What should I add to a new home ?

Question

i AM HAVING A HOME BUILT AND i WANT TO BE SURE TO UPGRADE THIS HOME AND NOT REGRET ADDING ON SOMETHING THAT I MAY LATER REGRET, ANY IDEAS ON WHAT I SHOULD GET DONE NOW BEFORE ITS COMPLETED?

Answer 1

The most important thing would be to put in huge closets and storage areas.

When renovating my kitchen, both the designer and I forgot to add a small space with door for mops and brooms. So a mop and broom are always visible.

You need a linen closet for storage of toilet paper, sheets and pillow cases, towels, etc. This can either be in the bathroom or near.

When putting in your bathroom, think of a whirlpool. This is only a few hundred more and will increase the sale value of your house not to mention the relaxing baths you are able to take. If you are getting older, consider a premiere tub where you actually walk in with a small door and sit for a shower or bath. With this you have to wait until all the water is empty before stepping out.

I love light in my home and have windows on four sides, albeit only one window on the north side.

Recessed lighting is something to think of for the kitchen.

Answer 2

Lots of good answers already, especially the storage space ones. Here are my suggestions, based on my own experiences. My house does not have a basement and I have basement envy!! There is nothing like a basement to put exercise equipment in, have storage (if dry enough), have a workshop, and have a kids playroom, and also, if you are so inclined, home theater (thanks to the dark). Upstairs you want light light light. Get yourself a huge basement!

Second issue, get the bathroom you want in every way. Expanding or changing bathrooms after the fact is a very expensive proposition. If you want a big shower, big bath or both, now is the time.

I would also consider having conduits available for future wiring needs, or putting in cat5 or 6 throughout the house.

Finally, on my wish list would be a huge combined kitchen, dining, living room type area. This is the nicest setup for entertaining. I wish so much my house had this, but I bought an old New England farmhouse with tiny rooms!

Best of luck, I'm sure you can't have everything you want but I hope you get ENOUGH of what you want to have a great new home!

Answer 3

Bring in a lighting consultant, you'll be surprised at the upgraded ambience on the home a pro can help you achieve. Around here, the service is usually free if you buy your light fixtures from them.

Bathrooms and kitchens are the best places to put your bucks. GOOD windows are another one.

Tile, hardwood or laminate floorings are another good upgrade.

Professional landscaping for curb appeal is a great thing and of reasonable cash outlay. Around here, the contractors just plop a few taxus in front and a bradford pear tree, then call it quits.

Enjoy!

Answer 4

Depends on style of house...I am building, here are my musts.

1) roughed in plumbing to basement.
2) Roughed in natural gas to detached garage
3) Under cabinet lighting.
4) If you have an island, have them put in an electrical plug.
5) Upgrade your baseboards, it will make a huge difference.
6)Ensure you have a high quality furnace.
7) Subfloor (get higher quality subfloors/etc.)
8) Fireplace or rough in
9) Rough in or complete central vaccum
10) POT Drawers in your kitchen


A few ideas:)

Answer 5

With no offense at all,,,, The suggestion that you're having it built should dictate that any/all additions, options, toys, be considered in construction, not After Market.

I assume you know what you want. The contractor may have specifics in the plan, but any contractor can modify any construction,,,within reason,, for what your budget can tolerate.

Rev. Steven

Answer 6

i have a friend who just built a new home and she is RAVING about the heated floors she put in! also, a built-in vacuum system is supposed to be really nice. good luck.

Answer 7

Need more info. What do you all ready have?

Answer 8

columns.