Options

[Tom]

Ok here is a general question for the masses. I am in the process of pricing out a new home from Homes of Merit. I have compiled a pretty good idea of what I would like in the home. However, it is very likely that I have overlooked options that others have found useful. Granted this is indeed vague, but it will surely help out.

Thanks
Tom

[Bill Fry]

1. Cable and phone line boxs
2.6 panel doors with morticed hinges
3.1/2 inch taped drywall
4.More then a 4/12 pitch roof
5.Dormers on front of house
6.Ceiling crown in all rooms
7 Premium lavatory and kitchen fixtures.
8.Fiberglass sinks and tubs
9.Plywood or OSB floor son 2 by 8 or better
16 oc floor joists
10.If the home is going on poured footers as it should you can always update the kitchen and baths to ceramic tile after it is set thru a sub contractor.
11.Go with a preminm update on all applicanes.Its chepaer then replacing later.
12.Update the carpet *and* pad to a better quality and thread count
13.2 by 4 interior walls,not 2 by 3
14.Ceiling fan fixture boxes in specified rooms.Buy your own fans and install later,you will get a better quality fan(Hunter,Casablanca,Hampton Bay) and be able to match your decor.
15.All kitchen and bath,laundry cabinets should have oak fronts and doors.the laminated coated ones do not last.
16.Increase your water heater to 80 gal.
17.If you live where there are mild winters(above freezing most of the time) delete the furnace optioni n the house and go with a heat pump,AC unit.This puts all the equipment and noiseoutside.You would also then get rid of the floor ducts and go with ceiling vents,amother nice touch.
18.Dual pane thermal pane glass in all windows
19.And lastly but not leastly a fireplace with a nice surround if you so desire.




This are just a few.I'm sure you have a few more yourself.With a premium manufacturer all this options are available,with a economy one they are not.

Make sure to watch or keep tabs on the setup on your home,if this is done poorly or by a bad crew you will have nothing but misery in the future.I cannot stress that enough.

[Lynne Stewart]

Doorbell
Depending on your payout, I miss having a door between my laundry room and the rest of the house, this is also where our heater is and this can all reviberate throughout the house
sink in utility room for washing out muddy, dirty stuff

[Babs]

Our home came with one outside spiket and electical outlet and we had them put in one more of each.

[Tom]

Much appreciated! Some great suggestions

Tom

[T. Goodwin]

Add rounded corners if your house is going to be drywall throught.
including windows.

Get every cabinet and drawer options they offer for all rooms,
include adjustable shelfing

Get a 200 amp service and make sure they use 12 gauge for the
appliances, 14 for the lights etc. They will run your whole house
on 14, with 15+ outlets running on 1 15 amp breaker if you let
them.

Wrap the house with OSB, you might have to go with lap
siding, once wrapped add Tyvek and make sure it's put
on the OSB wrap not the studs.

Low E- vinyl windows in every window including all pent or
dormer windows.

Finished drywall closets with lights, upgrade to real
shelfing.(not wire junk)

If you upgrade your faucets,make sure your shower heads
are also upgraded, they are usually just plastic garbage.

Eaves, minium of 12 inches front back 14 on the sides.

See if you can upgrade your sliding closet doors(if you
have them), also upgrade your indoor furnace door if
it's an option.

Upgrade your valance package, the things are expensive
if you choose to redo them yourself.

The rest i would do yourself or hire somebody to do
things like a good sized tile entryway for the front
door and sliding glass doors, woodstove hearth etc.

I've yet to see any of these companys have hookups
for a water softner, or a place for one. I ended up
building an add on to house the house filters, heat
tape hook-ups, water shutoff and the softner. Add
all this to your budget.

Paint, if you are going with drywall T&T, budget for paint.
it's going to suck up alot of gallons, if your company
does paint go for it.

If you set the house on piers budget for a stem wall,
not metal or vinyl skirting. You have the benefit of the
piers and the stem wall for support of the house.

Good luck, it's been a year in my house, the storys
i could tell....., get EVERYTHING IN WRITING,
be polite and be very firm. Remeber if the factory
tech touches it, they own it. Somtimes it's better
if you don't let them touch it

It's going to amaze you how they try to save a
buck, it's almost comical.

Enjoy the house