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Homeowner regrets: 6 things I wish I'd done differently in my new build

Created at 1 Jul · 11:55 AM1 source
IN SHORT

A homeowner reflects on six decisions made during the construction of her dream house, identifying areas where she wishes she had made different choices, such as the type of countertops and closet systems.

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Key Numbers

6things homeowner wishes she'd done differently
5 yearstime since homeowner moved in

Who's Involved

Caroline Eubanks
Homeowner reflecting on her new build experience
Homeowner regrets: 6 things I wish I'd done differently in my new build

↳ Why This Matters

The homeowner's reflections offer practical advice for others building or renovating, highlighting common oversights and the importance of detailed planning and specific choices for long-term satisfaction with a new home.

Key facts

  • The author wishes she had conducted a final contractor walk-through to identify and fix issues before officially completing the build.
  • She regrets choosing the same countertops throughout the house, as they do not complement all room aesthetics.
  • The homeowner wishes she had considered pocket doors for tight spaces like closets and powder rooms.
  • She regrets not selecting a closet system that better suits her specific wardrobe needs.
  • A different kitchen layout and a more functional pantry were also identified as missed opportunities.

Caroline Eubanks, who built her dream home on family land starting in 2020, has identified six key decisions she wishes she had made differently since moving in over five years ago. Among her regrets is not performing a final contractor walk-through, which led to unaddressed issues like a protruding shower tile and nail holes in the drywall. She also expressed regret over selecting a single type of countertop for the entire house, noting that the chosen material does not complement the cooler tones in her upstairs bathrooms. Eubanks wishes she had considered pocket doors for space-saving in areas like closets and powder rooms, and regrets not choosing a closet system better suited to her wardrobe. Additionally, she mentioned wishing for a different kitchen layout and a more functional pantry. Despite these reflections, she still considers the house her 'Barbie Dreamhouse' and aims for it to be a legacy home.

Frequently asked questions

The author began building her first home in 2020.

The author has lived in her home for just over five years.

One of the tiles in her shower juts out slightly, and there are nail holes in the sheetrock that were not patched.

She regrets choosing the same countertop throughout the house because it suits the kitchen but clashes with the cool tones of her upstairs bathrooms.

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Cadence

How It Developed

The author began building her first home in 2020 on family land.
She selected a house plan and worked with her father and contractors.
After moving in, she noticed several details she wished she had changed.
Regrets include not doing a final contractor walk-through and choosing uniform countertops.
She also wishes she had utilized pocket doors for tight spaces and selected a better closet system.
Additional regrets involve not opting for a different kitchen layout and not installing a better pantry.

Sources

T1
I built my dream house 6 years ago. There are already 6 things I wish I'd done differently.Business Insider

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