topic Re: New construction choices in Home

New construction choices

Natureluvr — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 23:03:23 GMT

My daughter and son-in-law just purchased new construction and my daughter wants me to join her for the design appointments to help her make selections. Any suggestions on certain products, upgrades, or things we should consider? This is all new to us so I’d like to hear from those who have gone through the process and what things you’re pleased with and what things you wish you hadn’t chosen. Thank you!

Re: New construction choices

deeva — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 23:35:58 GMT

There are limited options offered by the builder with new construction

I really like having a central vacuum system, and we extended the length of our garage by four feet. We also chose a larger lot without any neighbors behind us.

Not knowing what's important to your daughter, I can't offer many suggestions.

Re: New construction choices

Natureluvr — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 23:48:56 GMT

@deeva She has 3 young children so she’s all about low-maintenance and easy care. Things like countertops and tile selections will be important. I guess just any tips you can think of that might be helpful. Thanks

Re: New construction choices

Dusty1 — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 23:49:11 GMT

@Natureluvr If possible I would upgrade the appliances.

Re: New construction choices

Carmie — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 00:04:43 GMT

When we built our home, we got an upgraded roof, windows, kitchen cabinets, furnace and upgraded the bathrooms with materials we really liked.

Some things, will wear out and need replaced in a few years, but other things will need to remain the same for 20 years or more.

I would suggest to get the items that will last a long time in the best available and get what you like, but don't spend a fortune on things that will need replaced.

Also, if she wants hardwood floors, get them now. Trust me, they're way too much money and lots of hard work to add them later. It is easier when the rooms are 100% empty.

A two car garage is a must. If a front porch is desired, do it now.

A large kitchen pantry and large closets will be appreciated. Oh, almost forgot...windows that tilt in to clean are worth it.

Re: New construction choices

wherever — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 00:26:43 GMT

I always opted in for the ceiling fan prewiring that the builder offered in homes I bought. Your family can add (or have someone do it for them) ceilings fans they like after they move it. Very helpful for air circulation and for helping make rooms more comfortable when it's warm. I also recommend adding a ceiling fan with remote controls for the primary bedroom!

Re: New construction choices

spumoni99 — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 00:33:49 GMT

We had our house built in 1996 so things have changed a lot but one thing I really like that we did was in the cabinets the bottom part was white and wipeable not just wood, sorry I can't remember what it was called but with that you didn't need shelf liner.

We also had the roof extended over our patio which is really nice for some shade. We also had a storage area put in under the staircase.

Thats all I am remembering at the moment aside from good flooring and countertops, we have quartz now and I am happy with it.

Re: New construction choices

on the bay — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 01:15:36 GMT

@Natureluvr,

My daughter and I chose everything for a small apt under the house and I never would have imagined how many things there were to decide!

Countertops-

I loved the quartz countertops. I like them better than granite because they don't have the pits that granite does. They are smooth and so many designs to chose from. Easy to care for and they look like marble.

It had 2 windows on the doors and we had the blinds inside the window panes so I never had to clean or dust the blinds. I really liked that feature.

Tub- I like porcelain not the acrylic.

The acrylic can crack and you can't install anything on it like bars.

Floors-

I wanted the softest possible. There really are none. We ended up with laminate that looks and feels like hardwood. just recently read that this releases formaldehyde and other toxic chemicals! Great=not! So do things like linoleum or other manufactured types. So maybe hardwood is the way to go.

Closets and shelving- make sure they don't make shelves in kitchen and cabinets made for a giraffe or that you need a step ladder for.

Kitchen-a great feature was lazy susan type revolving shelves inside a cabinet-so great for storage.Ours had 2 shelving layers.Like this-

Paint-

It is worth it to get a high grade paint. We had Sherwin Williams and it really took a beating. I felt like you could touch it and it would chip off.

Glidden, Behr, Benjamin Moore all good.

Door handles-

I always like the lever kind rather than knobs-easier to open if any issues with hands, and for children but also easier to catch things on.

When you are done just re getting rugs.

Don't know why I never noticed this as much but so many rugs and rug pads are toxic so not good for anykids or any. I got rug pads from west elm-they use natural rubber-non toxic. Don't use rugs.com-they really don't reveal what they should.

I was pretty happy with overstock-nice to deal with and lots of selection-You really need to look read the details of online things if ordering that way.

Happy choosing! I hope it all goes as smoothly as possible for you and your daughter and family! You'll be so proud and happy when done!!

ETA-

Stove/oven

Have the knobs above the stovetop not in the front where children can reach or accidently turn on.

Microwave-

I did not like the microwave above the stove. It it too big and awkward to reach and clean and if it needs replacing it is a big ordeal. I don't know why that is done. I didn't realize they were going to do it that way. I missed my countertop microwave.

And get lots of countertops!

Also lots of drawers and a pantry with shelves in the bathrooms

Ceiling fans, overhead/room lighting in each room-there are lots of pretty ones to chose.

Our builder could order most things himself with his builders discount. We would show him the ones we liked and sometimes would go with him to see things like floors that he would order right there.

Re: New construction choices

AuntG — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 01:11:53 GMT

It's wise to ask if the house will still work for her family twenty years down the road. I know someone who picked a design with just a powder room and living quarters downstairs. The bedrooms and two bathrooms were upstairs. Sure, they had a big area for entertaining downstairs, but when the knees start to hurt and you don't want to carry laundry upstairs, a bedroom and full bath on the first floor would have made life more pleasant.

Re: New construction choices

We rescue cats — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 01:35:17 GMT

I absolutely love my quartz countertops but one word of warning, mines is 'speckled' and I can lose about anything on that counter and am constantly wiping up crumbs, if I could do it over I would do a marble look. Upgrade the sink material, I went to a very heavyduty stainless. If she wants under cabinet lighting-do it now. EXTRA plugs!!!!!!!

