Totally with you on the air sealing—people obsess over R-values and then leave a drafty attic hatch wide open. I learned that lesson the hard way in my first place... insulation everywhere, but still felt like living in a wind tunnel. And yeah, conduit for future wiring is genius. I’d also say, if you’re starting from scratch, think about where you might want solar or battery storage down the line. Even just running a chase or leaving space can save a ton of headaches later.
I learned that lesson the hard way in my first place... insulation everywhere, but still felt like living in a wind tunnel.
- 100% agree—air sealing is way more important than people think. I spent a winter chasing drafts after doing a “perfect” insulation job.
- Conduit for future wiring is a lifesaver. I’d add: leave extra attic access, not just a hatch. Makes upgrades or repairs so much easier.
- Planning for solar/battery is smart, but I’d also rough in for EV charging—even if you don’t have one yet. The wiring’s cheap now, expensive later.
- One thing I wish I’d done: more exterior outlets. Never enough when you need them.
Title: Building Base Structures—What If You Had to Start Over?
- Air sealing gets ignored way too often—totally agree there. I always tell folks: you can have the fluffiest insulation, but if your house leaks like a sieve, you’re just heating the outdoors.
- Conduit’s a game changer. I once had to fish wire through a wall with zero access—never again. Now I leave “future proof” paths everywhere, even if it looks overkill.
- I’d push back a bit on attic access—sometimes more holes = more air leaks, unless you’re super careful. But I get the appeal for upgrades.
- Pre-wiring for EVs is a no-brainer. Even if you’re not thinking about an electric car now, you probably will in five years.
- Exterior outlets... can’t have too many. I always forget one spot and end up running a 100-foot extension cord for holiday lights.
If I had to hit reset on a base structure, I’d probably start with a checklist just to keep my future self from swearing at past me. First thing: air sealing, like you said—can’t stress it enough. It’s wild how many people skip it, then wonder why their utility bills are through the roof. I like to walk the frame with a can of sealant and just go after every gap before the drywall goes up. Not glamorous, but it pays off.
Conduit... yes, and more than you think you’ll need. I’ve learned that lesson the hard way too. I even put a run to the attic once just in case, and sure enough, I needed it two years later for solar wiring. Felt like a genius for about five minutes.
On attic access, I get the hesitation. Too many hatches can mean more places for air to sneak out. I’ve started using insulated attic ladders with tight gaskets—bit pricier, but they help.
Pre-wiring for EVs is becoming standard for me. Even if you’re not thinking about it now, someone down the line will thank you (or curse you if you skip it). And yeah, exterior outlets... I always forget one spot, usually where I want to plug in a leaf blower or string lights. Maybe someday I’ll get it right.
On attic access, I get the hesitation.
I get what you’re saying about attic hatches, but honestly, I kind of regret not putting in more access points. Crawling through insulation to get to a junction box I forgot about was a nightmare. I know it’s another spot for leaks, but with decent weatherstripping and a bit of extra effort, I feel like the convenience outweighs the risk. Maybe I’m just lazy, but future me is definitely happier with easier access.
