If you've built a home, please chime in!

[A10CalGal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by abileneway I built my home 4 years ago. I love it! Very personalized. But, the one thing I still wish I would have done is put more electrical outlets in the garage. I know it may sound like a small thing but I have one and my deep freezer is on that one. Thank God I'm with Mr. Handyman now and that's the top of his ToDo list for this spring

That was the area that I delegated to the hubby - deciding where outlets go, if we need extra ones...I just had no clue!

[lucy106]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikkiStreak Love reading all the answers---- it is incredibly helpful--- thank you everyone!!! I'm at work, so I don't have much time to respond to all of them right now (but will later).... Lucy---- you guys asked for one thing that we really are dying to do: the build-in entertainment area. Did you do a full wall of shelving with the entertainment area in it? Or focus on just adding the build-in entertainment cabinet? If you don't mind my asking- was it terribly expensive to add this? Frank and I are *huge* reading freaks and have a wall of bookshelves in our apartment already. So we're really interested in adding a wall of built-in's, but have no idea what kind of pricing this would be like.

Maria, I can find some pics at home and send them to you if you like. But our entertainment center has a large cut out at the top in an arch type form (where the tv is) below that on the left side is the fireplace, and on the right side was just open but we built shelves in (this is where we have the electronics equipment). I think it was about $1500 give or take, but I can look that up too!

[MikkiStreak]

Sorry I haven't responded to all of this---- but thank you everyone for your input. It has definitely helped us tremendously when talking to the builders!

 

We have taken various "pointers" from almost everyone who has responded! We've walked thru several communities and met with about 5 different builders so far. There are 2 builders on our shortlist, but one stands out to us. Regardless of which floorplan we've viewed, we always like them better than the other builders, so we've begun researching them. Fortunately, my sister built her house with them about a year or so ago, and she raves about them and the process of building with them, as well as the service after completion.

 

We've really gotten great advice from everyone's responses. We now ask the builder to point out all the "upgrades" as we walk thru the models. We've also asked for copies of their contracts to be sent to us, and the upgrade pricing. Like Paula, we'll wind up visiting their design center to see all the "standards" and "upgrades" before we even sign with someone.

 

The builder at the top of our list, has offered about $20K in incentives and $5K toward closing costs. They have a lot of things we like as part of their "standards"--- like granite counters are standard with them, as well as ceramic tile in the wet areas.

 

The model we've viewed that is at the top of our list so far, has 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, study, children's retreat, 2 car garage, formal dining room, and optional media room/5th bedroom/3rd full bath. And hey, after viewing all the models we have so far- we have gotten some GREAT decorating ideas!!!

 

Anyways, in case anyone's interested--- these are the photos of our "strongest contender" so far.

 

ifg-mcl0108/David Weekly - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

[PaulaV]

Maria! that is just like my neighbour's house!

It was a Centex Home (They may have changed names here in OH).

[lucy106]

Maria, I cant see the pics here at work but sounds incredible. Granite and ceramic is standard? gotta love that! It always makes you feel better when a builder comes with a great referral from someone you know. I hope this process is fun for you guys! Great idea to dive into the experiences of everyone on BDW once again BDW to the rescue!

[beachbride08]

That house is gorgeous! I love the stone work on the front and the pathway, and the wood floors and railings. That is great that the granite and ceramic is standard. Very nice!

[MikkiStreak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulaV Maria! that is just like my neighbour's house! It was a Centex Home (They may have changed names here in OH).

Oooh, I'll have to check out the Centex site then too! Centex is down here too (under Centex, Fox & Jacobs, and 2 other names that I don't remember). I'll have to see if they have a similar plan too. This floorplan with David Weekley has 2 different names depending on which community it's built in. If we build it within the city/suburbs, the price goes up about $100K. But just going to a community 10 miles north of the farthest suburb reduces the price enough to make it worth doing. Especially since my job isn't by downtown Dallas anymore. It would only increase my current commute by about 15 mintues.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucy106 Maria, I cant see the pics here at work but sounds incredible. Granite and ceramic is standard? gotta love that! It always makes you feel better when a builder comes with a great referral from someone you know. I hope this process is fun for you guys! Great idea to dive into the experiences of everyone on BDW once again BDW to the rescue!

I know what you mean! Frank's brother built a house about 2-3 years ago and loved their builder too. So those are the 2 builders on our "short list" for now. It is exciting--- I'm itching to jump in and get started with building, but I have to remind myself "pace yourself, pace yourself!"

[PaulaV]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikkiStreak Oooh, I'll have to check out the Centex site then too! Centex is down here too (under Centex, Fox & Jacobs, and 2 other names that I don't remember). I'll have to see if they have a similar plan too. This floorplan with David Weekley has 2 different names depending on which community it's built in. If we build it within the city/suburbs, the price goes up about $100K. But just going to a community 10 miles north of the farthest suburb reduces the price enough to make it worth doing. Especially since my job isn't by downtown Dallas anymore. It would only increase my current commute by about 15 mintues.

Excellent! I work downtown and live about 17 miles away I guess, new area, they are always building...
We were between that Centex model and the one we have now which is a 5-level split. We have basements here though and a lower-level family room which is really what we wanted.

I am so excited you are going through this process Maria!

[sunnydaes]

It looks really beautiful! how exciting!