Come along as we build our custom home- lessons learned in real time.

[Anonymous]

Another update: Lot clearing was fun after all the permitting and planning, it was so nice to see bulldozers and heavy equipment removing junk, grading, staking then digging out the site. Not a lot to 'do' here from our perspective except watch and take pictures. At this stage, we have a standing meeting with the builder once/week, but with a lot of email or other short communications as needed. I also get contractor invoices as they're created (we have to sign off on each). Builder has kept us organized on what decisions need to be made when. First three things we did (about 2-3 months before site clearing, actually) was a) order appliances--which can take up to a year depending on what is ordered, b) plumbing. Not just fixtures, but valves & drains and c) selected brick & stone for the exterior.

[Anonymous]

We ordered through ABW Appliances in Bethesda (Steele Pierre knows his stuff) and got (all Thermador) counter depth refrigerator (freezer at bottom), freedom induction cooktop + vent...hood will be part of the cabinet order) dishwasher, electric double ovens, LG stackable washer/dryer for mudroom. Thermador (and most manufacturers) offer a better price if you order a 'complete' set of appliances from them.

Did NOT get: built in microwave (I think they're awkward to reach, so we'll have a regular one sitting on the countertop, but it'll be 'hidden' in a nook beside the wall ovens). My parents are giving us their full size, front load washer dryer that are only a year old and they decided they didn't want. Debated a larger fridge or refrigerated drawers, but will instead have a second fridge that we already own, in the garage.

Total appliance cost: 23K

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On design and relation to budget--I view these as inextricable. But we went custom because we wanted some precision around home features. So in addition to the sq footage, here are some things we're doing, that I really love:

5 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom. 5500 sq feet across three levels. 10 foot ceilings on each level. Has closets 'stacked' above each other on each level that could be turned into an elevator in the future (special foundation accommodations needed for this)

Basement (1300 sq ft): Has exercise room (could be turned into a second family room if desired) with electric fireplace to avoid gas venting issues, bedroom, full bath, office. Unfortunately, its not a walkout as the lot is flat.

Main level (2000 sq ft living + 500 ish for garage): wheelchair accessible, Guest bedroom w/full bath, roll in shower, vanity that accommodates wheelchairs. Ramps out to garage & back entrances. Powder room, 1st floor small/stacked washer/dryer in mudroom, screened porch with gas fireplace (17x14), open concept family room (gas fireplace)/eat in kitchen, dining room. 2 car garage.

Second level (1600 sq ft ): 3 bedrooms, incl primary. Primary bedroom suite includes 2 walk in closets, bathroom, and separate sitting room (a place to watch TV nearby, but without disturbing partner). 2 bedrooms for kids with shared hall bath. Main laundry room with full sized, size by side units, utility sink + cabinet storage.

Exterior: brick with some stacked stone at base , outdoor deck about 1/3 the length of the house + grade level slab connecting screened porch with deck (and connecting ramp). Wanted bluestone for slab, but might do a textured concrete depending on how costs are running.

Thanks, this is helpful and raises other questions. Agree to disagree on design issues and budget.

1. Did the stacked closets simplify your layout? It sounds like that choice would restrict options other options. I’m envisioning stacked box levels with minimal nooks and crannies.

2. It sounds like there are not any common areas on the second level. Why a hall bath instead of a Jack and Jill bathroom for the other two rooms? Is that driven by the stacked closet issue forcing other design/layout elements?

3. Why the second floor? Ultimate wheel chair access is a single main floor without stairs and your lot size could accommodate it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We ordered through ABW Appliances in Bethesda (Steele Pierre knows his stuff) and got (all Thermador) counter depth refrigerator (freezer at bottom), freedom induction cooktop + vent...hood will be part of the cabinet order) dishwasher, electric double ovens, LG stackable washer/dryer for mudroom. Thermador (and most manufacturers) offer a better price if you order a 'complete' set of appliances from them.

Did NOT get: built in microwave (I think they're awkward to reach, so we'll have a regular one sitting on the countertop, but it'll be 'hidden' in a nook beside the wall ovens). My parents are giving us their full size, front load washer dryer that are only a year old and they decided they didn't want. Debated a larger fridge or refrigerated drawers, but will instead have a second fridge that we already own, in the garage.

