OT: What special/custom features on a house provide great benefit with little cost?

[ralphster]

Those of you who think gas is the best cooktop should try induction. Check it out at your local appliance store. I have had electric resistance elements (the worst) and gas (ok, but more danger and mess). Nothing is faster and cleaner than induction. You can boil a quart of water in 30 seconds.

 

[katchthis]

Exterior lights- have some of them on a dusk to dawn timer.
I'd also have a security system installed , especially since it's a wooded lot.

 

[Ranger Dan]

Dan...presuming there is a front porch or maybe even just a cement step ahead.....they create a full foundation but wall it off and fill it in. Tell them not to and you would like a 36" opening so you can put a door there. They will pour the cement floor when they do the rest. They should not charge you at all....and you will end up with a cold cellar, wine/beer cellar, pantry....whatever.

This sounds exactly the type of hidden gem ideas (nothing against the other fine suggestions)... but I'm not 100% sure that I have an accurate picture. Are you saying that if there is a plan for an 8'x8' front porch on the house, that instead of just having an empty, hollow space under the porch, that they would put a doorway from the basement into the space under the porch?

Actually, a cellar space like this is already on my wish list. I am into charcuterie and would love to have a dedicated curing chamber. I'm also interested in having a secure gun/safe room. There are so many uses I would have for an "extra" space like this.

 

[katchthis]

Heated tiles- in my experience the far and away the best is using hot water tubing running under the tiles. Not cheap. The electric mat ones are disappointing.
Master bath shower- Multiple heads. A little shelf or bench is nice for the lady to shave her legs.

 

[Ranger Dan]

Those of you who think gas is the best cooktop should try induction. Check it out at your local appliance store. I have had electric resistance elements (the worst) and gas (ok, but more danger and mess). Nothing is faster and cleaner than induction. You can boil a quart of water in 30 seconds.

But... you are limited to only certain kinds of pots and pans?

 

[Ranger Dan]

Full bathroom accessible from out side or off the garage.

We are looking at a wooded lot, and as the saying goes... when you are a man, the world is your urinal!

 

[91Joe95]

Overhead heating/vent fans in the bathrooms.

 

[denniskembala]

Security cameras all around.

 

[Ranger Dan]

Check the real estate listings and visit houses you find appealing, and come armed with your camera, easy now a days, and a tape measure. You like a "Montana western style " I'd guess. Take pics next time you are out there. Get different concepts to use.

I started college as an Architecture major. The appreciation of many styles of house, old and modern, eastern and western, appeal to me. I'm looking forward to the design process, for sure.

Also, the Montana thing has passed, at least for now. We've negotiated to stay in PA and have some land where I can play around and have fun.

 

[Hugh Manatee]

Add cabling for surveillance cameras. Adding them after is not fun.

 

[cment]

Theater room with leveled seating and projector. Do stripper poles even need to be mentioned?

Stripper poles are assumed. Like s roof - it's just a required part if the house Structurally important.

I will add geo-thermal heating and cooling. Be considerate and just make sure it goes up the stripper pole.

 

[ClarkstonMark]

Add cabling for surveillance cameras. Adding them after is not fun.

they are all wireless now, now need for cables, unless you are talking electrical outlets where you want cams

 

[ClarkstonMark]

But... you are limited to only certain kinds of pots and pans?

yes, that is my understanding

 

[sluggo72]

Whatever the lighting plane is, especially for can lights, I would add more. If it calls for 6, put in 8. Put one in where you think you will put a full length mirror. Put and extra one in where your wife will put on her makeup etc. The fixture costs a couple of bucks, but the labor is basically the same in the build stage. Although it can be done, it is a pia to do it after the drywall and paint etc.

 

[JoeLion]

SIAP: electrical outlets under the over hang with indoor switch for Christmas lights or other outdoor lighting purposes requiring electricity.

