5 Worst Upgrades To Include When Building Your Custom Home

[@jennifer9528]

1. Marble countertops (extremely high maintenance and extremely prone to stains) 2. Ice makers (prone to malfunctioning, resulting in leaks) 3. Crown molding (was trendy; not anymore) 4. Over-priced designer fixtures (can find same quality and similar look for less anywhere) 5. Over-priced/expensive flooring (the quality and durability of manufactured products today mean hardwood is no longer necessarily better)

[@dianethulin1700]

Crown molding is timeless

[@mikevondebag]

@@dianethulin1700 🤮

[@drgirlfriend211]

Timeless… a way people try to make old fashioned sound good😂😂😂

[@dianethulin1700]

@@drgirlfriend211 I take it you’re around ten years old?

[@debbylou5729]

Hardwood is better by far. Vinyl and laminate can tear if you move something heavy across it. Then you get to replace the whole floor

[@angelamurphy9472]

Crown molding has been around for hundreds of years. It will never go out of style. Craftsmanship is sorely lacking in todays average home. You can cut corners in other areas but if you want a custom home, don’t skimp on craftsmanship. Crown molding elevates the room.

[@flowersflowers5070]

Amen... I have crown molding through out my home and when I go to a pretty home that has that lacking it looks like something is missing.. naked... Tried to skimp.

[@flowersflowers5070]

Carpet is outrageous.... 7k for three rooms...

[@daveblackman816]

Yeah crown molding really makes a room stand out. It’s timeless. Looks good in older homes and looks good in new homes. Our builder included it with our home and everyone who visits instantly points it out.

[@chocktalk]

crown molding is old as fuck, living in the past

[@tealkerberus748]

you can have a pretty line of shaped plaster, or you can have an ugly cracked corner where your house moved a fraction of an inch with the seasons and a square plaster join wasn't able to move with it. I'll stick with my crown moulding!

[@2ndtwo1]

Don't follow trends! Crown will always come back and go out of style. The difference of having it or not is the difference in seeing the expansion cracks that will happen between the ceiling and the walls. Base molding hides the gap between the drywall and floor. They both offer protection and longevity over exposed drywall intersections. Knowing the actual reason why a product exists is more important than style and trends.

[@2ndtwo1]

@@albundy3929 There are very few climates that don't have expansion or contraction. Is it the same home for 40 years? Without having any work done? What type of construction was used on the home; stick, concrete, or block? Have you gotten on a ladder to inspect the joint between the wall and ceiling? Are the wall and ceiling even connected by drywall or plaster? Paint can mask a lot of damage before it shows through. You will need to be a little more specific in your statement.

[@2ndtwo1]

@@albundy3929 So your just lying! I get it. Now back to the real world where "social" isn't a place. Where any actual real estate investor would know something about construction or at least finishing practices to create value for their investments. The fact that you don't know the difference between covering an expansion and contraction joint vs hiding it says it all. One is acceptable while allowing the joint to do its job, the other is a hack that causes more issues down the road. I'll let you guess which is which!

[@markbaker5651]

When my parents built their house in 1996, their builder told them that the county requirements had changed so that he couldn't nail down the rafters in a way that would mitigate the expansion and contraction of the ceilings on the second floor. Whether he was telling them the truth or not is debatable. But for the first year, the cracks between the walls and ceilings were horrendous. The problem was solved when my father installed a really nice crown molding. It took a whole lot of work, but they still look fantastic, whether or not they're in style. If someone were to buy the house and take them out simply because they're not in style, they would be in for a rude awakening.

[@dolorescordell129]

Totally agree. Crown molding makes a room (or hallway) look "finished" and classy. BTW: The newest trend that I predict will look dated and annoying in a few years is "open concept", i.e. having your kitchen in the living room. Why would I want to walk into a house and the first think I see are the refrigerator and dirty dishes?

[@lrm52283]

​@@2ndtwo1 i have lived in 6 older homes in tx, tn, and wa...wtf are you taking about, never an issue. Not even when we had movement from foundation problems... cracks ran vertical so crown molding would not have hidden anything I wouldn't have been so rude in my response to you, but you've been a real piece of work interrogating and intimidating the guy from socal so you could feel less stupid. Then calling him a liar, wow! Quit talking out your ass then you wouldn't have to be so defensive.

[@nandalipe2]

I have a flooring business, I love selling and installing LVP for clients if they want it, but in my own house I prefer real hardwood floors. There's no comparison. Also, the no crown molding trend only works if you prefer a more modern style, if you want to build a house that's timeless and not so trendy and do not want the builder's basic look, crown molding is the way to go.

[@sparksmcgee6641]

Seriously traditional doesn't actually have crown most of the time. Only people stuck on it are people growing up when the adults were trying to copy the doctor or mayor's victorian. I was born in 70 and never could understand how that crappy stuff was a status item. Look at B Hills work for true crow build ups. You need a 10-11' ceiling for proportion.

[@sbh4170]

​@@sparksmcgee6641ok okk 8

[@EricAjimine]

I dunno. I had Plank Cherry Wood in one house (It darkened in the sun where direct sun hit it). My current house has LVP and as LONG AS YOU PREP the floor to be flat, LVP is way less of a headache. Every time I dropped a spoon or fork and dinged my cherry hardwood plank, it hurt. With LVP (and my dog) I don't worry at all, even for water leaks. And even though I shouldn't have, my whole house is one fully connected sheet (LVP has very low expansion). Cant do that with hardwood.

[@mitchjohnson4714]

No you don’t. Even an 8’ ceiling is oddly proportioned for most paintings. Throw some wainscoting and CM, and the space is right for most paintings.

[@mitchjohnson4714]

10’ ceilings? Forget about it. I wish my 10’ ceilings had cm and wainscoting.

