If oversized tub, make sure instant water heater can handle the volume of hot water required.

Fireplace adaptable for wood burning and gas.

Find a niche and build in a gun safe

Lots of good ideas already for the big stuff. We just did this. A few small things we are glad to have:

USB outlets next to bed for phones
Prewired volume control for patio speakers
Ceiling fan speed controls
Conduit for mounting tvs on walls
Flood lights front and back
Outlets on switch for Christmas lights
Lots of extra electrical outlets
Dimmer switches
Extra vent fan in master bath (previous bathroom was always hot after showering)

62strat said:

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A ggieGunslinger said:

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Both of my houses have had spa tubs, total waste of space IMO. A big steam shower would have been a much better option.

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This is totally user preference, not an 'idea'. My wife uses our soaker tub all the time, and the bathroom is designed well so tub is not in the path to closets or sinks. Spa tub is a different animal.. I hear they break alot.. but many people use a tub.

The Fife said:

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Also get decent fart fans like a Panasonic that you won't hear from two rooms over.

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But a loud fart fan conceals all the noises...

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So do solid core doors.

07fta07 said:

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Extra vent fan in master bath (previous bathroom was always hot after showering)

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Vent fans are rarely done correctly. 4" metal duct and limiting runs to a certain length is specified by all manufacturers whose instructions I've read, but nearly all builders like to run crappy flex duct in super long runs instead so fans don't work well. They also don't pay attention to CFM either and just buy cheap ones.

The Fife said:

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07fta07 said:

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Extra vent fan in master bath (previous bathroom was always hot after showering)

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Vent fans are rarely done correctly. 4" metal duct and limiting runs to a certain length is specified by all manufacturers whose instructions I've read, but nearly all builders like to run crappy flex duct in super long runs instead so fans don't work well. They also don't pay attention to CFM either and just buy cheap ones.

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Definitely not surprising to hear that but I will say our new bathroom is much more comfortable. Not sure what made the difference but it was worth the ~ $100 for the extra fan. I like to think it made the difference.

agz win said:

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If oversized tub, make sure instant water heater can handle the volume of hot water required.

Fireplace adaptable for wood burning and gas.

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Can't have an open chimney with a spray foamed house. The unit will not draw and smoke/fumes will fill the house.

If you have a fireplace in Houston, it will have to be a direct vent unit. Hopefully your builder knows this, many do not.

The Fife said:

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62strat said:

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A ggieGunslinger said:

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Both of my houses have had spa tubs, total waste of space IMO. A big steam shower would have been a much better option.

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This is totally user preference, not an 'idea'. My wife uses our soaker tub all the time, and the bathroom is designed well so tub is not in the path to closets or sinks. Spa tub is a different animal.. I hear they break alot.. but many people use a tub.

The Fife said:

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Also get decent fart fans like a Panasonic that you won't hear from two rooms over.

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But a loud fart fan conceals all the noises...

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So do solid core doors.

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That really depends on the thickness of the door vis a vis the decibel of the fart.

07fta07 said:

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The Fife said:

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07fta07 said:

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Extra vent fan in master bath (previous bathroom was always hot after showering)

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Vent fans are rarely done correctly. 4" metal duct and limiting runs to a certain length is specified by all manufacturers whose instructions I've read, but nearly all builders like to run crappy flex duct in super long runs instead so fans don't work well. They also don't pay attention to CFM either and just buy cheap ones.

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Definitely not surprising to hear that but I will say our new bathroom is much more comfortable. Not sure what made the difference but it was worth the ~ $100 for the extra fan. I like to think it made the difference.

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Probably so, they like to place the exhaust fan near the toilet which is an even worse idea if the toilet is in a water closet in terms of pulling humidity from the room. It works a lot better when the vent fan is close to the source.

The Fife said:

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You're telling the OP to find a unicorn to design the HVAC system. I tried but in the end had to just do it myself because everyone just does tonnage per square foot which makes nearly no sense.

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It's easy! You buy one of your coworkers a beer to do it.

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but only have some minor issues with PEX/manifold (stories to share)

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Do tell please! TIA

UnderoosAg said:

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The Fife said:

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You're telling the OP to find a unicorn to design the HVAC system. I tried but in the end had to just do it myself because everyone just does tonnage per square foot which makes nearly no sense.

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It's easy! You buy one of your coworkers a beer to do it.

