Building a new home? Listen up, because these 3 upgrades are ones you do NOT want to skip. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.
1. Moen Flo
Ever had that nagging thought while you’re on vacation: What if a pipe burst while I’m gone? With Moen Flo, you don’t have to worry. This little genius monitors the water entering your house, and if it detects water usage when no one’s home, it automatically shuts it off. You can also monitor the water usage if you nerd out on that sort of thing.
Shop it here: https://geni.us/moenflo
2. Drain Pans
Even with a water monitor, accidents can happen. That’s why you need drain pans under your dishwasher, fridge, washing machine, and ice maker—basically, anywhere that’s prone to leaks. You have two options:
A trench drain pan that connects to an in-ground drain line (fancy and effective).
A standard drain pan that redirects water to the front of the appliance (simple but does the job). Either way, you’re preventing a major headache down the line.
My favorites are from Killarney Metals
3. Smart Devices
I’m all for smart home tech, but if I had to pick just two game-changers, they’d be:
Smart Thermostat – Because I’ll be damned if I come home from a trip to a house that feels like it's sweltering at 68 degrees! Here’s my favorite: https://geni.us/EcobeeThermostat
Automatic Shades – Once you have them, there’s no going back. I started with Smartwings (a solid budget option, though still pricey), but when I hit it big, I’m upgrading to Lutron shades—because they’re just that nice.
Make The Upgrade!
These aren’t just “nice to have” features; they’re the kind of upgrades that make daily life easier, protect your home, and save you from costly disasters. If you’re building or renovating, put these at the top of your list!
