In the beginning.....

Thinking back to the beginning.... my husband and I had seen a house that generally speaking checked all of the boxes (4-3-2), but the kitchen just did not function or make sense for us.  The builder had other houses under construction, primarily 4 bedroom homes with 2 baths -- and we really wanted 2 1/2 or 3 baths.  So after calling the builder directly, we learned that the house plan  that we liked the majority of the layout other than the kitchen was going to be built in a different area, and that he was willing to make modifications to address our concerns -- it was a great fit.

Items that we modified:

Porch Extension -- added 15' onto the back porch.

This was the porch on the house that we modified and extended 15'

 -- 2020 Note:  Would have vaulted the ceiling and possibly made the wall straight across the back.

Kitchen --

Original Kitchen design -- did not like that chairs could not slide under counter on side closest to living room.

 Our modifications included -- adding a wall with an arch, a peninsula with a bar, a gas range, a microwave shelf, a vent hood, a sliding trash can.  Generally speaking -- very happy with the modifications.

Master Bathroom --

Original master bath design

Battle #1 -- my husband wanted to completely remove the tub and have one HUGE shower.  Compromise -- builder moved some walls and was able to make a walk-in shower with large bench.  We also removed the lower section, used framed mirrors and sconces (more on that later)

Garage -- the original plan was a two car garage and the slab that was poured was a three car garage

Sidewalks -- the builder agreed to pour 4' wide sidewalks (from prior home experience, if any of your landscape plants flow over the edge onto the sidewalk -- the sidewalk can almost disappear; additionally, if you ever have to get a wheelchair down the sidewalk, having a bit more room makes life so much easier.

Slab for the barn -- we included a slab for the barn/shop in the initial contract -- size was a different battle.

Surround sound wiring -- listed in the contract

Flooring changes -- added wood floors to the master bedroom and bedroom #4 (later added wood to the breakfast room); added tile in the master bedroom closet; the two guest bedrooms are the only spaces with carpet.

At the time, we thought that we had done a good job of covering our bases and should not end up making other upgrades that were going to be pricey.  If we had only known!

All of these items were in a contract addendum with prices, etc.