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Must Haves/Features on New Custom Home Build

17,375 Views | 41 Replies | Last: 10 mo ago by 2aggiesmom
golf05
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I'm looking to build a custom home in BCS within the next year.
It's my first home to build, so I'm attempting to lock down all of the features that I want to include in the home.
What are some "must haves" or cool design features that I may have forgotten?
I will be working with a builder, but if y'all have any tips you learned during a recent build, I would greatly appreciate the info.
mazag08
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AG
Make sure you have an exterior door from the garage to the side of the house.
LostInLA07
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Goldie Wilson
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There was a good multi page thread on this topic within the last year or two. I believe it was either here or the Nerdery. Definitely recommend trying to find that

ETA: https://texags.com/forums/61/topics/3081556
Orlando Ayala Cant Read
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AG
OP I'm going through a build right now. My home isn't extraordinary and doesn't really have any special features but the advice I'd give you is this:

If you haven't chosen a builder choose one where the project manager doesn't have more than 8-10 homes he's keeping an eye on (ask the builder straight up how many homes they are doing and how many homes your assigned pm will also be responsible for). Right now custom home building has gotten widespread there are too many builds happening in relation to number of builders (that are already short staffed) and project managers. If you choose a home builder that has a project manager overseeing more than 10 homes you will see lotsa mistakes and issues that need fixing. These PMs simply cannot keep up and maintain integrity in the work and I'm seeing that first hand.

At the same time you also probably don't wanna use a home builder that's so small they are being left out of the sub rotation and are having trouble getting good subs to come in on time and finish on time.
golf05
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Thanks for the ideas and the link with additional ideas.
I've already found a few items that I will be adding to my future home.
I have not picked a builder yet.
What price range are y'all seeing as far as construction cost per square foot? (I will be building on acreage that I own)
Also, what is the builder fee range for a custom home in Bryan-College Station?
Orlando Ayala Cant Read
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AG
Reputable reliable builder $195/sqft minimum.

With some extras I'd budget $205-210.
Animal Eight 84
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AG
I'm having one built by in eastern Brazos County by an independent builder with lots of Brazos County experience.
We completed all our selections and Builder is almost complete with his estimate.
Approximate $227/ft, I'm expecting $245 if materials keep going up .
mazag08
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AG
Animal Eight 84 said:

I'm having one built by in eastern Brazos County by an independent builder with lots of Brazos County experience.
We completed all our selections and Builder is almost complete with his estimate.
Approximate $227/ft, I'm expecting $245 if materials keep going up .
Nearly $500k for a 2,000 SF house is something I didn't think we'd see for at least another 5 years is this neck of the woods.
Big Baccala
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AG
Recently completed a new house and would offer a few things to consider:
  • variable speed AC units vs two stage units
  • a whole house sediment water filter installed on incoming supply. They are inexpensive and will keep trash out of the lines.Believe me, there is trash in the incoming supply.
  • tankless water heaters with recirculation system
  • transfer switch for connecting a generator through the panel
  • wiring for charging an electric vehicle in the garage
TikkaShooter
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Hire an architect.
Hire an engineer.

Get stamped plans from both.

Hire a builder who can check his ego and follow said plans.
tx1c
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AG
4 past threads. Yes, I have them bookmarked for whenever I get to the point of needing this.


https://texags.com/forums/34/topics/2910270/1
https://texags.com/forums/61/topics/2819806
https://texags.com/forums/61/topics/2713385
https://texags.com/forums/61/topics/2713385
Aggiehunter34
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S
Definitely add a transfer switch when you build so you can add a generator down the road. It will save you a lot of money. Add some hot water bibs for hoses outside. It is nice when you want to pressure wash. If you have pets and have the space, add an area to wash them. If going with a wood burning fireplace, add a blower to maximize the heat from it.

Have them build you actual stairs to the attic in the garage instead of one of those pull down stairs if you have space. The wife can get her own Christmas stuff down now. LOL

Add outlets everywhere and if you dont think you need one there, add it anyway.

Add a light switch in the master bedroom by the bed that turns on all outside lights. This is handy when you hear something out there and you dont have to get up out of bed and go into the living room to check on things. It also is great if you are ever out of town and the spouse needs to run something off.

Just a few things.
380Ag
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AG
Easily accessible water valve at the house. (Not just at the street)
3 car garage that is 6ft longer than standard garage length
Big Laundry room w/sink and room for fridge
Walk in Attic
Insulate the hell out of everything
Make sure electrical is done correctly and to code before walls are sheetrocked
Whoop Delecto
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AG
JFABNRGR
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AG
Try not to put water lines in a north facing wall.
Order your windows and doors early early early!
If you have outdoor entertainment area also try to keep close to your kitchen.
Propane or gas appliances. Will run a long long time without power.
+1 on the tankless water heaters.
“You can resolve to live your life with integrity. Let your credo be this: Let the lie come into the world, let it even triumph. But not through me.”
- Alexander Solzhenitsyn
gratitudeandacceptance
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We're about to sign a contract to build and our kitchen will be at the back of the house by the patio. I'll have a window that opens side to side so that I can pass food out. Saves $ on building a duplicate kitchen outdoors.
schwack schwack
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AG
A nice size pantry with counterspace & storage for appliances, extra kitchenware, etc. We live in an older, 60's house & it's the first thing we'll add in the next renovation.
10andBOUNCE
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AG
I agree with a lot of what Orlando has said. We're just finishing our build and I wish I would have asked how busy our builder was back before we started. He's done a nice job overall, but he was way too busy. He was also in the process of building a new home for himself. I felt like his attention to us was definitely lacking.

