What would you do differently?

[Syrup Beaver]

Other ideas, some we did some we didn't:

Central vac would be a good idea also

Adequate lighting in the kitchen, recessed lighting is probably what I'd go with - an island is a must

Make sure you get a deep sink, and these days I'm preferring the single bowl ones (Like what we put in the 'ranch) because you can wash a giant stock pot without monkeying around

Get stained trim, looks nicer than painted and easier to clean

Get the expensive super washable paint anywhere the kids will be, especially in the kitchen and hallways

Pre-wire for speakers in the kitchen, deck, etc. - I miss that stuff

Get the biggest water heater you can afford, or have them put in two smaller ones

Have them pre-wire for a generator attachment

Pre-plumb for a toilet and shower in the basement - and get a laundry tub down there

 

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

don't short change yourself on bathrooms...imo, bathrooms should equal bedrooms or at the very worst, 1/2 bath off the bedroom total

Or at the least have a nice bushy spot right outside the back door for emergencies.

 

[Thorn Bird]

drool and chikken are building my next home.

 

[JAXvillain]

laundry chute

 

[tre]

water shutoffs for everything. my house doesn't have them in some places and it drives me crazy when i fix anything.

As many kitchen cupboards as you can get. I have tons, and it's never enough.

 

[Syrup Beaver]

Some o' them fancy kitchen cabinet things like wine racks, and plate racks eat valuable cabinet storage space.

So they look nice, but get annoying - and they're wicked hard to clean

The under-cabinet wine glass hangers are nice though and there's still some useful counter space underneath

 

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Central vac would be a good idea also

My buddys house has one and they hate it :shrug:

Adequate lighting in the kitchen, recessed lighting is probably what I'd go with - an island is a must

Ive plans for under cabinet lighting in mine.

Make sure you get a deep sink, and these days I'm preferring the single bowl ones (Like what we put in the 'ranch) because you can wash a giant stock pot without monkeying around

YES

Get stained trim, looks nicer than painted and easier to clean

Mines painted and ya its a pain to clean

Get the expensive super washable paint anywhere the kids will be, especially in the kitchen and hallways

Yep, the paint they put in our house was barely serviceable as primer. Weve since repainted nearly everything.

Pre-wire for speakers in the kitchen, deck, etc. - I miss that stuff

Ive been thinking of doing this in our place

Get the biggest water heater you can afford, or have them put in two smaller ones

No argument there

Have them pre-wire for a generator attachment

Never thought about that

Pre-plumb for a toilet and shower in the basement - and get a laundry tub down there

Basement?

 

[JAXvillain]

I have central vac in my current house and it's ok
wouldn't be a deal breaker to not have it though

 

[Syrup Beaver]

water shutoffs for everything. my house doesn't have them in some places and it drives me crazy when i fix anything.

Good point, most new homes I see have adequate water shut offs but I did see one that was plumbed with PEX and had ALL of the shutoffs for both floors of the living area in the side of a closet on the first floor, as well as in the basement - very handy

As many kitchen cupboards as you can get. I have tons, and it's never enough.

Oh hell yes

 

[*Fuxx Burger*]

Oh good thread! FB and I have been starting to think about buying vs building... so I'm just gonna read

Oh don't forget sex swing in the bedroom!!

 

[water]

What are good materials for counter tops these days?

 

[Syrup Beaver]

My buddys house has one and they hate it :shrug:

Heh funny, I've had friends that loved it. And I hate lugging a vacuum cleaner up and down stairs - of course, mostly all wood floors fixed that at the 'ranch

Ive plans for under cabinet lighting in mine.

Another excellent idea, we had that in both NH and the 'ranch - better off installing it yourself though unless your electrician is really good.

Yep, the paint they put in our house was barely serviceable as primer. Weve since repainted nearly everything.

Ugh, ours wore off in spots in the first year - I swear they got the paint at the dollar store.

Basement?

Yep, if you ever want to finish the basement it's LOADS easier and cheaper to have them do that while pouring the foundation, otherwise a plumber will charge you 6 grand at least later on just to rough it in

And the laundry tub is something I wanted when working on stuff in the basement that I didn't have, had to climb stairs everytime I wanted to wash something off then get yelled at for putting filthy stuff in the kitchen sink while cooking was going on

 

[simple]

Make sure you get copper piping in your house and the pipe that runs under your front yard - don't save money and go plastic you'll regret it

 

[simple]

oh and another thing, wide steps are key

 

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

We dont have basements here as were only like 30ft above sealevel

 

[kiwi]

Basement?

Yes, we will have a basement, and no, unlike it would be in Houston, it will not simply be an indoor swimming pool.

 

[water]

And the laundry tub is something I wanted when working on stuff in the basement that I didn't have, had to climb stairs everytime I wanted to wash something off then get yelled at for putting filthy stuff in the kitchen sink while cooking was going on

I plan on having such a sink in the garage.

 

[simple]

What are good materials for counter tops these days?

personally I like Engineered Stone, but if you have the bucks the easy pick is real granite

 

[Pandora]

If I built another house, these are the changes I'd make:

No linoleum ANYWHERE - I hatehatehatehatehatehatehate it, and you REALLY don't want to put a washer and dryer on a linoleum floor. Even when perfectly level they vibrate like CRAZY

Keep the carpet in the bedrooms, but hardwood everywhere else including the kitchen

Have the contractor finish the space over the garage

Not put a jacuzzi in the master bath, hardly used the damn thing, would've been more cost-effective to put a real hot tub out on the deck

Make sure the electrician doesn't wire the phone jacks in series, same with the cable lines, no splitters in the walls only direct runs to the basement

Get all in one vanity tops/sinks in the bathrooms, or solid surface with undermount sinks - the above-mounted sinks allow water to go all over the counter and make a mess

If I were building a house this is exactly what I would include.

Also NO BERBER carpet anywhere. It might stand up against wear longer, but if it gets dirty it's sooo much more difficult to clean. I've got this stuff all over my house and with 6 animals I'm always cleaning it. I imagine you guys will have the same challenge with kids running around.

 

[kiwi]

Another excellent idea, we had that in both NH and the 'ranch - better off installing it yourself though unless your electrician is really good.:

Luckily he is.

Ugh, ours wore off in spots in the first year - I swear they got the paint at the dollar store.[\QUOTE]

Ours is the same way, do I need to worry about repainting any specific areas before selling our current condo?

Yep, if you ever want to finish the basement it's LOADS easier and cheaper to have them do that while pouring the foundation, otherwise a plumber will charge you 6 grand at least later on just to rough it in.[\QUOTE]

I also plan on having this done, it will just make things easier (and as you mentioned cheaper) in the long run.

Thanks for all the great ideas! There are definitely some things I didn't think about.