Opinions on First-time Home Build
Jenna Armstrong
3 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (22)
bpath
3 years agoRelated Discussions
Building for first time. Travel for a living. Hire a stand in?
Comments (13)You can certainly build a habitable dwelling without hanging around the site 24/7. Spec homes by builders are built this way every day. But, even a spec home follows a certain formula that the builder is familar with, and it involves choices that were very very narrowed down in the beginning planning stages. Any questions that arise during the build are answered by the builder with economy and resale in mind. Spec homes can be quite nice homes, but they aren't very individual. To build what you term a dream home requires a LOT more personal involvement. Those are usually one off designs for that builder instead of being a plan he's built 8 or 9 times. It may even be a totally custom unique design. But, it won't involve ABCs repeated again and again. Unique situations involve unique challenges that require input from the one who is paying for the vision if that vision is not to fall short in some way. It might be as simple as finding a LOT of rock unexpectedly during excavation and figuring out if the budget can withstand the extra equipment necessary to blast it, or if it's simpler to reorient the home on the land. That one decision could either blow the budget, or create a home that you always feel is "wrong" by how it takes advantage of the view. Your build could be planned to have 9' ceilings on the first floor, and 8' for the second, but once the framing is started, the "feel" of the second is too confining and you want to switch to 9' on the second as well. If you aren't there on site to get that feel and arrive a week later after the entire second floor is framed, you'll either have to live with it or spend a lot of money correcting it. Some decisions on a build can only be answered by the person the build is designed to please. Hiring someone to stand in your stead will only work if that person is very very close to you and shares your same aesthetic taste exactly. That's a rare person to find, and usually, they are a family member. Involving a family member or friend in a build in that type of decision making for you is a quick way to make them an ex friend or non speaking family member. They aren't emotionally invested in the decisions. You are. When the inevitable conflict occurs, they won't understand the depth of emotion that the error arouses in you. After all, "it's just a house". The only way that I'd let someone stand in for me for a custom home build is if I were also OK with a matchmaker picking out a mate for me! (After all, you can grow to love a person, right?) It's THAT important! A custom house is that much of a personal fit....See Morefirst time building--opinions on plans
Comments (5)I do not think the corner bathroom sinks in the one hall bath add anything. They look to be too close together to function as 2 sinks--the 2 people would have to stand in the same spot. In this regard, your second posted plan is much better (I like the upstairs arrangement, generally, better in the second plan). The one thing I do not really "like" in the second plan upstairs is the use of what could be a window wall in the smallest bedroom as a closet wall. I feel like something should be reworked there. The big thing the downstairs is missing, on this second plan, is a drop zone. If you plan to use the garage regularly, and come in the garage door to the house, it has no place (except maybe the den?) for shoes, coats, backpacks, etc. Perhaps if you flipped the den and laundry so the den accessed from dining, and the laundry accessed from garage hallway? What will you use your den for? On the first plan: First, I like the second elevation better. (front door/porch is more intimate). Here, they did the mudroom well--there is ample room for jackets, coats, shoes, backpacks. And, there is plenty of room in the laundry to fold clothes. I already mentioned I dislike the corner sinks in the bathroom. And, again, they are using a corner where a window could go for a closet in the bedroom upstairs. Also, I would not choose to buy a house that you had to walk through the master bathroom to get to the master closet. Especially if it didn't have an enclosed toilet. Also, if bedroom #5 is really more than you need in this plan, would the plan suffer if you removed it? (wonder what others will say to this suggestion of mine... It is a little hair-brained.) that is what I have for these plans on Christmas Eve....See MoreFirst time building a home - would love suggestions!
