Nanner
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,962
Jun 25, 2014 23:13:23 GMT
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Post by Nanner on Nov 28, 2016 12:47:25 GMT
What do you think are important to include when you're having a house built? This is what we are thinking of doing in the spring and we're doing some of the legwork now.
I have a list, but I know there are some things I've thought about over the years, but forgotten. So, give me your list and I can make sure I am getting everything I need in there!
Thanks.
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TheOtherMeg
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,541
Jun 25, 2014 20:58:14 GMT
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Post by TheOtherMeg on Nov 28, 2016 12:59:34 GMT
Hose bibs on all four sides
Electrical outlets outside for holiday decorations (put some under eaves if you're going to run lights there)
One bathroom with access from the outside
Lights in closets, even small hall closets
How do you want to manage recycling in the kitchen?
Windows & seat/bench in showers
Shelf & outlet in pantry for FoodSaver (*smile*)
Utility meters on side of house, not near patio in back (they're ugly and hard to disguise and still leave them accessible to the companies)
Charging station in kitchen (power strip/USB outlets in a drawer?)
Upper kitchen cabinets higher than "normal" so small appliances fit on the counter (Keurig!), and it also makes the whole kitchen look roomier (we're tall here, so it works for us)
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Post by lisae on Nov 28, 2016 13:00:34 GMT
Carefully screen your contractor. Talk to other people who have worked with him to be sure they got along well and there were no issues. I had a great building experience with my house. Most people I know who did not were ones who had issues with their contractor.
As for the house itself, so much depends on what you want, what is standard for your area, and whether you are looking at resale in the next few years. In my area having a basement and a fireplace are essential. Personally, I would not build another house with a 2nd floor due to so much stair climbing.
Spend a lot of time on the arrangement of your kitchen, location of your bathroom and laundry room. These are the hardest things to change later on.
The one thing I'd do that applies to everyone is to have some kind of mud room or at least a good place to put stuff when you come in from the garage that is not in the kitchen.
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Post by Cupcake on Nov 28, 2016 13:02:56 GMT
More outlets than you think you'll need. A mudroom (depending on where you live, in New England it's a huge help!). A garage for at least 2 cars. A 3-season porch, sunroom, or screened porch (again, it depends on your location). Heated tile floors and an outlet in medicine cabinets in the bathrooms. A big sink and adequate lighting in the kitchen. And a million other little things you will have to decide on!
Good luck and enjoy the process!
Lisa B.
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TheOtherMeg
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,541
Jun 25, 2014 20:58:14 GMT
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Post by TheOtherMeg on Nov 28, 2016 13:03:03 GMT
Pocket doors
Pull-out shelves in kitchen cabinets for pots/pans/lids,storage containers, mixing bowls, etc.
Outlets with USB ports (we changed out a bunch of ours three years ago and it's probably the best small-ish home improvement we've ever done)
No wall-to-wall carpeting
Our next house will not have a fireplace (climate won't require it, and we never use the one we have now in a climate that does require it!)
The next house will also be one-story with wide doorways and halls and no floor impediments (uneven-ess like tiles, door thresholds, etc.). Floors will be poured concrete throughout. (Gorgeous pics on Pinterest.) We are planning the house we will live in when our mobility becomes an issue.
ETA Haunt Pinterest!
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Post by lisacharlotte on Nov 28, 2016 13:03:29 GMT
More outlets. My biggest problem in an old house.
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Post by melanell on Nov 28, 2016 13:05:55 GMT
A lot of well thought out built-in storage. With "well thought out" being the important part. For instance, my parents live in a house where the linen closet is at the opposite end of a long hallway from the main bathroom. What the heck is that about? In their previous house the main bath had a linen closet right inside the bathroom, and then another one near the bedrooms for bed linens. That made so much more sense. A foyer/entry with enough space to actually greet guests. Again, my parents old home had a welcoming room that guests entered first. There was plenty of space for a group of people to enter, hug, jostle packages, etc. Their current home opens right into the living room, and the flow of the room makes it a very hard place to have all of that traffic. And my family currently lives in a split entry home. So if we get too many people crowded into our entry, someone could literally fall down the stairs. And for me, if I were to build a home, I would do whatever possible to have a level driveway. I live in a mountainous region and all of my life (that I can remember) I have lived somewhere with a hilly driveway. When I was little, I worried about falling on my way down the driveway to school, and as an adult I worry about making it up & down the driveway in the winter. I'll sell my soul for a level driveway at this point.
