OPTIONS AND UPGRADES

One of the most exciting things about this home is the ability to customize our floor plan, countertops, flooring, facuets, and any other imaginable feature. It's also one of the most exhausting things about this home.

This page lists some of the options and upgrades we've decided on or are considering. The "recommended reading" page includes some books we thought were useful, and the "resources" page lists some of the many Web sites we visited in our research.


Table of Options and Upgrades
Scroll down or use the links below

How did I make this?
  BASEMENT
Item What Decision Ready Details Notes
Basement stairs upgrade Carpet stairs YES
Basement steps will be carpeted. Color, style?
Door Slider/door in basement YES Ready for install 3' man door with top half glass
Slop sink Hot/cold slop sink YES Ready for install Sink located in basement or garage? Click for more about this
Windows Windows in basement YES Ready for install Two normal-size windows in rear of basement


  BATHS
Item What Decision Ready Details Notes
Countertops and sinks Color/style of countertops and sinks for bath DECIDING


Shower in master bath Tile, walk-in, other options DECIDING

Bill likes the tiled, walk-in showers with no doors. No idea of cost; may be prohibitive.
Tile Color/style of bath tile DECIDING


Tub in master bath Larger tub, better jacuzzi DECIDING

Need to visit a Home Expo or showrooms to get ideas




  BEDROOMS
Item What Decision Ready Details Notes
Carpet Color/style carpet for bedrooms DECIDING


Fireplace in MB Masonry fireplace in master bedroom DECIDING


Wall color in MB Paint and trim color DECIDING

Walls: C2 7307 Tempura from Babel's
White trim
Saw this "taupe" color in the Design-Home 2002 and loved it.


  FAMILY ROOM
Item What Decision Ready Details Notes
Carpet Color/style carpet for family room DECIDING


Enlarge family room Increase family room size YES Ready for install 21' by 23'
Fireplace moved Fireplace moved to side wall YES Ready for install Fireplace will be located on the side of house (between garage bays). Since we enlarged the family room, it made sense to relocate the fireplace and make it a focal point. Also allows a window seat in the back of the room, overlooking the backyard, instead of a regular window on the side of the house.
Fireplace style Need to choose a look/style DECIDING


Bill likes stone (especially fieldstone). That makes for a pretty casual room (doesn't go with my ceiling moulding idea at all!). We're trying to find that balance -- I think stone will work fine but want to be careful how far we take the "lodge" look.
Home theater Home theater set up in family room YES, but ...
Need to research options and discuss with electrician
Paint Wall color in family room DECIDING

Shelves Built-in shelves along wall in family room DECIDING


Window seat Window seat in rear of family room YES YES Oak top; 3 windows; similar to Lot 2 model Can this be fitted with a hidden-hinge lid so we can store items underneath?
Windows Triple window in family room YES, but ...

We know we want a bigger window there. Need to look at Andover Country Club which has a triple window with the style the Littles Hill architect is recommending.


  GARAGE
Item What Decision Ready Details Notes
Canoe rack Canoe rack DECIDING

Need someplace to store canoe. Ceiling may not be high enough for pulley system we use now.
Door Add a "man door" to side YES Ready for install



  KITCHEN
Item What Decision Ready Details Notes
Countertops & sink Color/style of kitchen countertops DECIDING

Solid surface sink
Undercounter sink
Sliders to deck Upgrade to Anderson sliders YES Ready for install

Tile Style/color tile for kitchen DECIDING
Casa Italia Le Ardesie Verde. Mixed sizes. Found GREAT tile at Home Expo on 5/23.


  OUTSIDE
Item What Decision Ready Details Notes
Deck Enlarge deck YES Ready for install Two-level deck, approx. 14 x 16 and 12 x 16.
Deck stairs Put a turn or landing in deck stairs NO
Deck should be low enough that this is not necessary
Sprinklers Inground sprinker system DECIDING

No idea of cost
Storm door Glass storm door for front door DECIDING




  STAIRS
Item What Decision Ready Details Notes
Runner Carpet runner with rods for stairway YES, but ...
Wait until after we move in? Color/style?


  STUDY
Item What Decision Ready Details Notes
Carpet Color/style carpet for study DECIDING


Paneling and built-ins Built-in shelves and wood paneling DECIDING

No idea of cost


  WHOLE HOUSE
Item What Decision Ready Details Notes
Carpet pad Use carpet pad that does not emit VOCs YES, but ...

I need to research this.
Ceilings Additional molding on some ceilings. Can ceilings be higher? DECIDING


Central Vac Upgrade to central vac DECIDING
Expensive; is it worth it? May put in wiring but not actually buy system yet
Electrical options Various electrical options (TV, computer, phone) DECIDING

Cable TV/cable modem hookups in study, master bedroom and family room
Two phone lines in study
Extra outlets?
Hardwood Upgrade to Bruce prefinished YES, but ...
Need to choose species, style and color Click for more about this
Pass-through in wall Between family room and kitchen YES
Six-foot half-wall with oak top between family room and breakfast area Saw this in Lot 2 and liked it.
Siding color Exterior home color DECIDING
I like shades of blue, gray or green with white trim See a picture of a house with a color I really like
Walkup to attic Add stairs to attic space NO
Builder does not recommend this option for this house plan


For New Home Buyers!

Are you finding your way through the sometimes exhilarating, sometimes exhausting process of buying a new construction home? Feeling overwhelmed by all the decisions you have to make?

Join "New Construct" -- the e-mail list created especially for new and custom home buyers. We're all at different stages in the process, and we're all happy to talk about finding a buildable lot, choosing a house plan, Corian vs. granite, prefinished vs. traditional hardwood, and all the other millions of details that go into buying and building a new home! Builders and do-it-yourselfers are welcome too, but this list is focused on those going through the process for the first time -- the folks like me who wouldn't have known an "inch and a quarter overlay" cabinet door if it landed on them!

Join below or find out more!

  

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