We've decided to build!
I feel the need...
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 14,957
Likes: 515
From: Motown
A few lessons learned after we finished building:
1. Should have gone w/ 4 car instead of 3 car (if u have kids u know what I mean) its amazing how fast a garage fills up with crap. Barring that, at least have your builder bump out a wall to expand storage space.
2. Should have had the garage insulated, didn't think it needed it, but it gets pretty toasty in the summertime.
3. More overhead lights and more electrical outlets in the garage, (see a pattern here...)
4. Pay up for extra insulation, your heating/cooling bills will thank you in spades. Our home is more than 3 times bigger than my 1100 sq ft bachelor bungalow (built in 1926) and our utility bills are similar.
5. Pay up for higher quality dual pane windows (see above).
6. Can never have enough ceiling fans and getting them wired before drywall is much easier than doing it later.
7. Upstairs laundry room beats lugging baskets up/down the main floor (if u have colonial floorplan).
8. Central vac for the win, not that expensive and worth every penny.
Thread Starter
Administrator Alumnus
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 26,326
Likes: 131
From: Northwest IN
Yep. Instead of putting a support post between the main and 3rd car stall, we upgraded the beam to be nice a beefy to carry the load above and span the entire width.
There is going to be a bonus room above the garage, so it needed some girth to it.
There is going to be a bonus room above the garage, so it needed some girth to it.
Moderator
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 29,869
Likes: 3,489
Holy crap, AZ has mouseover picture previews now?!?!
Anyways,
. can't imagine how it feels. Having a brand new car optioned out your way is one thing.... a house built the way you want it is on an entirely different level! Doubt many people get to do that even if their finances allowed it.
Anyways,
. can't imagine how it feels. Having a brand new car optioned out your way is one thing.... a house built the way you want it is on an entirely different level! Doubt many people get to do that even if their finances allowed it.
Thread Starter
Administrator Alumnus
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 26,326
Likes: 131
From: Northwest IN
Starting to make decent progress. Windows and doors this week. HAVAC and electric is starting. Most of the internal framing is done. A few things to finish up.
The pictures named "bonus" are of the bonus room above the garage. It's absolutely gigantic. Kids will enjoy it.
The pictures named "bonus" are of the bonus room above the garage. It's absolutely gigantic. Kids will enjoy it.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,935
Likes: 198
From: New Orleans LA area
Thread Starter
Administrator Alumnus
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 26,326
Likes: 131
From: Northwest IN
Not right away. Property taxes are a ripper and they really nail you on finished basements. With the bonus room, it gives the kids what they will need. I'll do the basement myself at some point once my bank account has money in it again.
I feel the need...
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 14,957
Likes: 515
From: Motown
I'll do the basement myself at some point once my bank account has money in it again.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,935
Likes: 198
From: New Orleans LA area
There's a house going up a few lots down from us thats eerily similar in design and size...also moving at the same exact pace...their windows just went in today. Making nice progress.
Solid doors? By six panel, they're talking about the physical design of the interior door.
Solid doors? By six panel, they're talking about the physical design of the interior door.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,935
Likes: 198
From: New Orleans LA area
There's a house going up a few lots down from us thats eerily similar in design and size...also moving at the same exact pace...their windows just went in today. Making nice progress.
Solid doors? By six panel, they're talking about the physical design of the interior door.
Solid doors? By six panel, they're talking about the physical design of the interior door.