Just finished watching the first vid. i like how you laid out your finances and that you seem like a normal couple unlike the secret millionaires that are building homes on YT.
Hi! We just signed with Pulte in a nearby community and wondering what all you did for the low voltage electrical upgrades. It feels like there are so many different options for CAT6, pre-wire packages, security systems, smart home, etc. Not super techy, so unsure of what it all means.. we want to add functionality, but also don't want Phoenix Systems (the outsourced company) to sell us things we don't need :)
So for low voltage stuff, I had them put CAT6 in the office, in the garage, behind a TV in the owners suite, behind the main TV in the gathering room and behind the TV that will be upstairs in the second living room thing. I figured thats worth doing because CAT6 is 10GB per second which will be future proof for at LEAST 15 years. I also had them add the data tube thing for the main TV to hide cords that go down the wall. I did NOT do any of their "smart packages." When you price out your own Access Points and cameras and doorbell things and stuff they upcharge pretty hard. And I wanted to build all my own smart whatever. As far as networking, if youre not doing anything crazy, youll just need the modem and router that come from your internet provider and a network switch with PoE (power over ethernet) - that way your access points that go in the ceiling to spread internet (the wiring for that will come with the house already) can be powered by the ethernet cable that plugs into them, the ethernet cable thats already in the ceiling. Im actually making my 'home networking video' next week which will be super helpful and cover the basics for setting that up. I promise thats SUPER easy and you can do the whole thing with just a screw driver and a few minutes of your time.
@@SPACEDESIGNWAREHOUSE Thanks for all the info - very helpful! Agree that they seem to uncharge so much for the "smart" options. We are planning to do a couple CAT6 similar to what you did as well. Did you do any security setups with them? We were thinking about at least doing the security system pre-wire so we could eventually get some cameras set up on our own and not have to rely on battery (or solar) operated cameras. Looking forward to your home networking video!
Nice! Florida Building Inspector here. Let me know if you have any questions you want to run past a pro with no monetary reasons behind the answer you get.
Oh WOW! That actually sounds like an incredible gift, since Im *sure* commissions must drive a lot of whats put in front of me during the design process. One thing Im curious about is this EFL Standard, high efficiency choice I made. I mean, it definitely seems to me like a solid choice to get the block filled with foam, but when they list things like "Extra caulking and weather proofing" there will be NO WAY on earth for me to know the difference, even if I go look at it while theyre building it. I mean, I dont know how much caulk belongs... whereever you put caulk while building a house.
Ask for a detailed list of the extra work to be performed. I.E. - "Extra caulking", is not detailed. I can expect which type of seams to be caulked and where? Ask questions like does that include a reflective radiant barrier and/or spray foam insulation in the attic? Will my attic be a higher R value than the standard 38R?
What is the difference expected from a Blower Door leakage test with the EFL package? In general, in a non aggressive way make sure the Superintendent sees you, and gets to know you. Drop tech details so they can tell you have done your research and can tell that you will be around. You will get a better end product.
You are very lucky my Parents had purchased the same in a planned Community ‘Leehigh Acres’ on the west coast not too far from Fort Meyers Beach. They had the same great model homes, just they never got built just Mobile Home Style
Ooof..oooof...and ooooof! I feel bad for anyone building and financing right now. My first house I bought was in Aug of last year. I got locked in at 4.9% financing... on a 1979 ranch with a 2 car garage and 1.5 baths... for $360,000. I feel the burn every day I come home after work to an old piece of crap house that needs a lot of work that I pay $2750 a month for. At least you're getting a new house and your awesome new roomates down payment lol
Yeah the rates are PURE INSANITY.. The mortgage doesnt actually start until the house is complete, so we've got like 7-9 months to see if an election year causes lower rates. But the plan is to just suffer until the rates come down and refinance. And yeah, it wouldnt have even been a consideration to build a new house without Tommy-Deep-Pockets over there!
Good question. In my limited personal experience, my first house was all wood. The house we live in now was from like the 70’s and that’s block. I’m pretty sure at some point because termites are basically automatic here, the code changed to where the first floor has to be now.
why exactly does RUclips show this to me? why would i care about some random american planning to build a ugly useless house in middle of nowhere. damn this is nuts..
