I added floor heat in bathroom, 5000W outdoor deck heater, generator inlet, 2 50A electric car chargers, garage subpanel, christmas lights outlet, cat6 ethernet in every room, ethernet stubs in ceiling for wifi repeaters, and outdoor cameras, coax to garage ceiling for TV antenna. I myself did most of the low voltage wiring before dry wall went up and installed internet fiber, structured media closet with dedicated outlet, ethernet patch panel, punched down all cat6 cables and crimped coax ends. I also installed ceiling surround sound speakers.
Floor heating in the bathroom, what a dream! I would have loved that and the outdoor heater so much. There are so many great ideas here to consider, I love it
@@nicolenieves I did a later change order and changed the deck to a screened in deck and had the electrician also add a switched outlet for outdoor string decorative lights. After closing I added an additional outlet to our storm bunker, which i wish I would of thought of having the electrican do it, because it cost me around $100 in materials and for a used hammer drill just to add one single outlet in an all concrete room. Needless to say I won the award for most expensive electrical upgrades ever in my housing development. The generator tie in saved our basement from flooding when a tornado destroyed the transmission lines near my house.
@@thedude5040 absolutely love the idea of a screened in deck, we thought we'd just do it later (who knows when we'll get around to that...) but having that would be so nice. We're having such a hard time with a generator right now! Generac doesn't think the pre-wire/pre-built pieces are actually done in a way that will provide enough fuel to the generator to get it to work so that's leading to some back and forth with the builder. I just hope it gets resolved before a big storm or something that will inevitably lead to a power outage!
@@nicolenieves so thats an interesting topic. I don't care for generac, but there really could be problems for you and people going forward as more and more houses are built without natural gas and potentially smaller pipes with reduced flow rates. In my development it was originally planned to be all electric. Not by any city ordinance, but just market trends. Enough people in my building phase asked to have natural gas installed before the streets were built so the developer installed natural gas to our block and raised prices on the lots, but we knowingly agreed to the added cost. This is a more rural area and the cost for a single owner to have natural gas piped in is in the $10,000s. We also have $400-700 water bills in the summer to have water pipped in from a far away water reservoir that should last through the year 2100. The arkansas river from colorado is dead and hasnt had any water in it for 20 years. Anyways, we might be the last new houses in the city to get natural gas. In kansas its not advised to rely on natural gas backup because in a tornado often natural gas is immidiatly shut off to the affected area. A way to keep costs down on backup generation without going for large expensive whole home backup is to spend money for a natural gas stove and gas hook up, energy efficient air conditioner, natural gas furnace, and a 30A portable generator inlet. In the summer you will need about 6,000 running watts to power your home, as long as you do not run the AC and electric clothes dryer at the same time. (assumes modern insulated ranch style home with basement under 2800sq ft. WILL NOT WORK IF THERE ARE ANY UPPER LEVELS). 6000 watts in the winter should be able to run the whole house including gas furnace and electric dryer at the same time. This idea assumes you will already have some gasoline in your garage for yard tools/cars to use when the power goes out and you need a few gallons to put in the generator. The draw back is gasoline generators are LOUD unless you get a newer 240V inverter style generator. Another topic, for any new home owner moving out of apartments just buy battery yard tools they work great!
@@nicolenieves not sure what part of the country you are located but alot of mistakes I see in new construction houses here is that the basement sump pumps really need a water sourced backup sump pump. This will keep water out if there is a power outtage as well as aid during flash floods when the main pump becomes overwhelmed. Alot of my neighbors houses are now 1-2 years old are now having weird concrete settlement problems caused from insufficient pumping causing water to stagnate near the foundation and combined with poor water drainage. Pumped basement ground water is supposed to be piped several hundred feet to the closest retention pond or directly into the city storm water drainage system. The City's website even encourages it, which is why every new housing development has retention ponds. To be clear pumped water MUST NOT drain into the sewer system or any basment floor drain. Most sump pumps just have a few feet of PVC sticking out the side of the house. I spent an entire week digging out a trench in my backyard after closing and around $1,700 for a plumber to install the backup pump, with proper check valves, air intake, and my 100ft long of PVC pipe, bends, cement, and animal screens. I wasnt aware there were water powered backup sump pumps until talking with a plumber after the tornado. The cost for just the backup pump was $1400. Which was used several weeks later when we had flash floods. We were just lucky that the tornado happened in a relatively dry thunder storm.
