WVH1977
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2017
- Messages
- 621
- Location
- Richmond, VA
- Tractor
- Massey 2860M Cab, New Holland TC40, Hitachi EX100, Gravely Pro-Turn 152
So, I love my new house. I finally have a master bath. Woo Hoo!. I know that no house is perfect and you can't catch every scenario. Having said that, here is a list of things I would do differently if doing it again.
Here is a list of items I did right and happy with:
Overall, I am very happy with the house. It is comfortable and cozy. It is easy on the light bill and is home. Just thought I would share for those going down this adventure with your own house build. I also highly recommend working with the architect and design that suits you. We really did not think about resale and built with what we wanted.
- Next house will be 2 1/2 bath. I kind of let my builder talk me out of this. Had some family get togethers and definitely wish I had the 1/2 bath. I know I saved a little on the cost but if I ever do it again this is going to be a must have.
- I kept my house at a certain square footage based on dollar per square foot. I was worried to death about my appraisal. This caused me to have the architect draw a 2 foot bump out for the bathroom on one side of the house where the kids rooms are. I should of sucked up the 5 to 8 grand it would have cost to push the whole house out 2 feet and been done. (This is probably the biggest thing that bothers me about the house and my decision on the size).
- I did not put a garage in. Again, I was worried to death about the price of everything. Next time, if we do it again, I will HAVE a garage done with the house. This is the one extra I wanted and needed and still did do not have. Who knows when I will ever build one. Almost everyone I know that did not do the garage initially, still have no garage. I am currently building a shed, have a shipping container and will build a pole barn but I wish I would have done a garage.
- My kitchen could be bigger and I would have liked to have had more counter space. I do have a plan moving forward to add some more space to this.
- I wish we would have put an extra room, for an office/spare room, etc.
Here is a list of items I did right and happy with:
- Had the entire house bricked. Back deck, front porch all concrete and brick. Every time I come home I smile about the brick. Probably THE best thing I did on the build.
- 9 foot ceilings - I know this is an extra and not needed but I really like the tall ceiling height.
- House was designed around the wood stove. My house is like a square and I put the wood stove right smack dab in the middle. House holds heat great in winter and makes you walk around in your underwear.
- Bathrooms are huge. You can lay down in them. Love it!!!
- Me and the wife never needed 2 sinks, so we added more closet space in the bathroom. We have a closet and shelving in the master bath and Love it!!!
- 3 ft wide doors through out.
- We sacrificed a dinning room for a mud room/laundry room. This was a great decision. We are out door people and have lots of nasty shoes/clothes/jackets and other junk filling up these spaces. Really glad we did this.
- Utility sink in the laundry room. A must have!!!
Overall, I am very happy with the house. It is comfortable and cozy. It is easy on the light bill and is home. Just thought I would share for those going down this adventure with your own house build. I also highly recommend working with the architect and design that suits you. We really did not think about resale and built with what we wanted.