[@garysarnowski3113]

When designing your home, and if your installing sliding patio doors anywhere, pick 8' wide doors versus 6', gives you a 4' opening so that any appliance or furniture piece can enter easily. Also, for the garage entry doors, use a 36" width steel door into your home as it will be easier to bring in groceries and anything else.

[@lynnhayes2363]

We just remodeled and all the interior doors are 36". Learned the hard way that a walker for a knee replacement doesn't fit thru a lot of narrower doors. Had to live w/out a bathroom door during recovery.

[@cynthiajohnston424]

As a former interior designer , I had plenty of experiences figuring out how to get furniture thru narrow doorways . Also , as someone else mentioned , access for people w/ disabilities such as a walker / wheelchair, etc. can be limited .

[@writerinfact1768]

My sister was a designer; she "consulted" with the builder when the parents had their house built because Dad was in a wheelchair. Even then (early 1990s), there were ADA standards that she insisted on, such as wider halls and doors, and a roll-in shower - no tub. The master bedroom had double doors to ensure he had no problems with it. If designing someone's "forever home", it behooves the designer to work toward aging in place. Even if the client is already retired. We're a relatively long-lived family on both sides; average age? Over 85. @@cynthiajohnston424

[@lesliebrecht]

@@lynnhayes2363 Yes! My husband is a PT and when we build our first and forever home, doors will be at least 36" and zero entry on things like shower and home entrance. He's seen too often how people could not use their homes or use them efficiently for recovery. ...and even when not in recovery, as we age, ease of movement throughout the house is important to us.

[@rinkevichjm]

Patio doors are the worst at insulating

[@Brian-dr2yi]

As far as floors. Nothing beats the look of real wood floor. And you can tell the difference. And after a while you can sand the floor and refinish it. Can't do that with anything else.

[@JuniperLynn789]

I was going to ask because I wasn’t sure, if LVP could be sanded and refinished. Because I love that about hardwoods, that they can be sanded and refinished to suit current style and taste.

[@sparksmcgee6641]

Wood doesn't even come close to a stone floor. Not tile. The 1-2" 18x24 kind of material. Even in top tier not many houses have it but it's just straight up 2 levels above wood like a hand scraped walnut plank.

[@eattherich9215]

A good quality laminate should not be dismissed.

[@pc239]

We live in such a disposable culture. It's truly shameful that a builder would recommend a major product with a life-span of about ten years.

[@writerinfact1768]

In my opinion, yes, laminate should be dismissed as quickly as possible. As permanently as possible. A high-priced laminate is a joke if it sits next to a medium-grade of solid hardwood. There is no comparison involved. You're comparing apples to Brussels sprouts. @@eattherich9215

[@chelin7023]

Crown moldings will never go our of style! The new modern look is only a trend, very pretty, but long term it lacks warm and character and architectural detail, that makes an empty home feel beautiful for ever. All other upgrades, agree. Thank you for a very good topic.

[@ckunstadt]

A 70 year old "trend"? I don't think that's a thing.

[@mayday2312]

Agreed crown molding is luxurious craftsmanship. Never goes out of smile. Like hardwood floors or apple trees.

[@dimplesd8931]

Our house was built in the 90’s without crown molding. Our GC tried to talk us into putting it up when we did our whole home renovation but we didn’t because our house is a modern bungalow. My parents home was a traditional 50’a ranch and it had CM that looked(s) amazing. So I think it’s more about the architecture and interior design than a trend.

[@craig6363]

@@dimplesd8931 I have a 50s ranch and installing crown moulding in the bedrooms and throughout the house transformed the look drastically. We recently installed crown moulding in our long hallway, along with wainscoting, Dutch doors, and some wall sconces and our drab hallway looks like it belongs in a magazine now.

[@scorpnar]

Replaced most of the basic lighting and ceiling fans builders install. Hate vinyl, I can’t believe it’s a thing now. Have replaced carpeted floors with engineered hardwood. Crown molding is a must for a great finished look! Agree on the ice makers and marble not being good choices.

[@aroprime7650]

Thought it was funny that all 5 things are most inconvenient things for contractors to do right and not damage when installing.

[@elizabethstump4077]

If you are doing a library with lots of woodwork, then YES to crown molding. But in a kitchen? Just more nooks and crannies for grease to catch and collect.

[@Jackson-T23]

Our custom has tons of crown molding everywhere (two rooms with box beams, tray-barrel in the media, and cove-tray bedroom) . On top of that we have 3000 sq. ft. of solid brazilian cherry hardwood flooring 😂. To each his own I guess. IMO, the worst upgrades around here (North Texas) are backyard decks and those open roof pergolas. This isn't California......we get two months of nice outside weather, 4 months of unpredictable winter, and 6 months of 100 degrees. Those upgrades would be a waste especially considering how quickly exterior wood ages out here and the maintenance they require.

[@SIMSMANORFARM]

Only thing I disagree with is you monthly breakdown. I’d say 4 months of great weather, 3 months of scorching heat and 5 months of unstable unpredictable weather where you have perfect days followed by abnormal heat or cold.

[@Deelight664]

The different between LVP and wood floors can be spotted a mile away. LVP also feels like plastic under foot. Engineered hardwood is a good compromise.

[@marj012]

I priced out engineered hardwood versus solid hardwood and the price was the same for my project. Just a heads up.

[@dandahl5964]

Until you dog scratches the hell out of it

[@Deelight664]

@@dandahl5964 😂 Yes, for those who have pets.

[@sparksmcgee6641]

You've never seen the good stuff. My carpet/flooring buddy said he walked in to a job and literally had to get on his hands and knees with his eye 3 inches from the surface to tell if it was real or not, around 2015. This guy gets flown all over the country to do flooring installs. $600 a yard carpet in 2010, yep. He said he never made as much money as dropping in vinyl, $2-300 a man hour.

