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Started By
Message
Building a House
Posted on 2/11/19 at 3:59 pm
Posted on 2/11/19 at 3:59 pm
This is quickly becoming the desired choice after seeing what's on the market, so, for those that have done it :
Advice?
What would you do again?
What would you do different?
What wouldn't you do?
What would you absolutely do?
TiA
Advice?
What would you do again?
What would you do different?
What wouldn't you do?
What would you absolutely do?
TiA
19
Posted on 2/11/19 at 4:12 pm to Bawcephus
quote:
What would you do again?
-Eve outlets on dedicated indoor timer for Christmas lights.
-Stove top vent fan that vents out of the roof.
-Blocking in wall where TVs will hang.
-Large walk in attic
-Gas tankless water heater.
-Prewire for speakers and security cameras
-What would you do different?
Location of our stairs
-Think about every detail and make sure you have a decision for it.
-Put usb outlets in certain locations
-Location of heat pump outdoor unit. It's currently right outside our bedroom window and it's shut down noise is loud as hell when it's really cold.
-Go over all paint in painstaking detail
What wouldn't you do?
-Put in a normal gas fireplace, not this frustrating direct vent POS we have. I hate it.
Posted on 2/11/19 at 4:16 pm to Bawcephus
Wife says no to the jet tub, just get a large soaking tub.
I say make everything outside as maintenance free as possible. Eliminate things that need painting or rot.
I say make everything outside as maintenance free as possible. Eliminate things that need painting or rot.
Posted on 2/11/19 at 4:28 pm to Bawcephus
quote:
Advice?
Seasonal closet with hangers for wreaths, and space for storage boxes.
This post was edited on 2/11/19 at 4:37 pm
Posted on 2/11/19 at 4:34 pm to Bawcephus
Some will say it’s not needed but I ran a hot water line outside next to the regular water facet.
Makes for a quick way for water to heat up for boils. I have the whole setup and burner but I like it.
Put what I like best is you have hot water for cleanup.
Makes for a quick way for water to heat up for boils. I have the whole setup and burner but I like it.
Put what I like best is you have hot water for cleanup.
Posted on 2/11/19 at 5:00 pm to Bawcephus
We are building our dream house right now and just poured concrete this past weekend.
Not to hijack your thread but I have a few questions as well and I’ll add on to what others have said below.
For me, reading this board led me to the right builder because so much of what is in the many threads here about building is part of his standard build.
Outlets on timers in the eves. Hot water spicket at the garage. Tankless water heaters. USB outlets on the kitchen island, bathrooms, and bedrooms.
We are 5700 heated and air, 7900 under roof.
No dedicated movie room, one dining area that is part of a very large living and kitchen area. Kids have a play room/drop zone/study area with four built in bunks. We have an adult game room/party room with a 15 walk behind floor to ceiling bar.
Things to add to your list—
1. Floor outlets—get your builder/designer to think out where furniture will be in living area so floor outlets are in the right spot.
2.direction your house sits on the lot—if you are backyard people like us, you don’t want the backyard to face west and you need to be aware of where streets and driveways are.
3. Master bathroom door—my wife gets up a lot earlier than I do. We aren’t having the double swinging doors because they make a lot of noise when they close and because they let light through.
4. Laundry room—our laundry room has a door that leads to our master bath/closet area. No carrying laundry across the house.
There are many more thIngs to think about but a good builder can give you tons of hints. If he can’t, find another builder.
Not to hijack your thread but I have a few questions as well and I’ll add on to what others have said below.
For me, reading this board led me to the right builder because so much of what is in the many threads here about building is part of his standard build.
Outlets on timers in the eves. Hot water spicket at the garage. Tankless water heaters. USB outlets on the kitchen island, bathrooms, and bedrooms.
We are 5700 heated and air, 7900 under roof.
No dedicated movie room, one dining area that is part of a very large living and kitchen area. Kids have a play room/drop zone/study area with four built in bunks. We have an adult game room/party room with a 15 walk behind floor to ceiling bar.
