Is hiring a local architect and designing a house with them that meets your needs and fits your site an option?

It looks like a stock plan. It is very hard to change these type of plans by staying within the footprint of what they offer that fits the lot. It seems the ? mark area ads no value unless you need an office or a playroom or something to that affect. If the problem exists that you want to add more counter space then it would be along the pantry/foyer wall that can be extended for a specific task like coffee centre or you need to extend the kitchen into the garage entrance.

I would pull the pantry wall up to align with the kitchen wall, move the pantry door all the way to the left and extend cabinets to the pantry door. Layout pantry shelves in an L shape.

How much is Forbes Capretto Homes willing to change and how much are you willing to pay?

If you go back to the house plan options from the builder, here is their version. So an addition will work with the roof layout, however adding a basement under it should have more thought put into it. Depending on your goals for more counter in the kitchen, if you can't match the cabinets or counter, then you may have to do their version where they are separated. If you can and are getting new counters anyway, you can do Julie's idea or a version of that.

Naf_Naf's idea is so much better.

I love that idea!!!!!!

Thanks all!!!

If we kept the pantry but put a door off that foyer and extended the cabinets like Naf suggested would that be really weird ha?

@mark they will change some but it’s up to their digression

@julie I like that too thanks!!

"they will change some but it’s up to their digression"

So I guess this is a new tract build that has not been started, maybe not even a lot deposited on? And the "room in yellow" is actually not "done" but an extra sunroom option. So then you should be working with their designer or team, giving your list of wants, whoever is responsible for making the design and cost/construction/timeline decisions simultaneously. Otherwise anything in this thread doesn't hold much water.

Your idea to keep the pantry where it is and move the door to the foyer really doesn't accomplish anything. Naf_naf nailed it as always.

Agree. Your idea makes no sense.

@3, the lot has a deposit, contract signed and the room in yellow has been paid for. We have the ability to change things that haven’t yet been done which is why we’re looking at some other options. We had to modify this plan because our original choice didn’t fit.

Thanks for the helpful tip @cp. that’s why I asked.

Another "please do Naf's idea" here. It takes the wasted space that is in front of the pantry and adds it to the garage while also making the kitchen bigger. Nothing but wins there. Our garage is also Utah shaped and we love it.

That ”panhandle” introduced by naf_naf’s idea is a good place for a ”man door”, for getting at the lawn mower, bikes bikes, snow shovel, etc.

Notice how the pantry is now closer to the kitchen and dining, and the ”family entry” is closer to the stairs, powder room, etc, and avoids clutter in the kitchen. You might add a pocket door to the foyer; it will usually be open, but you can close it for company.

Thanks for all the tips!! I loved nafs idea but after talking it over with the husband, he wants to keep the mudroom where it is because we have another exterior door going to the backyard off it for the dogs and a dog shower inside. I’m bummed but he’s right that we don’t want our muddy dogs traipsing through the house everytime.