[@Deelight664]

@@sparksmcgee6641 That's interesting, and I haven't experienced the pricier kind. But here's the true test: did he walk on it with bare feet? It feels like plastic.

[@erugila]

How many times can you refinish LVP? How many times can you refinish click engineered wood with a 1.5mm wear layer and a 1.5mm bevel? The answer is none. Oldest wood floor I’ve refinished is 200+ years. If you’re paying 12-20 for wood, you’re over paying as a builder/client.

[@laurieclarkson9180]

What are your favorite types of woods to use?

[@richardmelville5973]

The best investment I made in a custom home was to install 5/8" Type X gypsum board throughout the house. It only cost $2000 over 1/2" drywall for a $500K house in 1990. I don't know if that would still be true, but it surely made for a much quieter and fire resistant house. Given current drought conditions, another must have in a home is recirculating hot water, especially in a large home. Saves thousands of gallons of wasted water each year.

[@sparksmcgee6641]

Way more now because that didn't include the extra charge to build out all the door jambs that are made for 1/2.

[@2ndtwo1]

Unless the recirculation system is also providing heat for the home, financially it makes more sense to use smaller on demand water heaters closer to the location you need the hot water. Having separate water heaters also lowers the cost of operation as they only use fuel or electric when in use rather than constantly running. They also lower the cost of maintenance. Installation is about the same price as you are running electric and gas compared to extra water plumbing.

[@2ndtwo1]

@@sparksmcgee6641 If you know you are using 5/8 instead of 1/2 from the start the cost for jambs is 5-8$ a jamb, it's not expensive at all. It is literally a piece of 1-by or plywood behind the jamb with a 1 1/2 inch bigger rough in opening than the called size. It also stiffens up the door jambs and keeps them from warping over time. The walls will actually be flatter using 5/8 as well so you get a better finished look.

[@anthonymonaco1797]

@@albundy3929 The lines are always pressured up in a normal/non-recirculating system. Normal systems have to deal with surge pressures when you open/close valves and the water quickly changes from flowing to stopped. I would think a recirculating system would reduce pressure cycling and reduce stress concerns.

[@sparksmcgee6641]

@@2ndtwo1 yeah I have 5/8 in my house and it's a true level 5 finish. The work was done good enough that the 5/8 didn't matter. Looking at doing some double 1/2 for sound. 5/8 is going at less than 1/2 a couple months ago. Harder to get 54" 5/8. I will say backing off interior walls so you can slide full sheets for air sealing and the labor savings is a must. One strike to a bid where they don't know why your doing it. Guys that just say "OK, just like commercial" are who you want to hire.

[@carlclappison3058]

You can always find cheap stuff to put in a house, don't kid yourself that nobody can tell the difference. It will look like you ran out of money. Build a smaller house and buy better finishes.

[@edwardcasper5231]

I put crown molding into my existing townhouse's living room and it really dresses up the place. The ceiling in that room is 10 feet high and I used a single 5" piece of molding. I can see where complex structures that use a lot of different material and take a lot of time to piece together can get really pricey really quickly. But if you find a single piece of crown or cove molding that you like and limit its use to where it has impact, it isn't very expensive (especially if you can find it at an outlet store).

[@karenryder6317]

If you are thinking of resale, crown is something that can be added IF the buyer really wants it. Not installing crown is a real money saver.

[@edwardcasper5231]

@@karenryder6317 I really didn't spend much on my crown molding. the overall cost wasn't more than $200.

[@writerinfact1768]

I'm sorry, but I certainly hope that people are not building their custom, or forever, home by considering the resale value. That is just sick. If you're fixing up your late parents' house for sale, fine. Paint over your mom's pink walls, ditch the vertical blinds, do the blah contemporary staging, and move out already. On the other hand, if you plan to actually live in the house until you die there, skip the resale value because you won't be there to mourn over what happens to your house. But you will enjoy every day that you live in the house that is specifically and lovingly created because it's what YOU wanted to see and live with. @@karenryder6317

[@michaellammert8084]

On 9 ft and taller walls crown molding looks fantastic!!!

[@hmurchison8123]

Skip the ridiculous flooring costs and put the extra money towards solid windows. As a lighting lover I think people also get excessive with the in-ceiling cans. The modern trend is to layer the lights and accentuate good architectural elements of your home or art that you've collected. Cranking lights to 100 all over the living space makes everything look one dimensional and bland.

[@joannebutzerin6448]

There is no way I would skimp on my plumbing fixtures--especially on the kitchen sink. I don't need a designer fixture, but not going to get a cheap, Chinese fixture that I will have to replace in 3 months.

[@marjoriegraham9885]

I made the mistake 11 years ago of buying the budget kitchen faucet and have hated it for years!

[@rosemarybanner]

It all depends on the look you’re going for. Crown molding is a classic style. I love it, put it all the way thru the house.

[@dlg5485]

My only disagreement is on fixtures. These are the major touch points in the house so they should be pleasant to interact with, in my opinion. I really appreciate faucets, switches, handles, knobs, etc that are high quality, feel natural to use and are elegantly designed, and I think that's worth a bit more money...within reason.

[@joannebutzerin6448]

Agree. Especially the kitchen faucet. Quality is important there.

[@rsb7608]

​​@@joannebutzerin6448 your idea of quality is cheap junk. You should shut up until you can afford real quality

[@shaunphan9039]

I think what he meant is upgrade it yourself, but not through the builder.

[@dlg5485]

@@shaunphan9039 DIY-ing can definitely save you some money, but not everyone is that handy. I think a lot of people who are building a brand new home just want a turnkey experience. That's what they are paying for. However, it may make sense to purchase upgraded fixtures on your own and hire a local handyman or a friend to install them.