Total appliance cost: 23K

LOL I'm also working with ABW to get my appliances. OP - you did know Thermador was running like a one-two-free deal right? I think you could have gotten a fridge, vent, range, and oven for like $11K.

[Anonymous]

I’m following along!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We ordered through ABW Appliances in Bethesda (Steele Pierre knows his stuff) and got (all Thermador) counter depth refrigerator (freezer at bottom), freedom induction cooktop + vent...hood will be part of the cabinet order) dishwasher, electric double ovens, LG stackable washer/dryer for mudroom. Thermador (and most manufacturers) offer a better price if you order a 'complete' set of appliances from them.

Did NOT get: built in microwave (I think they're awkward to reach, so we'll have a regular one sitting on the countertop, but it'll be 'hidden' in a nook beside the wall ovens). My parents are giving us their full size, front load washer dryer that are only a year old and they decided they didn't want. Debated a larger fridge or refrigerated drawers, but will instead have a second fridge that we already own, in the garage.

Total appliance cost: 23K

LOL I'm also working with ABW to get my appliances. OP - you did know Thermador was running like a one-two-free deal right? I think you could have gotten a fridge, vent, range, and oven for like $11K.

Keep in mind, we ordered appliances months ago, since at the time supply chains were still pretty screwed up and prices were going up for a lot of things. I've seen costs of (some) things come way down in the last 4-5 months.

[Anonymous]

I think I'll start a new thread-a part II on the construction, now that its well underway. Will still come back to this one to fill in a few gaps though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We ordered through ABW Appliances in Bethesda (Steele Pierre knows his stuff) and got (all Thermador) counter depth refrigerator (freezer at bottom), freedom induction cooktop + vent...hood will be part of the cabinet order) dishwasher, electric double ovens, LG stackable washer/dryer for mudroom. Thermador (and most manufacturers) offer a better price if you order a 'complete' set of appliances from them.

Did NOT get: built in microwave (I think they're awkward to reach, so we'll have a regular one sitting on the countertop, but it'll be 'hidden' in a nook beside the wall ovens). My parents are giving us their full size, front load washer dryer that are only a year old and they decided they didn't want. Debated a larger fridge or refrigerated drawers, but will instead have a second fridge that we already own, in the garage.

Total appliance cost: 23K

Ha! I've been following along (about to embark on major addition) and working with Steele (referred to him by Bluestar).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We ordered through ABW Appliances in Bethesda (Steele Pierre knows his stuff) and got (all Thermador) counter depth refrigerator (freezer at bottom), freedom induction cooktop + vent...hood will be part of the cabinet order) dishwasher, electric double ovens, LG stackable washer/dryer for mudroom. Thermador (and most manufacturers) offer a better price if you order a 'complete' set of appliances from them.

Did NOT get: built in microwave (I think they're awkward to reach, so we'll have a regular one sitting on the countertop, but it'll be 'hidden' in a nook beside the wall ovens). My parents are giving us their full size, front load washer dryer that are only a year old and they decided they didn't want. Debated a larger fridge or refrigerated drawers, but will instead have a second fridge that we already own, in the garage.

Total appliance cost: 23K

Ha! I've been following along (about to embark on major addition) and working with Steele (referred to him by Bluestar).

He's fantastic--have enjoyed working with him.

[Anonymous]

One other issue on site work: our lot already had sewer/water and electrical connections. But connecting them was still a considerable expense. Local utility charged $8K to connect to utilities--most of that was electric. The builder is our main POC with the utility and I'm still trying to understand what that 8K encompasses because it wasn't like they had to add a lot of infrastructure to support.

[Anonymous]

Correction on my previous post on utilities. The 8K utility cost is wholly water utility hookup cost from WSSC. I don't have the final bill from the electric utility, but this will be less.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you paid $82K for your lot, you -- at best -- live in an exurb. You may be able to put up a house for $1.4M. You are not paying the close in premium for everything from workers, to permits, to lot clearance, dumpsters, landscaping, painting -- even cleaning .

