Low-Rise Multiple Fair Quality
Fair Quality Multiple Residences are usually constructed with minimum
compliance to uniform building code. They are built from stock plans with little or no
attention given to ornamentation or architectural design. Quality of materials
and workmanship is below average and interior is plain with few refinements.
Note: Enter the program with number of units in each building, not total units in
total buildings.
Remember that Fair Quality Multiple Residences could easily be the ''Average"
standard quality for your area, as the cost in program is an average of averages.
Many multiple residences may require more than a casual view to determine the
construction class, and an inspection of the interior must be made for
reliable determination of quality. However, the experienced appraiser will notice the
details of workmanship, design and exterior finish materials, which often
indicate the quality to be found inside.
Some items which affect the cost and which may be observed from the exterior
are roof pitch and type. The costs of shed, gable and hip roofs generally ascend
in that order. Typically, a cut-up roof requires more labor and materials than
a simply designed roof.
Eave soffits and gutters, or their absence, and the trim and ornamentation
should be observed, as well as the quantity and quality of fenestration.
In most cases, the interior improvements will be commensurate with the
exterior, but even when they are not, the exterior design and finish have a great
effect on the cost.
Summary: Fenestration, roof pitch, design, materials, and workmanship are the major
indicators of cost from an exterior view. Fireplaces, porches and appliances are
separate items not considered in the quality of the house, although they may be
indicative of the quality of other structural items. Interiors may not conform
to the exterior quality. The costs included in this program are derived from
construction costs of many buildings and are medians of cost ranges.
The following will further describe building components at this quality of
construction.
- Foundation: Concrete perimeter foundation with piers under interior bearing walls.
- Floor Structure: Wood structure and subfloor or concrete on slab on first level and wood
structure and subfloor on upper story floors.
- Floor Cover: Inexpensive carpet and asphalt or vinyl composition tile. Floor cover costs
are not included in the basic cost. The floor cover allowance is a weighting of
those floor coverings typically found at this quality, and can be used if floor
cover is not itemized.
- Exterior Wall: Moderate fenestration with inexpensive sash. Framing can be either wood or
steel studs.
- Roof: Wood structure and sheathing.
- Interior Finish:: Interior walls are taped and painted drywall. Ceilings are usually sprayed
drywall with some enamel paint in kitchen and baths. Small bedroom closets with
inexpensive wardrobe or hinged doors. Inexpensive stock cabinets of paint grade
or vinyl veneer in kitchen with small pullman or vanity in bath. Laminated
plastic or plain tile countertops with low splash. Stock hollow-core doors with
inexpensive hardware. Inexpensive base and casings.
Note: Base interior wall height is 8'. For each foot of variation, the program will
add to or deduct from the base cost only, 4% for all masonry exterior walls
including masonry veneers and 3% for frame exterior walls.
- Electrical: Minimum number of outlets and of low-cost fixtures.
- Plumbing: At this quality the default is five competitively priced plain white fixtures
per unit, which can include any of the following: water heater, stall shower,
toilet, lavatory, tub, tub with shower over, or kitchen sink. Adjustments for
any deviation from the five plumbing fixtures base, or to add plumbing rough-in
should be made where appropriate.
- Built-in Appliances: None are included in the basic cost. The Built-in Appliance Allowance is a
weighting of those typically found at this quality level and can be used when
appliances are not itemized.
- Fireplaces: None are included in the basic residence cost. Add as needed.
- Unfinished Basement: Poured concrete walls, concrete slab floor, the necessary columns and beams to
support upper wood subfloor, softwood stairway with open risers, minimal
partitioning and number of electrical outlets.
- Basement Interior Finish: Asphalt or inexpensive vinyl composition-tile floor covering painted walls,
fiberboard ceiling, minimum lighting and incidental heating.
- Parking Basement: Poured concrete walls, slab floor, striping, minimum excavation, lighting,
floor drains, finished ceiling.
- Garage: Concrete slab floor, overhead doors. Conforms to multiple residence in both
quality and construction.
- Open Carport: Concrete slab and structural supports. Detached also includes roof and cover.
Prefabricated type.