[@shaunphan9039]

@@dlg5485 I think that's what he meant, don't just upgrade through the builder. Shop around afterwards to get better quality at reasonable price and hire someone to do it. It's usually cheaper that route. That what I did with my new house. I didn't like most of the options they have, so we just get the basic stuff and then later upgrade one by one by hiring someone else to do it. It came out better and cheaper.

[@alexbanks7115]

I’m old I like my crown molding lol. Other than that I have no issues with your list. Thanks for the video!

[@katethegardener]

Exactly as I stated it dates a home :(

[@smack6030]

Hardwood floors are in homes 100- 200+ years old for a reason. They are durable, can be sanded, and there are no "hollow" sounds. It is worth the expense unless you a. like to change out your floors every decade b. don't plan to stay in the home very long c. you cover the floors with rugs so you never see or hear the other types of flooring. My last home is over 70 years old and has the original hardwood floors. Our new custom (forever) home has hardwoods as well and I 100% love them (look, feel, and sound). Of course, we were able to source our hardwood floors through a local mill (#1 common, quarter sawn white oak 5" boards 10+ feet long) and it was cheaper than other of the options you mentioned but we would have spent a lot more if we were not able to get it at the mill just to have that time tested material. It one of the items I would highly recommend people splurge on if they plan to stay in their custom home. My parents are still regretting their engineered hardwoods for their (forever) home. Nothing screams cheap (to me) like walking on floors that sound hollow.

[@_DB.COOPER]

Homes are built so cheap yet are so expensive nowadays in my area (New Mexico). You don’t even have to go inside to notice, the landscaping and fencing are junk. They will hold up maybe the first year, long enough to get the house sold and make them somebody else’s problem. It’s really pathetic.

[@mayday2312]

I definitely see how you made a point of how people can save. I believe most people are in love with some of these aspects of a house. And aren't willing to go bare bone or to feel more bare to save money. Point of those things was to get away from a builder-grade feeling on a house LOL 😆

[@pilotrserra]

Crown molding is beautiful…it is true craftsmanship 😊

[@ScottyDMcom]

Years ago I considered an interesting old house in Cañon City (since we are talking Colorado). Interior walls and ceilings were plaster and lath, with the ceilings close to 9-foot high. Rather than crown molding, it had a cove with about a 6-inch radius, between ceiling and wall, and then a thin molding at the bottom of the radius. Ceiling was white, walls a pale solid color, but it'd also work for wallpaper.

[@bodyrot2794]

Crown molding for me always! The more molding, the more intricate the better. I’m talking Victorian era castles with ceiling, crown, base, trim wall panels the whole 9.. will always look the best if done right.

[@maureenbuck4795]

Love love love bamboo flooring. Installed 5-6 years ago, looks brand new still.

[@guytech7310]

1. Hardwood flooring in kitchens or near high traffic areas (ie doorways) Issue is that in kitchens water can get down into the wood causing it to warp or buckle. This is especially true with pre-finished hardwood as water can seep in between the joints. If you must have the wood plank look in your kitchen consider simulated wood plank tiles instead. Ditto for doorways since pets and people tracking in water (rain, snow) as well as dirt that is abrasive and will wear down the finish on hardwood flooring. Tile offers the best option. 2. Barn doors. I am sure this is a fade. Consider pocket doors which take even less space than a door. 3. Dark color floors & counter tops. While they hid dirt, they also suck out a lot of room light at night.

[@ColoradoCustomHomes]

Great suggestions to consider!

[@Brian-dr2yi]

You can put the tile that looks like wood. I think it looks amazing

[@manub.3847]

We have our bathroom renovated and chose floor tiles in the "wood-style". The tiler looked at our photographed ideas and said: "Before I organize something wrong, buy it yourself! I tiled it."

[@guytech7310]

@@albundy3929 Tell Peg I said hi!

[@guytech7310]

@@albundy3929 The Gal from the shoe store?

[@seapeajones]

Agree with everything but molding. I think crown molding is a matter of taste. Works well in traditional spaces, but I haven't seen anything geared toward modern or contemporary spaces.

[@writerinfact1768]

And some of us, who are neither traditional nor modern or contemporary, will exercise (as you say) our own taste and build what we want to live with; to hell with the "resale value" or the opinion of someone who isn't going to live there. 🙂

[@austinmarius850]

Love your video. Don’t agree a whole lot but still listening and considering your suggestions. A lot of this depends on budget and taste. Thank you!!

[@mdleweight]

Comparing "Luxury" vinyl planking to hardwood is like comparing Motel 6 to the Ritz Carlton.

[@writerinfact1768]

Thank you!

[@narutouusi-maki8483]

i wanted to install marble countertops , but i was afraid they might be taken for granite.

[@bw4ut]

😂good humor

[@truckingwithtobee]

I own a cleaning business in marble is one of the ugliest stones to have as a countertop, long-term they look awful. And you’re correct they’re very hard to try to keep nice. It’s a very porous material and as expensive as it is, I would never ever ever use marble in a bathroom or even a kitchen.

[@hazelwolf5516]

Thank you, I am remodeling a home and last night I was looking at cabinet handles and was debating with myself to go with solid brass or one that's more then half the price and looks just as good. In my previous home I had everyone of the products you mentioned and am doing just what you suggested (the expensive Items go bad at the same rate as the moderate price items do) . The designer drew in a freestanding ice maker and I said absolutely NOT, they have to many problems and have to be replaced way to often (17yrs.4 times) not including repairs. Thanks for validating my choices.

[@jcs137]

Spot on with ice makers. Our island ice maker leaked for months before realizing it. It broke all the time as well.

[@sparkythebuilder]

Any light fixture is requird to be listed by a listing agency such as UL. Many cheap fixtures sold on Wayfair and Amazon are not listed and will not pass inspection.

