Design Center Do’s & Don’ts | Design Center Upgrades | Building Semi Custom New Construction

Watch this video to save yourself time and money, if you are thinking about building a new house or building semi custom home, these new home design tips will help and guide you where you should spend and not spend your money.
We will also share examples of how we were effectively able to work with the builders to get the most out of our money.
This is part 2 of a series in Building new construction, if you need to choose between builders and neighborhoods please watch
• 2022 Builder and Neigh...
We also highlight how to stay within your budget, while attaining the home of your dreams. Must watch if considering building a new construction home. this helps choosing between popular mainstream builders like, David weekley, lenner homes, Toll brothers, DR horton, Conventry homes.
@Joy_Famm
Time stamp
00:00 Intro
01:10 Lot Upgrade
03:01 Exterior Elevation
04:58 Paint
05:39 Carpet
09:28 Dedicated media room vs fifth bedroom (Must watch)
11:33 Outdoor Kitchen (Must watch)
14:14 Design Center Upgrades
16:11 Lighting and Plumbing
18:22 Flooring
20:26 Door Hardware
21:14 Eliminate Tub? (Must watch)
22:58 Pre-wire
24:03 Cabinets (Must watch)
26:35 Countertops (Must watch)
..Watch video to obtain full guide and additional tips to building or buying a new construction home!!!
Please relax, sit back and enjoy this ride with us, leave your comments and feed back, suggestions and critique are welcome. thank you
IF you haven't seen our empty house tour check it out here
• Empty House tour | Cus...
Finding and purchasing land
• Finding and buying lan...
2021 Empty House Tour , new house tour 2021 home décor inspiration, new custom house tour, a dream home and so fulfilling to DIY projects while building our new construction house tour. It has an Open floor plan with a luxury elegant feel. We love our dream house.
Dayo & Mary
Joy Famm
Social Media
Instagram @joy_famm
Email: [e-mail]
Website: Oremcustomhomesanddesigns.com
*Disclaimer These are our opinions from our experiences, we do not claim to be financial advisors and any lessons learned and applied from this video is done at the viewers risk**

[@kimberleefarr]

Wow, this is exactly what I’m looking for!!! Thank you so much, I subscribed! Your husband is sweet and right with saying you’re very smart!

[@JoyFamm]

Thank you kimberlee. I’m glad you found value, you just made my day with your comment. Welcome to the Joy Famm!!!!!

[@tealkerberus748]

Subscribed for the wholesomeness of a husband being proud of his intelligent wife.

[@MizJilly]

People think they don't want a tub till they get a pulled or sprained something and need that warm soak in Epsom Salts. Good tip.

[@user-do9yd2ln7i]

True. I just hate how much room they take up in the master bath

[@amanacatandhisdog8836]

True. They also don’t want a tub until they need to sell as well. 😉

[@MiVidaBellisima]

At the very least you can have the shower/tub we all grew up with 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@eddiefniii]

I bought strips to put in the bottom of my jacuzzi tub because at 65 it’s harder . Slip and falls. I take a bath about once a month. But if feeling yucky then more often!

[@perci313]

In my newly built home I did opt for the enlarged shower without a tub, the low profile would be helpful in my old age down the road… but I did add a hot tub for the lanai.

[@unkindguy88]

Also I think for military members/ veterans should really consider shopping around for upgrades on real life, more so than regular citizens because of military discounts that they can get for flooring, kitchen appliances, counter tops, etc. small savings on big projects adds up. Usually its a 10% discount.

[@ab.6031]

Bingo…. That’s what we’re doing

[@eeldude]

I think lot upgrade can be a significant choice if it is a large community with a main entrance, I would not want a lot near the main gate where every resident will drive by my house every morning and evening. I'd rather have one towards the rear of the community or in a cul-de-sac to minimize drive by traffic. It is even more important if you have children who play, skateboard, ride their bikes, etc.

