Custom Home Build

[cnc_xt]

My wife and I are in the early planning stages of designing/building our first house. I've searched and read through several "must haves" on home build threads. We are planning a custom home build along with a shop/barn. Looking for ideas/necessities for both the house and the shop/barn. We have been through a handful of model custom homes in our area just for ideas- but we will likely be contracting the house ourself.

For those of you who have built recently, what would you do differently or regret and what did you do that you love?

[Bill M]

Good luck getting subs and trades to respond in these times. I'm a retired home builder and still hired one to build the house we are building. I could have purchased materials through my past accounts but getting people that do the work on site would have been another matter.

As far as what you need in the house, that is all determined by personal preference and budget.

I wish you well.

[rut-ro]

More electric plugs inside and out including the eves, as well as water spouts

[7sdad]

I have hot and cold water outside my garage and having hot water to wash your car or wash coolers out is nice.

[RutnBuk]

All exterior water spickets not fed by the water softner and put on a single shutoff so your not messing with them in the winter. Garage freezers on their own circuit. A few blank circuits for things you might need in the future. Bout all I got right now

[Low Fence]

All the above on water suggestions is what I was going to suggest.

And also what Bill M said. No way you will get subs to mess with individual currently. Heck most newer contractors can’t acquire subs.

[bbbuck]

240v outlets in garage
Water spigots on all sides of house
AC outlets inside, don’t cheap out
If pouring concrete, have large driveway
Communication outlets by TVs, offices, etc.
Good quality faucets
Wood floors and tile.

[270Sendero]

Safe room - primarily for gun storage

[Big pig]

All exterior water spickets not fed by the water softner and put on a single shutoff so your not messing with them in the winter. Garage freezers on their own circuit. A few blank circuits for things you might need in the future. Bout all I got right now

Great points

[Big pig]

Sent pm

Big pig

[Hawkpuppy 1]

Safe room actually big enough, not just a closet opening. I'd like to have a 8x10' room built secret in the interior out of cinderblock, steel door to use as a safe and safe room. We had a house in Temple that had all the water for the house run through a manifold in the garage. So nice to where you can just turn off water where you need it and not the whole house. Agree that need outlets on each outside wall as well as water spigots.

[FCoDxDart]

The biggest thing for a home build for us is agreeing with my wife. She would want to see every piece of tile or paint color in the store where for me I find something I like and if there's something better out there who cares I don't know about it. Don't waste time looking for the perfect anything. You'll spend way too long and then a year later you'll find something else that could've been better.

[WItoTX]

Outlets in the ceiling in the garage for retractable extension cords on the ceiling.
Whole home generator. If out of the budget, then exterior 50 amp plug for gas generator. No florescent lights inside the house.
Lot's of fluorescent lights in garage.
Shop door on the garage.
Covered parking/lean to on side of shop.
Lighting on the front of the house on a timer.
Outlets where you install the surround speakers so you can go wireless.
Solid wood doors.
Insulation on all walls around all bedrooms and bathrooms.
Porch around the whole house (Keeps sun off the windows so they can be open all day)
Hot and cold water lines come out of wall at same elevation as drain line under sinks (Ease of repairs)
Manifold on water lines
Quality dishwasher
If on septic, NO disposal
Sink and shower in shop
Sink in garage
Lift in the shop

I have more, but a nice garage and shop are key. Let your wife decide everything that is superficial inside and outside the house, and your primary focus should be on ease of repairs and maintenance.

[cbd10pt]

Metal, foam, polyurethra roof system 4200sq ft utility bills are $260 per month gas and electric

[adam_p]

All the above on water suggestions is what I was going to suggest.

And also what Bill M said. No way you will get subs to mess with individual currently. Heck most newer contractors can’t acquire subs.

It can be done it just takes a lot longer than if you had a contractor.