Building a house. Questions I should ask at the pre-construction mtg. Updated post 1

[ceemys]

I am building a house and will have my pre-construction meeting soon. What type of questions should I ask?

House stats...

2-story
tons of windows ( )
laundry upstairs
1/2 bath downstairs
2 full bath upstairs (one jack and jill bathroom)
garden tub
9 feet ceilings first floor
island in kitchen
ceiling fan caps in all the rooms.

I have all my options selected, but no idea what to ask at this meeting.

Thanks!

Update with list.


Starting my list

Electrical socket height
Stud and footer connection. Anything I should do if it is on the cheaper side?
Is a stand alone shower offered in the jack and Jill bathroom?
Electrical outlets under the eaves
What type of Landscaping?
outside lights?
Can hook up sockets to light switches?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

One you missed would be plug/outlet height.

 

[sam_gordon]

I am building a house and will have my pre-construction meeting soon. What type of questions should I ask?

House stats...

2-story
tons of windows ( )
laundry upstairs
1/2 bath downstairs
2 full bath upstairs (one jack and jill bathroom)
garden tub
9 feet ceilings first floor
island in kitchen
ceiling fan caps in all the rooms.

I have all my options selected, but no idea what to ask at this meeting.

Thanks!

* How are the studs connected to the footers & how is the roof attached to the studs? There are 'basic' (ie: cheap) ways to do this, and there are 'advanced' ways that cost a little more but are more "storm resistant".
* How long is the build process?
* Are you allowed to visit the site during the build?

Those are right off the top of my head.

 

[dakcp2001]

Will the home be wired for cable outlets, how many? And phone jacks and wiring? I used to work for the phone company and people were always shocked and horrified to learn how much it costs to have these installed in a brand new home that has none. Fishing wires is never a fun thing to have to do. Have the electrician do it while doing all the other wiring.

 

[Buckalew11]

Are you selecting from choices the builder uses or are you doing custom anything goes?

Counter heights (I'd raise them), toilets (same thing), wireless (internet, TV, surround sound, etc.).
I'd look into a tub with at least the bubble feature (both is nice but I use the bubble feature more than the jets). If it was just a soaking tub not sure I'd bother doing one and maybe look into doing a walk in shower instead.

If it is a builder that you go to a place and pick things from a certain selection then there is probably much, much less to discuss. They tend to do certain plans and vary those plans only in certain ways.

 

[dakcp2001]

That is a good suggestion. Higher toilets are better. Hip replacement height or what they now call "comfort height"

 

[DebbieB]

Will the home be wired for cable outlets, how many? And phone jacks and wiring? I used to work for the phone company and people were always shocked and horrified to learn how much it costs to have these installed in a brand new home that has none. Fishing wires is never a fun thing to have to do. Have the electrician do it while doing all the other wiring.

I moved into a 10 year old townhouse last year, I bought from the original owner. I was shocked that there was no cable wired in any of the bedrooms and only 1 bedroom (the master) had a phone line. I made one of the bedrooms an office so I had to have a phone line wired in since I use it for work. Then I wanted cable in the master so they had to wire it through the garage, across the top of the laundry room wall and into my bedroom. I would have thought new construction in 2002 would have all rooms wired.

 

[mom2d&b]

If you like to decorate for Christmas, a handy option to have is electric outlets installed under the eaves. Reduces the need for all the extension cords.

We also had our patio wired for cable since we use it as anther living area in nice weather.

Do appliances come with the house or do you need to provide those? If the builder supplies these, opt for the largest fridge that will fit in the space.

Another thing to consider is eliminating the tub in the jack and jill bath and having a stall shower. My kids prefer the stall shower and if they want a bath, they use the garden tub in the master.

 

[ceemys]

It is in an existing subdivision, so not a custom house. We don't watch cable, so we are only getting the standard two for the entire house. And there are no TV's, in the bedrooms. Same with the phone jack, Only Cell phone. We don't even need the two that are standard.

Higher toilets are not offered. Boo
I am allowed to visit anytime I want to.
Build process is about 4 months
Can't raise the counter height
Only the jet tub was offered but it was $3000...way out is my budget.
What do you mean wireless? I have my modem and wireless router.
We are getting the smooth top range and bigger side by side fridge

 

[beaucoup]

Do they use construction adhesive and nails to attach the plywood subfloor or only nails? Better to use adhesive & nails. Less floor sqeaks later. Its the nails that squeak.

 

[SandrA9810]

Check out LuvsFlorida's two home builds. There's probably a ton of ideas to gather from her. They are on their second build right now. Both topics have pictures galore of the build process.

Here's a link to the latest one.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3057786

 

[sam_gordon]

It is in an existing subdivision, so not a custom house. We don't watch cable, so we are only getting the standard two for the entire house. And there are no TV's. Same with the phone jack, Only Cell phone. We don't even need the two that are standard.

Something to think about... just because YOU don't watch TV or need phone jacks doesn't mean the next buyer will think the same. I GUARANTEE if I was looking for a house and it only had two TV jacks, I'd look elsewhere.

I'm guessing this is a builder who did the entire subdivision. You're not going to have a lot of say on how things go. Yes, you'll get to pick your flooring, wall colors, and cabinets (maybe), but that's going to be about it.

The electrical outlets under the eaves is a good idea. Go a step further and get them tied to a light switch so you can turn the lights on/off as you need to.

Is a garage door opener standard or an option?
What landscaping is included?

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Something to think about... just because YOU don't watch TV or need phone jacks doesn't mean the next buyer will think the same. I GUARANTEE if I was looking for a house and it only had two TV jacks, I'd look elsewhere.



?

Agreed!
When we built our house , we put cable and phone jacks in every bedroom..

Our builder stressed when building you always have to think resale. You never know what the future holds.

