LOL! thanks for the chuckle!

^^^ yes pictures!! I *thought* I'd done a good job at this. Thought being the operative word here. I took pictures, but they don't tell me much! If I had it to do over I would stand in one spot, and do either pano, or snapshots all the way around, then do the same up a frame & down a frame.

We have a whole house sound system, and after 5 years, I kind of like to move a couple speakers (probably won't ever happen). I'll just have to pull new wire, but knowing where the existing stuff is exactly would be helpful!

I'm intrigued by the insulation paint!!

LOL on the pets & children, Mark you always make me laugh! :)

are there any "extras" we should consider installing before the insulation/drywall phase starts?

Solid blocking anywhere you may need to install grab bars, hang cabinets, attach stair rails, blocking for future Window Curtains & Drapes etc. Especially I have seen people trying to install heavy drapes in a two story rooms... You really want blocking to support them vs drywall.

https://alexlbr.com/bathroom/cabinet-blocking-leads-easier-cabinet-installation/

When you take pictures, take close up pictures of all the outlets, light fixtues, etc. It is not unusual for one to be forgotten and not cut out on the sheetrock, so that the outlet or light fixture is underneath it. A picture can tell, almost exactly where it is, so its much simpler to get it out and visible. Make sure you have blocking for your toilet paper dispenser and towel bars.

One thing I'm adding is a CAT6 run to behind the front of the garage wall (up high) and each soffit corner. The intent is to be able to add cameras later (when I catch a sale on good ones), and be able to use POE powering and ethernet connections to a DVR (as opposed to relying on WiFi). Also a Cat6 alongside the normal front doorbell wire in case I want to add a doorbell camera there later.

For actual network cabling, I haven't yet decided where I want to put all the computer bits (and there will be a lot of them), so I'm having a plastic J-box with conduit to the basement pretty much one stud over from every electrical outlet in every room that could conceivably require networking (or coax for satellite TV). Sure there will be loads of blank wall plates on many walls, but a lot better than drilling & fishing later.

Definitely agree on the suggestions for extra blocking. In theory shouldn't been too expensive.

when you take pictures - put a tape measure there starting at a reference point...

Like measure everything from the corner and then close up to specifics.

A picture without any context / measurements won't help because you've dropped off all your reference points.

Be sure to add metal protectors over the wires and pipes. Everyone hits the vent pipe over the sink when hanging a mirror and it only creates problems later.

Would you consider putting a time capsule? :>)

@Dragonfly8, funny, I actually included time capsule mention when I first typed up this post but somehow it got erased during editing!

@GreenDesigns, those metal protectors must be code-required by our city because it looks like every wall in the house is wearing metal braces at this point!

@just_janni @cat_ky yes, thanks! will do.

@Brad Smith, the third cable guy to give me a bid today that sounds like everything you mentioned. Are you sure your name isn't David?? :)

@BT, thanks! I'd requested a bit of blocking, but I will request more, more, MORE! :)

Don't request to much blocking, if you exceed the wall load your foundation will settle and crack.

That said, if you decide to film your walls be sure to name them as you go. I never forget when one homeowner I was building a home for (only one in almost 40 years) video taped all his walls prior to sheetrock and 6 months later after he moved in, he asked me to come-over and watch his video and help him figure out which wall is which because the closeup video that he did, everything looked the same.

One thing you can do before you close up the walls that you will not regret and might find very useful... Run 2 1/2" PVC from the basement to the attic and cap them off, this way if down the road you need to run a few wires or whatever from the basement to the second floor, you will avoid trying to figure out the best way to fish the wires up there.

Also if there is a basement and in the future you want to finish it and put a toilet down there, run a vent pipe from the basement to the attic and also cap it off for future use.

Good luck with your new home!

GN Builders, thanks. Good input and good to know!

No second floor here. p.s. what's a basement? :)

You can find what the basement isHERE :-)

Another reason not to block too much is that it's in the way if you later have to fish electrical cables.

Ditto GN builders suggestion on the pvc. We did that at both ends of our house. When we later added solar, the electrical guys just about danced a jig at how easy it was to get the wiring up. Also, add blocking in your bathrooms for towels bars, toilet paper holders, shelves. Put pieces of tape alongside with the exact measurements of their locations and sizes, then take pictures, noting the room. Makes it a lot easier later. And yes, takes lots of (recognizable) pictures of ductwork, wiring, plumbing. Etc. we had birds that somehow got thru venting on the third floor and built a nest in the ducting, and had babies! With our pictures, my husband was able to get in the exact right location and solve the problem...yes, he babies lived :)

Also where the shower is if they haven't dome that already to have solid blocking for the shower door attachment.

I used a go-pro and made an entire video walking though the house and narrating everything I looked at before the walls and ceilings were covered up. Invaluable.

@Gabe, that is exactly what I just suggested to my DH!

Two things I’m not sure others have mentioned yet. (1) If any of the walls could benefit from soundproofing, now is the time to install mass loaded vinyl (MLV). MLV is effective if sandwiched between the studs and drywall. Just keep in mind it adds about 1/4” to your wall package. (2) spraying any exposed wood with boracare if you live in an area prone to termites/carpenter ants.

@catinthehat thanks! I was wondering about better soundproofing, and I didn't know about termite/ant prevention!

I'm a little concerned with MLV, though, as we have two chemically sensitive humans in the household who seem to smell PVC wherever they go. Will check it out, thanks! Update: a "non-toxic" version for those who might be interested: https://www.soundproofcow.com/product-category/sound-absorption-materials/acoustic-cotton/

I carefully photographed all the open walls and I can easily locate studs, plumbing, electric and blocking, but I did not carefully photograph the open ceiling. So all the electric, plumbing and ductwork above the ceiling was covered, and, that is where most of our post remodel issues have occurred. So, be sure to look up and take the picture!