Good video. One thing you missed was the garage. The builders put in the most minimal amount of outlets. You are going to have an electric car someday so plan on prewiring at least one or two 240v outlets. And get more outlets than the minimal. And like you said prewire, prewire, prewire! And you be better insist on walking the house to make sure all the outlets and switches are in the right spot. I just did my electrical walkthrough with the builder and electrician yesterday. It took 4 hours but it was well worth it, rather do it now and get it right over ripping out drywall in the future. You should also have a house walkthrough with every trade.
Also good points about not placing lights right over vanity, rather to side of mirrors. We will have can lights, 3 pendants over the kitchen island, under counter lights (5), and a chandelier prewire. Good idea about separating switches by can light, chandelier, pendants, and also you are right about dimming switches. I need to think about where to place sconces. Which when I write that word, the word “scone” magically appears in my mind instead!
Excellent video. Yesterday we defined locations of telephone, internet and TV/media outlets with Synergy Tampa. We had to really picture ourselves inside a space that is not built yet to envision where the furniture and TVs would go. This morning I am going to contact them and ask them to add a phone jack in the kitchen.
Great tips. In our preconstruction meeting, they asked about electrical but very briefly. I hope with the design appointment they’ll discuss electrical again
That's so strange! Where I've seen from several different builders is that there is typically a separate electrical piece either with a different company, or at least differentiated from the design portion.
Consider motion sensor switches for closets, pantry, laundry room. Any space you may access frequently with your hands full is a good candidate for a motion sensor switch. I wish I had added motion sensors to bathroom fans for those inconsiderate folks who don’t remember to turn the fan on. They also have timers that automatically switch them off.
@@nicolenieves Agreed. I think it will be worth it. I first saw 10 foot ceilings about 6 months ago while looking at some new construction homes. I kept dreaming about it for days :). Such a huge wow factor. Thank you Nicole.
2:12 - ZERO need for those huge lights. Just place a 2X4 foot horizontal window on each side of garage door at 8 foot level. that will let in plenty of light all day long for free (with privacy).
I agree! For some people it's an absolute non-negotiable but for me, I'm looking forward to installing a great light fixture instead. Portable fans provide excellent cooling and circulation, and can be put away out of sight when not in use!
Just had my appointment today and I was unable to select my electrical choices… with the pandemic, I haven’t been able to have a lot of choices at all ☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️
I feel your pain, it's been so tough! The supply chain issues have led to so many delays, when we were in our design center visit over a year ago now they were already offering far less options than they would have originally. Here's hoping you're able to get everything you're looking for, I wish you luck!
Super helpful video - BUT, why does everyone with something to say related to homes use the mouse clicking sound for every picture. How does it even make sense to use? And why does it always have to be twice as loud as the rest of the content? I think the info is great to have, but not even a few minutes into the video I cry from my ears and have to turn it off. I can't be the only one.
I added floor heat in bathroom, 5000W outdoor deck heater, generator inlet, 2 50A electric car chargers, garage subpanel, christmas lights outlet, cat6 ethernet in every room, ethernet stubs in ceiling for wifi repeaters, and outdoor cameras, coax to garage ceiling for TV antenna. I myself did most of the low voltage wiring before dry wall went up and installed internet fiber, structured media closet with dedicated outlet, ethernet patch panel, punched down all cat6 cables and crimped coax ends. I also installed ceiling surround sound speakers.
Floor heating in the bathroom, what a dream! I would have loved that and the outdoor heater so much. There are so many great ideas here to consider, I love it
@@nicolenieves I did a later change order and changed the deck to a screened in deck and had the electrician also add a switched outlet for outdoor string decorative lights. After closing I added an additional outlet to our storm bunker, which i wish I would of thought of having the electrican do it, because it cost me around $100 in materials and for a used hammer drill just to add one single outlet in an all concrete room. Needless to say I won the award for most expensive electrical upgrades ever in my housing development. The generator tie in saved our basement from flooding when a tornado destroyed the transmission lines near my house.
