"Fun" Items To Splurge On When Building

A set up to wash the dog if you have one.

Anything outdoor kitchen (rough-in hot water/drain at least). Also, think about maybe having a drain in the slab for when you wash it down. My first out door kitchen was L shaped and the slope of the concrete had the water pool up in the L. It should have had a drain there.

If you have an out door storage area, insulate it and have a window for a window unit, or go ahead and air condition it. This is for a future gym or hobby space.

Rough-in for whole home generator (slab, electrical, gas), or do the poor-mans generator setup. [nvm, I see you are in Georgia]

My pantry is so big, I have enough space for a chest freezer and a 2nd refrigerator. I wish I had run a water line in there and some more electrical outlets.

LED lighting outside to sport the colors of the holiday/sports team.

Gutters, screened in porch, landscaping, fence.

More concrete. It is nice having a sidewalk around the back of my house and a place to put the trash cans + more parking.

Put outlets in the corner/ceiling of your patio for oscillating fans.

I have a hot water hose connections by my drive and back porch to wash my dogs/cars when its cold.

Put outlets under my soffit for hangin xmas lights

outdoor shower

Attic lift.
Pool or hot tub.
Gazebo
Shower upgrades.
Heated bathroom floor.
Upgrade fans.
Multiple outdoor electric(not just one branch for all)
Ethernet for cameras if wanted and at least one wireless access point per 1200 sq ft plus near outdoor areas.
Aux building(s) w/ elec. shed, greenhouse, whatever
Dog door
Wider gates or doors.
Upgraded gates that won’t sag
Door handles instead of knobs.
Power for outdoor tv and switched power for cafe lighting.

For things you can realistically change at this point in the build if it’s not already factored in, while not necessarily falling under the “fun” umbrella.

Concrete, when it’s time to pour the driveway/patios, do it all now, it won’t be cheaper later. Put down multiple pvc pipes under crossings for future electrical (like landscape lighting) or irrigation.

Covered spaces for entertainment

Gas line run for outdoor kitchen.

Cooling for covered entertainment area, whether it’s just a fan or a big portacool fan

Heating for entertainment area (fire pit, heaters)

Gutters

Landscaping

At a minimum prewire for a generator/transfer switch if not already planned

Security cameras

Fence

Shutters.

Automatic Shades

Insulation and a mini split for the garage.

Make a little place for a home bar. We found some reclaimed wood for siding the walls of the bar and a slab of sinker cypress for the bar top. We kept it rustic looking but added led back lights. When it came time to sell everyone loved this part the most. We actually had one guy come back and ask us for who we had build it out.

If I ever build again I will absolutely go all the hell out on the outdoor space.

When we entertain it's outside, when we relax it's outside, I would have a kick arse outdoor kitchen, lounge area with TV, pool, hot tub, outdoor shower, etc

It extends your home and gives you an entertainment space.

Make sure you're not going cheap on plumbing fixtures. Spend now for good stuff.

When we built, security cams weren't a thing but wish I had wired the eaves. I did run cat 5into bedrooms and am glad I did.

Two sinks in kitchen if possible.
Our second has foot pedal controls as well.

I really wish my 50 year old house had a modern utilities room that included electrical junction box, digital cable, water heater, water main input, HVAC etc. The laundry room could be included or very close. Traditional house location of utilities fails to anticipate upgrades.