Things to add to your list—
1. Floor outlets—get your builder/designer to think out where furniture will be in living area so floor outlets are in the right spot.
2.direction your house sits on the lot—if you are backyard people like us, you don’t want the backyard to face west and you need to be aware of where streets and driveways are.
3. Master bathroom door—my wife gets up a lot earlier than I do. We aren’t having the double swinging doors because they make a lot of noise when they close and because they let light through.
4. Laundry room—our laundry room has a door that leads to our master bath/closet area. No carrying laundry across the house.
There are many more thIngs to think about but a good builder can give you tons of hints. If he can’t, find another builder.
Posted on 2/11/19 at 5:25 pm to Bawcephus
One of my favorite things I have seen was a house with 18" of concrete out from the slab all the way around the house. It helps keep splash / stains off the house, buffers termites, and gives you a "walkway" all the way around the house to get to things without bushes and crap in your way.
Make sure to put 2"-4" PVC under every slab / sidewalk for future proofing.
I would suggest 2" PVC drops at the main 4 corners of the house for future proofing. If you need to drop power for something later, run a different cable provider / satellite, speakers in the yard, future yard lighting,... This way you don't have conduit or wires running up to the eve or have to punch out through the side of the house.
Also, I would add ethernet (the newest and best at the time of build) drops (2 each) in every bedroom where the TV will be, behind the beds, and everywhere you will have a TV. Then run them all back to a closet / switch. You can run HD video, sound, communications, IR remotes,... through this. Also, never trust when they say your wireless will reach. Until the house is complete, insulated, and appliances installed you can never really tell. This ethernet will give you a good hard line for internet, plus allow for a hard line booster in dead zones.
Make sure to put 2"-4" PVC under every slab / sidewalk for future proofing.
I would suggest 2" PVC drops at the main 4 corners of the house for future proofing. If you need to drop power for something later, run a different cable provider / satellite, speakers in the yard, future yard lighting,... This way you don't have conduit or wires running up to the eve or have to punch out through the side of the house.
Also, I would add ethernet (the newest and best at the time of build) drops (2 each) in every bedroom where the TV will be, behind the beds, and everywhere you will have a TV. Then run them all back to a closet / switch. You can run HD video, sound, communications, IR remotes,... through this. Also, never trust when they say your wireless will reach. Until the house is complete, insulated, and appliances installed you can never really tell. This ethernet will give you a good hard line for internet, plus allow for a hard line booster in dead zones.
Posted on 2/11/19 at 5:42 pm to Bawcephus
I’ve built two. All the things I hated about the first one I fixed. Now I have twice the things on this one I hate. So you cannot get it perfect, no matter how you try.
Posted on 2/11/19 at 7:47 pm to The Rodfather
quote:
Also, never trust when they say your wireless will reach. Until the house is complete, insulated, and appliances installed you can never really tell.
Wifi mesh systems cures that problem.
We have the google mesh and it works wonderfully in a 5000sq ft home. We have 4 of the pucks.
I would add length to the garage for boats, trucks etc.
Posted on 2/11/19 at 7:51 pm to Bawcephus
You may consider door switches for the pantry and closets so the light comes on when the door is opened.
Posted on 2/11/19 at 8:28 pm to wickowick
quote:
Wife says no to the jet tub, just get a large soaking tub.
This in the most way.
Fixing to rip out one. The jets haven't been used in 15 years. 
Posted on 2/11/19 at 9:38 pm to fishfighter
They should work. Just drain them
Posted on 2/11/19 at 9:45 pm to LSU Neil
quote:
I’ve built two. All the things I hated about the first one I fixed. Now I have twice the things on this one I hate. So you cannot get it perfect, no matter how you try.
I’ve built 2 and my third will probably have things I want to fix eventually. I’m thinking the 4th or 5th I will have all the kinks worked out only to retire to something small and simple like my first.