I, too, wonder what things you looked at on the internet, RUclips or otherwise, that led google to determine that what I’m doing with my money might interest you. It may be a combination of our combined interests beyond this video that perhaps google has figured our interests are compatible in some way. Either way, it’s nice to hear from someone apparently far away, nevertheless.
Reconsider gas for cooking, Induction is far better and can obviously be ran off our solar. If you need convincing watch Climate towns video on gas. Keep up the good work though
Im torn on having gas at all... Thats one of those 'big box - preplanned neighborhood' decisions thats not up to me, the house WILL have a gas line. But I agree with you on the induction cooktop. I want the utility bill to be as close to zero as possible, they want to hook up an 'on demand' water heater that ALSO runs on gas; but I prefer the hybrid-heat-pump water heaters because of their crazy efficiency and also, the solar will handle it. We dont even use heat most years because Florida... So other than the stove and the water heater, what are we using gas for? I guess the jacuzzi? But same story again, I want that to run off the solar and the battery, not just burn gas all the time, thats kind of crazy. I guess itll be good for the grill if for nothing else - we're getting like a built in outdoor kitchen setup in the lanai. Thank you for bringing that up - I hadnt thought about induction, though I know about it and envy those who have it.
@@NicholasJamesJohnson Yeah plus cooking indoors with gas will push your AC to run harder to cool the kitchen from the extra heat generated. I have an on demand hot water system (Combi boiler) and they are great but I could easily replace it with an insulated tank heated by an electrical element. They also have the added bonus of giving you great water pressure for showers if you are in a low pressure area. If you have a large enough water tank you shouldn't run out of hot water. Great idea about the sockets under the eaves by the way. I'll be interested to see the interior design. Please don't out your TV over a fireplace like I see in most American homes
@@gnipz1 no worries about the fireplace; in Florida it’s summer for about 11 months and the “cold month” is only light sweater weather. The stove will have a giant hood that exhausts to the outdoors so I don’t think that heat will be too substantial. Hybrid heat pump water heaters aren’t just a tank with an element.. they have essentially an air conditioner on the top and use that heat pump to dump heat into the water tank. Which means it’s MOVING heat, rather than CREATING heat.. look them up, they use like 5x less electricity to make the same hot water! And like you said, I can just get a giant tank and still never run out.
Dang.. well the house is done in two weeks, so there’s probably just one more of these to suffer through. I apologize, I thought it would be more interesting to see the whole process.
Yeah, it’s going to be so fun to hang out in there while they’re putting all the walls up and me just bothering everyone, but bringing muffins and lasagna so they deal with it
That's perfect! Don't be surprised if you see me in construction clothing walking around the site to get in on the lasagna action. @@SPACEDESIGNWAREHOUSE
Question: What are you going to do about homeowners insurance? (Legitimate question, not trolling) I keep seeing on the news and other RUclips channels how insurance providers are either leaving the state of Florida altogether or not writing any new policies. Will you be stuck with Citizens insurance...also, whoever you end up with as your insurance provider consider adding sinkhole coverage to your policy as Florida ranks #1 in the US in sinkholes. Thank you for the informative/entertaining videos and best wishes.
I think thats just one of those news scaretactics things.. A quick search shows a bunch of insurance companies active in Florida. But I think we'll be going with USAA. Im a veteran and they usually have competitive rates. Our house now has something called fed...something. Wow I dont even know the name of it. Good call on the sinkholes! It is a big sandy place.
Love this! I found you from a Reddit thread. We are just about to start building our home as well. Not in a planned community tho - ours is completely custom. So basically every tiny detail and decision is up to us. It’s a little overwhelming. And also with the land we’re in the same price range. It’s overwhelming to say the least. I am excited to watch your journey.
NICE! Yeah, since Im not a designer by any means, I didnt want the etxra stress of trying to create a 'flow' or an open concept that makes sense.. You guys are brave! Though, even with the floor plan I chose, I could see a thing or two that I would optimize. What state? Im just curious if you get a basement, it seems like free square footage, there are no basements in Florida.
Oh you’re saying I should add Ethernet even where I don’t think I’ll need it? I suppose it’s pretty cheap to just go ahead and have them put it in all the rooms..
