Keep extensive records right down to the style number and receipts for a screw. Draw pictures no matter how lousy you are at drawing or include a photo that expresses your wishes. In the chaos of a build never trust verbal instructions always follow up with written confirmation. Get the better stuff it costs double to go back and alter it later. If you can't afford what you really want go with the best buy you can get so it's not something you settle on as time goes by. Be open to suggestion. Research. Ask questions. Know what questions to ask. That means having basic knowledge of every aspect of the build. Mostly do not assume that anyone can read your mind or you can read the GC's. Spell stuff out like you were talking to aliens from another planet. Be there as often as you can.

Some stuff I have seen:

I have seen tile jobs where the corners were stacked when the wall was herringbone. I have seen light switches placed in terribly inconvenient places. Floors laid crooked and the customer told the room was not square. Trim work put on backwards. Cabinets lined up crooked. Light boxes off center or to high or to low. Lower grade substitutions made. HVAC vents placed awkwardly.

When planning think how you will use the space and where furniture will go. Learn to use a free online program such as homestyler.com to be sure that the room will properly fit your things. Make sure you don't have to jump over an island to get to the fridge from the stove.

A place to put stuff. Storage and space for linens, winter coats, muddy boots and other seasonal or day to day needs addressed. A convenient way to get the groceries in and the garbage out. A predetermined place for handbags, keys, charging cellphones and other electronics.

Security. While building it's easier to address this then later when everything is in place and walls are up. A master light panel in the bedroom and kitchen that controls varied lighting in the entire home with a kill switch that turns off everything with a few exceptions. 40% of your electric bill is all those blue lights on in the house 24/7.

Keep a business relationship with your GC and his staff and subs.

Ask - how to work your stuff and where things are. Know where the shutoff for the main is or how to alter the temp on the fancy new water heater.

The most helpful thing I can impress on anyone doing a new build is to get a black and white composition book for each room. It should have all the particulars for that room. Swatches, samples. lot numbers, color chips, sizes, change orders and instructions. Also a communication book where any questions you have are put in and dated or any deviations are noted or any information imparted. Such as the painters will be here on friday or the shingles are backordered or the tile in the bathroom looks great! Thanks guys!

Building is an experience. Sometimes a great one never a perfect one. If you understand things are going to mess up and will require on the spot decisions you have no clue what the impact of will be and can go with that you will be fine.

Besides getting an architectural plan and approving it...beforehand...there is one more thing people and especially architects do not do correctly and that is to plan the layout of furniture and come up with unique ideas at that time rather then once you begin with add-ons...which end up costing more and more money. So, it is a great idea, to get a preliminary plan and then give it to an interior designer so these areas can be completely layed out and all of your permanent fixtures and elements can be chosen before you break ground. This is something we do all of the time for our clients. We can work along with your architect and contractor no matter where you are in the USA....if interested call us 714-970-8000...Southern Ca.
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