Not sure if you mentioned hookups for ceiling lights, fans?
Outside lights? Spotlights?

 

[ceemys]

Something to think about... just because YOU don't watch TV or need phone jacks doesn't mean the next buyer will think the same. I GUARANTEE if I was looking for a house and it only had two TV jacks, I'd look elsewhere.

I'm guessing this is a builder who did the entire subdivision. You're not going to have a lot of say on how things go. Yes, you'll get to pick your flooring, wall colors, and cabinets (maybe), but that's going to be about it.

The electrical outlets under the eaves is a good idea. Go a step further and get them tied to a light switch so you can turn the lights on/off as you need to.

Is a garage door opener standard or an option?
What landscaping is included?

I updated my post. lol We don't watch TV in the bedrooms. There will be jacks in the LR and the loft. It is $150 per jack and there are 4 bedrooms plus a den. It all starts to add up and I have already reached my limit on extras. I decided to spend my money on things that will be too expensive (or just can't do) later. Like 9 foot ceilings. 42 inch cabinets, water softener rough in, gas heat, etc. I will change the vinyl flooring to wood/laminate in a year.

Adding landscaping to my question list.

They want $500 to install a basic garage door opener. I am buying that at Lowes and having a friend (who does this stuff) install it.

Agreed!
When we built our house , we put cable and phone jacks in every bedroom..

Our builder stressed when building you always have to think resale. You never know what the future holds.

Not sure if you mentioned hookups for ceiling lights, fans?
Outside lights? Spotlights?

I do have ceiling fan caps in all rooms. Adding outside lights to my question list.

 

[FlyingDumbo]

While I do not watch much tv, no cable jacks in the bedrooms would be a deal breaker for my husband. He needs tv in every room. When we were looking he priced out adding cable jacks to all the rooms and it did make a difference. We also need our phone jacks for our home security system, not just for the phone. Our DVR used to use them but I think it does not anymore. I like the idea of outlets under the eaves or at least an outdoor outlet. I also love our motion sensor outdoor lights. We rent right now, but our next home will have these no matter what cost. They really make me feel safer at night. If anything or anyone goes in our yard, it lights up like a Christmas tree. Oh a garbage disposal is a must for me. And a big sink with a sprayer.

 

[sam_gordon]

I updated my post. lol We don't watch TV in the bedrooms. There will be jacks in the LR and the loft. It is $150 per jack and there are 4 bedrooms plus a den. It all starts to add up and I have already reached my limit on extras. I decided to spend my money on things that will be too expensive (or just can't do) later. Like 9 foot ceilings. 42 inch cabinets, water softener rough in, gas heat, etc. I will change the vinyl flooring to wood/laminate in a year.

Another possible option... do you know someone who would run the lines for you? When we built our current house, the builder let me run my own cable and phone lines. I think it cost me ~ $100-$150 in parts, one day to run all the lines, and ~ 1/2 day to put the ends on. Since I was able to do the runs before the drywall went up, I was able to do more than I needed (and still wish I did more).

 

[Buckalew11]

At least put cable jack in master bedroom. It'd be a deal breaker for my DH and I. How does one get ready in the a.m. if one isn't tuned into a morning news show? lol

 

[ceemys]

While I do not watch much tv, no cable jacks in the bedrooms would be a deal breaker for my husband. He needs tv in every room. When we were looking he priced out adding cable jacks to all the rooms and it did make a difference. We also need our phone jacks for our home security system, not just for the phone. Our DVR used to use them but I think it does not anymore. I like the idea of outlets under the eaves or at least an outdoor outlet. I also love our motion sensor outdoor lights. We rent right now, but our next home will have these no matter what cost. They really make me feel safer at night. If anything or anyone goes in our yard, it lights up like a Christmas tree. Oh a garbage disposal is a must for me. And a big sink with a sprayer.

I did upgrade our sink. and the garbage disposal is standard. The builder doesn't do the motion lights, that I already asked. I am planning to install solar motion sensor lights at the corners.

At least put cable jack in master bedroom. It'd be a deal breaker for my DH and I. How does one get ready in the a.m. if one isn't tuned into a morning news show? lol

I could probably swing adding one in the MB versus one in all the rooms.

 

[ceemys]

Another possible option... do you know someone who would run the lines for you? When we built our current house, the builder let me run my own cable and phone lines. I think it cost me ~ $100-$150 in parts, one day to run all the lines, and ~ 1/2 day to put the ends on. Since I was able to do the runs before the drywall went up, I was able to do more than I needed (and still wish I did more).

hmm. I will add that on to my question list. I tried that on my last house years ago, but they said if I added anything while they were building it voided the warranty.

 

[bdcp]

I updated my post. lol We don't watch TV in the bedrooms. There will be jacks in the LR and the loft. It is $150 per jack and there are 4 bedrooms plus a den. It all starts to add up and I have already reached my limit on extras. I decided to spend my money on things that will be too expensive (or just can't do) later. Like 9 foot ceilings. 42 inch cabinets, water softener rough in, gas heat, etc. I will change the vinyl flooring to wood/laminate in a year.

Adding landscaping to my question list.

They want $500 to install a basic garage door opener. I am buying that at Lowes and having a friend (who does this stuff) install it.




I do have ceiling fan caps in all rooms. Adding outside lights to my question list.

It doesn't matter whether you watch tv in your bedroom or not. It's about resale. Do the things now that can't be done easier later such as cable, phone and electrical outlets. We built our house 10 years ago and had cable and phone outlets put in every bedroom, in the sun room, kitchen, master bath, office, family room and the unfinished basement. We also put extra electrical outlets in a few places inside as well as outside. We also put in two extra water faucets outside. And we had ceiling fans/lights prewired in the family room, all 4 bedrooms and the sun room. Really think through these things that can't be done later as easily.