Things to include in brand new house

[Lucysaysno]

We are buying a house off plans (5 bed, detached). Meeting the builder tomorrow. I intend to ask for plug sockets on the kitchen island, on the stair returns (vacuum cleaning) and in the garden (for occasional use if we have bouncy castles, Christmas lights...). I will also request a sink in the utility room and a double depth wardrobe in one of the bedrooms as we will not have a loft as the master bedroom and ensuite are on the second floor. We are expecting to pay extra for these requirements but are hoping that they won't be too expensive...

Is there anything else I should ask for ?

Would a sink in the kitchen island be worth getting?

Twice as many sockets as you think - in every corner of every room. If you can afford it get a wired ethernet connection to every room (preferably to every corner of every room), then when you want to stream 4K TV in the future you won't be trying to do it over wireless...plus it means you won't be tied to having your broadband router in the place the cable comes into the house!

Access panels for any plumbing that is behind tiles/plaster.

Check how the central heating is going to be installed (you want different zones for each floor of the house so that you don't have to have the whole house on if you just want to warm one floor).

Underfloor heating maybe in bathroom? Also electric underfloor heating behind mirrors stops them steaming up.

YY to loads and loads of double sockets. Also double socket (or more) next to every phone/broadband point. A cupboard to hold hoover, ironing board and all that. My "understairs" cupboard is a loo. Hoover has been parked on the middle corner stair for 11 years.

Exterior light(s) over the main garden patio.

Some of the plug sockets that have USB charging things built into them.

I know it's not everyone's 'thing', but if you like a nice TV sound system then consider having speaker cable for rear surround sound speakers and subwoofers installed in the main reception room.

Outside tap/rainwater butts?

Burglar alarm!

I'd consider a quooker tap if you can afford it. Instant boiling water every time. But they are £££, we didn't put one in our new kitchen for this reason.

Good lighting in kitchen and bathroom.

Built in cupboards wherever you can squeeze em in.

Switched sockets so you can turn off all your lounge lamps from one switch on the wall.

Aerial and/or satellite points in all rooms you may want them then all to a central booster hub.

Shaver sockets in bathrooms at a convenient place for toothbrushes etc.

Bathroom storage.

One to consider if its not too late towel radiators with electric elements so even when the heating is off in summer you can warm/ dry your towels easily.

Sensor and switched outside led lighting. Relatively low cost but so nice when you get home in the dark and rain to be able to find your keys in the dark. Plus when you get a late night knock on the door the visitor is lit up.

Provision for an outside lighting circuit once you're in and able to design in. provision for garage/ shed power points.

That's all really helpful stuff - thank you!

I'd second built in storage with a big upstairs cupboard for linen, towels etc if there is space

In the master bed work out where bed is going to be then add 4 (we have 2 higher and two lower) double sockets at least on that wall and also another light switch for the main light. Then you don't have to turn off at the light at the door but in bed. My other home has that in all bedrooms and it is fab. Plenty of storage built in - have you got at least a utility cupboard for hoover, ironing board etc?!

I would have a good walk round what you have got and ask yourself (and family) what is right? what would you do different?

A laundry chute?! I have one as utility is in basement and I loves it. Mains gas supply for barbecue.

A chimney if you like fires. We really miss one now after moving into a new build.

Loads and loads of double sockets. Out side power and lights, front and back. Outside tap. Underfloor heating in bathrooms, I also wish I had had put it in the kitchen as that is tiled and its bloody cold in the morning. Heated towel rails in bathrooms.

I'm with Papalazaru, I've always wanted a laundry chute.

we are having a two-storey house extension this year to include

-upstairs laundry room

-walk in pantry

-sewing room for me (yay!)

-wider hall and loads of space for hanging coats, storing shoes (this includes a bench)

• space under stairs used as storage by using custom made drawers (big ones, for rucksacks)

• space under stairs that goes into loft will be made into a cosy nook

-proper bike racks behind side gate

-stairs to loft for permanent access

-new loft where floor will be made to safety level of a loft conversion (same building regs, so it can be used as a proper room later)

-computer "cupboard"

-new kitchen with island that is a breakfast bar on one side

-double glass doors to garden

• woodburner

• floor heating in the new downstairs are (open space of kitchen, dining area & living room)

• 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms plus another toilet

sounds like bragging, sorry.
but we have 7 kids and need space and be well organised and need lots of practical stuff as well as wanting a house that looks nice.
plans are with architect, hopefully we can submit planning application by end of Jan.
I can't wait.

I forgot new boiler (Megaflow), solar panels, new windows.
I'm sure there are other things.

Ethernet cables in all the major rooms.

Easily accessible stop taps for all bits of pipe to taps\boiler\radiators so that if you need to change something you don't have to drain the whole system.

Really good hall storage

Pull out storage under the stairs

Full size fridge and freezer even if one is in utility, not an American or split fridge freezer

Somewhat to hang tea towels and store trays in the kitchen

Really good drawings/photos of where wires and pipes are in the walls so you don't drill through them

I would really like cable ducts the way you get in offices so that if you want another socket you can just open up the duct and puck up the cable rather than having to do massive channelling through the walls

I would also go with ceiling spotlights and a centre pregnant light in each room on multiple circuits so you can easily change the mood

If you are having any sky or cable TV get the right sorry of cables run to each room internally so you can go to multrooml more easily when you want

Lots of space for recycling bins in the kitchen

Oooh lots of good ideas. we are getting small extension and must look into this ethernet cable stuff and find out what the hell a pregnant light is.

Only thing to add is somewhere near front door to store store dirty shoes boots/wet jackets etc.so you are not walking tthrough the house to the main hall cupboard. We have a porch and its brilliant for that.

Thanks for all your replies, much appreciated. Some fantastic ideas!

Plug in the wall vacuum system. Look at NuTone central systems. Wonderful.

If you are planning on a security system/alarm...have it wired in before they finish decorating. More secure & saves a ton of hassle later..

Thanks for the tips. Artistic can I ask can the alarm system needs to be done before the decorating? We will be getting a monitored alarm but I understand that the sensors attach to the windows

Lucy - the alarm wiring (only if you choose a wired system) goes under the carpets & gets drilled via floorboards etc to position sensors & then have them all connected to a central box. We recently did this & a lot of our first floor carpets had to be lifted to enable this. The fitting company told us that they prefer working on 'new' houses ie before they are decorated so that they can do all this easily instead of working around heavy furniture. The Sensors go on the doors & windows. For subsides it doesn't matter when you do them - before/after moving in/decorating.

If you choose a wireless system then you can have sensors fitted anytime...so you can ignore my input.

Hope I've answered your question?

*sensors not subsidies..

To be extra clear - wired & wireless both systems can be monitored. The option is to choose whether your sensors will connect via wires or without.