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Post by melanell on Nov 28, 2016 13:08:42 GMT
Oh, and have them go above and beyond when installing your cabinets. I've known people who actually laid out everything they planned to cram into their cabinets so that their contractor could really understand just how much weight those cabinets would be holding.
When I was younger I worked in a china shop and I heard multiple stories of cabinets falling right off of the walls due to the weight of the dishes inside of them.
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Post by darkangel090260 on Nov 28, 2016 13:17:37 GMT
For me one extra bedroom, pantry on the larger size with lighting and plugs. Larger master bathroom with a vanity a tone of outlets . on one level.
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Post by myboysnme on Nov 28, 2016 13:22:50 GMT
First on my list is a laundry room near the bedrooms. I see no reason to carry laundry up or down or wherever when it comes from the bedrooms and goes back into them.
Second is a first floor room that either is a bedroom or can be turned into one - unless the house is ranch style Also include a bathroom with at least a shower on the first floor. You just never know what life circumstances will preclude use of stairs.
Third, a separation of the kitchen from the family room. I know open spaces has been the way to go for awhile, but after 25 years of listening to pans clatter, water running, the dishwasher, etc while trying to watch TV, relax, read or whatever, I would never again want a house where the kitchen is combined with the family area. Now it doesn't have to be completely walled off or anything, but kitchens and family rooms often have different purposes. When I was preparing Thanksgiving dinner, people were trying to talk and hang out in the family area and I had all the pots and pans and dishes and everything going on and then all the stuff piled up right there in essentially the room where we were socializing.
If possible, a basement with a finished area and room to store things. Houses where I live have no basements so we use the garage to store stuff and I just can't say enough about the need for a basement.
Lastly, design it so you don't have to use the front door. Have an easily accessible side door with a mudroom.
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Post by katlaw on Nov 28, 2016 13:27:47 GMT
Look at your garage size. So many home plans have an average garage size that is 22' x 20' or 24' x 22'. If you happen to drive a large truck you won't park in your garage unless you add on feet
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janeinbama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,174
Location: Alabama
Jan 29, 2015 16:24:49 GMT
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Post by janeinbama on Nov 28, 2016 13:40:34 GMT
Second the pocket doors and all handicapped width doors. A laundry room with a door.
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danceswithtrolls
Full Member
Posts: 156
Location: Alberta, Canada
Jul 7, 2014 1:13:40 GMT
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Post by danceswithtrolls on Nov 28, 2016 13:46:25 GMT
We visited a million and one show homes in the span of a year so we could get ideas, and figure out what we liked and didn't like. It also helped us decide on a builder. What I wish I had known first was to pick the area we want to live in first, then Pick the builder.
What I love about our house: -walk through pantry - upstairs laundry -a master closest that is attached to the laundry room -solar tubes(kind of like sky lights) in the kids bathroom upstairs and the bonus room. The really help bring light into a room without having to put in more window -instead of a small squishy bathroom on the main floor we made it into a walk through bathroom by using the hallway as part of the bathroom. I have floor plans I could send you. -love the sort close drawers. -under cabinet lighting
I wish I had: -put more then 2 outlets in our unfinished basement. Between gym equipment and the Xbox,we are out of outlets. -way more outlets in the garage -Xmas light outlets -some type of deep sink in the garage
We had a lot of fun, our builder was great! Had a couple of issues when we first moved in but the fixed them right a way.
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Post by kellapea on Nov 28, 2016 13:49:01 GMT
Every bathroom window should be able to be opened
Light switch timer in bathrooms so bathroom exhaust fan automatically turn off after so many minutes
Electric outlet in walk-in closet(s) - for iron, air freshener
In a large pantry, some lower cabinets (in addition to shelves)
Electric outlet(s) in pantry
Laundry chute
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TheOtherMeg
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,541
Jun 25, 2014 20:58:14 GMT
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Post by TheOtherMeg on Nov 28, 2016 13:53:30 GMT
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Nanner
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,962
Jun 25, 2014 23:13:23 GMT
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Post by Nanner on Nov 28, 2016 13:59:14 GMT
Wonderful. This is exactly what I'm looking for. Will make individual comments tonight after work.