Comments (44)Sorry, just getting a chance to look back at the thread. Thanks again for the comments. Regarding the spare bath down ~ yes, we are changing the tub to a walk-in shower with a seat for ease and safety. Front hall closet - actually, there is one immediately when you walk in to the right. It will actually curve back underneath the stairwell. "Steph" - your design looks good and it is something we played with but I didn't want to take away from the space in the pantry (my last 2 homes have had them and now I'm spoiled! lol!) We also are going to move the covered patio to start at the end of the LR wall and extend to end of DR wall, which will help with sun exposure (actually considering making it a fully screened porch but will have to look at budget). Also, instead of French doors, I'm looking at putting sliding glass doors in the large windows in the DR/LR. Regarding cathedral ceilings - we had those in a home and I thought I'd love them but in the end I really didn't - a lot of wasted space upstairs and less energy efficient to keep cool/warm. I would like to put a tray ceiling in the LR with wood beams. ;) "Ellen" - thank you for your comments. Unfortunately, we would have to have 4 BR upstairs to give each kiddo their own space. The BR 4 downstairs is for our aging parents who come to visit and stay 3-4 weeks at a time (and come 2-3x/year - which we love having them and are grateful, which is why we wanted to give them a room and bath downstairs). I thought of putting in a Jack-n-Jill bath upstairs but thought it might be better (when we have 4 teenagers at the same time) to at least have 2 BA upstairs that all 4 can share. Christopher - "Columbus Custom Design" - please feel free to add your thoughts. All appreciated! :)...See MoreFirst time home building
Comments (32)Leslie NE. Florida coast, zone 9A - I don't take it as anybody dumping on me, there's just plenty I don't have knowledge of! I completely agree that the little hallway going in is a waste of space, there's no need for it! I know one way or another, I can't rely on my square and rectangle placing to build the house for me. Absolutely need a professional opinion/help, I just hoped to have an idea going into it. I'll head back to the idea board! shead - I like a ranch style exterior! I just have no clue on cohesiveness as I like a modern kitchen style. I hope I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel, I'll step back a bit and see what can come of going back to basics. All in all, I think I should take that step and contact somebody that gets paid for these designs! As I haven't found anybody that appears to be...reputable, does anybody have any recommendations online? Any specific things I should look for?...See MoreJenna Armstrong
3 years agoJennifer K
3 years agoJenna Armstrong
3 years agoDavid Cary
3 years agoJen K (7b, 8a)
3 years agobpath
3 years agoTanya Shelly
3 years agoJenna Armstrong
3 years agoMark Bischak, Architect
3 years agocpartist
3 years agoJenna Armstrong
3 years agoc9pilot
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agocd7733
3 years agoJenna Armstrong
3 years agoartemis_ma
3 years agoJen K (7b, 8a)
3 years agocpartist
3 years agoanj_p
3 years agojust_janni
3 years agobpath
3 years ago
Related Stories
ARCHITECTUREGet a Perfectly Built Home the First Time Around
Yes, you can have a new build you’ll love right off the bat. Consider learning about yourself a bonus
Full StoryMOST POPULARA First-Time Buyer’s Guide to Home Maintenance
Take care of these tasks to avoid major home hassles, inefficiencies or unsightliness down the road
Full StoryMOST POPULARFirst Things First: How to Prioritize Home Projects
What to do when you’re contemplating home improvements after a move and you don't know where to begin
Full StoryPRODUCT PICKSGuest Picks: 20 Decor Pieces for That First Home Away From Home
Gather ideas now for a comfy and stylish dorm room in the fall — or try these finds in a new grad's first solo digs
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSMy Houzz: Eclectic Repurposing Fits First-Time Homeowners in Utah
DIY projects using reclaimed materials add rustic style to an open-layout Salt Lake City home
Full StoryLIFEWorld of Design: Discoveries of 10 First-Time Homeowners
See how people around the globe have shaped their starter houses and made them their own
Full StoryECLECTIC HOMESMy Houzz: First-Time Cincinnati Homeowners Take On a Modern Rehab
Exposed brick walls, salvage finds and bursts of fresh color update a couple’s 19th-century home
Full StoryINSIDE HOUZZData Watch: Renovation Spending Up for Younger, First-Time Buyers
The 2017 Houzz & Home survey asked 107,000 Houzz users about their renovation projects. Here’s what they said
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES10 Easy Edibles for First-Time Gardeners
Focus on these beginner-friendly vegetables, herbs, beans and salad greens to start a home farm with little fuss
Full StorySHOWERSGet Steamy in the Shower for Spa Time at Home
Learn the components of a steam shower to plan a safe and sturdy installation and a soothing bath experience
Full Story
Mark Bischak, Architect