[@coppermutant]

I used to think that way but add up the extra 7 minutes driving in and out each day and that adds up. A place near the entrance buy not the main thoroughfare is better for me.

[@LoriL010]

Also, remember anything that the builder does not offer or install themselves, it will not be included in your warranty with the builder. Great info, thanks! I've seriously thought about having my own custom cabinets made as I just don't like any of the builder options. They're pretty and quality material, I just want a particular color.

[@MarshForever]

Definitely agree with you about the structural upgrades. Do those with the builder because doing it later are very costly and timely.

[@heatherjennette8515]

Oh my goodness... So helpful!

[@lisaharris6549]

I’m near the end of my build process, but still found a great deal of value in this video.

[@MrBrunohrd]

Awesome video! Thanks for taking the time for the content!

[@josiansanchez998]

Great value!!! Superb recommendations. 100% on target.

[@user-qc4mv8id2b]

Incredible video. Thank you! 🙏🏾

[@TreJ999]

Fantastic video! Thanks for explaining this so well!

[@felixjacinto5351]

This video is so helpful! We’re planning to go to the designer of Fischer homes in Atlanta a few weeks from now and I’m already excited! Im glad I came across your video! Im definitely gonna subscribe! ❤️

[@onthatnote.official]

This was so helpful! Love hearing this perspective from a smart woman such as yourself:) I know your hubby is so proud. Thank you so much!

[@sheripie5]

This video was so concise and well done! We’ve been looking into new builds for the last month and this video was extremely helpful! Thank you 😊

[@cynthiataylor5830]

This was EXTREMELY INFORMATIVE!!👍👍👍. Thank you!

[@Preciousjobel]

Mary you nailed it. Love this info

[@JoyFamm]

Thank you Chioma, So it’s only Mary that nailed it Abi lol

[@aninasalerno873]

Waterfront lots are worth a premium. We don’t even look at property with no water view. It’s a well recognized added value; it even raises your property taxes, so that’s a thing to keep in mind.

[@boardgameparadise]

How much would you say it adds? We're looking at getting the lot upgrade (47k increase 😬 on top of base price 642) because it's a 10,000sf lot (which is big in California) in the back of the community on a cul de sac, and it looks over a lake that the city is putting in. Lake won't be completed for 2 years. Worth it?

[@user-do9yd2ln7i]

I worry about floods flood insurance , home listed in a flood plane

[@hellojuneau8917]

Amazing video! The most expensive upgrades we have chosen was lot size/location (corner, biggest in community), and a gen-suite with its own living room/kitchen. Other than that everything was pretty much standard except for extra canned lights, pre-wire for fans and painted cabinets. I think it’s more fun to be able to customize your home on your own and save for it rather than have it tacked onto your mortgage to pay interest on. There’s more options to choose from and you have more time to change your mind without feeling rushed or charged for it. Putting a hefty down payment helps a bunch too! :) happy home building

[@JoyFamm]

Absolutely!!, I’m sure your home will turn out awesome and heavenly.

[@JenniferVollman]

Thank you! Great information.

[@ernestdy6834]

Wish I knew this before. Great work. Heading to my design studio end of month and worth hearing this experiece

[@charlesbobo2781]

Thank you so much. Excellent presentation and solid advice. I will be using all your shared knowledge in purchasing my new home.

[@toddb6576]

Best video I have seen on the subject

[@deeferguson2711]

Just came across your channel; so helpful! We’re just in the beginning stages of building our forever home. Thank you so much for the information you’ve provided. I’m going back to look at your other videos. Stay well.

[@JoyFamm]

Hi Dee, welcome to the family. Congratulations, we are so excited for you!!! Please let’s know whichever way we can help. Where are you building?

[@adnerbharley]

Great tips!!