[@ColoradoCustomHomes]

This is a very good point. Also applies to plumbing fixtures. Make sure you know they will pass your local inspections before installing

[@rosemarymurphy7184]

I have quartzite in my kitchen. It looks similar to marble but actually has a little more personality, is a natural stone, and is much more durable. I have marble in my bathroom and it stained from liquid hand soap unknowingly spilling for just a little while.

[@georgia777]

I have marble in my kitchen and love it. For stains try this: spray stain with water lightly and cover with thick layer of baking soda. Cover with paper towel (white only) and spray until just damp. Weight over night with a heavy pan or book and next day clean up baking soda and staining will be gone.

[@rosemarymurphy7184]

@@georgia777 Thank you.

[@karenryder6317]

quartz is synthetic and therefore more durable and sanitary than quartzite with just about the same look. I've also heard of good durability for porcelain slabs that resemble marble.

[@a.ashley5292]

Thank you for the crown molding tip. Will certainly think about it. Might be extra choosey on which rooms won't need it, especially for a cottage home. 😊

[@DisMindy5767]

In my 22 year old house, I have real hardwood throughout my entire first floor, and on the sweeping staircase, including the kitchen. The area where it is looking sad is by the back door where years ago kids and the dog went in and out in all weather. I didn't really want it in the kitchen but darn that open floor plan. There was no good way not to. As for my crown moulding and columns, I'll keep them.

[@katethegardener]

I put old bath mats at the back door so when dogs come in they stand on the mat and dry their feet and get a treat :)

[@misterr50]

great information and great communication

[@skiptheroad]

I want to know how I can get one of those 30 day vacations.

[@slickmcCool]

Me too

[@elizaflorez1510]

I dissagree on crown molding

[@coltonharrold909]

Crown molding is ugly. When I see it I know it’s a grandmas house or Persian family with plum colored wallpaper everywhere

[@elizaflorez1510]

@@coltonharrold909 ive seen it without wallpaper and it looks 👍, it gives it an ageless look……

[@j340_official]

Fire burn crown molding 😂

[@eh_bailey]

On the crown molding I saw it depends on the house, not the person. For a Georgian house it would be correct, but most new homes don't have a style and it doesn't make sense.

[@drewburgess8097]

Crown molding is ugly, and you only use it when the mud guys can’t do a corner 😂

[@TheFirstRealChewy]

Crown molding is still a classic, and it can look modern. What should never come back is wallpaper.

[@bobbray9666]

My $3500 Kitchenaid refrigerator has a small and very slow ice maker. Our old LG with ice maker also had a very small ice bin, so a stand alone ice maker is nice to have when you have 4+ people in a home. You can have a drain pan installed under an ice maker with a drain, which is easy to do in new construction, to prevent a leaky malfunction from wrecking your flooring. I would absolutely go with solid 3/4" wood floors over engineered wood flooring. You can refinish it several times vs. most engineered wood floors that can be refinished once because the top veneer is maybe 1/8" thick. Over a concrete slab is another story though.

[@michaellatta]

Going for high end carpet + pad worked really well for us. On closing day the grandkids spilled orange juice and it just beaded up and cleaned up with a damp towel. Quartz for sure. I will never go engineered hardwood, the stuff in this house scratches horribly and can not deal with water.

[@bbokc6942]

i agree about marble--most people dont know the difference in marble or any other stone marble is terrible to use i disagree about crown molding--some homes from 20 years ago had too much out of scale crown, but crown molding almost always is in style in all but the most modern homes if you are really into ice, you will understand why people have under counter ice makers. the ice from a freezer is about 30 degrees colder than from a under counter icemaker, making it hard to eat or chew, also freezer ice has few size options i always thought they were stupid rich people things until i had a house with one, now i cant live without one. they do like to break down, but i have never had one flood i disagree about cheaping out on fixtures, cheap look-alike fixtures often break or leak and have to be replaced, and will cost you more in the long run i also disagree about wood flooring. get real wood floor if you can afford it. it will last 100 years or more. engineer flooring particularly laminates will not last long and will have to be replaced. i had a fire and my hardwood floors were able to be refinished, and can be refinished several times in there lifetime(they are 97 years old). engineered flooring cannot be refinished, i have known people with flooring less than 10 years old that had to totally replace everything from water damage or sun fading and not able to refinish them

[@jrauck]

Here are a few comments from my experience… 1. ALL countertops have negatives and positives, that not only differ based on the type of material (quartz, quartzite, marble, granite, etc), but also where that material is from. A lot of builders for custom/semi-custom homes recommend quartz countertops, but these also can’t take much heat as they have a lot of resins in them. Many will burn or yellow if you set a hot pan on them. They can also stain and scratch easily as well. Granites typically have a tighter structure so it’s harder to stain, scratch, and burn them, but also it is highly dependent on the type of granite. Most natural stones are sealed so they don’t stain… 2. Crown molding is highly dependent on the style of house. It will likely never go out of style depending on the house. The problem is people don’t want to spend the extra money. It’s not that they don’t look good in modern/transitional homes, it’s just the designers/builders that think of molding as the traditional scroll type molding. Look at more squared layered moldings and any home can look great with it. 3. The problem with LVPs, is they potentially off gas (sVOC’s) forever. Most have stopped using known VOCs that have cause cancer, but they replaced with with potentially more harmful sVOCs.

[@nancybrody5896]

Crown molding is timeless

[@stuartkorte1642]

So happy the best upgrade, popcorn ceiling, didn’t make the list. 😂 Agree with the plumbing fixtures. Crown moulding goes with a style of house therefore appropriate. Yes there is a trend towards modern but not all people like modern. I love modern.

