Building a house : must haves

[COACH_EM_UP]

So, we bought a lot and are going to build a house. We are closing on March 16th on the construction loan and are going to get started that day. Pretty simple question here. What are some of your must haves in a build? What are some of your things you would stay away from? What are some things you wish you would have put in your build? What are some things you wish you would not have done? Thanks for the information. GO!

[Keith]

Number one requirement, land in the country!

A built in gun safe / tornado shelter room.

[bigjohntex]

Money, lots of money......

[southtx]

Just built our home a year and a half ago. I wish I would have put in an outdoor bathroom. I was so caught up with everything else during the build that it never even crossed my mind at the time.

[Hogmauler]

And if you have land an outdoor shower. Also a way to keep your foundation’s corners from spalling if that’s possible. It’s unsightly.

[wthunter]

Enough high ceilings to hang a bunch of taxidermy. Beyond there, just running water, heat and A/C.

[txhunter90]

Shop and open concept.

[Gclyde28]

Tightly sealed building envelope. Good energy efficient windows. Spray foam insulation. Metal Roof. I vote for all the things that you cant really "add on later".

[COACH_EM_UP]

Tightly sealed building envelope. Good energy efficient windows. Spray foam insulation. Metal Roof. I vote for all the things that you cant really "add on later".

We are going spray foam and metal roof. The windows will be pretty energy efficient, if we get what our builder has told us.

[N.DaWoods]

If you looking for ways to save coin on non necessities, there are a few. Stained concrete, will save you money, shingles vs metal, simple architecture, standard ceiling heights, etc.

My list of must haves

-Deep sink- farmhouse sink was imperative from my wife
-Gas Stove- required burying a propane tank, but worth it in my opinion
-Lots of Porch space- no one ever says, dang my back porch is just too big
-Tank-less hot water heater- I know some people will argue $ issues on this, but the convenience factor is well worth it.
-Acreage to hunt- thought that was a given already

[CaptainDave]

For a new build, here are some easy things that are handy and wont' break the budget.

- Outlets on every wall; almost can never have enough; don't forget up on a mantel or where you plan to mount a TV; or even outside up on the eves for Christmas lights and such; front and pack porch areas, etc. Did I say, you can almost never have enough
- speaking of mounting a TV, it's much easier if you have a couple 2x6's between the studs framed in where you plan on installing a TV mount
- Even if outdoor kitchen area is not in current plans; have water (hot/cold), gas, etc., plumbed in and ready
- water faucets on all sides of house
- plumb reverse osmosis under kitchen sink to refrigerator

[N.DaWoods]

We have an outdoor shower and bathroom on our small pool house and they are fine, but I wouldn't say game changer great. Remember, you will have one more bathroom to clean and shower to mess with, especially when we occasionally get cold weather.

[WilliamL]

I put stairs in my garage to access the attic. Now the wife can run up there to get stuff. Well worth the little space it takes up in the garage. No more pull downs...

[sideways]

Roof


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[hgiles]

Floor plugs in office/living area

Fireplace on back porch

hardwired alarm system

door jam switch for pantry

no carpet

lots of porches

Shop