missy|1468237737|4054273 said:Zoe|1468177799|4054043 said:Thanks, Missy! I hope to have separation between the master and the other bedrooms. We don't have guests stay over often, but it would be nice to give us all some privacy.
We need to think about whether we want one floor living or two, in addition to the basement we'd opt to have. I don't mind having a 2 (or 3) story house, but I do see the convenience of living on one floor - as long as it flows well.
Zoe, something to think about that just popped into my head reading your reply. If you can get enough square footage with one floor that might be your most practical option. If not try to make your MBR on the first floor. As we get older stairs might become a problem depending on circumstances beyond our control so if you have a MBR on the first floor (in a 2 story or more house) that is most practical just in case. When I broke my leg it was an ordeal with stairs and because of that I had to stay in our city home that is all on one floor instead of enjoying being at the beach. So my POV is to plan ahead for problems and that includes getting older and not being as mobile no matter what we wish we won't stay young and as healthy forever and it is good to be prepared.
Chrono|1468240889|4054294 said:We added lights for every bedroom closet, vented the stove vent to the outside of the house, and wish we'd gone for a 3 car garage so that we wouldn't need a storage shack.
kathley|1468259481|4054423 said:Zoe, you are getting really great suggestions! I found out that the more upgrades that we are putting into our house, the more our builder is willing to negotiate a discount on those options. Some of the options then became less in price having it done now, than for us to do it ourselves (or hire someone) after we close. A huge expense for us is in the flooring. We have asthma, so hardwood floors throughout is a must. We got pricing from other flooring companies to come in after we close and tear out the builder-grade carpet and replace with the new flooring. After we added up the cost of the flooring, labor, the cost of hauling away the carpet, new baseboards, (plus we have to add the cost of what we would have to pay for the builder-grade carpet "included" in the price of the house) the resulting dust throughout the house, it turned out to be more expensive! We are planning on living in our house even after retirement, so we are making sure that we have wide hallways, an open floorplan, double entry doors into the master bedroom, and wide bathroom (possible wheelchair access). We even opted for the split staircase to the basement in our particular floorplan. Kind of depressing to think about, but we don't want to move again...
part gypsy|1468271528|4054488 said:I didn't read through all the responses, but if you can check out the "not so big house" book I think it has a lot of great stuff of maximizing usefulness of a space.
That's what the 3 car garage is for, instead of needing a storage shack so that you don't have to play musical cars with the lawn mower in the summer and again with the snow blower in the winter. You don't want to trek through snow and blow your way to the house to clear the driveway.Zoe|1468281378|4054545 said:Unfortunately, a three car garage won't be doable, but I think with a basement, we'll be fine for storage. We'll figure out where to store the lawn mower later. OMG, we'll need a lawn mower! I've never mowed a lawn before and my husband hasn't done it in YEARS. We may have the most interesting looking lawn in the neighborhood!
Chrono|1468324615|4054673 said:That's what the 3 car garage is for, instead of needing a storage shack so that you don't have to play musical cars with the lawn mower in the summer and again with the snow blower in the winter. You don't want to trek through snow and blow your way to the house to clear the driveway.Zoe|1468281378|4054545 said:Unfortunately, a three car garage won't be doable, but I think with a basement, we'll be fine for storage. We'll figure out where to store the lawn mower later. OMG, we'll need a lawn mower! I've never mowed a lawn before and my husband hasn't done it in YEARS. We may have the most interesting looking lawn in the neighborhood!
missy|1468237737|4054273 said:Zoe|1468177799|4054043 said:Thanks, Missy! I hope to have separation between the master and the other bedrooms. We don't have guests stay over often, but it would be nice to give us all some privacy.
We need to think about whether we want one floor living or two, in addition to the basement we'd opt to have. I don't mind having a 2 (or 3) story house, but I do see the convenience of living on one floor - as long as it flows well.
Zoe, something to think about that just popped into my head reading your reply. If you can get enough square footage with one floor that might be your most practical option. If not try to make your MBR on the first floor. As we get older stairs might become a problem depending on circumstances beyond our control so if you have a MBR on the first floor (in a 2 story or more house) that is most practical just in case. When I broke my leg it was an ordeal with stairs and because of that I had to stay in our city home that is all on one floor instead of enjoying being at the beach. So my POV is to plan ahead for problems and that includes getting older and not being as mobile no matter what we wish we won't stay young and as healthy forever and it is good to be prepared.
Zoe|1468177208|4054039 said:Queenie, we've heard and agree with the thought of doing something when given the chance instead of waiting. It would cost more to wait, and you may not actually follow through with upgrading something in the future.
We're thinking about what type of floors to install, and we're thinking of trying to save some money by asking my brothers in law to install hardwood (either throughout or in the living areas and hallways, depending on the layout). They own a wood flooring business, so this sounds like a no brainer.
We're thinking of having tile installed in the bathrooms and possibly carpet in the bedrooms. I'd love tile that looks like wood, but that's considered an upgrade, according to the sales agent for the builder. We'll see what's in our budget. My main concern with hardwood is damage caused by pets. Tile throughout isn't very practical in the folder climate we love in, and I've heard that it's hard on your joints. Vinyl sheets is something I'd consider, but I don't want to cheapen the look of a new house, you know? It seems like all options have pluses and minuses.
Do note that things like this are because building code mandates how far each outlet needs to be from each other, and each plan is meticulously planned with these things in mind. Where I live, there must be an outlet every 8' (now, obviously not in older homes), but I think 2' from anything water related (sinks). To add an extra one means either changing the whole plan because two would be weirdly close together, or to deviate from the plan in that specific area, which is extra work/measuring/installing/etc. They have to check the panel will hold the extra outlet, check with their architect that it won't be in the way of anything, etc.Calliecake|1468431147|4055162 said:I have heard of people being charged $250 to change the placement of ONE outlet.