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You have more useful co-workers than I have. Design structural repairs for larger aircraft? Yes. Understand why a fart fan should not vent directly into an attic? Nope!

A urinal was the best thing we did, gets used more than anything else and no *****ing about the seat being left up. This is what we put out in: https://www.allmodern.com/Kohler-Steward-Hybrid-High-Efficiency-Urinal-with-1-2-Flexible-Rear-Supply-Hose-K-5244-ER-L806-K~KOH20553.html?refid=GX58575126196-KOH20553_13239976&device=m&ptid=186095554103&targetid=pla-186095554103&PiID%5B%5D=13239976&gclid=CMTLmcWy99ACFUUaaQoddJkFUg

Flashdiaz said:

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Drains on all floors for easy wash down

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At a minimum every barroom and your laundry room. Also one in middle of garage!

Put extra electrical in garage also

Lots of quality lights in the garage. I have a 450 sqft two car with six 4' LED fixtures. Two are above the workbench and four spread out over the main area.

Good lighting, insulated walls and garage door, epoxy coated floors, and a window unit make for a very comfortable garage!

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• Whole house vacuum system. Wish I had done that when I did a total rennovation of our current house. My sister's house has it and it's handy

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We had one of these in a rental and didn't like it. You still have to lug around the giant vacuum hose (similar to a pool vacuum hose) around the house and store it somewhere. It was easier to just use a normal upright. A few grand for whole house vacuum vs. a couple hundred for an upright.

I'm in a less glamourous, but similar, situation as OP, about to do some lite re modeling

Home Automation -- what do y'all have? Wish you had? What's best?

I like music, outdoor living, not much into home theater type stuff.

Most of the things I'd tell you to do can't be done because you are too far in the process, but here are some things to think about:

1. Exterior faucets. Walk around your place and everywhere you think "I'll never need a faucet here", put a faucet there.
2. Expansion joints on any pipe that goes under the slab. Would be a bit of a PITA to do it now, but still a better time than later.
3. Electrical - pay the electrician to number the circuit wires in each of the junction boxes, plugs, light fixture boxes, etc. Have them mark the circuit numbers in the fuse box, along with a good detailed description of what each circuit covers.
4. As-builts. Either do them yourself, or pay extra for them - but get good pictures of each wall prior to dry-in. You will inevitably need to do work at some point in the future and knowing what is in the wall before is very beneficial.
5. Laundry room - make it 4x bigger than you think. I'd like to find whomever designed ours so i can beat them with a split bamboo cane. It's 2 feet too narrow and royally sucks. To the point that I'll be doing fun remodeling at some point in the future.
6. Pantry space - the more, the better. I don't know why pantry space is an afterthought, but don't make it an afterthought. Do it right, do it big, you won't regret it.
7. HVAC - don't let the HVAC contractor run flex duct everywhere. I hate that stuff, it's the lazy way of doing things. Use rigid insulated ducts for your main runs with minimal flex duct going to registers.
8. If you put your water heater in the attic, may God have mercy on your soul for being scum of the earth. Put it in the garage (assuming you aren't going tankless heaters). They will fail, usually on day #2 of a 14 day vacation so that it has a wonderful opportunity to destroy your entire house.

I have a contact card in my phone that I add to a few times a year. We built our first home after we got married and learned a few things. Ours was not a full custom. It was semi custom

sink in laundry room
-over sized laundry room for deep freezer and possibly gun safe.
-over sized closet in office for hunting gear and possibly gun safe
-sink in garage
-garage floors painted
-larger work space on the side of the garage.
-deep garage for truck (my 5.5' bed on my ford barely fits)
-water spigot next to garage door (think cleaning ice chest)
-hot water spigot next to garage (might not be as important if I have sink with hot water in garage).

I am currently in the beginning stages of building my own house. Here is a list I have accumulated over the past few years:

1. Run irrigation main line and control wires away from back porch for future patio
2. Wide aluminum type pull down attic ladder if applicable
3. Liftmaster model 8500 garage door openers. Mount on side of door leaving overhead space clear
4. SunTouch Warmwire system for heated tile floors in master bathroom
5. Freeze proof hose bibs in lieu of the contractor grade ones
6. Whole house water filter
7. Install plugs for kitchen on underside of upper cabinets leaving back splash clean
8. Switched plugs on eaves for Christmas lights - install programmable switch so you don't have to worry about turning on and off every night
9. Motion sensor switch on closet lights at walk in closets
10. Spare conduits stubbed out from under slab and up into attic space for power for future uses such as water feature, landscape lighting, etc.
11. Pre-wire for surround sound and general audio - Leviton makes a nice system (Model 95A01 with 95A03 volume control modules and 95A04 input modules)

For those that have built, what type of a home can one expect built around $153 per a foot? I have heard $200 would be all the bells and whistles, top of the line finishes, etc. Curious on the quality of home built for $50 Sq foot less? Located in central Texas.

