"I am looking for continuous help on rebuilding my home."

You have everything 100% set for the framing, siding, roof, windows & doors, etc?

Most of your questions are suitable for the "Building a Home" forum.

I hope the kitchen has a lot of natural lighting to pull off black cabinets. BasementI I've never in my life had a basement but I know the big issue with them can be damp /water issues. I'd be worried those issues would mess up the underfloor heating.

Did you check out the Kitchens Forum? Building a home? Windows?

For the cabinets, it depends on your budget, so that will be up to you. As for color, make sure you have enough natural light if you go with dark cabinets

For the vacuum, we have NuTone and we are happy with it. I did see one thing that looks really interesting since it retracts the hose so you don't have to worry about its storage

For the basement we did not use underfloor heating..I was mostly worried about what happens if it floods. Also we decided against tile since it's too cold and hard on the feet and went with Coretec

For the counter, both granite and quartz are fine,,it really depends on what you like and budget

IMO black cabinets are hard to pull off in most spaces they tend to look like black holes. I love black too but tend to use it carefully to avoid a really dark interior. I think these are questions you need to answer before beginning to build as far as kitchen design that should have already been done .I think it depends on your lifestyle whether in floor heating in the basement is worth the money. We just put dri-core and LVP in ours and we love it.I often encourage my clients to just go with the builder cheap lights and replace them when all the decorating decision are made . The only lights I opt for to keep are the pot lights and those should all be 4” LEDs If you are smart this is the time to hire a kitchen designer and an inter ior desiger so that this home comes together from the beginning.

Oh my goodness. You are starting building and none of the basics are done? You definitely need a good designer and someone with construction in their background as well. The secret to staying on budget, is to have all the decisions made BEFORE YOU start building. Are you going to be the General Contractor? Have you interviewed a site supervisor or are you going to supervise the work? I am so sorry. I don't know who has been advising you to this point, but you have a problem. #1 - without expert advise, just use black as accents. #2 - no heating coils in basements. #3 - some of the newer sky lights are designed to prevent leaking, but installation is key. Also, better solution might be solar tubes. Easier to install, less expensive and brings in a ton of light without additional cost of automated light control window treatments that cost a ton. I can't figure out why you would choose traditional windows for a contemporary home? I fear for you!! Seek help immediately. If you are considering Ikea cabinets, get over there and get with a kitchen designer pronto. I wouldn't do that, I would do semi-custom, but I wouldn't be getting a permit and having so much undefined at this stage either. Wow! Sorry I am just shocked and fearful for what lies ahead for you. Good luck and hope you find someone who is a good professional to help you. It will be worth twice what you have to pay for that assistance! Just avoiding one big mistake will pay for any designer assistance.

I'm just finishing a new build - you're a bit ahead of yourself - hopefully you're splitting the work and someone else is handling the build/design questions - but here are my opinions on your questions.

1. Do I spend the extra money
on custom cabinets or use ikea? I know nothing about IKEA but would go to a
kitchen design store – they have many options from high end to low budget – a good
one will help you find the right ones for you.

2. Two tone cabinets, black
with a different color island, or all black? From the black kitchen I’ve seen I stay all
black

3. I want central vac, any
suggestions on brand? idk

4. I love black... If I could
have an all black interior, I would. Unfortunately, it might be a bit
overwhelming. I was thinking of painting the house greys. Do you think it would
be "too much" to have black cabinets, grey walls and potentially
black and grey furniture? I know its all preference but I do want honest opinions. Grey house would be
nice – all black interior not so much -
I love blue but would never have everything blue – Go light greys with
accents in black

5. Countertops: Quartz or
granite? neutral design or a unique one? Granite – its alive and go simple the black
cabenits are dramic and unique enough

6. Infloor heating in the
basement, yay or nay? hot water or electric? Is it worth the extra cost? Are you finishing the
basement? They yes - hot water all the way – electric is very
expensive to run

7. The light fixtures, I could
get inexpensive ones from Rona, or upgrade them. When you are looking to buy a
new house, is this something you consider/notice? (Not looking to sell after
rebuild but in the future) Look on Houzz – some great prices

8. Skylights. Do they tend to
leak? Not if
installed properly – going with black I’d suggest you install as much natural
light as possible

9. Can/ Should I hire my own
cleaner to cut costs? Is there special cleaning chemicals? Do you need to be a
trained professional to clean a rebuild? I have plenty of friends who could use
that money and id rather pay them to do it.
Always pay a professional not a friend during a
build – after you’ve moved in then use the friend.

Opps sorry - I had my answers in Red, but obviously didn't post that way -

Black/gray/white. I love gray (before anyone says trendy, I have been using it since the late 1980s in my old house). I do think you can do too much black though. Why not gray or classic white cabinets with a honed black granite, everywhere but the island, and reversing it on the island, black cabinets and maybe a white countertop, not honed. Budget wise, we were pleasantly surprised to learn that the honed black granite we chose for our entertainment cabinets was one of the least expensive granite around. For a more modern vibe for design neutral with white granite. I chose River White and DD chose Snow White (a bit edgier). Both are nice and should not date the build because of their simplicity.

Cabinets: Can't answer that other than tell you what we are doing. Custom in the kitchen and baths, Ikea in pantry, laundries and closets.

If you are in a cold climate, definitely yes to infloor heating in the basement. Hot water radiant can be done in the slab and leaves options open for a future finished basement (assuming you are not finishing now). If not finishing now, I would at least stub in for one bath in the basement. Both are a lot less expensive now than to retrofit in the future.

