A interrogate for builders, plumbers, electricians, home builders etc...? we are currently designing our home and would really appreciate any...
we are currently designing our home and would really appreciate any ideas/suggestions/ALTERNATIVES when it comes to home designing. eg - keeping plumbing to one side of the house to cut plumbing costs, and using 'square setting' instead of architraves, not having skirting boards, drawing the ourselves. Things that we would not have usually thought of. Even any websites would be appreciated.
Answers: Is this your personal long occupancy residence? If it is then plan for the long permanent status use of you electricity, install 2 different receptacle circuits per room, and share the rooms, do the lights in the ceiling beside 2 circuits, and alternate the rooms. Install coax for cable in every wall more than 6 foot wide. Smoke/ CO2 detectors surrounded by every room and hallway, wired as a set so one trips they adjectives trip. Consider using a 3 conductor cable for all outlets and alternate the circuits, this should gather about 1/3 of the chain pulling labor, but the material is more expensive. This also will allow some versatility surrounded by your wiring configuration.
Plan on using a warmth pump rather than a furnace and AC system. Not much of this will put aside you money up front, but it is well worth the initial expense.
From a Plumbing standpoint. Don't skimp on installing shut-off valve. Most contractors "save money" by not have them on tubs and showers. Then when you need to work on them, you own to shut off the integral house. Install access panels for tubs and showers for the adjectives so you don't need to cut a hole within a wall for any repairs or changes. Buy the best fixtures you can afford. If you run with colored fixtures (tub, lav and toilet) cause sure it is a color you want to live with forever.