Here is a list of things to consider and remember when building your new home. Most people overlook the little things, however we put together a list of things most people might not think about, but will come in handy.
Kitchen Area
- Have a pantry entrance near both the kitchen and the garage
- Outlets in kitchen pantry for charging appliances
- Warming drawer in dining room for when you are entertaining
- Set up for both gas and electric appliances
- Having a motion sensor for your light in the pantry
- Put cabinets on both sides of your island
(this is good for storing items that you don’t use often) - Copper tubing for your ice maker from the freezer
- Two soap pumps at sink (one for hand soap, one for dish soap)
- Putting your microwave in a drawer or below the counter
- Knife drawer
- Pull-out garbage/recycling/laundry (for dirty dish towels/napkins/bibs!)
- Easy-access place to store frequently used appliances
- Custom shelves and a place to plug in appliances in pantry
- Place to hang hand towels & aprons
Bathroom Area
- Lot of outlets –
- Inside Vanity cabinets (upper and lower, for hair dryers and more)
- Put one in the master toilet area (for a night light or phone charger)
- Turn the pony wall into a hidden storage area
- Heated Towel Racks (heated floors are nice too, but check your budget first)
Master Bedroom
- 4 plug outlets near the bed in the master
- Add USB plugs to wall outlets
- Cable and outlet for any wall mounted televisions
- A light switch at the head of your bed, so you can turn out the light once you are in bed
Closets & Organization
- Think about outlets for your closets
- Put cubbies in mudroom with an outlet in each one
- Make sure your closets have enough space for both double hung rods and singles to accommodate long clothes
- Include a broom cupboard in pantry or laundry room to keep cleaning items out of sight
HVAC, Electrical, & Plumbing
- Carbon monoxide unit on the wall near bedrooms
- Plan where vents will go (make sure you have input, don’t let the builder decide alone)
- Prewire for security system & cameras
- Central HVAC system
- Install a humidifier on the furnace (this will save you a lot of different hassles in the long run)
- Include a 220V and a separate 20z circuit with outlets at waist height in garage to plug in tools
- Pre-wire for music and speakers, inside and outside
- iPad controllers in the walls to control whole house music systems
- Pre-wire for generator to essential areas
- Fire Extinguisher Receptacles
- Power outlets and hose hook-ups on all 4 sides of your house
- Hot/Cold water option on outdoor water hook-ups
- Outlets under eaves for holiday lights, with a switch inside the house or garage to turn them off
- Run a gas line for outdoor grill
- Install keypad for garage door and front door