Depends on land cost. That's a pretty avg price per foot in DFW for new construction these days.

Bonfire 1996 said:

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Depends on land cost. That's a pretty avg price per foot in DFW for new construction these days.

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assume you already own the land.

Aggielandma12 said:

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Bonfire 1996 said:

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Depends on land cost. That's a pretty avg price per foot in DFW for new construction these days.

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assume you already own the land.

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Then I would say that is a high end home full of really nice finishes, such as hardwoods throughout, upgraded kitchen finishes, good windows, spray foam insulation, etc. The builder's cost on average materials with no land, should be around $100 per foot. Nice finishes will be around $125 per foot. I would also assume you need to develop the land to make ready for a house with utilities and other items, which would account for the difference up to your quoted price.

Just built outside Houston and ours probably worked out to around that number if you take off land cost. 1900 sq feet. Hardwoods throughout, all upgraded features, fixtures, etc. PM me if you want more details.

Moved into our custom design and build home this past March---my favorite out of the ordinary feature is the outdoor shower.

A few things. Some already mentioned:

• Outlets in crown molding area at entry, family, dining, bedrooms, etc...essentially anywhere it would work to have LED strips hidden by crown molding. Make sure they are on a switch or you have to purchase Phillip Hue strips.
• Outlets above kitchen cabinets for LED strips on a switch or use phillip hue strips as mentioned above
• Central Vacuum system with Car cleaning accessories. We have it now and can't imagine owning a home with out it. Eliminates the "filtered" air smell and dust escaping from normal vacuums. Also get kick plate inlets installed at floor near kitchen, back door and master bath. We have near kitchen and master bath (for hair cuts) but wish we put at back door for the grass/dirt that gets tracked in by the dogs.
• Gas valves at back porch or somewhere for future grill, unless already getting outdoor kitchen built.
• Hot and Cold and drain ran for outdoor kitchen
• Hot and cold and drain for garage sink
• Service door on backyard side of garage if it has that type of layout. I use ours a lot more than opening the garage doors to get something to back yard.
• French doors to back yard (sliding doors would be better) so you can open it during the 2 times it isn't too cold or too hot (in Texas).
• Hidden door to media room just for added coolness.
• dedicated circuits to AV closet for all the devices. I ended up running 3 circuits. 2 down low and 1 around eye level.
• Large width Headers above main door ways. This is so you dont just have a 2x4 to find if you want to install sliding barn doors.
• blocking between studs behind each TV location to avoid having to locate the studs and worrying if they are centered where you want them.
• Floor outlets in family and office type rooms.
• Extra lights in garage
• Extra outlets in garage
• Soffit down lighting under eaves of house
• Outlets on a switch under eaves for xmas lights and place outlets where xmas strands might end or you dont want strands to be strung.
• In media room, add steps to get to a second level. Add stair lights as well as outlets on face of second level riser for motorized recliners.

I might add a bit more later...

If you have kids....

A smoke detector near their bedroom that records your voice telling them to wake up
http://www.click2houston.com/news/children-may-sleep-through-smoke-alarms-despite-loud-sound

Snap power outlets with lights that lead to the bathroom or to the way out

Outlets with USB


Also

Pot filler in kitchen

Paging mfbarnes....

If you take all of these suggestions, sounds like this house is going to be $1000/sf by the time it's done.

And give you my opinion but I normally get paid for that....

radiant barrier in attic
sinks in garage and laundry room
toilet in garage
extra outlets everywhere (as previously stated many times)
high volume exhaust fan in kitchen
Big Ass Fan on covered patio
gas line on patio for grill
extra supports in master bedroom ceiling for sex swing
the most badass gas range you can afford
under cabinet lights in kitchen/study
extra decking in attic
insulate garage walls and door
fans in garage
stand alone shed for tool storage/workshop
putting green

Some of you are loaded.