What would be your must haves/wish list if you could build a custom home?

[you&me]

Those uses for the garage sink make sense, but just probably not applicable for us... Might be one of those "might as well" things to have on the list.

Another one - channel drain in the shower

[A2VR6]

Anyone throw in a sink and plumbing (ie. drain etc) for a detached garage? I've seen plenty of garages with these but they are attached. Curious to what the cost is to tie in an deteched garage into the water/sewer system.

[killramos]

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Those uses for the garage sink make sense, but just probably not applicable for us... Might be one of those "might as well" things to have on the list.

Another one - channel drain in the shower

Unless the sink is going to severely retard your personal utility for the garage I would still consider it, it will cost next to nothing to put in if planned from the get go, and is a valuable option for a lot of people. Just for the resale value alone.

I would make sure it’s roughed in at the minimum.

[kenny]

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I'm having a tough time thinking of a practical use for a sink in the garage... best for rinsing muddy boots, etc? I know this is the wrong place to admit it, but I'm not really a "garage guy"...

Our home included a garage sink in the specs, but we changed it to a mop basin/dog wash. I use it all the time and I'm not a big "garage guy". Washing greasy hands, or just dirty hands from landscaping with warm water is much nicer than just cold from a hose bib.

Some other items for new build:
- Kick plate on the kitchen island for central vac (we added it to washrooms too but they aren't used as often)
- low voltage wiring everywhere, you don't need it now but you will eventually and it'll cost 5x as much to wire it up later
- ethernet in ceiling for wifi AP
- if house has multiple furnaces: add couple vents from upstairs furnace to main floor ceiling (use only in summer for AC) so you can skip the AC on main floor furnace.
- conduits for landscape electrical (this can be done later)

[flipstah]

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We've done most on your list in our current house, but I want to build again. haha. make small improvements.
It's been mentioned, but you forgot to put a sink in your garage.
We did the boot dryer under the bench in the mud room. Each locker would be great, but overkill for us.
Custom stainless hood fan is the bomb.

When you find a coffee station with a waterline (that feeds into the machine), let me know. Miele, Wolf, and others still have to be filled by hand.

https://www.franke.com/main/en/cs/pr...e-machine.html

You're welcome.

[benyl]

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- if house has multiple furnaces: add couple vents from upstairs furnace to main floor ceiling (use only in summer for AC) so you can skip the AC on main floor furnace.

Did you get this from me from some of the other threads on houses? haha

We have hot hose bibs in the back yard and the garage. I don't know if I would do the backyard again, but the garage is a must.

We also have hose bibs on each of our decks. Easy to spray them off after the winter, or to get rid of construction dirt if you are in a new neighborhood. Make cleaning the BBQ easier too.

I went into a show home in Rock Lake a few weeks ago and it had two sets for Washer and Dryers. Don't know if I will do that.

As our kids are getting older, we will likely build with ensuites for each of the bedrooms. Either that, or the washroom will be segregated with a door on the toilet, the shower / tub and then dual sinks for the kids.

For in floor, don't forget the laundry room if you have tile. We didn't do it, but you would be surprised how shockingly cold it is in there. haha I was talked out of doing in floor throughout the house. Regret it now. Wouldn't have cost that much more for the pipes and the valves.

Next house will have hard wood throughout including bedrooms. Instead of carpet, put rugs in where you need them.

[kenny]

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Did you get this from me from some of the other threads on houses? haha

This one is from you, I was going to credit you but wasn't 100% sure who mentioned it in the past. It's on the list for the next house lol

[JRSC00LUDE]

I'm a simple guy I guess, I don't want a large house so it's tough to get everything. I built 1750 s.f. 3 bdrm over 2 floors last year, the only "must haves" were tons of kitchen cabinetry and large island for entertaining then an en-suite with a large soaker tub and steam sauna/shower. Simple, clean with some unique but salable design criteria inside. Balcony off the master, 24x24 garage as that's the largest that would fit and this year zero-scape the very limited yard so I never have to do anything.

I did my best to build a condo for a house haha

I developed the basement to be a 2 bdrm suite because I don't need any of the space but designed it so it's completely separate from the main house and completely convertible back to non-suite should I ever have the need for a 5 bdrm and another 800 s.f. of space. Hidden doorways framed, etc. so it can be converted back to a unified single-family in under a week. Figured that would suit potential future changes to my life and, whatever the current real estate market may be should I decide to sell. Not much of a mover though so I doubt I will.

