When our small house couldn't hold all our food supplies, we make a large pantry in the basement with inexpensive metal shelves. I could "shop" in the basement when the upstairs pantry needed replenishment. Even less-frequently used appliances and cooking utensils were kept there.

You could also start to use part of the basement as hang-out space. All it requires is a good clean, maybe a rug, some old or second-hand furniture, and TV/computer. You could add a refigerator also.

If the home you are considering needs as much modification as you've indicated to meet your needs, is it really a good fit? I suggest you speak with custom builders before signing up to remodel a brand new home.

#yvonnecmartin, thank you! It is a good suggestion. And yes, we have done that for many years. Extra freezer in the basement or garage... appliances, serving dishes, and extra ingredients in the basement on shelving...etc. But I have been so looking forward to a space that actually functions well for me and has the things we need on-hand as cooking has become a full-time job with such big appetites, I use up even large bags of ingredients quickly and it has become that I need to travel to a different part of the house for every meal (current house has only a two-door cabinet for pantry items.) Also would appreciate the use of certain weekly-use appliances to live on utility shelves in the pantry rather than taking up precious real estate in the countertop workzones of the kitchen - or housing them with expensive cabinetry. Also there is the issue of the mud room are...with no room for it in current layout, we would need to borrow space from somewhere ANYWAY...or maybe just keep up the hunt for a better house...which is a true possibility.

Let me guess. You've never lived in a house with a basement before.

The cubbies are essentially a hall closet taken out of the den.

Hangout space - basement (doesn't need to be finished)

Large pantry - basement

Extra fridge/freezer - basement

If you must have a utility sink near the washer, then the laundry can move to the basement. A laundry table can be set up there, but everybody I know sorts laundry on the bed.

How big a dining room do you need? For guests, an expanding table can jut into the living room.

And yes, if the laundry goes in the basement, the laundry room can be a mudroom.

Keep looking. You will spend $$$$ trying to make this house work for you and your family.

I just scrolled down and the got a look at the house. Yikes! "partially completed"? Why? Builder went "belly up"? Do not make a move until you investigate why this build has been "abandoned".

The garage "addition" looks very suspicious. I actually feel worried about you. Don't make a move until you have a real estate attorney look into this property and the owner/builder.

I amonly seeing one floor of what looks to be a 2 storey home with a basement . Show us plans s of all the levels .I can see where the main floor needs more space but to start the kitchen could be much larger if the mud room was in the garage . garage conversions are expensive usually since the new space has to be built to code since garages a re usually not made like a house.. Basements are great for families to use for TV and games etc and iften nicer if no one has messed with the space . How many bedrooms upsatirs ? I think you need to first utilze the spaces you have and a garage conversion will cost mor ethan the basement finishing I bet . So think thta first to see what you truly need . Where are you ? This is a house not really made for you life so have a really good sit down wiht the builder to see what can be done at this stage . We have a DR smaller that that but in a pinch we can add a table the sort of moves into the LR but your LR is small too. If the garage can be ne transforemed to living spce then what will you do for garage space ? So much depends on give and take both from you and the builder and even your family.

the easiest / quite frequent thing I see in my area is raising the roof and adding a story. And second..can he frame you a 3 seasons room across the back. If you can do those 2 things at not huge cost ........youll be expanding the footprint quite a bit and I dont think hell have difficulty doing these modifications. the basement is there for whatever...leave the garage alone. the kids will figure out their spots...you just need the spaces ...across the back and UP

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How does the room sizes compare to where you're currently living. IMO this house is too small for a family of 7 and requires too many mods for your family. Don't settle!

"We found a partially completed new construction on a great piece of land in the perfect location. Only problem is that it feels too small for our family in terms of function."

Do I buy this line, below? Not unless you are in Siberia - even Fargo ND builds 12 months a year, or EVERY builder would be out of business.

This?..............................

"The builder is open to making customizations as the structure is only framed at this point and they are taking some time off the building process for winter ."

I'd be digging DEEPLY into this guys financials.

If so perfect all else? Due diligence, and an architect to the site.

Or?? Delay......

Tear it down and start over. Ask how long you will be a family of seven. What you posted is too small, is not great in any way,

I think from the looks of the outside the floor plan can change? Buy it as is and hire your own contractor OR look more closely into the builder before you decide to use him to finish the build.

#1 build over the garage to give you the extra hang out space. Cheaper to do it now.

#2,3,4 Look at the office for that formal dining space which also means the existing dining room can turn into the kitchen and you gain the space from the plan kitchen for mudroom/pantry etc .

#6 unless you talk to the builder and get an idea of what all this would cost who know if it is within your budget but if you want something built for you that is the next step to consider.

What ages are your children? I know it may feel like they’re going to be living with you forever, but they won’t. Will the oldest be gone in 2 or 3 years? Will three be gone in ten years? ALL of them in 15 years?

Heck, IF you took on this property, it probably wouldn’t even be ready for you to move into for another year.

Don’t spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to suit your family’s needs today and pay for all that for the rest of your life.

Small nests help baby birds know when to leave. (if you know what I mean)

If this has a basement then use it? Basements are awesome kid spaces.

I have the same feelings about this as I do on many of the 'Remodeling' forums. You shouldn't try to make so many alterations to any house just because it's smack in your line of sight. A new house is a opportunity to get it all (or mostly) right as one coherent piece.

Good questions asking the length of time you will need to house seven people.

As mentioned above - I would dig deep into what is going on there. Quite suspicious.

I think instead of trying to squeeeeeeeze into the place as is and giving up the garage ( you may have 2 cars now but that will increase a lot ) , I would look into bumping out the back of the house - just 1 level - pull the kitchen out there, make a bigger dining room, a bigger living room, and change the office to first floor bedroom with a full bath( with 5 boys, I think I would want to be on a different level ).

While researching this place , make sure to keep looking!

Good luck!

Remodeling a new build that isn't even built is the worst possible choice between buying a new build, and buying an old existing. It's the biggest waste of money there is. If the new house doesn't actually work for you, there's no need to pay a premium for the shiny new car smell. Just buy the older home that doesn't' work for you either.

3.) Need dedicated laundry room with utility sink with room for sorting for large family

I'd flip-flop the bathroom and the laundry room. You want your dryer to be on an exterior wall (can't vent into the garage). This would be both cheaper and more fire-safe.

4.) Need "mud room"- type area for built-in "lockers" for each persons things.

Option 1: Put these in the garage.

Option 2: Cut into the office space /place the lockers across from the bathroom /laundry room.

5.) Want large walk-in pantry as we buy food in bulk and cook nearly 99% of meals at home. Would even consider (prefer) having side by side full fridge and freezer within pantry if immediately within kitchen reach. Also feel that I can save money on upper cabinetry and "pretty" fridge by having a spacious utility pantry.

Maybe closed wardrobe-type pantry in the dining room.

How do you plan to use the office? Could that be cut in half /use the back half for pantry storage ... and have a small office towards the front?

Consider adding a bay window to these downstairs rooms -- they will make the rooms feel larger.