[@LordGertz]

Thank you for stating this. It's the style of the home that really should be the determining feature, followed by the age of an older structure (it does really hide the settling in older homes)

[@SuperDrLisa]

I would love crown mouldings. I have a 120 year old house. When I redid one bathroom I put in 1920s octagon black M and white flooring, subway tiles with black accents. Took out the tub and put in a shower but subway all the way. I'd love to redo the other bathroom the same way. I made a big mistake putting in laminate floors that look like stone in my kitchen just when laminate was coming out. I've had problems with lipping by the sink where it gets wet. Never again. My niece is using the vinyl flooring that comes in plank to almost match her hardwoods.

[@Stephanie.Hudson]

In our last home we updated our carpeted living room to engineered hard wood. In my current house, our we have hickory hardwood. Honestly, I preferred the engineered hardwood. It was just as beautiful, wasn’t as hard, but we didn’t scratch that floor. Whereas, I’ve found a couple of small scratches in our hardwood.

[@tennantlisa]

I just installed the most gorgeous Marble in the kitchen of my custom home. NOTHING will ever compare to the beauty of Marble. The natural veigning and creamy whites are unmatched. And as far as the staining- I don’t care if there are small reminders that it is a lived-in, entertaining, workhorse of a kitchen. Go to Europe and look at those loved, centuries old countertops with history all over them. But if you clean regularly and don’t let stains sit over night or indefinitely, staining isn’t an issue. because for me- I installed one of the most expensive, marble look Quartz’s in my bathrooms and they are not fooling anyone. As far as flooring, I did engineered because for our family of children, dogs, cats and constant friends. I wanted the gorgeousness of real wood but with durability. LVP and the likes- as far as they’ve come they’re still fake. Look wise, the feel underfoot and the noise when walking are all dead giveaways. But having said all that- everyone do what makes YOU happy, what you can comfortably afford and most importantly what makes your soul smile when you walk in to your home.

[@rinkevichjm]

@@tennantlisa until you see my ‘marble’ bathroom tub done in porcelain 10x14 tiles, you can’t tell it’s not marble tiles.

[@Promqueen24]

This is mostly great advice! I just cannot give up my fancy (is it really thought) flooring. I want real wood, real tile, marble tiles in the foyer, and yes, lux carpeting in the master and other bedrooms so I can stretch and workout and not have to lay on a hard floor. No engineered for me except in a gym room or basement.

[@jayg2895]

I agree with carpet. We used stanton carpet runner in our stairs and spent a fortune on it. But do not regret it and would do it again if I have to.

[@Bobrogers99]

I fully agree about marble countertops and idemakers. They're both asking for trouble. To your list I would add open shelving in kitchens. Things on open shelves quickly collect airborne grease and dust.

[@josefalawson3049]

Excellent suggestions just in time for me as I am planning to renovate my house built in the late 50's. Also, there are great ideas from the comments like the size of doors to allow easy entry of large size items into the house. I hope to gather more ideas from your channel to assist me when its time to discuss my project with my contractor.

[@zayugh]

I went with upgraded faucets due to the single hole type vs the basic three holes which would need a cover for future upgrade due to the extra holes

[@nogames8982]

I agree with everything you said here. I redid my entire home over the last two years. And it is not a high-end home. I will admit that. But I could've easily spent three times the amount and I don't think it would've been worth it at all. My main goal was functionality and durability. So as much as I love hardwood floors, for instance, I ended up with luxury vinyl plank, and it's great.

[@drwhoeric]

I think installing dormer windows in the attic crawlspace is the biggest no no. Butcher block or cement countertops are worse choices. I like Granite Countertops in the bathroom and Quartz in the Kitchen. Ice maker in the fridge is great to have for convenience as long as you are using it at least a couple of times or more a week or more like us. I prefer cabinet doors without handles or pulls. We upgraded to Porcelain Tile that looks like wood planks that we love and was worth the cost increase.

[@gluuuuue]

... hardwood flooring.. in the *kitchen*..?! Are they putting it in the bathrooms too? Personally, I kinda want all flooring in bathrooms and kitchens at least to have floor drains and sloped flooring to them, ideally in all potential wet areas, including laundry rooms and garages, especially if they're both.

[@nathalie_desrosiers]

My brother has cork floor in his basement. Even without heated floors, it's super comfy (warm enough to walk in socks AND cloud like). I plan on installing cork on my first floor. Since it's not cheap, I had to agreed to install wall to wall carpet on the second floor.

[@HarrisChapman-xi9oq]

South Texas has unusual moisture all year. If you have a solid foundation, tile downstairs. Upstairs, wood floors are the way to go. Just like having brick exterior.

[@zayugh]

Also upgraded the flooring because tearing up the carpet while living in a new house a year or two later due to stains is just a hassle. You have to remove all furniture and store it in the garage fridge etc rather than getting it done right the first time and not having to worry about it for a long time before the next upgrade

[@bennguyen1313]

With the popularity of cold-plunges, and considering a refrigerator outputs 32-40F (0-4C)... I'd love to remodel a bathroom, such that with a flip of a switch somewhere, 30-minutes later, ice-water will come out of the shower-head (2gallons/min for a few minutes)! Any thoughts if this is do-able , or is a shower's water flow too much for on-demand ice-cold?

[@charlesbyers6911]

We built about 8 years ago. Granite counters everywhere. Nail & finish hardwood everywhere. Expensive poplar crown and upgraded trim. All of it was a waste. And yes, the ice maker failed after less than two years. Wish we had solid surface counters and laminate floors. And we could have a decent car or boat with the savings!

[@cynthiaarmstrong7972]

I LOVE my Danby marble countertops (looks like Carrera but has streaks of golden brown with the grey). Beautiful, organic, timeless. Warm and rich looking. Solution to staining? Just wipe up any spills right away.