How much do you think it costs to build a house? The builders are selling them for $2.2 on a close in lot they bought for $1m. It doesn't cost them anywhere near $1.4 to build!

But the builders have existing relationships. Not apples to apples.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On design and relation to budget--I view these as inextricable. But we went custom because we wanted some precision around home features. So in addition to the sq footage, here are some things we're doing, that I really love:

5 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom. 5500 sq feet across three levels. 10 foot ceilings on each level. Has closets 'stacked' above each other on each level that could be turned into an elevator in the future (special foundation accommodations needed for this)

Basement (1300 sq ft): Has exercise room (could be turned into a second family room if desired) with electric fireplace to avoid gas venting issues, bedroom, full bath, office. Unfortunately, its not a walkout as the lot is flat.

Main level (2000 sq ft living + 500 ish for garage): wheelchair accessible, Guest bedroom w/full bath, roll in shower, vanity that accommodates wheelchairs. Ramps out to garage & back entrances. Powder room, 1st floor small/stacked washer/dryer in mudroom, screened porch with gas fireplace (17x14), open concept family room (gas fireplace)/eat in kitchen, dining room. 2 car garage.

Second level (1600 sq ft ): 3 bedrooms, incl primary. Primary bedroom suite includes 2 walk in closets, bathroom, and separate sitting room (a place to watch TV nearby, but without disturbing partner). 2 bedrooms for kids with shared hall bath. Main laundry room with full sized, size by side units, utility sink + cabinet storage.

Exterior: brick with some stacked stone at base , outdoor deck about 1/3 the length of the house + grade level slab connecting screened porch with deck (and connecting ramp). Wanted bluestone for slab, but might do a textured concrete depending on how costs are running.

Thanks, this is helpful and raises other questions. Agree to disagree on design issues and budget.

1. Did the stacked closets simplify your layout? It sounds like that choice would restrict options other options. I’m envisioning stacked box levels with minimal nooks and crannies.

2. It sounds like there are not any common areas on the second level. Why a hall bath instead of a Jack and Jill bathroom for the other two rooms? Is that driven by the stacked closet issue forcing other design/layout elements?

3. Why the second floor? Ultimate wheel chair access is a single main floor without stairs and your lot size could accommodate it.

So, just realized I missed responding to this, PP. So if you're still here: 1. All of the rooms have 'normal closets associated with the bedrooms, a couple of linen closets, etc. But we ran a centralized 'column' down all three floors (4'7" x 4'8"). We're using them as extra storage--but they could be an elevator in the future. On each level, its just off the center "hall", located across from the staircase. Doesn't really affect the flow of the house, or reduce our design choices. It integrates well and makes sense where its located.

Yes, no common areas on the second level--just bedrooms and bathrooms. We did a hall bath intentionally, so kids have to learn to share and be considerate of someone else. Lol, talk to me when they're teenagers, this might be a mistake! The shared bath at least has a door separating the bath/shower and toilet part from the double sink vanity. So. at least someone can be doing hair while someone else showers. I've also never liked Jack and Jills--someone is always locking one side and forgetting to unlock it, etc.

Building a single level, ranch style wasn't feasible for us. They're more expensive to build due to foundation and roof costs (there's discussion going on right now in a second thread I started for just construction)--they're also more expensive to heat. And finally, though our lot is large, the portion fronting the street isn't that wide. Design would have been way different to accommodate everything on a single floor.

The person with a disability is a somewhat older family member who won't need access to the second floor, that has no common areas. Most of our living will be done on the main level.

Good questions, thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Correction on my previous post on utilities. The 8K utility cost is wholly water utility hookup cost from WSSC. I don't have the final bill from the electric utility, but this will be less.

Not the OP but chiming in with utility hookup info- the cost to run underground electric at my property from the transformer at the driveway entrance to the building site is $11 a foot. My building site is about 1000 feet from the transformer but the electric company has a $4k rebate for setting up residential service. Just to give some ideas about added costs.

[Anonymous]

And, OP here. Got the bill from our utility for the initial electricity hookup. It's $1,143, which tracks with the above poster's numbers on $11/foot. I will ask about any rebate programs. Not always easy to find all the deals they have.