What features would you build into a new house?

[Christopher Reynolds]

Hey everyone. I’m the builder on a new house for my brother, and I was hoping to get some ideas and advice from you. It’s also my first project as a construction supervisor, as I just recently obtained my unrestricted license in my state. 

He purchased the raw land a few years ago from a family friend.  Initially it was a part of the friend’s land where his house is, but he had it broken off into its own separate parcel maybe 20 years ago. The land is in a desirable part of town, and we think he got a great deal. We’ve been slowly preparing the land over the last couple years, clearing trees and shaping it for the house, doing just about everything ourselves so far. He got a construction loan and we have contractors lined up to do most of the work, though we will be doing some of it ourselves (painting, septic system, gutters, some carpentry). Last week we had the foundation poured (we did not do this ourselves!), and it’s starting to look like a house!  

My brother will be building a workshop in the basement, wood and metalworking. Not for a profession, just hobby stuff (though you might not know it by the equipment he has). He had a 9’ ceiling in the basement for extra height clearances. He also had a doghouse bulkhead designed rather than a standard bulkhead, in order to make it easier to get large things in and out of the basement. He also opted for a 300A electrical service for future proofing. 

I’d like to have network drops all over the place, those are always much easier to run before drywall is installed. I know wireless is really fast now, but nothing beats a hard wire and it’s cheap to put in while the frame is open. I plan to put some kind of a server closet in the basement, as well as security cameras and smart lights where it makes sense. 

If you were building a house today, what amenities/features would you want in it?  What things would you not want?  It’s especially important to us because it’s my brother’s house, and our father is also doing a great job keeping everything going. We’d love your advice to make this house even better! Thanks everyone.