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The Ultimate Home Building Checklist (Update 10)

Product or Video links added: 

  • Plumbing: Built-in wall water fountain / bottle filler (P)
  • Electrical Outlets →Christmas: Wall switch timer for Christmas lights outlets (P)
  • Exterior Walls: Exterior wall type: Cinder Block / Wood Framing / Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) (V)
  • Foundation→Considerations: Slab: Expansion or control joints cut in the slab (V)
  • Foundation→Crawlspace: Concrete crawlspace floors. Enables access inside crawlspace via mechanic’s creeper. (Significant price increase) (V)
  • Foundation→Crawlspace: Encapsulation (highly recommended) (V)
  • Framing→Ceiling: Shade pockets in the ceiling or behind the trim (V)
  • Framing→Framing Considerations: Window and/or door headers are the same height. The top of windows and/or doors should make a straight line across (V)
  • Framing→Misc.Framing: Built-in package drop box (P)(V)
  • Framing→Misc Framing: Dumbwaiter (V)
  • Framing→Misc. Framing: Garage: At least 24’ depth for vehicle (V)
  • Kitchen→Sink: Filtered water (P) (countertop (P) ) (Faucet (P) )
  • Lighting Switches: Bedroom light switch within reach (while in bed) (V)
  • Lighting Switches: Outdoor flood light switch in primary bedroom (V)
  • Plumbing→Misc. Plumbing: Built-in wall water fountain / bottle filler (P)
  • Roofing: Radiant barrier OSB for roof sheathing (P)(V)
  • Roofing: Roof pitch (steep): ___/12 (V)

Line items added added:

  • Attic: Attic Lift (P)
  • Bathrooms→Mirrors: Medicine Cabinet: Surface mount / Recessed
  • Bathrooms→Shower: Shower Dryer (P) (V)
  • Bathrooms→Tubs: Ceiling mounted tub filler (V)
  • Doors and Windows→Considerations: Canned spray foam can be applied to gaps around the frame of interior doors to reduce noise transfer (I)
  • Doors and Windows→Windows: Casement window with built-in shade and retractable screen (V) (P)
  • Electrical Outlets→Bedroom: High outlet in corner of the room to be used as a baby monitor (V)
  • Electrical Outlets→Other: Dormer outlet near the window
  • Electrical Outlets→Other: Outlet in laundry for ironing or steamer (consider dedicated circuit, iron pulls lots of power)
  • Electrical Outlets→ Other: Robot vacuum outlet
  • Exterior→Landscaping: Drip irrigation to plant pots on the porch with a built-in drain line
  • Foundation→Misc. Foundation: Pour footers or slab for pre-made storm shelters (P) (slab only requires +2500 psi concrete)
  • Framing: Shower glass blocking (V)
  • Framing→Misc. Framing: Slide-away Safe (Picture frame) (P)
  • Framing→Misc. Framing: Staggered framing for noise dampening and increased insulation (V)
  • Kitchen Cabinets→Cabinets: Appliance Garage (I)
  • Kitchen Cabinets→Cabinets: Bi-fold doors (I)
  • Kitchen Cabinets→Cabinets: Pan storage with built in lid drawer (V)
  • Kitchen→Other: Deck mounted pot filler (P)
  • Kitchen→Sink: Sink mount: Drop-in / Under-mount / Farmhouse / Integrated
  • Laundry: Drying rack: Wall mount (P) / Ceiling mounted (P) / In-Drawer (P)
  • Laundry: Water leak sensors (P)
  • Laundry: Robot vacuum/mop with dedicated drain and water refill line
  • Paint→Considerations: Paint interior of dormer window flat black (2 coats) to hide raw lumber color.
  • Plumbing→Sinks and drains: Bathtub drain position: Left, right, center (especially important for slab foundations)
  • Plumbing->Misc. Plumbing: Automatic water main shut-off leak detector (P)
  • Plumbing->Misc. Plumbing: Exterior wall plumbing is heavily insulated or installed through the floor, avoiding the exterior wall altogether. (I)
  • Plumbing->Misc. Plumbing: Fridge water line is connected to filtered water connection. Water lines may need be run through cabinets
  • Plumbing->Misc. Plumbing: Plumbing for filtered water to fridge, sink, bottle filler
  • Porch: Spray foam porch roof to keep it cool during the summer (V)
  • Plumbing→Water Filtration: Water softener salt chute (I)
  • Utilities→Electricity: Request a white meter box color or have it painted to match the house. (instead of the standard grey) (I)

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