Posted on 2/11/19 at 11:08 pm to Rize
Put whole house water filter in cabinet in utility room so it’s easy to change from the inside.I put in yard sprinkler system,I was freaked out when I saw all the gunk that the filter trapped.Would have been difficult and expensive to add it after the fact.Best I could do was have under sink filter with dedicated faucet,that’s what we use for drinking,cooking.Refrigerator has filter for ice maker/water dispenser,I think I could’ve avoided having to change that filter.
Posted on 2/12/19 at 12:04 am to Bawcephus
At least 1 exterior water spigot on every exterior wall. Also a back yard/outdoor shower area. Such a bonus if you've got a big yard with lots of yardwork to do or of course, a pool.
Build the garage wider than just the 2 main vehicles. Big enough to get to stuff along the walls, kids bikes, trash, etc.
Finish the attic so you can have the storage & hang crap on the weird angles (if you have that style of roof). Not leaving all the exposed insulation for you to rub up on or tip toe around makes times spent up there much easier. Also install a solar powered attic vent fan to keep your attic cooler, especially in LA. AND pay the extra to fully/completely insulated the ceiling/attic floor. Install your exterior AC unit(s) in a shaded area of at all possible.
If it's a 2-story+, make a cool under staircase area for your dog or even young kids (future grandkids).
If in LA, paint all of your exterior overhangs, patio ceilings, etc. SKY BLUE. Most of the insects that typically build nests in those areas can't differentiate sky blue painted ceilings from the natural sky. So, they won't live there.
Build the garage wider than just the 2 main vehicles. Big enough to get to stuff along the walls, kids bikes, trash, etc.
Finish the attic so you can have the storage & hang crap on the weird angles (if you have that style of roof). Not leaving all the exposed insulation for you to rub up on or tip toe around makes times spent up there much easier. Also install a solar powered attic vent fan to keep your attic cooler, especially in LA. AND pay the extra to fully/completely insulated the ceiling/attic floor. Install your exterior AC unit(s) in a shaded area of at all possible.
If it's a 2-story+, make a cool under staircase area for your dog or even young kids (future grandkids).
If in LA, paint all of your exterior overhangs, patio ceilings, etc. SKY BLUE. Most of the insects that typically build nests in those areas can't differentiate sky blue painted ceilings from the natural sky. So, they won't live there.
Posted on 2/12/19 at 7:49 am to Bawcephus
Posted on 2/12/19 at 7:54 am to Bawcephus
Absolutely Do.
Have a utility room, like at least 10'×10'. Room for large pots and appliance, a folding table, large sink, mop bucket, luggage, vacuum, washer, dryer, freezer, water heater (dont put it in you attic).
Solid Sheet closets with 3/4" plywood
Where you know your going to have wall mounted TVs I would add 2-2x8s horrizonally between the 2 studs to mount the TVs.
ETA, Plumbing Manifold to control all the fixtures in the house.
Have a utility room, like at least 10'×10'. Room for large pots and appliance, a folding table, large sink, mop bucket, luggage, vacuum, washer, dryer, freezer, water heater (dont put it in you attic).
Solid Sheet closets with 3/4" plywood
Where you know your going to have wall mounted TVs I would add 2-2x8s horrizonally between the 2 studs to mount the TVs.
ETA, Plumbing Manifold to control all the fixtures in the house.
This post was edited on 2/12/19 at 7:55 am
Posted on 2/12/19 at 8:41 am to CHEDBALLZ
Large walk-in attic space is the legitest.
Our house is fine, there are just some design finishes we'd do a little different now.
I would however reallocate my money if I had it to do over again---less heated/cooled sqft, more covered porch/outdoor space, as much garage as possible without making the house look goofy, more land, and a detached workshop as big as I could afford.
Our house is fine, there are just some design finishes we'd do a little different now.
I would however reallocate my money if I had it to do over again---less heated/cooled sqft, more covered porch/outdoor space, as much garage as possible without making the house look goofy, more land, and a detached workshop as big as I could afford.
Posted on 2/12/19 at 8:41 am to biggsc
quote:
They should work. Just drain them
Oh, they still work, but the last time the wife used them, she came down with a rash.
Another problem, they hold dirt. You have to run bleach in the tub all the time to help clean out the pumping system.
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