@@thedude5040 absolutely love the idea of a screened in deck, we thought we'd just do it later (who knows when we'll get around to that...) but having that would be so nice.
We're having such a hard time with a generator right now! Generac doesn't think the pre-wire/pre-built pieces are actually done in a way that will provide enough fuel to the generator to get it to work so that's leading to some back and forth with the builder. I just hope it gets resolved before a big storm or something that will inevitably lead to a power outage!
@@nicolenieves so thats an interesting topic. I don't care for generac, but there really could be problems for you and people going forward as more and more houses are built without natural gas and potentially smaller pipes with reduced flow rates. In my development it was originally planned to be all electric. Not by any city ordinance, but just market trends. Enough people in my building phase asked to have natural gas installed before the streets were built so the developer installed natural gas to our block and raised prices on the lots, but we knowingly agreed to the added cost. This is a more rural area and the cost for a single owner to have natural gas piped in is in the $10,000s. We also have $400-700 water bills in the summer to have water pipped in from a far away water reservoir that should last through the year 2100. The arkansas river from colorado is dead and hasnt had any water in it for 20 years. Anyways, we might be the last new houses in the city to get natural gas. In kansas its not advised to rely on natural gas backup because in a tornado often natural gas is immidiatly shut off to the affected area.
A way to keep costs down on backup generation without going for large expensive whole home backup is to spend money for a natural gas stove and gas hook up, energy efficient air conditioner, natural gas furnace, and a 30A portable generator inlet. In the summer you will need about 6,000 running watts to power your home, as long as you do not run the AC and electric clothes dryer at the same time. (assumes modern insulated ranch style home with basement under 2800sq ft. WILL NOT WORK IF THERE ARE ANY UPPER LEVELS). 6000 watts in the winter should be able to run the whole house including gas furnace and electric dryer at the same time. This idea assumes you will already have some gasoline in your garage for yard tools/cars to use when the power goes out and you need a few gallons to put in the generator. The draw back is gasoline generators are LOUD unless you get a newer 240V inverter style generator.
Another topic, for any new home owner moving out of apartments just buy battery yard tools they work great!
@@nicolenieves not sure what part of the country you are located but alot of mistakes I see in new construction houses here is that the basement sump pumps really need a water sourced backup sump pump. This will keep water out if there is a power outtage as well as aid during flash floods when the main pump becomes overwhelmed. Alot of my neighbors houses are now 1-2 years old are now having weird concrete settlement problems caused from insufficient pumping causing water to stagnate near the foundation and combined with poor water drainage. Pumped basement ground water is supposed to be piped several hundred feet to the closest retention pond or directly into the city storm water drainage system. The City's website even encourages it, which is why every new housing development has retention ponds. To be clear pumped water MUST NOT drain into the sewer system or any basment floor drain. Most sump pumps just have a few feet of PVC sticking out the side of the house. I spent an entire week digging out a trench in my backyard after closing and around $1,700 for a plumber to install the backup pump, with proper check valves, air intake, and my 100ft long of PVC pipe, bends, cement, and animal screens. I wasnt aware there were water powered backup sump pumps until talking with a plumber after the tornado. The cost for just the backup pump was $1400. Which was used several weeks later when we had flash floods. We were just lucky that the tornado happened in a relatively dry thunder storm.
Good video. One thing you missed was the garage. The builders put in the most minimal amount of outlets. You are going to have an electric car someday so plan on prewiring at least one or two 240v outlets. And get more outlets than the minimal. And like you said prewire, prewire, prewire! And you be better insist on walking the house to make sure all the outlets and switches are in the right spot. I just did my electrical walkthrough with the builder and electrician yesterday. It took 4 hours but it was well worth it, rather do it now and get it right over ripping out drywall in the future. You should also have a house walkthrough with every trade.
I have my appointment tomorrow and this is is what I was looking for! Thank you❤
I hope it went well! Any fun updates?
Good points about specifying outlets next to toilets, as my husband has Toto washlets in mind, same as in our current condo.
