Not that faucet please? You can do better than that ( more style, either a SINGLE hole or eight inch spread) , and if you are "afraid" of too modern ? What is with the rock back splash and the black bar pulls? What is the final FEEL you want in your bath? Dark wood needs no dark pulls, that's for sure.

What is the shower head and diverter style/ valve trim?

Hey Jan,

Thanks for your response. The faucet is what comes with the package we chose. We are using a semi custom builder, pick the floor plan and package which includes a certain level of finishes. I’ll upgrade later, was also told it would be easy to start with oval then have a tile guy come and cut out for a drop in rectangular. I think it would save me a chunk of change too (they are charging 350$ per sink for rectangular!). Same goes with the hardware, you pick for the entire house unfortunately. All the plumbing is satin nickel. I really chose that hardware for the kitchen as my upper cabinets will be white. I don’t think I can do half satin nickel, half matte black.

Rectangle. Choose a faucet with an arc and separate hot/cold control handles.

This was the other option I think (or at least dang close) and if anything I like it less. They all look very spec house to me. The style I could see myself switching to in the long run would be more along these lines. The pic that has separate hot and cold.

Like the second one ( Moen )

Elle that was my thought, I was told it’s cheaper to switch out later and I know of a lot of subs I could then hire out than pay the builder upgrade. They hose you! And don’t let you use subs because of the “warranty”. Go figure

I find rectangular sinks with sharp corners like the picture you posted a little more difficult to clean. It's not terrible, but if you wash extremely dirty farm or garden hands, and/or your sinks tend to build up soap scum, it will be tougher to get in those corners to scrub out.

They sure do look nice though...

Nicole - I would not plan on having someone come in to recut your counter and install a different sink. It’s another mess and may possibly void the warranty.

Hi Nicole--

Just jumping in here to say that if there's a way at all to have your builder consider undermount sinks, I'd strongly recommend. I can't imagine them not offering at least one undermount version; it actually eliminates seams you have to clean around - regardless of the bowl shape. The lips and tight clearance reveals behind and around those sink elevations as shown will rankle before the construction dust is even out of the house. Especially with a whole house done to the same install spec.

They do offer it but it’s a substantial markup. We were hit with some unexpected site prep costs so unfortunately it isn’t an option. I appreciate your input!!!

Jen thanks for the input. The warranty is a year, and with big out of pocket expenses like fencing (it’s an acre) and paving, it would be a year so if we waited the warranty would be done. This isn’t something I could do instantly, but it is worth pricing out with subs the future expense and materials. If it comes out even to 350 a sink then it’s worth doing now (knowing we’d like to upgrade the faucets eventually). Ugh so many choices. We had some unforeseen site prep costs that are causing us to pick and choose between some finishes we were expecting unfortunately.

the problem is, if they cut the 3 holes for the 4" faucet, and you want to upgrade to a widespread, you're screwed. They'll have already made the holes in your countertop.

is there an option for one hole? if you do that, then you can have your other two holes made later for the wider spread faucet.

as for sink, will you be redoing those later as well? the same issue applies since you're doing a drop in. you'll be getting a sink w/the 3 holes set at the 4",,,upgrading to wide spread faucet means getting new sink too.

what's the big deal w/the upgrade? you can find rectangle drop in sinks for $100. what is w/this builder?

Hi Beth. So they are a “semi custom” builder. Better quality than spec homes (as evidenced by their materials, structural components etc) but they offer packages not fully custom. Overall we are super satisfied with these guys and they are enabling us to build a quality new home but we are at the mercy of certain details. So upgrading outside of what is offered in a package (and we picked be nicest before full custom) comes at a premium. Hence the waiting until later to upgrade sinks and also faucets. I’m starting to realize it would be cheaper to get subs to upgrade then pay the ridiculous 350 per sink (not including better faucets!). The thought of picking brand new materials just to upgrade is killing me though, feels so wasteful.

it would be cheaper. You can find two under mount rectangle sinks and two wide spread faucets for 500 total (now if you want better quality, it will go up a few hundred). but to pay 700 for two sinks is ridiculous.

will they allow you to not pick any sink or faucet? if so, do you get a credit? if not, just pick builder basic, don't have it installed, move in, sell it on line, buy new stuff, hire someone to install it.

No they won’t because they want it to be “within their product warranty.” It truly feels like a monopoly on the situation to take advantage of people who want a more custom home without paying for a custom builder. We live in an overly inflated market and contractors can pretty much cargos whatever they want. I can’t complain as we are getting almost everything we want structurally minus having fun with super specific details like varying hardware, sinks, lights etc (all things we can switch), but torn between that dilemma of knowing what things cost when you sub out and having great connections. I guess that’s how these guys make a living though, it’s all in the upgrades! The contract requires move in ready, otherwise we’d totally sub out all the finishes.

eesh. well, go w/the cheap sinks (those are easy to switch out later) and go w/a single hole faucet, if they have one. if you go w/that triple hole faucet, then you're stuck. they can't re-drill holes at a later date for the 8", because the 3-4" faucet holes will be there.

this is the one hole faucet. when you take it out, you'll only have the one center hole. new guys can then do your wide spread and drill the other two, further out.

Your builder is no more "semi custom" than I have five heads. These are the looks of a "starter style" condo build forty years ago.. He needs a drastic upgrade to his "package" ........A four inch center set faucet is for nursing homes and cheap hotels. Sorry. You would be doing him a favor. Hope you don't find you can put a finger through your drywall.

We did almost the exact same layout in our condo (Florida). Its our full time residence, and surprisingly both Dear Hubs and I can be at the sink at the same time without feeling cramped. Its one of my favorite rooms. Our faucet set has the handles separated, and we have rectangular sinks. Our center tower is kinda slick....Ed’s side opens towards me (so he has easy access to the inside) and my side opens towards him (again, I can reach right in). Everyone who notices that thinks its very clever. Our vanity is also wall hung, so the size 12 feet fit under easily with no stubbed toes or having to bend way over sink. We also have “pebble” floor in shower.

Having worked for a “Semi-Custom” builder in the past, they know right down to the number of screws that they use in order to keep their profit margin. Installing their sink allows the project to be completed and have the final inspection for your Certificate of Occupancy or “CO”. They want to move on, its business.

In agreement with the installation of a single hole faucet if you plan on replacing with a larger faucet. Faucet finish is best if it matches what you have in the shower.

Suggest you reconsider “the rocks”. They always look fun as a sample but take on a new personality after they are installed especially for the backsplash in a smaller space.

I would prefer the rectangular sink.

I would prefer the rectangular sink. I think they look a little more updated. Undermount would be better but if you can’t go that route the rectangular still is a nicer option in my view. It will fit with your other choices just fine.

Go with that single hole Moen faucet if your plan is to replace to three hole/8” faucet style. That way you only have one hole in your counter and can add the other two where you need them.

do a search here for threads with river rock shower floors, etc. to understand how south the look (and feel) can go.... its good to be an educated consumer.

Yeah well Jan I’m 30 years old and building my first house. Sorry it isn’t up to your standards.

Beth I really appreciate all your info! I will make sure to talk to the builder through all of this. We have a LONG meeting next week and I will add this to my list of discussion topics. The grout used throughout the entire house is Power Grout, which was highly recommended by both the designer I worked with and the builder. I also reached out to the designer today and different faucet options. Waiting to hear back but it sounds like I can get the Moen Voss, which is substantially better than the Eva! Waiting to hear back on other options. Fingers crossed that she gave me accurate information!