Contacting your local home improvement commission is your best recourse to start, since they typically have a fund to pay for a attorney for you if needed. They can provide mediation between both parties in hope that a court battle can be avoided. They will slso decipline the contractor if they side with you, and no contractor wants that on there record.

Surround sound is generally installed in front of and around an entertainment system including your TV or video monitor and often several locations throughout the house may need surround sound as in Home Theaters.  It should just be a few hundred dollars per system, per location to prewire surround.  If you are looking for whole house sound systems, that is a different story and generally each room is not surround but has stereo speakers and depending on the number of rooms and your distribution system, it can vary quite a bit.  Most good security systems today are wireless and I would highly recommend any glass door or window area easily accessible from the outside have glass breakage sensors.

It really would depend on the size of the system, but to rough in surround sound shouldn't be more than around $1500. In regards to security systems, most of them are wireless these days and don't have to be pre-wired into the house. I hope that helps give you an idea of what you're looking at.

Who made then the design change decission? Was it you that changed something and the seat was dropped due to the change? Or was it initiated by the builder? Did something else change that necessitated the eleimination of the seat?

If you requested a change that cause this to happen and missed it until the walk through the I don't see the builder as responsible. But if he did it on his/her own then I think they are accountable. In ether event there should have been a change order to document  the alteration.  

With more info about the cause and how it was initiated, if it was documented,if at all, would help the resolution to be much clearer. I can see responsiblity on both side. And a lot of greive and agreavation if laywer and courts get involved.

I would suggest arbitration as the next best course of action if you and the builder can't work it out between you. 

Are there specifications that say that there is to be a shower seat?

A lawyer is the first place to start. Your builder should be insured for problems like this. If it is a big box builder then I am sure something in the corporate contract has an answer for this. You definitely will want to keep any paperwork, emails, texts, etc just to back up your claim. Also the city/county should have the design on file because that is what the permit is attached too. 

The requirements to be a Guild Quality member are:

1) Be willing to have all of your clients surveyed by Guild Quality

2) Send your client contact information to Guild Quality

3) Stay on top of the status of your projects so that surveys are sent to clients at the correct phase of the project

4) Maintain your profile so that it shares your information with the public

5) Pay your account invoice!

Great Question here and the answer is one of how the "chef" of the home cooks and always check the code and manufactures specs on clearances and proper guides for install.  Not knowing the model in the Question I would suggest an exercise in pulling the manufactures specs and install guide to see what is required and always know the WHY. 

Those who are dedicated should Come. If not look to another level of standards.  

The GuildQuality Program is a great way to focus on what is important, The Client. The Surveys allow the Client to feedback to the Builders or contractors. To ensure a great achivment build the GQ principals and ethos into your interactions. It's not easy although separation from your peers shines. If you are in the Lowcountry stop by www.gaviganhomes.com

Billy

Our Boulevard model included a loft style bed in the guest bedroom. Kids could climb up the ladder and enjoy their own semi-private sleeping nook or play area. This home also had an elevator incorporated into the floor plan. The "elevator" area was a walk-in pantry, with conversion to an elevator later as an option.

Adrienne with SAB Homes

The killer mistake that people make is they let money become too big a deciding criteria, and then suffer through the whole project because of it. First, don't do that! Don't let the money become a bigger part of the process than the quality of service you want. Reputable contractors in any given area are buying from mostly the same vendors, so there aren't major differences in pricing. Interview the firms you are interested, find one that you feel a high level of trust for. If you "feel" one is going to be more expensive than another, examine that feeling and ask yourself if it isn't just because that firm might have a better handle on the entire scope of your project and their responsibilities within that scope than firms that might tend to gloss over things like that. Decide on the firm based on if you  want to work with THAT firm or not.

That said, also make sure to write out a list of all the things you'd like to have when all is said and done, and then prioritize them, so you don't forget or bail on something important to you. And then- have fun!

Solatubes to brighten any dark area, like a garage or hallway where no windows are. 500-700 and will easily increase value of house plus save energy. go to

www. Solatube.com for hundreds of pictures and how to plan on new builds or find local dealer

Hello!

On a weekly basis you should recieve a job update.  In the update it should let you know if the schedule has changed due to weather, delievery issues, or product delay.  One thing we have done is we set up a picture account.  We take before pictures of a project and then update the photo album every week or two depending on how much progress you are able to see in the photo.  Also we take specific photos of items requested by customers. 

The key is to have good communication!

Good Luck!

The features can depend on the location of the home being built.  As a contractor in Florida many features that are common can be centered around indoor/outdoor living.  Having not only a pool but living area, dinining area, and kitchen. Pools with a built in bar and seating. 

Consider your interest and center a feature around it.  We have recently done a wine room with glass door and window to view from kitchen.  In another home we did built in bunk beds along one wall in the tv room for sleep overs.