M
manualman
Guest
Upstairs laundry can be made MUCH safer if you use braided steel water supply hoses to the machines and install them inside an overflow tub tied to the plumbing (ask a plumber, he’ll know what I mean).
Consider 9 foot ceilings on the first floor - modest cost and huge improvement in FELLING of space. Put 42" upper cabinets in the kitchen, again a big improvement in volume at modest cost. Instead of drywalling in a chase over the cabinet tops, leave it open and rough in switched electric, so you can add 12v undercabinet lights later on. Very cheap and AWESOME effect. Also put can lights over the counter in strategic locations; don’t rely on one central light fixture.
Consider making the kid closets upstairs larger in lieu of the linen closet shown in one and shelved on the other. You won’t regret it if you end up with three kids in one of those rooms! A bunk bed with trundle under the lower is a great way to cram three beds in the space of one, if necessary.
Consider a Solatube in the upstairs hallway or it will be fairly dark even in the daytime in there. These are a great way to get natural light without the energy and water problems of regular skylights. Prewire all bedrooms for ceiling fans with a wall switch for the light and a hot wire for the fan. Cheap now, big headache to retrofit later.
Go architectural 3D looking shingles. Fire any contractor who tells you they are a lot more expensive than old fashioned 3 tabs. They just aren’t anymore.
Specify a furnace and water heater that don’t use a gravity flue, but have power exhaust and get their combustion air from outside. Traditional flues lose a LOT of heat out the chimney!
Consider roughing in a basement bathroom (under-floor plumbing). Make sure the basement has “overhead plumbing” even if your town doesn’t require it by code. Yes, it’s a hassle to have to pump all basement waste, but not as much hassle as having the town sewer back up into your basement!
Request rebar around all basement window wells in the poured foundation. Cracks love corners and wells have 'em. A continuous #5 bar 4" below the top of foundation would be nice too. If it DOES crack, it won’t get big then. Get at least TWO window wells rated for escape. Locate them so each bedroom you might want someday has one provided.
Coordinate with the builder on location of furnace, hot water, sump pump, ejector pump, water softener, well tank, etc. If you don’t nail down the locations of these things in writing, they’ll put one of them SMACK in the middle of where you want a bedroom someday. Ask me how I know!
Pay as much attention to buying a lot as the house plan. If you can, make the back of the house face south and make windows on that side maximized. It will make your main living space very light and bright and add heat in the winter. Also look at the whole region around the lot. Don’t buy the low lot on the block - EVER! Maybe a lot that drops a lot front to back so you can expose the rear side basement windows above grade (requires an elevated deck off the kitchen though). Makes much nicer rooms. Buy a lot big enough to add a shed someday. Amazing how much space bikes take up! Ground must always slope away from the house.
Don’t put any concrete work within 5 feet of the house for about 5 years (patio, sidewalk etc). It’ll crack and settle. If the driveway is concrete, ask about thickening that area and pinning it to the foundation to avoid settling.
Ask picky detail questions of the builder: how many outlets per room? in the basement? garage? 200amp service minimum.
It’s overwhelming, but also kinda fun. Sweat the details, but enjoy it too.
Consider 9 foot ceilings on the first floor - modest cost and huge improvement in FELLING of space. Put 42" upper cabinets in the kitchen, again a big improvement in volume at modest cost. Instead of drywalling in a chase over the cabinet tops, leave it open and rough in switched electric, so you can add 12v undercabinet lights later on. Very cheap and AWESOME effect. Also put can lights over the counter in strategic locations; don’t rely on one central light fixture.
Consider making the kid closets upstairs larger in lieu of the linen closet shown in one and shelved on the other. You won’t regret it if you end up with three kids in one of those rooms! A bunk bed with trundle under the lower is a great way to cram three beds in the space of one, if necessary.
Consider a Solatube in the upstairs hallway or it will be fairly dark even in the daytime in there. These are a great way to get natural light without the energy and water problems of regular skylights. Prewire all bedrooms for ceiling fans with a wall switch for the light and a hot wire for the fan. Cheap now, big headache to retrofit later.
Go architectural 3D looking shingles. Fire any contractor who tells you they are a lot more expensive than old fashioned 3 tabs. They just aren’t anymore.
Specify a furnace and water heater that don’t use a gravity flue, but have power exhaust and get their combustion air from outside. Traditional flues lose a LOT of heat out the chimney!
Consider roughing in a basement bathroom (under-floor plumbing). Make sure the basement has “overhead plumbing” even if your town doesn’t require it by code. Yes, it’s a hassle to have to pump all basement waste, but not as much hassle as having the town sewer back up into your basement!
Request rebar around all basement window wells in the poured foundation. Cracks love corners and wells have 'em. A continuous #5 bar 4" below the top of foundation would be nice too. If it DOES crack, it won’t get big then. Get at least TWO window wells rated for escape. Locate them so each bedroom you might want someday has one provided.
Coordinate with the builder on location of furnace, hot water, sump pump, ejector pump, water softener, well tank, etc. If you don’t nail down the locations of these things in writing, they’ll put one of them SMACK in the middle of where you want a bedroom someday. Ask me how I know!
Pay as much attention to buying a lot as the house plan. If you can, make the back of the house face south and make windows on that side maximized. It will make your main living space very light and bright and add heat in the winter. Also look at the whole region around the lot. Don’t buy the low lot on the block - EVER! Maybe a lot that drops a lot front to back so you can expose the rear side basement windows above grade (requires an elevated deck off the kitchen though). Makes much nicer rooms. Buy a lot big enough to add a shed someday. Amazing how much space bikes take up! Ground must always slope away from the house.
Don’t put any concrete work within 5 feet of the house for about 5 years (patio, sidewalk etc). It’ll crack and settle. If the driveway is concrete, ask about thickening that area and pinning it to the foundation to avoid settling.
Ask picky detail questions of the builder: how many outlets per room? in the basement? garage? 200amp service minimum.
It’s overwhelming, but also kinda fun. Sweat the details, but enjoy it too.