Building new house - what are your must haves?

27col

In my estimation, it is not possible to have too many sockets. I put 19 in my lounge and they are still at least 2meters apart. At least 6 in each double bedroom as well. Some are behind furniture, but as there are so many, that is not a problem

shirlgirl2004

shell820810 wrote: »

Out of interest, why are these any better than a shower? Isnt it just a shower without the show tray and door?
Dont know much about them.

They aren't better. I have a wet room and a standard shower. I much prefer the standard in winter because the steam is trapped and you feel warmer. Wet rooms do look nicer though as there are less crevices to clean.

Raksha

I'd have the power sockets at 'dado rail' height - no more bending down to plug things in (or unplug them).

Not sure about the BEAM system - when my Dyson blocks up (as it does regularly - used to be bits of lego, now more likely to be bits of chewed tennis ball from the dog) it's easy to dismantle, the prospect of having to dismantle an integrated system would put me off.

googler

Don't underestimate your electrical requirements, and over-specify both the rating of the main fuse from the power supplier, and the supply cable.

There's one 9.5kW shower in the en-suite, and a tap mixer shower in the family bathroom. OH wants another electric shower in the bathroom - the house builder installed a cold mains feed to the room, put a light switch and a second switch plate outside, obviously anticipating the remote switch for another electric shower to be fitted there, but didn't go through with it, apparently because two electric showers running together would blow our main fuse.

Contributors to other forums tell me that the power supply company are unlikely to uprate the main fuse without uprating the cable that supplies the house.

OH can't understand why it was built this way.....

googler

Anticipate where the wall-mounted TV, speakers etc are going to go, and pre-install the trunking for the cables

Possibly also over-specify the woodwork or blockwork at those points to take the weight.

romeospadre

Nilrem wrote: »

Plenty of sockets...sounds obvious but it's something that drives me nuts, never enough sockets in the right place (I'd also be tempted to try and get the living room onto a separate circuit, and the same for the kitchen sockets, not just the cooker, so both the sockets + cooker in the kitchen are on their own rings*)

Re the network wiring, remember to run pairs of wires (although not quite so important if it's in conduit so can be replaced easier).


*that way the fridge/freezer can be left on even if you have to turn the power off to the rest of the downstairs etc.

Why run the network wiring in pairs?

hebridean

From a male perspective.

A Big Shed

screwedagain

romeospadre wrote: »

Why run the network wiring in pairs?

So if one fails you have a backup. The cat5e/cat6 cable is quite versatile as well, it can be used for phone, internet, TV, CCTV, even some multi-room sound systems etc., you name it.

The cable is so cheap, and you can terminate two outlets in the same size backbox/faceplate as you would use for a single one so it makes sense if you have the opportunity to throw the cables in.

gabyjane

Ooh id'e love to build my own house but am so indecisive we would never get anything put in it!!

Things i have, like and would want:

Our hall..id'e like it bigger! but it is great for dropping wet things and muddy shoes and keeping stuff downstairs.

We have a 3 yr old house and have to say there are lots of power points and actually in quite good places. But lots of power points are a must.

Aerials points..we have one in each room and tbh they are in odd places but from seeing friends houses (the same as ours) some have been moved so poss not a prob for future ref..we have had our tv housed on the wall now with the socket behind which hides it all but that is something to think about.

Downstairs loo we have is a godsend..being a childminder there is always a need for it but i too love not having to climb more stairs as we have a town house!

Good heating, we have loads of radiators but i would like the modern upright ones..our house is deff always lovely and warm though which i need as always cold!

Dh would love his own library!

A games room!

Indoor pool!

Things i would add:

Hot tub
huge walk in shower with rain head and a bath in one room
Ensuite in each room
Tv in bathroom
Poss underfloor heating
utility room
Good storage
A big garden so i could have a ride on lawnmower..such fun i'm sure!

Sure there is more i may come back! saying that i love our house and less to clean as smaller so fine for us!

Good luck with the project x

screwedagain

If I was building my own place I'd have it designed so that no room was without natural daylight. It's the only problem with bog standard 2 up 2 down terraces and semis - the gloomy entrance hallways, stairs and landing.

You can never have too much daylight, so long as all the glass is within reach to keep clean!