Light fixtures. If you see something you love do it now, otherwise no problem with inexpensive ones. Not difficult to upgrade later.

No. 9: Can/should I hire my own cleaner to cut costs?

We are building a duplex with our kids and even though it is a 2+M, build this is one area we decided to cut costs. Our side isn't ready yet, but the kids were cleaning their side this weekend. They are doing the inside themselves and by doing that level of detail, have been able to identify a number of issues (mainly paint and staining related, that need to be fixed before the final draw. So the benefit is much more than cost-cutting. DD is very observant, but when you are wiping down window trim, baseboards, doors, etc. you catch a lot you wouldn't otherwise see.

on the central vac, I will try to get the brand, but DD says it is awesome, much better than the one at the old house (and I thought that one was pretty good).

Yes, they are using a friend to clean the exterior windows, but he does this as a living during off season.

Thank you!
I do have a builder/project manager. I am not building this house on my own but I dont have someone to ask these questions. I've asked my friends and their parents, but I dont want to annoy them. The builder is willing to help, but he is also busy with other builds, so I was trying to have a few of my decisions researched and ready. I'll be going to meet the designer in a couple weeks. Trust me, I would not just wing it. I want the house to be beautiful and flow nicely.
Also, I did not know I posted this in Garden Discussion... sorry, my bad.

Thanks for the coretec and LVP recommendation, I completely forgot about this option.

The windows arent traditional, its superior walls window settings. Its only in the basement. Traditional style window opening (Far left) , your windows can sit flush at the exterior edge, the other 2 are set back at either 3 or 4 inches depending on which type you go with.

I do like white cabinets. I am worried they will get dirty easily because I have dogs. I'll definently consider that option. There are a lot of windows in the living room and kitchen (open concept), the sun sets on that side of the house, but the winters are long which means less sunlight.

The basement will be finished with a bathroom. There is potential for a basement suite in the future.

Also, thanks for the feedback about lighting. Getting the cheaper fixtures and upgrading later seems like the best option for decorating.

Thanks for your replies! Greatly appreciated. Next time Ill post in the right forum. :/

One thing that I would do if I were to build now is to have studs at even distance from the windows. It's a pain to install window treatments when the studs are at different distances from the window...and that seems to be the case everywhere

Window treatments simply need very good hollow wall anchors and a professional install. You CAN ask for backer board versus regular drywall all around every window$$ : )

When choosing finishes, start at the floor and work your way up. For example, in your kitchen, choose your flooring, then your cabinets, then your counters, then your backsplash, etc.

I know Jan, but that still bugs me:)

I will look into the interior designer. Everything is so expensive where I live, I was hoping to avoid extra costs. You guys are right though, its worth the investment.
And thanks for the heads up about the windows, never would have thought of that.

Instead of black cabs, I went with black appliances (personally not a fan of stainless steel). This keep the kitchen brighter.

I understand IKEA cabs are actually very good. Do they fit with the look you Want?

I'd avoid in floor heating in the basement. Water issues for one.

Cleaning.. my builder has actually been pretty much cleaning as he goes. Once I take residency, I plan to hire someone in every other week (I've already found someone), but I assume you mean during construction? See what the GC covers.

Process, and maintenance of a construction site is the domain of the builder and his subs. Unless you are building a five million "shack".......and EVEN if you are, you can expect to be fairly appalled on many days.

This is the Home Decorating forum, so probably not the best place for your questions just yet. You should consider splitting up your original post, and post the house building questions to the Building A Home forum, which has architects, builders, and extremely talented and experienced amateurs weighing in; and post the kitchen questions to the Kitchen forum, where again there are some extremely talented and experienced members who can help you.

In the Kitchen forum, search out the various Ikea posts to see what can be done with Ikea and for reviews. You should also read the following Kitchen forum post all the way through,

New to Kitchens? Read Me First!

Also, it would be helpful in each post if you mention the general region where you live, what sort of light you'll have in the house, your budget, and also post any drawings you have. The more information forum members have about your situation, the more they can help you.

If you're willing to work on your new house project and willing to accept critiques, you'll find you can do a great deal of the work yourself with help from the forums here, without the extra expense of hiring a designer / decorator / stylist; a lot of them tend to come attached to a business and have a vested interest in selling you stuff.

I saw you mentioned Rona, pk, and then looked at your other posts so I know you're in Ft McMurray, Alberta. I'd be very careful with skylights in our climate, unless you have great faith and great recommendations regarding the installer. I would also, given the lack of light during our long winters, think long and hard about having everything black and grey. Regarding infloor heating, you'll come out ahead if you go for extra basement floor insulation instead.

About the cleaner, check your contract. What does it specify? My husband is a builder and always cleans as he goes, outside and inside. It depends on your builder and what you agreed to in the contract.

We're just finishing up a new build, and I've found some attractive lights I like at Rona, also at Lowes, and especially at Wayfair.ca. Ugly lights are ugly lights, and you can pay a lot for them or a little. We're building our own house a few hours south of you, in a rural community where options are limited, and have used Ikea cabinetry for the kitchen, pantry, laundry room, and bathrooms, and my builder husband and I are more than satisfied. Even semi-custom (vs custom) would have been considerably more, and the storage, hardware, and options are great. And we get to use the money we saved on other things.

Good luck : ) .