Easier than doing it later, especially since you don't have basement access. Fortunately I could still fish mine from the basement. Just sayin with IOT and nerds like us preferring hard wired connections???
@@SPACEDESIGNWAREHOUSE I think the odds for doing it for your new house is low if construction is going to start in 2 weeks. I do more on Florida's east coast
@@georgey8280 ahhh. Yeah, the neighborhood we’re building in is all getting built at once, and it’s already got about 15 houses started, two of them look pretty much done! I’ve been wondering how they handle so much at once; it looks like ‘your’ crews just jump from house to house and they have I think 7 or 8 at any given time at the same phase in the build. Do you work on these preplanned neighborhoods? I’m hoping since we’re about 30th, everyone will have a ton of muscle memory doing the same models over and over and be perfecting it by the time they get to lot 67!:)
@@SPACEDESIGNWAREHOUSE It depends on each neighborhood. Other developers don't allow upgrades until after the construction of the house so it is easier and quicker to install. Because you were given the option to change different features and add additional options, the time it takes to complete is dependent on what upgrades you or the developer requests. To clarify, I run electrical for different developers including Pulte. Are you planning on putting in a pool?
@@georgey8280 yep, we’re putting in a pool and paid for the ‘pre-wiring’ that goes out to it. Why? ALSO, and you may not know this one, but with Pulte, no one ever asked/talked about a water heater. I love my heat pump hybrid water heater, and we’re going to get solar, but the neighborhood has gas and the model homes have those ‘on-demand’ gas water heaters. It feels like I’m not getting a choice on that..
Just finished watching the first vid. i like how you laid out your finances and that you seem like a normal couple unlike the secret millionaires that are building homes on YT.
Hi! We just signed with Pulte in a nearby community and wondering what all you did for the low voltage electrical upgrades. It feels like there are so many different options for CAT6, pre-wire packages, security systems, smart home, etc. Not super techy, so unsure of what it all means.. we want to add functionality, but also don't want Phoenix Systems (the outsourced company) to sell us things we don't need :)
So for low voltage stuff, I had them put CAT6 in the office, in the garage, behind a TV in the owners suite, behind the main TV in the gathering room and behind the TV that will be upstairs in the second living room thing. I figured thats worth doing because CAT6 is 10GB per second which will be future proof for at LEAST 15 years. I also had them add the data tube thing for the main TV to hide cords that go down the wall.
I did NOT do any of their "smart packages." When you price out your own Access Points and cameras and doorbell things and stuff they upcharge pretty hard. And I wanted to build all my own smart whatever.
As far as networking, if youre not doing anything crazy, youll just need the modem and router that come from your internet provider and a network switch with PoE (power over ethernet) - that way your access points that go in the ceiling to spread internet (the wiring for that will come with the house already) can be powered by the ethernet cable that plugs into them, the ethernet cable thats already in the ceiling. Im actually making my 'home networking video' next week which will be super helpful and cover the basics for setting that up. I promise thats SUPER easy and you can do the whole thing with just a screw driver and a few minutes of your time.
@@SPACEDESIGNWAREHOUSE Thanks for all the info - very helpful! Agree that they seem to uncharge so much for the "smart" options. We are planning to do a couple CAT6 similar to what you did as well. Did you do any security setups with them? We were thinking about at least doing the security system pre-wire so we could eventually get some cameras set up on our own and not have to rely on battery (or solar) operated cameras. Looking forward to your home networking video!
Nice! Florida Building Inspector here. Let me know if you have any questions you want to run past a pro with no monetary reasons behind the answer you get.
Oh WOW! That actually sounds like an incredible gift, since Im *sure* commissions must drive a lot of whats put in front of me during the design process.
One thing Im curious about is this EFL Standard, high efficiency choice I made. I mean, it definitely seems to me like a solid choice to get the block filled with foam, but when they list things like "Extra caulking and weather proofing" there will be NO WAY on earth for me to know the difference, even if I go look at it while theyre building it. I mean, I dont know how much caulk belongs... whereever you put caulk while building a house.
Ask for a detailed list of the extra work to be performed. I.E. - "Extra caulking", is not detailed. I can expect which type of seams to be caulked and where? Ask questions like does that include a reflective radiant barrier and/or spray foam insulation in the attic? Will my attic be a higher R value than the standard 38R?
