New Home Construction?

Question

We are preparing to construct a new home for our family of four. We have two small children. I have looked through the numerous books and/or design and planning sites and have a pretty good idea as to what type of home that we want (a farmhouse). My question is this: For those of you who have been involved in the construction of your own homes, what things can you not live without that you included in your new home and what things do you wish that you would have done differently or included? Thank you for you input.

Answer 1

Just built our house a year ago. Here is a list of things that we put in our house that I'm pleased with.
1. Slate flooring throughout kitchen and hallways
2. Real hardwood floors (no, they aren't cold)
3. Big porches to sit on in the summer (front and back)
4. A huge shop for my husband
5. Double sinks in the master bath
6. Garden tub in the master bath
7. A bonus room above the garage with a kitchenette, laundry area and bathroom.
8. 3 car garage

What I wish we would have done.
1. Wired the kitchen for cable or satellite TV
2. Added electrical outlets in the walk in closets
3.Besides canned lights in the ceilings of the front and back porches, I would add a simple outdoor light beside each outside door. Without these when we turn on the porch light we are burning 4 bulbs needlessly. To leave the house and leave on a simple porch light we can not do that since we didn't install any.

That's about it, all other stuff I'm really happy with. I'm glad I don't have carpet. I'm so happy with the slate floors. Oh! and most of our closet doors we put the type that you just pull open, which have a ball at the top. These are really convenient.
I hope all this helped.

Answer 2

My husband is a drywall journeyman and through him I have learned a couple of things. We were not able to build our own home, and as we were looking at the new constructions we found so many things were not properly done. Of course, they don't care they want the house done a.s.a.p. We opted for an older home. But we do plan on someday building our own custom made house.Making believe that I had bought one of the new development homes, then I would say...........
I would have made sure that the drywall was installed with screws and not nails. In time with the movement of the house(as it settles) the nails can start to pop out. Also I would make sure that the foundation does not dry with any cracks, that shifts the
house. Make sure studs are 12-16 inches apart at most, we saw some homes where they wanted to cut on supplies and they had installed studs 18 inches or more!!! That makes your walls weak.
I hope all goes well for you and that it becomes a good experience. I'm thankful to GOD that he has given your family the opportunity to build your very own custom home.

Peace and Love your way.

Answer 3

A metal roof is an excellent idea if you can afford it. Gas water heater, range, and dryer are all very efficient and powerful. Before they put the floors down in the kitchen or children's play areas lay down those warming pipes, esp. if you're in a cold area. Be plenty sure that basement has got excellent drainage so rain doesn't store up around it and the walls must be waterproofed. Use the best insulation you can afford all the way around the place. It will pay in spades. Use your south facing side wisely esp if you like plants and want to warm the house in winter. Don't skimp on windows and doors either, they are crucial and some models are really easy to clean. We love all these features we asked our builder to put in last year and we are mucho happy. Research on the internet continuosly for new products out that have been well-tested and reviewed. Stay on top of your builder too, checking his work and asking plenty of questions. There are many things that cannot be fixed once they are done. Unless you've got plenty of extra cash of course.

Answer 4

Basements wind up being a complication over time. Consider slab construction, or a crawlspace. If you need extra storage space, fine. But make sure the basement is superbly constructed. A leaky, mildewy basement (which most homes over 20 years old have, to varying degrees) harms the value and comfort of a home, and doesn't really work very well as a storage space.

Closets is spot on, too.

Answer 5

My husband is a custom home builder, and we just built our own custom home. You are wise to be asking such questions!

1. Make sure your plan is designed for how you live. For instance, we had a coat closet in our last home, but we were awful about putting coats on hangers. So, in this home, we put in a mudroom with benchs and coat hooks. No more issues--because we are all really good about flopping our coats up on the hooks when we walk in. Also, the mudroom traps 90% of our clutter--mail, boots, school bags, thermoses, and so on. That was a good decision for us. So, you need to think about your family's worst habits and design around them!

2. We splurged on a custom kitchen. We totally did not plan on that, but I am so grateful we did. It is the heart of our home.

3. We put hardwood floors throughout the entire house. I love them! (Even though it was a ton of work.)

4. I insisted on doors and trim that were different than my husband uses on other jobs. Now, everyone remarks on how nice they are.

5. We included some history--slabs of marble that had been in the family for years as bookcase tops. Put some of yourself in your home.

Have fun with the project!

Answer 6

OK Been there , if you are going to have a nice TV room run cable all Thur the walls and speakers,i built my house and did not think of this now i have wires every place.Big kitchen finish basement or half way like put up sheet rock.out side outlets .i had to drill holes in my walls to add outlets.make sure you have a room in the garage ,if i did it again id make mine 2 1/2 car all that stuff i need to store in doors . And try to think about 5 10 years down the road what can change .

Answer 7

Always make sure your closets are large enough and there are plenty of them, make sure the bathrooms are big enough, make sure there is an electrical outlet everywhere you might think you want one and Good Luck to you and your family on your new house

Answer 8

good answer littlelady!!!!!!!!!!