Get your HVAC ducting right. Placement of vents, air returns, etc. If they need to put in bulkheads for the runs now is the time to get them in the right places. I was not able to walk through with the HVAC plan and now I have a massive cold air return right at eye level right at the top of the stairs on the second floor.

blocking for kitchen and bathroom cabinets, for handicap rails in the bathrooms, and anywhere else you might someday want to hang something on the wall.

Yes, what jn said above. We too have an eyesore of a HVAC duct run due to poor planning.

Great suggestions everyone, I appreciate it!

Take pictures, esp after rough in and before insulation. It's helpful to know where the pipes are without having to guess or remember.

Now that rooms are formed, think about your electrical plan - where you want outlets esp. I found it easier to put blue tape on studs for some rooms, instead of marking a plan.

Agree with the HVAC plan.

a tightly built house is an energy efficient house.
air sealing starts early.

Sill Seal goes under sole plates, or at the very
minimum a double row of caulk.

caulk is cheap & if you purchase a good caulk
with a long life, it is an excellent air sealer.
well worth the cost & time to install.

solid sheeting walls adds structural strength.
doesn't matter if the plywood/osb is to the
outside of the wall, or the inside. it makes a stronger
structure. but...if the interior walls are solid sheeted,
then hanging curtains, pictures & toilet paper holders
is easy peasy. down the road, it will be easier to
add handicap railings.

foam sheathing on the exterior of walls, seams
taped & sealed with all holes sealed prior to cladding
is the perfect wall for all climates.
follow it up with conventional insulation in the
wall & ada to interior ( air tight drywall approach).
tight, thermally broken wall that has top efficiency.
google ADA & visit buildingscience.com for perfect
wall info.

plan, size & design not only hvac system, but also
ductwork & returns. include this in your design phase.
invest in efficiency.
make mastic sealing of ductwork mandatory.
design with ducts inside the living space & enjoy a
30% savings every month vs ducts in vented attic.
be prepared to upgrade from minimum efficiency
hvac system to a mid range efficiency.

read the details for installing & flashing windows.
no one else has the vested interest to do it properly
that you do.

my personal pet peeve is recessed lights that are IC rated.
these lights require a hole in the ceiling...that is covered
by a trim kit. they also include holes in the housing of
the recessed light that allows attic temps, air & even
insulation particles into the living space.
ICAT lights solve the issue of the holes in the
housing, leaving only the cut in the sheetrock
to be sealed.

be aware that the sheetrock ceiling is the air barrier
to the extreme attic temps. seal each opening.
use a mastic tape & make sure that the trim kit,
bath fan cover & supply grill covers the tape.

understand that trades people don't seal the holes.
they just cover them up.

if you put ducts/equipment in the attic, consider
using spray foam insulation to create an unvented
semi conditioned attic space.

these are the things that come to mind for me...right now.
there are probably a few hundred other things I could
think of ...but enough already!

know that now, in design stage is the easiest most
cost effective time to incorporate efficiency. costs
are always upfront, but savings are long term.

invest in things you won't see, but that will effect your
comfort every day.

best of luck.

oh and where are you building?

What a great post energy_rater! I often read on these boards about all the blocking needed (curtains, hand rails, etc). What if this blocking is on outside walls. Won't that eat into space for proper insulation between the studs?

Don't forget to inspect and measure everything very, very carefully. Our framers did not even plum the walls before they put on the ceiling trusses!

Carol

I wish we had done double insulation for noise between garage and all adjacent rooms- the nursery is next to the garage and it's loud with the cars or opening/closing the garage. Same with the bedrooms above the garage. We're currently finishing our basement and requested double insulation in the ceiling of the basement to block the noise going upstairs or coming up from the basement. I need that for my sanity with 5 kids!