Thanks so much (and please keep them coming!)
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basketdiva
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,615
Jun 26, 2014 11:45:09 GMT
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Post by basketdiva on Nov 28, 2016 14:06:32 GMT
There have been several threads on this subject, you might do a search to see some of those ideas.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 2, 2024 5:45:31 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2016 14:19:30 GMT
If your freezer isn't going into the garage, but into a lovely pantry, buy it before the pantry selves and door go in. And don't believe anybody who tells you that it will fit through the door. Because it won't.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Nov 28, 2016 14:43:58 GMT
We did a major remodel (to the studs) to most of our house 4 years ago, and will be finishing off the job starting in January. Here are some of the changes we made that have been the most useful.
* All drawers on the lower cabinets in the kitchen. Increased the storage capacity and made everything easily accessible. * Take your upper cabinets to the ceiling if possible. Those upper shelves are perfect for seasonal storage and seldom used items. Makes the room see taller and eliminates the need to clean tops of cabinets. * Under cabinet lighting - go with led strip lights and have the installed at the front of your under cabinet. This puts the light on the work space and not wasted illuminating the backsplash.
*Pocket doors - ours are original to the house (1958) so we just changed them out to new, solid wood doors. That one feature really improves the flow of a room and increases usable wall space.
Depending on your age, design with an eye to aging in place, especially the bathroom. There are some great articles out there on things to consider for this. *Wider hallways if possible. *Doors wide enough to accommodate wheelchair/walker.
Some of the things we are doing with our bath in January: *Zero entry showers *Forego built in shower benches and use portable teak bench instead. *Higher toilets *Low wattage lights under the cabinet toe kick for night time safety.
If you live where your attic space will be usable storage, have them floor that space before everything is sealed up. Around here, I am starting see people climate control parts of their attics as well. Our attic space doesn't lend itself to that or I would do it in a heartbeat!
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StephDRebel
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,663
Location: Ohio
Jul 5, 2014 1:53:49 GMT
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Post by StephDRebel on Nov 28, 2016 14:44:32 GMT
I would widen doors and make sure its wheelchair accessible. After the last 3 months it's at the top of the list for when we buy next year. You just never know.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 2, 2024 5:45:31 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2016 14:54:46 GMT
If you or your hubby or other adult household members are tall, adjust the height of kitchen and bathroom counters.
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Post by twistedscissors on Nov 28, 2016 14:58:05 GMT
If I ever build again there will be a huge closet right off the living room just for the Christmas tree and decorations. So I can open the door and slide it in then next year open it and slide it out, fully decorated.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 2, 2024 5:45:31 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2016 15:16:54 GMT
Oh, and have them go above and beyond when installing your cabinets. I've known people who actually laid out everything they planned to cram into their cabinets so that their contractor could really understand just how much weight those cabinets would be holding. When I was younger I worked in a china shop and I heard multiple stories of cabinets falling right off of the walls due to the weight of the dishes inside of them. Completely agree with this. We have a very small house, so careful planning for storage is key. When we remodeled the kitchen last year, my DH drew a plot for every piece of kitchenware and where it would be housed. I thought he was getting a little too persnickety, but it was totally the right thing to do. We selected drawers with the right width and depth for our needs, so everything is now stored as efficiently as possible.
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Post by craftsbycarolyn on Nov 28, 2016 15:17:51 GMT
Laundry room near the bedrooms. Outside outlets. Nice size pantry. Bathroom with outside door.
For me: All on one floor.
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Post by ntsf on Nov 28, 2016 15:27:23 GMT
I would not have an outlet inside a bathroom cabinet. we put two outlets on either side of the sink..and some counter space by sink (small bathroom).
