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Custom Self Contract Home Build Questions
Posted on 1/29/26 at 3:41 am
Posted on 1/29/26 at 3:41 am
I’m in the process of building my second home myself near the Northshore.
Recommendations on where to purchase custom windows and exterior doors? I can use local Building Supply but want to go custom. Have heard about Best Deal Millworks in BR.
Anything you didn’t do in your home that you absolutely wouldn’t leave out if you were to build again?
Recommendations on where to purchase custom windows and exterior doors? I can use local Building Supply but want to go custom. Have heard about Best Deal Millworks in BR.
Anything you didn’t do in your home that you absolutely wouldn’t leave out if you were to build again?
6
Posted on 1/29/26 at 7:05 am to 985_Tiger
Custom wood windows are not cheap.
Take a look at :
Heritage MW
Tully MW
Sun MW
Highland Cabinets
Take a look at :
Heritage MW
Tully MW
Sun MW
Highland Cabinets
Posted on 1/29/26 at 9:52 am to 985_Tiger
quote:
Anything you didn’t do in your home that you absolutely wouldn’t leave out if you were to build again?
Electrical…at least include the ATS in the build…make sure the electrician is pigtailing the outlets, not backstabbing…make sure…make sure they put j boxes for anything going in the soffit
Plumbing - Manibloc manifold with homeruns to each valve
At least a rough in for outdoor kitchen
CAT 6 to every TV and 2 or 3 cat 6 if you will have a Sonos soundbar or video game system
Posted on 1/29/26 at 10:14 am to dillpickleLSU
Whole house water filter,easily accessible from inside the house.
Posted on 1/29/26 at 10:39 am to 985_Tiger
Id make sure I didnt have to worry about plumbing in a freeze. Its a serious issue when you are away for work or something.
Id have no utilities (air handler or water heater) in the attic. Id also have a large attic access.
All roof penetrations very close to the ridge or no penetrations at all if at all possible.
Include provisions for a generator. Initially, id just have a manual disconnect and a plug for hooking up a portable GENERATOR via extension cord. That can easily be adapted to a permanent standy later if desired.
Soft starters on all HVAC.
On demand water heater for the wife's shower, tank for the rest of the house.
A large utility room for all the stuff (HVAC, Water heater, breaker box, water and gas main entrance with manifolds/valves/etc.
Id have no utilities (air handler or water heater) in the attic. Id also have a large attic access.
All roof penetrations very close to the ridge or no penetrations at all if at all possible.
Include provisions for a generator. Initially, id just have a manual disconnect and a plug for hooking up a portable GENERATOR via extension cord. That can easily be adapted to a permanent standy later if desired.
Soft starters on all HVAC.
On demand water heater for the wife's shower, tank for the rest of the house.
A large utility room for all the stuff (HVAC, Water heater, breaker box, water and gas main entrance with manifolds/valves/etc.
Posted on 1/29/26 at 10:45 am to 985_Tiger
quote:
Anything you didn’t do in your home that you absolutely wouldn’t leave out if you were to build again?
If no NG in the neighborhood, propane tank buried in ground for cooking, water heater, fireplace (even if wood burning), and at least 1 drop on the back patio. The cost for this rolled into the note of the house is minimal. If I could change 1 thing about my house, it's this.
Plan where you want your entertainment cabinet and have conduit run down the wall to easily run cable/wires for surround sound, ethernet, etc. Like someone else said, go ahead and have cat 6 ran in conjunction with all coax.
Extra outlets around front and back patios.
Inlet box with interlock kit on main panel for back feeding home during power outages.
Additional attic door in garage with decking above to store Christmas decorations and other crap.
Things I did that I absolutely will do again:
Have outlets put in the soffit with a switch inside for Christmas lights. Make that switch a smart one.
If you have the room, at the very least put in a counter with cabinets and sink. Even if you don't want a full-on outside kitchen, just having the sink is a game changer when grilling.
Look at the plan and take out unnecessary extras. Our floorplan originally had a wooden vertical beam inside near the front door and another right in the middle of the back patio. Very glad we told the builder not to put those in.
If there is any doubt about the size of the back patio, add more concrete. Builder thought we were nuts for doubling the pour, but we now wish we would have done more.
Posted on 1/29/26 at 4:14 pm to ApisMellifera
Thanks for all the advice, going to consider the options I didn’t do in my last home or consider for this one!!!
Posted on 1/30/26 at 8:42 am to 985_Tiger
whatever size your garage is, make it bigger.
Posted on 1/30/26 at 3:27 pm to AaronDeTiger
run hot water to outside water hose near garage
Posted on 1/30/26 at 7:10 pm to dillpickleLSU
quote:don’t be a dumbass and not have them labeled. You know, like me
CAT 6 to every TV and 2 or 3 cat 6 if you will have a Sonos soundbar or video game system
Posted on 2/2/26 at 8:57 pm to 985_Tiger
I’d think out the usage of closets a bit more. Things like vacuum cleaners, heavy coats and things you never wear, luggage etc. all that stuff adds up here and there if you don’t have adequate storage around the house. I have a bonus room above my garage and the entry to the attic is a full size 6ft door which is great to access the attic from. Wouldn’t build a house without this ever again. You’d be surprised how often you need decorations and any HVAC, tankless water heater, gas line, water filter system work done.
Posted on 2/4/26 at 10:51 pm to BengalBlood81
quote:
have a bonus room above my garage and the entry to the attic is a full size 6ft door which is great to access the attic
Oh, shite…this is a fantastic idea! I can’t believe I have never thought of this….I want to start on one tomorrow!
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