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re: Building A House: What Are Some Do's & Dont's Based On Your Experience?
Posted on 3/14/18 at 10:58 pm to OweO
Posted on 3/14/18 at 10:58 pm to OweO
I haven't built from scratch yet, but I have renovated a few.
HVAC - go with a variable speed unit. Make sure contractor does a proper CFM calculation.
Electrical - Go with a bigger fuse box than precisely what you need. You may want to add something in the future.
Also, about 20 years ago I landscaped a house in BRCC. The owner skimped on the dirt pad for the slab. In short order this massive house sunk enough to be lower than the rest of the yard causing water to seep in. All to save a few thousand in dirt.
HVAC - go with a variable speed unit. Make sure contractor does a proper CFM calculation.
Electrical - Go with a bigger fuse box than precisely what you need. You may want to add something in the future.
Also, about 20 years ago I landscaped a house in BRCC. The owner skimped on the dirt pad for the slab. In short order this massive house sunk enough to be lower than the rest of the yard causing water to seep in. All to save a few thousand in dirt.
0
Posted on 3/14/18 at 11:16 pm to GreatLakesTiger24
quote:
Don't- front facing garage
Why?
Posted on 3/14/18 at 11:47 pm to Kingpenm3
In the process of doing this now. Sub contracting. My brother in law is a carpenter and gave me all of the guys he recommends to choose from and some to stay away. I work shift work so he is helping me out in a big way. Putting in a pot filler, outdoor kitchen, tankless hot water heater, outside full bath, mud room, 12” ceilings, 5x5 shower, 24x24 garage. 3.5 baths and 3 bedrooms. Very excited!!!
Posted on 3/14/18 at 11:54 pm to OweO
quote:
For those of you who had their house built, what are things you would have done different?
I would have added an "astronomy deck" atop my garage, for better views of the horizon.
Posted on 3/15/18 at 3:54 am to real turf fan
Am 6', but the wife is 5' nothing. 
She uses a fold up step stool in our house now. She still can't reach the top shelf's now and I get called to do that for her.
And yes, we love the wood grain. The wainscoting in the living room goes all around to the kitchen area using oak. All trim and even the doors are built out of oak.
This is the door that is a pocket door that is in the bath room. All doors are the same that I had built. Very heavy SOB's that I had to use 4 sets of hinges. Oh, they haven't had any varnish on them yet. Will be doing that in the next week or two.
She uses a fold up step stool in our house now. She still can't reach the top shelf's now and I get called to do that for her. And yes, we love the wood grain. The wainscoting in the living room goes all around to the kitchen area using oak. All trim and even the doors are built out of oak.
This is the door that is a pocket door that is in the bath room. All doors are the same that I had built. Very heavy SOB's that I had to use 4 sets of hinges. Oh, they haven't had any varnish on them yet. Will be doing that in the next week or two.
This post was edited on 3/15/18 at 4:05 am
Posted on 3/15/18 at 12:58 pm to OweO
Instead of a pull down access to the attic, we put a regular door with stairs leading to the attic. It makes it a lot easier to load and unload things from the attic.
Also put closets for storage wherever you can.
Also put closets for storage wherever you can.
Posted on 3/15/18 at 1:06 pm to Kingpenm3
quote:
Don't- front facing garage
quote:
Why?
Because it’s trashy
Posted on 3/15/18 at 1:11 pm to OweO
We've been happy with almost everything in ours. (Hint, the old saying that location is everything is accurate. Picking a good neighborhood with good neighbors is priceless).
The only two things I would probably change would be
1- We built a large entertainment center/cabinet in the living room for the tv and related equipment. That was before flat screens became really popular and before vcr's/vhs pretty much went by the wayside. I would do away with that or scale it way back if I had to do it now.
2- I'd have no carpet anywhere. Stick with wood or ceramic everywhere.
The only two things I would probably change would be
1- We built a large entertainment center/cabinet in the living room for the tv and related equipment. That was before flat screens became really popular and before vcr's/vhs pretty much went by the wayside. I would do away with that or scale it way back if I had to do it now.
2- I'd have no carpet anywhere. Stick with wood or ceramic everywhere.
Posted on 3/15/18 at 2:44 pm to ourkansastigah
quote:
Private 3rd party inspection throughout the pro
Do you advise letting the contractors/subs know this up front or do you suggest doing it privately? How often would you suggest they inspect? Thanks!
Posted on 3/15/18 at 2:54 pm to 0jersey
ALSO...
During design, I would try and plan for all of your exterior doors to have significant coverage, i.e. a legit awning or a covered deck or porch, not just under the eave of the house.
Our builder tried to talk us out of doing french doors from our master to the back deck because that particular part of the deck wasn't going to be covered. After a few months of rain blowing on those doors, we understood why.
During design, I would try and plan for all of your exterior doors to have significant coverage, i.e. a legit awning or a covered deck or porch, not just under the eave of the house.
Our builder tried to talk us out of doing french doors from our master to the back deck because that particular part of the deck wasn't going to be covered. After a few months of rain blowing on those doors, we understood why.
Posted on 3/15/18 at 2:56 pm to TheHarahanian
If you can afford payments what do you care if it's zillow market value is 10% less. Sale prices actually vary by much more than that.
Posted on 3/15/18 at 3:01 pm to OweO
Probably mentioned already, but I would add data lines in every bedroom, USB ports, pre wire for alarm and security cameras, go with wider interior doors (makes moving in and out so much easier), heated floors in the bathrooms, make sure the garage is big enough for your vehicles and has ample storage, nice covered patio or pergola, custom built cabinets instead of manufactured, custom shower with rainfall and multiple outlets, on demand water heater, gas outlet outside for boiling or bbq, plenty of extra storage closets and attic spaces, mud room/laundry room if you hunt, outdoor shower, built in fire safe for important documents or other things, walk in pantry, kids room on the opposite side of the house, AND FINALLY a man cave/work shop or both 
Posted on 3/15/18 at 3:03 pm to 0jersey
quote:
Do you advise letting the contractors/subs know this up front or do you suggest doing it privately? How often would you suggest they inspect? Thanks!
Up to you, but myself, I would let them know up front. A good home inspector on a new build is a outstanding deal if the owner to be just doesn't have time or know what it takes to build a house.
Inspection should be in at lease 4 stages.
1} ground work after the foundation is ready to be pour. That inspection will be looking at the plumbing, Frame work for the foundation{ right footings and wire), ect.
2) would be after the black in stage.
3)would be about half way after the sheet rock is hung
4) final inspection is when the house is complete and the inspector will do a knock off list of things that need to be addressed.
This post was edited on 3/15/18 at 3:05 pm
Posted on 3/15/18 at 3:05 pm to fishfighter
quote:
Thanks, but my tank is electric. Not much can go wrong with it.
Only the heating element going out
Posted on 3/15/18 at 3:08 pm to 4WHLN
You don't even have to drain the tank to replace those. 
Posted on 3/15/18 at 7:42 pm to OweO
make your halls wide enough for,a wheelchair.
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