[@margaretmartin5047]

Awesome tips..Thanks Mary!👏🏼

[@JoyFamm]

You are welcome

[@gizzy7141]

All great tips! Thank you

[@JoyFamm]

You are welcome

[@Beez187]

Great video, great advice and overall good stuff. Keep 'em coming. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@JoyFamm]

Thank you bee J

[@Beez187]

@@JoyFamm no, thank you. Keep the vids coming. 👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾

[@ajhourniforever]

You really blessed me with this video!!!!!!! Very much needed information and reminders! Thank you!

[@jasontran6916]

Very details and helpful! Thank you 😊

[@cedricwilford]

Great job with this video. Thanks for your thoughts

[@devilishangel108]

All your tips are so helpful! Thank you so much. Liked and Subscribed :)

[@TreJ999]

Sensational video!

[@niabarber6259]

Exactly the video i needed!! Thank you!!

[@JoyFamm]

We are glad you found it, let us know any way we can help

[@angelahastings2362]

Love this! Thank you so much.

[@JoyFamm]

Thank you Angela. Welcome to Joy Famm

[@AZtrinity888]

Excellent video! Thank you for sharing this very important information!

[@terrywhite6991]

I love your advice and attention to details!

[@JoyFamm]

Thank you Terry

[@lachelsk]

I think you did an outstanding job. This would have been my same advice on a new build.

[@JoyFamm]

Thank you

[@mareshetseleshi2717]

Awesome thank you.

[@daisywandernurse2354]

This video was so helpful! My seller is only using limited floor plans and cosmetic upgrades because supplies are scarce due to the pandemic and I really wanted quartz counter tops because I love that white with the grey veining. I also wanted a frameless shower but again, supplies lol. Good to know I can upgrade later on down the line. I do plan to build on an outside patio as well and loved what you did with yours! Your video was very well put together and very informative. You have a new subscriber here!

[@JoyFamm]

Thank you Daisy. We are glad you going the information valuable. Welcome to the Famm

[@margofesas3279]

Great info. Thanks for sharing.

[@zaalnibu]

Personally I don’t use my tub as often as I wish but when I do I’m glad it’s there, there is nothing more relaxing than a long soak in a hot bath, great after a rough workout or a long day on the job

[@alm2533]

Great info !!

[@Gamingboyyang1234]

This is very helpful! Thank you for sharing with us.

[@ethanguerami1162]

Great video. You have some quality suggestions and you keep it entertaining too.

[@katmd405]

Such great advice. Thank you!

[@JoyFamm]

You are welcome

[@RoussaElsey0515]

Great video. Thank you for the advices ❤️

[@JoyFamm]

Hi Roussa, how’s the house and KZbin channel doing. Thank you, Y’all please check out @roussa else’s KZbin channel and show some love. It’s pretty awesome with DIYS and decor videos

[@shar9456]

Very informative, thanks for sharing.

[@JoyFamm]

You are welcome

[@agwilson42]

Thank you so much for sharing! We're starting the building process in Texas with Bloomfield and the process is a little daunting.

[@TuTran-lq6vc]

Thanks for sharing

[@caitlinlittleford333]

Super informative, thank you!

[@JoyFamm]

You are welcome

[@alwells7629]

Useful info thx

[@cherylehubicsak3070]

Very helpful! Thank you

[@JoyFamm]

You welcome.

[@claudiahansen4938]

Excellent, helpful and well organized video. You have good diction, and speak clearly. I found your guidance to be very much on point. Thank you!

[@JoyFamm]

Thank you for the feedback

[@godness7770]

Thank you for the helpful information.

[@JoyFamm]

We are glad you found them helpful. Please share it with whomever you think it might also help

[@ChrisAllenJ]

Awesome job guys

[@JoyFamm]

Thank you Chris

[@alseward7902]

Amazing job! Very logical delivery and it makes so much sense, what you are saying.

[@jennifiergensler2919]

Very helpful 💯😘

[@nancyenjay7966]

This is so helpful, thank you! I'm nervous about buying new construction and keeping costs in line with all those tempting upgrades. This information will be invaluable when we consider which upgrades are worth it. Thanks again!

