous
vapor barrier. They're usually required by building codes and are key items in
providing energy efficiency and comfort. Any
soffits or interior walls running up against exterior walls should have insulation
behind them and a vapor barrier overlapped to tie in with the rest of the vapor
barrier. The carpenters may have to take care of these items when framing. Insulating the attic can be done anytime after roofing. We eventually had a fiber glass wool product blown in loose. Our sub went through the access in the second floor ceiling and sprayed the material out from there to build up the required R-value.
The
surround did take a little more work because it has a stone facing and we decided
to have a stout granite hearth. The facing and hearth were done by two different subs. The surround first, then the hearth. But we forgot to have the stone mason mortar out a space for the long piece of granite hearth.
That was another hard (and expensive) lesson reminding us to communicate better when two subs are working the same area. | |||
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Our plumbing and heating subs first did the radiant heat system rough-in for the
garage and basement floors. That required putting down plastic tubing before the
concrete slabs were poured. 
The electrical subs run cable and tie in leads at the service panel and should
also hook up the service leads. 
One feature that's becoming a commonplace item is an energy recovery ventilator
(ERV) that keeps fresh air coming into the house. Our heating sub installed the
ERV and also sealed and insulated the heating ducts to keep leakage to a minimum.
Although it's not a primary "mechanical" rough-in, we included a gas fireplace.
A vent duct and gas pipe were run to the firebox, the surround was mortared, and
the hearth installed. 
So,
the surround ended up being too big and we had a problem to solve. Instead of
changing the plan, we had the subcontractor chisel out the front section of the
surround so the hearth would fit.