What is the difference expected from a Blower Door leakage test with the EFL package? In general, in a non aggressive way make sure the Superintendent sees you, and gets to know you. Drop tech details so they can tell you have done your research and can tell that you will be around. You will get a better end product.
You are very lucky my Parents had purchased the same in a planned Community ‘Leehigh Acres’ on the west coast not too far from Fort Meyers Beach. They had the same great model homes, just they never got built just Mobile Home Style
Ooof..oooof...and ooooof! I feel bad for anyone building and financing right now. My first house I bought was in Aug of last year. I got locked in at 4.9% financing... on a 1979 ranch with a 2 car garage and 1.5 baths... for $360,000. I feel the burn every day I come home after work to an old piece of crap house that needs a lot of work that I pay $2750 a month for. At least you're getting a new house and your awesome new roomates down payment lol
Yeah the rates are PURE INSANITY.. The mortgage doesnt actually start until the house is complete, so we've got like 7-9 months to see if an election year causes lower rates. But the plan is to just suffer until the rates come down and refinance. And yeah, it wouldnt have even been a consideration to build a new house without Tommy-Deep-Pockets over there!
looks good! Found you on reddit, subbed and will follow this interesting journey.
Very excited for you guys ! Can't wait to follow the series !
Cool series! Are concrete block frames typical in FL or is this a "new house" thing?
Good question. In my limited personal experience, my first house was all wood. The house we live in now was from like the 70’s and that’s block. I’m pretty sure at some point because termites are basically automatic here, the code changed to where the first floor has to be now.
why exactly does RUclips show this to me? why would i care about some random american planning to build a ugly useless house in middle of nowhere. damn this is nuts..
I, too, wonder what things you looked at on the internet, RUclips or otherwise, that led google to determine that what I’m doing with my money might interest you.
It may be a combination of our combined interests beyond this video that perhaps google has figured our interests are compatible in some way.
Either way, it’s nice to hear from someone apparently far away, nevertheless.
Dude! You have a foyer. No one has a foyer.
Ha! I suppose I better think up some art for the walls and maybe like one of those shoe dressers to go in there.
@SPACEDESIGNWAREHOUSE perhaps a life size real suit of armor. 😂
@@brianckelley hahahahaahahaha
Reconsider gas for cooking, Induction is far better and can obviously be ran off our solar. If you need convincing watch Climate towns video on gas. Keep up the good work though
Im torn on having gas at all... Thats one of those 'big box - preplanned neighborhood' decisions thats not up to me, the house WILL have a gas line. But I agree with you on the induction cooktop. I want the utility bill to be as close to zero as possible, they want to hook up an 'on demand' water heater that ALSO runs on gas; but I prefer the hybrid-heat-pump water heaters because of their crazy efficiency and also, the solar will handle it. We dont even use heat most years because Florida... So other than the stove and the water heater, what are we using gas for? I guess the jacuzzi? But same story again, I want that to run off the solar and the battery, not just burn gas all the time, thats kind of crazy.
I guess itll be good for the grill if for nothing else - we're getting like a built in outdoor kitchen setup in the lanai.
Thank you for bringing that up - I hadnt thought about induction, though I know about it and envy those who have it.
@@NicholasJamesJohnson Yeah plus cooking indoors with gas will push your AC to run harder to cool the kitchen from the extra heat generated. I have an on demand hot water system (Combi boiler) and they are great but I could easily replace it with an insulated tank heated by an electrical element. They also have the added bonus of giving you great water pressure for showers if you are in a low pressure area. If you have a large enough water tank you shouldn't run out of hot water. Great idea about the sockets under the eaves by the way. I'll be interested to see the interior design. Please don't out your TV over a fireplace like I see in most American homes
@@gnipz1 no worries about the fireplace; in Florida it’s summer for about 11 months and the “cold month” is only light sweater weather.
The stove will have a giant hood that exhausts to the outdoors so I don’t think that heat will be too substantial.
Hybrid heat pump water heaters aren’t just a tank with an element.. they have essentially an air conditioner on the top and use that heat pump to dump heat into the water tank. Which means it’s MOVING heat, rather than CREATING heat.. look them up, they use like 5x less electricity to make the same hot water! And like you said, I can just get a giant tank and still never run out.
