Don,

Here are some stream of conscious thoughts on home building in no special order.  They may help you or someone spare a headache.  Generally we would change < 1% and thoroughly loved our experience.

Russel the home owner acted as his own GC. and HVAC contractor. His back ground is land development and this was his first experience building anything other than  neighborhoods. He has been in his house 8 months now. This type of feed back is first in my career. What have you all experienced?

Insulate interior walls with foam or cellulose for sound deadening

Don’t nail boxes in baseboard for rooms with wainscoting or paneling – Trim guy should set final location

Install Christmas light switch turn centrally turn on/off candles

 

limit windows opened during construction.  Workers will DAMAGE / BREAK

Protect door thresholds and limit access

Security panel should NOT be under the main stair

Wire for generator on panel (welding 220 outlet)

LED outdoor lighting

Iris Reading lights over master bed

4way switch MBR ½ hot outlets

3way secondary bedroom ½ hot outlets at bed and doors (turn lamps off from bed)

Locate lights on plan AND field mark ahead of contractor

Wire CAT 6 all bedrooms, TV’s etc.  Minimum 4 in Office

Cut Floor outlets after furniture is in place.

Block baseboard outlets 1 2×4 up from sub floor.

Hide subwoofer in wall media room

Fantech bath fans

Plan for art lighting (ceiling pinhole lights best)

 

Plan upstairs areas for noise below ie exercise should NOT be over master bedroom.

Review coffer layout for room on plans to understand door symmetry.

Locate a safe in the house

Set house elevation for drainage.

Ensure no water at front drive / walkway

 

Frame pockets for vents and outlets to center

Know trim width to set switches (minimum 3 studs blocking)

Block for towel, toilet paper, curtains etc

Extend closets to eaves (if you have clipped ceilings)

 

Set pocket doors (probably 1”)  “high” to match adjacent doors trim heights. Set from HW floor NOT Sub floor.

Plumb for gas starters all fires

 

Dig irrigation well

Take more digital pics than you think you need.  Deliberately photograph plumbing, electrical, insulation etc.

 

MBA – bench should have ankle recess for comfort

Decide opening side of shower to relate to Steam / light on off.

Make 2×6 wall for major plumbing side

Remove low flow plugs from rain head

Don’t slope ceiling in steam shower

HVAC

Use wall returns sparingly and decorative woodgrills

Have ERV on HVAC system

Seriously consider geothermal HVAC