I always see plenty of Top 5 or Top 10 lists of items you "Must Have" for your home. Actually, I think I've written a couple myself. I couldn't recall a list of items you didn't need, so I figured it was time to write about a few of the things that we think you can do without. Before I started pulling the list together, I knew that a list like this might get a few of our customers, suppliers and sub-contractor irritated. Regardless, here's our list in no particular order.
- Jetted Tub - Unless you are Julia Roberts or a good buddy of mine who claims he takes a bath every morning while reading the paper (just weird), not many people above 10 years old seem to take baths any more. Jetted tubs can be fairly pricey and for some models, there is some added maintenance to keep them clean.
- Wood Windows - They do look great and often are the right choice for historical renovations, but vinyl and other materials are priced more reasonably and have fewer maintenance issues. Additionally, most wood windows are clad on the exterior with vinyl or aluminum, so the exterior looks like a vinyl or aluminum window. On the interior, most window coverings make it hard to tell what kind of window it is.
- Warming Drawer - I know I'm not going to hear the end of it from my wife and plenty of other people who entertain a lot. For most people, this is an expensive item that is rarely used.
- Spray Foam Insulation - Probably the most exciting thing to happen in the boring world of insulation has been Icynene and other similar spray foam products. Many of these are "green" products, but they continue to be high cost, while traditional insulation offers similar insulating value. With the exception of a few tight roof designs, like a built out attic space, I'm not sold on the cost/value of spray insulation.
- Pot Filler - Another item that many chefs have loved is the addition of the pot filler over the stove. They can be very beautiful, but tend to be pricey fixtures that aren't used very often.
- Paperless Drywall - Another highly touted "green" product, is simply too expensive. It's a great concept for eliminating the risk of mold, but I'd rather treat regular drywall with a mold prevention treatment to eliminate this risk at a much lower cost.
- Outdoor Kitchen Sink - Everyone loves outdoor kitchens and grills these days, but my experience is that all those dirty plates and utensils end up back in the main kitchen anyway, so the sink really becomes a magnet for leaves and bugs, while rarely getting used.
- Intercom System - Just to be on the up and up, I have an intercom system in our new home that is less than a year old. It's great because we built out the attic as a 3rd floor bonus room, which makes finding my kids more challenging. For most people I believe that these systems will become dated within a few years.
- High Efficiency HVAC System - Don't get me wrong, I'm all for high effeciency, expecially with AC systems in Florida, but sometimes the cost of the efficiency exceeds its value. It's true that an 18 SEER system will be much more efficient than the building code requirement of 13, but the added cost for that jump in efficiency doesn't make sense to me. I'd push it up one level to a 14 and be very satisfied with the value.
There are several other items that made our "not so special" honorable mention list, but when it comes to building a custom home in Tampa and St. Petersburg, don't hesitate to ask your homebuilder about new products. We are a great source of practical hands on experience for what is and is not "worth it".
Jon Solomon
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