We bought our land 4 years before we built our home. We wanted to build our dream home and were not in a hurry to rush into it and then regret decisions made too quickly. I was the designer on the project and honestly enjoyed all that it entailed. We also had a wonderful builder that made the whole process go seamlessly and stress free. After we chose a house plan and had it updated to include the must-haves on our list, I poured over those plans for hours and hours making sure each room was as ideal as possible. Now is the time to decide if you want an HVAC duct in that place or a light switch or outlet in that spot. Decide if you want floor outlets, special outlets in pantries or cleaning closets. Are the rooms the right size? Could a couple feet make a difference anywhere? I sure wish we had made our laundry room 3 feet wider. Choose as many products as you can before your builder gives you his estimate. If you want granite and he's giving you laminate pricing the cost will be more. Also, painting the interior all one color is less expensive than having several rooms painted differently. Are you going with pre-painted siding or having the exterior custom painted? Are you using brick, cultured stone or natural stone? Huge difference between brick and natural stone. Plumbing fixtures vary in price as do lighting and appliances. Make sure he's taking your choices into account with his bottom line. Think about any upgrades in insulation, soundproofing, radiant heating, etc. The best advice I can give from someone who's been there, done that, is to sit down and really think about how you want the house to look, function and feel....and cost. Are there things you can't do without? For us it was a 3rd garage, his & hers master's closets, a computer space off the kitchen area where we can monitor our son, and a particular type of kitchen layout. Break the house plan down room by room if it's overwhelming but KNOW WHAT YOU WANT. If you're unsure of that then you can be talked into a lot of stuff you will find out later you really didn't need or want. Almost all of us have to stick to a budget so the trick is getting what you want overall at a price you can afford. This website is a treasure trove of information that I'm sure will benefit you in the days to come. Good luck on your build and keep your chin up.

Update: still not sure what it is but the scratching and scurrying sounds are coming from one side in particular, either the wall or duct. We put out traps and even some in the beginning of the duct along that kitchen wall. Good and bad news! One of the traps inside the vent is gone and that duct is NOT accessible like the others, it's hidden past some insulation and woodwork and closer to the exterior wall of the house. So we likely caught something that slid further along the duct, but we can't reach. UGHHHH. Either we find a scope camera, something to pull it out with, or call someone.

since you dislike the brick color, why not paint them? Romabio has a masonry paint that is almost maintenance free. paint them whatever color you like and pick whatever siding you like. or you could do a composite wood siding (this is shake, but they make siding)

Few suggestions. I'd remove the shutters. I think they are too thin and don't add much w/the brick. Black and crisp white, portico over the front door If you wanted to try a bright white trim and deep black shutters, maybe, but I'd prob lose them altogether You mentioned Urbane Bronze. here's what that would look like w/tthe brick, somewhat, and a darker trim color or use the creamy white for the trim. your current white trim is too yellow looking. have you considered painting the brick w/Romabio? IT's a natural lime product. if you did that, removed the shutters, and painted your front door this light blue, it would look like this they used the Masonry Flat for this brick. I love the copper awning over the front door too. Here's the back and the colors used. (this Masonrty flat can be tinted any color) if you like the limewas look, Romabio Classico would be the option. (try it out. it will hose off in the first 72 hours if you don't like it. try a sample on the side or back) wood front door, limewash, and darker shutters. also new black exterior lights and gutters I really like the look of this one too. paint the trim around the windows in the urbane or the iron ore, and limewas the brick much more distresssed with olive green shutters Limewash, distressed brick w/Taupe and copper color accenting. off white trim color the masonry choice. heavier coverage. black accents similar home style. they did the brick w/the gray, and added a covered porch.