re: Advice on building a house?

3cm granite on all bathroom counters. We looked into a cheaper option for the kids bathrooms but it wasn't really worth the savings. Soapstone (wifes ides) and butcher block in kitchen.

Master shower is 5x8 wall to ceiling ceramic tile. Saved about $6000 on the shower alone by using ceramic rather than natural stone. Only down side is we had to do the rest of the bathroom is ceramic because it would not have looked right.

Travertine in foyer & kitchen/breakfast area. Engineered wood throughout the rest of the house with the exception of bathrooms(ceramic) and bonus rooms (carpet & rubber matting in soon to be gym)

Windows are all energy efficient, the few facing the street are expensive, I went cheap everywhere else.

Outdoor area has a wood burning fireplace, TV , built in grill, fridge and sink (no cooktop, never used it at the old house). I didn't go cheap here, its my area.

Built in storage in entry way to garage (mud room), built ins in living room.

Recessed lighting in just about every room.

Built in speakers in living room, Dining room, master bed/bath(another wifes idea) and outside.

Im somewhat handy in construction so I did save by doing some things myself. Most of the crown was down by myself and a friend. I saved on HVAC by using a client and I helped him with the labor (if it was a summer build, Im not sure if I would have done that). Re-designing the roof created more bonus space and saved about 20k.


Im sure there is plenty more, if you want something more specific, just ask.