[@JoyFamm]

You are welcome Nancy

[@ab.6031]

Just subscribed. Love the content

[@donnalafrance9028]

wonerful advice. thank you for this information..

[@Tidehigh999]

This was a wonderful video! So informative and we are using it as a guide on our upcoming build!

[@myrnanaveira5376]

From experience comes knowledge. I really appreciate not only your content I also appreciate the way you explain things Very clearly. Lady "M"

[@faithroy532]

Great information. Love the video

[@JoyFamm]

Thank you faith

[@pavelzaro1471]

Thanks for this info

[@talisav4602]

I love the openess of a media room

[@jenniferperry6496]

Thank you so much for this information 🙏

[@fpvstorm3378]

Excellent video!

[@SweetVillageGyal]

Great video and advice

[@JoyFamm]

Thank you nevaeh

[@blueheart978]

Super helpful. Thank yo !

[@JoyFamm]

Thank you

[@clbynum1]

By no means am I an expert but GREAT advice!!! Especially the carpet pad upgrade. A good carpet pad is what preserves your carpet, less wear and tear!!

[@JoyFamm]

That’s true We didn’t even think about that, but that’s true, less wear and tear. We just wanted to have plush landing lol

[@krystalchavis3785]

Thank you for this information. Definitely wished I would have seen this 1 month ago lol. We have just recently made our selections on our new build. We decided to upgrade to floors downstairs and upgrade the cabinets. This took majority of our little budget but I knew I didn’t want to deal with flooring and cabinets after we moved in. Some other hard choices we made was not upgrading to granite countertops but instead chose a beautiful laminate. Also, we did not like the stainless steel package the builder was offering so decided on black appliances so down the line I will put the appliances in that I really want. We also had to add pre wire to the other 3 bedrooms for a fan. I will chose and add the fans myself from a local place. We have the corner lot so we want to use the rest to add a beautiful fence

[@RockNational22]

Good information thank you!!!!

[@JoyFamm]

You are welcome. Thanks for watching

[@shiningstar328]

Very informative video. Thank you.

[@angeln7870]

This is great info. Thanks Mary. I missed out on the gourmet kitchen, thanks to Dozie. He has not known peace since then. 😂😂😂

[@JoyFamm]

Thank you Angel. May peace be restored and forgiven

[@elenah2348]

Thank you so much for making this video! I am looking to build and this was very helpful.

[@JoyFamm]

You are welcome Elena. Congrats on your house, looking forward to it. I bet you are excited!!!!!

[@dboone521]

We’ve already made all of my choices but wish I would have seen your video 1st- we had upgraded to a 5th bedroom and then removed it at the last minute not thinking about the fact that we didn’t have to use it as a bedroom smh other than this choice we actually did really good with our 1st build!! Great video

[@JoyFamm]

That’s awesome. Congratulations

[@MoneywithDan]

Great video and really useful tips.

[@JoyFamm]

Thank you

[@jacqueline8566]

Clicked like before getting through minute 1! I love how you laugh with your husband when he is being funny 😭😂

[@JoyFamm]

lol you are awesome. Let me know what you think of this video though

[@jacqueline8566]

@@JoyFamm watched through! So much knowledge and wisdom. I like how you let us know what upgrades are worth it for the resale value

[@JoyFamm]

Hey Jacqueline, I need to send you more behind the scenes footage, (this is Dayo btw) we have too much fun just making this contents I have to try to edit most parts out so at least information is passed instead of just being silly. Lol But yes. Thank you for noticing that he little snippets I leave in there.

[@levi0596]

Great information. I have done many of the things you talk about. Thks for sharing. Your husband is so funny. ☺️👋🏾👋🏾👋🏾

[@JoyFamm]

Thank you

[@veestu9308]

This was a great video. Your videos are so informative. Thanks 😊

[@JoyFamm]

Thank you!!!!