I'm more a fan of 4 more years and the revenue downstairs will cover my entire mtg and I can relax.

[msommers]

This


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This


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https://www.abode2.com/wp-content/up...p1-438x438.jpg

.....

....I'll go back to living in my little condo that thankfully has heat...

[tonytiger55]

If I was to build a custom house. I think one of the key things I would like is to ensure the day to day basics ‘function’.
A example would be the kitchen. I’d like a kitchen that has a good kitchen triangle. Having good access to the fridge, stove(gas), sink and a good space for a prep area without having to march around the kitchen is key.
Good hood fan and structure around it so it can be built properly and fully over the stove. A second overly sized sink with a prep area for washing/prepping vegetables, poultry, meat etc
Good access to the dining table too.

A separate mud room for access to the garden (yard) and I’d like to have a overly sized sink in that spot.
A two car garage is fine, but slightly wider and deeper. Wider so I don’t have to squeeze out of the car. Deeper, so I can a have a bench and work space. Sink and floor drain is also a must.

Underfloor pipes for heated driveway.

I’d like to have a library with a old style bookshelf which opens up with a secret entrance to the kitchen pantry. Hidden access to the garage, and mini stairs to the upstairs bedroom (his) closet.

[mr2mike]

Did I miss 89Coupe's humble brag yet?

[88CRX]

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I'm going to install an on-demand water heater when the hot water tank goes kaput.

We have on demand and you need to wait FOREVER to get hot water out of a tap. If you get on demand hot water get a re-circ line, which then negates the energy efficiency of an on demand system. I'd much prefer a 2 tank system then the on demand we have.

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Lots of good ideas!

I like the soundproofing of rooms but I am not sure the cost/effectiveness around it.

We paid $11/linear foot for batts in the walls. And we kept standard hollow wood doors and it definitely still makes a difference. Solid core door would have helped further, but $$$.

[you&me]

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Did I miss 89Coupe's humble brag yet?

No, not yet

[Xtrema]

1700-2000 sq ft bungalow with walkout and a triple garage (double with a tandem 3rd spot is fine). 10' + ceiling and more with vaulted ceilings in main rooms.

Because I'm done with stairs now and I don't think I'll like them more in the future.

[flipstah]

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This


This & That (https://i.pinimg.com/originals/fa/f0...0a2de8189e.jpg)


This


This


This


This


This
https://www.abode2.com/wp-content/up...p1-438x438.jpg

.....

....I'll go back to living in my little condo that thankfully has heat...

Your tastes are so mixed haha! Country kitchen with a modern tank, old school library and then a koi pond wat

Are you a boss from Hitman?

[suntan]

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We have on demand and you need to wait FOREVER to get hot water out of a tap. If you get on demand hot water get a re-circ line, which then negates the energy efficiency of an on demand system. I'd much prefer a 2 tank system then the on demand we have.

I live with three girls. I'd need a five tank system.

We paid $11/linear foot for batts in the walls. And we kept standard hollow wood doors and it definitely still makes a difference. Solid core door would have helped further, but $$$.

Solid core doors aren't expensive at all if you're just going with Masonite.

I know, I know, I'm a pleb.

[ExtraSlow]

I do pretty well with a single 60 gallon tank. If I was designing the house from scratch I'd prefer 2x40 gal though, for redundancy in case of failure and ease of replacement. No room for two in my utility room though.

Circulation pump would be nice too. But I'm a Pleb.

[ExtraSlow]

If I lived in the country, a big bungalow with a completely wrap around covered porch.

[msommers]

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Your tastes are so mixed haha! Country kitchen with a modern tank, old school library and then a koi pond wat

Are you a boss from Hitman?

Haha I came to realize that after I hit 'post'!

Kitchen would be #1 on that list

[jwslam]

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I do pretty well with a single 60 gallon tank. If I was designing the house from scratch I'd prefer 2x40 gal though, for redundancy in case of failure and ease of replacement. No room for two in my utility room though.

A friend of mine had a failure in one of their two. That's when we learned they were piped in series...

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If I lived in the country, a big bungalow with a completely wrap around covered porch.

But then which side do you sit in your rocking chair with your gun?