Re: New construction choices

Sooner — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 01:43:24 GMT

@Natureluvr HOW Exciting!!!

To me, someplace to work with and file paperwork and keep bills and receipts is a blessing and keeps you from going crazy looking for things. Maybe even a file cabinet in the laundry room or a desk somewhere--some place to park the mail and the "stuff" that accumulates.

A space in the garage for an extra fridge or freezer.

A well designed and one of the biggest luxuries I ever found is an ice machine. I'm not sure for most, but I love love love that ice machine! Seriously!

A place for hampers for dirty clothes. People don't think about this often and it's always a mess.

Re: New construction choices

Spacrazy — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 02:17:14 GMT

Built in, under cabinet, pull out trash bins.

Soft close drawers and cabinet doors.

Dimmer switches for overhead lights.

Re: New construction choices

RedTop — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 02:26:20 GMT

My best friend built a new house 3 years ago in a huge subdivision where the lot they purchased determined the house that could be built on that lot.

That house plan had very specific choices she and her husband could make for every single thing in that house; kitchen cabinets, tile, pull handles, lighting, doors, bath fixtures, etc. It was very pricey for her to get base cabinets with pot drawers in the kitchen instead of cabinets with doors. They also wanted a deeper kitchen sink, taller toilets and a second floor addition, which shot their price up tremendously.

When they met with the contractor in his office, their house plan had all their choices set up in the showroom, so they were able to envision everything realistically.

If I built my house again, I would go with handicapped accessible in every way possible; wider entry doors, wider hallway, wider doorways, taller toilets, step in showers, grab bars, etc.

Re: New construction choices

Natureluvr — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 02:27:28 GMT

I’m taking lots of notes to pass along to my daughter and will keep all your suggestions in mind at the design appts. Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it!

Re: New construction choices

happilyretiredgirl — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 03:00:07 GMT

I would consider pocket doors for closets, and bathrooms, so nice not tp have a door open and taking up space. My house is old but when we remodeled our basement into a family room we added the pocket doors to the bathroom and to a large storage closet and I really like it, don't have to worry about a door open taking up space and it gave me more wall space in the family room.

Re: New construction choices

Desert Lily — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 03:18:00 GMT

Congrats to them for choosing to build. It's a journey.

I had a house built last year. The builder/developer deals with certain vendors that provide options during the design process, and choices (although vast) are limited to those vendors. A builder may refuse to install what the buyer purchases outside of those vendors. The builder's reps in the design office can be very helpful in answering questions. Upgrades add to the cost of the house; maybe 3-10%+, depending on the choices.

I agree with posters who advise to get quartz countertops. I have them in the kitchen & the bathrooms. I would get the best kitchen cupboards that they can afford and the best sink that matches their needs. I also agree about getting the best affordable windows.

There may likely be a selection of the builder's "lighting packages" for light fixtures. I chose a package that was closest to my design aesthetic and then replaced several fixtures that I bought on my own after I moved in. I would check into whether the builder should install a water softener and whether they need one.

Many choices are personal in style, needs, budget, & experiences. I'd also say that there should be some design cohesiveness.

Re: New construction choices

Sooner — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 03:27:50 GMT

@We rescue cats wrote:
I absolutely love my quartz countertops but one word of warning, mines is 'speckled' and I can lose about anything on that counter and am constantly wiping up crumbs, if I could do it over I would do a marble look. Upgrade the sink material, I went to a very heavyduty stainless. If she wants under cabinet lighting-do it now. EXTRA plugs!!!!!!!

@We rescue cats I agree! A really good sink will be so much nicer to use and last longer, look better, and be quieter!

Re: New construction choices

AuntG — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 10:54:20 GMT

Does she like a lot of outdoor Christmas decorations? If so, have outlets put in along the roof line so pretty icicle lights can be put up. You can even have permanent lights put in that can be changed to any color combination with a click of a switch. I purposely drive by a neighbor's house to see what is on display.

Re: New construction choices

Lilysmom1 — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 11:19:41 GMT

Soft close kitchen doors and drawers

Pot drawers

Lazy Susan in cupboard

Built in recycle bins

Pot lights in kitchen over work surfaces

Pantry

Linen closet in every bathroom

Extra wide exterior and interior doors (36")

Metal roof

Ceiling fans in every bedroom

Walk in shower

Propane/gas line to bbq and stove (never have to stand in line to fill bbq tank again, can cook on stove top in power outage)

pocket doors on closets

dimable lights

If doing custom lighting make sure you can get replacement bulbs locally

Upgraded toilets

Conveniently located laundry room (mine is main level)

Put tile at front door entryway, not hardwood. There is so much wear and tear and hardwood shows it much more. I have tile entry way and hallway. Never shows the wear and tear.

A lot of the choices will depend on whether they intend this to be their forever home. It is best to choose the best you can afford at the time. Doing work after construction is finished is always more expensive.

Good luck, such an exciting time for the young couple.

Re: New construction choices

geezerette — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 11:49:51 GMT

I would spend my money on upgrades for the house itself that can't be or are difficult to do after it's built.

Such as extra insulation, extra electrical/cable/internet outlets and placement, upgraded windows, etc.

Upgraded appliances, carpeting are things that I would not do. I would take the contractor basics and then replace when needed with what I wanted. Often the contractor models aren't as good as retail anyway.

Usually there is a list of upgrades available. Ask for a copy and go through them at your leisure with the whole family before making decisions that can't be remedied later.

Congratulations to your daughter on her new house!