I bought lot 68, are you ready to be neighbors?
🤘🤘☠️🏴☠️☣️
How do you feel about electric scooter rides to Shake Shack?
@@SPACEDESIGNWAREHOUSE fantastic.
Don't mind my 60' tall metal ham shack erection. 😉.
Thanks for the videos.
These videos are a yawn fest.
Dang.. well the house is done in two weeks, so there’s probably just one more of these to suffer through. I apologize, I thought it would be more interesting to see the whole process.
I can't wait!
Yeah, it’s going to be so fun to hang out in there while they’re putting all the walls up and me just bothering everyone, but bringing muffins and lasagna so they deal with it
That's perfect! Don't be surprised if you see me in construction clothing walking around the site to get in on the lasagna action. @@SPACEDESIGNWAREHOUSE
Question: What are you going to do about homeowners insurance? (Legitimate question, not trolling) I keep seeing on the news and other RUclips channels how insurance providers are either leaving the state of Florida altogether or not writing any new policies. Will you be stuck with Citizens insurance...also, whoever you end up with as your insurance provider consider adding sinkhole coverage to your policy as Florida ranks #1 in the US in sinkholes. Thank you for the informative/entertaining videos and best wishes.
I think thats just one of those news scaretactics things.. A quick search shows a bunch of insurance companies active in Florida. But I think we'll be going with USAA. Im a veteran and they usually have competitive rates. Our house now has something called fed...something. Wow I dont even know the name of it.
Good call on the sinkholes! It is a big sandy place.
Love this! I found you from a Reddit thread. We are just about to start building our home as well. Not in a planned community tho - ours is completely custom. So basically every tiny detail and decision is up to us. It’s a little overwhelming. And also with the land we’re in the same price range. It’s overwhelming to say the least. I am excited to watch your journey.
NICE! Yeah, since Im not a designer by any means, I didnt want the etxra stress of trying to create a 'flow' or an open concept that makes sense.. You guys are brave! Though, even with the floor plan I chose, I could see a thing or two that I would optimize.
What state? Im just curious if you get a basement, it seems like free square footage, there are no basements in Florida.
How exciting!!!
Ethernet in rooms you don't think you'll need. Yes, we have a power recliner couch so the outlet in the floor would be handy.
Oh you’re saying I should add Ethernet even where I don’t think I’ll need it? I suppose it’s pretty cheap to just go ahead and have them put it in all the rooms..
Easier than doing it later, especially since you don't have basement access. Fortunately I could still fish mine from the basement. Just sayin with IOT and nerds like us preferring hard wired connections???
Ha. I run electrical for Pulte.
Oh nice!! What are the odds you do it in Central Florida?
@@SPACEDESIGNWAREHOUSE I think the odds for doing it for your new house is low if construction is going to start in 2 weeks. I do more on Florida's east coast
@@georgey8280 ahhh. Yeah, the neighborhood we’re building in is all getting built at once, and it’s already got about 15 houses started, two of them look pretty much done!
I’ve been wondering how they handle so much at once; it looks like ‘your’ crews just jump from house to house and they have I think 7 or 8 at any given time at the same phase in the build.
Do you work on these preplanned neighborhoods? I’m hoping since we’re about 30th, everyone will have a ton of muscle memory doing the same models over and over and be perfecting it by the time they get to lot 67!:)
@@SPACEDESIGNWAREHOUSE It depends on each neighborhood. Other developers don't allow upgrades until after the construction of the house so it is easier and quicker to install.
Because you were given the option to change different features and add additional options, the time it takes to complete is dependent on what upgrades you or the developer requests. To clarify, I run electrical for different developers including Pulte.
Are you planning on putting in a pool?
@@georgey8280 yep, we’re putting in a pool and paid for the ‘pre-wiring’ that goes out to it. Why?
ALSO, and you may not know this one, but with Pulte, no one ever asked/talked about a water heater. I love my heat pump hybrid water heater, and we’re going to get solar, but the neighborhood has gas and the model homes have those ‘on-demand’ gas water heaters. It feels like I’m not getting a choice on that..