[@Julie-rg3mb]

Also, there are pastes that remove stains in marble very easily. Never had a problem. Ever try to get a stain out of cheap quartz? Good luck! The only non-fixable issue is etching; just don’t be a slob and keep your counters clean and it won’t get etched. And even if it does, in my experience, it’s just part of the charm.

[@mingxu0301]

Crown molding was a popular upgrade towards older house where the walls and ceilings weren’t flat and their seams weren’t straight. Crown mold just hides those defects

[@dbean87]

I would not take the advice to get vinyl plank flooring, even to save cost up front. Yeah it's definitely cheaper per sq ft (for a reason). However, it's not as stable, the plank edges are prone to lippage (wear layer peeling back). If you need to replace planks, good luck when they no longer make that specific style anymore (usually within a couple years). If you do not have a perfect subfloor or if it's on concrete you will still feel every uneven surface, even with rigid core LVP. Transitions are ugly where, for instance, vinyl meets wood stair treads. I'd go with engineered hardwood all the way, for a nice wear layer of veneer with great dimensional stability. Resale value will be much better as well. Of all the call backs for flooring we've received, vinyl flooring is the number one with issues or that we have to rip out and replace completely.

[@animatedlies]

My husband and I want to build our first home and these videos are so helpful. Any suggestions on ADA/universal design and how people can "build for the future"?

[@ColoradoCustomHomes]

Planning to grow your family or age in the home area big considerations. We typically recommend clients really think through how long they 'want' to stay in the home and do all you can to design it in a way that supports your vision. Growing families should consider 'flex space' that can serve one purpose now but transition to bedrooms etc as the family expands. If you want to 'grow old' in the home, zero entry showers and exterior doors, wider doors and hallways are great things to consider.

[@wsfwsf1497]

36" passage doors, curbless showers and plenty of blocking behind walls in baths for support bars. Also levers instead of knobs on doors.

[@rlstowe3]

Have had two Whirlpool/KitchenAid ice machines in 39 years. The first one lasted for 25 years and the second is running strong at 14.

[@littlehouselife]

To add to your segment on crown molding: it would be more cost effective long term to take that money and invest it in energy efficiencies instead of surface design elements that can be added later. Energy efficiencies are very hard to retrofit, and the money you save doing it upfront will easily create room in your budget for crown molding at some point.

[@crabkilla]

2:38 ice maker - if you plan to put in an ice maker, you should invest in a drain and pan underneath it as an insurance policy.

[@ColoradoCustomHomes]

Yes!

[@jennifer9528]

The same is true for refrigerators and washing machines.

[@jdejarnett3487]

Who in the heck can vacation for 30 days? Also most refrigerators have ice makers and they cost more to repair than an ice maker which are easy to replace.

[@sterlinglewis5700]

Following the 'trend' is the best way to ensure you will be out-of-date within five years. It costs more to replace an outdated look than to select something 'timeless' in the first place.

[@writerinfact1768]

I avoid trends at all costs. And out-of-date usually comes in 5 minutes, not 5 years.

[@drewburgess8097]

Hardwood flooring is far better than vinyl, do the flooring yourself and you’ll save half your money. Try to shop around for a discount, sometimes at Maddens they’ll get like 5000 square feet of hardwood and they’ll sell it for $3 when it retails for 7 or 8

[@patriciadoyle7032]

we put piers (60) down to the bedrock below, then they poured the slab, house is solid

[@na2305]

I agree, pass on crown moldong. Od rather upgrade the regular trim and baseboards to something wider (the basic builders grade trim is usually narrow and thin and looks cheap)

[@vsyashworld7653]

What ur thought on Kitchen counter tops? Is it good to go with the builders or rebuild it after the closing?

[@writerinfact1768]

If I'm paying for a custom house, there should be nothing in it that qualifies as Builder Grade. If your contractor won't upgrade as necessary, you probably need a different, more cooperative, builder.

[@craigengelman1880]

How can I get a quote for a house build? I am looking to build in a few years, I know the price will change by then but we were curious to see how much it might cost just for the house build. Not including land or permits

[@fixittony]

Thank you for sharing these ideas. Video and I agree with all of them. I have Brazilian Cherry and looks beautiful but dents easier than I thought. Can you share 👍🏻 or 👎 for: Steam showers Pools Wet bar in basement Copper gutters

[@mamabar6811]

Totally agree on the marble. Our builder put manufactured marble in our bathrooms and it etches so easily and is a pain to clean! Grrrr I think crown molding is timeless so that’s a keeper for me. For the ice maker, any potential leak problem could be remedied by installing a floor drain (like they put on upstairs laundry rooms in CA). We entertain a lot so we will probably be putting an ice machine in our bar that we are building. I hate my LVP flooring that came with the house. Scratches and dents too easily. Yes it’s water resistant and looks nice when it’s new, but that’s it. We will be ripping ours out and installing tile that looks like wood. My 6 children are hard on our floors 😂 For the fixtures, I agree on the drawer pulls, as those can be easily swapped out in a few years when you get tired of them. But I won’t go cheap on the faucets.

[@karenryder6317]

I've been hearing a lot about how porcelain costs half of what marble does and can have a look almost like marble but is much more durable.

[@mamabar6811]

@@karenryder6317 I would have much rather had tile in the shower than this faux marble stuff. I see a remodel in our near future :)

[@writerinfact1768]

I replaced the (2) drawer pulls on an IKEA desk I "inherited" from my son. Cost less than $5, made a really big difference to me. I'm not sure I would be willing to change the kitchen cabinet pulls in a rental, but in MY house, I get final approval on every little detail. She who pays, says.

[@jrob8931]

Like everything, these issues are directly related to the homeowner’s skill level and awareness. It’s super easy to install or maintain an ice maker, but maybe not for uninformed, helpless people who need to hire professionals to do simple things like changing fixtures, outlets, switches installing ceiling fans, i.e. easy DIY stuff. Hardwood flooring is even easier. I am just a regular DIY homeowner, but all of this is very accessible if you are willing to learn from KZbin.

