Home Building Checklist: 6 Things Commonly Overlooked By Homeowners When Building New
January 26, 2022
You have a lot to think about when building a custom home.
The home building process should be a thrill and not a burden. When you partner with a builder like Paul Gray Homes, you get the expert advice of experienced professionals who will work through the small details with you. That said, we have identified six things often overlooked by homeowners when they are building a custom home.
1. Home Security Features
Building a new home requires many decisions at every stage, from the design and planning phase, to the build itself and the final finishing touches. Among the many decisions that need to be made before and during construction, one that must not be overlooked is home security.
Planning home security can be done during the building process to ensure technology is seamlessly integrated throughout the home. Identify what elements you desire — be that security cameras, a video- monitoring doorbell, motion-sensor lights, keypad or a combination of all — early so that they might be worked into the construction plans.
2. Sockets and Switches
Perhaps one of the easiest things to miss when building a house is the placement of power outlets and light switches. It’s a small detail that will have an instant impact in your daily life.
Take time to spot and think about where light switches would conveniently go. Can you turn a light on before you enter a room? Do you have a light where you need it?
Ask these same questions when planning where power outlets will go.
For example, if you charge your phone on a nightstand, make sure you have an outlet equipped for that. Other outlets you might need include:
Kitchen: Can you plug in a coffee maker, toaster, stand mixer and other appliances?
Bathroom: Can you charge an electric toothbrush or power a curling iron or hair dryer?
Garage: Do you have outlets to charge and power outdoor tools? Outdoors: WiIl you be able to power landscape lighting features?
3. TV Placement
It’s surprising how easy it is to forget to plan a dedicated spot for the TV. While you may decide to go the traditional route of placing your television on top of the mantel, you may want to take it somewhere else.
Take the time to carefully plan out where you would like to position the TV. Will the position catch any direct sunlight? Do you have outlets appropriately positioned for it? Will you have the capabilities to mount the television on the wall? Identify the answers to these questions early in the design process.
4. Bathroom Storage
Bathroom storage is one of the more challenging details to plan for. Anticipating how much storage space you’ll need and where is no small task — and because it will directly impact your day-to-day, it’s important not to overlook this important detail.
A lot of families forget about bathroom storage and wind up with nowhere to put cleaning supplies, medicine and toiletries. Bathroom storage can easily be resolved with a recessed medicine cabinet, a vanity with deep cabinets and drawers and many other viable options.
5. Door Swing Direction
The home building industry is regulated by codes, but one that doesn’t have a requirement is swing direction. Generally, interior doors open into the room and not into a hallway or common area. This is done generally to prevent the door from being opened into a traffic path and possibly blocking someone passing by.
Most builders use standard door swing practices and ensure that directional consistency is maintained throughout the home. Still, you should consider the pattern and if two doors on perpendicular walls will interfere with each other when both are opened at the same time. If you notice possible interference, consult with your home builder.
5. Outdoor Design
Building a home requires a lot of thought on what’s going on inside. But what about the outside? It’s easy to focus too much on plans for your home’s interior that you forget about the simple details of your outdoor setup.
Think of details like faucet placement for gardening and electrical outlets to power landscape and holiday lights. Plot out your outdoor living area and consider the dimensions of your deck or patio — and recognize the directional pattern of the sun and how that might interfere with your setup. Imagine how you plan to use your porch or deck, then make sure you are set up for success both inside and outside your home.
New To The Home Building Process?
There is so much planning that goes into your new home. Working with experienced professionals and design experts can make the process easier. At Paul Gray Homes, we have the experience to guide you through the big decisions and the small, easy-to-forget details.
Have questions about building a new home? Contact Paul Gray Homes at 316-978-9047!