I'm so sad I didn't think of it until we had already locked everything in. I definitely want to get something like that seat eventually.
Lots of stuff I didn’t think of ! Great video
This is super helpful! Thank you for the tips :)
You're so welcome!
Also good points about not placing lights right over vanity, rather to side of mirrors. We will have can lights, 3 pendants over the kitchen island, under counter lights (5), and a chandelier prewire. Good idea about separating switches by can light, chandelier, pendants, and also you are right about dimming switches. I need to think about where to place sconces. Which when I write that word, the word “scone” magically appears in my mind instead!
Who doesn't love a good scone! 😆
Checked in prior to my low voltage walkthrough this morning! Great stuff. Thanks!
I'm happy to hear it helped!
Excellent video. Yesterday we defined locations of telephone, internet and TV/media outlets with Synergy Tampa. We had to really picture ourselves inside a space that is not built yet to envision where the furniture and TVs would go. This morning I am going to contact them and ask them to add a phone jack in the kitchen.
It can definitely be so hard to picture, I understand! Having that open communication with your builder and their team will be so helpful.
Great tips. In our preconstruction meeting, they asked about electrical but very briefly. I hope with the design appointment they’ll discuss electrical again
That's so strange! Where I've seen from several different builders is that there is typically a separate electrical piece either with a different company, or at least differentiated from the design portion.
Consider motion sensor switches for closets, pantry, laundry room. Any space you may access frequently with your hands full is a good candidate for a motion sensor switch. I wish I had added motion sensors to bathroom fans for those inconsiderate folks who don’t remember to turn the fan on. They also have timers that automatically switch them off.
We are getting set to conduct a custom build, looking for tips - your (this) video was very helpful from an home owner's hindsight view. THANK YOU!!!
You're so welcome! I'm happy to hear it was helpful
I would also consider led lighting in some joinery like the kitchen to create a nice light
Good tips. I have my meeting tomorrow and i will make sure tonuse them!
Thank you, best of luck today!
Thanks for your videos! Very interesting!
You're very welcome!
Hello Nicole, I am curious - how affordable was the 10 foot ceiling on the main level?
The 10 foot ceilings were just over $6000 for this model. For me the additional height was absolutely worth every penny!
@@nicolenieves Agreed. I think it will be worth it. I first saw 10 foot ceilings about 6 months ago while looking at some new construction homes. I kept dreaming about it for days :). Such a huge wow factor. Thank you Nicole.
Good day! What state did you building in?
2:12 - ZERO need for those huge lights. Just place a 2X4 foot horizontal window on each side of garage door at 8 foot level. that will let in plenty of light all day long for free (with privacy).
This is the first garage we've had with windows and that natural light is so key! I love having the windows there. Excellent tip
ceiling fans are useless for me, I can barely feet it, I would say get a high power floor fan from home depot or lows.
I agree! For some people it's an absolute non-negotiable but for me, I'm looking forward to installing a great light fixture instead. Portable fans provide excellent cooling and circulation, and can be put away out of sight when not in use!
Just had my appointment today and I was unable to select my electrical choices… with the pandemic, I haven’t been able to have a lot of choices at all ☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️
I feel your pain, it's been so tough! The supply chain issues have led to so many delays, when we were in our design center visit over a year ago now they were already offering far less options than they would have originally.
Here's hoping you're able to get everything you're looking for, I wish you luck!
@@nicolenieves I’m so glad I was came across your video!!! I reached out afterwards and was able to make some changes!!! Thanks sooo much!!!!
That's so great!! That must be such a huge relief. I hope everything is starting to come together and that you'll be in your new home soon 😊
Super helpful video - BUT, why does everyone with something to say related to homes use the mouse clicking sound for every picture. How does it even make sense to use? And why does it always have to be twice as loud as the rest of the content? I think the info is great to have, but not even a few minutes into the video I cry from my ears and have to turn it off. I can't be the only one.
I need help with this who can I ask
I guess with dr Horton we don’t have a electrical walk through, the house comes as it comes
Hello we are also preparing for our electrical visit I anticipate this costing me about $6000
Best of luck with your appointment and your home!