Any home builders, contractors, construction workers, or people who have build a house out there?

Question

Getting ready to build a new home. Have hired an architect to draw the plans for us. We know that the house is going to be a 2-story "farmhouse" as it is being built on quite a bit of land. We have 2 small children under the age of 7. We built the home that we currently live in now without much thought and research and I hate it. It id definitely NOT kid-friendly. I want to really RESEARCH this home before we have our second meeting with architect, so I am asking this question again. IS there anything that anyone has in their house that they love, that they hate, AND is there anyting that we should consider or building specifications that we should use in construction our new home. I want to have EVERYTHING in order before we break ground! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

THANK YOU!

Answer 1

1.Stairs and kids don't go together, put a landing half way
2.A farm house has a porch, (usually wrap around) the kids will love it.
3 Make the porch deck 7' wide and over hang the eve by two feet.
4 Make the garage 30 x 30
5 make the entry to the front porch at least four feet wide.
6 if you are having a basement make the walls at least 9 ft tall.
7 have separate a/c, heat units for each floor.
8 place the laundry near the master bed room (bedrooms are where 90% of the wash is generated)
9 enjoy!

Answer 2

Have a BIG, BIG kitchen with LOTS of cupboards and space for people to be in the kitchen talking/working/being together, kitchens inevitably is where everyone gathers.
Lots of closets and storage space.
Enjoy your new home.

Answer 3

I have a lot to say about this one!!! I'm a draftsman and would love the slap the person that designed the house I currently live in right now. Here are my suggestions.

Kitchen: should be close to exit door that takes trash to final destination so that you don't have to walk it over expensive decorative rugs or living area's. Close to exit for patio where grill and outdoor dining awaits. Floor to ceiling pantry area along one wall or Appliance cabinet that allows you to leave your crockpot on one shelf that slides out for cooking (with electrical outlet). No microwave over the stove as this is a burn hazard for anyone removing hot plate of food. Easy access to kitchen for unloading groceries. Room for the dishwasher to open without smacking someone wanting to work with you.
Laundry room: should be set within a descent distance of all bedrooms and bathrooms and large enough to allow you to hide dirty clothes while sorting. Laundry shoot possibly.
Office Area: plenty of outlets for plugging in necessary appliances, cell phones and corner without window that allows for a descent size desk.
Livingroom: Do you want a computer chair setting out in the livingroom in the corner that does not match your livingroom suite? Hopefully you will have a room tucked away for this purpose. Close to the mail delivery into the house and for a place like your purse and cell phones and what knots that can be locked away when guest come or repairmen. Make sure your TV does not have to go on a wall where the sunlight is going to hit your screen anytime of day.
Bedrooms: outlet's in places that allow you to have more then one bed arrangement or style of furniture for that particular room.
Staircase: At least one landing. An outlet in staircase area (upstairs and downstairs) that allows for extra low lighting of the stairs at night so that you don't have to use a hall light to get up during the night.
Driveway: Flat or designed so you can park car flat to unload otherwise the door slaps you when you get out.
Diningroom: Well the wall be large enough for your hutch and cabinet without looking like it just ate the wall.
Walls: Are they large enough for your art work?
Porch: Rain storms or snow storms a bother? Might want an entry.
Windows: Honestly why do builders put these in so a couch has to cut the bottom half off. Windows should not be so low that sofa's cover up the place you need to put your fingers to raise them.
Garage: Is there room for bikes or do you have to hang them all up overhead so that no one can ride them without nearly killing themselves to get them down?

Natural light, sky lights, best insulation, best windows possible, and think about security features.