[@naturl2012]

Hey!👋🏾 I definitely had to subscribe to your channel after watching this video. Excellent information. Thank you so much. 😊👍🏾

[@-cotton-8963]

Nice

[@Dreamasasn]

Thank you!

[@JoyFamm]

Yw

[@ccchoe3171]

I am so glad I stumbled on your video. This was great and helpful as I am looking into building a new home with a builder.

[@JoyFamm]

Congrats and all the best. Let us know how it goes

[@linnsoltwedel]

This was a very informal video! :)

[@JoyFamm]

Thank you I guess

[@agro-valleyfarm7217]

Vey helpful and informative Jo.

[@JoyFamm]

Thank you

[@luc2367]

Thank you! I learned a lot from your video.

[@JoyFamm]

You are welcome!!!! Thanks for leaving a comment

[@irisperez5560]

Thanks very helpfull.

[@JoyFamm]

You are welcome

[@Kamal_Actkins]

Awesome video!

[@Stephanie.Hudson]

Great video. I would say that these upgrades depend on how long you plan to stay in the home and whether this is a starter home or not. We didn’t upgrade a lot in our first home. We lived their 8 years before we grew out of it. On this house we upgraded our lot, upgraded for a painted accent wall, and upgraded the carpet pad and carpet, to name a few of the don’ts you pointed out. These were great for us because the costs were right and the lot was where we wanted to be. I wouldn’t have done any of these things had it been our first house and we weren’t planning to stay for a long while.

[@JoyFamm]

Well said

[@Lolita_Lee]

Super helpful, thanks a ton!

[@JoyFamm]

Glad to be able to help. Just stay connected we got you

[@JoyFamm]

Does your builder have their design center online/virtual. Search you might be able to tour the design center online before you even get to Your appointment

[@Lolita_Lee]

@@JoyFamm yup they do and I've taken a look but of course no prices are listed

[@JoyFamm]

They should be able to provide some sort of price list example

[@Lolita_Lee]

@@JoyFamm ok, I'll ask them for one

[@natebenefield738]

This was helpful, thank you

[@JoyFamm]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nope_n0pe]

We chose to upgrade our lot for a small premium because we get a brick wall as part of our yard. Our lot is also longer. I was always against premium lots but for the plan we wanted/needed, we needed a bigger lot. So I chose the cheapest one lol We have some neighborhood amenities right by this lot, too. But I agree with you on upgrading a lot for the most part xo

[@JoyFamm]

It seems your lot came with a lot more added bonus, I think you made the best choice in that situation. Congratulations on your house. Thank you Felicia

[@sidshri6080]

Thank you 😊

[@JoyFamm]

You are welcome

[@patricegoodman5150]

This was very informative and I’ve learned a lot about upgrading because I love tubs and a master without a tub and a double closet is not a master in my opinion

[@akiaclark7990]

First of all, excellent information! I love the speed, the volume, everything! I have a question. What is the water line for to the outside grill area? A sink? What’s your opinion on a stackable laundry mud room?

[@JoyFamm]

Thank you Akia, yes water line for a sink, it comes in handy to wash utensils and hands before going into the house. If space is of concern yes a stackable washer and dryer is a good choice or maybe as a secondary laundry room, like in the master.

[@delovelyday430]

Very informative thanks..new sub🖐🏾

[@JoyFamm]

Thank you and welcome Famm

[@jean-paulnancyraut6596]

FYI if I’m not mistaken “re-decorating” (anything that does not require a permit) after you buy a house do not Impact your property tax which will be based on your purchase price. So if you are an experienced diy-er you might consider getting the thinnest non-upgrade flooring and light fixtures and installing the ones you prefer yourself. For example on the house we’re buying now and in the design stage just installing our own LVL on the main floor would save us $13,000, that’s after we buy the exact same LVL on the market and would save us $152 per year on our prop tax.