A few things we did:
- Under cabinet mounted outlets in the kitchen; nothing worse than having a beautiful kitchen with ugly outlets every few feet.
- Closet where all the speaker wire, Ethernet cords, coax comes together; that being said, I'm not an AV literate guy so I wish I would have consulted someone more knowledgeable first
- Built in desk nook for our son in his room, so we never need to buy some bulky desk or anything for him now
- Built in bookshelves around the door entering my office/study; looks really sharp and super functional
- Cabinets under the kitchen island for storage
- Floor outlet in living room
- Small canned lights above master bed area for reading
- Almost all lights in main rooms are on a dimmer switch; makes a HUGE difference
- Stub out for future low voltage and pool electrical
- Counter space, potato and onion bins and cabinet in pantry
- Outdoor shower behind garage
- Custom powered broom cabinet in laundry with high toe kick so a roomba can fit under and have its base station hidden

We whiffed on the laundry room. The plan we went with made this room challenging to begin with but it's a mess.

I also wish we would have paid attention to better attic access. It's super tricky and above posters were spot on with stair access and door.
YellAg2004
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AG
I'm sure most points are hit between this and the other linked threads, but I'm going to suggest drawers in the kitchen.

My wife fought me on our remodel, but I insisted. Now she's a convert and has said that any house we have in the future will have drawers on almost all lower cabinets. You are able to store so much more and never have to get down on your knees to dig something out of the back of a cabinet. Do it, you won't regret it.
Caliber
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AG
YellAg2004 said:

I'm sure most points are hit between this and the other linked threads, but I'm going to suggest drawers in the kitchen.

My wife fought me on our remodel, but I insisted. Now she's a convert and has said that any house we have in the future will have drawers on almost all lower cabinets. You are able to store so much more and never have to get down on your knees to dig something out of the back of a cabinet. Do it, you won't regret it.
This but fortunately my wife is on board because she has seen it at my parents house.
MAS444
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AG
Yeah I'll never have lower cabinets again.
1988PA-Aggie
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Some great points so far on this list:

(this is coming from a custom cabinetmaker, so take with a grain of salt)

Appliances: SubZ ref/freeze, Wolf cooking, Miele DW (you are buying high quality, yes, twice the cost, but refs these days are made to last 5-7 years, same for DW's. These appliances will likely go 20+ years.)

As someone said, undercabinet receptacles. A bit more money, but worth it.

Pullouts in all base cabinets. (I retrofit people's kitchens with these regularly as people age.)

Don't do anything 'trendy' in your kitchen, changing a kitchen to almost any degree in 5 or so years is $$$.

Custom cabinetry...finding a good cabinetmaker, maybe a 3-5 man shop, can be competitive price-wise to some of your better 'stock' cabinet companies. They are local and can attend to problems down the road or if any mistakes are made while the build is going on. DO NOT let your architect design your kitchen layout, only a few rare architects can do this well. Have a true kitchen designer (or equally qualified) lay it out. (This goes out the window if your kitchen is fairly basic and the layout almost lays itself out.) Don't do a two-level island. Don't put cabinets on angles. One sink well placed is usually adequate, but make it big. Not a fan of pot-fillers above cook top (how often are you filling a pot with enough water you can't lift it? You still have to empty it....)

Good faucets. I never want to change one out after it is installed. Rohl makes a great product, lifetime warranty.

Hot water circulating pump. You will have hot water at any faucet in a few seconds.
mwp02ag
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AG
Apologies if I'm missing the obvious but why would you want a recirculating pump on a tankless system?
MAS444
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AG
We love our pot filler and use it almost daily (Our daughter eats pasta almost every day). It's nice to turn a burner on and fill it at the same time.
BertramAg99
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AG
Soft close cabinet doors and drawers, 8' ft doors throughout.
ktownag08
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AG
mwp02ag said:

Apologies if I'm missing the obvious but why would you want a recirculating pump on a tankless system?


Curious about this as well. Related, best tankless brands? I see some have recirculating pumps, mini tanks, etc.
aggiejumper
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AG
To add to above poster on 8' doors. Get solid core doors.

Rinnai for tankless hot water heaters
Caliber
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AG
ktownag08 said:

mwp02ag said:

Apologies if I'm missing the obvious but why would you want a recirculating pump on a tankless system?


Curious about this as well. Related, best tankless brands? I see some have recirculating pumps, mini tanks, etc.


You get instant hot water and avoid cold water sandwiches.
mwp02ag
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AG
Which works great for a tank water heater that is constantly cycling on and off to maintain a steady temperature. If you put a recirculating pump on a tankless all you do is make the tankless run nonstop this defeating the main purpose of energy savings.
mwp02ag
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AG
I love a master closet that has a door to the utility room.
aggiejumper
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Use the app and set it to recirculate only when desired. Ours are set for morning and evening.
mwp02ag
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Sorry for derail!
Big Baccala
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Instant hot water all over the house.
SickAG02
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1. In my experience, Engineers & Architects are less in touch with what things actually cost compared to builders. It isn't about ego - it's about balance of realistic expectations relative to budget and timeline.

2. I run at Tikka .260 Remington through a Silencerco Omega. Based on username alone, you are clearly a very smart person.
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