Thank you @tiadonald Good luck with your new home. I would say if you want anything other than what they "normally do it" make sure they fully understand exactly what you want. Don't leave anything to chance. We have finished our build. We took a design with the floor plan I basically liked and modified it (a lot!) I did the interior. My husband acted as contractor, and we had a great build contractor that did the build to my husbands requirements as we wanted our home to be very energy efficient. So we have double studded walls, spray foam insulation,on demand tankless recirculating hot water system with a push button demand system at each sink. This modification saves having to run the water until the hot water reaches the point of use. We installed an energy efficient mini split air condition/heat pump unit. We do not have traditional duct work in our home. ( not needed) we have installed a heat fireplace and transfer fans in the walls to move air if needed for temp control. We did not use it at all this winter. There are many other features that make our home energy efficient. Our energy dean is low compared to a regular build. I really love the way our home lives. We did have a few issues with our plumber, tile installer, ( we actually wound up doing almost half the tile ourselves) and cabinet maker but we are really enjoying our home. It is a work in progress with decor but, Here are some pics of the results:

I like the floor plan. I find a foyer welcoming, and you can decide where you want people to go in your house -- your friend into the kitchen or the insurance salesman straight through to the living room. I agree that some consideration needs to be given to how to decorate the combined DR/LR space, but -- whether the kitchen wall stays or goes -- I would love to have that large space for flexibility to entertain a small or large group, without the kitchen in-between. Many people like the ktichen in the middle -- I think it's a matter of preference.

You can also find "universal" house plans online to get ideas. You might also be able to find an existing home or one that could be modified. You aren't the first requiring such a home in a warmer climate. To avoid the very high heat and humidity, consider the panhandle of Florida, or Georgia north and west of the Coastal Plains area.

hey