Questions for anyone who has built or remodeled a house...

[desiab]

We are in the planning stages to add about 1,000 square feet to our house. This is a new kitchen, half bath, and master suite with sitting area.

My question is: If you have built a home or remodeled one what things would you have done differently and why? Are there things you wish you would have included or things you realize that you now don't like or need?

I am curious because I have never done this before and the possibilities can be overwhelming.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Disney Doll]

It will take longer and cost more than they tell you.

 

[ducklite]

I wish I had better thought out my kitchen so I had a built in wine cooler and Sub-Zero fridge.

Anne

 

[desiab]

It will take longer and cost more than they tell you.

I figured that one out really quickly! We are having the structure put up with the electrical and sheet rock finished. The rest we will put in ourselves (appliances, fixtures, cabinets, floors, painting, etc.). It will take longer, but the advantage is that we will save money--so we can get a bigger addition.

I wish I had better thought out my kitchen so I had a built in wine cooler and Sub-Zero fridge. Anne

The wine cooler would be more for entertaining than us, because we rarely drink. I think with the fridge--we are leaning towards having both a restaurant grade fridge and freezer. They will be put side-by-side and my DH will build the covers to match the cabinetry.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

SubZero fridge
6 burner Wolf stove with the big hood, as opposed to a microwave above the stove which I HATE now...just not room to cook.
Double drawed dishwasher...(we will put this in here)
Double ovens

I want a small hearth room and a desk area off my kitchen.

Master suite...Big, but not too big. I have had giant, now I have smaller. I want something inbetween that fits my furniture but at the same time cozy.

Master Bath...
BIG spa jetted tub for 2.
Linen closet & essentials closet in the Master Bath.
Spot for radio, stereo or TV...DH says so I don't eletrocute myself.
Oh and I WANT A MAKEUP TABLE AREA.

 

[safetymom]

I added a second story to my home and I loved everything that I did. It was a little scary the day they took the roof off and we slept under the stars that night.

My contractor was great. It took a little longer but would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[desiab]

SubZero fridge
6 burner Wolf stove with the big hood, as opposed to a microwave above the stove which I HATE now...just not room to cook.
Double drawed dishwasher...(we will put this in here)
Double ovens

I want a small hearth room and a desk area off my kitchen.

Master suite...Big, but not too big. I have had giant, now I have smaller. I want something inbetween that fits my furniture but at the same time cozy.

Master Bath...
BIG spa jetted tub for 2.
Linen closet & essentials closet in the Master Bath.
Spot for radio, stereo or TV...DH says so I don't eletrocute myself.
Oh and I WANT A MAKEUP TABLE AREA.

We are definitely doing the double ovens. This is a necessity with both of our large families.

Not sure on the hood. DH can have a stainless steel one made for just the cost of materials, but I haven't decided if that is the look I want to go with.

I hear you on the Wolf stove! The Viking stove that we originally were suppose to get for pennies on the dollar was washed away by MS Katrina.

How big is too big on a master suite? Originally we drew the master suite up to be about 20 X 36 (including the bath and sitting room). Yesterday we cut the drawings down to 20 X 18. I fugure what we save here can be used for upgrades in the kitchen.

I like the idea for a entertainment type center over the spa tub. The DH will never get me out of the bath.

I am not putting a desk area in the kitchen because the old kitchen will be converted into an office/laundry room.

I added a second story to my home and I loved everything that I did. It was a little scary the day they took the roof off and we slept under the stars that night.

My contractor was great. It took a little longer but would do it again in a heartbeat.

We originally considered doing a second story, but I don't want to have to live with construction again--did that with the last house. This time around we won't have to worry about construction in the main part of the house until they start making the past through from the new kitchen to the existing dining room.

 

[drakethib]

Research your General Contractors and demand references.

Have a contract, a word means nothing.

The project will cost more, period.

Realize that a strain will be put on a realtionship as this a a stressfull thing to do.

Good Luck

 

[Laurajean1014]

I would have made our family room 3 ft longer. Then, my big tv would have fit inside the wall and on either side, I would have media cabinets (DVDs, stereo equipment).

 

[TheDisneyTraveler06]

Oh goodness...

I would have made my kitchen bigger, each bedroom bigger, gave the kids their OWN bathroom, put an island in the kitchen, and put a screened in patio in the back. (Of course that can always be added.)

There you go. I might as well build a new house!

 

[Nancyg56]

Research your General Contractors and demand references.

Have a contract, a word means nothing.

The project will cost more, period.

Realize that a strain will be put on a realtionship as this a a stressfull thing to do.

Good Luck

I agree! We spent way more than we intended to because we fell into the "might as wells'. Now I am happy because everything is brand new, but we did spend more than we had budgeted for, so furniture needed t wait.

The one thing I would do differently is to add more windows in the front. My DH wanted a bank of 5, and I thought 3 was enough, but he was right.

A word about the contract....a coworker of my DH did all of the carpentry. he was the only one that did not give us a proposal and then a contract. Never again! I'm going with contractors and have contracts before we start anything.