[@writerinfact1768]

It's not that I'm helpless, it's that I have a healthy respect for things like electricity, which - you know - can kill you. Could I do it? Well, probably, yes. Do I want to? Absolutely not. I'll stick to woodworking - and I do use power tools.

[@divyanarendraofficial]

crown (and trim in general) has always been and will always be in style.

[@Peter-ok9bj]

Is porcelain or ceramic flooring durable? Which is better? I do not want wood or wood look.

[@rinkevichjm]

@@Peter-ok9bj it’s very durable, porcelain is more water resistant. The durability is rated with a PEI rating 3 or 4 for residential use and 5 for commercial use.

[@evelynmitchell1176]

I love Crown molding and always will.

[@josereyna8885]

LVP and engineered hardwood emit VOC’s. I would not recommend either for health reasons. A cost effective tile or hardwood are better options.

[@marybutterworth3107]

A custom home with vinyl flooring and no crown molding?! This is why you hire an interior designer for the interior finishes. Let the builder just build.

[@rocketman3158]

Nothing beats natural beauty of ceramic tile.

[@atomicsmith]

I can’t believe any builder would recommend cheaping out on plumbing fixtures!! I’ve tried going with the no name fixtures in the past, and I’ll never do it again. Especially for the fixtures that are built in like shower and tub sets, go with a common quality manufacturer like delta, moen, or American standard. The headaches and possibly leaks down the road are not worth saving $50.

[@bigjack79]

You are misunderstanding his point. He’s essentially saying shop around. He’s not saying don’t use delta or other well known brands.

[@businessoffice4964]

I think he means you can get the same look from Moen as Koehler and save a lot of money. I did this in my house and Moen has been a very good brand for less.

[@JamesJones-ql3kr]

Grohe Shower controls or something similar are so worth the money. There are independent volume and temp knobs. I set it where I want it and it's the perfect temp and it'll stay there until the water heater runs dry. Running CAT-V internet cable between rooms is cheap and worth the effort. I know they're expensive, but my Sub-zero fridge is still working perfectly after 25 years. Water alarms on water heaters are not an option, my son lost the dry wall in his first floor when the water heater blew a big leak in the middle of the night. They even sell ones that will automatically turn off the water. Finally I wouldn't build a new home without radiant heat barriers in the attic. Very cheap, when the ceilings are open, easy to install. Here in the South they can lower your summer AC bill by 50%. It's aluminized Dacron and comes in long rolls, you just staple it to the upper ceiling joists.

[@4everyoung24]

Crown molding is still I style. People are just painting it, and the baseboards and door trim, the same color as the wall in a slightly shinier sheen like satin with a flat wall.

[@mrbc1848vu]

Great list - well done. Suggest that you put a list in your video - 1/2/3/4/5, etc...

[@thewayisbetter4695]

What do you think about painting the brick white? I feel like it's a trend that will go away soon and will look like the 1970 vynal over real hardwood floors.

[@writerinfact1768]

Not a fan of brick, but painting it is, in my opinion, as egregious as painting woodwork - such as banisters and window frames.

[@teelabrown4291]

Agree completely about the flooring because LVP has come so far. Less sure about hardware because it is a tiny portion of the overall budget so a few dollars per piece upgrade can get you to a much higher level of finish and durability for something that gets handled constantly. Better hardware looks better over time while crap hardware just looks worse over time. Also, crap plumbing makes your plumber happy when he gets to come back and repair or replace more often.

[@freeandfabulous4310]

Do you build on Laramie WY?

[@homeloveeverything2932]

I have to disagree with your thoughts on crown molding. The classics, details, and quality are definitely making a comeback, but with a different twist.

[@terence4427]

I think this gentleman makes some good suggestions (avoid marble countertops, ice makers, crown molding, etc.), but I strongly disagree with his points about LVP flooring. This type of flooring does not increase property values in my state (Illinois), and oftentimes (depending on product) will begin to look dull after a few years. Engineered hardwood (not laminate) could be as expensive as solid hardwood to install, particularly if you buy a quality product (3mm -5mm veneer). However, I would choose engineered hardwood over solid hardwood because it does tend to be more durable. I have been a homeowner for more than thirty years, and every single house that I have owned has had hardwood floors including the one I live in now. Even with dogs and children running around we have never had a problem maintaining our floors. As such, it confuses me when people make an argument for choosing LVP over hardwood. I would be willing to bet LVP couldn't hold up the way my hardwood floors have after decades - not by a long shot. In any case, if you build a house, you should build it how you want it. Otherwise, there is no point in custom building.

[@johniii8147]

Where I agree is the countertops you don’t want to put marble in the kitchen counter. It’s a tired look anyway it and cheapest shit versus the really good stuff. Where I do disagree is going cheap on the fixtures and flooring. That you can definitely tell if you have a good eye and if it’s a custom home those are things you want to invest in. It’s not really a custom home to me if you have to worry about those things in terms of expense as long as you’re getting the quality stuff.

[@jochimbenschneider1915]

Quartz tile countertops are cheaper but look great. Non staining. We could care less about ice makers. Crown molding is beautiful and we get many compliments. Traditional raised panel kitchen cabinets always. And good windows and insulation and flooring.

[@wchdb4476]

Window muttons (grids) should be on the list as no one specs them out anymore. They do not go well with the new modular look with wide and tall windows. If you want the wide plank flooring look its best to go with laminate or LVP as it will not cup.

[@johnborges5938]

Lol I think the word you're looking for is "muntins", not muttons 🐑

[@wchdb4476]

@@johnborges5938 Thanks, I must have been thinking about dinner.