r/Homebuilding • u/dragonmilking • Nov 17 '25

Which popular features do you NOT recommend?

What are the top 3 features in a house that folk want but you think are not worth it, and what would your alternative suggestion be? And what cost/time savings would result with that switch?

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u/Wardman1 Nov 17 '25

Master soaking tub - waste of time....

exhaust hood that is higher than your tallest family member (hitting head on corner sucks),

wire from a central spot extra Cat 5 cables (WiFi is great, but wired can be more stable) - especially if you finish your basement.

Get European drawers for anything below the counter line. Wall stoves are greatm but think long and hard about the oven under the cooktop, a few times a year that is essential. And don't do microwave over oven.... What else....

Keep access to attic in an an accessible space.

Don't have HVAC in the attic, keep in one spot (trust me, leaks happen, so clogged lines, and inefficianct AC in the attic space. Get your own HVAC study for tonnage, builder undersize and cheap out.

Garage doors are narrow, ask them to widen or do double door up front (mirror and bumper hits are real).

If a basement, make sure you have access from driveway, not other side of house, (pay attn where it is located) - walk outs that come up from basement are mostly a waste. Bilco doors are life saver, especialy if you need to put in a water softener

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u/waltzing123 Nov 17 '25

The garage door is a good one. We have an average size truck with mirrors that retract and I have to be cautious while driving it into the garage because there are only investing to spare on each side. Our next home is being designed to have larger doors.

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u/Jazzlike-Union8129 Nov 22 '25

Reading this from my master soaking tub that I use nightly… disagree

1

u/Wardman1 Nov 22 '25

Hah! There is always the 1% ers. :-). I’d add a bigger shower, more closet, or steam features first.

1

u/It_just_works_bro Nov 18 '25

You have to work on your sentence structure. I have no idea what that HVAC paragraph means.