 

[Peetz Pool Boy]

Whatever the lighting plane is, especially for can lights, I would add more. If it calls for 6, put in 8. Put one in where you think you will put a full length mirror. Put and extra one in where your wife will put on her makeup etc. The fixture costs a couple of bucks, but the labor is basically the same in the build stage. Although it can be done, it is a pia to do it after the drywall and paint etc.

Too many and you end up with "ceiling acne"

 

[sluggo72]

Too many and you end up with "ceiling acne"

it would beat my wife complaining about not enough light!!

 

[psuro]

Safe room.

 

[FloridaLion02]

If you're going to do the basement make sure you include proper plumbing to allow for the possibility of a bathroom and shower in the basement. You may not want to add one, but the future owner might and it's a good way to add square footage and additional living spaces to your property in addition to your regular floorplan which will increase the value if everything is done up to code and approved by the county/borough. Also if you could make your basement a walk out basement if the land on the property allows it or at least make sure the proper windows/exits are in place that would pass the fire code to allow for those additional living spaces to someday actually count. Crown molding is always a nice touch, as is anything that requires additional detail/craftsmanship. I would also give each bedroom their own bathroom and put the laundry room upstairs for convenience, but that's just me.

 

[old&tired76]

Sorry - late to the game. I'm an architect and did my own house 20 years ago. Here are some of the things that i would either do or do differently:
Double oven, switched exterior outlets for Christmas lights, switched exhaust fan for the garage, install plumbing rough-in for a water softener, construct exterior walls with 2 x 6 studs to accommodate R-19 insulation and install R-30 insulation in the roof, spend extra for high efficiency heating / cooling system, think about design for future years, including wider doors and hallways plus add wood blocking in bathroom walls by toilet for grab bars, don't jump over dollars to save dimes (i.e. if you can afford it now and want it - do it! It only gets more expensive later).

 

[Nittany.Lion]

Sorry - late to the game. I'm an architect and did my own house 20 years ago. Here are some of the things that i would either do or do differently:
Double oven, switched exterior outlets for Christmas lights, switched exhaust fan for the garage, install plumbing rough-in for a water softener, construct exterior walls with 2 x 6 studs to accommodate R-19 insulation and install R-30 insulation in the roof, spend extra for high efficiency heating / cooling system, think about design for future years, including wider doors and hallways plus add wood blocking in bathroom walls by toilet for grab bars, don't jump over dollars to save dimes (i.e. if you can afford it now and want it - do it! It only gets more expensive later).

Handicap friendly design is a great idea!

R38 (or more) in the attic is the recommended minimum in about 2/3's of the US

 

[ClarkstonMark]

Wireless security camera choices are limited and who wants to worry about replacing batteries in cameras that may be very hard to reach?

Just to be clear, I am saying you don't need ethernet cables, not that you don't need electrical wires/outlets.

 

[old&tired76]

Wireless security camera choices are limited and who wants to worry about replacing batteries in cameras that may be very hard to reach?


Handicap friendly design is a great idea!

R38 (or more) in the attic is the recommended minimum in about 2/3's of the US

You are correct sir - 12 inch batts.

 

[psuro]

Grotto.

If it works for Hef why not Dan?

 

[91Joe95]

In the kitchen, instead of the common split sink where one side is for washing and one for rinsing, consider one large one. No one washes many dishes by hand anymore, and you can put your biggest pots and pans in it easily. My sister put a moveable faucet over the stove to add water to pots and pans.

On the outside of the house, consider walkways or wrap around porch to get from front to back.

 

[psuro]

Maid, butler, chauffer, gardner and handyman.

 

[Nittany.Lion]

Just to be clear, I am saying you don't need ethernet cables, not that you don't need electrical wires/outlets.

got it.... you need ethernet but not power at camera locations

 

[Hugh Manatee]

they are all wireless now, now need for cables, unless you are talking electrical outlets where you want cams

Then you have to account for power, unless you want to maintain batteries.

 

[Cowbell Man]

We are looking at a wooded lot, and as the saying goes... when you are a man, the world is your urinal!

You need woods for that?