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Shel
Full Member
Posts: 408
Jul 16, 2014 0:32:12 GMT
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Post by Shel on Nov 28, 2016 15:41:32 GMT
We built a house this year:
Definitely an extended garage. We don't have huge vehicles but we love the extra space. Large storage room (in a finished basement) Walk in closets in every bedroom (and I have one in my office---it's awesome!) I agree with lights in closets and outlets too Soft close cabinets Countertop height cabinets in all bathrooms Mudroom Upstairs laundry room with sink----the shelf they put in my laundry room I wish was 3 inches lower! I also have a linen closet in my laundry room and I love it. I have another linen closet in the hall so I can use the laundry room one for cleaners, garbage bags, etc Loft in upstairs---it's my favorite room in the house Wish I had a utility closet on my main floor - separate from laundry room. Lots of lighting! Add more than you think you need. And think through the switches and where you want dimmers and where you want an outlet turned on by a light switch. We missed the one in our great room to turn the lights on for our Christmas tree! We did medicine cabinets/mirrors in our master bath and love the extra space. Make sure if you have an island to get outlets on both ends Extra outlets in garage
Good luck!!
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Post by Linda on Nov 28, 2016 15:59:48 GMT
We're not at the point of building yet - and may never be but I have a wish list...some is based specifically off what I don't like about our current house, others are based on my experience with MIL in a wheelchair, my own experience on crutches, and the reality that a knee replacement and/or more mobility challenges are almost certainly in my future.
-baseboards and wide windowsills -easy clean windows that can be cleaned from the inside -wider doorways (wheelchair accessible - ours are just wide enough but wider would be better/easier) -walk-in/roll-in shower with a shower head that adjusts to be used by hand/lower/higher and handrails/bars -bathrooms big enough to use a wheelchair in and hand bars by the loo -single storey with at least one entrance that doesn't require steps -space for cat boxes -a counter in the utility room for folding laundry - and a cabinet for brooms/cleaning supplies etc... -lightswitches that will turn on lights as you ENTER the house and also where I can turn them OFF as I head to bed...without walking in the dark -a pantry -space for a freezer -drawers in the kitchen - enough for all the stuff I want to store in drawers - my current kitchen has two small drawers - not enough by far -pull out shelves and/or drawers for lower cabinets -french doors (or maybe pocket doors) to divide up common areas into dining room/living toom/family room - so I can close them on a day to day basis but open up for entertaining -outlets outside - on all sides of the house and under the eaves (with a dedicated light switch) for Christmas lights -hose bibs on all sides of the house -USB outlets -extra outlets in general -easy care floors - no carpets, no uneven spots -bathroom and kitchen sinks with space underneath for a wheelchair to roll up -at least one counter in the kitchen that is wheelchair accessible -storage....two master closets, linen closet for all bathrooms, broom/hoover closet, coat closet, a big closet for storing stuff inside (holiday decor etc... - houses in my area don't usually have basements or attics - this could be attached to the garage) -garage large enough to park cars PLUS have space for lawnmowers and other outdoor stuff
Also think about furniture placement...you don't want rooms where every wall is broken up with windows/doors/closets and there isn't a good spot for the bed or the couch or the TV etc...
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Post by allison1954 on Nov 28, 2016 16:01:56 GMT
Think of furniture placement. We have , in our great room, no outlets to plug lamps into without running a cord across the floor. My InLaws have 2 floor plugs and it is awesome. We checked into having it done now and it is pricey, because there is no basement . you would have to jack up the slab. The tile is 14 years old and no longer available and the whole main area is the same tile. Both contractors we talked to said we would probably lose some tiles, so that means all the flooring would also have to be replaced since it all is one HUGE room. So this is something to think out ahead of time.
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Post by 2peaornot2pea on Nov 28, 2016 16:47:00 GMT
Most of what I would recommend has already been said. An important feature is to make sure you have a 'man door' on your garage. We do, but many of our neighbors do not. And a fireplace is a must have for me.
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pridemom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,843
Jul 12, 2014 21:58:10 GMT
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Post by pridemom on Nov 28, 2016 17:34:10 GMT
Universal design principles. houseplansandmore.com/resource_center/universal-design-ideas.aspxDisability is the one minority that anyone can join at anytime. I remember how powerless I felt when my 33 year old husband had to crawl up the stairs to make it to our second story bedroom for months. Whether it's a short term recovery from a broken leg or surgery, a chronic illness that makes mobility difficult, a home where you can age in place, or simply having a home that anyone with a mobility issue can visit (grand parents?), building a home with a main floor bedroom and bathroom with a large shower, wide doorways, and practical planning costs pennies more than inaccessibility. Not doing so could cost you greatly to renovate in the future.
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