Don't worry - there are two thousand decisions you will have to make before breakfast. Building codes dictate that there are outlets every 6-10 feet, so if your builder is conforming to building codes, you'll get all the outlets you need.

Do consider what computer/cable TV outlets and telephones you need and in which rooms. Technology is destined to change, so they won't work for you forever, but in the short term you want to consider every place where there might be a TV or phone or computer.

Universally - outlet color, switch color, door style, hinge color, doorknob style, trim color.

If you're in a cold climate, ask about an outdoor temperature reset for your furnace -- this will save energy and heating costs.

Think about lighting & where you will want to adjust lighting levels with dimmers & make sure the dimmers will work with LED and compact fluorescent bulbs.

For the kitchen alone, you need to pick cabinets, floors, drawer pulls, door pulls, pendant fixture(s), appliances, interior appliance fittings, under cabinet lighting, faucet, sink, paper towel holder, window coverings, back splash. Wall color, ceiling color, trim color. Counter tops. You have to decide between wall ovens plus a cooktop versus a regular stove with oven. Do you want vanity appliances like wine fridges and ice makers and warming drawers (expensive!)? Stove hood? Microwave hood?

Bathrooms are the same: sink, faucet, toilet, wall tile, cabinets, door pulls, drawer pulls, flooring, shower door/curtain, towel bars, toilet paper holder, counter tops (multiply by the number of bathrooms), wall color, ceiling color, trim color. Window coverings. Shower head(s), special features like steam showers or Japanese special toilets that do everything but wipe your tushie. Light fixtures (sconces, recessed fixtures), exhaust fans.

Bedrooms are easier -- light fixtures, wall color, trim color, ceiling color, flooring, window coverings.

You need to pick a front door and lock set, color. House color, trim color, accent color, locations of hose bibs so you can water the grass. Deck color if there's a deck. Make sure the porch is big enough to stand on the porch AND open the door at the same time (I hate porches where you have to stand on the stairs to get enough swing for the door!). Roof color. To shutter or not to shutter. Porch railing style, deck railing style.

Staircases - bannister style and color. Wooden or painted risers. Wooden or painted treads.

and and and...for every room.

Oh yeah - make sure there's a whole house surge protector & if you have a dedicated office, make sure your computer is on a separate breaker so no one with a vacuum cleaner can pop your breaker.

Anybody else?

Thank you so much Lynne. I really appreciate your time and effort in that response.

LOL - no problem. I've remodeled my entire house (well, just short of it - just finishing the kitchen), so have had to make all of those decisions. It's second nature by now. :D

If possible, try to incorporate as many Universal Design elements as possible into the house now. It is much cheaper to plan and build/install these elements from the beginning than to try to retrofit later.

Here is a mega-post with more information:
Please take from this whatever is helpful. Best wishes.

Houzz
1.) Go to Houzz Ideabooks and enter "Universal Design" in the search box.
2.) Go to Houzz.com/Handicap-accessible
3.) Go to Houzz Design Dilemma and enter "handicapped" in the search box.

Universal Design
1.) www.universaldesignstyle.com
2.) www.schaefferconstruction.com specializes in Universal Design

Handicap Access
1.) The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) site has specific measurements for wheelchair turning radius, angle of ramps, handrails, everything.
www.ada.gov/adast94.pdf
www.ada.gov/
2.) ADA Ramps: ADA Code 4.8

Aging-in-Place
1.) Consult with a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist. You can find one through the nahb.org website.
2.) Go to Houzz Professionals and contact Brickwood Builders. They are Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists. (For you other Houzz Professionals who are CAPS, please add your name to this list!)

The most important thing is to have a crystal clear idea of what you want, before you start the process. Any good contractor will help you decide what's crucial for your home, and will run you through the best solutions for you (as mentioned in above posts!)

Remember: cabling for any future additions now, will save you heaps of time and money in the long run.

Best of luck! :)

There had been similar discussions about this topic, do a search box under "discussion".

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