I am one of those "many others" that would appreciate this as well. I know that I should have as much as I can picked out in advance, but it would still be nice to know the general order of things. I will check with my builder to see what kind of list he has. In the mean time, I found this on HGTV. It's quite general, but at least it's a start.

Jen and Keith's Selection Checklist

Homeplan Choice and Elevations
Plan Modification upgrades/downgrades
Final Plan Modification Approval
Exterior Paint
Exterior Stone
Exterior Siding and Design Elements
Appliances
Electrical
Wiring - Standard and Media
Plumbing and Fixtures
Cabinet Finishes
Wood Floor Stain
Cabinet Hardware
Tile
Interior Paint
Lighting
Carpet
Landscaping

No advice on programs, we simply log ours down by hand, but wanted to state that along w/ model/serial #'s, on items that have lot #'s, it's a good idea to record them down as well in the event of damaged, missing, or needing more of materials. Makes it easier to match up should the need arise.

You should only need to select certain fixtures, hardware, and finishes if you have a reasonable set of design drawings. It is always wise to specify as much as possible in the base contract and avoid "cost plus" allownces.

Rather than a list, you need to ask for a copy of the GC's work schedule. He should have provided one to you at the beginning of the project and should update it every week or two.

If he doesn't have a schedule you've got a bigger problem.

Thanks for the responses. Jodied, thanks for the reference to a Microsoft One Note, I'll really look that up. We were just talking today about wanting to include a thumbnail photo of each thing, and the url where to buy it, so that would make it so much easier!

I wish I could say my drawings were sufficient to provide the finishes, but they're simply not. We also don't even have elevations of rooms, so it's a real challenge.

Collecting information by room may be helpful to you but your builder needs to have it organized by trade so he can give it to the subcontractor responsible for the work. This is best done in the standard CSI 16 division construction specification format.

The other thing you should realize is that a GC should have all of this information now rather than just in time to use it.

Here is a link that might be useful: CSI Divisions

It is possible to use typical architectural finish schedules, door schedules, window schedules, plumbing fixture schedules, and lighting fixture schedules in chart form in Excel to list and communicate the types of materials in each room of the house. The finish schedule might show the walls as north, south, etc., and include wall base and ceiling trim. There would be a notes column for special conditions or reference to drawing notes and details.

Those schedules would be cross referenced with any appropriate specification sections or possibly supplementary mini-spec lists of individual products with model numbers and colors. The format would depend on the nature of your project.

Whatever format you use, it should be clear and suitable for use by your GC or you could find yourself responsible for subsequent errors. Giving the GC information piecemeal through multiple emails or phone conversations is a really bad idea.

The GC needs a complete document with a title and a date on it that he can give to the people who will order and install the materials. Of course, if the GC has signed a design-build contract with you he would prepare the schedules with your input and you would approve them before they were issued to the subs.

Design information is sometimes poorly handled in a house project because it is often not made clear who is the lead designer.

MightyAnvil,

So I found out how he wanted it!
When I called to tell the builder I was bringing the plans to get an estimate I asked him what I needed to presented to him. He said what I descibed was fine. I had every fixture figured and priced, number of extra outlets and dimmers, sketches and surfaces... Turns out he missed a lot becuase he didn't drill down into the room spreasheets. Had he told me he wanted it summed up by trades, I would have prepared it that way. He had also not told me most things are figured based on square feet. Had I known what he needed beforehand I could have made it much easier on him. I've have over 30 books to my credit, so I know how to prepare for an editor. Publishers always give authors guidelines.

Ah, what a learning process!

Back to working on the final schedules--now that I know that they exist ;)

Jodie

DH and I are planning to owner build. I would love to be as prepared as I can be, to keep jobs moving along, avoid delays because I don't know what I want. I need all the help I can get, so I check this thread everyday!! This is the best source of information I have ever found.

jodied any chance of sharing one of your spreadsheets? They sound killer.

Mighty... spec'ing our house right now... are you using the new specs or still the old... Since we're OB'ing and I work for a large GC I know the specs backwards and forwards but am having a hard time with Division 31 eathwork rather than 2 and Electrical is now 26 rather than 16... Just wondering if you switched over since I noticed you referenced the old csi's.