Very interesting ideas on this thread! I'd say I'm most in line with LazyGardens: We're sticking to a simple almost square footprint, which is a money-saver. I say "almost" because we will have a bump-out covered patio at the back, but it's not a "busy" footprint. In that same vein, we're sticking to some inexpensive, standard-cost items: - the house'll be around 1700 sf - simple roofline - standard sized windows and doors - open floor plan But the biggest of all is that we are purposefully planning NOT to build to the extent of our budget. That is, we are building a house significantly beneath our means. We want a small house that'll be easy to maintain, and because we're building inexpensively, we can afford to go all-out on the couple of things we really want, and it means that we can pay cash, which is freedom to do more of what we want (instead of what the bank wants). Perhaps equal to that in importance: We are questioning EVERYTHING. Why do we want this? Why do we want that? We've determined that a whole lot of things that most people say are necessities . . . we don't actually want. I LOVE the arches that some of you are using! I can't believe the HGTV people say these things are old-fashioned and out of style! Every time they say Ewwwww and rip out an "old" arch to update the house, I die a little inside. Come to my house, arches! I will adopt you, paint you a pretty color, and smile at you every single day! Oh, and together we will boo-hiss the HGTV people. Autumn, I'd also like to know the website where you're getting your arches -- and don't forget to share pictures with us when yours are farther along! I totally agree with Annie when she says, Put your money where it'll show. For example, I never quite understand people on HGTV who put big money into custom closets. I mean, I see the point in well-made organization inserts that'll allow you to use every inch of the space . . . but people are going to SEE your kitchen and your living room -- even you aren't going to linger in the closet. I'll second what someone else said about being careful of old materials =ing increased labor. Doors are a good example. If you buy a new pre-hung door, a carpenter can pop it in super-fast (costing you little). On the other hand, if you bring him a used door sans frame . . . he's going to have to fabricate a frame from scratch, and that'll take him much more time (and you'll pay more). So if you're bringing in old doors (or whatever else) because you want the old-fashioned, nostalgic look -- cool! But if you're bringing them in to save money, you might be shooting yourself in the foot. On the other hand, vintage-nostalgic-cottage is our style . . . and I am searching out vintage light fixtures. However, the Electronics teacher at my school is having his intro-level students refurbish them for me as a lesson! He appreciates "real work", as it is educational for them. If something is ruined, or if I buy something beyond repair . . . well, I've saved so much that I can afford to "lose" occasionally. I pay for materials and slip him a case of sodas every now and then. He's also going to do my electrical for me. Likewise, our school's Masonry teacher is going to lay my brick. I wish Plumbing were offered at my high school! If you're looking for used items, don't neglect the Housing for Humanity resale store. People donate really good stuff to them (and a bunch of junk too). For example, I saw a WONDERFUL kitchen island -- brand new, never installed -- with beautiful black granite countertop -- last summer. It was on sale for some ridiculous price like $800. I still regret not buying it. I would've gladly purchased cabinets and countertops to match it, though I don't know where I could've stored it. And I'll disagree with one frequently-mentioned concept: I don't like the idea of building what you can afford today with the idea of ripping it out and replacing it when you can afford to upgrade (this seems to come up with countertops most often, but it could apply to other items as well). In the long run, this costs MORE, and it's wasteful -- both in terms of personal finances and ecological resources. If you're not going to be happy with what you can afford, ask yourself whether this is the right time to build. I was very interested in Tulips' link to the three-house comparison and spent more time than I care to admit studying those images. Honestly, I was surprised that in every single set of pictures, I strongly preferred the mid or high priced house. I would not have said that windows/lighting and crown molding were THAT important, but the website made a solid case, and now I am a believer. I'll throw out one more item: The fake wooden floors in the low house really couldn't hold a candle to the real hardwoods . . . though I wonder if it would've been SO EVIDENT if the rooms had been full of furniture.

That seems like a very good price. I did a quick read through, and a couple of things jumped out. There is vinyl siding, and then there is quality vinyl siding. You should get some assurances it would be the latter. $3500 seems like a good price to upgrade to fiber cement. Just make sure it isn't James Hardie brand prepainted siding. There have been a lot of reports of paint failures with that brand, especially in snow country. A 150 amp electrical service is too small by today's standards. Most homes are built with a 200 amp service. Our new home is getting a 400 amp service. Textured ceilings hide lousy sheet rock work and are almost impossible to repair properly. I suggest you insist of flat finished ceilings throughout the main level, and also the lower level, if you don't take my next suggestion. Either have the builder pour a ten foot foundation wall or go with an eight foot ceiling in the lower level. Either way. make it a dropped ceiling. Dropped ceilings provide direct access to the space above them. It's great for running new wires, access to HVAC ducts, tracing a plumbing leak, etc., without tearing the ceiling out. Good luck. It sounds like a nice home.

I looked again at the entire room, last comment I was focusing on the fireplace, as I had never seen a black fireplace before and it was so bold. I love it. You did an amazing job with the light colour flooring, the black window blind, black couch, light walls, pillows match your flooring, everything gels beautifully. You really changed the look of the room completely. It is very upscale and modern in comparison to the before pic. It is budget friendly too. Also love your kitty, lol!

island - I don't miss those fireplace doors at all! :) We'll try and sell them on Craigs List but wonder if anyone will want them. LOL. Yes, we did replace the entire firebox. We purchased a Heat & Glo direct vent gas fireplace and had to pull out the old firebox and reframe for the direct vent unit. There are many styles of doors they offer, and the prices vary. We liked the fancy arched ones, but not for $999! We went with the Folio, clean face front which was no charge. Figured we would put the "savings" toward the flooring. We can always get a nice fireplace folding screen if we want. Check out the Heat & Glo website for more information. www.heatnglo.com. We went with the CLX 6000 model which comes with a remote, nice embers and log set, and a blower. Let me know if you have questions! tinan - Yes, the smell was awful! I wondered the same thing about the noxious coatings. Ugh! At least the smell is gone now. Enjoy your new furnace!